Prepared for Ramadan? Few tips..

You should've seen how mom was on ORANGE ALERT CODE since last week preparing for "RAMADAN".. of course what is she doing?

1. Cleaning the storage rooms: which means taking everything out and repacking everything back !
2. Buying new cutlery for the majlises! Although there is last Ramadan's stuff..but no.. they have to be a complete 4 dozen of everything!
3. We still didn't buy the Grocery !
4. Oh how did i forget: lil goats are on their way to be slaughtered.. many lil goats lol

Shoot me.. !

Let me ask you few questions..
What is Ramadan to you..How do you change your routine in Ramadan..What do you know about Ramadan.. Did you write your goals and objectives for this ramadan..?

Ramadan: We all know that its the month that we have to fast before sunrise till sunset! Fast from everything.. not only food.. the point of Ramadan is to teach your soul.. train it.. consider it in a training course... A 30 days crash course to discipline..

Your eyes should "fast" from everything which you aren't supposed to see.. (and am sure every one of us knows what we arent supposed to see)
Your ears should "fast" from things we shouldnt hear.. (where are your cds?)
Your nose should "fast" from everything we ain't supposed to smell (this is a tricky one though) Your mouth should "fast" from words, food, water..we shouldn't eat nor say things which aren't supposed to be said..

in other words..

Be Good !

Medically.. fasting has many benefits.. Many doctors treat their patients through fasting..

When properly utilized, fasting is a safe and effective means of maximizing the
body’s self-healing capacities. Dr. Alan Goldhamar, D.C

Benefits:
1. An aid in transition to a healthy lifestyle
2. A Speedy recovery
3. Overcoming addictions
4. Uterine fibroid tumors
5. Back and neck problems
6. Cardiovascular disease
7. Gastrointestinal disorders
8. Diabetes

Think of it.. many of our diseases are caused because we stuff ourselves with all kind of food.. our organs are unable to function properly with all their capacity causing allergies.. and minor health problems and later on could cause major health diseases..!

Bottom Line: Let your system rest for a month.. !

Preparation:
A. Prepare your soul: You should have an understanding between you and your soul that you want to make the best out of this Ramadan. You have to have the niyah..the will in your heart and to believe in it. Talk to your soul and tell her what to expect from this month..3ibadat.. a3mal.. good deeds and all. '

B. Prepare yourself: Do some reading and listening before ramadan..just to prepare yourself.

C. Prepare your environment: Oh boy.. we can talk till forever here..
1. CDs around? Stack them somewhere really far during this month (and hopefully you'll forget about them after Ramadan)
2. Songs saved in your drive? Well.. move the folder somewhere really far.. delete it? that would be better ! ;)
3. No qoran in your room? e7m.. advice: keep it beside you..thats gonna be your daily routine.. women.. if you can..keep those small qoran in your bags.. you can read it while you are waiting for your class..appointment..in the car.. etc.
4. For those who havent been praying may God give you the strength and commitment.. start by getting the prayer mat !
5. Set an alarm for fajr prayers.
6. Download lectures into your ipod for you to listen to during your ride..
7. Learn few Do3a2s and make it a habbit to pray to God every day..
8. FAMILY family... make sure you meet your relatives
9. Memorize few pages of the Qoran. You know the short soras at the end of the Qoran, learn them.. read them.. and memorize them. You'll need them in your prayers trust me.
10. Make it a habbit to give out a Charity during your day. A smile could be a charity.. but come on.. find those who are really in need.. you can't imagine how good you'll feel after you see the smile on their face. Of course if you are busy the easiest thing to do is to give the charity to those associations anywhere close to you.
11. Morning / Evening recitations?

Now this is just a quick quick update. I will come back later and probably we can have a schedule done to help us all together.

God Bless you ALL and inshallah this Ramadan would be totally different to all of you.

Please remember the good ajr you'd get from fasting this month..

{كل عمل ابن آدم له إلا الصوم، فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به}[أخرجه البخاري].
{إذا دخل رمضان فتحت أبواب السماء، وغلقت أبواب جهنم، وسُلسِلت الشياطين} متفق عليه
{من صام رمضان إيماناً واحتساباً غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه} متفق عليه.

Next: Detailed update
Links to lectures Links to articles (inshallah)

Would love to read your insights .. for i am writing this to remind myself FIRST and then you.