Be Honest with Yourself

You don’t have to be super mom and you’re not a robot. Tell yourself you are Allah’s humble servant. Remember that daily and tend to your list with sincerity. Most importantly is that deeds are done to please Allah and Allah alone.

If you find tasks are overwhelming, then you may lose your sense of sincerity along the way.

Religion is not meant to be a burden until it turns hearts blind, but it should be an honor and hardship enough to open hearts to more good deeds.

Juggling children and religious obligations may not always be easy, but they don’t have to be exclusive.

Try to include your children in your Ibadah, like reading short verses to them or reading the Seerah together.

Get into neighborhood recycling projects or visit orphanages with other families.

For indoor activities with the children, plan maybe a small activity a day that everyone can do together, and then let the kids play as they usually would.

Explain though, that it is during Ramadan that we can learn to be extra neat, so they learn how to tidy up throughout the day.

If you have outside activities, pick and choose those that don’t cause burn out. Plan outings that are close by and don’t require too much energy. Pack easy snacks for the little ones who are not fasting to make your trips a little easier.

Increase your Sincerity with Existing Deeds

“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah (being) sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah (poor due). And that is the correct religion.”(The Holy Qur’an: 98:5)

Allah also says:

“Say (O Muhammad): ‘Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allah (being) sincere to Him in religion.'” (The Holy Qur’an: 39:11)

All deeds need to be done with sincerity. Every change needs to be done for Allah alone.

Renew your intentions every day to please Allah. The merits of good deeds are compounded in multi-fold during Ramadan.

Even the mundane chores like sweeping the floor and folding the laundry contribute to one’s good deeds. Keeping them up and lively during Ramadan by remembering the blessings of Allah is a great way to reap the benefits of the month.

While doing that, try to dilute distractions that could cause you from concentrating on your intentions.

Ramadan is the best time to develop holistically, so if the television is causing you to waste time, switch it off and do something more beneficial.

If you have a habit of checking in on Facebook three times a day, check it only once, mostly for the important updates.

The Best Deeds are the Consistent Ones

Lady A’isha narrates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Perform your deeds properly and in moderation, and know that one’s deeds will not cause any one of you to enter Heaven, and that the most beloved of actions to Allah are the most consistent ones even if little in amount.” (Bukhari)

Remember that the best deeds are those that are consistent. Reading a page of the Qur’an a day may not feel as rewarding as reading an entire Juz’ a day, but as long as a page a day works, and is kept consistent, there are plenty of blessings in that, too.

Remember…

“I am as my slave thinks of me and I am with him whenever he remembers me.” (Hadith Qudsi).

Praise Allah throughout the day. Keeping Allah in remembrance curbs us from being distracted.

While you’re tidying up, while you’re consoling the toddler, while you’re sewing a button.

Remember Allah, for He will remember you and He will acknowledge everything you’ve done throughout Ramadan, even the smallest deed, like smiling at your husband.

Ramadan is that month for an iman surge, but it is easy to get overwhelmed at the same time.

Plan, plan, plan and be honest with yourself.

Be honest with your sincerity and be honest with your capacity.

Although many mothers are bogged down with daily schedules, it doesn’t mean you have to forgo the entire month of burn out due to an early adrenaline rush.

Anyone can have their ultimate Ramadan wish list; it just takes a little planning, and a lot of prayers.

 

First Published: June 2014

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