Ramadan Prep 2017

In just a few more weeks, we will have another chance at a do-over.  The month of Ramadan will come once more, bringing with it the many blessings and promises for those who work diligently to create a better relationship with Allah.  Each Ramadan brings a sense of accomplishment as well as a sense of regret of the could-have’s and the should-have’s.  Since I documented my Ramadan Prep last year, I was able to get a better insight on what worked for me and what did not, what were the successes and where I can use a little renovation. So here is how I began to prep for this year’s Ramadan.

STEP 1: Writing Down Goals

Before completing a major task at work or at school, the productivity gurus will all tell you to write down what you wish to accomplish.  The act of writing down not only solidifies the concept in your mind, but it also acts as a reference point during those moments when you are feeling the slump. Putting the thoughts on paper also help to understand which expectations are real and which should be labeled “over achiever” in the books. This year, I wanted to focus on things that I can truly accomplish based on my current lifestyle and my capabilities.

Looking through 2016’s Ramadan recap I had recorded in my planner, I remembered that the hours between 9p – 12p were not spent wisely.  Normally they were spent doing anything but the coveted night-hour worship that is every believer’s goal during the blessed month. My sleeping hours are not normally ideal due to my husband’s work shift but they actually serve me extremely well this time of year since I am naturally awake in the night hours.  Remembering the regret I felt last year of wasting that time, I decided to write down the tasks I can do to use it wisely. Planning for such weaknesses and writing realistic goals – just three for each day – would offer a great stress-free solution for when the body is already low on physical energy due to the fasts.

STEP 2: Doing a Trial Run

 

The month before Ramadan is already a great practice run to get the mind and body ready for the spiritual marathon to come. After having the goals written down, this is the best time to do a trial run of a typical fasting day.  My concern this coming month is about maintaining my daily house cleaning schedule as well as a fitness routine.  Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays is a great prophetic way of preparing for the month.  I chose to fast Mondays to get a better understanding of my schedule to see what would work and what needs to be tweaked to facilitate a successful use of the time.

This trail run helped me to see my failures and where I can squeeze in that extra worship.  Creating a daily rhythm with recitation of Quran and pockets of time throughout the day are excellent to take advantage of the daily blessings.

STEP 3: Harness the Power of Dua

This step has been a great learning experience for me.  If you do take a look at my previous year’s preparation where I talked about which tasks to accomplish or how to plan daily readings, for instance, nowhere did I mention the complete inability to do any of the tasks I had wished and planned for without asking for the assistance of Allah.

The primary lesson that took a while to sink in for me after last Ramadan was to understand that nothing is possible without Allah’s Will and that everything is possible with Dua.  What helped me to develop a deeper connection with that was getting this Dua Journal which invites me to be in a state of dependance on Allah when I would not be otherwise.  My plan this year is to continue to use that journal as a reminder to ask Allah every day for His help to reach Ramadan and to come closer to Him during it. This is not only helping me to spiritually prepare for Ramadan, but it is also creating that daily rhythm of worship which is beneficial in the long run.

STEP 4: Re-Commit

This last step is one not to be missed.  After writing down goals initially and doing a triall run, some things are sure to change.  I flipped over my original paper and wrote down a revised goals list where my intention was to focus on those that I wish to conquer during this year’s Ramadan. While the first list was more detailed and acted like a “brain dump” of wishes and ideas, this is where I wrote down the bare minimum of what I would like to accomplish and how I can do so.  This list was simple.

My intention is to refer back to it at the end of the month and find myself checking off every single one while feeling a better connection with Allah, His Book, and His religion.

With the help of Allah through dua, and my efforts of planning, I hope that this year there will be less items in the could-have’s and should-have’s list and more on what-I-need-to-do-more-of list.

-S