Make Ramadan a new start for worshipping Allah by guarding the obligatory prayers, observing hijab, leaving forbidden relationships and caring for your parents. Treat these changes as commitments to continue after Ramadan, so the habits you begin during the month become part of everyday life.
How can Ramadan help you protect the obligatory prayers?
Use Ramadan to make the obligatory prayers a regular part of your day, with each prayer at its appointed time. Prayer is the second pillar of Islam after the Shahada.
Scholarly descriptions of abandoning prayer include disbelief, sin and severe consequences in the Hereafter. Take this responsibility seriously as you build a consistent routine.
God Almighty said (as in the interpretation):
When ye pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah’s praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.
Make room for prayer in your daily routine and keep that commitment when Ramadan ends. For further reading as you reflect on your worship, see our guide to acts of worship in Ramadan.
How can you continue wearing hijab after Ramadan?
If you begin wearing hijab for Taraweeh or night prayers during Ramadan, use that beginning to continue throughout the year. Covering the body is an obligation for Muslim women, and that obligation continues beyond Ramadan.
Hijab covers more than the hair: it covers the body except for the face and hands. The clothing should neither outline the body's shape nor reveal what is underneath.
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam), or the (female) slaves whom their right hands possess, or old male servants who lack vigour, or small children who have no sense of feminine sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful.” [al-Nur 24:31]
Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [al-Ahzab 33:59]
How can you leave a forbidden relationship in Ramadan?
Use Ramadan to end a forbidden relationship and stop the contact that sustains it. Islam permits marital intimacy through marriage between a Muslim man and a Muslim woman, or between a Muslim man and a woman from the People of the Book.
Close the channels of communication that draw you back into that relationship. Seek Allah’s help to stay away from it after Ramadan as well.
How can you make caring for your parents part of Ramadan?
Give attention to your parents' needs and speak to them kindly. Honoring parents is closely linked to worshipping Allah in the passage below.
God Almighty said (as in the interpretation):
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour”.
Let this care continue beyond Ramadan. Our guide to the importance of parents in Islam explores this responsibility further.
How can you keep these changes after Ramadan?
Keep the commitments you began during Ramadan in place when the month ends. Think about what needs to remain part of your routine, from making room for prayer to giving attention to your parents.
Families who want support with a child’s learning can explore one-to-one Islamic studies for kids or book a free trial class.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wait until Ramadan to make a change?
No. The commitments discussed here apply throughout the year. Ramadan is an opportunity to begin or renew them and keep going afterward.
What if I feel discouraged about becoming a better Muslim?
Keep trying and seek Allah’s help. Do not let discouragement persuade you that there is no point in obeying Allah and leaving what is forbidden.
How can parents involve children in this fresh start?
Encourage children to pray from a young age and make attention to worship part of family life. For ideas to use at home, explore these Ramadan activities.
