Building Habits in Ramadan
The one month of the year wherein every Muslim globally knows the time for Maghrib - without fail.
Truly, it is something extremely powerful when you ask someone and they do not need check their phone or look up the sky.
They instinctively know, and will challenge you if you are a minute either side, I am definitely one of those individuals who fall into this category.
Ramadan brings about different feelings, emotions and experiences for each individual.
Personally, I view Ramadan as a way to further increase my connection to Islam and God, each Ramadan I set myself different goals, whether that be performing more Sunnah prayers, reading more Quran, giving more charity, going to the mosque more for Tarawihs or doing more duas. There is always something that can be improved.
From 2019 onwards, that’s when I started to set goals and become more intentional around the month itself - I always wanted to come out of Ramadan as a better Muslim and hold on to any new habits I had picked up during the month.
As Muslims we know that during Ramadan, the gates of hell are closed and the devils are locked away - which allows for greater focus and less distraction during the period of our fast.
Starting a new habit in Ramadan is one thing I recommend. We have ample time to focus due to less time spent eating and drinking, we often take additional holiday to increase our worship and we make more intentional decisions when it comes to avoiding things which can be harmful to us.
The hardest part in-fact is continuing on these habits post Ramadan. Going for Isha in the mosque for example post Ramadan seems so much more difficult than in Ramadan.
East London mosque and Regents Park Mosque. See if you can spot me (only in the left picture though).
Now, despite me not praying Isha in the mosque or perhaps continuing with every Sunnah (optional) prayer. I still notice the habits I built during Ramadan.
Quran: I continue to read Quran or listen to it pretty much every day, I chose to prioritise this and since 2019 this habit has stuck with me. Building up your threshold and keeping it realistic is important. 1 line, 1 verse, 1 chapter - whatever it is, this will then compound over time.
Fasting outside of Ramadan: This has brought me huge benefits, everyone says fasting during Ramadan brings mental and physical benefits, this equally applies even outside the month. The level of focus, clarity and attention you can dedicate to tasks when fasting certainly surges.
Giving more charity: Charity despite it ‘lowering your wealth’ - in fact it does increase it, the act of giving can boost happiness and well-being, leading to healthier habits and reduced stress, which can positively impact financial stability. When I give now, I feel like I've gained, not lost, and the money helps those who need it more.
Starting to build habits inside of Ramadan and continuing them outside the month creates a deeper connection and affiliation to Islam and God.
Writing about these experiences and lessons I have learnt, also puts it into perspective how much further I have progressed with my devotion to Islam, since 2019 say.
It’s an ongoing, evolving journey, but with the write habits and intentions in place the benefits will soon follow.
Leaving you with this verse from the Quran.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
Translation: O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you1—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺. (Surah Al’Baqarah, 2:183)
