Why Preparation Matters
The Prophet (SAW) said: “When Ramadan comes, the doors of Paradise are opened, the doors of Hellfire are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari, Muslim) — The spiritual environment of Ramadan is uniquely favorable. But benefiting from this environment requires readiness.
A person who arrives at Ramadan exhausted, spiritually empty, or without a plan will spend the month recovering — not ascending. The Companions treated the approach of Ramadan like the approach of a beloved guest: they would prepare months in advance.
‘Amr ibn Qays al-Mula’i would close his shop in Sha’ban and devote himself to Quran recitation. Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali wrote: “How can you hope to reach Ramadan’s summit if you come in already tired from the climb?”
Spiritual Preparation (Starting in Rajab-Sha’ban)
1. Duas for Reaching Ramadan
The Companions would make du’a for 6 months before Ramadan to be allowed to live to see it, and 6 months after to have their Ramadan accepted:
“Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha’ban wa ballighna Ramadan.” — “O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban, and bring us to Ramadan.” (Bayhaqi — weak chain, but the practice is established by the spirit of many authentic narrations)
2. Fasting in Sha’ban
The Prophet (SAW) fasted most of Sha’ban. ‘Aisha (RA) said: “I never saw the Prophet fasting so much except in Ramadan.” (Bukhari) The rationale: condition the body and soul to fasting so Ramadan doesn’t begin with shock.
Avoiding the last few days of Sha’ban (approximately the 27th-29th) — the Prophet (SAW) forbade fasting in this period unless it was someone’s established routine — because the mind should begin Ramadan fresh, not exhausted.
3. Tawba (Sincere Repentance)
Entering Ramadan with unresolved sins is like entering a clean room with dirty shoes. The practice of comprehensive tawba before Ramadan — reviewing the year’s wrongs, making amends to those one has wronged (haqq al-‘ibad — rights of other humans cannot be erased by repentance without restitution), and renewing one’s relationship with Allah.
See [[tawba-sincere-repentance]].
4. Quranic Reconnection
Begin Quran recitation seriously in Sha’ban. The target: complete at least one khatm during Ramadan (see [[khatm-al-quran]]). The Prophet and Jibril (AS) would review the entire Quran together each Ramadan. In the final Ramadan, they reviewed it twice.
Physical and Practical Preparation
Sleep Adjustment
Ramadan disrupts normal sleep patterns: Suhoor before Fajr (pre-dawn meal), possible qiyam al-layl, full days of fasting. Begin adjusting sleep before Ramadan: sleep earlier, wake earlier. Suhoor itself is sunnah mu’akkada — “Take suhoor, for in suhoor there is blessing.” (Bukhari)
Meal Planning
The trap of modern Ramadan: iftars that are feasts, making fasting medically irrelevant (breaking fast with excess calories). The sunnah: break fast with dates and water (as the Prophet SAW did), then pray Maghrib, then eat a moderate meal.
Suhoor: light, high-fiber, slow-digesting foods (oats, eggs, whole grains) sustain energy throughout the day better than heavy, high-sugar meals.
Workplace and Schedule Planning
Inform employers and schedule ahead: this is the month of intensive worship. Try to minimize unnecessary evening commitments — the after-Isha period (tarawih, qiyam) is the heart of Ramadan spirituality.
The Ramadan Worship Schedule
A complete Ramadan day:
- Suhoor (before Fajr): Wake, eat, make du’a, pray Fajr
- Daytime: Fast, work, recite Quran, make dhikr; this is the time for sabr
- Iftar (Maghrib): Break fast with dates + water, pray Maghrib
- ‘Isha + Tarawih: 8 or 20 rak’at tarawih; this is the communal night worship
- Qiyam al-Layl (especially in the last 10 nights): Additional night prayer, especially searching for Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Power, in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, most likely the odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th). The Prophet (SAW) made i’tikaf (spiritual retreat in the mosque) for the last 10 nights. Du’a for this night: “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni” — “O Allah, You are the Pardoner and You love pardoning, so pardon me.” (Tirmidhi — hasan sahih)
Bohra Community Ramadan Traditions
The Dawoodi Bohra community maintains several distinctive Ramadan practices:
Communal Khatma: Families divide the Quran among members; the household completes a khatm together. Children are included, taught their juz portions. A communal du’a al-khatm concludes the completion.
Mils and Communal Iftars: The tradition of communal iftars (mils) in jamaat khanas and homes — breaking fast together rather than individually — maintains community bonds during the month.
Wasail and Du’a Recitation: Specific du’as, wasail, and salawat recitations are emphasized in community gatherings, connecting the spiritual intensity of Ramadan to the tradition of the Ahl al-Bayt.
Zakat al-Fitr: The obligatory fitrana paid before Eid al-Fitr prayer (see [[zakat-calculation]]) should be calculated and prepared before Ramadan ends.
The Night of Eid
Ramadan ends with the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal. The night between the last day of Ramadan and Eid day (Laylat al-Ja’iza — the Night of the Prize) is a night of worship and gratitude:
“Whoever observes the two nights of Eid [expecting reward from Allah, the nights of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha], his heart will not die on the day hearts die.” (Ibn Majah — weak chain but established practice)
Takbir begins from Maghrib of the last day of Ramadan: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd.”
See also: Fasting Rules, Khatm Al Quran, Qiyam Al Layl, Tawba Sincere Repentance, Understanding Namaz, Zakat Calculation, Understanding Dua, Salawat