Blog Post #4: My Best Ramadan:
Preparing for the Holy Month
By: Maryam Yousuf, Pre-licensed Professional
The joyous month of Ramadan is almost here! We begin by thanking Allah (SWT) for allowing us to reach this month and pray to experience a fruitful Ramadan this year. For many of us, we associate this month with spending more time doing that which pleases Allah (SWT). This can look like increased forms of worship or ibaadah, such as performing salaat (prayer), making dua (supplication), giving charity, and fasting from dawn to dusk for the month. Ramadan is a time that brings families and communities together as they engage in their fasts and taraweeh (night prayers). However, it is critical to understand getting ready for Ramadan is a process. Similar to training for a marathon, Ramadan requires a significant amount of preparation. This article will provide insight and tips to help your mind, body, and soul use this time to rejuvenate and gain closeness to our Creator.
How To Prepare for Ramadan from a Mental Health Perspective?
Ramadan is not only a period of fasting for the body, but also for the mind and soul. Specifically with our mental health in mind, it takes time and active effort to begin making changes early so that we may have a blessed and productive Ramadan. For example, it can be beneficial to look at how your daily routine is currently and ask yourself, how would it look different if it were Ramadan? If we want our days in Ramadan to look different than how they are currently, we need to slowly implement changes to get there. What is your mind consuming? If the mind is full of songs from TikTok and random videos from Instagram, how can we expect for it to suddenly become full of the remembrance of Allah (SWT) when Ramadan begins? In order for us to give ourselves the best shot at having a strong Ramadan, we must begin with what lies in our hearts and minds. Only then can we acknowledge it and understand how to improve.
What Can I Do to Create a Fruitful Ramadan?
- Start early. Similar to how our mothers begin preparing and freezing our favorite Ramadan treats early, we should prioritize setting ourselves up for success before the month begins. For example, how much of the Quran would you like to read? How often will you go to your Masjid? What lecture series are you planning to follow? By planning this out ahead of time, you can save yourself the stress of feeling unorganized when Ramadan rolls around.
- Set realistic goals. Let’s be honest, while we’d all like to become the best Muslims for Ramadan, we know ourselves well. For example, if you have work from 9-5 with small breaks in between, consider what you can do to achieve your goals during this time. Listen to a religious lecture on the ride to work, engage in dhikr in between meetings, and sit down for prayer a few minutes before the time comes in. Practicing simple and small steps can make it easier to stay consistent and improve.
- Check-in and make changes. Ramadan goes by fast. Because of this, it is super important for us to check in with ourselves and our goals regularly. For some, this can be as easy as having a checklist on your phone and making quick notes. For others, an in-depth Ramadan journal may work best. Having the best Ramadan is about finding what works for you and sticking to it, instead of competing and worrying about others being ahead.
- Categorize mind, body, and soul. Ramadan is important for all aspects of our lives, and this means we have to address it by breaking it down. For the mind, this can entail being aware of the content you watch and read during the month. For the body, this can look like eating healthy and in moderation so that you have strength and endurance for long prayers. For the soul, allocating time for prayer, Quran, and dhikr is necessary. This can also include being mindful of social media consumption.
How Can I Take Care of Myself This Ramadan?
- Build healthy habits. Because we spend Ramadan trying to do a lot in little time, this can take a toll on us. To prevent this, we should be mindful of our sleeping, eating, and lifestyle patterns. Remember, in order to make the best of this Ramadan, you have to keep yourself in the best condition.
- Ask Allah (SWT) for help. With all the time that we will spend trying to get closer to Allah (SWT), make sure to ask Him for help along the way. Whether it is experiencing fatigue or feeling like you are not hitting your goals, express this to Him (SWT) and ask for His Guidance.
- Practice self-compassion. It can be easy to feel bad when you face obstacles in Ramadan. For example, if you become ill for a day or two and feel like you have been set back, remind yourself that small steps are better than none. Once you feel better, you can seek forgiveness and revise your plan to hit your Ramadan goals.
*Disclaimer: I am currently a pre-licensed, Master’s level student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. This blog post is purely for awareness and educational purposes only. For further information or clarification, please seek help from a licensed professional, thank you! -Maryam
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