Getting ready for Ramadan
The month is a guest. Preparing the house before the guest arrives — physically, in our schedule, and in our hearts.
Outline
- 1
The Companions prepared for six months
The Salaf would prepare for Ramadan for six months before it arrived, and then mourn its passing for six months after. Their love for the month was structural to their year, not just a thirty-day event.
- 2
Start fasting now
The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha'ban than any other non-Ramadan month (Bukhari 1969). Begin Monday-Thursday fasts in Sha'ban so the body adjusts before Ramadan arrives.
- 3
Pre-read what you will recite
If you want to read the whole Quran in Ramadan, review Surah al-Baqarah now. Six juz the first week of Sha'ban — five during the week, one on the weekend — means your tongue is warm when Ramadan starts.
Closing line
Allahumma ballighna Ramadan — O Allah, let us reach Ramadan.
Aisha (RA) reported: the Prophet's ﷺ khutbahs were of moderate length and his prayers were short (Sahih Muslim 869). Aim for fifteen to twenty minutes. Two sections separated by a brief sitting is the Sunnah pattern.