It often happens that we do not benefit from the early days of Ramadan as we do not prepare ourselves well enough for them. As a result, we do not feel the virtue of fasting and do not taste the majesty of reciting the Quran or the solemnity of performing taraaweeh (i.e. supererogatory night prayer during the month of Ramadan).
Actually, these are precious moments, and du‘aat (i.e. callers to Allah Almighty), scholars and public speakers should work out a preparatory program during the month of Sha‘baan in order to incite people's energies and activate those who are not ambitious. Programs should include fasting consistently, reciting the Noble Quran, and offering the supererogatory night prayers so that we may become accustomed to performing such deeds and their likes and do not unwarily miss them. Actually, such preparatory plans are good and even wonderful. To give an example, an athlete who does not warm up nor exercises for a short time before an athletic event may not be able to continually perform for the entire duration (of the event). Similarly, a Muslim who unexpectedly begins Ramadan cannot make use of its times and moments in the best manner.
In my opinion, however, there is something more important whose significance many Muslims fail to realize; the 'mental' preparation for this glorious month. By mental preparation, I mean ambitiously waiting for its arrival, passionately longing for its days and nights, restlessly counting the remaining hours, and being obsessed with the fear of not living until then.
No doubt, such is a difficult emotional state. However, those who feel it will unarguably enjoy this glorious month and enjoy and benefit from every moment.
The easiest way, I suggest, to reach such a unique and emotional state is to imagine that the coming Ramadan is the last Ramadan that you will witness in your lifetime.
To this effect, our honorable Messenger advised us to frequently remember death saying: “Always remember the destroyer of all pleasures.” [Al-Albani; Saheeh] However, he did not define regular intervals for remembering death. For example, he did not tell us to remember it once a day, once a week or more or less. He left the whole matter undefined so that we may vary in accordance with the degree of our faith. Thus, we find that some Muslims might remember death only when seeing a dead person, visiting the sick or while listening to a sermon or preaching. On the other hand, there are Muslims like ‘Abdullaah Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, who say (concerning), “If you reach the evening then do not expect to reach the morning, and if you reach the morning then do not expect to reach the evening.”
Actually, ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, said such conscious words while commenting on the Hadeeth of the beloved Prophet that reads, “Be in this life as if you were a stranger or a traveler on a path.” [Al-Bukhari]
Furthermore, the honorable Messenger said referring to the necessity of remembering death every couple of days: “It is the duty of a Muslim man who has something which is to be given as a bequest not to have it for two nights without having his will written regarding it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Accordingly, supposing that the coming Ramadan is the last one in life is a very realistic supposition and trying to reach such a feeling is a prophetic commandment. Moreover, the actual fact gives strong support to it. In fact, how many friends and acquaintances of ours were alive in the past Ramadan but are now inhabitants of the graves? Undoubtedly, death comes all of a sudden and no one can return to the life of this world thereafter. To this effect, Allah Almighty Says (what means): {[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back. That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.} [Quran 23: 99-100]
Thus, it is impossible to return to the life of this world after death although all who die wish to come back to life, wishing to repent if unrighteous or wishing to do more good if righteous. So how should we think about dying at the end of the coming Ramadan? Either way, we would wish to come back to life in order to fast the month of Ramadan in such a manner as may be more beneficial to us in our graves and in the Hereafter. Let us then imagine that we are returned to life and are given a last chance to give our lives a better sense during this last month of our life, to make up for what we missed during our long lives, to add weight to the scale of good deeds and to be well-prepared for meeting the Omnipotent King (i.e. Allah Almighty).
With such a feeling, our preparation for, and practice during, this glorious month will be successful, if Allah Almighty Wills. Actually, this is not a pessimistic point of view as may be argued by some people. Rather, such a viewpoint is more motivating towards action and, at the same time, to exert effort, sacrifice and innovation.
Now, what should I do knowing that the coming Ramadan is the last in my life?
If I knew so for sure, I would never miss an obligatory act of worship that Allah Almighty Enjoined on me and would do my best to perform them in the best manner. Thus, I would offer all prayers in congregation in the mosque and would be distracted by nothing while performing prayer. In other words, I should show complete submission and solemnity while offering prayer and not pecking like a crow. Rather, I should prolong my prayer and enjoy it. The Messenger of Allah said: “The delight of my eye is prayer.” [An-Nasaa’i and Al-Albani; Saheeh]
Moreover, if I knew for certain that the coming Ramadan would be my last, I would be keen to safeguard my fast against anything that might decrease its reward. The Prophet said “Perhaps a fasting person will receive nothing from his fasting except for hunger and thirst.” Thus, I should have the intention of devoting every moment of my fast for the sake of Allah Almighty, struggling against my inner self and the worldly pleasures through fasting. In this regard, the Prophet said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
If I also knew for certain that the coming Ramadan would be my last, then I would be keen to offer the taraaweeh prayers in a mosque where I can enjoy the recitation of the Noble Quran and where the Imam goes through the whole Quran while I listen and contemplate. Moreover, I would go back home eager for the Words of my Lord and thus open the mus-haf (i.e. Arabic copy of the Quran) and recite more. I would also offer tahajjud (i.e. late night prayers) and then recite more and would also recite again during the period between the Fajr (i.e. Dawn) prayer and sunrise. Indeed, these are the Words of my Lord! ‘Ikrimah ibn Abu Jahl, may Allah be pleased with him, would often place the mus-haf over his eyes and (while crying out of fear) say, “The Words of my Lord, the Words of my Lord.”
Furthermore, if I knew for certain that the coming Ramadan would be my last, I would never dare commit a sin or eagerly browse newspapers and magazines seeking show times for drama series, movies, and disreputable programs. Actually, the moments of our lives are limited. It is not possible for me to destroy what I built or demolish what I, myself, have constructed. This is my huge edifice that I constructed through fasting, night prayers, recitation of the Quran and charity during Ramadan. So how can I destroy all of that with a look at an unlawful thing, a foul word, or an impudent laugh?
In my last Ramadan, I do not accept wasting time even by sleeping too long. How can I then make way for committing sins, evils, and bad deeds? Actually, this is by no means reasonable.
In addition, if I knew for certain that the coming Ramadan would be my last, I would not hoard money for myself or my heirs. Considering what is beneficial for me before my Lord, I would relentlessly look for a poor person in need, a helpless student, a young man who cannot afford the expenses of marriage, a Muslim in a calamity, or any other kind of needy individuals.
I would provide for such people with my money even if it was little. Actually, money given in charity remains, while the money that I keep for myself vanishes.
Besides, if I knew that the coming Ramadan was to be my last, I would not forget the many wounds and numerous crises of my community. I would be interested in how I would meet my Lord while I was not concerned with my Ummah with a besieged Palestine, occupied Iraq and Afghanistan, persecuted Chechnya, oppressed Kashmir, divided Sudan, and destroyed Somalia. In brief, Muslims are totally heedless while their community is being devoured by the savages of the earth!
What am I to say to my Lord when I stand before Him tomorrow?
Will it be suitable then to answer that I was busy watching a football match, pursuing news pertaining to arts, or even providing for myself and children?
Undoubtedly, the remainder of our lifetime is less than what has already passed.
In fact, a wise person is one who keeps himself in check and works for that which will benefit him after death.