All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. We praise Him, we seek His help, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and the consequences of our deeds. Whomsoever Allah guides, none can misguide, and whomsoever He leaves astray, none can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad, peace be upon him is His servant and Messenger. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his family, his companions, and all who follow them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment.
Servants of Allah, I advise you and myself to have taqwa, consciousness and fear of Allah, openly and secretly, in ease and in hardship, for taqwa is the provision that never runs out and the key to every goodness.
UNDERSTANDING THE GIFT OF RAMADAN
Beloved brothers and sisters, Allah, in His mercy, has blessed this Ummah with seasons of goodness, and among the greatest of them is the month of Ramadan which we are witnessing already.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)
Ramadan is not merely a month of hunger and thirst. It is a school of taqwa, a training ground for the soul, a time when hearts are softened, sins are forgiven, and ranks are raised.
The Prophet peace be upon him said: “When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
If the gates of mercy are opened, then preparation is required to benefit fully from what Allah has opened for us.
PREPARING THE HEART
The first and most important preparation for Ramadan is preparing the heart. And the following steps are required to prepare our hearts.
SINCERE INTENTION (NIYYAH): Enter Ramadan with a sincere intention to worship Allah alone. Do not fast to follow tradition, lose weight, or impress others. Fast because Allah commanded it and because you seek His pleasure.
REPENTANCE (TAWBAH): Ramadan is a guest that may not return. How many were with us last year but are no longer alive today? Before Ramadan arrival, we are expected to turn to Allah with sincere repentance. Leave sins, restore broken relationships, and purify your heart from hatred, envy, and arrogance.
FORGIVING OTHERS: Whoever hopes for Allah’s forgiveness should forgive people. Clean your heart so that Ramadan finds you ready, not burdened with grudges.
PREPARING THE BODY AND HABITS
Islam is a religion of balance. Preparing for Ramadan also includes physical and practical readiness.
Training The Body: Begin to reduce excessive eating, sleeping, and distractions. The body that is disciplined before Ramadan will worship better during Ramadan. If you have not done this, it is not late. We are just starting. You can still do so.
GUARDING THE TONGUE AND EYES: Fasting is not only from food and drink. The Prophet peace be upon him said: “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him leaving his food and drink.” (Bukhari)
Therefore, fast while also controlling your speech, avoiding gossip, lies, insults, and harmful content.
ORGANIZING TIME: Plan your days around salah, Qur’an, and good deeds. Ramadan rewards those who value time, not those who waste it.
READING THE QUR’AN AND WORSHIP
Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. Allah says: “The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
RECONNECT WITH THE QUR’AN: Start reading and listening to the Qur’an as Ramadan begins. Set realistic goals, whether completing it once or more and focus on understanding and reflection, not speed alone.
STRENGTHENING SALAH: Be consistent with the five daily prayers in congregation where possible. Prepare your heart for Taraweeh and Qiyam, knowing that standing before Allah in Ramadan is a great honour.
DU‘A AND DHIKR: Ramadan is a month when du‘a is accepted. Train your tongue to remember Allah often, so that during this Ramadan your heart flows naturally with supplication.
CHARITY AND GOOD CHARACTER
Ramadan is also a month of generosity and mercy.
CHARITY (SADAQAH): The Prophet, peace be upon him was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan. Prepare by planning how you will help the poor, support the needy, and contribute to good causes throughout the Ramadan.
GOOD MANNERS: Let Ramadan be a turning point in your character. Be patient, gentle, truthful, and kind. True fasting is seen in how we treat others.
Servants of Allah, Ramadan is here. We will be fasting for 29 or 39 days as the case may be. Whoever prepares early will gain much, and whoever has entered it unprepared, still has the opportunity to prepare, because, he may leave it unchanged if not. Prepare your hearts, your habits, your worship, and your intentions, so that Ramadan transforms you, not temporarily, but permanently.
I say these words of mine, and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and for you. Seek His forgiveness; indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, abundant and pure praise as He loves and is pleased with. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, peace be upon him is His servant and Messenger.
O believers, remember even as Ramadan is already here, completion of Ramadan is not guaranteed. If Allah allows you to fast it, then protect it. If HE allows you to complete it, then honour it and preserve its lessons after it ends.
Ask Allah to help us fast Ramadan with faith and hope, to stand in prayer during it sincerely, and to accept our deeds.
O Allah, allow us to earn the reward for fasting Ramadan.
O Allah, forgive our sins and purify our hearts.
O Allah, help us remember You, thank You, and worship You in the best manner.
O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, our charity, and our supplications.
Indeed, Allah commands justice, excellence, and giving to relatives, and He forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He admonishes you that you may take heed.
Remember Allah, the Most Great, and He will remember you. Thank Him, and He will increase you. And the remembrance of Allah is greater, and Allah knows what you do.
Abdul-Kadir Abdullah is the president, Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria (MMPN), Edo State Chapter.
