#2 TaQwa Habits_Ramadan Challenge
Mornings in Ramadan
Salaam dear community.
How was your experience with the #1 challenge? Has your focus changed when you wake up? Is using the miswak no longer a mundane task for you? Are you mindful of what you eat and how you eat?
Today, I challenge you to protect your morning hours after suhur, and before you get into your day responsibilities. These hours are multi-billion hours for a believer. why?
Prophet (ﷺ) made this du’a: “O Allah, bless my nation in their early morning.”
[Tirmidhī 1212].
Therefore, we need to make the best out of these hours every single day in this blessed month of Ramadan, and seek the barakah in it. In sha Allah.
The first and foremost thing is to disconnect from your phone during these hours. Think about why you need a phone in these hours. Alarm? get an old-fashioned one. prayer time? Have a physical calendar or note it down the day before.
Now let us look at the spiritual/physical/social habits for the next three days.
[Spiritual] Disconnect time to connect to Allah SWT alone.
Use your time between Fajr, until sunrise to connect with Allah SWT alone.
And remember your Rabb by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words in the mornings, and evenings and be not of those who are neglectful.'' (7:205)
Spent your morning hours in voluntary and obligatory prayers, Quran time, and morning adhkaar. In all of them, you are conversing with Allah SWT and be mindful in each of them. Do as much as you can, but every day. See what works for you, and stick to it. In sha Allah.
[Physical] Make a move (exercise)
If we understand our body, Allah SWT created us to move, and take actions. Subhan Allah. Block 5-15 minutes of your morning time after sunrise for exercise. Exercise while fasting? yes! You don’t need to hit the gym and lift heavy weights during Ramadan; just get moving. You can go for a 10-minute walk outside or do some flexibility exercises for your joints.
This will generate more energy in you, and let you be ready for the day. In Ramadan, we do worship Allah SWT 24/7. (We are supposed to do the same outside Ramadan as well across our life roles). Set intention to serve Allah at your best by gaining this higher energy level through these 5-15 minutes of exercise.
[Social] Family time before anything
Follow the prophetic sunnah of spending quality time with family before getting into your day’s business.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“The best of you is he who is best to his family, and I am the best among you to my family.
(Mishkat al-Masabih 3252)
Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had the greatest responsibility on Earth, yet none ever complained that he was too busy. Prophet(ﷺ) always made others feel his presence, actively listened to them, offered advice, and provided help. Prophet(ﷺ) even found time to play with the younger companions in the streets of Madinah. Prophet(ﷺ) used to spend quality time with his family before starting his official day!
This Ramadan, make sure to dedicate quality time to your family every single day. Show them that you are truly present with them.
Bismillah, try to adopt these habits for the next three days. Share your reflections and participate in our Ramadan Challenge!
I am looking forward to your reflections on these TaQwa Habits in the coming days.
Sincere Duáas
Haneef.
What will the winner of the Ramadan Challenge take home?
Free access to our post-Ramadan six month personal training program: Ramadan Roots: Grow and Sustain Your TaQwa Habits For Life.
This Program will help you retain your Ramadan effect, and strengthen your TaQwa Habits further in the following months, to at least until next Ramadan, and ideally for a lifetime.