RAMADAN PREPARATION TIPS

A lot of people are currently complaining of being bored out. Nothing to do. On the contrary, there’s so much to do that the time available wouldn’t be sufficient to exhaust them all!

Here are a few tips, especially as Ramadan is coming.

BOOKS: There are a multitude of Islamic and motivational books to read (See compiled recommended list). The importance of reading books cannot be overemphasized. Books contain an unquantifiable amount of beneficial content. Read books; good books. You cannot regret doing so, ever, in sha Allah.


SEERAH: How much of the life of the Rasuul Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam do you know? Use this period to raise the bar. He is our role model; one whose lifestyle we’re to emulate as Muslims.
How possible is it for us to follow in his footsteps if we don’t know how he lived? There are materials available on that; credible audio tapes, translated books, Arabic books and even videos on Seerah ( compiled list).


FIQH: The knowledge of Fiqh is of extreme importance as it equips us with necessary information on how to carry out our daily practical aspect of the Deen. Audios and books on Fiqh are readily available. Alternatively, you can get someone to teach you.


TAFSEER: This is a part that’s almost always ignored or left out. We’re told to live our lives in accordance with guidance from the Qur’an; how’s this possible without knowing it first? If you have finished the Tafseer of the Qur’an, it wouldn’t hurt to take it all over again. If you have started, finish up and if you are yet to begin, now’s the best time to do so. There are many credible audio tapes and books on this too (see compiled list).
ISLAMIC VIDEOS: There are tons of these available and they cover a variety of topics. Take out time to listen to one or two. They serve as good reminders, ma sha Allah.


HADITH: How many hadiths do you know? Use this period to learn books on hadith and put them into practice.


TAJWEED: On a scale of 1-10, how good is your tajweed? If your answer isn’t 11, then you definitely need to re-visit this. Self-learn textbooks, videos, are all available (see recommended list).


HADDAH AND MURAJA’A: Are you a haafidh or haafidha? Ma sha Allah Tabarakallah, use your time to intensify your muraja’a (see muraja’a plan). If you aren’t one yet, then this is an opportunity for you to pick up from where you stopped (see tahfeez plan).


TEACHING OTHERS: ‘The best of you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it’ (Bukhari). Your younger siblings, cousins, the elder ones aren’t left out too. Create a workable timetable (see lesson plan) and follow through. Teach them, not just the Qur’an but other books too on various aspects of Deen.


ARABIYYA:  Arabic is the language of the Qur’an, how well do you understand it? Translations can never do justice to intended meanings. The language is a very interesting one, learn it. There are many self-learn textbooks, videos on learning Arabic language (see recommended list).


QUR’AN TIME: Increase your familiarity with the Qur’an e.g. memorizing the names of the Surah, their ayaats, whether makiyyah or madaniyyah, knowing where all the verses of sajdah are etc. (see Qur’an plan).


QUALITY FAMILY TIME: Catch up on what’s going on with your family members; siblings and other relations. Keep in touch. Have decent, deep conversations with them. Some family members can be a thorn in the flesh, still be as nice as possible (see Tips on surviving family troubles).


Aisha bnt Muhammad
MBBS
(ABU, Zaria)