8 ways to Prepare your Family for Ramadan

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may learn self-restraint” (Al-Baqorah: 183)

Ramadan is a few days away, Muslims and non-Muslims all over the world are no doubt beginning to get in the spirit and mood of the Holy month.

One of the best ways to make utmost use of Ramadan is to prepare effectively, this way no day slips by without you making utmost use of it.

We are certain you have started to keep a to-do Ramadan list to get you enthusiastic but you shouldn’t be keeping a list for yourself alone.

Endeavor to get every member of your family to get in the spirit and earn rewards together.

In case you haven’t been making plans with your family or haven’t been doing enough of them.

Here are some things you can do to help you better prepare for the Holy Month

1. Fast all outstanding days

This is definitely the first thing to do to prepare your stomach and body for Ramadan while keeping in mind that Ramadan is inexcusable. If you missed last year’s Ramadan for certain reasons and haven’t paid them up, its best you do so now before 2019 Ramadan starts.

However, you should remember the Prophet (SAW) said you shouldn’t fast a day before Ramadan, so it is very important you put an end to your outstanding fast quickly so you do not fall in error.

2. Discuss what you’ll share for Zakatul-Fitr ahead of time

Get your kids to tell you the things they are very excited about giving away during Ramadan and share with them the joy of being the ones who will measure the food you will be giving as Zakatul-Fitr.

3. Share beneficial stories in your home

If you’re not used to telling your kids stories of the Martyrs and Sahabas, now is the time to do so.

This way you get them in the mood and prepare them for what is to come, while you tell them the importance of Ramadan as a pillar of Islam.

The significance of Ramadan and how the Prophet used to fast to keep them encouraged.

4. Set a Ramadan Timetable with your Kids 

Get a Ramadan calendar or have your kids design one. Let them decide where to place it and to strike out each day as it goes.

You could also make a column on the calendar or journal available for them to enter what they learned or any act of kindness they engaged in each day.

5. Design Ramadan Cards and Arts for your homes 

A lot of fun comes with getting balloons, trimming cards, painting cardboards and fixing stickers.

This experience will make the month of Ramadan one to long for in your home and help you better prepare.

6. Encourage everyone to draft a Wishlist

The Prophet (SAW) was reported to have said

“Woe unto the one who witnesses Ramadan but doesn’t have his sins forgiven”.

Encourage every member of your family to write out what they want and need from Allah all through the 30days. One request per day both as a family and as a household.

Teach your kids also how to ask of Allah all their heart desires.

7. Keep an Adhkaar Chart

Learning Adhkaars is very important, the month of Ramadan is a good time to have everyone memorize an Adhkaar daily in the hope that they make use of it even after Ramadan.

You could all set them out in time and make a plan to read them at Suhoor and emphasize before going to bed.

8. Set a meal and activity plan

Plan the time you intend to be up for Suhoor, go to work and be back, plan when you want to read and study the Quran, when you want to read tafsirs and stories of the Sahabah either to yourself or family.

In some homes, tafsir is being read immediately after Subh, you can schedule what is suitable for your own home and the best times for these activities ahead of Ramadan to lift your spirit.

Structure the entire Ramadan meal timetable with your Kids and make sure to include everyone’s favorite meal or fruits in each week

Growing up, I used to marvel at why some people weep when Ramadan is leaving, certainly these are some of the things some families do to make the atmosphere very exciting and make every member of their family look forward to the Sacred month.

We hope these tips has been beneficial? Feel free to add some more things you consider important but has been left out.