Ramadan 2026 Preparation Checklist

Ramadan starts February 18, 2026 - just 40 days away! (as of January 9, 2026)

The best Ramadan begins with the best preparation. Use this comprehensive checklist to prepare spiritually, physically, and practically for the blessed month.

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🎯 Quick Start: 3 Things to Do Today

1. Set your Ramadan intentions - Write down 3 goals for Ramadan 2026
2. Calculate fasting times → Get your city’s times
3. Start practicing - Fast Mondays/Thursdays to prepare your body

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📆 30-Day Preparation Timeline

30 Days Before (Jan 19 - Jan 27)

✅ Spiritual Preparation

• Make sincere dua to reach Ramadan
• Seek forgiveness from people you may have hurt
• Forgive those who have wronged you
• Set Ramadan goals (Quran completion, prayer consistency, etc.)
• Start increasing voluntary prayers
• Begin reading Quran daily (even 1-2 pages)

✅ Physical Preparation

• Schedule medical checkup (if needed)
• Adjust sleep schedule gradually (earlier bedtime)
• Start practicing intermittent fasting
• Reduce caffeine intake gradually (avoid withdrawal during Ramadan)
• Start eating healthier (reduce junk food)

✅ Practical Preparation

• Mark Ramadan dates on calendar (Feb 18 - Mar 19)
• Inform work/school about Ramadan schedule
• Plan Ramadan budget (charity, iftar, groceries)
• Clean out pantry/fridge
• Research local iftars and Taraweeh schedules

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21 Days Before (Jan 28 - Feb 3)

✅ Spiritual Preparation

• Increase Quran recitation (1-3 pages daily)
• Learn essential Ramadan duas → Duas Collection
• Study fasting rules → Fasting Guide
• Memorize Laylat al-Qadr dua
• Attend pre-Ramadan lectures at mosque
• Make list of people to forgive

✅ Physical Preparation

• Practice fasting (Monday + Thursday recommended)
• Adjust meal portions (smaller meals)
• Increase water intake (8+ glasses daily)
• Start waking up earlier (practice Fajr wake-up time)
• Reduce screen time before bed

✅ Practical Preparation

• Stock up on dates (for breaking fast)
• Buy groceries for first week
• Purchase new prayer clothes (optional)
• Set up Ramadan corner at home (Quran, prayer mat, tasbeeh)
• Download Ramadan apps → Best Apps

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14 Days Before (Feb 4 - Feb 10)

✅ Spiritual Preparation

• Complete full Quran review (start to end)
• Pray all 5 daily prayers on time
• Add voluntary prayers (Duha, Tahajjud)
• Calculate and plan Zakat → Zakat Calculator
• Make list of duas for Ramadan
• Review your Ramadan goals

✅ Physical Preparation

• Fast at least twice this week
• Practice Suhoor meals (what works best)
• Test Iftar recipes (healthy, not heavy)
• Finalize sleep schedule adjustment
• Reduce social media time

✅ Practical Preparation

• Deep clean house (spring cleaning)
• Organize workspace for Taraweeh schedule
• Plan work/school accommodations
• Stock freezer with pre-made meals
• Buy Eid gifts early (avoid last-minute rush)

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7 Days Before (Feb 11 - Feb 17)

✅ Spiritual Preparation

• Fast these final days before Ramadan
• Increase night prayers
• Make sincere dua to make the most of Ramadan
• Review what breaks/doesn’t break fast
• Memorize key duas
• Seek forgiveness for past sins

✅ Physical Preparation

• Final grocery shopping for Week 1
• Prepare freezer meals for busy days
• Set up alarm for Suhoor (test it!)
• Organize medicine cabinet (vitamins, supplements)
• Prepare emergency fasting kit (dates, water, snacks for iftar)

✅ Practical Preparation

• Confirm mosque Taraweeh schedule
• Set up Ramadan tracker (prayer, Quran, goals)
• Print Ramadan calendar → Calendar
• Notify friends/family of schedule changes
• Prepare “Ramadan rules” for kids (if applicable)
• Test all tools: Fasting Times Calculator, Qibla Finder

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🌙 First Day of Ramadan Checklist (Feb 18)

Before Fajr

• Wake up for Suhoor (1-2 hours before Fajr)
• Eat Suhoor meal (protein, complex carbs, fruits)
• Drink plenty of water
• Make intention to fast: “I intend to fast tomorrow for Ramadan”
• Pray Fajr on time

During the Day

• Keep yourself busy with work/productive activities
• Read Quran (Goal: 4-5 pages to finish in 30 days)
• Make dhikr throughout day
• Avoid arguments and negative behavior
• Stay hydrated reminder (mentally note to drink at iftar)

Iftar Time

• Break fast with dates and water (Sunnah)
• Make dua before breaking fast (most accepted time!)
• Pray Maghrib
• Eat iftar meal (balanced, not heavy)

After Iftar

• Pray Isha
• Pray Taraweeh at mosque or home
• Read Quran
• Make dua
• Set alarm for Suhoor

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📝 Ramadan Goals Template

Use this template to set your Ramadan 2026 goals:

Quran Goals

• Complete 1 full reading of Quran (4-5 pages daily)
• Memorize Surah _________
• Read Quran translation in English
• Learn 10 new Quranic words

