On June 16, 2015 at 5:00pm ET/2pm PT, altMuslimah (“altM”) hosted the #RamadanHalaqa Twitter chat with three female Shaykhs (Shaykhas). The Twalaqa (Twitter halaqa) was on the topic of spiritual preparation for the blessed month of Ramadan.
Photo (left to right): Tamara Gray, Muslema Purmul, Maryam Amirebrahimi
Our lively Twalaqa panel included Shaykhas Maryam Amirebrahimi (), Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray), and Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul), who offered clear and practical advice from setting attainable goals to creating a Ramadan atmosphere in our homes.
Here’s a recap with the highlights of #RamadanHalaqa:
Question 1: How should we prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for Ramadan (instead of just fixating on stocking our fridges)?
A1 Mentally: plan with priority. Focus on Rmdn goals 1. Fast 2. Quran 3. Taraweeh 4. Personal growth #RamadanHalaqa https://t.co/Q2IOBX3Afb
— Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah A1:My formula is KISS: Koran, Intention, Sirah, Support. 1/5 #RamadanHalaqa
— Maryam Amirebrahimi (@maryam_amire) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah A1: mentally I would read something short but powerful that highlights the priorities of Ramadan: http://t.co/BoTK8CQfBb — Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul) June 16, 2015
Purify and beautify the home. Decorating and preparing our homes creates an atmosphere of spirituality and beauty that enhances the Ramadan feeling.
@AltMuslimah Yes! beautify our homes with that which will be remembered. Good smells, sights, sounds. Create memories. #Ramadanhalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
A1 But nice prayer clothes. Prepare prayer place at home. Decorate. Enter into Ramadan with shopping readiness #RamadanHalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Question 2: What should we try to gain from Ramadan in terms of spirituality?
@AltMuslimah A2: Spiritually, I would spend time each day making heart felt dua for barakah in my Ramadan. (1/3)
— Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul) June 16, 2015
@MuslimahMontage A2: Ramadan is an opportunity to crack/mend our hard/pained hearts, soul to soar to Creator #RamadanHalaqa
— Maryam Amirebrahimi (@maryam_amire) June 16, 2015
To increase taqwa: control the nafs, be generous with money, increase worship #RamadanHalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Question 3: How can we set attainable goals for ourselves to accomplish during Ramadan?
@MuslimahMontage A3:Make worship something u love, that heals your heart, that you taste the sweetness of on your tonuge 5/5 #RamadanHalaqa — Maryam Amirebrahimi (@maryam_amire) June 16, 2015
Aim high but be flexible.
@tamaralgray @AltMuslimah I am torn between setting my limits so high I can’t reach them/simple and goals I’m confident in. #ramadanhalaqa — thahira Hussain (@thahira_hussain) June 16, 2015
I set a 168 hour week schedule, and then I can be flexible, but without it I wouldn’t get anything done #RamadanHalaqa @AnonyMousey
— Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Create a support system with a mentor and/or buddy, who can hold you accountable.
@AltMuslimah A1:Support:Find buddy to support u thru Ramadan slump& goals. Check in on each other w/quick text/tweet. 5/5 #RamadanHalaqa — Maryam Amirebrahimi (@maryam_amire) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah #RamadanHalaqa it’s good to set ur goals with a mentor who can help you focus on priorities. Decide how much time you have 1/3 — Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul) June 16, 2015
Keep things simple.
We need to make new food traditions of Rmdn that =simplicity #RamadanHalaqa https://t.co/qoSJYjW9iu
— Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Question 4: What are small actions we can do during Ramadan to gain rewards?
A4 Have Husn al Than billah (Think well of God). Know you will be forgiven. Ask and know you will be responded to #RamadanHalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah A4: “Whoever says, ‘Subhan Allaahi Wa bihamdihi 100x/day=forgiven all sins even as much as sea foam [Bukhair] #RamadanHalaqa
— Maryam Amirebrahimi (@maryam_amire) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah #RamadanHalaqa A4: forgive people. B4 u sleep forgive everyone and pray for them from ur heart. Have nothing but good will. — Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul) June 16, 2015
Question 5: How do we balance the social/community side with the personal/spiritual aspect of Ramadan?
A5 #RamadanHalaqa Social/community needs to be limited to that which increases taqwa and leaves the nafs aside. Time to focus 1/2 — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
That applies to social media, too!
Control your time on social media, use it to reward self for sticking to plan 🙂 #RamadanHalaqa https://t.co/hCP2se8EeJ — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Participants agreed
Choosing v small group of ppl to ‘socialize’ (worship) with in Ramadan – don’t need community drama interfering w/ khushu’ #RamadanHalaqa — TheSalafiFeminist (@AnonyMousey) June 16, 2015
Question 6: What are different types of charity we can do during Ramadan (money or time)?
A6 Charity in Ramadan is feeding people at iftar – send cooked food to the poor, the busy, neighbors 2/3 #RamadanHalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Participants offered
A6: host ibada nights for circles of friends.juices, snacks, suhoor, candles, the whole deal! #RamadanHalaqa — thahira Hussain (@thahira_hussain) June 16, 2015
The Shaykhas reminded us:
Each day is a new day, don’t let the failures of the day before affect the new day #RamadanHalaqa — Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
@AltMuslimah #RamadanHalaqa Exercising patience is core to fasting. The beginning of patience is pain/ discomfort but the end of it is love. — Muslema Purmul (@muslemapurmul) June 16, 2015
Participants chimed in
Ramadan is an opportunity to hit the “reset” button in our hearts and in our lives. #RamadanHalaqa #WivesofJannah
— AliceInBlunderland (@AliceInAmreeka) June 16, 2015
Adopt a convert – make them part of your family for the whole month (& after!). Suhoor, iftar, taraweeh, ‘Eid. #RamadanHalaqa — TheSalafiFeminist (@AnonyMousey) June 16, 2015
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this an enlightening and energizing conversation! A special thank you to our Shaykhas for offering us their time and wisdom.
Loving the amazing exchange of support and sisterhood in #RamadanHalaqa — Liz Khadijah Loveday (@ekloveday) June 16, 2015
@maryam_amire @MuslimahMontage @muslemapurmul @tamaralgray Thank you for your insight! — altMuslimah (@AltMuslimah) June 16, 2015
I thought I was geared up for Ramadan, but this #RamadanHalaqa has me even more excited <3
— Tamara Gray (@tamaralgray) June 16, 2015
Ramadan Kareem to everyone! Stay tuned for more Twitter chats from altM.
