How to prepare for Ramadan?

[Zakia]

We can prepare for Ramadan by recognizing our shortcomings in fulfilling our duties, and our shortcomings in not keeping away from our whims and desires. We should recognize our shortcomings in doing acts of worship such as praying in congregation, remembering Allah (dhikr), spreading the greetings of salam, reciting Qur'an, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil, urging one another to follow the truth and be patient and steadfast in doing so.

We should stop ourselves from persisting in the sin whether it is a great or small, whether it is a sin of the eye, by looking at that which Allah has forbidden; or by listening to music; or by walking to things of which Allah does not approve; or by using one'hand to strike in a manner with which Allah is not pleased; or by consuming things that Allah has forbidden.

We should always remember that Allah stretches forth His hand during the day to accept the repentance of those who sinned at night, and He stretches forth His hand at night the repentance of those who sinned during the day.

We can prepare for Ramadan by developing good habits. The month of Ramadan is the best month of the year, for it is the month of forgiveness, mercy and ransom from the Fire. The month of Ramadan is special and the place is special, the hasanaat for good deeds are multiplied and the sayi'aat for sins are multiplied. An evil deed done in Ramadan is more sinful than one done at any other time, just as an act of worship done in Ramadan brings a greater reward from Allah than one done at any other time. So we must make the most of this blessed month by doing acts of worship and righteous deeds, and giving up bad deeds, so that Allah may bless us by accepting our good deeds and helping to remain steadfast in adhering to the truth.

May Allah help all of us to do righteous deeds during this blessed month.

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