3a] 5 Ways to Reconnect with the Spirituality of Ramadan

3a]
interest to your family.
4. Experiment with Sadaqa
Do new types of sadaqa (acts of goodness and charity), and take
comfort that what you already do for family and friends is sadaqa as
well. I used to get discouraged each Ramadan (especially once I was a
parent), that I couldn't properly do thosethings recommended to
Muslims during Ramadan: Go for tarawih prayers in the evening, or read
the entire Qur'an. But my mom and mother-in-law gave me sound insight:
Everything you do for the comfort of your family is sadaqa and a way
of worshipping God.
That being said, Ramadan is still a great time to try new acts of
charity and goodness: Put aside a can of food a day and donate it all
when the month is up; Cook a few dishes andtake them to your mosque
for those come there to have iftar; Volunteer at your child's school
for the month and offer to do a Ramadan presentation to explain why
your child is fasting.
Not Muslim? Recognizing the things you do for family and friends as
acts of goodness that are acknowledged by God is agreat step toward
achieving inner spirituality. But take a step out of your comfort zone
to tackle one small charitable project each month, whether it's
donating a little money each day to your favorite charity or taking
charge ofyour office's annual volunteer project.
5. Reconnect with Your Community
For many Muslim Americans, about the onlytime they can find to go to
the mosque is for Friday prayers, or on Sunday when scores of kids
take part in Muslim Sunday school. During Ramadan, why not make the
mosque an integral part of worship? Go there for as many tarawih
prayers as you can, especially the end ones when the Qur'an is being
completed. Pick one day aweek and go to your mosque for iftar. It's
amazing how good we feel to see others fasting and striving as much as
we are, and it can renew our strength to face the next week of fasting
with vigor and joy.
Not Muslim? If you are religious, try visiting your church, synagogue,
or temple outside of worshipservices. You may meet different people
and partake in different experiences that can replenish your spiritual
well. If you don't favor any particular house of worship, designate
some spot–a park or your backyard at sunset–whereyou feel some calm
and visit it with family or friends, free of mental distractions, and
with a focus on each other.

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