As the crescent of Sha’baan is sighted, it gives glad tidings of the blessed month of Ramadan. Allahuma Balighna Ramadan — May Allah spare our lives to witness it. Knowing fully well that Ramadan is around the corner is a huge blessing that requires preparation. However, many of us have a problem with regard to Sha’baan. The problem is that the month of Sha’baan cripples without many of us being aware of it. Some might be conscious but may not make the best out of it. This is probably one of the reasons why the Prophet cautioned us about this.

In a conversation with Usamah ibn Zayd as the narrator, he said:

‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as in Shaban.’ Allah’s Apostle said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting. — An-Nasai’

So the similitude of Ramadan is like a guest which pays you a visit once a year. As faithful Muslims, we’re required to honor our guests generously. In order to attain this, you have to make adequate preparations to harness the opportunity to the best of your ability. So in this piece in sha Allah, we’d like to remind ourselves about some acts which we can do in order to prepare for the blessed guest and keep the excitement.

1. Set out with good intentions: As we already know, actions are judged by intention and everyone will be rewarded based on that which they intend. Hence, have the intention to make this your best Ramadan ever. This is because nothing guarantees you to witness another Ramadan after this. Hence, make adequate plans to execute it to your best. Let all your deeds be done with a pure intention solely for Allah and follow the prophetic methodology. Ramadan is an opportunity for you to build good habits and break away from bad ones. It comes just once a year, make it count in a worthy way.
2. Make up your missed fasting: Sometimes, we have missed days from the previous Ramadan and forget to make it up until the next one is approaching. There’s really nothing wrong with this. Our mother Aisha RA mentioned that she sometimes gets busy with the Prophet and makes up for her missed days from the last Ramadan in Sha’baan prior to another fasting season. Take time to recount if you’ve made up the carried-over ones before the new month sets in. This is especially for women, travelers, the sick, the elderly, and nursing mothers.
3. See your Doctor for a medical checkup: It’s highly encouraged to do a medical checkup before Ramadan set’s in. This could be a precautious way to help you treat or prevent any ailment you might not be aware of. That way, you don’t break down while your august guest is around. Fasting can be quite rigorous when combined with other daily activities. Hence, the need to be fit ahead of time.
4. Give up your evil ways now: If you start now, it will be easier in Ramadan. Do not wait until fasting begins before you quit the bad habits. Remember, you wouldn’t have excuses for committing sins in Ramadan as the devils are chained. So you wouldn’t want to be the devil disguised in human form. Start practicing abstinence from things that will nullify your fasting. One of the things we often take for granted and affect our reward while fasting is telling lies. Allah’s messenger PBUH gave a stern warning on this.

“The one who doesn’t give up falsehood while fasting, Allah is not in need of his fasting.” — Bukhari.

Therefore, eschew falsehood and avoid these mistakes to the best of your capability.

5. Help others to attain goodness: If Allah makes it easy for you to see Ramadan as an opportunity, then give thanks to Him. There’s a set of Muslims who only gain consciousness during Ramadan. We sometimes tag them as Ramadan Muslims but this isn’t right. Do not mock them, rather encourage them and give them the glad tidings of reward and forgiveness from their Lord. Plan how to help your household make the best of Ramadan. Have a schedule for the kids and assist the women with the chores. Encourage people to give up their sins and increase in good deeds.

6. Push forth good deeds: As important as it is to help others attain righteousness, do not forget yourself. Do a lot of good deeds as your deeds are presented to Allah annually in this month. This is evident from the hadith of Usamah bin Zayd mentioned earlier. Give charity and support to those who are in need. Most especially in tough times like this, some people have nothing to prepare for fasting. You can support Rafeeqee Foundation’s Annual Food Relief Drive. Ask Allah to accept from you and ask Him for forgiveness as well.

7. Fast as many days in Sha’baan: Among the best deeds in this month is to indulge in acts of fasting as a prelude towards Ramadan. Part of the benefits is that it sets you in the mode: mentally, physically, and spiritually. The prophet PBUH used to do this as reported by his wife Aisha RA: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would fast until we said he will never break his fast, and he did not fast until we said he would never fast. I did not see the Prophet complete an entire month of fasting except for Ramadan, and I did not see him complete more voluntary fasts than in the month of Sha’ban — Bukhari and Muslim. There’s a point of caution here: do not fast continuously into Ramadan. Take a break once the month of Sha’baan is coming to an end.

8. Create a bond with the Qur’an: For some people, the Qur’an must be dusty on their shelves. This is because the last time they actively read it was in the last Ramadan. Make it a habit to read the book of Allah on a daily basis. You can start practicing it now by reciting as much as you can. Set a realistic goal for yourself to achieve in Ramadan now. This will prepare you to attain your objective in sha Allah.

9. Rise up for the nightly prayers: There’s more night prayer in Ramadan and solatu Tarawiy is one of the highly recommended ones. Make it a habit to start waking up for qiyamul layl now. That way, by the time Ramadan sets in, you wouldn’t be fatigued. Do not forget to wake your household as well to catch a share of the reward.

10. Stock up on necessities: The best preparation for every act of worship is piety. In addendum to that, fasting needs that you get your groceries and food supplies intact. You wouldn’t want to often go to the market shopping. That time can be saved to reserve your strength for other acts of worship as well. Remember the goal of Ramadan is not to eat more but to attain piety.

PS: Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. Kindly subscribe to Jum’ah Nugget so as to get our next publication in sha Allah!

Yaumul Jum’ah 3rd Sha’baan 1444H // Friday 24th Febuary 2023.