RAMADAN; MAKE THE BEST OF THE HOLY MONTH!

Ramdan is here again and quite funny but the first thing I’m doing is streaming “the message” for my 1 year old even though she probably can’t grasp everything happening. 

It’s the first Ramadan I’ll be fasting as a mother because I was breastfeeding last year. We’ve also moved countries and the time difference would take a little getting used to. These two things coupled with the rona are reasons why Ramadan for me feels very new and strange right now. 

It’s a Ramadan far away from our loved ones and no opportunities to meet like minded people so streaming “the message for my one year old seems like a little ritual that makes it feel more familiar because I watched that growing up as a child. 

Okay, enough of the ramblings, let’s get to it. Assalamu alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh. Ramadan Mubarak.

The blessed month of ramdan is upon us again and everyone is thinking of various ways to maximize the rewards and blessings of this holy month. In this post I’m sharing helpful tips on how to make the best of your Ramadan all tied around time management and productivity. Yes, we’ve got just 30 days guys. 

Set your goals: You might think, oh here we go again with goal setting” relax! When you think goal setting, it doesn’t always have to be some complex plan that involves a calendar and lots of notes but prepare your mind. It all starts with the intention. 

Know your goals; things you want to achieve during this period and how you want to achieve them. You can do as little as making a mental note and consciously making sure you don’t betray yourself but that’s less effort and we all like to put in the work for Ramadan.

Kick it up a notch by having an outline and a method. Having a clear view of your goals makes it even more achievable and trackable.

Create a dua list: I’m aware there are days when you make dua after salah and out of nowhere you remember an aunt or a friend and suddenly starts praying for the whole world. Yes, that’s good but be more organized because every moment counts. 

Not to put pressure on you but I’m sure you have a lot to ask Allah and loads of relatives to pray for, get your dua list in order as it would make things easier for you.  

One of the things I’m asking Allah for is his guidance on raising my daughter and how to be an amazing mom because it’s really not by my doing that she’s here and he’s the one who gave her to me, he guides best. 

Say your salah on time: If you’ve been struggling with your salah before today, you can afford to set your reminders to ensure you don’t miss your salah. It’s not good enough to just say your salah, say them on time. 

You might think oh, this is a no brainer but sometimes we all get caught up especially when it’s fajr and Maghreb. Sleep and food preparation might pose delay, do not let it. 

Create a small corner in your home to help you easily get into worship. You can also add a few decorations to make it festive and dress up properly for your salah. Treat it as a date with your lord. 

Say sunnah prayers: The easiest thing to do is up and leave after your compulsory prayers but in maximizing this month, you want to say your sunnah prayer; tahajud,nawafil,taraweeh. 

Funny but Ramadan makes it more glaring how lazy we can get and with miss rona in the air, congregations are impossible but it’s not an excuse to not say your taraweeh and tahajud. 

Read the Qur’an: Of course we all aspire to finish the qur’an at least once during Ramadan. However, it’s usually harder than we think. Reading at least one juz in a day would help you finish the Quran once. The more juz you can finish in a day, the higher your chance of finishing the Quran multiple times during Ramadan.

Seek knowledge: Give the romance novels a rest during this period and focus more on gaining more Islamic knowledge. Last week I took a seerah quiz and I wasn’t exactly impressed. You’d be surprised how many things you’ve forgotten. 

Few ways to seek knowledge:

*Read Islamic books: there are so many great books out there with beneficial knowledge. My go to apps are kindle and audible.

*Listen to podcasts: I’ve found listening to podcasts really enlightening. You could do this while doing chores or cooking. Currently inlove with muftimenk series. 

More podcasts option:

• Honest Tea talk 
• Mindful muslimah speaks 
• Mufti menk
• Ilm Feed
• Muslim central 
• The Aida Azlin show 

*Read qur’an translation: As much as you’re trying to finish the Quran, take time to read the translation if you don’t understand the language of the Quran. I personally recommend Tafsir ibn Kaseer because that’s what I’ve used for years. 

*Watch YouTube lectures: YouTube is unbeatable with loads of lectures depending on whatever you want to listen to, it’s all there. This year I’ll be catching up with my haltv tribe as I do every year. 

*Read hadiths and stories of the prophets: I love stories of the prophets because it was a great part of my childhood learning that I’m willing to pass on. I’ve recently subscribed to a kids channel so my daughter can enjoy thesame. 

The stories of the prophets are usually packed with lessons and trials and how to become better Muslims and improve on our character so it’s always a yes. The same goes for hadiths. 

Give sadaqah: Giving to charity is not just so that others could have but also to enrich your good deeds as well. Giving has a way of making you feel light hearted and better and what a better month than Ramadan. 

Also, give to fasting people who can’t afford to feed themselves because the reward is immense. Give your kind words and patience also because everyone needs kindness. 

Here is the sadaqah drive I’m donating to.

Spring clean your home: This might seem so random but yes, start your Ramadan in a clean environment so you don’t spend loads of time doing chores and putting things in place. This leaves you enough time for worship. 

Be accountable: Whether it’s a group of people online, your siblings or a friend, have an accountability partner that could always motivate you especially when you feel down. The stress from fasting takes a while to adjust to during the first few days & the last days. It’s great to have someone lift your spirit up and you do the same for them. 

Spend time with your loved ones: Thanks to zoom and WhatsApp, you can always get in touch with them. Break your fast together, check in on them. Naturally gravitated towards this because it’s just my family of 3 alone in this period which is very new to us. May Allah guide and guard us. 

Ramadan rituals: Create worthy memories with your family. I know a lot of people have rituals that’s makes their Ramadan special. Back when I was with my parents, it used to be having iftar and suhur together but now that I have my own small family, I’m trying to create experices special to us because our experiences contributes a lot to who we are as a person. 

Eat healthy: Whether you’re going for the meal prep option or you prefer fresh foods, eating healthy is an important part of Ramadan because a fasting person needs all the strength they can get.

Eating healthy is also a way to take care of your body because your body is a trust that you should look after. 

Check here for recipes you can try. 

I hope this helps you in a way to maximize your Ramadan. May Allah make it easy for us all. 

You can catch up with me on Instagram where I’ll be hosting a takeover on time management and productivity during Ramadan.

Catch up on previous post here.

Ramadan Mubarak!