1: Keep Ramadan real simple.
Clear unnecessary things off your calendar. Have a number of core Ibadat & ease yourself into the rhythm of Ramadan in the 1st week. What went well last year & what didnβt? How could you manage better this time?
2: Set up automated Sadaqah!
This is one of the easiest things you can do to have peace of mind that your reward is secured insha Allah for Lailatul Qadr and all of the days of Ramadan, when rewards are multiplied: Go to launchgood.com/teamramadan to set up automated giving
3: Prepare 2 types of fixed prayer spaces at home
One communal prayer space, and one personal prayer space. Place all essential things you need for your prayer & du'a times right there: mus-haf, du'a book, water, dates & nuts, notebook, Qur'an stand, Qur'an translation etc.
4: Taraweeh bag
Prep your Taraweeh bag so you grab & go at Taraweeh time, if you are going. Water bottle, bag for shoes, prayer mat, healthy snackβ¦things like that. If you are going with kids itβs even more useful to have bags ready and packed beforehand to prevent the mad rush.
5: Simple menu & shopping list for Week 1
Create a simple menu and shopping list for the first week so that things are extra organised & smooth & so you donβt overdo it. Healthy foods, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil are the best. Keep carbs low or lower (reminder to self!).
6: Visualise your typical Ramadan day
Anticipate tough points, times you need to do certain things, how you can manage energy levels at every stage & keep your sense of equilibrium. Know when you need to have a βstate changeβ. A shower, a walk, a nap, making wudu, can all help.
7: Have pre-Ramadan Family Meeting
Yep, this is to discuss logistics! Prep younger ones for what to expect, remind everyone of the blessings of Ramadan & get them on the same page. Share ahadith, inspire children to see Ramadan as a precious treasure trove of reward & striving.
8: Schedule daily Power Nap & self-care.
Yes. Get a power nap in there every day if possible. Building elements of self-care into your day help you to be at your best for everyone and for your own worship.
At age 40, what I would advise the 20 year-old me about #LIFE?
18 LIFE LESSONS:
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1. Love:
Donβt lean in to feelings of attraction that you have towards people you canβt/shouldnβt be with. Certain types of love are like a madness that comes over you.
It canβt end well.
2. Take care of your body:
Sleep, nourish, exercise, relax, take care of the body Allah gave you. Itβll take you far if you allow it to!
Someone really should write a letter to the Queen inviting her to Islam before the inevitable happens. Thatβs what the Prophet ο·Ί would do if he were here.
To Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth I, monarch of the United Kingdom.
Peace be upon the followers of guidanceβ¦.
10 things Iβve learned about PRODUCTIVITY as a Muslim
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1. Mortality Motivation
You only have a finite number of years on earth. Choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret. Pray to God to guide your way, say Bismillah and get startedβ¦
2. Foundational Habits:
X hours sleep, morning dhikr, daily Qurβan, foods high in protein & healthy fats, regular resistance exercise, make you way more productive & focused. Identify your foundational habits & schedule them in as a must. Create processes that boost productivity
Ideas for .@DouglasKMurray and pals to win back Europe from the Muslimsπ§πΌthey fear so much and prevent its demise:
1. Start going Church and kickstart mass revival of Christianity, moving ppl away from atheism & meaningless ideologies. (Whaddya mean you donβt want to go Church?)
2. Encourage a mass baby boom amongst non-Muslims consistently for multiple generations (encourage women to settle down younger, have more babies, revive marriage even. It means discouraging alternative lifestyles and materialistic concerns about having big families).
3. Invent a new religion, with a scripture as compelling as the Qurβan anchored by deeply embedded truths that people are willing to live and fight for, even give up their lives for. (Yep- a doomed project)
Children do not lose their Iman overnight. Parents please be vigilant. Donβt allow your teens to become strangers in their own homes. When you see your child or household culture going down a slippery slope - itβs time for renewal and intervention. Sooner rather than later.
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1. Connection with Allah
Do they talk to Allah? Do they know Allah? Do you pray and make duβa together? Are you establishing prayers in the house? At least some prayers in jamaβah? Salah protects from shamelessness and sin.
2. Connection with you as parent.
Do you show them love and attention? Can they come have banter and test ideas and worries with you? Do you spend plenty of time together? Can you help them with any questions they have?