The days are slipping by, and suddenly, Ramadan is at our doorstep. Maybe you had plans to prepare weeks ago—to start waking up for extra prayers, to build consistency in reciting the Quran, to ease into fasting—but life got in the way. And now, instead of excitement, you feel a quiet worry settling in. Will I be able to make the most of it? Will I fall into the same patterns as last year? Is it too late to get ready?
Ramadan has a way of making us reflect—not just on our worship, but on who we are at our core. It shines a light on the things we’ve neglected, the prayers we meant to make, the spiritual habits we told ourselves we’d build. And sometimes, in that light, all we see is what we haven’t done. But here’s the thing: Ramadan is not about where you start; it’s about where you go from here.
Allah, in His infinite mercy, is not waiting for you to show up on the first night of Ramadan as the perfect version of yourself. He is not measuring you against someone else’s experience, nor is He expecting a flawless plan. What He asks is that you turn to Him. That you begin. That you walk towards Him, no matter how slowly, knowing that He runs to meet you.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever draws close to Allah by performing any good deed in this month shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory act at any other time…” (Ibn Khuzaymah, Sahih). Ramadan is about mercy upon mercy. It is about opportunities layered within opportunities. Even if you begin on the 10th night, the 20th night, or even the final ten days, you have walked into that mercy.
And it’s not about having the most structured plan or the busiest checklist. Some people will read the entire Quran, others will reflect deeply on a few ayahs. Some will stand in Taraweeh every night, others will struggle to pray Isha on time. Some will give in charity, others will focus on purifying their hearts. All of it matters. All of it is seen.
If you feel unprepared, know that the door to readiness is as simple as beginning. If your heart carries guilt, know that Allah’s mercy is vast enough to swallow it whole. If you’re afraid of missing out on the beauty of Ramadan, remember that every moment in this month is an invitation—no matter when you accept it.
So take a deep breath. Whisper a dua. Step forward with whatever you have. Ramadan is not a test of perfection; it’s an opportunity to return. And the most beautiful thing? Allah is waiting for you to come back to Him—at any moment, in any way.
