“One month before Ramadan!” said my 13-year-old daughter and I started to look at decor inspiration. This year, because I have a newborn, I let her decide how she wanted to decorate with the help of her 6-year-old sister. We spent days planning and looking and on the Sunday before Ramadan, we were finished with the decorating.

I often wonder why I decorate and why I make such a big fuss over it. I do it because it’s such an amazing month. We are so excited when it arrives. The thought of wasting any second on this blessed month hurts the heart. My friends and I use the term, “purify your intentions” and some may not understand it, some may even find the term offensive. (I said it to someone once and they got very upset). What we mean by this is, “Check your intentions so that whatever you do, you are doing it for Allâh’s sake.” It is important to say this and do this consciously, with your heart and mind, aiming to be rewarded by Allâh.

Moreover, it is a challenge when so much we do is lacking real thought or reflection when Islam has clear reminders. We could reflect for the sake of our children; we could do it to motivate others, we could do it because it looks good, enhancing the beauty of the holiday. In all of these cases, we get what we often intended – the satisfaction of others, but we need to remember it’s for Allâh.

During Ramadan, I consciously remind myself to check and to purify my intention. When I’m cooking, I would say, “Allah, reward me for preparing iftar for the ones fasting.” When I give iftar to someone, I’d say, “Allah, reward me for giving others food.” So this became my first Ramadan goal!

This year, in particular, I took photographs of my children in celebration of Ramadan and shared it with family and friends. I want them to really understand how special Ramadan is and can always be. May Allah bless my children, Ameen.

Then, it made me think of the “evil eye,” some may call it “nazar” or “ayn.” It is when someone sees your endowment or even hears about it and has a bad intention as a result: Ibn Abbas reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The evil eye is real. If anything could precede the divine decree, it would be preceded by the evil eye. When you are asked to perform a ritual bath, then do so” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2188).

My third Ramadan goal is to recite a du^â’ every morning and evening, praying to Allah for the protection of my children and my husband. The du^â’ is: “Allaahumma das-sultaani l’Adheem. Wa manni Qadeem. Dar-RaHmati Kareem. Waliya lkalimaati taammaat. Wad dawaati mustajaabaat. Aafiyy (name or names of the individuals praying for) min anfusi ljinni wa l’ayooni l’Ins.” In Arabic, it is:

دعاء للحفظ من الحسد ومن العين

اللهم ذا السلطانِ العظيم

والمَنّ ِ القديم

ذا الرحمةِ الكريم

وَلِيَّ الكلماتِ التاماتِ والدعواتِ المستجاباتِ عافني

مِن أنفُسِ الجنّ وأعينِ الإنس.

٣ مرات صباحا ومساء

My fourth Ramadan goal is to give charity everyday of even £5 so that we are rewarded for every day we give rather than giving a big sum on one specific day, but also to give on Laylatul Qadr. We do not know which day it may fall, therefore by giving it every day, you can guarantee you will give it on Laylatul Qadr and what better day to do than on this day!

Lastly, my final Ramadan goal is to finish my housework one hour before iftar and make a long du^â.’ It is said that the du^â’made on this last hour of fast is most likely to be accepted so how can we miss this opportunity?!

I hope my goals have helped you, slightly, if so make du^â’ for me. And Allâh knows best.

About the Author:

Hafizah Choudhury was born and raised in UK, Birmingham. She is married with two beautiful daughters and a son. She is a secondary school science teacher in Wiltshire, UK in a small town called, Calne. In her spare time Hafizah tutors science, including Chemistry A level and she has passion for teaching and learning Islamic studies. She really enjoys singing and was part of a nasheed band back in Birmingham, and looking to start a nasheed band in Wiltshire.

@hufayzah

The post My Five Ramadan Goals appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Ramadan is a month of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion to Allah subhanahu wa Ta’ala. During this time, we fast from dawn until dusk, abstaining from food, drink, and other pleasures. Preparing your kitchen for Ramadan is essential to ensure a smooth and successful fasting month. A well-organized kitchen will not only make meal preparation easier but will also help you stay focused on your spiritual goals.

