Ramadan Preparation

Ramadan follows the cycle of the new moon and begins in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and lasts 29 to 30 days. It is a time set aside for Muslims to fast and reflect on God in their lives through increased prayer and readings of the Quran. To demonstrate their faith, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during the daylight hours every day for the month of Ramadan. Muslims use this time to rededicate themselves to God by committing to improve their spiritual character over the subsequent year.

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Quran

Instructions

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  Clean your house and stock up on groceries prior to Ramadan for the fast-breaking meals at the end of the day so as to not take away from prayer time during the holy month. At the same time, if you drink caffeine and smoke cigarettes you should also take time to wean yourself off of these.
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  Cleanse your mind and surroundings. Spiritual cleanliness is a major theme during Ramadan, where Muslims put aside desires of the flesh for an increased focus on God. Fasting and prayer are observed during this time, as well as abstinence and the absence of impure thoughts. You should rid your home of magazines, videos, and anything else that could lead to sexual thoughts.
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  Connect to other Muslims. Brotherhood and unity are also central themes and it is encouraged to observe Ramadan with other Muslims. It is a time for friendship and gathering where Muslims bond together to offer moral support during difficult times of fasting and celebrate together during the fast-breaking meal at the end of the day. Fasting is intended to encourage Muslims to think about those that are less fortunate. Prior to Ramadan, you may consider setting aside money to donate to charities and mosques to recognize the hardships of others in the world.
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  Prepare to fast. Fasting is the most intense physical demand placed upon Muslims during Ramadan. Not being able to eat and drink during daylight hours can have a strong effect on concentration during prayer, demeanor toward others, and physical and emotional exhaustion. Before the holy month begins, prepare your body for this deprivation by eating smaller meals and becoming accustomed to eating breakfast before dawn and after nightfall. You should also adjust your sleep schedule to get used to waking up before dawn for this purpose.
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  Prepare for prayer. Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Quran during Ramadan to facilitate their quest for a harmonious life with God and find inner peace in their own lives. You should spend time with Muslim scholars to get a better understanding of how to best observe Ramadan to see a positive effect in your life after the holy month concludes. To facilitate prayer and reflection, you should have other Islamic books on hand, along with the Quran, such as the Hadith and the Fiqh.
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  Resolve to live a more holy life. The intended take-away from Ramadan is a pathway to a spiritually clean life and a closeness to God. For some Muslims, instilling life changes requires a large amount of patience and fortitude. It is a good practice to identify bad habits in your life that you would like to change prior to Ramadan so that you can come to terms with these changes before the holy month begins and allow yourself the best chance of success in ridding these habits from your lives following Ramadan.