Every year, three months before Ramadan starts, undoubtedly, there are Muslims who post on social media, “only one hundred more days until Ramadan!” with a sense of excitement and jubilation.  But when I see those posts, all I feel is stress and dread. That’s right. Dread. It sounds sacrilegious to even say it out loud.  But if I am being honest with myself and you, that is the truth.

That wasn’t always the case.  When I was younger, in high school and during college. I also could not wait for Ramadan.  In those days of only being responsible for myself and the days that I hardly missed a day of Taraweeh prayer session at the mosque, I also counted down the days until Ramadan.

Now being responsible for a family of six human beings (including myself), the thought of the sheer exhaustion due to the lack of energy associated with fasting and the nights spent in attempting extra prayer along with rising earlier than the rest of the family to prepare the suhoor meal leaves much to be desired.

One of the most difficult Ramadans I have ever experienced was in August of 2012. I was a mother of two very young children, aged three and one years old.  My husband was traveling to Chicago from Ann Arbor where we lived at the time; he was interviewing for jobs because we were in the midst of trying to move back to our city of origin.  I was parenting solo and working at a tertiary care hospital as a pediatric hospitalist.  I worked 12-hour shifts that were scattered between days and nights, keeping me in a perpetually dazed state similar to jet lag.  Those shifts were so busy that by the end of each one, we (pediatric hospitalists) would feel like taking a sledgehammer to the hospitalist phone because it would ring non-stop with new admission, transfer calls or calls to take care of existing patients.  So I braced for what was coming that Ramadan and I asked Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala (the Glorious and Exalted)- to just let me survive Ramadan.

Not only did I survive that Ramadan, despite the fact that my three year old also experienced his first complex febrile seizure which prompted a 911 call and a prolonged emergency room stay, but it really turned out to be a spiritually rejuvenating Ramadan.  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t think I made it to one Taraweeh prayer at a mosque that year.  But as we all know very well, spiritual rejuvenation is not constricted to a time or place.  It is however confined to one’s very intimate and personal relationship with her Creator.

For many, the excitement of Ramadan is attached to family, friends and feasting every night.  However, what I hope we learned from the Covid19 pandemic is that if we strive and pray and set our intentions, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala can still reward us with an enlightening experience that we can hold onto throughout the year.  I hope it also taught us to think about and be proactive in inviting the lonely, the newcomers (whether to this religion or to our city), and those less fortunate than we are, to share in our jovial iftars.

The lesson I learned from my August 2012 Ramadan and from the Covid19 Ramadans is one that I will take with me for the rest of my life: I can do hard things.  I know, it sounds like a mantra that you teach your young children when they don’t want to study for a test,  write that essay or clean up their room that looks like a tornado hit it.  But bear with me while I explain.

In no time outside of Ramadan would I expect to be able to abstain from food and drink for 14-16 hours while functioning at a mentally and physically exhausting job and at the same time, being able to have the emotional reserve to teach my three-year-old, he can’t throw things at his sister, nor the patience to change my one-year-old’s diaper. Yet, I managed to do this and I am sure you have managed difficult tasks during Ramadan too.  So give yourself grace if you have not achieved all of the goals you set for yourself in the beginning of Ramadan or if you feel like you are doing less than your peers or friends are.  At the end, Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala is going to reward you based on your intentions and your striving to get there.

Believing that I am capable of doing hard things like fasting and praying extra during Ramadan has taught me to push myself out of my comfort zone.  Therefore, every time I approach a task that feels daunting, I try to remind myself that if I can fast in Ramadan for a month, then I can do whatever task I set my mind to.  After all, isn’t that the point of Ramadan?!  Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala tells us in surat al Baqarah “Oh you who Believe, fasting was prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those who came before you so that you can attain God-consciousness (taqwa).”

Also, isn’t the basis of taqwa: mind over matter?!  Taqwa is letting your mind or your heart (wherever you believe faith resides) be in charge of your limbs.  Taqwa is what reigns you in from following your harmful desires.  Taqwa allows you to do hard things.   And once you know that about yourself and find something you are passionate about, you will undoubtedly be able to achieve great things.

So embrace Ramadan.  Even though it is hard.  Remember the hadith Qudsi “Fasting is for Me and I shall reward for it.”  Yes, we anticipate that reward in the Afterlife but the reward can also be in this world, in achieving lofty goals that can only be achieved when we convince ourselves that we can, in fact, do hard things!

