By Harun Razaq

LAST week, we examined some of the importance of preparing for the blessed month of Ramadan and also presented some steps to take in preparing for it in order to achieve (insha Allah) the full reward of Ramadan.

Today, we shall summarize the topic of discussion due to some constraint under the following classification: Spiritual, moral, social, financial, medical etc.

SPIRITUAL PREPARATION: This includes the following-Taqwallah keeping oneself busy with deed that increases man in taqwallah so as to become Al-Muttaqum- the pious which is the essence of Ramadan fasting as stated in Qur’an 2 verses 183.

In order to achieved this taqwah of Allah during the blessed Month in a country like Nigeria, one needs to involve in those deeds daily before the arrival of the Month.

Intention: To carry out acts of worship in the month of Ramadan.
Salats: performance of Salats (obligatory five daily salats and non- obligatory, rawatib, tahjud, duha, taubah, istikharah (nafilah for seeking divine guidance), duha etc.

Da’wah: It is commendable to intend to do Da’wah in the blessed Month of Ramadan in order to achieve the reward mention by the Prophet (SAW) that: “if Allah were to guide someone on your hands, it would be better for you than this whole earth and what it contains” (Although, this Hadith did not restrict it to the month alone).

So, do your best now to guide people to the real practice of Islam.  This could be through oral or physical approach, giving them beneficial Islamic books, tapes, CDs etc. before the blessed Month.

Du’a (supplication) search for supplications from authentic Sunnah to be recited during the Month and continually say them throughout the month. The companions used to continually repeat their supplications during the month of Ramadan, and they would say, that the next Ramadan would not come until all those supplications were answered.

Thus for that reason, start by making supplicating to Allah before Ramadan, and don’t forget to make du’a for peace to reign in Nigeria and the entire Muslim world.

MORAL PREPARATION: :Kindness to creation of Allah starting from our family and other fellow human being (Muslim and non-Muslim) and animals with our wealth or body etc.

FINANCIAL PREPARATION
By setting aside some money or property to be spent in the blessed month of Ramadan etc.

SOCIAL PREPARATION:This can be done through – Beautifying the Mosque before the month arrives.
Prepare to welcome visitors in Mosques during the month of Ramadan (that is, the Muslims who only enter the Mosque during the month of Ramadan) by encouraging them to be constant in the practice of Islam till the end of Ramadan and even after the month through beautiful preaching and kindness.