Ramadan preparation during Shabaan month is a very important and essential matter. The prophet PBUH and the companions used to do their best in Ramadan preparation even months before the coming of Ramadan month. Here, in this article, we will give you tips for Ramadan preparation hoping to help you know how to prepare for Ramadan.
Most of the countries of the Islamic world rejoice at the beginning of Sha’ban, for it is a month with many virtues, one of which is the desirability of fasting in order to purify oneself from sins and to prepare for Ramadan.
Ramadan preparation in Shabaan:
The month of Shabaan is one of the seasons of goodness and acts of obedience that God – Glory be to Him – has bestowed upon His faithful servants, ٨especially since the month of Shaban precedes the blessed month of Ramadan. Therefore, we should prepare to receive the month of Ramadan in Sha’ban. The month of Sha’ban is also a door for fulfilling the covenants of the believers with God, such as prayer, remembrance, and obedience. The following is an explanation of some of the actions that can be performed in the month of Sha’ban:
1- Supplication for reaching Ramadan:
The servant must ask God all the time to reach Ramadan while he is in good health. And the Muslim must supplicate for the coming of Ramadan upon him and the Islamic nation with security and safety, and that God grant him success in fasting it. One should hope that God makes Ramadan an opportunity for him to change in order to forgive his sins.
2-Lots of praise and thanksgiving to God Almighty:
And that is on the arrival of this holy month (if it began and the Muslim is still alive). Ramadan is one of the greatest blessings that God Almighty bestowed upon His servants, and it is a blessing that deserves thanks to God and recognition of His generosity and grace. Therefore, the believer must thank God Almighty for extending his life and reaching this month, expanding his chest and heart, and accommodating his organs to benefit from his bounty.
3- Joy and happiness at the arrival of the holy month:
This is because the righteous servant receives the seasons of goodness and obedience with joy and rejoicing. He is happy and rejoicing, by the grace of God, that he has extended his life and reached this month.
God said:- ﴿قُل بِفَضلِ اللَّهِ وَبِرَحمَتِهِ فَبِذلِكَ فَليَفرَحوا هُوَ خَيرٌ مِمّا يَجمَعونَ﴾ [يونس: ٥٨] (58) Say, “In the bounty of Allāh and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.”
Therefore, the Muslim must rejoice at the approaching month of Ramadan, and its spiritual breezes.
4- Sincerity and renewal of intention to God Almighty and determination to take advantage of the blessed times of Ramadan:
And that is by being keen to perform acts of worship, avoiding sins and evil deeds, and purifying the heart from all worldly things that are attached to it, for God Almighty rewards the servant for his intention.
5- Sincere repentance:
The servant must renew his repentance at all times from any sin he committed, especially with the advent of the month of Ramadan, because disobedience and sins are one of the reasons for the servant’s failure to perform acts of obedience, and depriving him of the pleasure of being close to God.
Therefore, the month of Ramadan must be greeted with repentance, taking into account its conditions, which are limited to regretting the sin, resolving not to return to it again, and returning rights to their owners, in addition to asking for forgiveness.
6- Planning for Ramadan:
And that is by cultivating the soul, and accustoming it to obedience in advance, until the advent of the holy month and its reception. Among these acts of worship are praying at night, fasting, and reciting the Noble Qur’an so that it is easier for the soul to perform acts of worship in Ramadan without feeling any hardship. And it was proven from the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, that he used to fast most of the month of Shaaban in preparation for Ramadan.
‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) did not observe voluntary Saum (fasting) so frequently during any other month as he did during Sha’ban. He observed Saum throughout the month of Sha’ban. Another narration is: He (ﷺ) observed Saum during the whole month of Sha’ban except a few days. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Riyad as-Salihin 1247
7- Learn the provisions of Ramadan:
The Muslim must receive the holy month with knowledge of its conditions, provisions and prohibitions, and to be aware of the jurisprudential issues related to it so that he does not commit any mistake or disobey God in heedlessness. A Muslim must search for sources of jurisprudence in the religion in order to learn. Allah says :
﴿وَما أَرسَلنا قَبلَكَ إِلّا رِجالًا نوحي إِلَيهِم فَاسأَلوا أَهلَ الذِّكرِ إِن كُنتُم لا تَعلَمونَ﴾ [الأنبياء: ٧] “(7) And We sent not before you, [O Muḥammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.”
8-Reduce your food intake :
Excessive eating makes the servant lazy in performing acts of worship, and he is not humbled to stand before God, and thus he does not take advantage of the grace of the holy month.
How To Prepare For Ramadan ?
The month of Shabaan is the last stage of preparation for the beginning of the month of Ramadan, the month of mercy, forgiveness, and liberation from the Fire. Therefore, in the following lines, we will present tips for Ramadan preparation in the days of Shabaan and how to prepare for Ramadan ?; So that we help you win the holy days of Ramadan:
- Before you start an action, you must correct your intention, and make it purely for God; Because God Almighty rewards the servant for his intention.
- Make sure to take advantage of every minute in Shabaan, acquire information that will benefit you, learn the rulings of fasting, and teach them to your family so that you can win the benefits of this great month.
- Take the initiative to make up what you owed of fasting in the last Ramadan for a legitimate excuse in the month of Shabaan.
- for Ramadan preparation, Adjust your obligations, and hold yourself accountable for the mistakes you have committed against God since the month of Ramadan last; So that you repent to God of the sins of the year.
- Purify your heart from any desires or doubts, and repent to God for what your eyes have seen, and what your ear has listened to about the forbidden things.
- Enter Ramadan with a pure heart; So that you spend your day and night in peace of mind, and do not be spiteful to others.
