Ramadan Prep, Tips and Checklist

Ramadan Prep, Tips and Checklist - This time next week, we could be fasting! So we thought we would put together a quick post with ideas on how to prepare.

Download a free Healthy Ramadan Recipe Ebook here.

Ramadan Prep, Ramadan Tips and Ramadan Checklist

Ramadan is truly one of the most blessed times of the year. There is so much goodness within the month and we walk away from it a little better each year InshaAllah/Alhamdulillah.

It is such a great opportunity to have a spiritual cleanse and to connect with Allah first, then yourself and loved ones .

In order to get as much as we can from the month, preparation is key.

“When Ramaḍān comes, the gates of Jannah are thrown open, the doors of Jahannam are closed and the Shayāṭīn are imprisoned. ” (Al-Bukhārī)

This is a month of mercy and forgiveness and a month in which we can take huge leaps towards Jannatul Firdaus InshaAllah.

Tips for Preparation

Here are a few ways to prepare for the month ahead:

1. Prepare a Dua List -

I tend to write down 6 main Duas and then write down a list of duas for specific parts of my life.

So for example, I have sections like -

Faith

Kids

Family and Relationships

Business

Ask for anything. Even if it seems impossible. Remember you are asking from the one who can answer all your deepest Halal desires and more.

I remember that I used to make a dua when I first got married. It seemed so implausible at the time. Alhamdulillah that dua came true almost 5 years ago now.

When I look back I realise that Allah answered my dua so seamlessly. I didn't have to fight for it or do anything special.

I just had to turn to Allah and ask. So use this opportunity to write down your duas and then just ask.

I would also recommend holding on to past Dua books. Here is why:

They help you to see how far you have come;

They work as proof to yourself that Allah answered your Dua or gave you something better;

When you can tick things off, they act almost like a Gratitude list for you to ponder upon.

I keep my notebook with me and use it after Salah but my main time for Dua is at Tahajjud or just before Maghrib Salah/Iftar.

2. Try and make a habit of waking up for Tahajjud if you are able to.

My experience of Tahajjud has always been that it has massively increased Barakah in my life.

The benefits of making Dua and praying Tahajjud are many including that Allah puts ease in all your affairs and hardships are eased.

"The best of prayers after the prescribed prayers is prayer in the depths of the night, and the best of fasting after the month of Ramadan is fasting the month of Allah, Muharram." (Muslim)

"Every night Allah Tabaraka Wa Ta’ala descends (to the heavens of the world) when it is the third of the last night.

He said: “Whoever calls me, I will allow his appeal. Whoever asks me, I allow his request. And whoever asks forgiveness of Me, I forgive him." (Bukhari and Muslim).

3. Decide the Charities you would like to support throughout the month and who your Zakat will go to -

Do your research and support Charities that speak to you. If you do have family members that need help, it may be a good time to support them also.

4. Make Intentions and set goals! - It may be that you may only fulfil half of the intentions you make for Ramadan but you will be rewarded as though you did as much as you intended InshaAllah.

Intentions can include:

Completing the Quran - The least we should aim for is 1 but we can intend to pray more.

Reading the Translation of some Surahs

Learning Arabic

Learning Duas and Surahs

Dhikr

Helping a local family with food

Supporting a foodbank

Providing Dates for your community

Send out Ramadan Gift Cards

Work on eliminating a bad habit

and anything else you want to work on..

A great way to make sure you do as much as you would like, is to plan ahead and create some sort of timetable for yourself.

5. Dhikr List -

Make a dhikr list and decide how much of each Dhikr you will pray. Dhikr is a quick and easy way to gain rewards with very little time and effort. A great example of this is seen via the Hadith below:

Abu Hurairah (radiallaahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

“There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful:

`Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim’
Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection)’.”

Al-Bukhari and Muslim

6. Try and plan an Iftar for loved ones -

This year will be slightly different but you can still meet and eat with 6 loved ones out doors. Or you can provide Ramadan Iftar boxes. Plan this ahead of time so it isn't too overwhelming on the day.

7. Up the recitation -

Try and recite more then you normally would a day so that you build some momentum for the month ahead.

8. Find a reliable Sirah book -

Alternatively listen to this series which me and my family are currently going through. Making it a family exercise will help increase your bond InshaAllah.

9. Meal Plan and Prep - We don't and have never stocked the freezer for Ramadan so meal planning for us is essential. Luckily (Alhamdulillah), my husband likes simple food in Ramadan.

So I have a rough idea ahead of time and get the ingredients I need. I then run the meal ideas by my husband and plan them into the calendar so I am not spending too much time faffing about in the kitchen.

Do what works for you and your family.

10. Get the deco up!

We have been decorating our home for Ramadan for 11 years now! It really helps the kids to get into the spirit and excitement of Ramadan.

Have your deco ready and get it up before the first fast to make sure you aren't wasting time during the blessed month.

12. Social Media Detox - If you can, now is a really good time to consider a break from social media and the distractions it comes with.

There is so much goodness on Social Media but there is also a lot of stuff that is not beneficial to the soul.

It has also been designed to be addictive so actively making the intention to step away from the scrolling for the month means you can allocate that time towards doing something that will be good for the soul.

Social Media can be draining and often leads to comparison and getting overly concerned with things that should not concern us.

13. Anything Else - Get the house tidy and have a spring clean. Declutter if you need to. All these things will help create a relaxed feeling in your home.

Tie up any loose ends - Try and handle any emails or calls that you are able to, before Ramadan enters.

It might be a good idea to cancel any subscriptions for the month that may lead you to fall into error. Such as Netflix.

Gentle Reminder -

These are just ideas.

Please don't feel overwhelmed and like you have to do it all.

Remember who you are doing this for and why. Do not over burden yourself and feel like you have failed if you are not able to do as much this year.

Allah knows you, knows your heart, knows what you can do, knows your state, knows your intention. Even small acts will have a huge impact on your Imaan and your Ramadan InshaAllah.

We hope this 'Ramadan Prep, Tips and Checklist post' is of benefit to you and your loved ones. If it is, please share it.

Request for Dua

Please keep us in your humble duas during the beautiful month of Ramadan.

Make the most of the days and night ahead and treat them almost like a spiritual retreat.

May Allah make us from those that gain maximum benefits during the month of Ramadan. Aameen. May Allah elevate us through his mercy and may this month be a means of us gaining entry into Jannatul Firdaus. Aameen.

"Allahumma Bhalighna Ramadan."

O Allah, Allow us to reach Ramadan with it's beautiful days of fasting and nights of prayer.

Please see below a Ramadan Planner (PDF) and Checklist (XLS).

Ramadan Planner

Ramadan Checklist (XLS)

Ramadan Checklist (PDF)

The Checklist is inspired by Malaysian Muslim on Slideshare.

Ramadan Prep, Tips and Checklist

Download a free Healthy Ramadan Recipe Ebook here.