There are a lot of us who still find that following our spiritual program during Ramadan is difficult to maintain, despite our sincere desire to change. In this article, I will share with you a new planning system that will be useful to you in the organization of Ramadan and this from the month of Sha'ban, allowing you to start training in advance.

Every year, when Ramadan comes, we begin to think about the glory of this month with many ambitions and plans. Unfortunately, when the last night of Ramadan arrives, we still have some to regrets. We see that we have not done what we had planned or that we have missed the planned targets. We have to ask ourselves why! Indeed our resolutions to improve ourselves spiritually and socially during Ramadan melted like snow in the sun and that while the demons were locked up; so therefore could not be responsible for our failure! Sometimes bad feelings push us to question our faith and our attachment to religion the very night of Eid. In reality, the reason for all this is much simpler than we can imagine.

In my opinion, the problem is that we do most of our plans without really paying attention to them. We make promises only in our heads and are determined to accomplish the tasks of this holy month only in words. While what we really need is a written and organized plan accompanied by TRAINING.

I do not mean: for an event to be a success, we need pre-planning and preparation: any speech you give, any meeting you will attend or even any gathering where you will go. Then why should not it be the same for the month of Ramadan, which gives you the opportunity to repent for all your errors and to have your name written on the list of those admitted to Paradise! Do you not think that your program for this blessed month also needs training?

For this Ramadan, I propose a new process which I hope will be useful to you. This plan consists of three different stages: before Ramadan, during Ramadan, and after Ramadan. In this article, I will address the first and most important steps: the one before Ramadan.

THE PREPARATION

BEFORE THE RAMADAN

Throughout the year, everyday responsibilities overload our lives. We all have thoughts like:

"I have to concentrate more during my prayers,

"I should try to do more prayer onerogatoire"

or

"I have to read the Qur'an more often,

"I must help my brothers and sisters in Islam more"

Etc.

Most of us find it difficult to take the first step and if we start the process, it is difficult for us to stick to our schedule. The month of Ramadan is an annual occasion that Allah (Exalted be He) gives us to return to Him and fulfill our spiritual duties in 30 days. It is an annual opportunity to change completely, not only for ourselves, but also for our community.

1

SET YOUR OBJECTIVES

To have a productive Ramadan, we need to specify our goals. And your goals must be realistic; That is, programs that you can accomplish during Ramadan and continue to implement even after Ramadan inchaAllah. Your goals must be very precise and achievable within a predefined time frame: set a precise schedule every week or every 10 days. Write down the steps necessary to accomplish your goals. Finally, your activities should not be focused only on yourself. Muslims must also be productive in their communities.

If you agree with me on what you have read so far, bring a pen and a piece of paper, or open a new document on your PC and start writing at least two things you want Change in you or in your community for this Ramadan - the things you have always thought of but you have not had the chance to do before. (I have included some examples, do not hesitate to share yours too)

PERSONAL SPIRITUAL OBJECTIVES

Change must begin with repentance (Tawbah). And the Tawbah begins with feeling remorse. This penalty will prevent you from committing the same mistake again. By the Istighfar, all your errors can be erased, as if you had never committed them!

• Begin by performing the supererogatory prayers. Set a goal for each week. The next week, add another goal or increase the number of raka'at (prostrations).

Do the Istighfar or any other form of dhikr (determine what dhikr you do for each week and how many times a day)

• Read the Koran (once, twice, or three times a week, or set a certain number of pages to read each day)

• Perform Fajr at the mosque daily

SOCIAL OBJECTIVES :

(FAMILY / COMMUNITY)

THE FAMILY

The family during Ramadan is an infinite source of hasanat if we know how to do it. If a good deed accomplished outside of Ramadan is rewarded, during the month of Ramadan, it will be 10 times more rewarded. The real good deal is when it comes to these daily tasks that we perform regularly because they are part of our habits, and who can bring us a divine reward if we accomplish them with the right intention (which is the Key to hasanats). This Ramadan, let's try to be active members of our family. I use the term "active" to refer to people who perform their roles with great joy and positive energy. Each in his own style.

• Begin teaching your children how to perform prayer or the philosophy of prayer.

• Teach them small surahs, such as Al-Fatiha

• When cooking, plan to do so to allow family members to break the fast. I would give you more information on this in my next article InchaAllah.

