How to Make the Most out of Ramadhan

It doesn't matter if you're a city slicker with a high stress job and a long commute or a stay at home mum with a menagerie of kids to manage, you can get into Ramadhan mode and reap the benefits of this month too!

Steps

Pre Ramadhan

1. 1
   Shape up your soul: Prepare yourself spiritually by fasting on Mondays, Thursdays and the 13th, 14th, 15th of the lunar calendar in Shaa'baan. Wake up earlier than usual (even half an hour before Fajr will do) and pray. Read the Qur'an after Fajr even if it's only for 10-15 minutes. Stock up on interesting Islamic lectures that you can listen to during the day or on your way to work. If you're cooking or waiting in a line or have some free time, do Dhikr.
2. 2
   Detox your body: Stifle the urge to munch snacks at odd moments or when you're bored. Drink lots of water, and avoid endless cups of coffee and tea. Start with a complex carbohydrate breakfast that releases energy slowly and allows you to stay energised through the day. Have a light meal at the end of day with lots of fruit, vegetables, live culture yogurt and salad.
3. 3
   Free your mind: Get rid of all those erototoxins that are generated by watching music videos or listening to music and the anxiety hormones produced by watching the news on TV. Wean yourself off TV, read an interesting Islamic book instead.
4. 4
   Tie your camel: Do what it takes to keep you organised in Ramadhan. Shop for groceries in advance, prepare large batches of food and freeze them, chop vegetables and store them in airtight containers.

During Ramadhan

1. 1
   Wake up during Fajr to eat the pre-dawn meal (Sahur) and stay up to read a portion of the Qur'an before and after Fajr.
2. 2
   Try and get a little shut-eye in the day. Even a half hour nap will leave you feeling refreshed.
3. 3
   Be nice. A major aspect of Ramadhan is being charitable to others and controlling oneself... bite your tongue, count to 10 if you're having a hard day. If someone's out to give you a bad time, just be patient.
4. 4
   Give generously. It doesn't matter if it's a smile to a co-worker or a hundred pounds to a homeless derelict, it's the season to give Sadaqah (not to mention the Prophet's Sunnah).
5. 5
   Don't overeat at iftar. Start with dates and something liquid (water, juice, milk, shorba, a smoothie) and eat sparingly of the spread. Save your main meal for later in the night. If you're cooking iftar, bake and broil instead of frying.
6. 6
   Drink up! To combat dehydration, drink lots of water between iftar and Sahur -- try having at least two glasses of water at a go. Keep off fizzy drinks and opt for herbal teas or unsweetened juices.
7. 7
   Attend and organise community iftars and taraweeh. Don't forget to invite people who tend to get overlooked. Focus on 'connecting' with others in the community and discovering common ground, instead of 'networking'.
8. 8
   Save some quality time with Allah. It's easy to get overwhelmed by life and forget that this month is essentially about renewing one's personal connection with God. The Qur'an says (the translation of which means): "When you are free from your affairs, then turn to your Lord." Wake up in the night and pray as much as is easy for you. Stay in seclusion (i'tikaf) if you can for a part of the month, even if it's only a weekend.
9. 9
   Seek the Night of Power. There is a night in Ramadhan that is considered better than a 1000 months, by virtue of the blessings that descend in it. Seek the Night of Power in the last ten days of the month.
10. 10
    Make arrangements to give Zakaat al-Fitr on time This can be done anytime before the 'Eid prayer.

Post-Ramadhan

1. 1
   Reap the benefits of Ramadhan. Ramadhan presents a great opportunity to regulate our lives. The best benefit that can be derived from Ramadhan is to carry the lessons learned from it -- moderation and discipline -- to the year that follows.
2. 2
   Do an alternative if you are unable to fast. If you're among the group of people who are exempted from fasting -- persons traveling and the ill whose illness can be made worse by fasting; menstruating women and women with post-partum bleeding; pregnant and nursing women; people who are not capable of fasting, either due to old age or incurable diseases -- there's still something to be gained. Feeding the poor on the days one is unable to fast is a highly recommended act.

Tips

• Read translation/tafsir of next day’s para of Qur'an that will be read in tarawih. This helps to better focus and enjoy tarawih.
• Invite people over for iftar on weekends.
• Do not get into opinion differences. Leave them aside. Try to race how close we can reach to Allah.
• Shop for groceries in bulk and prepare food that won't spoil on keeping in large batches and freeze.
• Don't let it be all about the food. A lot of the time,culture dictates that there be a huge spread of 5 -7 courses each day for iftar which leaves little time for worship or reflection.
• To avoid heartburn, line your stomach with a bland, alkaline food before starting on fried, spicy stuff.
• Learn how to forgive and forget. Don`t hold the grudge against people who have wronged in the past. It is for your own sake. If you keep those bad feelings inside they might will doubtlessly hurt you in the future not only psychologically but physically, too.
• Try to be patient and spend wisely for iftar
• Read one chapter of the Quran every day. This way, you'll be able to finish the whole Quran in just a month!