It's Ramadan again.
And guess who just noticed.
As-salaamu alaykum warahmatuLlahi wabarakaatuh. (In Cadar's voice, for my TDS girlies.✨)
Hello there and how are you?
Ramadan is in 15 daysssss?? 15 days y'alllll. I know Ramadan creeps up on me every year because I'm never prepared for anything in my life but this year is a record I hope to never repeat in my life bi idhniLlah. Because, what am I supposed to do with myself now?? *Cries in Allahuma, please…one more chance.*
I'm not even sure what did the trick but I'm grateful that I seem to have finally snapped out of this daze I've been in, in the past month. AlhamduliLlah.
What's the purpose of this letter?
Now that I have, alhamduliLlah, come back to my senses, I am very desperate to make up for the past weeks and prepare for Ramadan as much as I can in the next weeks.
And, as much as I hope there's nobody who is in the same shoes as I am, I'll share some of the reminders I've found in the past few days that I hope to work with in the next weeks, hoping it helps someone too bi idhniLlah.
Fasting
On fasting in the month of Shaaban,
Usāmah b. Zayd RA was reported to have said to the Messenger of Allah , “O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any month as much as you fast in Shaʿbān.” He said, “That is a month which people do not pay much attention to, between Rajab and Ramaḍān. It is a month in which the actions are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds are taken up whilst I am fasting.” (Nasā’ī)
Aaisha RA was also reported to have said, “I did not see him fast in any month as much as he fasted in Shaʿbān.” (Muslim)
It is said too that fasting in Sha'ban physically and mentally prepares you for Ramadhan. Also, if you owe any missed fasts from last Ramadhan, this is your last opportunity to pay up.
There's still a bit of time, so, shall we?
Tahajjud
I don't know about you but I've learnt from experience that bringing my Tahajjud A-Game usually requires a bit of consistent build up. We'll take it from the smaller numbers and build it up to the desired goal. This way, your body is also conditioned to to Qiyaming in the Layl. There's still some 2 weeks left, bismiLlah.
Recitation of the Qur'an
Allahuma, pleasssseee.
I'm particularly desperate for this one because I didn't meet my recitation goal last year and it would crush my heart to have any misshappenings again this year. A'udhubiLlah.
In addition, Ibn Rajab (R) wrote,
“The predecessors used to devote themselves to the recitation of the Qur’ān in Shaʿbān, and they would say ‘The month of Shaʿbān is the month of the Reciters.’”
We have some two weeks, who's with me?🥺
Plan Your Ramadhan
One of the best ways to prepare for Ramadhan is to plan your activities. What do you want to do better this Ramadhan? How do you plan to achieve that? The how. Plan it out and make Du'a that Allah eases it for you, keeping in mind that…Allāh is the best of planners. [8:30]
Sha, all those things you're planning to do in Ramadan that you don't currently do? Start them now.
And the ones you currently do that you're planning to improve in Ramadhan? Improve them now.
Give charity. Improve your sleep pattern. Wear hijab. Limit your social media screen time. Read beneficial books.
Just…start now.
Food
If you, like me, are just coming to terms with the idea of Ramadan being here already, you've not started food shopping too.
The last thing you want in Ramadhan is to be stranded. A'udhubiLlahi min that kind of thing. Buy foodstuff now, or not.🌚
6. Eid
If you're a rich kid, buy your Eid clothes now to avoid stories that touch. Start planning and buying your Eid gifts now. If you din use to give Eid gifts to your family members and friends before, this is a good year to start.🌚🌝
I no get energy to dey convince you. Just remember that…
The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have said,
"Give presents to one another for this would increase your mutual love."
Besides, if you don't give gifts during Eid, when would you?🌝 Yeah, I thought as much. Now, go plan your Eid gifts.
I hope these reminders help you, as much as I hope they help me too.
Until laters, fee amaaniLlah. As-salaamu alaykum.✨