Ramadan is the most sacred month of the year, a time when Allah’s mercy, blessings, and forgiveness overflow. But for the pious predecessors—the righteous generations before us—Ramadan wasn’t just a month they entered passively. They spent months in advance preparing their hearts, minds, and actions, ensuring they could fully embrace its rewards.
Their approach to Ramadan was rooted in deep reverence, discipline, and love for the Quran and worship. If we want to make the most of this blessed month, we can learn from their habits and mindset to elevate our own preparation.
1. They Started Preparing Months in Advance
The companions of the Prophet ﷺ and the early generations of Muslims did not wait until the first night of Ramadan to start preparing their hearts and habits. In fact, they would begin their preparation six months in advance by making dua that Allah allow them to witness another Ramadan.
The great scholar Mu‘alla ibn al-Fadl (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"The righteous predecessors used to supplicate to Allah for six months that He allow them to reach Ramadan, and they would supplicate for six months afterward that He accept it from them." (Lata'if al-Ma'arif, Ibn Rajab)
For them, Ramadan was an honored guest, one they longed to meet. Their anticipation wasn’t just in excitement—it was in preparing themselves spiritually to make the most of its blessings.
📌 How we can apply this today:
- Start making dua now for Allah to allow us to witness Ramadan and to bless us with sincerity and steadfastness in our worship.
- Set clear intentions for how you want to approach Ramadan, focusing on spiritual growth, Quran engagement, and strengthening your connection with Allah.
2. They Increased Their Fasting in Sha’ban
One of the most well-documented practices of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in preparation for Ramadan was his frequent voluntary fasting in Sha’ban.
Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
"I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any other month like you fast in Sha’ban.’
He ﷺ said, ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be raised when I am fasting.’"
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, 2357; authenticated by Al-Albani)
Many of the Salaf (early generations) would follow this sunnah and increase their fasting in Sha’ban as a way to train themselves for Ramadan.
📌 How we can apply this today:
- Try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, following the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Aim to fast the White Days (13th, 14th, and 15th of Sha’ban) for extra rewards.
- If possible, increase your fasting in the last half of Sha’ban to prepare yourself physically and spiritually for the long fasts of Ramadan.
3. They Strengthened Their Relationship with the Quran
Ramadan is the Month of the Quran, as Allah says:
"The month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed—a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺."
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185, Mustafa Khattab translation)
Many of the pious predecessors would pause all other studies and dedicate their time solely to the Quran in Ramadan.
It was said about Imam Malik (may Allah have mercy on him):
"When Ramadan arrived, he would leave all his lessons of hadith and fiqh and devote himself entirely to reading the Quran." (Al-Tamhid, Ibn 'Abd al-Barr)
📌 How we can apply this today:
- Begin increasing your Quran recitation now, even if it’s just one page a day.
- Set a Quran goal for Ramadan, whether it’s finishing a khatam, memorizing a surah, or reflecting on tafsir.
- Use Tarteel to help track your progress, improve your memorization, and build consistency.
4. They Increased Their Charity and Generosity
Ramadan is a time of immense barakah (blessings), and the righteous predecessors understood that giving in charity multiplies rewards during this month.
The Prophet ﷺ was described as being the most generous of all people, but his generosity increased even more in Ramadan:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the most generous of people, and he was even more generous in Ramadan when Jibreel met with him."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, 6)
📌 How we can apply this today:
- Start setting aside money now to donate throughout Ramadan.
- Look for ways to give both financially and through acts of service—helping a neighbor, feeding the fasting, or supporting a cause.
5. They Made Sincere Dua and Repentance
The early generations of Muslims treated Ramadan as an opportunity for a clean slate, preparing by seeking forgiveness and turning back to Allah with sincere hearts.
They understood that the doors of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are flung wide open in Ramadan, and they wanted to enter the month with a heart free of sin and distraction.
📌 How we can apply this today:
- Increase istighfar (seeking forgiveness) in your daily routine.
- Make a list of duas you want to focus on in Ramadan, including those for yourself, your loved ones, and the Ummah.
- Ask Allah to purify your heart and grant you sincerity in your worship.
The Time to Prepare is Now
The pious predecessors understood that Ramadan isn’t just about the 30 days—it’s about how you prepare for them. They saw Sha’ban as their spiritual training ground, ensuring they could step into Ramadan fully ready to maximize its rewards.
This is our chance to follow their footsteps. Start today. Set intentions, make dua, increase Quran recitation, and begin fasting.
May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan with sound hearts, strong faith, and the ability to worship Him in the best way. Ameen.
