( شَهْرُ رَمَضانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدىً لِلنَّاسِ وَ بَيِّناتٍ مِنَ الْهُدى وَ الْفُرْقانِ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ وَ مَنْ كانَ مَرِيضاً أَوْ عَلى سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَ لا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَ لِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَ لِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلى ما هَداكُمْ وَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ))
The month of Ramadan that wherein the Qur'an was sent down to be a guidance for mankind, and as clear signs of guidance and a criterion (between right and wrong). Therefore, whoever of you is present (at his home) during the month, he shall fast therein and whoever is sick or on a journey, he shall then (fast) the same number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire hardship for you; so you should complete the number (of days decreed), and exalt Allah for His having guided you, and that perhaps you might be grateful (to Him).
The sacred blessed month of Ramadan holds a huge significance for all muslims around the world and it is the only month that is actually named in the holy Quran (2:185). It is the month of abundant blessings from Allah (SWT), the month that teaches us patience through fasting and the month when the miracle of prophet Mohammed (pbuh); the holy Quran was revealed. It is the month where everything we do that is intended for Allah (swt) gains us thawab (rewards), from the breath we take to the sleep that gives us rest and all the daily good deeds we perform.
There are numerous hadeeths (sayings) that refer to ‘Ramdan’ being a name of Allah (SWT) and so out of respect it is narrated that the name should be preceded by ‘the month of’ rather than just ‘Ramadan’ on its own. This teaches us to respect this month for the grand significance and abundant blessings it brings to us all In shaa Allah.
The month of Ramadan symbolises a period of intense spiritual reflection, self-discipline, growth in community spirit, forgiveness and inner transformation. It is an opportunity for families with children to instill the Islamic values, foster empathy, and deepen their spiritual connection to the Almighty Allah (SWT).
How do we get the most out of this blessed month with our busy lifestyles?
1. Learning and Understanding:
One of the biggest Ibada (worship) we can all do during this month is seeking knowledge.
In our daily endeavours, be it at work, school, or the masjid, let's cherish the understanding that Allah (SWT) is Al-Aleem. Recognising that, every bit of knowledge acquired draws us nearer to Him, as long as our intentions are rooted in His name.
We can push ourselves a little further this month. The best of learning in this month is learning to understand and connect with Allah (SWT), be it through His attributes (the Asma ul husna) or learning to understand the Quran that He sent as guidance to us all.
Asma + Me provides great tool for families with young children to gain this knowledge in a fun and engaging way.
Arabiq online provides greater resources and courses to helping us understand the language of the Quran
2. Practice patience:
Allah (SWT) refers to fasting as ‘sabr’ (patience) in the
verse :
وَ اسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَ الصَّلاةِ وَ إِنَّها لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلاَّ عَلَى الْخاشِعِينَ
(And seek help (from Allah) through patience and prayer; and most surely it is a hard thing, save upon the humble)
While it’s obvious for us that fasting is refraining from food and water, fasting is actually an opportunity to refrain from other bad habits like seeing or hearing haram (forbidden) things, lying, backbiting, swearing or actions that harm us like smoking. Let’s make the intention to see it as an opportunity to fast not only with our mouth, but also with our eyes, ears and organs so that we grow in piety inside and out and live our life in a God-centric way. Remember, that Allah (SWT), The Al-Muhsee knows every effort we make, records it all and rewards us greatly for it.
3. Family & Community Connection:
While the rest of the year may be busy, the month of Ramadan is the best time to slow down from other activities in life and focus on uniting the family to pray and eat together. Aim to pray at least one of the daily prayers in congregation, as the reward of congregation is multiplied enormously compared to a prayer alone. If you have younger children, you will also find that they learn to pray simply by watching and copying their elders.
Inviting family and friends over for Iftar, reading supplications together and praying together acts as a form of service and family/community unity. We can take greater opportunity in these gatherings to learn together and get the children to recite Quran or share a story to the other guests to help them practice their confidence in their faith within public settings. Make this time as enjoyable as possible to get the most of it!
4. Acts of Kindness:
Encourage the children and the adults in the family to engage in acts of kindness, such as helping neighbours, sharing toys, or participating in community service projects. Emphasise the importance of empathy and generosity during this month. Why don’t we all come together and donate either a toy or an Iftar meal to help someone in need and bring a smile to their face?
(Let’s share this spirit of giving with our family and friends to encourage them to do the same. We welcome your photos or videos to share in our instagram page as it will be great motivation for others to do the same!)
5. Nightly Reflections, gratitude and goal setting
Create a nightly routine where the family comes together for a brief reflection of the day, discussing moments of gratitude, kindness, and personal growth. This fosters a sense of accountability and mindfulness in our thoughts and actions. let’s reflect on our month of Ramadan goals and pick something to do each day.
Conclusion:
The month of Ramadan provides families with a unique opportunity to strengthen their spiritual bonds, instil Islamic values, and nurture a sense of compassion in both adults and children. By engaging in activities that emphasise reflection, generosity, and community involvement, families can create lasting memories and deepen their spiritual connection to Allah (SWT) throughout this month. This allows us to gear up in physical, mental and spiritual strength for the months ahead.