If you’re having trouble choosing that one goal you want to achieve this Ramadan, then here are fifteen possible goals you could set to give you an idea of what’s possible. While you can absolutely do more than one, the idea is not to overwhelm yourself, because whichever goal you pick, the idea is to continue with it beyond Ramadan.

1- Memorize your favourite Sura
2- Recite Surat-ul Mulk every night before bed
3- Pray Rak’atanil Fajr (the two Sunna Rak’ats before Salat-ul Fajr)
4- Pray Salat-ul Duha
5- Pray the four (2 + 2) Sunna Rak’ats before Salat-ul Zuhr
6- Pray the two Sunna Rak’ats after Salat-ul Zuhr
7- Pray the four (2 + 2) Sunna Rak’ats before Salat-ul Asr
8- Pray the two Sunna Rak’ats after Salat-ul Magrib
9- Learn five new Rabbana Dua’s to incorporate into your after Salat Duas
10- Learn and start practicing the Dua’s for waking up and sleeping
11- Stop arguing even when you are right
12- Make it a habit to say one positive thing that is not a greeting to everyone you meet
13- Make Dhikr become second nature
14- Actively seek to make someone’s life better
15- When you find yourself having a negative conversation about someone, stop, change the topic or remember and say something positive about them instead

1- MEMORIZE YOUR FAVORITE SURA

Learning a new Sura often seems daunting, but it is easier than you think. As children learning the Quran was easy and fun, simply learn like children do and it will be easy and fun for you two. The tricks are simple; all you need to do is listen, repeat, listen, repeat, listen, repeat. You get the picture. What I like to do is put the Sura I want to memorize on a loop on my phone so that when I’m driving in the car or doing something in the Kitchen it’s playing in the background. That way I get to hear it with the right pronunciations and intonations. The second benefit is that it gets stuck in my subconscious like those annoying songs on the radio you can’t shake, the same thing happens when you listen to the same Sura over and over again. You’ll find yourself reciting random verses because you like the way they sound, or the way the reciter recited them.

The second trick I use is to choose the verses I want to learn first, depending on the length of the verse it could be anywhere from 3 to 4. Then I recite them over and over and over, usually with the meaning, as this helps me connect the dots. Then I don’t stop until I feel confident that I have fairly gotten them.

The third trick which I think of as the test drive is when I recite those verses in Salat. From then on, I recite them in every Raka’at of every prayer. This is when I know whether I have memorized them or not, and if I have, it helps seal them into my brain.

That’s it, once I feel confident with the verses I’ve learnt, I add another set, and I keep going. Each time in prayer I do all of them, so I don’t forget the previous ones I’ve learnt.

The final tip I have for you is this awesome app called Quran Companion that helps with memorization by keeping track of the verses you’ve memorized and providing you with daily prompts and reminders.

2- RECITE SURAT-UL MULK EVERY NIGHT BEFORE BED

Surat-ul Mulk is a special Sura in that it is said to intercede on behalf of the reciter on the day of Judgement until its reciter is forgiven by Allah. It is also said to serve as a protection from the punishment of the grave. Click here to read more about the benefits of reciting Surat-ul Mulk. Knowing all this, you would think every Muslim would recite it every night religiously. Unfortunately, life happens, we make excuses and the opportunities keep passing us by. So this Ramadan if you choose this goal and retain it beyond the blessed month then you would have achieved something incredible.

Pick a certain time to recite it, set an alarm if you must and make sure you read it. You can read it on your phone, your tablet or on a physical Quran. If you have memorized it then you can simply recite it to yourself before going to bed. The key is to remain consistent with the time so it becomes an ingrained habit that you will automatically feel incomplete without doing.

3-PRAY RAKA’ATANIL FAJR (THE TWO SUNNA RAKA’ATS BEFORE SALAT-UL FAJR)

The Blessed Prophet was reported to have said that Salat-ul Fajr is worth more than the whole world and everything in it. I am still trying to comprehend that statement. It would be an absolute tragedy to miss out on gaining something so valuable. So if, you have been content to simply pray all your Fard or obligatory Salat and feel like you will start doing the Sunna Raka’ats in the future, the future is now. Even if these two Raka’ats before Fajr are the only Sunna Raka’ats you ever do, then you would have succeeded.

