Q What do you have to do to prepare for Ramadan? I am very new to Islam and don’t know much about it.

Answer

Short Answer:

In Ramadan, we fast our bodies, but feed our souls with the Light in the Words of Allah throughout this month to strengthen us and give us a sense of direction, meaning and purpose.

I’d like to give you hope and glad tiding. Your pursuit of knowledge and your keenness to do the right acts as per the guidance of the Creator are beautiful, commendable deeds that are highly rewarded.

………….

Salam Dear Sister and Welcome to Islam,

How Does a New Muslim Prepare for Ramadan?

We’re very grateful to receive your message, and we’re delighted to do our best in order to answer your queries.

We’re also thrilled to know about your embracing of Islam recently.

May Allah Almighty shower you with mercy, ease, peace, and relief in this world and the next!

On this note, I’d like to give you hope and glad tiding. Your pursuit of knowledge and your keenness to do the right acts as per the guidance of the Creator are beautiful, commendable deeds that are highly rewarded.

{And whoever does righteous deeds, whether male or female, while being a believer – those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged, [even as much as] the speck on a date seed.} (Quran 4:124)

And if you’re facing any hardship remember:

{For indeed with the hardship [will be] ease. Indeed with the hardship [will be] ease.} (Quran 94: 5-6)

Allah Opening Doors

And so long as you’re taking steps towards Allah Almighty, you’ll find Him with you and opening doors for you.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.’ [Sahih Al Bukhari]

May Allah help you in your journey, aid you to take the right steps and grant you the best rewards.

With regards to Ramadan, this is the month of the Quran. Allah (SWT) says:

{The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.} (Quran 2: 185)

We fast our bodies, but feed our souls with the Light in the Words of Allah throughout this month to strengthen us and give us a sense of direction, meaning and purpose.

Struggling with the Quran?

But don’t worry if reading the Quran is still a struggle for you. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Quran and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have a double reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

You may try watching the in depth exegesis of the Quran by Br. Nouman Ali Khan on Bayyinah, for instance. There are very helpful and interesting free online resources that they provide.

We pray that Allah opens your heart and fills it with light and wisdom, and ease all your affairs for you.

I hope this answers your question.

Salam and please keep in touch.

(From Ask About Islam archives)

Please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links:

https://aboutislam.net/spirituality/spiritual-readiness-ramadan/