10 Important things to Complete before Ramadan Begins
As the holy month of Ramadan draws near, all Muslims desire to achieve the most from this blessed month. In order to make the most of it, it is important to not take any pending stuff into Ramadan, which can impede our progress. Here are a few important things to consider completing before Ramadan starts.
1. Make up all Pending Fasts
If you missed any fasts during the previous Ramadan, now is the time to complete them. If you are unable (due to reasons such as pregnancy, travel, sickness, etc.) then it is advisable that you pay Fidyah (do consult some Sheikh to get a Fatwa in your case), which is compensation for not fasting, where you must feed the poor.
“(Fasting for) a limited number of days. So, whoever among you is ill or on a journey (during them) — then an equal number of days (are to be made up). And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship — a ransom (as a substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day)”
[Qur’an 2:184]
2. Make the Right Intention
The reward of every deed depends on its intention. A person will be punished or rewarded according to what he intended. Even good deeds done for wrong with wrong intentions can land you in trouble in front of Allah. Therefore, we must always do everything with the hope of pleasing Allah. Similarly, it is very important to make the right intention, as we go into this Ramadan, that is, fasting for Allah and doing all good deeds for Allah alone.
3. Deep Cleaning the House
The purpose is to get as many chores done in preparation for Ramadan so you won’t need to do them during the month. One such chore is deep cleaning the house. Set aside a day to do a complete cleaning of the house before Ramadan starts. You can also find used clothes and unnecessary things in the process, to be given away for charity during Ramadan.
4. Get Your Eid Shopping Done
All of us are excited about Eid, even before Ramadan begins, but don’t let that be your sole focus during the month. Add shopping to the top of your Ramadan preparation checklist, and get your Eid clothes and gift shopping out of the way, so you can focus on getting the most out of the holy month.
Moreover, it is a good idea to get your grocery shopping done a week or so before Ramadan begins.
5. Pre-Cook Meals
If we notice, a lot of time is spent in the kitchen during Ramadan. Though its importance cannot be denied, it can be managed in a smart way too. It can be very helpful if we can pre-cook and store some food, which can help us save a lot of time and put us ahead in the game when Ramadan starts. Moreover, making a Ramadan menu beforehand is also very helpful.
You can make large batches of food and store them in the freezer in individual portions, so when the time comes you can just take out one of them and heat them through!
6. Visit your Doctor
Another important thing to add to your Ramadan preparation checklist is to visit your doctor and dentist. If you are having any concerns, discuss them with your doctor, and treat them beforehand.
7. Decorate your House / Involve your Kids
Decorating your house for Ramadan can help create good vibes and a spiritual environment at home. Moreover, it is very important to involve your kids in all Ramadan activities. It will also help increase their interest in this Holy month, which they can take further in their lives. Have a look at this beautiful Ramadan Journal for Children here.
8. Prepare Ramadan Checklists
Having your “goals” listed out in a checklist will help keep you on track. You can make an action plan, based on your goals, which will give you the guidance and motivation to complete them. Daily checklists for what needs to be done every day, while monthly checklists will list goals meant to be completed by the end of Ramadan. Moreover, you can also prepare Du’a list etc, which will prove to be handy during Ramadan.
9. Organize Ramadan Supplications
One of the things that you can do in preparation for Ramadan is to get important duas and supplications that you can print out and hang around the house. This way, whenever you look at them, you will be reminded to recite them.
If you have kids, you can even make it a fun pre-Ramadan project for them; they can decorate frames and write the duas themselves. Not only will this keep them occupied, but it will also encourage them to learn the duas themselves.
10. Gather Important Information
Get your local prayer timings, along with Suhoor and Iftar timings, and hang them up in your house. Check from the local mosques to find out when and where Taraweeh prayers are taking place. Find out about any Ramadan programs or sermons in your locality, so you can make time to participate in them. You can even attend any pre-Ramadan program to learn more about how to prepare for Ramadan.
All the above images are from The Productive Ramadan Planner, which is an All-in-One resource to plan and have your best Ramadan. Get it from here.
11. Wish your Loved ones (Bonus)
In a world full of instant messages and emails, break out of the mold and send a stunning, traditional greeting card for loved ones, wishing them Ramadan or Eid. You can find some very beautiful Greeting Cards here.
May Allah (SWT) grant us the will and strength to fast this Ramadan, and may this be a month of blessings and forgiveness for all brothers and sisters. Share any other ideas you have for Ramadan preparation in the comments.
