The condition of the Salaf, as it is
recorded in the narrated books with chains of narrations from the trustworthy
people (narrating) from them is that they would ask Allaah سُبحانه
وتعالى to make them reach Ramadhan
before it entered; they would ask Allaah to make
them reach the month of Ramadhan due to what they knew that it
contained from abundant good and general benefit. Then, when Ramadhan entered, they would ask Allaah to aid them
upon righteous actions therein. The when
Ramadhan ended they would ask Allaah to accept it from them. As
Allaah سُبحانه وتعالى says:
وَالَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَا آتَوا
وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ رَاجِعُونَ
"And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities, etc., have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning)."
(Al-Mu'minun 23:60)