1. Start Young

This is the most important way to get kids, even toddlers in the Ramadan spirit. If you don't start young, you can't expect kids to just know how to fast, pray or know their Deen. Expose them to Quran as soon as they are born. When you pray, lay them down in front of you. As they get older, they will be already familiar with it. I know sometimes it is tough especially for us moms to focus on our prayer if there is this super cute baby in front of you. Sometimes my husband and I would take turns so we could focus on our prayer. Honestly, after a while you just get used to it. Safa only at 18 months old will take out her small prayer rug and stand and even do the hand motions when saying Allahu Akbar. She's learned how to say Ameen and make dua. And whats one of her favorite fruits? Dates! She loves them and asks for them all the time. We didn't start in Ramadan though, we started as soon as she was able to chew them. As a child I did not like dates because I wasn't exposed to them till Ramadan so it was really unfamiliar. I wanted to change that for Safa. We didn't do anything special. We just exposed her since she was a baby!

2. Read

Find as many Islamic books as you can and read to them! Again, from a very young age. Last year we got many books as gifts for Ramadan and Eid and those are her favorite ones. Especially the Golden Lanterns. She's memorized every page. My favorite part about reading this book is when Safa points to the page with a mom wearing hijab and says "Mama!" It's so heartwarming that she can find herself and her family in a book. Something, that we didn't have as children. Here are the books we have so far! 

The Shapes of Eid, According to Me

Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors

It's Ramadan, Curious George!

Rashad's Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr!

Lailah's Lunchbox

The Little Girl says Alhamdulillah

3. Decorate the House

During Ramadan and Eid, decorate the house! Get them excited for Ramadan and Eid. As a child, I always loved how pretty Christmas time was because of all the beautiful decor everywhere. I'm sure we all secretly wanted a tree to decorate. I definitely see families now decorating for Ramadan and Eid. There are more companies now that have specifically decor for Ramadan and Eid. Safa is a little young to get excited for Ramadan but I still love to decorate. As she gets older I'll definitely be adding a 30 day calendar with rewards to encourage her to fasts. But we have a while for that!

    

Some of my favorite companies: 

Hafsa Creates, Karama Company, Norisa Designs 

4. Take them to the Masjid

My parents made sure to bring me to the masjid since I can remember. Quran classes, Sunday school and Jum'ah are all a part of my childhood memories. When we moved form New York to New Jersey, the first thing I did was go to the local Masjid and find YM. It was my safe place, it's where I made my first friends in NJ and who, I still hang out with 12 years later! You want to make the masjid your childs' community. You can't take them when they "have to go" and expect them to love it. Like I said, start young!

5. Be a Role Model. 

 

The most important tip of all. Be a role model. Kids learn all through example. No matter what you say or how many times you say it, they will follow exactly what you do. If you show your love for Ramadan and worship, your kids will too. Always remember though, they are kids. Make it light and easy for them. You want them to want to pray and fast because they love to not out of fear of being punished. 

Hope these tips were helpful. 

Ramadan Mubarak!!

I don't think any of us can get past or even digest President Trumps current banning of travellers from the following majority Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia,  Syria, Yemen and Sudan for 90 days and new refugee admissions for 120 days into the "United" States of America with Syrian refugees banned indefinitely.

Dubbed #Muslimban with #nobannowall #nohatenofear #muslimswelcomehere going viral across media, it is clear that the world will have none of it as mass protests were organized at airports across America, major landmarks, with the same hashtag slogans. Many Hollywood celebrities too have shown their support against the ban.

Read more here : Muslim ban
Protesters gather at airports

Let's face it, signs of Qiyaamah have long since manifested, so I am not going to even go there...Except for maybe to mention this...Is there even a tv series out there, that doesn't at some point brainwash the public about Muslims while simultaneously telling you that that same sex relationships are acceptable and normal...

What are you going to do? How do you make a stand? What are your thoughts on this ban? Will you only think about it when your number is up?

It is crucial now more than ever, to preserve our identity as Muslims and I have said this before...don't blend in dear. Wear your Islamic Identity by the way you dress, the way you treat others (treat the poor as you would the rich, the unknown as you would the famous, see no distinction,  Allah(SWT) does not and this is the gift of Sunnah...peace and blessings upon our beloved Nabi), your mannerism, the division of your wealth or earnings.

Keep up with your salaah (it is a gift to your soul, why do you deny yourself one of the greatest gifts given to the ummah), make your home one in which the Quraan is recited regularly...seek beneficial knowledge and set out to make a difference! Imagine if we all did this...the state of Muslims would be powerful, magnetic and aspirational to say the least. I can't even begin to tell you about the light that would enter your home, your soul, your hearts, everything would be affected.

Why so many Muslims these days prefer to follow what is not beneficial to us, is our love for dunya, if we nurtured our love for the akhirah just as much...we would lead by example...Fashion too has been coming around to our corner with men's cropped pants  (previously laughed at, if worn above the ankles) now a staple and so cool and modest dressing labelled classy and timeless. You were cool before cool!

You have in your hands the power to help shape our future, the future of our children..Pass on deen to them in such a way, that they are better than you, and will aspire for their children to be better than them. This is how you give back!

This is how we systematically eradicate the brainwashing of media and re-educate the world about what Islam really is all about! Don't play victim, don't take on labels, just be better Muslims everyday, so others will not be able to take their hearts of us!

Tell me how you feel...leave your comments below or e-mail me: waseema561@yahoo.com

P.s. I am no saint, I battle my nafs everyday just like you...but it gets easier...when you keep at it;* May Allah guide us all! Ameen

sefamerve 2013 turkish fashion hijab -turk hijab style -hijab turkey -hijab turque 2013- hijab 2014-Sefamerve H�rrem Abiye Elbiseler 2013

sefamerve 2013 turkish fashion hijab -turk hijab style -hijab turkey -hijab turque 2013- hijab 2014-Sefamerve H�rrem Abiye Elbiseler 2013

Instead of a fashion post, i thought i'd put up this cute and articulate video illustrating just a few of the many strange and weird questions and comments a Muslim woman hears as she goes about her day.

To our Non-Muslim Readers: If you have questions about Islam, the Hijab, or Women in Islam, please feel free to ask! Just keep the questions kind, thanks. :)


Courtesy of butterfly2729 on YouTube.


Cover with Faith, Style and Modesty!

www.almuhajabaelaniqa.com