Ramadan is a Spiritual Boot Camp
Ramadan is right around the corner. Many of us will create goals during the holy month. I’ve gone from making an extensive list to being more specific and intentional. If there is one thing that I’ve learned after 12 years of being a Muslim, it’s that preparation for Ramadan starts months in advance. Consistent religious habits help make Ramadan easier. These include voluntary fasting, sleeping earlier to wake up for fajr, not missing prayer, continuous learning, and perfecting manners. Ramadan is like a spiritual boot camp. It calls us back to our religion and helps perfect our character. It teaches us that we are to continue the same form of worship all year long.
Ramadan Goals for 2024
- Pray fajr every day ( and all prayers on time)– Fajr is the first of the five Islamic prayers. It’s usually very early in the morning ( around 5:30 AM in NC, USA). I struggle with praying fajr on time. It’s been a battle of mine for years. I am naturally a “night owl”. I can easily stay up until 1:00 in the morning. I started working on prioritizing my sleep months ago. I can tell how much of a difference it has already made for me.
Action Plan: Delete all social media apps before bed. Do not post anything that would constantly have me checking my phone. Do not bring your phone to bed! For alarms, I can use my tablet or smartwatch. These are a better alternative because they do not have a lot of distractions. I will sleep no later than 11:30 PM.
2. Get into the habit of regularly doing good deeds and perfecting my manners- The business of life can distract us from slowing down and being intentional about performing good deeds and using correct manners. There are times when I don’t pay attention to how I treat others. I’ve missed numerous opportunities for good deeds.
Action Plan: Slow down and become more mindful. Don’t overschedule. Don’t be distracted by my phone. I will work on greeting everyone around me, praying for others, smiling, calling my family, and asking about them. I will make a list of ways I can help others around me.
3. Waste less- Another way that the business of life interferes with my character is that it causes me to waste more and not put much thought into it.
Action Plan: I will work on being more intentional by not making an excessive amount of food, throwing away things that can be reused or recycled, using reusable paper towels, and using less plastic.
4. Spend less time on social media- I am sure that this one will be on everyone’s list. Social media was created to be addicting and many of us “doom scroll” for hours without realizing it.
Action Plan: Do not check social media when I wake up. Set a timer to spend no more than 1-2 hours on it every day. Set a checklist of things that I have to do before I am allowed on social media. Do not post a lot because it will influence me to constantly check my phone. I will set my phone aside and utilize my smartwatch more. I will try to journal or type out my thoughts if I am in the mood to share. If I feel like going online then I will try to mostly stick to messaging encouraging friends or watching inspirational videos.
5. Read at least two pages of the Quran daily with the recitations and Arabic- I learned Arabic and have kept up with it but I rarely put it to much use.
Action Plan: I will use the Quran apps on my tablet to hear the Quran recitations as I follow it along in English and Arabic. I will try to focus on at least two pages a day.
*Other things I plan on doing: Quran journaling, prayer list, listening to motivational podcasts, and journaling
