10 Powerful Ways to Earn Rewards and Come Closer to Allah in Ramadan
My Muslim sisters, can you relate to this: “I feel like I miss out on Ramadan because I can’t fast during my period!”?
Ramadan for women around the world can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Not praying or fasting doesn’t mean women can’t reap immense rewards during their menses. Depending on their menstrual cycle, some women may miss a third (or more) of Ramadan. Being unable to fast can feel like we’ve missed so much of Ramadan, but that’s not true! Fasting is only one element of Ramadan. Yes, a big part of Ramadan, but not everything.
Narrated Abu Huraira (RA) narrates: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e., Allah will not accept his fasting).” Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
From the above hadith, we see that part of fasting is also refining our character (not lying) and avoiding evil behavior. In Ramadan, we work hard to abstain from habits that take us away from Allah. And we’re encouraged to do that which brings us closer to Allah. So, Ramadan for women is still in full effect and active, despite having a period.
Ramadan for women when fasting, salat, and Quran (depending on the opinion you follow) isn’t an option can look like this:
10 Powerful Ways to Earn Rewards
1. Keep Your Tongue Busy in the Remembrance of Allah
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the Scale, and beloved to Ar-Raḥmān: “Glory is to Allah and the praise; Glory is to Allah, the Magnificent. (Subḥān Allāhi wa biḥamdih, Subḥān Allāhil-Aẓīm)” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3467
Fasting requires that we abstain from evil speech and actions. Though Ramadan for women might not always mean fasting, we can still ensure we use our tongue to benefit ourselves. Fasting keeps us in a continuous state of worship. Thus, we should keep our tongue busy in dhikr (remembrance of Allah). We can ask Allah for Forgiveness, send peace and blessing to the Prophet, and speak good or remain silent.
2. Send Food for Fasting People
Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will have a reward like theirs, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.” Sunan Ibn Majah 1746
An excellent way of keeping busy in a good way is cooking or arranging for food to be served to fasting people. The above hadith tells us that the reward just for feeding a fasting person is the same as the reward the fasting person will get for fasting; Alhamdulilah! How much better can it get? Though we can’t fast, we can still get the same reward!
Some women like to send food to Muslim neighbors and family during Ramadan when they can’t fast. It’s easier to do all the extra cooking while they are not fasting, and the reward is equivalent to a fasting person.
3. Learn About the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Abu Ad-Dardh narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Nothing is placed on the Scale that is heavier than good character. Indeed the person with good character will have attained the rank of the person of fasting and prayer.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2003
When we fast, we are in a constant state of worship. Achieving this outside of fasting is impossible for most of us as we get distracted. An excellent way to stay focused on doing good actions, saying good things, and continuing in dhikr is by learning about the Prophet (peace be upon him).
The seerah (life of the Prophet – peace be upon him) takes time to get through. You can easily access a playlist of lectures on YouTube and follow through with it daily. By learning about the Prophet (peace be upon him), we become inspired to elevate our character. The more we refine our character by understanding how the Prophet (peace be upon him) conducted himself, the better for us in this world and the hereafter, Insha’Allah!
4. Read Quran in Your Native Language
This is a blessed Book We have revealed to you so that they deliberate in its verses and so that the men of understanding may take to advice. (Quran 38:29)
There are differences of opinion regarding whether a digital copy of the Quran is the same as a mushaf or if reading an Arabic Quran is permitted when a woman is on her period. The fact remains that Quran is there for us to reflect upon. We must know what Allah is telling us, and if we need help understanding Arabic, we cannot learn this by reading it in our language. Of course, the English copy of the Quran is not Allah’s word, but it helps us to know on some level what Allah is telling us.
Pondering over the words of Allah, His favors, and Greatness are all acts of worship. It creates conviction in the heart and helps us focus on wanting to please Allah.
5. Teach Others Beneficial Knowledge
Mu’adh ibn Anas (RA) reports: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever imparts knowledge will have the reward of whoever acted upon it, without detracting from the reward of one who acted.” Sunan Ibn Mājah 240
Any beneficial knowledge you impart to others is like a charity. When people use it, they get a reward for it. Of course, the best knowledge is Quran, but not all are Quran teachers. Yet, we all have something beneficial we can share with others.
