How to prepare for Ramadan
Those who prepare get more out of Ramadan. The weeks of Sha'ban are the time to make up fasts, set goals and get the body and heart ready.
شَهۡرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِيٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانُ هُدٗى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَٰتٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡهُدَىٰ وَٱلۡفُرۡقَانِۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهۡرَ فَلۡيَصُمۡهُۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٖ فَعِدَّةٞ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۗ يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡيُسۡرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ ٱلۡعُسۡرَ وَلِتُكۡمِلُواْ ٱلۡعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ وَلَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ﴿١٨٥﴾
Shahru ramadana allathee onzila feehi alquranu hudan lilnnasi wabayyinatin mina alhuda waalfurqani faman shahida minkumu alshshahra falyasumhu waman kana mareedan aw ʿala safarin faʿiddatun min ayyamin okhara yureedu Allahu bikumu alyusra wala yureedu bikumu alʿusra walitukmiloo alʿiddata walitukabbiroo Allaha ʿala ma hadakum walaʿallakum tashkuroona
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful
Quran 2:185 · Surah Al-Baqara · Translation: Saheeh International · Transliteration: Tanzil.net
Fasting in Sha'ban
I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fast a whole month except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha'ban.
Aisha, Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
few fasts in Sha'ban get the body used to fasting. But do not fast a day or two right before Ramadan unless it is a fast you regularly keep, such as Mondays and Thursdays (al-Bukhari, Muslim).
A checklist for the weeks before
- Make up missed fasts from last Ramadan; see making up missed fasts.
- Plan the Quran: one juz a day finishes it in the month. The Hadaff khatma tracker divides it for you.
- Adjust your sleep: get up a little earlier for suhoor and tahajjud, and sleep earlier.
- Reduce coffee and sugar gradually, so the first days are easier.
- Plan zakat and charity: many pay their zakat in Ramadan; put money aside for zakat al-fitr.
- Set two or three goals: for example all prayers on time, tarawih every night, a daily sadaqah.
The heart
Ramadan is a month of taqwa. Repent, settle disputes, return what you owe, and ask Allah to let you reach Ramadan and accept it from you.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on 8 February. Timetables for your city: UK, USA, Canada, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.
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Frequently asked questions
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
According to the Umm al-Qura calendar on Monday, 8 February 2027, with the first tarawih on the evening of 7 February. Depending on the moon sighting it can begin a day later where you live.
Is there a special dua for reaching Ramadan?
A dua often quoted, "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Sha'ban and let us reach Ramadan", is narrated with a weak chain. You can make the meaning of it in your own words; asking Allah to let you reach Ramadan is a good dua.
This article was written with the help of AI. Quran verses are inserted directly from the Quran text (translation: Saheeh International); it is general information, not a religious ruling (fatwa). For your own situation, ask a qualified scholar. Found a mistake? Write to support@hadaff.de.