Ramadan is a time for change but we must prepare ourselves for it Photo Thefinalreminder
South Africa – When we decide to have a weekend out, everything is meticulously planned. We do this so we can take full advantage of our weekend. Similarly, as Ramadan approaches, we have to make sure we are prepared physically and spiritually in order to take full benefit from this blessed month.
It was narrated that ‘Aishah (radiallahu anha) said: “The Messenger of Allah used to fast (all of) Shaban except a little.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 2355)
First and foremost, one should prepare for Ramadan by fasting in Shaban. One should start keeping the Nafl and Sunnah fast, said Sheik Saeed Ncane, Member of Jamiatul Ulama KZN, Harding. One can also use the month of Shaban to make up for any fasts they have missed.
“We will get into the groove of fast, into the mood of fasting. Throughout the year, maybe some of us weren’t fasting … As a preparation we should start fasting. Do a few Nafl fasts and the Monday and Thursday Sunnah fasts as preparation.”
The great scholar Ibn Rajab explained the benefits of fasting in Shaban. By fasting before Ramadan, one can already create that discipline needed to stay away from evil and do good. By fasting in Shaban, the fasts of Ramadan will be easier.
Start reading salaah
The next step to preparing for Ramadan is to start reading our salaah if we haven’t already, said Sheik Ncane.
“If there are those who are not performing their salaah on time or at all, they should start today. If anyone started their day without praying Fajar, they should make qadha (make up for the missed salaah). They should start [with a firm intention] from today that they want to keep up with their prayers.”
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Start giving charity and increase your Quraan recitation
Everyone loves to give charity during Ramadan but one must also give charity in Shaban. Some of the reasons are that it will be easier to open our wallets during Ramadan. Even giving a petrol attendant money or smiling at someone is an act of charity but start now, explained Sheik Ncane.
“If you are filling up petrol at the station and someone is helping you, give them a R5 or a R10 as a token of appreciation as well as protection on the journey. We should even start smiling. If some of us are not used to smiling, then let us start. Come into the masjid and smile at someone, not put our head down. Even a smile is charity.”
An additional benefit is that if you donate iftar to the poor in other countries now, it is more likely to reach them at the beginning of Ramadan. Allowing you to receive the reward of the full month and them to have the energy to reap the benefits of the month.
Ramadan is the month of the Quraan and many wish to complete a full recitation of the Quraan during the month. To make this easier, one should start reading the Quraan from now. Set a realistic target for recitation to ensure you have a smoother entry into Ramadan, explained Sheik Ncane.
“Even if it is a page or half a page a day or one line a day, start getting used to touching and opening the Quraan. Even if it is just one word. Open the kitab of Allah (SWT) and just start reading. If you have a translation then start reading it with that. Slowly, slowly it will transform our lives.”
This blessed month comes once a year. In order to take complete advantage of it and reap the rewards, we need to prepare ourselves. It is a month that can change our lives if only we are prepared to put in the work. Let this Ramadan be that Ramadan that brings us closer to Allah (SWT) and is the means to change our lives.
To hear more on how one can better prepare themselves for Ramadan from Sheik Saeed Ncane, listen to the podcast here:
