Muslims should not neglect the seasons of worship; rather, they must be among the first to excel in and compete in them. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {So for this let the competitors compete.}[Quran 83:26]
So, we must try our best to receive the month of Ramadan in the following recommended ways:
The first way: Supplicate Allah The Almighty to keep you alive and in good health until Ramadan comes so that you will be able to actively worship Allah The Almighty. It was narrated on the authority of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the month of Rajab came, the Prophet, , said: "O Allah, bless Rajab and Sha‘baan for us, and let us live till the coming of Ramadan." [Ahmad and At-Tabaraani] The righteous predecessors used to supplicate Allah The Almighty to let them live until the coming of Ramadan and to accept it from them. At the sighting of the new moon, supplicate Allah The Almighty saying: "O Allah, let this moon come to us with security and faith; with safety and Islam; and guidance to what You love and approve. My Lord and your Lord is Allah." [At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi, and Ibn Hibbaan: Saheeh]
The second way: Thanking Allah The Almighty for attending this month. In his book Al-Athkaar, Imaam An-Nawawi says, "It is recommended for the person who experiences an obvious favor or is protected from an obvious curse that he prostrates in gratefulness to Allah The Almighty or praises Him duly." Among the greatest blessings Allah The Almighty grants the slave is guiding him to obedience and worship. When Ramadan comes and the Muslim is in good health, this is a great blessing worthy of thankfulness and it requires the praise of Allah The Almighty Who bestows it. All perfect and continuous praise be to Allah The Almighty as suits the majesty of His Face and His Great Authority.
The third way: Happiness and joy. The Prophet, , was authentically reported to have congratulated his Companions on the coming of Ramadan. The Prophet, , said: "Ramadan has come to you. It is a blessed month during which Allah The Almighty Prescribed fasting and in this month the gates of the heavens are open and the gates of Hell are shut…" [Ahmad] Our righteous predecessors, the Companions of the Prophet, , and those who followed them in the best way, used to take great care of the month of Ramadan and were happy with its arrival. There is no happiness greater than receiving the news of the approach of Ramadan, the season of blessings and the descent of mercy.
The fourth way: Planning in advance how to benefit from Ramadan. Unfortunately, many people -- even practicing Muslims -- draw detailed plans for worldly affairs of this life, whereas only a few of them plan for the affairs of the Hereafter. This results from the lack of awareness about the mission of the believer in this life, or forgetting or deliberately ignoring that there are numerous chances for the Muslim with Allah The Almighty and important periods of time to train oneself in to be firm in this regard. Planning for the affairs of the Hereafter includes planning to invest Ramadan in acts of worship. A Muslim must put a practical plan into action that spans the days and nights of Ramadan in obedience to Allah The Almighty. This message is supposed to help the person spend the duration of Ramadan in obeying Allah The Almighty – Allah willing.
The fifth way: Beingsincerely determined to be among the believers who achieve success and felicity in Ramadan and fill its days with righteous deeds. If a Muslim is true to Allah The Almighty, He will fulfill His promise to him, help him in worship, and facilitate the ways of goodness for him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {If they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.} [Quran 47:21]
The sixth way: Learning and understanding the Fiqh rulings related to fasting in Ramadan. The believer has to worship Allah The Almighty with knowledge, and is not excused for his ignorance of the obligations Allah The Almighty prescribed for people. This includes fasting in Ramadan. The Muslim is obliged to learn the issues and rulings related to fasting before the coming of Ramadan so that his fasting will be correct and accepted by Allah The Almighty Who Says (what means): {So ask the people of the message if you do not know.} [Quran 21:7]
The seventh way: We have to receive this month with the decision to give up sins and misdeeds, sincerely repent of them all, stop them, and not commit them again. Ramadan is the month of repentance and if a person misses this chance, when will he repent? Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24:31]
The eighth way: Being spiritually and psychologically prepared. This could be done by reading books and articles, and listening to beneficial lectures and discourses which highlight the virtues and rulings of fasting, so that the soul is prepared for worship in this month. The Prophet, , used to prepare the souls of his Companions to utilize this meritorious month by saying on the last day of Sha‘baan: "Ramadan has come to you…" [Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i]
The ninth way: Prepare oneself well for calling to Allah The Almighty in Ramadan. This can be done in the following ways:
1- Preparing short sermons and lessons to be given in the neighbourhood Masjid if possible.
2- Distributing some booklets and articles of admonition and jurisprudence related to Ramadan to the worshipers and people in your area.
3- Preparing some gifts for Ramadan, which could be envelopes containing two tapes and a booklet marked "Gift for Ramadan."
4- Reminding people of our duties towards the poor and needy and giving them charity and Zakah (obligatory charity).
The tenth way: We receive the month of Ramadan by opening a bright new page with:
a- Allah The Almighty by sincerely repenting to Him.
b- The Messenger of Allah, , by obeying his orders and avoiding what he prohibited and warned against.
c- Parents, relatives, and one’s spouse and children by being dutiful to them and maintaining ties with them
d- Society by being a righteous and useful person. The Prophet, , said: "The best of people is the one who benefits them most."
This is how the Muslim receives the month of Ramadan like a barren land which is in need of water, a patient when he sees the doctor and the lover when he receives his long-awaited absent loved one.
O Allah, Keep us alive till the coming of Ramadan and accept it from us! Indeed, You are The Hearing The Knowing!