Over the years, I have mastered the art of spending less time in the kitchen and more time on other rewarding acts of worship. Here are some useful tips for getting your kitchen ready for Ramadan, which will help you make the most of this holy month:

1. Deep-clean your kitchen.

Make sure the kitchen is spotless by deep-cleaning all surfaces, including the floor, windows, cabinets, fridge, stove, and other dirty gadgets. You don’t want to be going through the stress of cleaning while you’re fasting. If you are unable to do a thorough cleaning before Ramadan, make it a priority during the first week to ensure a clean and organized kitchen for meal preparation. A clean kitchen will not only make your Ramadan better, but it will also contribute to a hygienic and healthy environment.

2. Declutter your pantry.

Dispose of those items cluttered around your pantry (especially plastic bags and containers). Seriously, if you haven’t used them in the past year, you probably don’t need them anymore! Clutter-free pantries make meal preparation and grocery shopping easier. It can also help you identify goods you need to refill.

3. Create a meal plan.

Create a meal plan or reshuffle the old one. Take suggestions from every member of the family. Be sure to incorporate healthy foods and stick to the plan as much as possible. Thinking about what to eat is a stressful exercise on its own.

4. Buy foodstuffs in bulk.

If you can afford to do so, buy foodstuffs in bulk. You should avoid running out of grains, oils, spices, and other essentials. Get lots of dates and keep them safely; remember that it’s sunnah to break your fast with odd numbers of dates. You can reduce your weekly shopping to once or twice in Ramadan—one in the middle and one just before Eid (especially if you need to top up for Zakat ul Fitr). Grocery shopping while fasting can be very stressful.

5. Work Smarter

Invest in a good smoothie maker, juicer, or blender for making yummy fruit drinks. This will help you ditch soft drinks throughout Ramadan and enjoy healthy refreshments instead.

6. Dehydrated proteins are lifesavers!

Dry-sea foods can be a lifesaver, especially if electricity is not stable in your area. Get your dry sea foods from your favorite African or Asian stores. This is an essential tip for those who are fasting in areas with poor electricity.

7. Stock up on dried peppers and tomato paste.

Dried peppers and tomato paste are also essential. You can buy them or make them yourself and stock them in your pantry. These ingredients are essential for many recipes and can help you make meal preparation faster and more convenient.

8. Batch cook and freeze your fresh pepper, onion, and tomato blend.

Preparing a fresh pepper, onion, and tomato blend is a time-consuming task. However, you can save time and energy by batch-cooking this blend and freezing it for later use. For those who like the taste of freshly cooked soups, all you need to do is thaw the pepper and add your oil, proteins, and spices. The soup is done in 15 minutes! If you don’t mind freezing the finished soup in bulk, that’s even more time-saving!

9. Remember that Ramadan is for fasting, not for feasting.

So, it’s okay if you don’t make any special changes to your kitchen or stock any additional food in your pantry. It’s also okay if you continue to follow your normal routine: suhoor is just like early breakfast, and iftar is like dinner. Also, normalize eating leftovers from iftar for suhoor. Avoid wasting food, for Allah (SWT) does not like those who are wasteful.

10. Plan ahead for iftar gatherings.

If you will be having family and friends over for iftar gatherings, plan ahead and keep it simple. You don’t want to be overwhelmed by a large volume of cooking. Consider hiring a helper if it is within your means, or opt for disposable utensils for added convenience. If your guests offer to help with the cooking or cleaning, let them! You can maximize your time and completely enjoy the company of your loved ones during this special time by being proactive and organized.

To sum up, getting your kitchen ready for Ramadan is an essential part of observing this holy month. You can make the most of this spiritual journey by stocking up on essentials, planning your meals, organizing your kitchen, cooking healthy meals, and staying hydrated. By ensuring that your kitchen is well-equipped, you will not only find it easier to prepare meals, but you will also be better able to concentrate on your spiritual goals throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

© Khadijah Tijani

About The Author:

Khadijah Tijani is a Nigerian medical doctor, a creative blogger, and a published author. She grew up in Ibadan, Oyo State, and graduated from the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan in 2009. After five years of practice in Nigeria, she relocated to Saudi Arabia where she worked as a resident physician in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Known as “Doctor KT,” Tijani is a women’s health advocate and a prolific health blogger for her own blog, www.askdoctorkt.com. She also runs an online platform, known as “Breastfeeding Support Lounge,” where she supports mothers towards achieving their breastfeeding goals.

Twitter @askdoctorkt

Instagram @askdoctorkt@gmail.com

The post 10 Essential Tips to Prepare Your Kitchen for Ramadan appeared first on World Hijab Day.