Deck the Halls ,it’s Ramadan time, Blessings time.

Inshallah coming friday will be the first of Ramadan for us , hope you all are getting prepared for this blessed month. We are set almost alhamdulillah, with this lockdown we are very carefully doing our shopping and stocking for Ramadan.

I know am late to post this blog , you see am also handling my full time instagram page https://www.instagram.com/chidakhan/ on food do visit and follow me there too, it gets really difficult to capture edit and post my videos and photos. So i basically juggle between insta, blogging and being the Queen of my House ;).

Back to the topic of “Ramadan the month of blessing” why do muslims all around the world believe this to be the most blessed month , let’s take a look at few proofs: “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.’ Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk.” (Bukhari) The Holy Quran states: “Ramadan is the (month) in which the Quran was sent down, as a guide to mankind and a clear guidance and judgment (so that mankind will distinguish from right and wrong).” (Quran,2:185) “Allah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says…The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn.” — Al-Qadar 97:1-5 The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” (Imam Bukhari) … From the above verses we understand clearly that how blessed the month is going to be, Rewarded by Allah (swt) , gates of paradise being opened, the night of power also falls in this month about which we will discuss in future blogs.

I have started preparation as to how am I going to make most of it with the family being involved. My son and I put up a very cute Ramadan decor for him to understand a very important month is coming up , we are having a countdown for Ramadan to start, I keep giving him little insights about Ramadan and my husband & I encourage him to perform prayer with us and he loves to do that which will be continued through out Ramadan Inshallah.

But for a toddler how else can I make the most of it as children do not have to fast, however as parents we can encourage them to take part in observing fast by waking them up for suhoor (meal before dawn) , performing salah , and planning out various activities. So my very lovey neighbour gave us a “tree of good deed” so every good deed he does he gets an apple or a sticker to put up on the tree. We can make a Ramadan calender where there can be dua of the day, surah of the day , names of Allah (swt), names of surahs, islamic tirvia, good deed of the day etc. As parents we can keep a check on the Ramadan activities performed by our child and we can give them a special reward on Eid day.

Here in Middle East there is a very cute tradition called “Gergean” where children dress up in traditional clothes, go to neighbors house from door to door knocking, singing traditional songs and asking for candy & nuts. It’s usually done on 15th of Ramadan when the moon is full . It’s a fun way to keep the expectations of children high during this month, kids love to dress up and sing around. Some families keep this as a mark of motivation for kids to fast if they complete 15 days of fasting on “Gergean” night they are gifted and encouraged to fast until Eid.

As for adults to fast is not only from food and water, the real meaning is the fast of Ruh(soul) and Nafs (self – conscious). Allah (swt) says in Quran “Indeed the nafs that overwhelmingly commands a person to do sin”.[12:53]. So its not enough to refrain from food and drink we should also refrain ourselves from gossiping, backbitting, lying, having ill toughts about others,jealousy & anger. Its indeed a month of test for every soul.

Let’s all get in the festive and spiritual mood , stay home decorate , pray together with family the best of the things that can be done, spread some positivity and hope this lockdown ends before Eid and we all have a very joyful month of Ramadan.

Arabic words

Ruh – soul

Nafs – self

Gergean – Knocking

Ramadan – 9th month of islamic calendar

Kareem – generous

RAMADAN KAREEM from Adiba, Mohsin & Zidan.

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Stay blessed.