About the Author:

Dr. Nour Akhras is a board-certified pediatric infectious diseases physician who has been working at a free-standing Women and Children’s Hospital in the suburbs of Chicago for the last decade. She holds a BA in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago and received her medical degree from Rush Medical College. She has traveled internationally, serving victims of war on multiple medical missions. Dr. Akhras has advocated for the rights of refugees by authoring op-eds in newspapers like USA Today and the Chicago Sun-Times and through speaking engagements including presenting at Washington DC’s National Press Club on the effects the violence of the Syrian war has had on the lives of Syrian women. She is a published author. She lives with her husband and four children and enjoys swimming, biking and watching her kids on their various basketball teams.

Instagram: and Twitter: nourakhrasmd

Facebook: Nour Akhras

The post Embracing Ramadan appeared first on World Hijab Day.

For me, Ramadan is a month of rahma (mercy) during which we fast from dawn to sunset, perform extra acts of ibadah, give to charity and feast over a beautifully spread ‘Ramzan Dasterkhwaan’ (food). It is a time to thrive in our community spirit where we invite one another and break our fast and pray together. Every Ramadan brings back memories of wonderful iftar times with family and a delectable buffet of dishes. Fruit chat (fruit salad), Rooh Afza Sherbet and pakoras (fritters) are my favorites!

Back in India, I filled myself with all of these at iftar time and then, struggled to keep my eyes open during Taraweeh salah (the recommended prayer in Ramadan).

I recall designing my Eid outfit and having it stitched by none other than the dressmaker, who was more in demand during Ramadan than the Imam (religious leader) of the mosque.

There was a special Ramadan bazaar, where people went after prayers, to buy desserts and breads. Those same people preferred to work at night while managing their prayers in between nap times during the day.

As I grew older and moved locations for education and employment purposes, my understanding of Ramadan evolved. It was the ‘dasterkhwaan’ which disappeared first, as finding something to eat while studying and fasting at the same time, became a priority. There was very little energy left to cook or plan a special spread. Sometimes, even that community spirit was missing. While working, the iftar spread was shrinking every year, though my brother and I supplemented it with special Ramadan delights from the neighborhood’s Muslim market.

When I moved to work abroad, the meaning of Ramadan changed dramatically; there was no family, no community and there were few people with whom I could share my iftar. The fasting hours were much longer; however, I still held onto the spirit of ‘dasterkhwaan’ by cooking for myself, while pampering the little girl within me. How did I fill the void inside of me?

Rather than the typical way of looking at Ramadan, I used the time to reflect. Even without my family, a sense of community, the necessity for Eid clothing or the time spent preparing meals for iftar, Ramadan was still Ramadan. What’s left is now and what’s gone is the Ramadan of my childhood, to which I kept subconsciously comparing my new Ramadan traditions. Regardless, I still have my lovely nostalgic memories, but they no longer control my Ramadan joy.

In my new equation of Ramadan and me for many years now, it has been improving: it has gone from some days of feeling burdened or tired during the long fasting hours and sometimes, missing out on socializing or traveling, to embracing that Allah doesn’t burden us with Ramadan; rather, Allah provides us with a lifestyle that teaches us discipline.

Although Ramadan is difficult for our nafs (self/psyche/ego), it nourishes our souls and hearts.

Overall, Ramadan is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve in a single month of fasting, abstinence and reflection; it is absolutely necessary for our spiritual growth to expand beyond the limitations of our minds.

If we can abstain from that which is halal for us, for long periods of time for a month, how difficult would it then be for us to abstain from that which is haram for the rest of the year…for the rest of our lives? To connect with our Creator, all we need to do is set an intention, pray and keep Ramadan in our hearts even when the month is over.

About the Author

Sana Khan is a Motivational Speaker, Writer and Coach. Moreover, Khan has attained her engineering degree from Shobhit Institute of Engineering and Technology (now a Deemed University) and Dr. APJ Abdul Kamal University (former UPTU) in India. She has an MA in International Business from EAE Business School in Barcelona Spain and UPC Catalunya, Spain. Khan has recently written a motivational eBook entitled, “Dreamcatcher Framework.” She has also co-authored a spiritual anthology called, “Pause and Pen.” When she is not reading or writing, she prefers to nature-walk or sip coffee with her husband and son in Belgium.

