Ramadhan Goals 2010/1431

Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu everyone!

Since it seems like a bunch of other bloggers have started discussing Ramadhan, I figured it was time for me to, as well. Like all other Muslims, I have goals for myself that I would like to accomplish during this Holy, Blessed Month of Ramadhan. This year, I have some added challenges, which could either bring great barakah or great problems.

Ramadhan starts in only 8 days, Insha'Allah. I return to college in 32 days. This means that I will be spending roughly two-thirds of Ramadhan in a place where I am forced to hide my beliefs. This means fasting without anyone finding out that I'm doing so; it also means no tarawih prayers, no fancy iftars, and no spending time with my brothers and sisters in Islam during the best month of the year. I am devastated by this, and quite frankly very fearful of how it will turn out. If my parents discover that I'm fasting, the cat will be out of the bag and hell will break loose; the only way for me to fast at all is to do it in secret. The fact that maghrib isn't until around 8:15 p.m. doesn't help either, as my family usually eats dinner together at 5:30.

I have literally been constructing a plan on what to do about this predicament for months; in March and April I signed up and applied for various summer programs that would keep me away from home during Ramadhan, and I either didn't get into them or had to decline because of financial reasons. Once summer came, I tried getting a full-time job and a job in the evening, but Alhamdulillah, I ended up with a part-time job during the day. Now I am looking for volunteer opportunities to do after work and on days that I'm not working. So far, Alhamdulillah, I have a couple volunteer jobs lined up (which will not only get me out of the house, but I will also consider it an act of sadaqa that I can do Insha'Allah). Also, Alhamdulillah, I found out that my parents and sister will be going out of town for two weekends during Ramadhan, during which I will have the house to myself and therefore the freedom to attend tarawih prayers, go to iftars/make my own, purchase halal meat, wear my khimar and jilbab everywhere, etc. Subhanallah, I am so thankful to ALLAH for giving me these opportunities, and Insha'Allah I will make full use of them.

So, given my situation and need to keep things on the down-low, I figured that this is a perfect opportunity for me to focus on the "upper levels" of fasting. It's relatively well-known that the Ramadhan fast applies to not only abstaining from food, drink, and sex, but also abstaining from lying, gossiping, or any "mean talk" about others. Frivolous activities that distract from dhikr and doing good deeds, such as listening to music, watching TV shows that you've seen a million times, etc. should be avoided. These things are all as important, if not more, than the physical fast, and Alhamdulillah are much less conspicuous. There are so many chances to gain blessings and get closer to ALLAH during Ramadhan, and I don't want to waste them.

So here it is:

1. Complete all my fasts (aside from when I have my period) and not break them unless I am absolutely forced to, like if my parents force me to eat something in front of them. This might not seem like a big deal, but unfortunately this year it is to me.

2. Read the entire English translation of the meaning of the Qur'an, one juz per day. This includes listening to the corresponding ayat in Arabic. On www.quranexplorer.com, you can listen to the Qur'an with an English translation of the meaning next to it, with the English highlighted as the corresponding Arabic is recited. This is one of my main goals; Ramadhan is, after all, the month of the Qur'an, and I wish to celebrate this greatest Gift that ALLAH has given to us.

3. Attend tarawih prayers whenever I can. Insha'Allah I will go when my parents are out of town, and Insha'Allah when I return to school I will go to prayers there.

4. Stay up for extra prayers on all potential dates of Laylat al-Qadr, i.e. the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th of Ramadhan.

5. Avoid music, except for non-instrumental nasheeds. Alhamdulillah, I have mostly eliminated non-halal music from my life as a means to get closer to ALLAH, but Insha'Allah I would like to be especially aware of this during Ramadhan.

6. Read more books about Islam. I have several books in my lineup, including "The Sealed Nectar" and "Stories of the Prophets".

7. Practice reading Arabic. I am currently reviewing the letters and sounds, so Insha'Allah I will soon try and start reading the Mushaf.

8. Always keep in mind: What Would Muhammad (saw) Do? Back in the 90s, there was a movement among many Christian youth called "What Would Jesus (as) Do?", which encouraged people to consider how Jesus (as) would act in certain situations (handy bracelets with WWJD? on them served as a reminder). Alhamdulillah, this can easily be applied to Prophet Muhammad (saw) as well. He has left us a complete sunnah for us to follow, and as ALLAH has said in the Qur'an, "Verily in the Messenger of ALLAH you have a good example for whoever hopes for ALLAH and the Last Day, and remembers ALLAH much." (33:21)

Insha'ALLAH, may ALLAH help me complete all these goals and more, and Insha'Allah I will draw closer to my Lord and your Lord, the Loving, the Merciful, the Protecting Friend, the One! Ameen!