Mohammed Hashim Al-Qasmi (Servant of Darul Uloom Para, Purulia District, West Bengal) Phone 9933598528 Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is eagerly awaited by Muslims around the world as a month of mercy, blessings, forgiveness, and salvation from hell. Only a few days are left for the arrival of this sacred month. Astronomers have predicted when the first day of fasting will be and when Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated. Maulana Tameeruddin Qasmi, an astronomer based in Manchester, UK, has often made accurate predictions about the sighting of the moon. According to his calculations, the first day of Ramadan will be on Thursday, February 19, in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan, and Eid al-Fitr will be on Saturday, March 21, God willing.
According to Al-Arabiya.net, the UAE Astronomical Association has predicted that the first day of fasting will be on Thursday, February 19, 2026, in the new Hijri year 1447. The association's president, Ibrahim Jarwan, said that the moon of Ramadan 1447 will be born on Tuesday, February 17, at 4:01 pm (UAE time), which is equivalent to 3:01 pm (Saudi Arabia time). He added that the moon will disappear about a minute after sunset, and its age will be only 2 hours and 12 minutes at the time of sunset, making it unlikely to be sighted that evening. Based on this, the astronomer predicted that the first day of Ramadan will be on Thursday, February 19. Jarwan also predicted that Ramadan will have 29 days and Eid al-Fitr will be on Friday, March 20.
It is worth noting that the start of Islamic months is determined by the sighting of the moon, and the official announcement is made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it commemorates the month when the Holy Quran, the sacred book of Islam, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During Ramadan, Muslims eat Sehri (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (post-sunset meal). The month promotes self-control, spiritual growth, and empathy for the less fortunate.
Scholars and religious leaders have provided many important guidelines and suggestions for welcoming and preparing for Ramadan, which can be summarized in 30 key points:
1. Fulfill obligations and repent: Before Ramadan, ensure that all obligations and duties are fulfilled, and if there are any missed prayers or fasts, make a plan to complete them. Make a sincere repentance for past mistakes and purify your heart and mind from sins.
2. Learn and teach Ramadan issues: Learn and teach about fasting, Tarawih, Zakat, and other Islamic rulings related to Ramadan.
3. Bind your soul to piety: From now on, bind your soul to piety, as Ramadan is a practical training ground for piety, and Allah has stated that the purpose of fasting is to achieve piety.
4. Hasten to reconcile with relatives: Cutting ties with relatives is a major sin, and prayers are not accepted due to cutting ties. Therefore, before Ramadan, repent and reconcile with relatives, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The one who reconciles is the one who does so even when others cut ties with him." (Bukhari)
5. Purify your heart: Our hearts are often filled with hatred, jealousy, and resentment. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The pure heart is the one that has no sin, no disobedience, no grudge, and no envy." (Sunan Ibn Majah)
6. Complete missed fasts: If you have missed fasts from previous years due to a valid excuse, complete them before Ramadan starts.
7. Make a habit of supplication: Ramadan is a month of accepted supplications, so from now on, make a habit of supplicating and memorize the words of supplication narrated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
8. Make a habit of charity: Start giving charity daily in the month of Sha'ban so that it becomes easy to be generous in Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the most generous of all people, and his generosity increased in Ramadan. (Bukhari)
9. Increase recitation of the Quran: Ramadan is the month of the revelation of the Quran, so from now on, increase your recitation of the Quran and try to memorize it.
10. Develop a habit of night vigil: In Ramadan, the duration of night prayers, Tarawih, and other worship increases. To perform these worship activities without fatigue, start developing a habit of night vigil and optional worship from now on.
11. Avoid the internet and social media: Ramadan is a month of valuable time, and the internet and social media can be a significant waste of time. Try to limit or stop using them before Ramadan.
12. Avoid TV: TV is a collection of vain things, so try to avoid it before Ramadan. TV programs, even if they are Islamic, can be a waste of time, and the advertisements can be harmful to the spirit of Ramadan.
13. Shop before Ramadan: Ramadan is a month of worship, not shopping. Try to complete your Eid shopping before Ramadan to avoid wasting time and money.
14. Reduce workload: If you have any construction, maintenance, or other tasks, try to complete them before Ramadan so that you can focus on worship.
15. Organize your schedule: Before Ramadan, organize your daily schedule to include time for Tahajjud, recitation of the Quran, and other worship activities, as well as rest and sleep.
16. Reduce workload for servants: Before Ramadan, try to reduce the workload of your servants and employees so that they can perform their duties easily while fasting.
17. Plan for Umrah: The reward of Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj. If you have the means, plan for Umrah before Ramadan.
18. Spend more time in the mosque: Try to spend more time in the mosque before Ramadan to get used to the atmosphere and to prepare yourself for the long nights of worship in Ramadan.
19. Reduce sleep: If you are used to sleeping for 8 hours, try to reduce it to 6 hours so that you can adjust to the sleep pattern in Ramadan.
20. Pray with Takbir: Pray with Takbir for 40 days, which has a great reward, and try to pray the five daily prayers with congregation.
21. Reduce smoking and other addictions: Try to reduce or quit smoking and other addictions before Ramadan so that you can perform your worship activities without any difficulties.
22. Limit social gatherings: Limit your social gatherings and meetings in Ramadan to have more time for worship.
23. Memorize short Surahs: Start memorizing short Surahs of the Quran so that you can recite them in your optional prayers.
24. Teach children to fast: Encourage your children to fast and prepare them for the month of Ramadan.
25. Eat less: Reduce your food intake in Sha'ban to adjust to the fasting schedule in Ramadan.
26. Make this Ramadan different: Plan to do something special in this Ramadan that will make it different from the previous ones, such as memorizing a new Surah or helping someone in need.
27. Remember the dates of Sha'ban: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to remember the dates of Sha'ban and prepare for Ramadan.
28. Learn about financial rights: Learn about the financial rights, such as Zakat, Sadaqah, and other obligations, and try to fulfill them before Ramadan.
29. Sleep early: Try to sleep early before Ramadan so that you can wake up for Tahajjud and Sehri without any difficulty.
30. Make supplication: Make supplication to Allah to grant you the ability to perform your worship activities in Ramadan and to make the most of this blessed month.