These two Sunna Raka’ats are considered so important that you are even allowed to pray them after Salat-ul Fajr if you missed praying them beforehand. By ensuring that you pray them every morning either before or after Salat-ul Fajr, they will become a habit in no time. Click here and here to learn more about the value of these two Sunna Raka’ats.

4-PRAY SALAT-UL DUHA

Asides Raka’atanil Fajr and Shafi’ and Witr, Salat-ul Duha is perhaps the most valuable Sunna Prayer as praying it once the sun has risen after being seated since Salat-ul Fajr earns one the reward for performing Hajj or Umrah. This prayer is also known as the prayer of the Tawwabeen, or the prayer of the penitent. So even if you can’t remain seated after Salat-ul Fajr, incorporating it into your daily routine will earn you great rewards. Its time begins after sunrise and ends about fifteen minutes before Salat-ul Dhuhr.

Again, the best strategy is to pick a fixed time and stick to it. If the early morning time is too hard for you then commit to making it to the Masjid early enough before Dhuhr that you can pray it. Just tell yourself you’re going for Umrah or Hajj every day; that should serve as a great motivator! Click here to read more of the benefits of praying Salat-ul Duha.

5 – 8 PRAY OTHER SUNNA PRAYERS

While the Sunna prayer for Raka’atanil Fajr is the most important of all the Sunna prayers, all the others are very valuable as well. The second most important Sunna prayers are Shafi’ and Witr. However, I did not add them to the list as in Ramadan we pray them during Jami’ prayers after Tarawih and so the only way you can incorporate them into your daily routine is by starting to perform them after Ramadan. So while I don’t mention them in this list which is Ramadan specific, do not underestimate their importance. The person who prays Shafi’ and Witr is rewarded as if they had stayed up the whole night praying.

The reason I separated each Sunna Salat as a separate item is because the aim is to pick only one thing to aspire to achieve by the end of Ramadan. Offcourse if you feel able to add them all, then by all means, go ahead! However, the danger in trying to do too much at once, is that you may fail, become overwhelmed and give up. Also, the idea is not to just to perform the desired goal in Ramadan, but to retain it beyond the blessed month.

So pick the Sunna Prayer that’s best for you and work on it. I find that the Sunna prayers after Salat are easiest for me because immediately I finish the Fard or Obligatory Prayer I get up and perform the Sunna. To the point that it has become so ingrained, that I occasionally forget and get up after Salat-ul Asr to perform a Sunna prayer (Oops!). The key is to take theses thirty days and get your mind and body used to performing these Sunna prayers that after Ramadan you won’t need to think about whether you should do them or not, you will simply find yourself doing them. Much like the Tahiyat-ul Masjid (The two Rak’ats you are required to perform upon entering the Masjid before you sit down.), you will find you are unable to sit down in a Masjid until you perform the two Rak’ats.

In sha Allah,there will be more tips and details about the rest of the ideas on the list in Part 2. Meanwhile, if you have any other ideas, please share them in the comments section. Till then, may the peace and blessings of Allah be with you.

Nusrah

If you’re like me, you look forward to it with a mixture of excitement, hope and unvoiced fear. Fear that the hours will be too long, that the hunger will be unbearable and the thirst excruciating. Fortunately the excitement and hope outweigh the fear. I am excited about Tarawih prayers, about family Iftars and about the prospect of Eid. Hopeful that this year, this Ramadan we will all finally become enlightened and shed our baser selves. Hopeful also, that this will be our best Ramadan Ever!

While I can’t make you any promises of the type of Ramadan you will have, I can tell you the one thing you absolutely must do this Ramadan. Don’t worry, I’m not going to tell you to stay up all night reciting the Quran, or to give out Sadaqah every day, though you probably should. Nor will I ask you to do anything particularly hard. All I ask is that you do this one thing:

Pick one thing you want to achieve this Ramadan

Pick one thing you want to achieve this Ramadan, whether it’s a Sura you want to memorize or a Nawafil you want to incorporate into your daily routine. It can be simple, or it can be difficult, but it should be just one thing. Decide whether it’s Shafi’ and Witr prayers that you want to start performing after Salat-ul Isha. Whether you want to finally start reciting Surat-ul Mulk before bed or memorize Surat-ul Yaseen. Maybe it’s the dua to recite before sleeping, before entering the masjid, or when visiting the sick that you want to absorb. Perhaps you have been meaning to learn all the rituals for performing pilgrimage. Or you simply want to become better at connecting with your family. The options are endless and the best part is, no matter what you pick as long as you pick one thing, you can achieve it in thirty days, In Sha Allah.

