#6 TaQwa Habits_Ramadan Challenge
Uplift your energy in Ramadan.
As-salaamu álaikum.
My apologies for not sending this challenge yesterday. It was due to some immediate personal commitments. I teach my students to develop habits that strengthen their god consciousness across their life roles. One thing I stress to them before closing off is that habits may not happen every day. But if the actions become a habit, they will return the next day! This is how it stays with us for a long-term. So Alhamdulillah, I am here with Challenge number 6.
We are halfway in Ramadan! How is it going for you all? Whether you feel the slackening or not, this is the time to renew our energy for the month. Reflect on what went well, and what could be improved for the rest, and the best of this blessed month.
Today, we are continuing from the previous challenge, discussing how to renew your energy, in the core part of your day in Ramadan, when you feel tired, less focused, not finding the momentum at your important roles, as a professional, parent, social worker, etc.
Here are three habits for the next three days.
[Spiritual] Renew your intention at work.
Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say;
" Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended."
Most of the people separate Deen from Dunya. We were sent to this world to worship Allah SWT alone. That covers our personal, professional, and social roles. Let’s try to upgrade our intention at work, parenting, and other activities that consume most of our time daily. Upgrade your intentions to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT alone. This will uplift our spiritual energy, and provide the drive to continue work in these tasks. Why would we give up, if we intended to please Allah SWT?
[Physical] Take a nap.
“We used to offer the Jumua (Friday) prayer with the Prophet and then take the afternoon nap”.
–Narration in Sahih Al-Bukhari
The companions of Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ) practiced the mid-day nap, and it is highly recommended. The other days than Friday, Prophet (ﷺ) used to nap just before the noon prayer. Our body is programmed for this day rest, and to stay at the best of its energy for the rest of the day. There are numerous studies recommended to bring the power naps back to the workplace, due to the decline in productivity, increase in human-made errors due to long shifts or working hours with insufficient amount of rest. See the picture below, which I took at my university library a few weeks ago. Take a 20-minute nap, if possible, before the noon prayer, and remain at your best of energy, and focus.
[Social] Pray in Jama'at.
In this blessed month, push yourself to pray as much as you can in Jamaáth. Get the extra reward of praying in the masjid, reward of Jamaáth, and feel the bonding with the believers.
If you have no mosque nearby, and pray at home. make sure your family joins you. Ramadan is also the month to strengthen our binding, starting from our family, to the wider community of believers.
May Allah SWT guide us to the right path in our lives, and roles, and to stay steadfast.
Sincere Duáas
Haneef