…شهر رمضان الذي أنزل فيه القرآن هدى للناس و بينات من الهدى و الفرقان
′′The month of Ramadan in which was revealed in the Quran as clear proof for guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).′′ [Q 2: Vs 185].
Isn’t it fascinating, interesting and astounding that eleven months have passed after the last Ramadan and another is knocking at our door steps already? Isn’t it gladdening looking forward to welcoming this glorious month?
Alhamdulillah for being among the few Allah has selected to stay alive; counting down the last days of Sha’aban in anticipation of this magnificent month. Just as we do when we expect an August visitor; we tidy up our rooms, kitchens; hither and thither. We also stock our homes with enough food to feed the visitor, trying to keep our flaws from him/her.
This is exactly the similitude of the preparation of Ramadan in our various homes. We stock our homes with enough food, perhaps to avoid expected the rise in future prices, we keep count of days, we release our Quran from their dusty shelves, some even get all sorts of decorations to welcome Ramadan, and we also try to mummify our flaws. It’s funny, right? But do we think these are actually the proper ways of preparing for Ramadan? Or some might even say; do we need to prepare for Ramadan?
These questions flow lucidly and sometimes unconsciously in our minds, but the answers pose in the mirrors we have refused to look at. Yes! We have to prepare for the glorious month but in proper ways.
Just as there must be plans for a successful business to be achieved. In fact, a successful life, there should also be plans by Muslims to achieve a successful Ramadan; as he who fails to plan, plans to fail!
Preparing For Ramadhan
To start with, the first phase of planning should be self-evaluation, as this will help towards setting both our goals for this Ramadan and preparing towards achieving this goal.
Individuals should ask and give answers to these three salient questions;
The person we were before the previous Ramadan?
Who we become in the Glorious Month?
And who are we after the previous Ramadan?
If the last Ramadan has not made us better than who we used to be, then we might have lacked the goals and action plan. But now that the past is a preface and Allah has given us another opportunity that some are not given;
How do we then make perfect use of this advantage?
This coming Ramadan, how will it be different and distinguished from the prior?
How are we not going to be like those last set of students – who will only benefit from what Ramadan has come to offer (pray their five times daily Solawat, attend lectures, avoid foul talks and the likes) only during the month of Ramadan but then gear towards their sinful lives after?
One paramount thing we should put in mind is that Ramadan is here to change us for a life time and not just for a month.
GLORIOUS MONTH 
The preparations for a successful Ramadan are making the determination and purifying our hearts for this glorious month. This includes;
Sisters should ensure they repay the entire fast they missed in the previous Ramadan. Brothers who also missed their fast due to illness or other things should also act in accordance.
As Allah says in the Glorious Quran “but if any if you heal or on a journey, the same number of days (should be made up after recovery) from other days Quran 2: 184.
The recitation and reflection of the Quran should also be started in earnest. Start practicing this moment and have it in mind to be better in recitation and fluency than the previous years, we should try to understand the meanings of the Quran, meditate over it and start putting its teachings into practice.
This month of Sha’aban is the month that precedes Ramadan and fasting in it is of great benefit. Let us start fasting all voluntary fasts in this month, the obligatory Mondays and Thursdays fast, the Ayyamu-l-bayd fasts ( 13th,14th and 15th days of every Islamic month) and we can even earn more reward by increasing in that.
Usama ibn Zaid, reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad:
“Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’aban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.”
Prophet Muhammad replied:
“That (Sha’aban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.”
It is often difficult to observe the Tarawiy prayer during the nights of Ramadan. The Masaajid is only filled with people mostly on the first, second, fifteenth and last nights of Ramadan. This is solely due to the fact that most of us neglect our Nawaafils on normal days.
We need to observe more voluntary prayers in this glorious month of Sha’aban. So, we could earn more Rewards during Ramadan.
All Muslimuun and Muslimaat should increase the act of seeking forgiveness and make Dua as this will be highly needed both during and after the month of Ramadan.
Let us welcome the glorious month with purified bodies and souls. Souls free from sins so the month could have great effects in our lives.
We don’t have to wait till Zakatul Fitr, to start giving alms. Let us all start giving charity from this period. So as to be consistent with this deed during Ramadan when it is of high recommendation. We should know certainly that, he who finds it difficult to give to others now will find it more difficult during Ramadan.
Prophet said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”
Especially, those bad words we wouldn’t want to utter during Ramadan. The alcoholic drinks we don’t want to take, unnecessary anger and lies.
Also, immoral clothes attracting unlawful mixing with opposite sex, lustful gazes and other bad attitudes. Now is the time to abstain from them all as your rewards get multiplied.
Lastly, let us have it in mind that this coming Ramadan will be changing us for a lifetime. Because we might not have the opportunity to witness another on the face of the earth.
Source www.sakinatsanni.com.ng