The most important things are that:

1- You choose something that is important to you;
2- You pick only 1 thing;
3- You create an action plan; and
4- You commit to your choice beyond Ramadan.

1. Pick Something That Matters To You

By choosing something that matters to you, you will be more likely to stick with it even when the going gets tough and the hunger strikes.

2. Pick Only One Thing

It’s important to keep your choice to one thing and one thing only. Because it’s Ramadan and we’re juggling thirst and hunger with our regular activities like work, school and family, overwhelming ourselves with unrealistic expectations will make us more likely to quit. Instead, by choosing one simple goal, we can find the strength and resolve within ourselves to keep going.

3. Create an Action Plan

Break down your goal into achievable steps. For example if you want to memorize Surat-ul Yaseen which has 83 verses if you split that into 30 days you would need to memorize at least 3 verses per day in order to memorize it completely by the end of Ramadan. However, some days you may have visitors, a demanding work day, or unexpected events that prevent you from achieving those 3 verses. So in order to make up for the unforeseen, it would be safer to memorize 5 verses per day so that even if you skip one or two days, you will still make your target.

Use apps where possible; for example, there is a great app called Quran Companion that helps with memorization by keeping track of the verses you’ve memorized and providing you with daily prompts and reminders. The goal is to simplify the steps towards achieving your goal so that all you need do is execute.

4. Commit To Your Choice Beyond Ramadan

When you choose your goal, give yourselves all the reasons you want to achieve it. Write those reasons down so that as Ramadan progresses, should you ever feel like you’ve lost your way, look at the reasons again and re-commit to your goal.

The best part is that by focusing your mind on this one goal and taking steps to achieve it every day, within thirty days not only should you complete it, but it should also become a habit. This ensures that your goal stays with you beyond Ramadan and for the rest of your life.

Good luck!
Nusrah

(If you’re having trouble picking a goal, keep an eye out for my next post In Sha Allah where I suggest 15 ideas for your Ramadan goal.)

1. Yellow Tweed

This Emirati brand has long been a favorite of mine and I must say they don’t disappoint. I love this Tweed Abaya for the color contrast, for the texture and for the cut and drape. This Abaya would command respect in the Board Room, be stylish at the Library and look perfect in School. And lets not forget the best part, it would keep you warm and toasty!

2. Queen of the North

The instant I saw this abaya I got visions of scenes from Game of Thrones or any other viking or olden days epic where people needed to sit in front of a roaring fire to keep warm. With tempretures expected to drop to around 12 degrees in places like Sokoto and Kano, pretty soon, this Abaya won’t just be stylish it will also be highly functional.

3. Royally Blue

My favorite color in 2014 was blue in all its shades; whether teal or turquoise and especially royal blue! If anything, that love affair only intensified in 2016 which is why I adore the snippets of blue in this Abaya. I think it elevates the design and complements beautifully the grey tweed.

4. City Safari

I think the New Yorker in me will always be drawn to grey and black. There’s something so effortless, timeless and classic about those colors that its easy to see why its the New York uniform. This camel-grey Abaya shows that it’s not afraid of color, while still being muted enough for regular wear. Its sophisticated coloring and draping makes it a must have item.

5. Queen Bee

Is it just me or does this Abaya remind you of Gossip Girl? It feels like this abaya is channelling Blair Waldorf while deconstructing and ‘modestifying‘ classic preppy school uniforms. I love the details like the white piping, the pocket flaps and the contrasting colors.

I’ve always been afraid to make a promise. I’m not sure exactly when that fear started but I remember even as a child thinking that nothing could be worse than making a promise to Allah and not being able to keep it. It could have been while listening to stories of the Caliphs or while learning about the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW, I don’t remember precisely which story instilled that fear in me; I simply remember how it has shaped my life. I don’t make promises because I am fearful of being unable to keep them. I marvel at the people who swear “Wallahi” or “By Allah” with every other word and in every sentence without any provocation. What if you’re wrong, I wonder, what if you got some details wrong? What then?

