Ramadan is a month that Allah has honored above all others. It is a time of mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from the Fire. The Prophet ﷺ said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1899 | Sahih Muslim, 1079]
To truly benefit from Ramadan, preparation must begin before it arrives. Below are 16 ways to prepare, each with Qur’anic and Prophetic guidance.
How to Prepare Before Ramadan Arrives?
1. Make Du‘ā’ to Reach Ramadan
The early generations would ask Allah to let them live to witness Ramadan, knowing that many souls are taken before its arrival.
Ibn Rajab al-Ḥanbalī رحمه الله said: “They (the Salaf) used to supplicate to Allah for six months that they would reach Ramadan, and they would then supplicate to Him for six months that He would accept it from them.” [Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif]
A common duʿā’ people make is:
Arabic
اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
Transliteration
Allāhumma ballighnā Ramaḍān
Translation
“O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan.”
2. Renew Your Intention (Niyyah)
Ramadan should not be entered as a cultural ritual or a yearly habit. It must be approached with the intention of seeking Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and closeness.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Actions are but by intentions, and every person will have only what they intended.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1 | Sahih Muslim, 1907]
This hadith reminds us that a sincere intention can transform ordinary acts like preparing food for ifṭār or waking up early for suḥūr into acts of worship.
3. Begin With Tawbah (Repentance)
Repentance purifies the soul and clears the path for blessings. Allah commands:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا تُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ تَوْبَةً نَّصُوحًا
“O you who believe! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance.” [Qur’an 66:8]
Ramadan is also the best opportunity to realign yourself with Allah. The gates of mercy are opened, the shayāṭīn are chained, and every night Allah frees people from the Fire. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari, 38 | Sahih Muslim, 760]
4. Seek Forgiveness From People
Ramadan is a month of unity. Carrying grudges or broken ties prevents hearts from benefiting. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not sever relations, do not turn away from one another, do not hate one another, do not envy one another, and be servants of Allah as brothers.” [Sahih Muslim, 2560]
Reconciling with family, friends, and neighbors clears the heart from enmity, making your du‘ā’ more likely to be accepted.
5. Fast Voluntarily Before Ramadan
Training the body makes the obligatory fast easier. The Prophet ﷺ frequently fasted in Sha‘bān. [Sahih Muslim, 1156]
He also encouraged fasting Mondays and Thursdays: “Deeds are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays, and I like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 747 | Sahih]
Voluntary fasting is not only physical training but also spiritual conditioning, teaching patience, self-control, and mindfulness of Allah.
6. Increase Qur’an Recitation
Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an.” [Qur’an 2:185]
Many struggle to complete the Qur’an in Ramadan because they begin cold. Warming up with daily recitation—even a page—makes it natural to engage with the Qur’an intensely in Ramadan.
7. Strengthen Your Salah
Salah is the foundation of all worship. Without consistency in the five daily prayers, one cannot hope to stand in Tarāwīḥ with khushū‘ (humility). The Prophet ﷺ said: “The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 413 | Sahih]
Before Ramadan, focus on praying on time, adding Sunnah prayers, and developing presence of heart.
8. Practice Qiyām al-Layl (Night Prayer)
Waking up at night is difficult if it is a stranger to you. Allah praises those who stand in the night:
وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَتَهَجَّدْ بِهِ نَافِلَةً لَّكَ
“And rise at night to offer extra prayers.” [Qur’an 17:79]
Start with two rak‘āt before Fajr to build consistency. Then Tarāwīḥ in Ramadan will be easier and more fruitful.
9. Purify Your Wealth Through Charity
Giving charity before Ramadan softens the heart and removes stinginess. Allah commands:
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا
“Take charity from their wealth to purify and sanctify them.” [Qur’an 9:103]
The Prophet ﷺ was most generous in Ramadan [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 3554], but his generosity was year-round. Begin giving now to cleanse your soul for Ramadan’s blessings.
10. Make a Du‘ā’ List
Ramadan nights are golden for du‘ā’. Instead of scrambling in the moment, prepare a list of personal, family, and ummah needs. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Three supplications are not rejected: the du‘ā’ of a fasting person until he breaks his fast, the du‘ā’ of a just ruler, and the du‘ā’ of the oppressed.” [Sunan Ibn Mājah, 1753 | Sahih]
11. Reduce Sins Before Ramadan
If sins remain unchecked, fasting becomes a hunger strike. Allah warns:
وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا
“Do not backbite one another.” [Qur’an 49:12]
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of his giving up food and drink.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1903]
12. Train Your Tongue on Dhikr
The more you remember Allah before Ramadan, the easier it will be inside Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 3375 | Hasan]
Replace idle talk with tasbīḥ, taḥmīd, and takbīr so that Ramadan finds you in remembrance.
13. Adjust Your Sleep Schedule
Ramadan requires early suḥūr and late prayers. Train your body beforehand. Allah praises those who seek forgiveness at dawn:
وَبِالْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.” [Qur’an 51:18]
Go to bed earlier, wake up before Fajr, and experience the blessings of suḥūr timing before Ramadan.
14. Prepare Wholesome Food for Suḥūr and Iftār
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Take suḥūr, for indeed there is blessing in it.” [Sahih al-Bukhārī, 1923 | Sahih Muslim, 1095]
Preparation includes buying nutritious foods, avoiding waste, and resisting the cultural trap of turning Ramadan into feasting. A light, wholesome diet helps maintain energy for worship.
15. Strengthen Family Bonds
Ramadan is not only individual—it’s a family experience. Teach your children about fasting, bring them to the masjid, and create shared Qur’an time. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who are best to their families, and I am the best to my family.” [Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 3895 | Sahih]
Families who enter Ramadan together in worship grow closer to Allah and to one another.
16. Learn the Fiqh of Fasting
Many people make mistakes in Ramadan out of ignorance—arguing, wasting time, or invalidating fasts.
Study what breaks the fast, the rulings of suḥūr and ifṭār, and the rights of Ramadan so your worship is correct and accepted.
The Purpose of Fasting in Islam and Its Benefits
- Developing Taqwā – fasting trains the heart to be conscious of Allah at all times.
- Self-Control – restraining from food, drink, and desires strengthens discipline.
- Gratitude – feeling hunger reminds us to appreciate Allah’s blessings.
- Empathy – experiencing need builds compassion for the poor and hungry.
- Purification of the Heart – fasting cleanses the soul from arrogance and heedlessness.
- Spiritual Focus – less distraction from worldly needs, more focus on Qur’an and prayer.
- Health Benefits – fasting gives the body rest and can promote physical well-being.
- Strengthening Brotherhood – fasting unites Muslims worldwide in a shared act of worship.
