The month of Ramadan.. How do I receive and organize my life and my children in Ramadan?

The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the lunar months (Hijri months) that comes after the month of Sha`ban, and it begins with the sighting of the crescent (Hilal) of Ramadan.

It is distinguished from the rest of the months by the obligation of fasting, which is a pillar of Islam.

And it is abstaining from eating and drinking from the dawn Adhaan (the call to prayer)to until sunset Adhaan..

Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying in connection with Ramadan: Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not breakfast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy calculate about it.

How to receive the Holly Ramadan?

Ramadan, the month of obedience and worship, the month of mercy and forgiveness. We may have a good and blessing coming every year.

We receive it after a long wait with hope towards renewal and change for the better.

We receive the first day of Ramadan with longing and welcome. Where we congratulate each other, and make Ramadan decorations in the house, we also buy lanterns, and listen to Ramadan Nasheed. And we multiply the performance of ritual acts of worship represented in Tarawih prayer (Prayer performed at night during Ramadan), reading the Qur’an, Dhikr, and Supplication (Du`aa). In addition, we prepare kitchen with an abundance of delicious foods and healthy drinks.

How do I spend Ramadan with my children?

Children become happy with the Holly Ramadan, especially with the wonderful atmosphere, such as the presence of bright lanterns, beautiful Ramadan songs, and eating delicious sweets. Some of them rejoice as they want to perform fasting and worship, and from here let parents seize the opportunity to accustom young children to prayer and reading the Qur’an, Tasbih (Praise of Allah) and Istighfaar (to ask Allah for forgiveness), and fasting for those who can stand it.

I remember when I was child, no more than six years old, I used to hear my mother hesitating for Istighfaar after every prayer, so I always repeated Istighfaar after praying, as children imitate fathers. So it is recommended that we summon our children and join them during worshipping. For example, mother can sit with kids and say tasbih and istighfaar. Also father can take his son to the mosque, And reading and memorizing the Quraan with them.. As a result, we combine performing worship, without force, with happiness in Ramadan.

How do I, as a mother, organize my day in Ramadan?

The mother has many responsibilities in the family that may burden the mother and reduce the opportunity for worship during Ramadan. But there are several suggestions to avoid this:

1. Prepare previously some foods that take a long time to prepare, and put them in the freezer or refrigerator.

• Organize your time and do not exhaust yourself with housework while you are fasting, and it is preferable to postpone it for evening, so that your energy does not run out so, you may lose worshipping during the day.

• Specialize the last two hours before Maghrib (dawn) Adhaan for preparing food and table.

• If you are a working woman, take a short nap before going to the kitchen and starting to prepare food.

• Ask your children to help you and divide the housework on them, so imposing cooperation on them will relieve you of the burden of responsibility, and it saves your time and effort.

Reference

Translated from شهر رمضان | كيف أستقبل وأنظم حياتي واطفالي في رمضان