Let’s make it better this year!
The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu-Akbar; Allah is the Greatest) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadan and Shawwal] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him. Quran (Chapter 2: Verse 185)
All praises are for Allah (SWT), who has blessed us with this life and blessed us with another Ramadan. Ramadan is coming with all its barakah and with the night that is better than a thousand months. It is the month in which the doors of Jannah are open, and the doors of Jahannam are closed.
Each year, Ramadan comes and goes, and most of us are left with a deep regret of not worshiping Allah (SWT) properly, and not making the most of this beneficial month.
Let’s change that this year with a few steps.
Sincere Intentions
Start with a sincere intention to make this Ramadan better. You can do the greatest of deeds but without the correct intention they will be worth nothing. Make an intention that this Ramadan will be a turning point in your life after which you will continue to be steadfast on the path of righteousness.
Verily, deeds are only with intentions and every person will have only what they intended. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 54)
Make a Plan
Plan out your day. How are you going to spend your day during Ramadan? How much time will you be dedicating to the Quran? When will you pray your nawafil and so on?
Make sure your plans are realistic and remember that small deeds done consistently are are more beloved to Allah than big deeds that are done just once. Remember being realistic is key to a successful plan.
Start Early, Start Today
If you are planning to do something good then you should start as soon as possible. The same goes for staying away from something wrong.
By starting today, you get a head start, and you are already in the habit of doing good deeds and have control over the bad deeds by the time Ramadan arrives. So if you are planning to pray sunnah this Ramadan there is no better day to start than today.
Learn the Quran
If you don’t know how to recite the Quran with tajweed (proper pronunciation), this is the perfect time to start learning. Besides, learning tajweed is obligatory on every Muslim.
Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Our pious predecessors would even leave their gatherings of knowledge to completely focus on learning and teaching the Quran during this blessed month.
Seek Forgiveness
Before Ramadan, make sincere tawba, repent from your sins and ask Allah for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness also from one another. That will help you start the month of Ramadan with a clean heart.
Review
Knowing about Ramadan helps us to prepare better for it. Listening to lectures, and reading articles related to Ramadan, reminds us of the importance of this month.
Besides, there are important rulings related to Ramadan for example what can and cannot be done during fasting. People who do not know these rulings can inadvertently spoil their good deeds.
Ramadan is the most blessed month of the year. Let’s make the most of it!
We have wasted too many Ramadan in our lives and we don’t know how long our life is, so let’s make this Ramadan one that we remember and cherish.