Prayer Goals

• Pray all 5 prayers on time every day
• Pray Taraweeh every night
• Pray Tahajjud in last 10 nights
• Spend 30 minutes daily in voluntary worship

Character Goals

• Avoid gossiping/backbiting
• Control anger and remain patient
• Show extra kindness to family
• Forgive and forget past grievances

Charity Goals

• Give Zakat (calculate: Zakat Calculator)
• Sponsor iftar for ______ people
• Donate $_______ throughout Ramadan
• Volunteer at local mosque/charity

Personal Goals

• Attend mosque for Taraweeh ______ times
• Memorize 5 new duas
• Make dua for ______ specific things
• Pray for family/friends daily

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🛒 Ramadan Shopping List

Groceries (Suhoor/Iftar)

• Dates (5-10 lbs for family)
• Fruits (bananas, apples, berries)
• Vegetables (salad ingredients)
• Proteins (chicken, fish, lentils)
• Complex carbs (oats, whole grain bread, rice)
• Dairy (yogurt, milk, cheese)
• Nuts and dried fruits
• Honey, peanut butter
• Herbal teas (for after iftar)

Spiritual Items

• New Quran (if needed)
• Prayer mat (new or clean existing)
• Tasbeeh (prayer beads)
• Islamic books (tafsir, hadith)
• Prayer clothes (for women)

Practical Items

• Alarm clock (backup to phone)
• Water bottles
• Food containers (for meal prep)
• Ramadan decoration (optional)
• Eid cards/gifts

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Ramadan Preparation

For Parents

• Explain Ramadan to children (age-appropriate)
• Set family Ramadan goals together
• Create reward chart for kids
• Plan family iftar nights
• Schedule family Quran time daily
• Prepare Ramadan activities for kids

For Kids

• Practice mini-fasts (half-day fasts)
• Learn why Muslims fast
• Help with iftar preparation
• Decorate home for Ramadan
• Set personal Ramadan goal (extra prayers, good behavior)

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💪 Physical Health Tips

Before Ramadan

1. Gradually reduce caffeine (1 less cup per week)
2. Adjust sleep schedule (sleep earlier)
3. Practice fasting (Monday/Thursday)
4. Eat balanced meals (reduce processed food)
5. Stay active (light exercise)

During Ramadan

1. Suhoor: Never skip! Eat slow-digesting foods
2. Hydration: 8+ glasses between iftar and suhoor
3. Iftar: Break fast with dates, don’t overeat
4. Exercise: Light walking after Taraweeh
5. Sleep: 7-8 hours (split: night + afternoon nap)

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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. ❌ Skipping Suhoor - You’ll be very hungry and weak
2. ❌ Overeating at Iftar - Start light, eat slowly
3. ❌ Sleeping all day - Stay productive, it’s not a “sleep month”
4. ❌ Wasting time - Limit social media, TV, games
5. ❌ Neglecting family - Balance worship with family time
6. ❌ Skipping Taraweeh - Huge reward, don’t miss it
7. ❌ Not planning - Prepare meals ahead, manage time
8. ❌ Forgetting intention - Renew fasting intention daily

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📱 Helpful Tools for Ramadan 2026

• Fasting Times Calculator - Suhoor & Iftar times for your city
• Ramadan Calendar - Full 30-day schedule
• Duas Collection - Essential Ramadan prayers
• Qibla Finder - Find prayer direction
• Midnight Calculator - Calculate Tahajjud time
• Zakat Calculator - Calculate obligatory charity

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start preparing for Ramadan?

Start at least 30 days before Ramadan begins. This gives you time to adjust spiritually, physically, and practically. Earlier is always better!

How do I prepare my body for fasting?

1. Practice fasting Mondays/Thursdays
2. Gradually reduce meal sizes
3. Cut down caffeine intake slowly
4. Adjust sleep schedule
5. Stay hydrated daily

What’s the most important spiritual preparation?

Setting sincere intentions and seeking forgiveness. Also, start reading Quran daily and increasing your prayers before Ramadan begins.

How can I involve my family in preparation?

• Set family Ramadan goals together
• Prepare home decorations as a family
• Plan special iftar nights
• Create a family prayer schedule
• Make a family charity project

What if I can’t fast for medical reasons?

If you’re chronically ill, elderly, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have medical conditions, consult your doctor. You may be exempt from fasting and can compensate by feeding the poor (Fidya). → Fasting Guide

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🎯 Your Ramadan 2026 Action Plan

TODAY ({{ .Date.Format “Jan 2” }}):

1. Set 3 Ramadan goals
2. Calculate your fasting times
3. Start one habit (Quran, prayer, or fasting practice)

THIS WEEK:

1. Complete spiritual preparation tasks
2. Start reducing caffeine
3. Fast one day (Monday or Thursday)

NEXT 2 WEEKS:

1. Complete physical preparation
2. Do Ramadan shopping
3. Fast 2-3 days

FINAL WEEK BEFORE RAMADAN:

1. Final grocery run
2. Deep clean home
3. Review all Ramadan resources
4. Set intentions for the blessed month

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🌙 May Allah allow us to reach Ramadan and make it our best one yet!

← Back to Ramadan 2026 Guide | Next: Ramadan Duas →

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Last updated: January 9, 2026 | Ramadan starts in 40 days | Download this checklist as PDF (coming soon)