The excitement and buildup to Ramadan is visible online and offline this week - Khutbas, messages, articles, guides, plans being made, schedules being adjusted - all of this is in the works as we gear up for the most wonderful time of the year.
However, around the world, our brokenness as human beings is still on display, with no end in sight: ongoing genocides in Gaza and Burma; horrific violence in Sudan; a fake ceasefire in which Israel continues to kill Palestinians with impunity; the nauseating injustice, abuse, immorality, and vulgarity of the Epstein files. Human civilization looks so naked, stripped of humanity, and instead, full of Dhulm - injustice and exploitation.
Amid such brokenness, we seek the blessings of God Almighty to enrich ourselves with Taqwa (God-consciousness) to protect ourselves and to move forward with Shukr (gratefulness to God).
You who believe, you are responsible for yourselves; if anyone else goes astray it will not harm you so long as you follow the guidance; you will all return to God, and He will make you realize what you have done. Quran 5:105
Thinking Points
- Ramadan is a time to step away from our normal routine and reflect on our lives. To think about our purpose and mission, made clear in the Quran: to worship God in the broadest sense of the word (Quran 51:56).
- We need to approach Ramadan with the intention of building our Taqwa (God-consciousness), as this is the purpose of the blessed month (Quran 2:183). Renew your intention to do this.
- America being the richest in its history, what can we do to learn to share more and consume less. What can we do to reduce wastefulness in our country which wastes 30% of all food?
- Ramadan is a reset and a time to assess what is working and what is not in our relationship with Allah and everyone else after that. How are we interacting with our family members? Friends? Co-workers? Neighbors? So many important questions to ask during Ramadan.
- This Ramadan comes in the 1,500th year of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. Which of his success strategies can we adopt in our lives starting this Ramadan?
- Ramadan is a prime time for giving and generosity! Can we ensure to divide our Sadaqat (charity) and Zakat equally into the following five causes: relief, local Masjid/Islamic center, social services, youth development, and civic engagement?
- Despite anti-Muslim bias found in the media, many journalists are looking for genuine Muslim stories. How can you showcase the beauty of diversity, unity, cuisine, and culture to the wider public? How can you humanize Islam and Muslims in a world that thrives on dehumanizing and demonizing minorities?’
- This is a federal election year. How can Ramadan be used strategically to galvanize the Muslim community to vote and volunteer for campaigns? How can you promote civic engagement in your community in this action-packed month?
Talking Points
- Talk to others about Ramadan: Not just your family, friends, and neighbors who are not Muslim, but those who are Muslim as well. Because there are Muslims who, for whatever reason, feel far from Islam. That is how we will end up practicing the first pillar of Islam, the Shahada.
- Offering the greeting of “Ramadan Mubarak!” or “Ramadan Kareem!” via text, WhatsApp, or even a snail mail card is a reminder, and one that can help them re-connect with God during this most blessed month.
Action Points
- Make time for Ramadan. Whether that means working overtime this week so you can get the last 10 days of Ramadan off, cutting out late night socializing so you can attend Taraweeh, or deleting apps that encourage brain rot instead of closeness to Allah.
- While you are cutting time waste, expand that to reducing waste in other areas, specifically food, water, and energy.
- Commit to a simpler and greener Ramadan.
Set goals. Goals give you a concrete target to aim for, and allow you to measure how far you have moved ahead as Ramadan progresses. - Ramadan is the month of the Quran. Reconnect with Allah’s Word through reading, recital, memorization, and most importantly, reflection.
- Reach out to the Imam of your Masjid or Islamic center and suggest some Ramadan-related topics for Khutbas (Friday sermons). Identify two bad habits to give up through this spiritual bootcamp.
- Parents should give priority to getting organized for Ramadan, and making this blessed month special for kids, as it is an ideal time for Tarbiya (upbringing and training).
- Do not forget single Muslims. Reach out and include them this Ramadan by breaking fast with them, attending Tawarweeh together, and connecting.
- Similarly, if you are a single Muslim, Ramadan may be difficult, but make the effort to stay connected to family and community.
- Thoughtful spending. We must continue to share God’s blessing with people around the world. But as one IRS 990 form disclosed, one Muslim charity gave one-fourth of all funds raised for Gaza by an influencer to him. So, give but do your due diligence.
- Make Dua (supplication) - alone, with family, and together. Include the entire Ummah which is struggling for freedom, justice, and Islam.
