Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh!
My dear brothers and sisters, how are you all doing today? I hope you’re in the best of health and iman. Today, we’re going to talk about something incredibly special—How to Welcome Ramadan.
But before we begin, let me ask you a few questions. Let’s pause for a moment and reflect:
- Have we ever truly welcomed Ramadan?
Or do we just let it come and go without fully embracing its blessings? - Do we really prepare for this month?
Or do we find ourselves scrambling at the last minute, physically and spiritually unprepared? - Are we truly determined to fulfill all its demands?
Fasting, praying, giving charity, and seeking forgiveness—are we ready to give it our all? - Do we understand the purpose of Ramadan?
Is it just about abstaining from food and drink, or is it about transforming ourselves and getting closer to Allah? - Have we set our intentions right?
Are we doing this for Allah alone, or are we influenced by social or cultural expectations? - Are we ready to let go of our sins and start fresh?
Have we truly repented and prepared our hearts to receive the mercy and forgiveness of this blessed month?
These are serious questions, my dear brothers and sisters. Ramadan is not just another month—it’s a golden opportunity, a gift from Allah. But are we ready to make the most of it?
Let’s now explore how we can find the answers to these questions and prepare ourselves to welcome Ramadan in the best way possible.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the initial revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and is observed through fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. As Allah states in the Quran:
“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Quran 2:185)
Welcoming Ramadan with sincerity and preparation enhances the spiritual benefits and allows us Muslims to fully engage in the blessings of this sacred month. Let’s see what we should do to welcome the holy month of Ramadhan.
1. Cultivating the Right Intention (Niyyah)
Ramadan is almost here! Can we feel it? The month of mercy, forgiveness, and countless blessings is approaching, and we don’t want to miss a single moment of it. But before we dive into fasting, extra prayers, and Quran recitation, let’s take a step back and prepare our hearts the right way—by setting our intention (niyyah).
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reminded us:
“Actions are [judged] by intentions, and everyone will be rewarded according to what they intended.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This means that no matter how much we do in Ramadan, if our intention isn’t pure, if it’s not truly for the sake of Allah, then we might miss out on the real rewards. So let’s do this together—let’s cultivate the right niyyah for this blessed month, setting our hearts straight and ensuring that everything we do is done with sincerity and devotion.
Let’s Start with a Heart Check
Before we even think about fasting or standing in long night prayers, let’s pause for a moment. Why are we excited for Ramadan? Is it just about the delicious iftar meals, the social gatherings, or the cultural traditions? Or is it about getting closer to Allah, purifying our souls, and seeking His pleasure?
Let’s be honest with ourselves. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Ramadan without fully grasping its spiritual depth. But this year, let’s make a commitment—we are fasting, praying, and striving for one reason only: to seek Allah’s mercy, to earn His forgiveness, and to become better Muslims.
Allah tells us in the Quran:
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.” (Quran 98:5)
So, let’s purify our intentions right now. Let’s make a firm niyyah to observe this Ramadan with sincerity, seeking nothing but Allah’s pleasure.
Let’s Repent Sincerely Before Our Lord
Now that we’ve set our intention, there’s another crucial step before Ramadan begins: sincere repentance. Let’s do this together.
Close our eyes for a moment. Think about the past year—the mistakes we’ve made, the sins we’ve committed, the moments we neglected our prayers, the times we hurt someone with our words or actions. Can we feel the weight of those sins on our hearts?
Now, let’s turn to Allah with sincerity. Let’s cry out to Him, not just with words but with our hearts. Let’s ask for His forgiveness like desperate beggars at His door, knowing that He is the Most Merciful, the Most Forgiving.
Allah promises us:
“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'” (Quran 39:53)
Let’s do this together:
“Ya Allah, we have wronged ourselves in so many ways. We have sinned knowingly and unknowingly. But You are Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem—the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Forgive us, Ya Allah. Wash away our sins as You wash away dirt from a white cloth. Let us enter Ramadan with a clean heart, a purified soul, and a renewed spirit. We promise, Ya Allah, we will try our best not to return to these sins. Please, accept our repentance and guide us to the straight path. Ameen.”
Can we feel the burden lifting? That’s the power of sincere repentance. Let’s keep our hearts soft and humble, always seeking forgiveness before and during Ramadan.
Let’s Seek Knowledge About Ramadan
Understanding the rules, virtues, and objectives of Ramadan enables us to observe it correctly and reap its full benefits. The Quran highlights the purpose of fasting:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Quran 2:183)
Fasting is not just an obligation; it is a means of attaining taqwa (God-consciousness). Let’s take time to study the jurisprudence of fasting, the significance of the pre-dawn meal (suhoor), the breaking of the fast (iftar), and the special night prayers (Taraweeh). Learning about these aspects helps us align our practices with the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and gain maximum rewards.
