Ramadan with all of its numerous
blessings presents the youth with some productivity challenges. One such
challenge is trying to maximise time while engaging in productive
activities that will bring the best rewards from this special month.
With these Ramadan activities, you will find simple ways of leveraging
fulfilling activities to help you grow spiritually, mentally, socially
and physically as a productive youth and leader in the Ummah.
”Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” [Qur'an: Chapter 23, Verse 115]
Are you a young Muslim looking to
optimise your days and nights in Ramadan? Would you like to invest in
young Muslims to help them attain success in this life and the next
through beneficial Ramadan activities? If your answer is yes, read on.
The following activities are meant to
help the youth bust the myth of free time often experienced in Ramadan.
In such times, they typically engage in idle play, for example, playing
games, browsing TV channels, reading novels, chatting mindlessly,
surfing the Internet, sleeping for long hours or eating from iftar time
for hours on end.
These Ramadan activities will help you
get through the month productively, utilising your time well and
multiplying your rewards continuously, In sha Allah. You will engage
your mind, body and soul. Begin with yourself, but also do not forget to
contribute to the well-being of the Ummah. Make every second count
because you never know if it could be your last Ramadan.
Spiritual Activities
- Assess your spiritual mindset and connection with Allah
from day to day. Commit to those acts that make you feel closer to Him
from Day 1 and drop those that make you feel disconnected or distant
from Him.
How:7 Spiritual Productivity Habits to Develop this Ramadan
- Begin the month of Ramadan with the correct intention of increasing your consciousness of Allah through your fasting.
How: Renew this intention each day as you wake up to a new Ramadan morning. “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” [Qur'an: Chapter 2, Verse 183] - Eat suhoor (the morning meal) before sunrise. Eat healthy meals in moderation for energy and strength. The Messenger
said: ”Eat suhoor (predawn meal). Surely, there is a blessing in suhoor.” [Bukhari]
How: The Ultimate 10 Step Suhoor Guide - Engage in i’tikaaf (private devotion) in the last 10 days of Ramadan. Aisha
related that the Prophet used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until he died and then his wives used to practise I’tikaf after him. [Bukhari].
How: I’tikaaf: A Spiritual Retreat - Engage in earnest and constant remembrance of Allah
with your heart, lips, tongue and words. Learn some adhkaar (words of
remembrance), especially the ones you should use regularly such as
morning and evening remembrances. Memorise them in Arabic and also learn
the meanings.
How: Dhikr for Extensive Reward - Make a lot of dua (supplications) in Ramadan. Implore Allah
in the early hours of the morning and at all other times when prayers
are accepted such as the last third of the night, while prostrating,
last hour of Friday and the final hour before breaking your fast. The
Prophet said: “Du’a is worship.” [Abu Dawud]
How: Ramadan Early Bird Series – Part 3 - Perform your five daily prayers on time and in congregation. Enter into your prayers in a state of submission and humility. “… Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.” [Qur'an: Chapter 4, Verse 103]
How: Khushu in Salah – Part 2 - Recite and memorise portions of the
Qur’an daily with passion and reflection. Immerse your heart into the
recitation and connect with the meanings. Harmonise the flow of your
memorisation with good recitation and reflect over the meanings. The
companions
were known to devote their time to reading the Qur’an during this blessed month. The Prophet
used to revise with Jibril and completed a cycle of recitation in
Ramadan. It is reported that he did it twice in the last Ramadan before
his death.
How: 8 Easy Steps to Recite the Entire Qur’an This Ramadan - Repeat the words of this special supplication ”Allahumma innaka ‘affuwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee”. Aisha asked the Prophet : “O
Messenger of Allah, what is your view if I know when the Night of
Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” to which he replied “Say: ‘O
Allah, indeed You are Pardoning [Generous]. You love pardon, so pardon
me’” [Tirmidhi].
- Seek Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
How: Laylatul Qadr Worship Plan to Maximise the Last 10 Nights of Ramadan - Travel for Umrah. ”Perform Umrah when Ramadan comes, for Umrah in Ramadan is equal to Hajj (in reward).” [Bukhari]
How: Hajj Tips Series – Part 1: Pre-Departure and Madinah - Perform voluntary prayers. “Whoever
stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in
hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Nasa'i]
How: What’s Your Morning Routine? - Give the gift of Qur’an.
How: Distribute copies of the Qur’an to colleagues, schools and da’wah groups. You can also donate to Qur’an publishing and educational projects.
