by Amaliah Team in Lifestyle on 20th April, 2020
This article is sponsored by Islamic Relief UK, find out more about their work here*
As Ramadan is upon us for some of us it may be looking very different this year, it may be your first Ramadan as a Muslim or a mother or the first Ramadan away from home. Along with such life changes, COVID-19 is set to impact the very social aspects that often bring us together as a community in this month.
We asked some of you over on our IG stories what you will be missing and what you will be looking forward to. From being away from family, not going to the mosque or having that post-Taraweeh dessert there are small and big ways in which Ramadan will look and feel different.
We’ve come together with Islamic Relief UK to create the Amaliah guide to getting through a lockdown Ramadan. Filled with the duas you need, how-tos, some soulful inspiration and ideas for good deeds.
1. Creating the spirit of Ramadan in your home
With many of us spending a majority of our time at home due to lockdown, our homes have had to be transformed into our workplace, recreation space, homeschool pop-ups and now even a space that replaces trips to the mosque or community gatherings.
Whether you have children or not, Ramadan decorations are always a good idea and no matter the size of our homes there is at least one wall, ceiling or window that could do with a little Ramadan banner or fairy lights! Or maybe you’re spending Ramdan alone away from your family, you deserve some decorations too!
Some of us may want to go all out and transform a space in our home into a prayer corner whilst for others a really great way is to create a corner which may be decorated with reminders from the Quran and hadith. If you have children then it’s the perfect time to get crafting!
2. Planning for your Ramadan
As quick as Ramadan came around, 30 days will pass by in a flash. We’re big fans of goal setting and suggest creating a plan for your Ramadan to keep you on track. Ramadan is a journey, we hope to have got through the 30 days with a renewed relationship with Allah and increased taqwa. The idea isn’t to get down if you don’t tick off all your goals, but to have a way to keep track of how to have an intentional Ramadan. For you excel lovers, perhaps even have a go at creating your own Ramadan timetable.
Your goals could be to do with how you will spend your time in Ramadan or habits you want to develop to carry on past Ramadan.
Start with renewing your intention on why you are setting these goals, what do you hope to have achieved from Ramadan? Then think of your overarching goals like:
First think about what times of the day you have free, after accounting for work or other duties you may need to do each day. Then break these goals down and think of teaming up with people you know to have an accountability buddy.
You also still have time to get spiritually, mentally and physically ready.
3. Ever created a dualist?
Allah is always ready to hear our duas, a dualist can help you form a more personal relationship with Allah and develop your salah. Here’s how you can create a dualist this Ramadan to knock on the door of Allah’s mercy.
If you are struggling over the course of Ramadan, make dua asking for ease and guidance.
Writing a Dua List May Help Revive Your Salah
Best Times to make dua:
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4. Duas to know
On the topic of duas, here are some that may be helpful
When starting your fast:
O Allah! I shall fast for Your sake, so forgive my past and future sins
اللهُمَّ أصُومُ لَكَ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ
Allahumma asumu laka fagh fir-li ma qad-damtu wa-ma akh-khartu
When breaking your fast:
O Allah! I fasted for You and I believe in You and I put my trust in You and I break my fast with Your sustenance
Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu wa alayka tawakkaltu wa ala rizq-ika-aftartu
اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّى لَكَ صُمْتُ وَبِكَ امنْتُ وَعَليْكَ تَوَكّلتُ وَ عَلى رِزْقِكَ اَفْطَرْتُ
Dua for Laylatul Qadr
Oh Allah! You are most forgiving, you love to forgive, so forgive me
Allahumma Innaka Aafuwon Tuhibu AlAaffwa FAafu Aanni
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفْوٌ تٌحِبٌّ العَفْوَ فَأَعْفَوْ عَنِّي
Duas for those that have passed
You may also be experiencing loss this Ramadan, here are duas you can make for those that have passed.
5. Plan for your Zakat and Sadaqah
You can see if you are eligible to pay zakat and calculate your zakat here.
You may want to choose a specific date to pay your zakat or perhaps you want to spread it out over the last 10 days in the hope that one of those days lands on the night of power.
6. Talk to your employer
You may be working from home this Ramadan but you still need to have boundaries. It may be worth talking to your employer if you can about your hours in Ramadan to help you have a more intentional month. Small changes like not having early morning meetings or being able to be more flexible with deadlines can have a big effect on your energy!
7. Missing gatherings or away from family? Here’s How to host an iftar gathering online
By now you may have had more video calls than you ever have had in your life. Why not try a virtual iftar?
Here are some Amaliah short reads you could you could use: 5 Reasons To Understand Why We Are Tested, An Explainer On How Allah’s Rizq Works, The Problem Is You Think You Have Time
You could also make the gathering more specific, like a book club or Quran club where you go through a tafsir of a certain Surah over Ramadan or watch an online lecture and discuss it, Here’s how to start a book club.
8. Good Deeds
There are many ways in which you can carry out good deeds over the month and ways in which you can help to bring ease to those affected by COVID-19.
9. Plan for your period or if you aren’t fasting
While fasting is an important part of Ramadan, if you are exempt because of your period, pregnancy, sickness or other reasons, you can still benefit from Ramadan.
It can feel like you are “missing out” but here are 10 things you can still do if you aren’t fasting and/or praying:
We pray you all benefit from the goodness of Ramadan in this month and beyond!
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