Don’t know how to make the most out of Ramadan this year?
5 tips to start preparing for Ramadan early
Ramadan is less than 2 weeks away. However, most of us are finding it hard to get in the Ramadan groove this year. With the global pandemic and all-around uncertainty, many of us are unsure how we are going to make the most out of this Ramadan.
Despite the changes we will all experience, we have put together a guide that can help you still experience Ramadan.
1. Make dua a daily habit 🤲
Dua is one of the most powerful tools we can use in this time of global crisis.
Start a daily habit of taking just 5 minutes out of your day and asking Allah for anything that your heart desires in your own language.
When you find yourself struggling during the day, take a few minutes to regroup your thoughts, and make a quick dua for yourself and the people around the world.
“And when My servants ask you (O Muhammad ﷺ) concerning Me, then surely I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he calls to Me.” (Quran, 2:186)
2. Take a mindful approach to food
Ramadan is about fasting and consuming less. To get yourself prepared for the long days of fasting and reduce the massive lineups at grocery stores, here are a few things to consider:
- Reduce or eliminate snacking
- Take one meal out of your day, perhaps grab a late breakfast or skip lunch altogether.
- Control your portion sizes and drink lots of water to stay hydrated
- Prepare a list of groceries and try not to panic buy
This Ramadan let us ensure that we waste less food (or not at all!) and remember our brothers and sisters around the world who will be fasting these long days without much to eat.
Anas Bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to break his fast with fresh dates before he prayed. If he did not find fresh dates then he would use dried dates. If he did not find that also, he drank a few sips of water. — Ahmad and Abu Dawood
3. Automate your Sadaqah
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas “The Prophet ﷺ was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadan…more generous than the fast wind in doing good” [Bukhari].
Ramadan is a time when Muslims worldwide are highly encouraged to share their blessings with others. Mosques’ and charitable organizations’ largest fundraisers take place during this time.
Most of us have the opportunity to give every day during taraweeh, every week during jum’ah, as well as during the various fundraising iftars throughout the month. This Ramadan will be different from any that we have ever experienced. We may not have the same opportunities to give how we used to.
However, with the advent of modern technology, most of your favourite charities can still be supported online. Last year in Ramadan $12,000,000 was given on LaunchGood by people from 89 countries supporting 1500 worthy causes around the world.
To ensure that you can maximise your blessings and never miss a day of giving during the blessed month, automate your daily giving on LaunchGood’s Ramadan Challenge. Help create a lasting impact across the world!
Join thousands of Muslims to:
- Rebuild our global community in this time of crisis
- Feed iftar around the world during Ramadan
- Help our most vulnerable brothers and sisters in Syria, Ghana, Palestine, Myanmar, Somalia, East Turkestan and more
- Build and keep mosques running
- and more…
4. Build up your connection with Allah
During this global pandemic, if you are working from home, chances are you might have a more flexible schedule. Whether you are working from home or not, you can apply these easy tips to start enhancing your connection with Allah through the 5 daily prayers.
- If you struggle to keep up with the daily prayer — begin with one prayer a day and build from there. Start early and by the time Ramadan rolls around you will be praying more regularly inshaAllah!
- If you struggle to pray on time — schedule your prayers on your calendar and set an alarm to make sure you get your prayers in before the time is up.
- If you pray your prayers on time — add an extra 5 mins before prayer reviewing the meanings of the Surahs you will use in your solah to strengthen your khushu’ (concentration)
Bonus tip: Wake up 20 minutes before fajr to catch tahajjud and also get yourself in the habit of getting up for suhoor.
5. Connect with your loved ones
Some of us will spend Ramadan mostly at home this year. If you are blessed to live in the same house as your loved ones, spend some uninterrupted, screen-free time with them. Block out some family time in your calendar starting now so you can deepen your connections in Ramadan.
Pray together with all your family members.
Watch a 20-minute reminder with the family. Lots of Muslim organisations are producing quality content and virtual jum’ah reminders across social media.
This year more than ever a lot of people will be spending Ramadan completely alone. If you are not alone, make sure to check up on those who are spending it alone, invite them to a virtual iftar. If you are alone, reach out to your friends and family to stay connected.
The Prophet ﷺ said, “When a Muslim spends something on his family, intending to receive Allah’s reward, it is regarded as charity for him.” — Bukhari
Ramadan is a month of community, sharing, giving, praying, and sacrificing for almost 2 billion Muslims around the world. This might be our most difficult Ramadan yet, perhaps by starting a little early, making a few changes to our daily routines now, and taking it easy on each other, we can start and finish Ramadan 2020 on a higher note. We hope for the best and know Allah’s always choosing the best for us.
