Do Better This Ramadan 

Ask yourself are you pleased with what you did last Ramadan? Will this Ramadan be the same as last year? Let this Ramadan be the beginning of real change. Make this Ramadan different from previous ones. 

Start to practice an act of worship that you never did before, or increase the acts of worship that you used to do before. If you used to read the Quran once during the month of Ramadan, this year read it twice. And if you used to do Tarawih (Night prayers) alone, this year perform it in congregation. 

If you did not give charity, this year make it a daily habit to give to the needy what you can afford, even if it is a small amount. Train yourself to observe fasting during the month of Sha`ban as the Prophet used to do. 

I would like to also warn of negative preparations for Ramadan which some people do by storing too much food and drink, as if Ramadan is the month for eating not a month for abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset. 

Fasting was prescribed two months before the obligation to fight to gain the rights of the oppressed. Those who are able to control their inner selves and their desires become stronger in the face of those who wrong them until they get back their rights. Early Muslims used to read the Quran a lot in Sha’ban in preparation for Ramadan. 

They also used to give out in charity in Sha’ban to help the poor and the needy observe fasting during Ramadan. Also they used to pray to God to bless the months of Rajab, Sha’ban, and Ramadan.