I also remember with great trepidation reading that if you tell a lie 3 times, the Angels will witness that you are a liar and you will henceforth be known to them as a liar! What can be worse than having the hosts of heaven consider you a liar?

The very definition of a gentleman is someone who does what he says he will do.

These two things made such an impact on me that I do not make promises and take my word very seriously. If I tell you I will do something then internally I consider it as a promise and do everything in my power to ensure that I do it. But to make a promise to you is something I do only with the utmost sincerity and I can remember making less than five promises in my life. Either in situations where I had already done something and was assuring someone that I had taken care of it and they shouldn’t worry or when I was 99.9% sure I would be able to keep the promise. But rarely do I come out and say I promise because the moment those words are out, I can’t take them back and instead must carry them as a burden that I cannot put down until I make that promise a reality.

When I look at people today who have no issues swearing up and down, even when sometimes you know they are wrong or when they seem to have no regard for the words that come out of their mouths it makes me really sad. If you cannot trust someone to do what they say they will do, then is there any point conversing with them? Do their words have any meaning and by extension their actions? Each time someone tells me that they will do something, no matter how trivial, when they do not do it, I feel let down, like my faith in humanity has been shaken yet again. If someone chooses to utter words of their own free will without any provocation, then surely, they should utter words that are meaningful and purposeful? It reminds me of the Hadith that says you should speak good or be quiet. Surely if your words are not truthful, then it is best if you keep them to yourself.

The very definition of a gentleman is someone who does what he says he will do. When I interact with most men nowadays, it is mostly clear externally that they are not gentlemen either because of the way they dress or because of their attitudes towards life and women. What really bothers me though is not a person’s dress sense or their opinions about the world, what bothers me is when someone does not do what they say they are going to do. Because once someone does not keep their word, you know you cannot trust them, and if you do not trust someone you cannot respect them.

As a guy if you want to impress a woman, you don’t need to go out and buy a new wardrobe or shower her with lavish gifts, but you do need to be a gentleman, a man of your word and someone who does what they say they will do. Not only will your woman trust you, but with each time you keep your word, her respect for you and her faith in you increase. So the next time you are trying to impress, be a gentleman and keep your word.

For more tips on how to be a perfect gentleman, check out these four links:

1. 23 Behaviors of a Gentleman
2. Who Said Chivalry is Dead? 20 Things a Gentleman Does Differently
3. 75 Things a Gentleman Does Differently
4. 20 Things That Make a Man a Gentleman

Personally, I knew that western design houses designing abayas was only a matter of time, in fact some clothing retailers like MNG had already created Ramadan capsule collections a few years back. If you’re a Muslim woman living in either Africa, Asia, or the Middle East then perhaps you’re as underwhelmed as I was with the collection. So many designers in the UAE have created dazzling abaya collections in all kinds of hues, textures and colors imaginable with some literally taking your breath away, so Dolce & Gabbana still has a long way to go before it impresses the average Muslima. (See Abaya’s by Roselle and DAS)

That being said, I’m happy that Dolce & Gabbana created an abaya collection because it enables dialogue and it also opens the eyes and minds of westerners to start thinking about the abaya in more positive and less threatening ways. Who knows, perhaps some non-Muslims will embrace the Abaya for its simplicity, comfort and timeless elegance. Oh and lets not forget they’re also creating a Hijab line with that.

How do you feel about the Dolce & Gabbana Abaya and Hijab collection?

xoxo,
Nusrah

The collection started by Faiza Bouguessa a French-Algerian designer based in the UAE is on the pricey side with pieces ranging from AED 800 to AED 5000 (US $217.81 to US $1,361.30). Price not withstanding, most of the collection is already out of stock. So perhaps its best to start saving up money for next year’s collection.

