Whether you are filled with trepidation or brimming with excitement, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the blessed month and taking small steps towards Allah.
Whether you are filled with trepidation or brimming with excitement, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the blessed month and taking small steps towards Allah.
“Get Ready for Ramadan” is a 4-week course that includes classes, tips, tricks, and simple solutions as well as deep internal reflection exercises that will help you get ready for Ramadan. Enter our Instagram draw and be eligible to win a free course for yourself and two other friends!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu9S8lqjy7o/
Do you struggle with low energy or just plain exhaustion in Ramadan? Feel overwhelmed? Stressed? Can’t think of what to cook? Feel spiritually disconnected and guilty or sad that you’re ‘just not feeling it’? Or you are just so busy, you don’t have time to do all the things you want to do. Wish you could do more? Wish things were different?
Ramadan is just around the corner and while many may be feeling excited, there are those who may also be feeling their nerves flutter and a sense of worry – those who struggle with low energy, feeling overwhelmed or just plain exhaustion. Those who feel spiritually disconnected and guilty or sad, or just not ‘feeling it.’
If you feel that way sometimes, you’re not alone.
Whether you are filled with trepidation or brimming with excitement, now is the perfect time to start preparing for the blessed month and taking small steps towards Allah.
Taking time to prepare for Ramadan physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually is a beautiful way to worship Allah”
Small Steps Towards Allah
None of us would run a marathon without training and so now is the time to start exercising our Ramadan muscles, one small step at a time. By preparing for Ramadan as best we can, making space for change (in our already full-to-the-brim lives), reconnecting with Allah, getting organized as much as possible in advance, shifting our mindset, and taking time to reflect, we can set ourselves up for OUR best Ramadan.
No stress. No judgment. No comparison. No overwhelm.
Because we are all different and we are all in different situations, with different strengths, weaknesses, challenges. Allah, in all His mercy, knows that and He knows our intentions as we take steps towards preparing for the blessed month for His sake.
Here are some tips to help you prepare for YOUR best Ramadan.
1. Make Space for Change
Intention
Intention is the starting place of all that we do as ‘actions are judged by intentions’ (Bukhari) so, even as you prepare for Ramadan, set your intention to do everything for the sake of pleasing Allah and start earning reward right away.
Declutter
We live in a world of constant stimulation and overwhelm. Taking time to declutter your life, physically, mentally, electronically (and emotionally) is one of the essential KEYS to making space for change – the space that will allow you to add in beneficial worship during Ramadan.
Work Smart
Working smart allows you to do less while achieving the same (or more), reducing overwhelm and burnout and helping you save time and energy. Think about ways that you can save time and cut back on what you are doing and the energy you are expending doing it. Focus on what matters. Leave the rest.
Set Clear Goals and Know Your One Thing
SMART goals are the key to success and sometimes less is more. Rather than trying to achieve a massively long list of things (which, let’s be honest, most of us NEVER manage to complete and then we feel bad about not having met out goals), follow a principle of less with sincerity is more. Strive yes, but rather than completely overwhelming yourself to the point of exhaustion in the process, do less and complete what you set out to do.
2. Deen Boost
Practice Gratitude
Allah tells us if we thank Him, He will give us more: “’If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor] (Quran 14:7), so if you are not already doing it, now is the time to start practicing daily gratitude, thanking Allah for all of His immense blessings.
Make Du’a
And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” (Quran 40:60). While we may put in the effort, success comes from Allah alone so call on the One in whose hand lies all things and ask for His help.
Reconnect with Quran
If your Quran has been gathering dust, now is the time to break it out and start reading/reciting even if it is just 1 ayat a day. It doesn’t matter. Just start. Every little thing you do today that you weren’t doing yesterday is a step towards Allah and something to celebrate. Alhamdullilah. The important thing is to get started.
Start Fasting and Remember Allah in All You Do
If you have fasts to make up from last Ramadan, now is the time to start making them up and if you don’t, it is still a good time to start fasting – seek Allah’s reward, and gain the extra ajer. Just as fasting reminds us of Allah, we can also work to increase our general remembrance of Allah each day. Slowly and step by step.
3. Get Organized (Practical Prep)
Seek Reward in Healthier Options this Ramadan
Allah says to ‘Eat of what is lawful and good’ (Quran 2:168) and we are also instructed to avoid excess (Quran 7:31) and only fill our stomachs with a maximum of up to one third of food (Sunan Ibn Majah). Ramadan is an opportunity to shift our eating habits, understanding that our body is an amaanah and making choices for the sake of taking care of the body Allah has blessed us with.
