Preparing for Ramzan

One submitter’s lessons from the last year

As Ramzan approached last year, I was excited about the coming month. I was looking forward to “tanking up” for the year. But I did not prepare my body for fasting. Having left my job and with loads on time on my hand, I rediscovered my love for food, and the months before Ramzan gave me the opportunity to indulge in that love... over enthusiastically if I may add.

As a result, on the first day of fasting, I developed a headache by midday, that kept getting worse. I managed to keep fasting, but as soon as it was time for Magrib I prayed and had dinner, took a pain killer and went to bed. The next few days were similar. The headaches due to hunger would come like clockwork by midday.

The headaches were keeping me from meditating, doing zikr & reading Quran as I wanted to. I had not prepared my body for Ramzan. Overindulging in anything is bad and God specifically told us about food.

[7:31] O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely, He does not love the gluttons.”

Violations of God’s commandment led me to miss three days of meditation and zikr. By God’s mercy, the rest of the month was full of commemoration and appreciation and was headache-free.

Like we prepare for everything in life, preparing for Ramzan is very important. It may help to start eating moderately before Ramzan and keep the body fit to face the initial challenges of fasting in order to make the best of the holy month.

Ramzan is such a special time for us; we don’t want to miss a single opportunity to grow our souls and “tank up” through meditation and glorification of God.

May all of us prepare our bodies and our minds to embrace this blessed month and use every day as a chance to glorify and commemorate God.

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[2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.