Al-Qalam 
By Imam Dr A. Rashied Omar
The blessed month of Ramadan is fast approaching. Whether we realise it or not, we are already on The Road to Ramadan. I would like to advise myself and you to begin preparing thoughtfully and intentionally for the arrival of the most auspicious time of the year, the blessed month of Ramadan. Our Islamic tradition teaches us something simple yet profoundly wise: what we receive and gain from Ramadan depends on how we prepare for it. Allah, the Lord of Wisdom, reminds us of this enduring principle in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah al-Baqarah (2:197):
Take provision (for your journey), for the greatest provision is taqwa; that is, hearts firmly anchored in mindfulness and awareness of Allah
This verse teaches us that sacred journeys, whether the journey of Hajj or the journey toward Ramadan, are not meant to be entered unprepared. They require inner provision before outward exertion. And so, the verse invites each of us to pause and ask a simple yet searching question: What am I carrying with me as I continue on the road to the blessed month of Ramadan?
This Qur’anic wisdom was not merely recited by our pious predecessors; it was embodied and lived by them. Al-Salaf al-Salih, our righteous ancestors, understood that every sacred journey is shaped not only by where one is going, but by how well one is prepared. Sacred journeys do not begin at the destination. They begin long before the journey itself unfolds, in the quiet and often unseen work of preparation. The early spiritual scholar Abu Bakr al-Balkhi (d. 939 CE) captured this wisdom beautifully in words that have echoed through the centuries:
Rajab is the month of planting.
Sha‘ban is the month of watering.
And Ramadan is the month of harvest.
If we desire a meaningful harvest in Ramadan, then the planting and watering cannot be delayed. It must begin now, while we are still on the road to Ramadan.
Preparing for Ramadan does not mean exhausting ourselves before the month even begins. It does not require sudden spiritual heroics, nor unrealistic resolutions that cannot be sustained. The road to Ramadan is not meant to be rushed. It is meant to be walked with mizzen – balance, hikmah wisdom, and Rahmah, compassion, mercy and tenderness toward ourselves. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us a principle that lies at the heart of all sound spiritual preparation: Allah values consistency over intensity, and faithfulness over dramatic bursts of effort. As narrated by our mother, Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small. (Bukhari and Muslim).”
This hadith teaches us that the road to Ramadan is not paved with dramatic gestures, but with small, gentle, faithful steps, steps that can be sustained long after the month has passed. With this in mind, allow me to suggest five small and manageable steps that prepare our hearts, steady our souls, and ease us gently into this blessed season.
First: Begin by performing your Salah with khushu’, with your heart and mind fully present in your communion with Allah. Choose one Salah each day to slow down, to be fully present, even if only for a few minutes.
Second: Reconnect with the Qur’an, gently. Do not wait for Ramadan to open the Book of Allah. Even one page a day, or a few verses. When read with reflection, it softens the heart and prepares it for the month of revelation.
Third: If you are able, fast twice a week, especially on Mondays and Thursdays, this is not obligatory; it is preparation.
Fourth: Where possible, take a step toward forgiveness and reconciliation, within families, between neighbours and friends, or even within your own heart.
Fifth and finally: Make a clear intention for this coming Ramadan. Ask yourself: What do I hope will be different when this Ramadan ends?
More gentleness? More discipline? More generosity? More courage to stand for justice? Name it. Write that intention down. Return to it often.
Let us remember that Ramadan is not meant to overwhelm us. It is meant to heal us, to reorient our hearts, and to draw us closer to Allah, the Most High, and to one another. If we take small steps now, Ramadan will meet us not as a stranger, demanding everything at once, but as a long-awaited guest, welcomed with readiness, tranquillity and ease.
