February 2, 2024

By now, we have all witnessed the atrocities continuing to take place in Palestine. As we continue to make endless dua and work to obtain a ceasefire, there is something that has stood out amongst all the chaos; the faith of those who are being tested in this way. It is unbelievable how one can lose everything in literal terms, from their food, water, and education, all the way up to their homes and families. And yet, somehow, they still smile and express praise and gratitude to Ar-Razzaq, The Provider.

 It prompts us to experience sensations of shame and guilt, that while we have been blessed with everything from our most basic necessities to our unnoticed luxuries, we continue to fall short in our iman. While we are given privileges that others are yearning for, we fail to recognize the blessings and lack in our ability to be grateful to Allah (SWT). The lessons of strength, resilience, and patience that we are learning from our Palestinian brothers and sisters has aided in lifting the veils from our eyes and hearts, in order to reclaim our true purpose. This series of events has reminded us of who we are as an Ummah and that our goal is to please Allah (SWT).  To love and praise Allah (SWT), we must know Him (SWT). We go into this Ramadan seeking His (SWT) forgiveness and pleasure. Here are some ways we can practically begin to prepare for the blessed month:

• Start Early. Make your intention or niyyah for this Ramadan. Clear out your schedule to make the most of your time. For example, get any appointments and other important tasks done now. This way, outside of work and school, your schedule is open for as much worship or ibaadah as possible. Ideally, it would be beneficial to begin Ramadan prep in Rajab and Shaban. 
  
  
• Reflect on Past Ramadans. Evaluate yourself and try to identify patterns. What habits or environments have been the most helpful? What has gotten in the way? Since these are tried and tested, it will be easier to determine the best plan for you.
  
  
• Structure Your Days in Advance. There are so many ways for us to pre-plan our time. For example, you can divide your day up by prayers. This means that you have certain tasks or acts of worship that you get done between Fajr and Dhuhr, Dhuhr and Asr, etc. Creating blocks of time to complete work, rather than specifying exact times, can be simpler to manage when life happens.
  
  
• Find a Friend. The buddy system! Who you surround yourself with is so important in Ramadan. Find someone in your family or friends that can help you stay on track and keep you accountable for Ramadan goals. 
  
  
• Pair Habits. There are many ways for us to get into a healthy and spiritual mindset for Ramadan by adding habits into what we already have built into our day. Some ideas include doing dhikr while cleaning, listening to the Quran while cooking, and reading an Islamic article while walking.
  
  
• Increase Worship. Let’s say that our goal is to complete the entire Quran in Ramadan, but we are currently reading one page a day. This can be an overwhelming jump to make in such a short amount of time. Slowly start building up in your dhikr, prayer, and Quran to ensure that you can meet your goals. 
  
  
• Fast Mondays and Thursdays. Especially in the beginning of Ramadan, the actual act of fasting can be difficult since we are creating a huge shift in our bodies. By fasting a couple of days in the weeks leading up to Ramadan, we can give our bodies ample time to slowly adjust to the fasting schedule. 

• Bring Life to Your Home. Clean up the house, begin decorating, and get creative! The more you enjoy your environment and traditions of the month, the more likely you are to stay engaged and consistent with your worship. 
  
  
• Ask Yourself How to Make this Your Best Ramadan Yet. We should always be striving toward excellence in our Deen. Give yourself something to work towards and know that your reward is with Allah (SWT).