If you’ve been nurtured in a practising Muslim family, you would easily know how to prepare for Ramadan. For one who is taking a new step this Ramadan, you may be clueless as to what is the daily practise in this holy month.
These are the basics of how to prepare for Ramadan:
- The 3 Stages of Ramadan
- First 10 days of Ramadan
- Mid 10 days of Ramadan
- Last 10 days of Ramadan
- Sahur/Suhoor – Pre-dawn Meal
- Iftar – Break of Fast
- Taraweeh Prayer
- Quran Reading
- Exercising While Fasting
The 3 Stages of Ramadan
If it is your first attempt at fasting, break down the month into 3 stages of Ramadan to feel less overwhelmed. Breaking your goal of achieving 30 days of fasting into 3 parts is good preparation.
There are also the 3 stages of Ramadan dua that can help you get through each day.
First 10 days of Ramadan
Expect the first 10 days of Ramadan to be your hardest. Even for a practising Muslim, the first fasting days would always be hard as the body adjusts itself to a new routine. The days would seem to move at a much slower pace.
The daily zikir or dua for the first 10 days of Ramadan is as follows:
Allahummar hamni yaa arhamar rohimiin (Transliteration)Oh Allah, have sympathy over me, oh The Most Compassionate of all (Translation)
Mid 10 days of Ramadan
The mid 10 days of Ramadan is where your body should be fairly adjusted to the fasting state. This second stage would move slightly quicker than the first stage of Ramadan.
The daily zikir or dua for the mid 10 days of Ramadan is below:
Allahummagh firlii tzunuubii yaarabbaal ‘aalamiin (Transliteration) Oh Allah forgive me of my sins, dear God of the universe (Translation)
Last 10 days of Ramadan
The last 10 days of Ramadan is the most crucial stage of the fasting month. It is also where the Lailatul Qadr (Night of Glory/Power/Decree) is hidden. A whole surah – Al-Qadr (97th surah of the Quran) is dedicated for this Night of Glory.
Muslims take the last stage more seriously than the other stages. Prayers, Quran reading, charity, gifting and all good practices are amped up during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The daily zikir or dua for the last 10 days of Ramadan is:
Allahumma ‘a tiq’ nii minaanaar wa ad khilnii janna taka
Yaa Rabbal ‘aa lamiin birohmatika yaa arhamarrohi miin (Transliteration)
Oh Allah free me from Your Hell Fire and lead me in Your Heaven Oh God of the Universe with all Your blessing Oh the Most Merciful of all sympathizers (Translation)
Sahur / Suhoor – Pre-dawn Meal
Sahur (or Suhoor) would usually be taken just before dawn or subuh (fajr). There is a hadith which says, Surely the pre-dawn meal has the blessing of Allah on you, so do not leave it (An-Nasa’ie).
The dua or intention for sahur is as below:
Nawaitu sauma ghadin ‘an adaa-i fardhi ramadhaana hadzihissanati lillahi ta’aala (Transliteration)
I intend to fast tomorrow to implement the obligation of Ramadhan this year because of Allah (Translation)
Iftar – Break of Fast
Iftar or the break of fast would be the time for Muslim families get together. However, we are always reminded to not eat and drink in excess.
And eat and drink [as We have permitted] but do not be extravagant: God does not like extravagant people. (Al-A’raf 7:31)
Here is the dua or intention for the break of fast:
Allahumma laka dshumtu wabika aamantu wa’alaa rizqika aftortu birohmatika yaa arhamarro himiin (Transliteration)
O Allah I fasted for You and with You I am thankful of the sustenance, I break my fast with Your mercy, Oh Almighty Most Merciful, the Compassionate (Translation)
With that, we hope you will have a blessed Ramadan this year.
May Allah accept all of our good deeds in this fasting month.
Rabbana wataqqabal du’a! Aameen Allahumma Aameen!