Plans Meals in Advance
By planning in advance, you can cut back loads of prep and cooking time during Ramadan. Cook and freeze, prep spices and sauces and have a good idea of what you are going to cook.
Get Organized for Iftar and Eid before Ramadan
Rather than scurrying around while fasting or in the last 10 days, when you would much rather be focusing on other types of worship, try to get any prep for hosting an iftar, or your Eid prep, done before Ramadan even begins.
Get Life Admin Out the Way
Our modern lives tend to be busy so getting whatever you can done in advance will go a long way towards reducing strain during Ramadan and giving you more time to worship in other ways.
4. Reflect and Focus
Purpose
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me (Quran 51:56)”. By deeply reflecting on our purpose and realizing that everything we do is an opportunity for worship (no matter how ‘menial’ it may seem to us), we can live out lives, and take daily action ON PURPOSE to fulfill our purpose.
Personal Assessment
As Ramadan comes around, it is an opportunity to reflect on our lives and deeds and think about what we would like to change, what is holding us back (is it limiting beliefs, perfectionism, negative self-talk?) and areas we want to work on – then we can start making those changes, one small step at a time.
Dua, Forgiveness, and Charity
Know what du’a you want to make, what you wish to seek forgiveness for and what charity you can give before the month comes around so that you can really maximise your time.
YOU time
Take a rest before Ramadan starts so that you can rejuvenate and recharge.
As you get ready for Ramadan, and in everything you do, remember always, it’s about progress, NOT perfection. Take everything slowly, do what is within your means and be easy with yourself (and others).
Working together
If you work better when you have support (most of us do!) and you want to get ready for Ramadan with a beautiful group of like-minded sisters, join Umm Sakeenah (Kate from Healthy Muslimah) for the ULTIMATE Ramadan preparation course for sisters starting in March!
Get Ready for Ramadan is a 4-week course that will transform your Ramadan preparation experience. Bite-sized classes, tips, tricks, and simple solutions as well as deep internal reflection exercises that will help you get ready for YOUR best Ramadan. InshaAllah.
Get the guidance and support you need, along with a whole lot of sister love. Make space for change before the blessed month arrives, reduce overwhelm, reconnect with Allah and the Quran, reflect on your life purpose and get motivated and organized like never before, one small step at a time.
No overwhelm. No stress. No comparisons. No judgment.
SIGN UP AT for Get Ready for Ramadan (TMV Special) – http://getreadyforramadan.com/tmv-special/
Awesome Giveaway for The Muslim Vibe Readers
Enter the draw and stand to win one of 3 Get Ready for Ramadan Courses valued at $167 each!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu9S8lqjy7o/
Win the Course for You and Your Friends – Enter Now:
- Join the Get Ready for Ramadan Facebook group (sisters only)
- Follow the GRFR Official Instagram page and tag 2 sisters you would love to join you on the course.
Winners will be drawn on Friday 15th March and announced on Saturday the 16th March 2019. Giveaway is for sisters only, TMV readers.
Not Sure if It’s For You? See What Sisters Had to Say About Get Ready for Ramadan (2016 – 2018)
“Alhamdulillah I loved all the sessions. It’s different from other courses. Very clear, less time-consuming and so interesting Mashaa’Allah. Personally, I’ve been motivated for this coming Ramadan.” Sister Nusayhah
“This course is a wonder to my planning and utilising Ramadan in shaa Allah. These days, when I’m online and on social media, this course is the only thing I want to engage in.” Sister Rabia
“MashAllah, it was a lovely, simple to follow, enriching course. Sister Kate offered simple and easy tasks to try to complete, that was not overwhelming. Your advice and notions really helped me put things into perspective and organize my family life before Ramadan. Your tips will reside with me for every preparation for Ramadan in the future inshAllah. I enjoyed how you touched upon many aspects of our lives as mothers, such as personal worship, organization, healthy lifestyle and more! You reminded us to always keep our intentions pure and correct. Thank you so much for your time and effort. May Allah reward you and may we always gather in His remembrance InshAllah.” Sister Julie
Umm Sakeenah (Kate) is a qualified nutrition consultant, the founder of the Healthy Muslimah platform and above all else, an advocate of simplifying life, reducing overwhelm and making positive changes, one small step at a time. She is also the author of Then and Now. Food in the Time of the Prophet and Food Now.
