If we fail to plan —-> then we are planning to fail.
(Any preparation done for Ramadan becomes acts of worship, so do it happily)
1) DO ALL NECESSARY SHOPPING:
Purchase all Ramadan groceries, necessities, Eid clothing & Eid gifts so that in Ramadan shopping trips can be limited or even better.. avoided. Keep in mind all the little odds & ends that we usually run to the shops for..
2) SALAAH CLOTHES:
Have a special set of clothes to use for reading salaah at home. The 5 salaah are the most important appointments of our daily lives. We are standing before the King of kings & should be dressed in our finest clothes, definitely not in our pj’s, worn out smelly kaftans & kurtas.
(Buy/ make new ones or wash, iron & perfume existing ones)
3) PRAYER PLACE:
Dedicate a space in your home for your daily worship – clean & ‘attar’ it. Stock it up with all that you need for your ibadah – dua kitaabs, tafseer/ explanation of the Qur’aan , Ramadan literature/ q & a, Seerah lectures of our beloved Rasulullah sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, Qur’aan cds. …For sisters in particular!
4) PLAN MEALS:
Make a menu for Ramadan day1 until Eid Day. Prepare as much as u can so that the least amount of time will be spent in the kitchen. Keep in mind to keep meals simple & healthy & in moderation Ramadan is definitely not about gluttony & over-eating!
5) MAKE AN IBADAH (WORSHIP) SCHEDULE:
Plan your daily schedule, how to fit in maximum ibadah time with the rest of ur daily responsibilities.
Set simple targets that you can manage & achieve. What is it that you want to achieve in Ramadan? How will you go about doing it? Write down everything then make dua to اللّه Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala to enable you to meet ur goals. Its not about how much u can do but the consistency & quality you put into each act always for the pleasure of اللّه Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala.
6) DUA LIST:
Make a complete, comprehensive list of what you desire for this dunya but more importantly for the Aakhira. |
Include in your list who you need to make du’a for like your loved ones, teachers, people who supported you in your life, the sick, deceased, the oppressed & for the entire Ummah. Make dua for your progeny too that اللّه
Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala Grant them always the best in this world & the Hereafter.
7) SUPER SPRING-CLEANING:
Clean your home thoroughly before the month starts. Ramadan is a very important Guest & you need to make your home welcoming & comfortable for the Angels that will descend in large numbers during the blessed month. Don’t forget to get rid of any frames/ photos/ curtains/ throws/ pillows etc that have pictures of people, animals or anything animate as the Angels will not enter homes that contain such pictures & objects.. Also keep covered all toys & literature that have eyes.
8) SADAQA PREPARATION:
Prepare the stuff you will donate. Make a note of people / institutions you will donate to. Go through every room of your home & take out all the things that’s not in use for the last 3 months – the less you have, the less cluttered your life becomes & the better you feel.
9) SPRING CLEAN UR HEART:
The most important one on the list!!
Tie up loose ends socially. Make up with those you are not speaking to. Forgive even if you were the wronged one. Remember It takes a really great person to forgive first.
Get on the good side of parents, in-laws, husband/ wife, siblings, neighbours.
Our ultimate aim should be to go to sleep each night with a humble heart free of menace, revenge, envy & ill- feelings towards anybody. Start emptying your heart out now!
10) COMPLETE YOUR CURRENT QUR’AAN KHATAM:
If you are currently reading the Qur’an, aim to finish the khatam so that you can start afresh in Ramadan.
11) LIST YOUR DEBTS – INTEND & TAKE ACTION TO FULFIL THEM:
This includes: debts to اللّه Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala like ur missed salaah & fasts,
debts to Creation like money owed, things not belonging to you to be returned & promises made to be honoured.
*Ramadhan Mubarak In Advance!!!*