A lot of us yearn to prepare for Ramadan, but we have no idea how to start. Below are a few tips to insha’Allah help prepare our minds and hearts for this upcoming Month of Mercy.

1. Making the Intention

Simple to do and has a powerful impact. Maybe you want to prepare for Ramadan, but between school, work, family, and any other activities, you just have no idea how to fit in ‘Preparing for Ramadan’ time. Instead of making ‘preparing for Ramadan’ something separate from your daily activities, MAKE your daily activities a means of preparation for Ramadan.

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It’s easy to get swept into this society’s norms
In a World of “After you” and “Ladies first”
All wrongs seem to come at you in the right forms.
In a World of “After you” and “Ladies first”

In a world where girls and guys can intermingle
In a world where it’s a virtue to stay single
Where the only guideline is in each persons ability
Where everyone has stripped themselves of liability

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In the era of the Companions (sahaba) the learned were termed “Qur’aa” -the literate ones. In a later phase, in the history of Islamic legislation, the terms Ulema and Fuqaha appeared. These were terms that denoted a class possessed of technical knowledge. After this age emerged the age of taqlid and then a period of stagnation. Literacy, as a notion and concept, one can gather from a thorough read of the history of Islamic legislation, took on a series of senses with the progress of the history of Islamic fiqh.

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Almost one year has gone by and Ramadan is about to knock on our doors one more time, insha Allah. Being able to fast the month of Ramadan is truly a gift, and it is also a trust that needs to kept with care and concern. Just like all other great things, Ramadan requires some sacrifice and determination, if you wish to truly benefit from this gift and protect this trust.

To wake up one day and realize that Ramadan begins the next day is almost like being disrespectful to this blessed month. Ramadan requires preparation, which in turn, requires time and reflection. The companions of the Prophet (saw) used to start preparing for Ramadan six months prior to it, and they would increase their worship especially during the month in which we are now, Sha’ban.

It’s kind of hard to go into Ramadan without any specific goals, because to be able to improve one’s self, one needs to…well, obviously set some goals! Specific and personal goals will naturally vary from person to person, but here are some general ones that can be set inshaAllah:

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In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Sometimes, I look upon my bookshelf, and see the books, audio lectures, and Qur’an, and question myself.. where has all this knowledge got me? How much have I implanted in me of the knowledge I’ve sought?

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