Ramadaan!

Assalamu Alaykum,

Last saturday as we worked on the bulletin board, i read a a short article on how the Sahabah would ready themselves for Ramadan six months before it started. Then they would spend the six months that follow it in sincere Dua, asking Allah to accept their fast. Well Ramadan is going to be knocking on our doors again in five months inshallah.

Just now i read a post on this blog on how to get ready for Ramadan..

1) Become timely with all five of our daily prayers, and focus our hearts in our prayers.

2) Read more of the Quran each day.

3) Listen attentively to the recitation of the Quran.

4) Learn more about the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his way, his life, etc. and send more greetings to him, sallalLaahu 'alayhi wa salam.

5) Participate in wholesome community activities.

6) Listen to lectures (these are easily available online) or attend classes regarding Islamic matters as a way to inspire us to improve.

7) Find ways to express compassion to loved ones, colleagues, and those who we surround ourselves with.

8) Attempt voluntary fasts, perhaps three times a month (on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month) or on each Monday and Thursday - both of which were practices of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). As a shaykh once said, "sawm nurtures taqwa" (fasting nurtures God consciousness).

9) Work on improving our character, rectifying our errors, and repenting for our sins.

10) Work on developing a relationship with Allah, a relationship that we are all responsible for developing ourselves. Whatever you consider beautiful and necessary in a relationship, even complaining, take it to Allah.

11) Make a sincere effort to reflect on the bounties, blessings, and signs of Allah in all aspects of our existence.

12) And if we cannot do any of that, then perhaps we can at least try to grasp the essence of our deen again.