Allah has blessed us all with skills and knowledge. Ramadan for women can be highly beneficial when we teach others what we know, even if it’s a little bit. Consider your knowledge base, and don’t talk yourself out of sharing by thinking, “It’s not a big deal.” Allah has given us all special gifts. Practical and simple is a powerful way of conveying what you know so that it can be remembered and used.
6. Make Dua
An-Numan bin Bashir (RA) reports: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Du’a (supplication) is worship.” ( Abu Dawud – Riyad as-Salihin 1465)
One sister said she doesn’t make dua (supplication) as much as she’d like because she must have everything “right.” She wants to be in wudu, she wants there to be silence, and she wants to face Qibla. Of course, these are all amazing. But don’t feel that you cannot make dua at any time and all the time.
You can be cooking and say, “Oh Allah, Guide me,” or “Allah forgive me,” or “Allah gives me the strength to do better,” or “Allah bless my family.” These are all duas, and they are all valid. It’s easy to forget that Allah Hears and Knows, even when we aren’t in the most ideal place. Be aware that no call to Allah is in vain. So, with confidence, increase in calling out to Him for your needs and the needs of others.
7. Recite and Memorize Allah’s Names
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet said: “Indeed, Allah has ninety-nine Names; whoever counts them shall enter Paradise.” Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3508
Abu Huraira (RA) narrates that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Allah has ninety-nine Names, one-hundred less one; and he who memorized them all by heart will enter Paradise.” To count something means to know it by heart. Sahih al-Bukhari 7392
Learning Allah’s Names and Attributes is a great way to bring us closer to Allah. Ramadan for women forces us to choose Allah and make a point of doing things to come closer to Him. By learning who He is, we become empowered in everything we do as our conviction and reliance on Him increase.
FYI: IQRA Network’s Ramadan Program includes memorizing Allah’s Names and Attributes. Click here for more details.
8. Clean Your Home or Help Others
Abu Malik at-Ash’ari (RA) reports: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and al-Hamdu Lillah (all praise and gratitude is for Allah alone) fills the Scale, and Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Lillah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith), and endurance is brightness, and the Holy Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves. Sahih Muslim 223
Cleanliness in Islam is found in the books of purification. It entails being in wudhu, wearing clean clothes, doing ghusl, using a miswak, etc. However, keeping our homes clean can also reflect our internal state.
Ensuring we declutter our surroundings allows us to declutter internally too. Studies show that a person’s environment can affect their mental health, such as anxiety and depression. It can even influence a person’s mood. With the right intention cleaning our homes will be rewarded as a deed for ourselves and a charity to our family.
9. Learn More About Islam
Jundub bin’ Abdullah (RA) narrates: “We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him), and we were strong youths, so we learned faith before we learned Qur’an. Then we learned Qur’an, and our faith increased thereby.” Sunan Ibn Majah 61
Learning about our faith is part of worshipping Allah. Whether you’re new to Islam or born into it, there are always things to learn that will help us to fulfill obligatory acts properly. Learning about our faith isn’t only for children.
Use your time to increase your knowledge. Join a class online or at the masjid. Listen to lectures or read books. Whatever it is, keep expanding your knowledge.
10. Give Charity
Salman bin Amir Dabb (RA) narrates: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Charity given to the poor is charity, and that given to a relative is two things: charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” Sunan Ibn Majah 1844
Giving charity is a means of purification. We give charity at the end of Ramadan (zakat ul fitr) to purify ourselves from indecent speech and feed needy people. But not all charity has to be money. Removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity. A smile is a charity, and a kind word is a charity.
Ramadan, for women, reflects Allah’s Grace and Mercy upon us. Some women have a challenging period, and fasting is hard on them. Allah has blessed us with ease and many opportunities to come closer to Him, even if we cannot fast.
Allah honors women in such a beautiful way! We must stay committed to Allah, regardless of the time of the month.
Summary Of 10 Things in Ramadan for Women
- Keep Your Tongue Busy in the Remembrance of Allah
- Send Food for Fasting People
- Learn About the Prophet (peace be upon him)
- Read Quran in English (or Your Native Language)
- Teach Others Beneficial Knowledge
- Make Dua
- Recite and Memorize Allah’s Names
- Clean Your Home or Help Others With It
- Learn More About Islam
- Give Charity
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