To see more of her beautiful designs, visit her website at Bouguessa

xoxo,
Nusrah

xoxo,
Nusrah

xoxo,
Nusrah

Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbās (RA) narrates;

I heard Muhammad ﷺ reciting these du’ās one night, after he had completed his Tahajjud salāt:

١- اللّٰهـُمَّ إِنِّىْ أَسْأَلُكَ رَحْمَةً مِنْ عن عِنْدِكَ بِهـَا قَلْبِىْ ، و تَجْمَعُ بِهـَا أَمْرِىْ، وَتَلُمُّ بِهـَا شَعْثِىْ، وَتُصْلِحُ بِهـَا غَابِىْ، وَتَرْفَعُ بِهـَا سَاهـِدِىْ، و تُزَ كِّىْ نِهـَا عَمَاِىْ، وَتُلْهـِمُنِىْ بِهـَا رُشْدِىْ، وَتَرُ دُّ بِهـَا أُلْفَتِىْ، و تَعْصِمُنِىْ بِهـَا مِنْ كُلَّ سُوْ ءٍ،

1. O Allāh! I ask You of Your Mercy by which You give guidance to my heart, by which You make my work easy, and removed my distressed condition by it, and manage my issues in my absence by it. And give exaltation and honor by Your Mercy; and clean my actions (from hypocrisy and infidelity) by Your Mercy; and put that thing in my heart, which is correct and suitable for me; and whatever I like, grant me by Your Mercy; and protect me from all evil by Your Mercy.

٢- اللّٰهـُمَّ أَعْطِنِىْ، إِيْمَانًاوَيَقِيْنًا لَيْسَ بَعْدَهُ كُفْر، وَرَحْمَةً أَ نَالُ بِهـَا شَرَ فَ كَرَامَتِكَ فِى الدُّ نيا و الاخِرَةِ،

2. O Allāh! Give me that belief and faith which there may not be any infidelity and a Mercy enabling me to achieve the blessings of Your gifts in this world and the Hereafter.

٣- اللّٰهـُمَّ إِنِّىْ أَسْأَ لُكَ الْفَوْ زَ فى الْقَضَاءِ وَنُزُلَ الشُّهـَدَاءِ و عَيْشَ السُّعَدَاءِ، وَالنَّصْرَ على الاعْدَاءِ،

3. O Allāh! I ask of You to give me a conviction that Your Decree is the very fulfillment of my aims, and an entertainment which is offered to martyrs, and a life of the fortunate, and Your help over enemies.

٤- اللهم أنى اند ل بك حَا جتى و ان قصر رأيى و ضعف عملى افتقرت إلى و حمتك، فأسالك يا قاضى الامور، وياشافى الصدور، كما تجير بين البحور، أن تجير نى من عذاب السعير، ومن د عوة الثبور، و من فتنة القبور.
4. O Allāh! I place before You my needs, though my understanding is limited, and my actions are weak, hence I am badly in need of Your Mercy. O the Maker of affairs and Healer of the hearts! As You by Your power keep the oceans (running together) separate from each other (that the saltish remains separate from the sweet and sweet remains separate from saltish); so I request You to keep me away from the punishment of the Hell-Fire, and the lamentations of the one about to perish, and from the punishment of the grave.

٥- اللهم ما قصر عنه رأيى و لم تبلغه نيتى و لم تبلغه مسالتى من خير، و عدته أحدا من خلقك او خير انت معطيه أحدا من عبادك فأنى ارعب إليك فيه و اسالكه بر حمتك و ب العالمين،
5. O Allāh! I ask You of that goodness which is beyond my understanding and intention, and which I did not even ask. However, You promised this to anyone of Your creation, or any goodness which You want to give to any of Your slaves. I desire this and ask You for it by Your Mercy, O Sustainer of the universe!

٦- اللهم ذاالحنل الشديد،والأمر الرشيد، اسالك الامن يَو الوعيد، والجنة بؤ م الخلو د مع المقر بين الشهـود، الركع السجود، المو فين بالعهود، انت رحيم ودور،وانك تفعل ما تريد،
6. O You of firm promises and Master of good deeds! I ask for Your peace on the Day of Judgement, and Paradise on the Day of Eternity, to be among Yours favorites and regular attendants of Your Court; frequently bowing and prostrating and fulfilling their promises. You are Most Kind and Most Loving, and no doubt You do what You will.

