So, Ramadan is here… and you’re not ready.
Ramadan came too fast, and now you feel unprepared, overwhelmed, or even guilty. You were meant to start mentally preparing weeks ago—but life happened. You are not alone. Many people feel this way and that is not the worst thing to befall anyone, it is only the first day. The good news? Ramadan is not about perfection—it’s about intention. This guide is for you if:
- You don’t feel spiritually ready for Ramadan.
- You want to reset your mindset and make the most of it.
- You need practical steps to get into Ramadan mode ASAP.
First Things First, Let Go of the Guilt!
So, you didn’t start preparing for Ramadan early. You didn’t make a game plan for finishing the Quran. You didn’t even realize it was about to start until someone said, “Ramadan Mubarak!” and it hit you—oh wow, it’s here.
It’s okay. Really, it is. Many people don’t hit their spiritual high until mid-Ramadan. Some don’t feel it at all until the last ten nights. That doesn’t make your Ramadan any less valuable. Your effort still counts.
Focus on what you can accomplish right now rather than criticising yourself for not doing it. Islam is not about quick change, but kindness, slow change, and honesty. A “perfect” beginning is not necessary for a fulfilling Ramadan.
Reset your attitude by saying, “I may not have started perfectly, but I can still make this Ramadan meaningful.”
Quick Ways to Get in the Ramadan Groove
Before you get overwhelmed with grand spiritual goals, start with a simple, heartfelt prayer:
“اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي وَسَدِّدْنِي”
Allāhumma ihdinī wa-saddidnī
Translation: O Allah, lead me and keep me upright. [Muslim]
This brief yet thorough prayer was taught to his cousin ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (RA) by the Prophet ﷺ himself. What is sadād? It’s the capacity to stay straight, balanced, and steady—like an arrow that hits its target precisely. How much more do we need guidance now if even the Prophet’s ﷺ closest associates were encouraged to seek it out frequently?
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When to Use This Dua
Before Suhoor, to start your fast with the right mindset. Before Taraweeh, to ask Allah to strengthen your worship. When struggling with distractions, to refocus your heart.
You can also decide to go with yet another brief supplication:
رَبِّ اهْدِنِي وَيَسِّرِ الْهُدَى لِي
Rabbi ihdinī wa-yassir al-hudá lī
Translation: “Lead me, Lord, and make my path simple.” [Abū Dāwūd, Ibn Mājah, and al-Tirmidhī]
“Make guidance easy for me” means asking Allah to:
- Make it easy to wake up for Suhoor.
- Make it easy to pray consistently.
- Make it easy to resist distractions and stay spiritually motivated.
When to Use This Dua When struggling with motivation in the morning. Before making a big decision. When asking Allah for ease in worship and discipline.
You can be more deliberate with your time if you try to create quieter times throughout the day. Everyone is familiar with the routine: you spend one minute checking a notice, and then you find yourself browsing through infinite information for an hour. Try this simple swap:
Reduce scrolling, binge-watching, mindless screen time. In its place, read a page of the Quran, listen to a brief Islamic lecture, or perform dhikr.
Keep a ‘Ramadan Reset’ Journal
One of the easiest ways to stay intentional and track your spiritual progress is by keeping a small Ramadan journal. Give introspection a fair shot, ask yourself these questions:
- What’s one act of worship you want to be consistent with?
- What’s one habit you want to work on?
- What’s one way you can help someone else?
If you were to lie to everyone about who you are, be honest to yourself and Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā). If your major challenge before Ramadan was praying on time, try to work on that for the next 28 or 29 days. It takes 21 days to build a habit afterall, In Shaa Allah, your lapses will become your new strength.
Quran & Dhikr: The 5-Minute Rule
Fun fact! There is a special bond between Ramadan and the Holy Qur’an. “Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed. Guidance for humanity, and clear portents of guidance, and the Criterion…”(2:186). You don’t need to read an entire Juz’ (chapter) of the Quran every day to have a meaningful Ramadan. Start with just 5 minutes. Open the Quran, read a few verses, and reflect on them. If reading is difficult, listen to a recitation, pick out a reciter that suits your “tone” needs.
Incorporate dhikr (remembrance of Allah) into your day. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was questioned by a man, “Which warriors are the best?” “Those who remember Allah the most,” he retorted. “Which of those who fast are the best?” the man questioned. “Those who remember Allah the most,” he stated. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ responded, “Those who remember Allah the most,” each time the man brought up ṣalāh, zakāh, and ḥajj. “Those who remember (Allah) have taken all the good,” said Abū Bakr (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu) to ʿUmar (raḍiy Allāhu ʿanhu).” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied, “Yes, certainly!” (Aḥmad)
SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to Allah), Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest)… these can be repeated throughout the day and in whatever trajectory your day follows.
Taraweeh Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
Abu Huraira narrated that Allah’s messenger ﷺ stated, “Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab, a sub-narrator, stated “Allah’s messenger ﷺ died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of Umar’s Caliphate.” (Sahih Bukhari, vol.3, book 32, no. 227)
Taraweeh prayers can feel daunting, especially if you’re exhausted after a long day of fasting. If standing for long rak’ahs feels like too much, start with just 2 rak’ahs and think about all the benefits that come with prostrating that way in front of Allah. You don’t have to pray all 8 or 20 every night—pray what you can, and build up gradually. Even a small effort is counted as worship.
Find a ‘Ramadan Buddy’
Having someone to check in with and encourage you can make a huge difference. Be it a sibling, a friend, or a WhatsApp group, whatever gets you going. Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Even sending a simple “How’s fasting today?” A message to a friend can go a long way for both of you.
Eat Smart at Suhoor
What you eat before dawn can determine how you feel for the rest of the day. To stay energized, focus on: Protein: Eggs, yogurt, beans—keeps you full longer. Fiber: Oats, whole grains, fruits—prevents energy crashes. Hydration: Water, water, water. Dehydration = Headaches & fatigue. Avoid salty & sugary foods—they’ll make you thirstier.
Prioritize Sleep & Power Naps
Taraweeh + early Suhoor = Messed up sleep schedule. Instead of struggling through exhaustion, make power naps your best friend. A 20-minute nap in the afternoon can keep you refreshed without grogginess.
Caffeine Withdrawal? Push Through.
If you rely on coffee or tea daily, the first few days without it will feel brutal. Combat caffeine withdrawal by drinking more water and replacing your usual fix with herbal tea or fruit-infused water. It gets easier, I promise.
Don’t Overeat at Iftar
Tempting as it is to devour everything on the table, overeating can leave you bloated, sluggish, and too tired for Taraweeh. Start with dates & water, ease into light meals, and listen to your body. Balance over bingeing!
Some days, you’ll feel deeply connected to your prayers, full of energy, and spiritually uplifted. Other days, you’ll be exhausted, distracted, or struggling to focus. Both are normal.
The goal of Ramadan is not to be perfect—it’s to be better than yesterday. If you miss Suhoor, don’t let it ruin your fast—adjust and move on. If you didn’t read the Qur’an today, try again tomorrow. If you feel disconnected from spirituality, don’t give up—keep showing up.
Ramadan is not about how many perfect days you have—it’s about how many times you try, no matter how messy it gets. Small steps add up. A single ayah, one dua, one prayer with focus—it all matters.
So, what’s one small change you’ll make today?
