A Guide to Making the Most of the Blessed Month – Ramadan!

As the crescent moon signals the arrival of Ramadan tomorrow, March 1, 2025, Muslims around the world are gearing up for a month of spiritual renewal, self-discipline and devotion. Ramadan is more than just fasting from dawn to dusk — it’s an opportunity to deepen your connection with Allah, refine your character and emerge stronger in faith and purpose. Whether you’re a seasoned observer or embarking on your first Ramadan, here’s how to make this year’s experience truly transformative.

Bismillah;

Before the first fajr prayer tomorrow, take a moment to reflect on why you’re fasting — are you seeking forgiveness, a stronger prayer habit, more patience? Setting a sincere intention aligns your efforts with your goals, so write them down if it helps, like, “I intend to fast for Allah’s sake and grow closer to Him this Ramadan.” This clarity will anchor you through the month.

Starting tomorrow, your daily rhythm shifts with suhoor and iftar bookending your days, so plan ahead — set an alarm for suhoor around your local fajr time and prep simple, nourishing meals tonight, like oatmeal with dates, eggs or a smoothie. For iftar, keep it balanced with water, dates and a light meal to avoid overeating, syncing your prayers, work and rest around these anchors to stay energised.

Soon (Ramadan) is a spiritual gym — time to flex those devotion muscles — so commit to praying all five salah ON TIME, starting with fajr tomorrow and add extra acts like reading a page(s) of Qur’an after each prayer (aim for a full completion by month’s end), joining Taraweeh prayers at the masjid’s, or listening online if you’re homebound. Small, consistent steps — like 10 minutes of dhikr daily — build a lasting habit. Insha Allah.

Fasting isn’t just about food and drink — it’s about your tongue, eyes, and heart too, so starting tomorrow, avoid gossip, arguments and mindless scrolling, replacing idle time with positivity: call a friend to check in, share a kind word, or listen to an Islamic podcast. If tempers flare (hunger can test us!), take a deep breath and say, “I’m fasting,” as the Prophet Muxamed (peace be upon him) advised.

Ramadan’s rewards multiply with charity, so set aside a daily amount — £1, £5, whatever you can — to give to a cause or someone in need, kicking off tomorrow with a small act: donate online, cook extra for a neighbor, or even smile sincerely (it’s charity too!). Plan your zakat if it’s due, and seek out Laylatul Qadr in the last ten nights for amplified blessings.

Fasting can feel daunting as March days stretch longer, so hydrate well tonight and between iftar and suhoor — aim for 8 glasses — and choose whole foods like fruits, veggies and proteins over fried snacks. Spiritually, feed your soul with dua — as you break your fast tomorrow, ask Allah for what’s in your heart, because He’s listening.

Each night, starting tomorrow, take five minutes to journal or think: What went well? Where can I improve? Ramadan is a marathon, not a sprint — adjust as you go, maybe cutting screen time to focus on Qur’an or forgiving someone; using these 30 days to shed bad habits and plant seeds for a better you.

As Ramadan dawns tomorrow, March 1, 2025, embrace it as a gift — your chance to press reset, to stand in prayer under the stars, to feel the quiet strength of a fasting heart. Perfection isn’t about being flawless — it’s about striving sincerely. So tonight, rest well, make dua and step into Ramadan with hope. May Allah make it a month of mercy, forgiveness and peace for us all.

Ramadan Mubarak!