٧- اللهـم اجعلنا هـادين مهتدين عير ضالين ولامضلين سلما لاوليانك وعدوالاعداىك نحب بحبك احبك و نعادى بعداواتك من خالفك،
7. O Allāh! Make me one who is guided aright, and guides others aright. Do not misguide me, and do not make me misguide others. I may be in peace with Your friends and enemy of Your enemies. Those who love You, I should love them for that love of Yours, and those who are against You, I should have enmity with them due to their enmity with You.

٨ – اللهم هذا ألدعاءوعليك الاجابةوهـذاالجهـد و عليك التكلان
8. O Allāh! It is for us to supplicate, and for You to accept. This is my effort and reliance is on You.

٩ – اللهم اجعل لى نورا فى قلبى ونورافى قبرى ونورامن بين يدى، ونورامن خلفى، ونورا عن يمينى، وممرا عن شمالى، ونورامن فوقى، ونورامن تحتى، ونورافى سمعى، ونورافى بصرى، ونورافى شعرى، ونورافى بشرى، ونوافى لحمى، ونورافى دمى، ونورافى عطامى، اللهم اعطم لى نوراواعطنى نوراواجعل لىنورا،

9. O Allāh! Put Nūr (light) in my heart, and make my grave illuminated; and grant me Nūr in front of me, Nūr at my back, Nūr on my right, Nūr on my left, Nūr above me, Nūr below me, (Your Nūr be around me), and Nūr in my ears, Nūr in my eyes, Nūr in every hair of mine, Nūr in my skin, Nūr in my flesh, Nūr in my blood, and Nūr in every bone of mine. O Allāh! Make my Nūr enormous, grant me Nūr, and make Nūr for me.

١٠- سبحانالذى تعطف وقال به، سبحان الذى لبس المجد وتكرم به، سبحانالذى لاينبغى التسبيح الاله، سبحانذىالفضل والنعم، سبحان ذى المجد والكرم، سبحان ذىالجلال والاكرام.
10. Unblemished is He Whose covering is Dignity itself and Whose World is Dignified. Unblemished is He Whose dress is Nobility and Honor. Unblemished is He; and none can be appropriately called unblemished besides Him. Unblemished is He Who is of great Excellence and full of Bounties. Unblemished is He Who is of great Dignity and Generosity. Unblemished is He Who is the Possessor of great Power and Respect.

Tirmidhī

(spoiler alert: if you haven’t seen Captain Phillips yet, I suggest you stop reading until you have. It’s a really good movie, I’d hate it if I spoiled it for you.)

If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread corruption in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.
Quran: Surah 5, verse 32

In Captain Phillips, the Captain puts the lives of his crew before his own and every step of the way, his actions protect them. He acts as a leader should, being selfless despite his fear. So when the Pirates kidnap him, one wonders whether he’ll survive or not. When the US Navy arrives on the scene and they plan to either rescue him or kill him along with the pirates that’s when it clicks. The US teaches the world that it is costly for anyone to attempt to harm a single one of their citizens, because if they do, they will pay the ultimate price.

Contrast that attitude with attitudes in other countries around the world especially in the developing world and you’ll realize why it’s important for a Government and a society to value a single human life. In the developing world cases of violence, rampant murder, and political assassinations are very high. Suspected murderers roam free and innocent people are slaughtered at the whims of powerful people. Most people in the developing world know better than to expect justice for their loved ones. The reality is that developing Governments and societies do not value human life. They may say that they do, but their actions and policies show that they don’t.

When you value a human life, you care when malaria kills your citizens, care when car accidents that take lives occur daily because of bad roads, it matters to you when the water supply is dirty and causes cholera. Your actions show that you care not words or platitudes delivered to people during political campaigning.

The US Government sent a navy ship and a team of specialized Seals to go and rescue 1 man, Captain Phillips, so you can be sure that they would just as quickly fight a mosquito, sanitize their drinking water and ensure the well being of the rest of their citizens. Unfortunately the reality is that for most of the world life is very cheap. The only way we’ll start living in a better world is when we start valuing a single human life and start working towards ensuring that we do whatever it takes to save that 1 life, because once we do, then we are saying that we value all lives.

xoxo,
Nusrah

xoxo,
Nusrah