8 Ways You Can Prepare for Ramadan this Year

As we approach the sacred month of Ramadan, we find a golden opportunity to deepen our spirituality, reconnect with ourselves and Allah Almighty, foster meaningful relationships, and prioritize our physical and mental well-being.

If you’re seeking ways to maximize this auspicious time, consider the following tips:

1. Begin with the Right Intention:

Just like what the esteemed scholar, Imam Nawawi, mentioned in the first hadith of his collection of 40 ahadith:

It is narrated on the authority of Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Believers), Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), say:

“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended. Whoever migrates with an intention for Allah and His messenger, the migration will be for the sake of Allah and his Messenger. And whoever migrates for worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for the sake of whatever he migrated for.”

[Related by Bukhari & Muslim]

The essence of Ramadan extends beyond its arrival; it starts with cultivating the right intentions well in advance. Pose essential questions to refine your goals for the month:

• What spiritual, emotional, and physical gains do you aim for?
• How will you establish positive habits and break bad ones?
• What does Ramadan mean to you?

Setting clear intentions will serve as a compass, guiding your actions and infusing your efforts with profound meaning.

2. Plan Your Schedule:

With early morning and late-night prayers, breaking fast with family and friends, and special activities, Ramadan is a bustling period. 

Consider proactively planning your schedule well in advance, allowing you to seamlessly partake in the diverse array of experiences that Ramadan offers. By doing so, you not only ensure active engagement in the spiritual facets of the month but also create space for the communal and familial bonds that define the essence of Ramadan.

As you chart your timetable, striking a delicate balance becomes paramount. Allocate time for prayers, reflection, and communal activities, all while weaving in moments for self-care. Prioritizing your physical and mental well-being is not only a practical necessity but also an integral aspect of enhancing the overall Ramadan experience.

3. Focus on Mindfulness and Spiritual Growth:

During Ramadan, mindfulness is paramount, particularly when performing good deeds. Cultivate mindfulness through regular practice:

• Dedicate 5-10 minutes each morning or night for reflection.
• Express gratitude, forgive those who’ve wronged you, and identify areas for personal improvement.

To help you in your quest for mindfulness, you can even use various medium to help you keep track of your thoughts, emotions and how you can plan your Ramadan schedule throughout the month. 

One of the ways is by downloading our FREE Ramadan Reflections PDF, specially designed to help you list out your daily acts of worship, keep a list of personal du’as that mean a lot to you, and even keep track of how you’re feeling on a daily basis.

 You can even consider downloading amazing mindfulness apps on your phone that can help navigate your emotions from a more psychological perspective, if that’s what you’re inclined towards to.

4. Give Back to the Community:

Immerse yourself in the spirit of giving by seeking opportunities to volunteer your time. Consider joining local charitable initiatives, participating in community service projects, or contributing to the welfare of vulnerable groups. 

Your hands-on involvement not only aids those in need but also cultivates a sense of unity and shared responsibility within the community.

Alternatively, explore avenues for financial contributions to support struggling members of your community. Whether through established local charities or direct outreach efforts, your donations can provide crucial assistance to individuals facing challenges. 

This form of generosity creates a ripple effect, fostering a culture of compassion and empathy that transcends the boundaries of individual lives.

In the spirit of Ramadan, consider participating in specific initiatives that amplify your impact. For instance, our 17th annual Ramadan Charity Basket aims to uplift underprivileged families in Singapore. 

Your involvement in this meaningful project directly contributes to empowering those facing economic hardships, making a tangible difference in their lives.

5. Embrace the Spirit of Renewal:

Forgive and let go of the old you. It can be difficult to move past our history, the things we’ve done in the past, especially when those pasts involve hurting other people. However, do not lose hope in the Divine Mercy of Allah Almighty, the One Who Forgives.

 ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ ٱلذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

“Say, ‘[God says], My servants who have harmed yourselves by your own excess, do not despair of God’s mercy. God forgives all sins: He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [Qur’an 39:53]

Ramadan signifies a time for renewal and growth. Strengthen your connection with Allah the Most Merciful, seek forgiveness, and relinquish negative habits. By following these tips, you can make the most of this special month and reap its numerous benefits.

6. Practice Sunnah at Your Own Pace

The beauty of embracing Sunnah lies in its adaptability to individual circumstances and capacities. Here, it is not about the rigidity of adherence but the sincerity of intent and the gradual incorporation of the Prophetic traditions into one’s routine.

Consider incorporating Sunnah practices into your daily life at a pace that aligns with your journey. Some of the easy Sunnahs you can incorporate in your daily life are:

1. Smile to your brothers and sisters
2. Give Salaam
3. Say ‘Bismillah’ before performing any action or deed
4. Wear clean and neat clothes
5. Say ‘Alhamdulillah’ after eating
6. Sit down to drink water
7. Say something good or remain silent
8. Sleeping on your right side
9. For men, oiling hair
10. Use fragrances

The essence lies in the genuine effort to infuse these timeless traditions into your routine, allowing them to become a natural and cherished part of your spiritual journey.

Remember, the journey of practicing Sunnah is deeply personal and can be tailored to suit your unique circumstances. Approach it with a heart filled with sincerity and a commitment to gradual progression. 

7. Create a Prayer Routine

Ramadan is the time for us to increase in our ‘Ibadah and create realistic routines that’s easy for us to stick to throughout the month of Ramadan. If you’re a beginner, you don’t have to create a rigorous schedule, as Allah Almighty states that He loves consistency no matter how small the change is. 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.’ (Ibn Majah).

As a start, you may consider offering one Sunnah prayer a day and continuously increasing the intensity of your prayers day by day. This can also be applied to other acts of good deeds like giving charity, reciting the Qur’an and much more.

8. Review and Reflect on Last Ramadan

Begin by revisiting the moments of spiritual connection and growth you encountered. Recall the challenges you faced and the lessons you learned. Acknowledge the strengths you discovered within yourself and the areas where improvement is possible. This retrospective gaze serves as a compass, guiding you towards a more intentional and transformative Ramadan experience.

Identify specific practices or routines that proved beneficial and consider incorporating them into your preparations for this year. Perhaps you found solace in a particular nightly prayer routine, a daily Quranic reflection, or a charitable initiative. Building on these positive aspects can enhance your spiritual journey and contribute to a more fulfilling Ramadan.

Equally important is the examination of any shortcomings or missed opportunities from the previous Ramadan. Did you struggle with consistency in prayers or find challenges in managing time effectively? Honest self-reflection allows you to address these areas, offering a chance for growth and improvement.

Use this moment of introspection to set realistic goals for the upcoming Ramadan. Whether it’s aiming to increase your Quranic recitation, refining your prayer focus, or deepening your acts of kindness, a targeted approach based on past reflections can foster a more purposeful and rewarding experience.

In the embrace of Ramadan, let the spirit of renewal unfold its wings, inviting you to shed the burdens of the past and embark on a journey of self-reflection and growth. 

May the blessings of this month be a balm for the soul, healing wounds and soothing the unrest within. As you tread the path of fasting and prayer, may you find solace in the quiet moments of contemplation, discovering the richness that lies within the chambers of your own heart.

Wishing you a truly blessed Ramadan, a tapestry woven with threads of love, illuminated by the gentle glow of peace, and adorned with the blossoms of spiritual growth. 

May each day be a stepping stone towards a more profound understanding of your faith and a closer communion with the divine. 

May your open heart and receptive mind be vessels for the abundance of blessings that Ramadan brings, enveloping you in a serene cocoon of grace and tranquility.