Why do we fall off track in Ramadan?
Alhamdulillah, Ramadan is so close to us! Are you ready to welcome Ramadan with your whole heart? Block 30 mins before the maghrib prayer on Sha'aban 29, and enter into Ramadan with gratitude, remembrance and hope. May Allah SWT grant us the grace to witness this Ramadan.
As Ramadan is the most exciting time of the year, we go all out to plan, and make the most out of it. We remind our close ones weeks before that Ramadan is approaching. We set our goals for Ramadan: Complete the Quran, pray Taraweeh at the mosque every day, help the people in need, have Iftar with family every day, etc….
Alhamdulillah, what an excitement, and energy that we feel when Ramadan is approaching.
As the days go by, inspirations start to fall. we find sort of imbalanced. We may give up on our goals, and find ourselves feeling guilty of not doing enough in this blessed month. Have you ever experienced this?
How can we avoid this in Ramadan this year?
First of all, why do we fast in the month of Ramadan?
Allah says:
O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah
(Quran 2:183)
The purpose of fasting is to build up our TaQwa. Do we need to have TaQwa only in the month of Ramadan or for a lifetime?
Yes, it is not a part-time or for a short-term! It is a long-term pursuit in maintaining the mindfulness of Allah SWT across our life roles.
Why do we fall off track in Ramadan?
We focus on goals, numbers, and lists of to-dos. When we start feeling that we are not getting there, we give up.
Instead, let us focus on creating a system and a routine to fulfill our long-term pursuit of maintaining TaQwa and succeed in this world and in the hereafter.
So it is not about setting goals, but to create a system, to achieve what Allah SWT has told us to fast for!
How to build a system to succeed?
TaQwa Habits are small, but consistent actions in your daily life that bring the remembrance of Allah SWT across your life roles. These habits help you to focus on your system in pursuit of TaQwa.
These habits help you to detach from the outcomes, but still make a significant progress towards it. Because, with TaQwa habits, you keep adding your efforts whether you feel like doing or not. Again it is a long term game!
Ramadan is the best part of our life to start building our system, in pursuit of mindfulness of Allah SWT across our life roles.
Are you ready? Here you go. The following are nine 2 to 20 minutes TaQwa habits, that help you to be at your best during the Ramadan, and create a strong system for a lifetime. In sha Allah.
#1 Pre-dawn Meal
Anas (r.a) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Eat Suhur (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in Suhur.”
Don't miss your suhur, seek its barakah, and it is sufficient to fuel you for the whole day!
#2 Morning Quran
A blessed Book which We have revealed to you, so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.
(Quran 38:29)
Block at least 20' for Quran, in the beginning of the day. This will add more barakah into your time later in the day.
#3 No to 9-5 work!
Your time should not be without any structure, such that you occupy yourself arbitrarily with whatever comes along.
(Imam Al- Ghazali R.A)
You can bring more quality than 9-5 with a few focus sessions. Focus sessions are 25-90' long, where you focus on one task, without any external distractions.
#4 No to fluffy talks
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Anybody who believes in Allah and the Last Day should talk what is good or keep quiet.
Avoid fluffy talks at your work or chats on your phone. That takes a lot from your useful energy. Engage in fruitful conversation as needed.
#5 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
Follow the prophetic sunnah in this Ramadan, to be at your best energy throughout the day. Take a nap just before Salat ul Dhuhr.
#6 Go for a walk
Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "A strong believer is better and is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer."
Walk 5-20' in your afternoon, and it will generate energy in you. Walk outside, and glorify Allah SWT, looking at the nature.
#7 Energy food in Iftar
O mankind, eat from whatever is on earth [that is] lawful and good and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
Add an avocado instead of a fried snack. Energy-inducing food helps you to stay at the best of your energy for the night prayer.
#8 No sit back on couch
And those who strive for Us - We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Quran 29: 69).
Fill your evening with the remembrance of Allah SWT, quality time with family and prepare for night prayers.
#9 Sleep in cycles
Do they not see that We made the night for them to rest in and the day bright? Surely in this are signs for those who believe.
(Quran 27:86)
Try to sleep in multiples of 90 minutes! 8 hours of sleep is a myth! This will help you to wake up to your Suhur with full energy!
Do you want more in this Ramadan?
If you find these habits useful, and are looking for more inspiration, and guidance in creating your own system, that lasts longer, join us for free. TaQwa Minds is all set to run our Ramadan Challenge for the community, to help them develop daily habits during this Ramadan, towards their best self spiritually, physically, and socially.
The challenge is happening in our LinkedIn page, and please follow the page to participate in the challenge from anywhere in the world. Alhamdulillah.
During this challenge, you will get the following.
A series of spiritual, social, and physical activities every 3 days during Ramadan.
Three one-hour free workshops to boost productivity in Ramadan.
A supportive community to inspire one another.
Are you ready to join us, engage, encourage, and make the most out of this intention! Join us now.
Sincere Duáas
Haneef