Preparing for Ramadan
The Month of Fasting, Charity, & Prayer
Welcome! As we approach the holiest month of the year, you may wish to prepare your body, heart, and spirit for what lies ahead. Some of these preparations are outward and some are inward, but all support you in facing your Lord during this precious opportunity for healing, transformation, and increased intimacy with the Beloved.
8 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan
1. Get Inspired! Participate in SSC's "Preparing for Ramadan" 3-day Teaching Series.
As we do every year, we will offer 3 days of teachings on the basics of fasting, zakah, Laylat al-Qadr, and more.
Register now and you will also be automatically registered for the teachings that take place during the month of Ramadan, insha’allah!
2. Watch or listen past teachings on Ramadan.
Immersing yourself in the teachings on Ramadan is a great way to get into the spirit of the month.
Alhamdulillah, we have 4 years of teachings on how to prepare for Ramadan and we have almost 200 teachings from Ramadans past!
Check out the list and find the ones that speak to your heart.
SOME GREAT OPTIONS:
3. Begin increasing your worship and your personal prayers (du'a')
During Ramadan we all strive to increase our daily worship in the ways that we can, due to the exponential increase in blessings we receive for each sacred act.
Beginning this process slowly and gradually in the weeks prior to Ramadan can ease the detoxification process that often accompanies a rapid increase in spiritual practice.
4. Increase your tawba (repentance).
Tawba is the spiritual practice through which Allah forgives, purifies, and elevates us into greater intimacy with Him, alhamdulillah. Our beloved guide once said that, “Tawba is the key to every station.”
You can learn more about tawba here.
5. Spend time in community.
Connecting with community is so important for our walking to Allah, Most High. Those who carry the intention to purify and beautify themselves during Ramadan can be a support, an inspiration, a mirror, and a wake-up call.
Take time out of your busy schedule to attend local gatherings of beloveds.
Make plans for iftar (dinner) with others who are fasting.
Share your plans for increasing your worship and devotion with others and receive support and inspiration through these connections.
If you’re unable to meet with other Sufis/Muslims in person or if you just want more, join SSC’s Zoom classes before and during Ramadan.
6. Practice fasting (sawm)
There are many ahadith which describe the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as “always” fasting during Sha’ban, the month that immediately precedes Ramadan.
Insha’allah, if you have days to make-up from last Ramadan or you simply wish to align yourself with the subtle lights of the month to come, consider fasting as many days as you can in Sha’ban.
7. Consider how you will view the new moon
It is the tradition of the Prophet ﷺ (sunnah) to personally witness the new moon. This is how we know for certain that the new month has begun.
It is related that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Whenever you sight the new moon (of the month of Ramadan) observe your fast, and when you sight it (the new moon of Shawwal) break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe your fast for thirty days.” This hadith was related by several individuals and can be read in Sahih Muslim, insha’allah.
SSC’s moon sighting policy states that you can take your moon sighting information from SSC (we follow Jerusalem), you can make the effort to witness the new moon yourself, or you can take the moon sighting information from your local Muslim community. We recommend you follow whichever method feels the most accurate to you and brings ease to your heart, insha’allah.
8. Make a plan for your Ramadan
This may be the most important piece of advice for people hoping to increase their worship this Ramadan.
Ramadan is a training ground and an opportunity to remove bad character traits and actions that are not beloved to Allah.
Take your chance! Make a list of the traits or behaviors you’re asking Allah to help you transform, insha’allah.
Then, make a list of the additional worship you hope to work into your routine during Ramadan, insha’allah.
May Allah help you and bless you and give you proximity to Him. Amin.