Website: www.talkwithsana.com
YouTube and Facebook @TalkwithSana
Instagram @Sanakrblogs

The post RAMADAN REFLECTION: THEN AND NOW appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Muslims around the world are excited when Ramadan begins, a month that celebrates the Quran and helps bring us closer to our Creator. Some of us use this month to adopt/maintain healthy lifestyles or to physically detox. In fact, fasting has become a trend in some European and American societies for the many health benefits that it entails. However, have you ever wondered how exactly our celebration of Ramadan helps shape our mindset?

Kathy McManus, Director of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said, “…intermittent fasting may have a beneficial effect on diet psychology for some people….The main goal is to develop a healthy eating pattern that is sustainable and can support weight loss over time. As of now, intermittent dieting has not been proved to meet this key criterion.”

Evidently, McManus refers to fasting and how it can benefit our “psychology” as well as help us develop a “healthy eating pattern.” However, during intermittent fasting, the consummation of fluids is common. But of course, as fasting Muslims, we are notallowed to consume fluids.

It’s a month of pure patience if we wish to achieve the full value of the fast that is intended for our Creator. Through spiritually connecting with our Creator, we also connect with ourselves and we replenish our souls of the following: jealousy, anger among other uncontrollable emotions. We also learn to understand gratitude and peace. We learn to give and the Prophet Muhammadﷺ, according to hadith,  was known to “be more generous than the fast wind.” That is how we develop a positive mindset.

Therefore, fasting holds such immeasurable powers within us that it shows us we can hold the discipline and patience necessary to achieve whatever we wish to achieve in our lives. We may have certain goals for example, praying on time and doing extra ibaddah (Arabic for worship): `A’ishah ضي الله عنه reported: “The Messenger ﷺ of Allah used to strive more in worship during Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he did in earlier part of the month.”

As a result, Ramadan helps us learn how much we devalue our time, thereby not utilizing it appropriately, to benefit us. Time is something that, once it is gone, it does not return to us; it’s ever-fading like sand from our fingertips. It’s slipping so fast that we are unable to catch it before it falls. According to Forbes, “Fasting is about stepping back from the preoccupations of the ego, breaking the power of habit and routine, and achieving soul-full moments.”

Let’s take the time we need during Ramadan to understand ourselves from within. We should ask ourselves questions like, “What are my strengths? What am I able to achieve other than the frying of the samosas and the constant food planning? What part of me, from within, can I take control of? How can I use this time to discipline my mind to achieve my goals in life?” Basically, we can do so much with the way we handle things, the attitude we bring to the table and especially the discipline that we bring to the table. Moreover, Allah does not deny the fasting person their deepest wishes so make dua after dua.

This Ramadan, let’s make the right changes within ourselves to achieve better versions of ourselves. The only person we should compete against is who we were yesterday. This brings us closer to our life goals, whether they be religious or personal.

According to Islamic hadith, every good action shall be multiplied by ten times its value, up to 700 times.

Exempt from fasting during Ramadan are: travelers, children who have not reached puberty, the elderly, those who are physically or mentally unable to fast, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

Help us raise awareness:

1. Donate to the World Hijab Day Organization this coming Ramadan. Your contributions will help our efforts to end hijab discrimination globally! One who gives alms during the month Ramadan will be multiplied in rewards to 10 until 700 folds. Don’t miss this opportunity! Donate here.

2. #FastForUnity: Fast for a day, two, ten or all 30 with Muslims to experience how Muslims fast and go on a spiritual journey of self-reflection and self-discipline.

3. #Hijab30: Wear the hijab for 30 days in Ramadan to take a stand to end discrimination against women in hijab and respect individual choices.

4. #HearOurHistory: May is “International Muslim History Month.” Take this opportunity to learn more about Muslim men and women from the Golden Age up until now, who have shaped humanity as we know it.

Tag us @worldhijabday

About the Author

Musart Ellaahi was born in Pakistan and raised in the UK. She is a mindset coach, an award-winning motivational speaker and TV host, and a published author. She most recently collected stories of inspirational Muslims worldwide and compiled them into a book titled, “Your Story with Musart.” Her debut novel is “Elaynna.”

Instagram @Musart_Ellaahi

Website www.musartellaahi.com

The post Fasting is Proven to Benefit Our Mindset appeared first on World Hijab Day.