On your mark, get set….GO!
It’s a marathon to the finish line. Ramadhan is so similar to a marathon. When you run, walk or whatever the sport may be for this Marathon you would almost always prepare for it right? .. days, months, years ahead then to finally run/walk/skip at the Marathon and Victory is almost surely yours.
Ramadhan is so similar but not similar at the same time. It is similar in that we must prepare ourselves mentally and physically and take steps that are not too exhausting but yet enough to finish. The difference is that a Marathon finishes. The victory you reach in Ramadhan should be a stepping stone to the next step forever becoming a better Muslim.
Here is my checklist:
- Try to fast several days in the month prior to Ramadhan. This is totally hard! There is honestly never a good time. However, if you do this Monday & Thursday it could be a good thing. If you decide to start a fast on Friday however, I have heard that this isn’t a good thing. The only time it is okay to do so is if you have fasted the prior days that week.
- Clean up your home! Having a clean home is part of Iman. Having a clean home and space allows you to think and feel organized. Ramadhan in non-Muslim countries gets more hectic because work days, school days are normal days with the added stress of trying your best to complete your Deen.
- This is also a great time to spring clean your clothes, and all unwanted, unused items in your home.
- Collect your unused hijabs – do a quick run in the dryer/washer and fold them neatly so you can give them out to charity or do a hijab swap.
- Prepare your pantry. Stock up on cookies, if you make cookies then freeze them! Stock up on easy to fix items (this again is really for sisters living in a non-Muslim country)… but it couldn’t hurt to be more efficient! Then everyone’s time can be used more for ibadah.
- Make a menu ahead of time. Suhur (eating before fajr) should consist of good nutrients. If this is your first time fasting, I suggest to make a protein smoothy or eat more protein than carbs. It will help stabilize your morning. The Prophet Mohammad SAW used to eat milk and dates. Personally, I do the same then eat eggs, protein smoothy with fruit, water and a small cup of coffee. I try to wake 1 – 1.5 hour prior to fajr in order to be able to drink several glasses of water.
- Pencil in iftar’s that you will have at your home. Yes, even though most of the sisters living in the west don’t have help, it doesn’t mean we cannot host a yummy iftar! May Allah reward us with good deeds. Insha Allah aMuslima will roll out our Ramadhan iftars menus.
- On the day we find out that Ramadhan starts – call those close to you and wish them a happy Ramadhan.
- If you are working in a non-Muslim environment you may want to let your colleagues know you are fasting. So they may understand if you are more quiet than usual and or not accept the usual let’s eat lunch together scenario. One of my own personal tips – I let people know that instead of having lunch, I will close my office and take an hour nap. ** however, please talk to your supervisor about this to make sure it is okay. If not, you may want to request that if you work during your lunch hour that you can leave an hour earlier.
Bottom line. Simplify. Try to live as if you are living like a nomad. The focus should be on your deen. reading qur’an, making du’a, and doing good deeds left and right! Fasting isn’t just a physical exercise it is also a mental exercise. Insha Allah with good niat (intentions) it will be easy for you. For those who are fasting for the first time – relax. If you are having trouble don’t beat yourself up. Allah is the all knowing and will know that you are trying your best. 🙂
Du’a at the beginning of the fast:
wa bisawmi ghodinn nawaytu min shahri Ramadhaan
I intend to keep the fast for tomorrow in the month of Ramadan
Happy Ramadhan.
Wassallam.