• Take your children to tarawih. Explain to them the history of this spiritual tradition of Ramadan (how Omar bin Al-Khattab has gathered all Muslims to do this prayer blessed in congregation, and have their hearts cling to the mosque. The house, buy them sweets or other healthier things but they like, to please them.

• Help your mother / father, for it is your duty! This may include helping them solve a problem or helping your mother consolidate her self-confidence.

• Help your sister / brother in their studies, their professional problems or make important decisions

• Make doua's for your parents, spouse, children, siblings

THE OUMMA

On a larger scale, you can concentrate on the Umma. Look around to see who needs help. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people to help.

• Help a friend without waiting for him / her to solicit you.

• Visit family members you have not seen recently (how many families will you visit?)

• Visit retirement homes and orphanages (specify how many times: once, weekly?)

• Make aims (decide on a weekly amount or an action)

• Break the fast with other Muslims who do not belong to your immediate family (indicate a specific number)

• Do doua for other Muslims (brothers / sisters, Muslim countries in conflict)

For women, you can include a specific plan for days when you are not going to fast. I was asked several times: "What can I do with my program when I do not fast? ".

During Ramadan, every moment and every act is blessed. Fasting during Ramadan is not just about abstaining from eating or drinking during the day. Fasting also refrains from repeating the same mistakes. So keep moving forward in your plan and you will earn rewards, InshaAllah. As a woman, I see these days as an opportunity to do good deeds that require more energy and patience, and that I could not perform as effectively if I fasted.

2

PREPARE YOURSELVES

AT THE DOMESTIC LEVEL

Prepare your place of life for Ramadan. Clean the house in advance so you do not have much housework to do during Ramadan. Prepare family clothes for Eid before the beginning of Ramadan so that you do not lose the blessed hours of Ramadan to make your purchases. For your cooking, my next article will be more focused on these practical details.

At the psychological / emotional level

Make your calendar and hang it in a place where you can see it clearly every time you enter the room. Decorate it if necessary (you can draw it by hand - flowers, Ka'aba etc.) and use colors, stickers, sequins and other personal touches. Let your personality express itself. If you have children, they can help you in this activity. Inspire yourself of how people used to spend Ramadan in the past, or how different cultures celebrate Ramadan. Inspire yourself in the way that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend this blessed month. Share your newly acquired knowledge with others.

AT THE RELIGIOUS LEVEL

Study the legal rules of fiqh more. This will prevent you from having doubts about the validity of your fasting. And this will also boost your self-confidence.

AT THE LEVEL OF

YOUR MOTIVATION

Look for a "competitor" who has a program similar to yours. Indeed although it may seem easy, it is not! Do not choose a weak "competitor" to win everything you do! Your "competitor" will have to be a person able to reboost your motivation when you get a diet drop.

3

TRAIN YOURSELF

One of the reasons for our failure during Ramadan is perhaps our lack of training. Indeed, during Ramadan, we radically change the rhythm of our daily life, starting with giving up our morning coffee. In addition to this, we begin other worship actions - the Tarawih, the Koran and the dhikr. In most cases, the body runs out in the first week, slowing down our progress and demotivating us. With a little training, you will gradually get used to your body, your mind and your soul. That's exactly how sport works. It is best to feel tired during Sha'ban, but trained and constant during Ramadan.

During Sha'ban you can start practicing your plan, like

• Fasting a few days i.e Mondays and Thursdays

• Read the parts of the Qur'an that you will want to read during Ramadan, which will make their re-reading easier for you during Ramadan.

• Discover the strategies you need to help your family member or friend quit smoking, or learn about marital relationships, and so on.

• Start using your language to dhikr.

• Train yourself to be patient and control your anger.

• Try to keep your tongue in your pocket, stop gossiping and avoid unnecessary long conversations.

• Start helping friends, listen to their stories and problems.

Here are my tips to help you prepare for Ramadan! I'm sure we all have something to share and I would love to hear from you, do not hesitate to do so in the comments below.

I hope that we will be well prepared and ready for this blessed month in sha Allah. Do not forget me in your du'as!

Thank you for having read this article, hope you liked it and that it will be beneficial.

Do not hesitate to share

- Jazak Allah Kheir -

#Ramadan