Ramadan Series - Benefits & Women
a two-part today!
Salam! Today’s Ramadan post has two parts:
The Benefits of Ramadan (Physical, Mental, Social and Spiritual)
Ramadan for Women Menstruating
I can’t believe we’re already so close to Ramadan, I’m incredibly excited. I’m sure many of you will already be accustomed to the benefits of Ramadan but there is no harm in sharing reminders! :) My intention is not necessarily to give out new information but, rather, to remind and bring back to the surface what may have been forgotten. I hope that will help people feel more excited for Ramadan and go into the month knowing that it will leave them feeling completely rejuvenated — not just spiritually, but in all aspects of their life. Insha’Allah.
I also have a Ramadan Challenge coming up soon that I made, so stay tuned for that if you’d be interested!
What are the Benefits of Ramadan and Fasting?
physical benefits
doing more on less energy, sleep and food trains us to create productive habits
fasting helps overcome bad habits or addiction
fasting and ramadan as a whole detoxify the body, which leads to a healthier lifestyle
fasting lowers cholesterol which reduces the risk of heart disease
it also lowers inflammation and high blood pressure
fasting, in general, can improve the quality of sleep in the long run, regardless of whether throughout ramadan you’re on less sleep
improves digestive system
mental benefits
staying away from temptations and negative influences → less harm to the brain
waking up early every morning and establishing a routine increases mental strength, willpower and discipline
patience is developed/practised/maintained
increased dhikr leads to greater happiness and contentment
fasting improves one’s mental focus, which causes the body to produce more brain cells
practising righteous deeds → improves lifestyle → reduces stress
social benefits
more interactions with the community at the mosque through congregational prayers, taraweeh and iftars together (for those who are able)
more social interactions through preparing iftars for family/friends (for those who are able) and breaking fasts with them
less social media throughout ramadan = less loneliness/anxiety/depression
fasting (and ramadan as a whole) helps practise empathy by understanding those less fortunate than us, as well as developing patience, forgiveness and increasing the purification of our hearts. this benefits our wider relationships and interactions with family, friends, the ummah and the world.
spiritual benefits
strengthens our imaan
increase in piety and taqwa (righteousness)
a closer bond to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ
increased awareness that every intention, action and deed is aligned with our purpose of serving Allah and obtaining His pleasure, which helps our spiritual development
blessings are multipled → chance to change our bad habits → prevents hellfire
forgiveness
practising self control → closer to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ
weakens nafs and desires through fewer temptations
increase in worship → stronger relationship with Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ
increased chance of entering through the gate of Ar-Rayyan (where those who fast with sincerity are able to enter)
increased chance of entering through the gate of Al-Dhikr (where those who constantly remember Allah are able to enter )
developing spiritual/worshipping habits which should be maintained after ramadan → greater spirituality and relationship with Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ throughout the rest of life.
Ramadan for Women Menstruating in Ramadan:
Sometimes, it can be disheartening when we’re on our period during Ramadan — especially if during the last 10 days — and it may feel like we are missing out on the blessings by being unable to fast or pray salah. However, there are many other things we can do to take part, and it is important to plan what you will do on these days in advance.
Some things to do are:
sit and talk to Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ
whether you’re sitting down or walking around, He is always listening. so, why not talk to Him like He is your Friend? ask for whatever you would ask for during salah, have a conversation and pour out your heart as though you were in sujood. the only difference now is that you’re just talking with him outside of prayer! this is a great way to boost your connection and relationship with Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ. I like to sit where I usually pray my salah and talk to Him, cry, do dhikr, etc.
gain islamic knowledge
there are many ways to do this, such as:
reading an Islamic book
watching Islamic lectures/videos
listening to Islamic podcasts
study surahs
if you type in ‘tafsir surah _____’ on YouTube, there are many videos out there that can help you understand surahs in more depth and learn lessons from them. I heard someone on YouTube say, ‘why not study Surah Maryam to learn about an important woman during this time and get inspiration from her!’
there are many resources to study the commentary of the Qur’an online that you can read, too
eat healthily and regain nourishment
this is a time to eat healthily and drink lots of water to rejuvenate your body and have a break before you fast again. cook and eat healthier recipes to help get your energy up so that when you do fast again, you are better able to do so, Insha’Allah.
increased dhikr
make a plan for yourself. for example - maybe you'll want to recite istighfar and subhanallah x250 times during salah times so that, although you can’t pray at the moment, you are still remembering Allah during prayer times and gaining blessings.
perhaps you can even wake up at Tahajjud or Fajr time and do dhikr then, to remember Him during the early hours when you would usually wake up to fast and pray.
you can recite Durood Sharif as soon as you wake up or when you’re about to go to sleep
learn names of Allah and invoke Him with them during du’as.
listen to the Qur'an and read it online
we may not be able to physically touch and read the Qur'an Mushaf during this time, but we can still listen to it, alhamdulillah. play it aloud and listen to it throughout the day as you cook, study, go for a walk, etc. there are many playlists of the Holy Qur'an on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.
you can also read it on your devices (phones, laptops), as you are not physically touching the Mushaf, and can download PDFs of the Qur’an too.
do charitable acts
increase your charity and pay sadaqah, give to those in poverty, have a little sadaqah box that you put money into, make iftar for those who are homeless, or for neighbours, family or friends.
rest!
our bodies go through different things during our periods, and different women experience different symptoms. aside from doing good deeds, make sure to also listen to your body and take care of your physical and mental health too. this can also help get your energy levels up to fast again after, Insha’Allah, and is also counted as a good deed as you will be taking care of yourself!
Don’t forget that good deeds are multiplied during ramadan, alhamdulillah, so don’t fret when you’re on your period. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ can and will still be pleased with you and your acts and answer your du'as — even if you’re on your period during Laylatul Qadr :)
May Allah make this our most beneficial and blessed Ramadan yet, Ameen.
Grab a Blessing:
Allahumma Salli 'ala Muhammad x5
(Oh Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ)La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah x1
(There is no power and no strength except with God).
Jazakallah for reading! Please remember me in your prayers.
— SabrGirl ♡
p.s: stay tuned for March’s Attribute of the Month!