By Haroon Balogun

What is certain is that by next Friday we will be in the month of Ramadan. It is another opportunity for spiritual rebirth, rejuvenation and nearness to Allah. How are we preparing for that rare and unusual month? How do we want to make a difference in our ways of worship, our supplication, our charity, love and kindness to others? How do we want to make the best out this heavenly grace for spiritual cleansing?

Whatever our plans on the month, we must first realised that the fundamental reason for fasting is taqwallah. Therefore, our objective of Ramadan should be an increase in taqwa.

It is only wise to set out time for every activity in the month so as to be able to maximise the reward in this great month. Plan your time and write out every activity you want to engage in in this month. If for example, you have five hours of ibaadah time, you can schedule two hours for Qur’an recitation, an hour of studying Islam and two hours for dua and Dhikr.

You can really get a lot done if you stick with this formula for the entire month. If you have the goal of reading 30 pages of Tafsir daily and that will take you an hour, and you know that you have an hour a day free every evening before Tarawih, then allocate that time to be your Tafsir time.

Set a specific time of the day for reciting Qur’an (perhaps before or after Fajr), making dua (before Iftar), and use early part of the night immediately after Ishai salat to sleep so that you can wake up between the middle of the night for tahjud. Plan your time adequatelty so that you dont miss sahoor.

The early mornings are known having Barakah (blessings). You may use the early mornining after Subhi salat for your Quran recitation, about an hour or two before you set out for work.   Remember, Ramadan is the month of Qur’an and so it is obvious that time must be dedicated daily to Qur’an. In doing this, focus on reciting it properly, study the Tafsir and reflect on its meanings.

This will have a longer lasting effect on your Imaan and Taqwa. For the time being, abandone the social media and unneccessary physical socialisation. Ramadan is the month of Itikaf, seclusion. One of the goals of Itikaf is to take a break from our social lives so that we can focus on our relationship with Allah. If you are unable to make Itikaf, you can still get this benefit in Ramadan by cutting down on socializing and dedicating more time to Ibaadah.

You also have to plan and work (official duties) in such a way that you dont get fagged out, weak or sleep deprived   so much that after a few days, you find it difficult to push on for the remaining part of the month.   Pace yourself and take care of your body by getting enough sleep, eating healthy and staying healthy.

A tip one of my Muslim doctors gave me some time ago was to avoid sugary and oily foods and eat wholesome foods for both Suhoor and Iftar. Drink a lot of water at night before bed as that will keep you hydrated during the day. You also dont need to take heavy meal for sahoor. Eat moderately.

If you dont have enough food for your sahoor especially, take honey mixed with warm water for your sahoor, you will be fit and healthy while the fasting lasts. That is one of the practice of the Prophet. (s.a.w) Allahuma balighna Ramadan. Amin See you in Ramdan. Dont forget our daily ‘Ramadan Talk’ starts on the first day of Ramadan.