Physical Activities
- Get some fresh air and daily dose of
exercise. You should take frequent walks to and fro the masjid, corner
shops and use the stairs where available so to stay physically and
mentally alert.
How: How You Can Incorporate Exercise Into Your Ramadan Routine - Prioritise with your personal care and
hygiene. Take of your body during the days and nights of fasting. Use
miswak, take a bath, change your clothes and keep your living
environment clean and tidy. Remember that cleanliness is part of faith.
How: 5 Steps to Develop the Habit of Miswak
Mental Activities
- Make a comprehensive ‘Goals checklist’
to help you focus on what you want to achieve in Ramadan. Be realistic
with your goals. Think about where you are right now and where you want
to get to by the end of Ramadan.
How: 6 Steps to Help Set Realistic Ramadan Goals and Stick to Them - Seek beneficial knowledge during Ramadan. Read books of tafseer, hadith and life story of the Prophet . You should also read books on the essentials of Ramadan, those giving an explanation of its excellence and benefits etc.
How: Reading the Qur’an Productively - Spend some time watching beneficial
television programmes such as those on Islam channel, Huda TV and
Ramadan TV. They should be programmes that will boost your faith and
spur you into action, rather just something to do just to pass time.
How: The YouTube Culture and Your Productivity - Enrol for a Ramadan course or lecture
series with your friends. Follow it through to completion, take action
on what you learn and share the gems of what you learn with others.
How: Ramadan Video Series - Summarise beneficial Ramadan lectures,
videos and resources. Convert them to suitable formats and share with
those who may have difficulty accessing relevant information from the
masjid, live lectures or online e.g. those who may be hearing or sight
impaired.
How: Ramadan Interview Series - Translate Ramadan articles and texts
from English language into other languages you are proficient at. Spread
those translations, so other language speakers could benefit.
How: Can You Volunteer Your Skills?
Social Activities
- Invite new Muslims for iftar in your
home. Be a good listener and offer support in any way you can. Remember
that the Muslim is the brother of a Muslim and enjoy a special bond for
the sake of Allah .
How: How to Organise a Productive Iftar Party - Distribute meals to the poor and needy. “He
who provides a fasting person something with which to break his fast,
will earn the same reward as the one who was observing the fast, without
diminishing in any way the reward of the latter.” [Tirmidhi]
How: Giving Sadaqah as a Family - Babysit for a friend or neighbour, so the sister may have time to recite the Qur’an or simply take a rest.
How: Increasing Productivity: Lesson 7 – Know Your Neighbour - Counsel a fellow Muslim who is going
through a difficult patch. Listen to his/her problems without being
judgmental. Try to connect her/him to Allah
and His glad tidings, as He is the One who responds to call of the
distressed especially in the Month of Mercy. Remember to protect your
fellow Muslim’s privacy and secret.
How: What’s Holding You Back From Effective Listening - Start a charity drive to collect items
of great need in your community (it could be food supplies, household
items, clothing etc.). Also remember to give charity everyday even if
with dates, water, fruits or milk. Give to those you know and those you
do not. Increase your generosity and sacrifice in this noble month.
How: Productive Ramadan Tip 13: Long-Term Charity - Create healthy meal plans for yourself
and family. Make good nutrition part of your Ramadan goal. Prepare your
meals in moderate portions, so they may drive your worship in Ramadan.
How: How To Plan A Ramadan Food Schedule - Create a Ramadan toolkit with your
friends, siblings or colleagues. Let everyone put in his/her favourite
Ramadan resources. You can also add beneficial ones as you come across
them. Meet every or 3-5 days (virtually or in person) to swap resources
and share your biggest gems.
How: Productive Ramadan Resources - Eid gifts galore! Put aside some money
or seek contributions and volunteers to buy and gift wrap little but
thoughtful Eid gifts for children, from orphans to young relatives. If
you have some extra money, buy or make gifts for your parents and
friends too.
How: Six Eid Gift Ideas for Children - Give da’wah at the community centre, hospitals and hospices with your friends.
How: Da’wah Series – Part 2 - Help out at home if you are living with
your parents. Relieve them of some cooking and cleaning, and encourage
them to increase their acts of worship.
How: Can Parents Influence Productivity - Help to reconcile those in conflict or
foster peace where it is lacking. It could be among friends, colleagues
or family members. Take a neutral stand, listen to both sides
objectively, and use wise words carefully to bring their hearts back
together. Make a lot of dua for Allah’s guidance.
