Ramadan Tips, Plans, & Challenge.

Day Twenty - Three - Ways to Benefit for Menstruating Women in Ramadan

بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْم

Every Ramadan, most women will have about a week in which they are unable to join in the major religious practices of the holy month: fasting and praying. When their menstrual period begins many women find that their level of engagement with the high spiritual atmosphere of the month drops.

The same goes for those whose postnatal bleeding coincides with Ramadan. For many of these women, frustration and a sense of lacking spirituality sets in. This, however, shouldn’t be the case.

Menstruation, postnatal bleeding, and other uniquely feminine concerns are all part of Allah’s creation, which He created in perfect wisdom. They are not a punishment for women wanting to draw near their Lord. They are just part of the special package of blessings, opportunities, and challenges that Allah has given uniquely to women. To refrain from ritual prayer (the salat) and ritual fasting (the sawm) during this time is actually considered a form of worship, and, if done with the intention of obeying Allah, it earns women good deeds.

In order to take full advantage of the blessed month of Ramadan, however, menstruating women and those with postnatal bleeding can do more than refraining from ritual prayer and ritual fasting to draw near Allah. Below are ten ways that women unable to fast can boost their spirituality during this special month.

1. Increase the Remembrance of Allah

In the Hanafi school, it is recommended for menstruating women to make wudu, wear their prayer clothes, and sit on their prayer mat while doing dhikr during the time they would normally be praying. This would be especially good to do in Ramadan, a time of special focus on worship. In addition to the adhkar that are well-known sunnas – such as subhan Allah, alhamdulliLlah and Allahu akbar.

If you have a litany from a shaykh and are allowed to repeat it more than once a day, try to do it twice or three times for increased blessings. Dhikr has a special way of touching the heart, and by invoking Allah’s names whenever you can during this unique month you create the space, insha Allah, for beautiful spiritual openings. See: The Effects of Various Dhikr – Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad

2. Increase Supplication 

Supplication (dua) is something we do very little of these days, but speaking directly to your Lord is one of the most intimate ways to connect with Him. The beauty of supplication is that you can make it in any place or time. Take this opportunity to ask your Lord for all that you need in your life, and to draw near Him through either repeating the beautiful supplications of the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, or reaching out to Allah with your own unique words. See: Ten Powerful Duas That Will Change Your Life

3. Feed Others

Whether it be your family, neighbors, community members, or the poor, use the time you are not fasting to make meals that fill the stomachs and souls of those around you.

Recite the peace and blessings  (salawat) on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, while making the food, as this imbues the food with spiritual benefit as well. Consider sponsoring iftar at your local mosque one evening with some other women who are in your situation, or volunteering at a local soup kitchen. 

4. Gain Islamic Knowledge

Use the extra time and energy you have from not fasting and praying to increase your knowledge of the faith. Listen to scholars discussing timely issues on our SeekersGuidance podcasts, form a small circle of non-fasting women who can commit to reading a book on Islam and discuss it together, or take some time to read articles on the religion from trusted online sources, such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf’s blog or Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad’s article collection at masud.co.uk. See also: Importance of Intention in Seeking Knowledge.

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#Duaotheday

Ya Allah Elevate the ranks of my parents, spouse's parents,my sisters & brothers, my elders & entire Ummah.

Ya Allah Protect them from illnesses and difficulties of old age.

Ya Allah Forgive the sins of those who have passed away in my family & the Ummah - young & old.

Ya Allah Grant them a peaceful time in the barzakh till they meet You.

Ya Allah Save us from trials of Dajjal, Yujuj & Majuj & the last Day.

Ya Allah Grant my family & friends who are waiting for the gift of "children".

Ya Allah Unite the hearts of my worldly companions who work for You & strengthen our brotherhood.

Ya Allah Unite the hearts of those undergoing family/marital difficulties.

Ya Allah Grant your perfect cure to those who are sick.

Ya Allah Protect my brothers & sisters across the warzones & from the persecution, rape, slaughter, humiliation.

Ya Allah Relieve their sufferings & elevate their ranks.

Ya Allah Bring the downfall of those (modern day pharaohs) oppressors &
Relieve those who are deprived, burdened, oppressed, in debt.

Ya ALLAH bless the person who forwarded this duas and make this a source of sadaqa jariah for them Aameen..

Ya Allah, answer our Duaas You are the All Hearing, All Knowing! Aameen Ya Rabb.
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‏اللَّهُمَ تَقَبَلْ صَلاَتَنَا وَصِيَامَنَا وَقِيَامَنَا وَرُكُوعَنَا وَسُجُودَنَا وَتَوْبَاتَنَا

أَمِينْ

~maryambintisa