Let’s make it a goal to read about the fiqh (rules) of fasting, watch lectures from authentic scholars, and seek answers to any doubts we may have. Ramadan is a school for the soul, and the more knowledge we acquire, the more meaningful our worship becomes.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
So let’s equip ourselves with the right knowledge and enter Ramadan fully prepared, with our minds and hearts aligned with the true spirit of this sacred month.
Let’s Talk About Sincere Repentance (Tawbah) Once Again
Entering Ramadan with a purified heart amplifies the spiritual experience. Allah encourages us to repent:
“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.” (Quran 24:31)
Repentance is not just about saying “Astaghfirullah” with our tongues; it is about feeling deep regret for past sins, immediately stopping them, and making a firm resolve never to return to them. When we cleanse our hearts through sincere tawbah, we make space for the light of Ramadan to enter and illuminate our souls.
Let’s take a moment to reflect: Are there sins we have been holding onto? Have we hurt someone with our words or actions? Have we neglected our prayers or indulged in habits that distance us from Allah? Now is the time to let go and turn back to Him wholeheartedly.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who repents from sin is like the one who has no sin.” (Ibn Majah)
This means that no matter how many times we have fallen, Allah’s door is always open for us. So let’s raise our hands and ask for His forgiveness, knowing that He loves to forgive:
“Ya Allah, we turn to You in complete sincerity. We acknowledge our mistakes, our shortcomings, and our weaknesses. Please forgive us, cleanse our hearts, and accept our repentance. Let this Ramadan be the start of a new chapter in our lives, where we grow closer to You and distance ourselves from anything that displeases You. Ameen.”
Let’s Return to the Quran—Our Ultimate Guide
The Quran is the greatest gift and guidance from our Creator, yet sadly, many of us have neglected it. It is the very book that transformed a backward, tribal society into the most successful civilization in history. It turned darkness into light, ignorance into wisdom, and failure into triumph. But today, how many of us truly connect with this marvelous book?
Allah says:
“Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward.” (Quran 17:9)
This book is not just a historical document; it is a living miracle, a guide for every aspect of our lives. But what has become of us? We have abandoned its teachings, treating it as something to be recited ceremonially without understanding. How can we expect to succeed when we have neglected the very book that holds the key to our success?
The sad reality is that the Muslim Ummah is deteriorating on all fronts—spiritually, morally, economically, and politically. We have lost our honor, our strength, and our direction. And why? Because we have turned away from the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned us:
“Indeed, Allah elevates some people with this book, and He lowers others with it.” (Sahih Muslim)
If we abandon the Quran, we abandon our path to success. The consequences of neglecting it are evident—division, weakness, and a loss of purpose. But it’s not too late! We can still turn things around.
Let’s Make a Life-Changing Commitment
Now is the time to pause and reflect. Do we want to continue living our lives disconnected from the Quran? Or do we want to embrace it wholeheartedly, allowing it to guide us in every aspect of life?
Let’s make a firm commitment together. From this Ramadan onward, let’s promise ourselves that we will never let a single day pass without reading, understanding, and internalizing the teachings of the Quran. Let it be our light, our guide, and our source of strength.
Let’s commit:
“Ya Allah, we pledge to never let a single day go by without engaging with Your book. We will read it, reflect upon it, and implement its teachings in our lives. Let the Quran be our companion in this life and our intercessor in the Hereafter. Ameen.”
This Ramadan, let’s return to the Quran with full devotion. Let’s reconnect with its wisdom, seek its guidance, and allow it to transform our lives. If we truly embrace the Quran, Allah will elevate us once again. Our individual lives will change, our families will flourish, and the entire Muslim Ummah will rise from its decline.
May Allah grant us the love for His book, the ability to act upon it, and the success in both this life and the Hereafter. Ameen.
With this renewed sense of sincerity, let’s enter Ramadan with lightened hearts, free from the burdens of past sins, and ready to embrace all the blessings that Allah has in store for us.
May Allah accept our efforts and grant us a Ramadan full of mercy, forgiveness, and spiritual growth. Ameen.
Conclusion
Welcoming Ramadan is not just about preparing physically but also about nurturing the heart and mind to fully embrace the immense spiritual rewards it offers. By cultivating sincerity, increasing knowledge, making sincere repentance, and setting goals for worship, we Muslims can make the most of this blessed month. The Quran reminds us:
“Indeed, successful is the one who purifies himself, and mentions the name of his Lord and prays.” (Quran 87:14-15)
May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan in good health and faith, and may He grant us the strength to engage in acts of worship sincerely for His sake. Ameen.