How: [Productive Professionals] 9 Tips to Minimize Workplace Arguments - Join a da’wah team (like IERA)
if there is one close to where you live. Use this opportunity to call
those who are not yet Muslim, to Islam. Make it a duty to talk to
someone about Islam every day.
How: Dawah Series – Part 1 - Keep in touch with family members and
relatives, near or distant. You can send an SMS, make a phone or Skype
call, or send a letter or an email. Make it an opportunity to rebuild
the ties of kinship.
How: 9 Practical Tips to Rebuild Our Ties of Kinship this Ramadan - Invite Muslim brothers/sisters for
iftar. Eat together to foster spirit of brotherhood and love, and create
empathy for the poor and hungry.
How: 4 Steps Towards Faithful Friendship - Visit the sick and elderly in your
community, especially those without any family living close to them.
Take gifts to them and give words of encouragement to put a smile on
their face.
How: Productive Muslim Visits the Sick - Visit the orphans and spend time with
them. You can also donate to projects for orphans such as those in areas
of education or community development, or adopt an orphan.
How: Save an Orphan - Volunteer your time, knowledge and
skills at the local masjid or madrassah. Be generous with what you have
and open your hands wide. ‘‘If you offer up to God a goodly loan, He
will amply repay you for it, and will forgive your sins: for God is
ever responsive to gratitude, forbearing.’‘ [Qur'an: Chapter 64, Verse 17]
How: How to be a Productive Member of Your Masjid - Write to Muslim prisoners and their families with words of hope and inspiration.
How: Visit them if you can and give Ramadan reminders as well as advice on improving relationship with Allah. You can equally support charities for prisoners through raising awareness, donations or by volunteering. - Call local Islamic schools and ask if
they need volunteers to read to children, assist teachers or any other
duties. Invite your friends along and spend time contributing to the
education of the younger generation. You will get to observe firsthand
how children behave and learn.
How: Inspire Children to Gain Knowledge
Psychological Activities
- Build new habits and crush bad ones.
How: The Ramadan Guilt Trip – Here’s How to Beat It - Evaluate yourself every day. Make time
to self reflect and assess your daily activities, from intention, to
commitment and practice. Is your heart getting closer to Allah or more distant?
How: Productive Thinking Series – Part 7 - Journal
your Ramadan reflections; write down your thoughts, ideas, feelings,
personal growth and mindset using a notepad or buy a pre-made one.
How: Journal Writing Tips - Make time for sleep so you can get
sufficient rest to keep you alert and focused in all other acts of
worship. Whatever you do, take a break at the end of the day and nap
during the daytime for renewed energy. Take care so you do not
oversleep, missing out on many rewarding acts.
How: ProductiveMuslim Sleep Routine - Take a vacation just for Ramadan. Plan
ahead so you can take time off work to devote to extra worship. It could
be for the entire month or just a few days. You could also target the
opportunity of the last ten days of Ramadan as your vacation period.
How: The Last Sprint – Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated
Financial Activities
- Budget wisely. Use a simple potting method
to allocate money for your personal needs, home essentials and the
needy. However, do not spend beyond your means or borrow money to give
charity.
How: 8 Tips to be a Financially Sound Productive Muslim - Pay your zakat if it is due on your wealth. Nothing purifies wealth like zakat does.
How: 8 Basic Boo Boos When Paying Zakat Al-Fitr - Invest your wealth into an Islamic waqf (endowment).
How: Dr Abdul Rahman Al Sumait – A Legendary Productive Muslim - Donate to the building or renovation of a masjid.
How: Productive Fundraising - Become a social entrepreneur. Create
social value and impact by finding solutions to social problems in your
community or other communities in need, using an entrepreneurship model.
For example, providing clean water, housing solutions and medical
supplies etc. “Whoever removes a worldly grief from a believer,
Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Resurrection…
And Allah will aid His slave so long as he aids his brother.” [Nawawi]
How: Interview with Huzaifa Sial
That perceived leisure time is an
opportunity to reap the numerous blessings of Ramadan. The month allows
you to be guided in bringing about change within yourself, improve your
relationship with others and contribute to your community by taking part
in building an Ummah with a high Ramadan spirit.
As you eagerly anticipate the Ramadan
moon, browse through the activity list again and choose those with the
potential of changing your fasting experience. If you are ready commit
to those changes and reap the rewards of the special month, pray to
Allah to make you reach Ramadan in good health and sound mind.
to make you reach Ramadan in good health and sound mind.
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