Ramadan preparation as a muslim

اَللّٰهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
Allahumma ballighnā Ramaḍan
O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan

Rajab and Sha‘ban: The Mercy Before Ramadan

Ramadan doesn’t come out of nowhere, Allah gives us a gentle runway. Rajab arrives as one of the sacred months, reminding us to take our hearts seriously. Then Sha‘ban comes as the month the Prophet ﷺ increased his fasting, so we don’t enter Ramadan rusty, distracted, or overwhelmed. If you’ve ever felt Ramadan started too fast, Rajab and Sha‘ban are your invitation to prepare calmly, sincerely, and consistently.

Ramadan doesn’t begin on the first night of taraweeh,It begins earlier, quietly in the choices you make when you decide: I want this Ramadan to be different. Not necessarily “perfect.” Just more present, more intentional, more like you turning back to Allah with an open heart.

Below are some practical ways to benefit from this month: 

1) Start with the intention (and keep it simple)

Before schedules, meal plans, and Qur’an charts, pause and set your niyyah:

• Ya Allah, let this Ramadan be a means of closeness to you.
• Ya Allah, help me worship you with sincerity and consistency.
• Don’t underestimate how powerful a sincere intention is. When your intention is clear, even small deeds become heavy on the scale.

2) Repentance  

Ramadan is a month of mercy, but it’s also a month of forgiveness. The heart feels things more. So if you want to walk in lighter, begin with repentance early.

Try this:

• Make a private du’a asking Allah to forgive you - specific if you can, gentle if it’s hard.
• Pray two rak‘ahs of repentance when you’re able.
• Choose one habit to leave for Allah (even if it’s small but consistent).

3) Rebuild the basics first: salah, Qur’an, and dhikr

Ramadan amplifies what already exists. If salah is shaky now, Ramadan will feel like a sprint. If it’s steady now, Ramadan becomes a lift.

A realistic pre-Ramadan reset:

• Salah: Focus on guarding prayer times (even if you start with just one improvement: praying at the beginning of the time, adding sunnahs, or reducing distractions).
  
• Qur’an: Don’t start with “I’ll finish it 3 times.” Start with “I’ll read daily even if it’s 5 minutes.”
  
• Dhikr: Add a small morning/evening routine:

Astaghfirullah (100)

SubhanAllah / Alhamdulillah / Allahu Akbar (33 each)

Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ

Consistency beats intensity.

4) Work on your Character

• Ramadan is a time of purifying the heart and mind, as much as the body.
• Be more kind, patient and forgiving.
• Avoid any type of negativity, anger and refrain from gossip and backbiting.
• 5) Give Back & Be Charitable
• Donate to those in need, even if it’s small but consistent.
• Help family, friends, and your community with acts of kindness.
• Volunteer for local initiatives or support online charities.

6) Take Care of Your Body & Mind

• Eat nutritious meals at Suhoor & Iftar for energy.
• Stay hydrated and get enough rest.
• Engage in light movement like walking to stay active.

7) Use Your Time Wisely

• Reduce social media scrolling and use that time for Qur’an, learning, or reflection.
• Set daily time blocks for worship, work, and self-improvement.
• Listen to islamic lectures, attend local halaqas.
• Sleep early to make Tahajjud & Fajr easier.

8) Make a du’a list (this changes everything)

You’ll have moments in Ramadan when your heart is soft—right before iftar, after salah, in tahajjud, in sujood. If you don’t prepare, those moments pass.

Write a du’a list in categories:

• Dunya: work, studies, health, finances
  
• Akhirah: forgiveness, a good end, Jannah, protection from the Fire
  
• Heart: sincerity, peace, removing envy/anger, healing
  
• Family: parents, spouse, children, siblings
  
• Ummah: oppressed people, guidance, unity
  

Keep it in your notes app. Read it daily. Watch how focused your du’a becomes.A simple pre-Ramadan checklist 

• chose 1 habit to leave for Allah
• set a realistic Qur’an routine
• improved one thing in my salah
• planned Ramadan “minimums”
• started reducing distractions
• set a charity goal
• made tawbah and asked Allah for a clean heart
  
  

O Allah, allow this Ramadan to bring us closer to You. Accept our duʿās, forgive our shortcomings, and fill our hearts with Your remembrance.