Ramadan and the Daily Routines of Women

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 13 March 2025 Balancing Worship, Family Responsibilities, and Daily Tasks: Women's Routines during Ramadan Main Points: 1. Time Management: Plan and allocate specific time for Suhoor, Iftar, worship, and household chores to maintain balance and avoid exhaustion. 2. Healthy Meal Preparation: Choose light, nutritious foods for Suhoor and Iftar, avoiding heavy or overly spicy meals. 3. Spiritual Growth: Dedicate time for Qur'an recitation, voluntary prayers, dhikr, and charity to maximize Ramadan’s blessings. 4. Acts of Service: Engage in helping others, serving family, neighbours, and those in need to enhance spiritual rewards. ---- Ramadan is a month of love, brotherhood, and sacrifice, and it encourages spending quality time with family members and engaging in worship together. Ramadan is both a trial and a month of blessings for women. Although women have many daily responsibilities, their faith and resilience help them make every moment of Ramadan blessed and purposeful. Ramadan is a sacred month that brings positive changes to our spiritual, physical, and social lives. During this blessed month, every Muslim desires to engage in as much worship, charity, and good deeds as possible. For women, the routines of Ramadan are diverse and full of commitments. Alongside worship, women handle household duties, take care of children, and prepare meals for Suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and Iftar (meal to break the fast). Early Start to the Day For women, the day begins before dawn. They are responsible for preparing Suhoor not only for themselves but for all the members of the household. It is essential to prepare a balanced and nutritious meal for Suhoor so that family members can fast with ease. Considering the different food preferences in the household, catering to everyone’s needs can be challenging, but women manage to perform all tasks with grace and ease. The following dietary choices are recommended for women during Ramadan: Opt for light and easily digestible foods to avoid any health issues. Avoid salty and spicy foods that may cause dehydration. Prepare meals that are rich in dairy, dates, fruits, and proteins. Make sure to prepare special Suhoor meals for children so they too can participate in fasting. Spiritual Practices after Suhoor Once the Suhoor meal is prepared, women often spend some time in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and performing Tahajjud (voluntary night prayers) to gain the maximum blessings of Ramadan. After Fajr prayer, they continue with their regular tasks and household responsibilities. During Ramadan, women’s household chores increase, such as cleaning, laundry, attending to children's needs, and managing other daily tasks—all while fasting. For women who work outside the home or are in teaching professions, the daytime becomes even more hectic. They attempt to maintain a balance between household chores and their professional responsibilities, ensuring they perform their duties efficiently while continuing their worship. Tips for Balancing Worship and Daily Responsibilities Iftar Preparations: Iftar is the most beautiful moment of Ramadan when the entire family gathers to break the fast. Women must plan their time and energy carefully during Iftar preparations, so they can prepare a delicious and healthy meal with minimal effort. Some key points to consider during Iftar preparation include: Breaking the fast with dates and water, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). Choosing healthy foods over fried and fatty items. Preparing lighter, balanced meals for children and elderly family members. Avoiding wasteful extravagance and practicing simplicity. Avoiding cold drinks from outside and preparing healthy beverages at home. Including fresh fruits in the Iftar menu. Taraweeh Prayers and Further Worship: After Iftar, women prepare for Taraweeh (special prayers offered in Ramadan) and engage in additional acts of worship. Ramadan provides women with a golden opportunity to improve their spiritual life. They can carve out time in their busy schedule for reciting the Qur'an, performing voluntary prayers, engaging in dhikr, and making Du'a (supplication). Some suggested practices to incorporate into the daily routine during Ramadan are: Reciting the Qur'an daily and studying its translation and interpretation. Performing Taraweeh and Tahajjud along with the obligatory prayers. Giving charity and helping those in need. Teaching children about the virtues of Ramadan and instilling Islamic values in them. Organizing Ramadan for Maximum Benefit To make the most of Ramadan, women can follow these helpful guidelines: Planning: Allocate time for Suhoor, Iftar, worship, and household chores so that every task is balanced. By following a well-planned routine, women can ensure they complete everything with efficiency, saving time and avoiding fatigue. Preparing Simple Meals: Instead of labour-intensive meals, opt for simpler, healthier food choices that save time and allow for more focus on worship. Engage in Acts of Service: Women can enhance their spiritual and emotional connection with the month by helping others. They can serve those fasting, send fruits and dates to relatives, check on neighbours, and take care of those in need. Acts of kindness and service bring immense rewards during Ramadan. Focus on Worship and Patience: Ramadan is not just about fasting from food and drink, but also about fasting from negative behaviours and focusing on patience, self-control, and devotion. Women can use this time to strengthen their connection with Allah and improve their character. Conclusion Through worship, patience, service, and love, women can make their Ramadan experience both spiritually enriching and successful. May Allah grant us the ability to make the most of the blessings of this holy month and help us observe it according to His commands. Ameen. ---- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/ramadan-routines-women/d/134863 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism