By Shaykh Abdul Qayum
13 February 2026

﷽ 

Brothers and sisters, we are just approaching the month of Ramadan. In a few days, Ramadan will be at our door. This is not a normal month. This is not a routine habit that comes and goes every year. Ramadan is an opportunity from Allah, and for some of us, it may be the last Ramadan of our life.

If we are honest, many people were with us last Ramadan – family members, friends, elders, neighbours – and now they are not here. We will pray janazah for someone, and then Ramadan will come. Or Ramadan will come, and then we will be the one people are praying over. There is no guarantee. That is why the believer does not enter Ramadan casually.

The Salaf used to make dua for months before Ramadan, asking Allah to let them reach it, and then after Ramadan they would make dua for months, asking Allah to accept it from them. This shows us something very important: preparation is part of worship, and acceptance is what we must worry about.

A simple dua that carries a big meaning is to ask Allah to let us reach Ramadan, and to accept it from us. Not just to reach it. Not just to fast it. But to have it accepted. Because a deed without sincerity can be rejected, even if it looks big in our eyes.

Start With Tawbah

Brothers and sisters, our first preparation must be tawbah. Any good deed we want to do in Ramadan, we want it to be accepted by Allah. And acceptance begins with sincerity, and sincerity begins with a clean heart. That is why we must enter Ramadan with sincere tawbah from sin.

Allah says:

We have committed many sins – all of us. The sins of the tongue: backbiting, slander, harsh words. The sins of the eyes: looking at what is not permissible. The sins of the ears: listening to what hardens the heart. The sins of the hands: harm, messages, behaviour that we know is wrong. Some of us neglected salah. Some of us prayed, but without focus, rushing, careless. We ask Allah for forgiveness, and we return to Him before Ramadan comes.

And remember: purifying the heart is more important than making the stomach empty. Fasting is not only hunger. Fasting is to train the heart to obey Allah and to leave sin. If the heart is dirty, Ramadan will pass, and we will not take the benefit we were meant to take.

So ask yourself: what sin am I carrying into Ramadan? What habit am I hiding? What apology do I owe someone? Who did I hurt? Who did I mock? Who did I wrong in private, thinking Allah will not hold me accountable?

Ramadan is coming. Let us clean our hearts before the guest arrives.

Build Your Connection With the Qur’an

Brothers and sisters, Ramadan has a very close connection with the Qur’an. Allah revealed the Qur’an in Ramadan, and Allah honoured this month through the Qur’an.

Allah says:

Many of us recite some Qur’an “now and then”. But when Ramadan comes, our relationship must change. Increase your recitation. Increase your listening. Increase your reflection. Make the Qur’an part of your daily routine, not something you squeeze in when you feel like it.

Our scholars would change their schedule in Ramadan to give time to the Qur’an. Imam Malik (d. 179 AH, rahimahullah) is mentioned by the scholars as someone who would leave other gatherings and focus more on the Qur’an in Ramadan. This teaches us priorities. The Qur’an deserves time. It deserves respect. It deserves presence.

But do not rush the Qur’an with no manners. The goal is not only speed. The goal is recitation with respect, with care, with a living heart. Read as much as you can, but read properly.

And start warming up now. Do not wait for the first day of Ramadan to become a “new person”. If you are not used to it, Ramadan will arrive and you will still be struggling. Begin now: a few pages a day, then more. Begin now: a little charity, then more. Prepare yourself before the month begins.

Charity and Feeding Others

Brothers and sisters, another important action in Ramadan is charity. The Prophet ﷺ was always generous, but in Ramadan his generosity would increase. This is mentioned in authentic narrations, and it teaches us that Ramadan is not only personal worship — it is also service, care, and spending for the sake of Allah.

Think of those who cannot afford a proper suhoor or iftar. Think of those who are struggling, even if they do not speak about it. Think of the masjid, community needs, and genuine causes that help people practise Islam and live with dignity. Give with sincerity. Give quietly. Give consistently.

‘Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (d. 181 AH, rahimahullah) was known for feeding people and treating this as a major part of righteousness. Ramadan trains us to feel hunger so we remember the hungry. Ramadan trains us to control desires so we can give to others.

And always remember: when we donate, we must check our heart. Do we want Allah’s reward, or do we want people’s praise? Do we want acceptance, or do we want to be seen?

Allah says:

Ramadan Is Not for Wasting Time

Brothers and sisters, Ramadan is not a month of extra sleep. It is not a month of gossip. It is not a month of endless scrolling and wasting hours on social media. Ramadan is a month of connection with Allah. A special opportunity. If we are deprived from this, we are truly deprived.

Ask yourself: what steals my Ramadan every year? Is it my phone? Is it late nights with no worship? Is it pointless conversation? Is it shopping and running around with no purpose? Is it watching and watching until the heart becomes dead?

We must plan our days and nights. Especially the nights. Because Ramadan nights are precious. And the last ten nights are more precious than everything else in the year. If someone can reduce working hours, if someone can take leave, if someone can protect those nights – this seriousness is a good sign.

And remember the simple saying: if you do not have a plan, you have already planned to fail. Make a routine. What time will you wake up? What time will you recite Qur’an? What time will you rest? What time will you make dua? A routine helps you stay steady.

Practical Steps We Can Start Today

Brothers and sisters, let us not make Ramadan only “wishful thinking”. Let us take simple steps that are realistic and consistent.

Make sincere tawbah daily. Name the sins. Ask Allah to forgive. Cut off the doors that lead back to them.

Start Qur’an now. Even if it is small. Consistency is better than sudden bursts that collapse after three days.

Set charity aside now. Even a small daily amount. Give for Allah, not for people.

Protect your tongue now. Reduce talk that has no benefit. Ramadan is near — train your tongue before fasting trains it.

Make a Ramadan plan that includes the masjid. Come early when you can. Pray properly. Do not disturb others. Do not bring loud worldly talk into the house of Allah. Honour the masjid. Honour the angels who record. Honour the people who came to worship.

Return to the Beginning

Brothers and sisters, Ramadan is here. It could be our last. That is not said to make us hopeless. It is said to make us serious. This month is a gift from Allah. A door of mercy. A chance to rebuild what we damaged. A chance to mend what we broke.

So let us ask Allah to let us reach Ramadan. And let us ask Allah to accept our fasting, our salah, our Qur’an, our charity, our repentance, and our striving. Because success is not doing. Success is acceptance.

O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan, and do not deprive us from it. O Allah, forgive our sins, the open and the hidden. O Allah, purify our hearts before Ramadan begins. O Allah, make the Qur’an beloved to us, and make it a light in our homes. O Allah, help us to plan our time and not waste this month. O Allah, accept from us our fasting and our worship, and make us among those whose Ramadan is accepted.

Ameen.

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