Last minute Ramadan preparatory measures

[Blessed]

Assalaamu alaykum,

 

The Month of Mercy, the Month of Forgiveness awaits us. Here are some useful last minute preparatory measures:

 

 

- Learn/review the Dua for breaking the fast. Stick it up on your fridge for your kids and family members to memorize it as well.

DUA FOR BREAKING THEFAST

 

 

 

The thirst is gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is confirmed, if Allaah wills.

 

To read the dua with the hrakah/transliteration, click here.

 

 

- Learn the special dua that Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite during the last 10 nights of Ramadan:

 

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said:

 

'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' "(Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

 

The transliteration of this Dua is "Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee"

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- Create a Ramadan check list. It is always a good idea to keep track of our daily ibadah progress so that we don't slack especially during the middle of Ramadan. Anything measured improves, so measure your righteous deeds during these blessed days.

 

 

- Create a ramadaan list / calender@

Ramadan Reminders . Great site!

 

-Check your heart: If we don't humble our heart during this month of mercy, then when will we? Only a purified heart will be entered into Paradise. Let us stop making excuses and work on our heart for a change. Download your personal heart journal at www.heartwheeljournal.com and print it out.

 

-Read the Fiqh of Fasting. Unsure about some of the rulings regarding menstruation, taraweeh prayers, the things that nullify the fast and similar issues? If so, then read it up & remove your doubts before Ramadan. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam- we cannot afford to be ignorant about it. Click here to have your questions answered: htp://www.islamqa.com/en/cat/295

 

- Renew your intentions: Ask your self - What are my inner feelings for greeting this month? Am I sad because I wont be able to indulge in my desires; am I excited because I can do Ramadan -tent- hopping all night long; or am I delighted because - this is my chance to win Allaah's Pleasure, to be saved from the horrors of hellfire, and to have all my sins forgiven!?

 

What are your thoughts and feelings in greeting Ramadan? Check your heart. Even though we may hide our feelings - even from our selves, Allaah hears our deepest thoughts. Lets renew our intention now for surely, we are rewarded according to our intentions.

 

-Schedule a personal Ramadan plan: If you are overwhelmed with what to do, and what not to do during these precious days, then keep in mind these 5 key activities that should be in place:

 

o Fasting:

i. Fasting of food/drink/sexual intercourse during the day.

ii.Fasting of our tongue – i.e. fasting from lies/ill speech/backbiting and any speech that is hateful to Allah.

 

iii. Fasting of our eyes/ears/rest of the limbs – i.e. refrain from using them in any way that is displeasing to Allah

 

iv. Fasting of our heart - Keep our thoughts clean and our heart focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah.

 

o Qiyaam: Stand in Qiyaam/Taraweeh during the blessed nights of Ramadan, and do NOT miss any of the 5 obligatory prayers.

o Quran: This month is our chance to devote and bond ourselves with the Words of Allah. Seize this opportunity to read, reflect and act upon the Quran.

o Suhoor: Do not leave this sweet sunnah. Our beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Take Sahur as there is a blessing in it."(agreed upon) .

o Iftar: Hasten to break your fast, and supplicate to Allah while doing so. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The people will continue to be in a good state of affairs as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast." (Agreed upon)

 

- Prepare/modify your*dua list*.

Craving for something that you do not have? Well, this is the month to ask for it! Write a dua list for all that you desire - in this world and the hereafter.

 

Send this last minute measures list to others, and gain tons of ajer, inshaAllah!!

 

May we all be blessed with a truly memorable Ramadan- one that is the most beloved to Allah, ameen!