SUMMARY: Key actions that Muslims can undertake during a hot summer to preserve and advance their mental, psychological, and spiritual state.
Summertime is typically a time when youth are out of school and want to relax and enjoy themselves. When summers are very hot or there is a heatwave, it is recommended that young people, especially children, spend more time indoors away from the heat and humidity. Being confined to the inside of the house for long periods of time is often frustrating and frustrating to children who want to play in the sun, ride their bikes and run around the park and teens who may want to play sports. But summer offers opportunities for Muslims to have fun and increase their iman through everyday activities and specific acts of ibadah. The key is that actions that are good for the mind are often good for our spiritual growth as well.
Qiyam al Layl – Night Prayers
"And rise at [the last] part of the night, offering additional prayers, so your Lord may raise you to a station of praise." (Quran, 17:79)
- Families can pray together during the late nights of summer. This increase in ibadah has the added benefit of enhancing iman and enriching family time
Memorize Quranic verses
"And We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?" (Quran, 54:40)
- Younger family members can try to memorize some of the shorter surah near the end of the Quran.
- Teens can reinforce their learning by helping younger siblings
- All family members can take an online course or view pre-recorded courses on platforms like YouTube.
Read – reflect
"Read, in the Name of your Lord Who created—" (Quran, 96:1)
- Reading, reciting and reflecting on the Quran is a mercy. When we read the holy Quran we are engaged with it and have time to reflect and ponder on its words.
- Families can have summer book reading activities that include stories in seerah, the lives of the prophets mentioned in the Quran or the life of prophet Muhammad, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him.
Remind ourselves to do good deeds
"Do you see the one who denies the reckoning? Who shuns the orphan, and forgets the hungry? Woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayers, those who show off, and withhold [even] small kindnesses." (Quran, 107: 1-7)
- Since children and teens have more time during the summer, this is a good time to reinforce the importance of doing good deeds.
- Helping each other with housework is a good deed. These simple but helpful tasks are in keeping with the life example of the prophet Muhammad (SAW) and should be encouraged. During the summer months children are less pressed for time due to school or other obligations, so this is an ideal opportunity to develop these habits.
Aisha bint Abi Bakr was asked what the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, used to do at home. She said, ‘He was in the service of his family. And when the time for prayer arrived, he went to prayer.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 676).
Do dawah
"And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, 'I am truly of the Muslims [those who submit to Allah]?'" (Quran, 41:33)
- Typically we think of dawah as an act of inviting other people to Islam, but it is also includes inviting other Muslims to gain a deeper understanding of the religion. This dawah can be between family members, extended family members, neighbors or friends.
Share a meal
"O you who have believed, eat from the good things which We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him that you worship." (Quran, 2:172)
- The beauty of Islam and the mercy of Allah is that small everyday good deeds are pleasing to Allah. Since there is more free time, there is more opportunity to enjoy the company of other people during the summer. These opportunities of spending time and sharing a meal with another help alleviate any boredom or loneliness. Summer cook-outs and popsicle parties are long American favorite summer pasttimes.
Umar ibn Khattab quoted the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, saying:
"Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is in the togetherness [Jamaah].’ (Sunan Ibn Majah 3287)
Play
Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him, would play with his stepdaughter, Zaynab bint Umm Salamah, saying, “O Zaynab! O Zaynab!” (Al-Ahadith al-Mukhtarah, 1580)
- We have no greater example of kindness and love towards children than the reported actions of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah send peace and blessings upon him.
- Naturally during extremely hot days or even during a heat wave playing inside the house or another cool place is preferred. This can range from arts and crafts, playing with toys, family games or even physical games like musical chairs.
- Families that play together tend to have strong ties and learn patience, sharing, fairness and care for each other.
Rest and take a nap
"O you who have believed, let those whom your right hands possess and those who have not reached puberty among you ask your permission [before entering] at three times: before the dawn prayer and when you put aside your clothing [for rest] at noon and after the night prayer; three times of privacy for you. Other than these times, there is no blame on you or them to move freely, attending to one another. This is how Allah makes the revelations clear to you, for Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise." (Quran, 24:58)
- Often people only focus on how this verse from Suratul Nur teaches the etiquette of modesty within the home. Yet all verses in the holy Quran contain layered information. Besides noting the modesty and privacy, we also see that Allah has made provisions for rest. During the summer months, the middle of day can be especially hot and coming inside from the heat and resting is a very healthy practice.
Author bio: Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen is the news curator and content manager for Muslim Network TV (MNTV) and contributing writer for Sound Vision. She holds a Master’s degree in English Writing and has worked as both a High School and College ESL Instructor and Writing Instructor for more than a decade. Mahasin has numerous published articles, books, essays and is a published playwright with three award winning stage plays. She is currently writing her dissertation for her doctoral degree.
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