Productive period during Ramadan

By Khadeejah Islam

Bismillah

Menstruation is a normal phase in every woman’s life. Apart from certain rituals, such as prayer and fasting, most of the other acts of worship are permissible and can be performed as usual during menstruation. However, due to the emotional and physical difficulties which accompany menstruation, many women prefer to undertake tasks which either provide relaxation or involve less effort. This article aims to suggest few acts of worship which can be performed easily during menstruation.

• Patience: Since menstruation is a stressful time for women, it is indeed a challenge to practise patience. However, remember that the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When God loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts this, wins His Pleasure.” [1]. 
• Supplication: (Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28): “...Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” By supplicating to Allah, you will not only gain rewards, but you will also notice that your level of stress has subsided. You can choose various supplications from the book – Fortress of the Muslim (http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/Fortress/).
  Furthermore, Aishah (radiaAllahu anha) said, “The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam) used to remember Allah in all circumstances.” [2]. 
• Reading translation of Qur’an: This will ensure that you are constantly reminded of the commands of Allah (subhaana wa ta'aala). (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:55): “And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers.” 
• Reading books: Apart from Islamic books, you can also read beneficial religiously-neutral books which provide tips on time management, creativity, confidence, home-gardening, etc. This will not require you to spend out of your budget because most of these resources are available online in PDF for free-download. 
• Watching beneficial videos/channels: Gone are the days when we did not have enough Islamic channels. Peace TV, Huda TV, Guide Us TV, etc. have provided us with many options of halaal channels. Islamic videos are widely available online for free. You can also watch beneficial religiously-neutral programmes on current affairs/news, cooking, education, etc. 
• Listening to halaal audios: You can listen to lectures of renowned scholars or soothing nasheed for relaxation. All of these resources are widely available on the Internet for free. 
• Upholding ties of kinship: (Surah At-Tahrim 66:6): “O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones…” Anything beneficial that you do for the family may earn you rewards even during menstruation. This will also distract your mind from the discomfort of menstruation. After breaking the fast, you can enjoy intimate moments (excluding sexual intercourse) with your husband. Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Do everything except intercourse.” [3].
  You are also responsible for your children, as the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock.” [4]. Therefore, impart beneficial knowledge to them in a creative way. For instance, you can read a book with illustrations together. You can organize a private study-circle for the family.
  In addition, do not neglect your parents as well as in-laws. (Surah Al Isra’ 17:23-24): “And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small.’”
  Remember your other relatives, too! 
• Engaging with the wider community: Visiting your neighbours should not be too difficult for you during menstruation. (Surah An Nisa’ 4:36): “Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away…” Moreover, you can catch up with your friends as well as invite guests at home for tea-and-snacks (you do not need to prepare anything elaborate).
  Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his neighbour; whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honour his guest as he is entitled.” [5]. 
• Seeking knowledge: (Surah Fatir 35:28): “...only those fear Allah, from among His servants, who have knowledge.” It is indeed a mercy from Allah that we do not have to travel far and wide, on foot or on camels, in search of authentic knowledge. Alhamdulillah! Various courses and Islamic events are taking place everywhere. In addition, nowadays, many websites offer free online courses. 
• Pampering yourself: You can wear nail-polish as you like throughout the week, and you will not have to worry about removing them for ablution! You can indulge in extra grooming. All of these acts can earn you rewards insha’Allah if your intention is to please the husband or even to please yourself, to be healthy, to increase concentration, and/or to relax from the stress associated with menstruation. 
• Community involvement: There are many activities of community-service which do not require much strength. For instance, planting a tree or feeding a cat is indeed simple. Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “If any Muslim plants a tree or sows a field, and a human, bird or animal eats from it, it shall be reckoned as charity from him.” [6]. Furthermore, in some organizations, you will be required simply to contribute an article/photograph or to manage a site. 
• Developing hobbies: You can pursue halaal hobbies, such as gardening, reading, writing, sewing, cooking, etc. Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “If he is working to support his small children, then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to support his elderly parents, then it is for the sake of God. If he is working to occupy himself and keep his desires in check, then it is for the sake of God. If, on the other hand, he is doing so to show off and earn fame, then he is working for the sake of Satan.” [7]. 
• Administration: You can be in charge of many things even while you are sitting at home during menstruation. Many of these acts will not require too much strength. For instance, you can calculate the zakat. You can monitor your official work. You can direct those who work for you in the home to complete certain chores, such as preparing iftaar, properly. If you have a lot of e-mail and Facebook comments to reply to, then this is the time you can do them all. You can make a note of your future plans. 
• Shopping: Complete your Eid shopping. If you have to buy gifts, do it now, instead of disrupting your prayers and fasts later. To avoid exhaustion during shopping, you can shop for less than an hour everyday, visit stores nearby, or take frequent breaks for sitting, eating, and relaxing. 
• Charity: You can donate from home and earn great rewards. (Surah Ali Imran 3:92): “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love...”
• Inviting people to Islam: You can organize a small gathering at home, explain the basics of Islam via phone, e-mail, or social networking sites, write Islamic articles, manage Islamic websites, and distribute Islamic books and tapes. The options are endless! (Surah Fussilat 41:33): “And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims.’” 
• Refrain from sins: Even if you do not engage in any act of worship, the least you can do to achieve rewards is to refrain from haraam activities.
  Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “When one of you sleeps with his wife, it is an act of charity.” [8]. If you look at this hadeeth, you may not notice any apparent act of worship which Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam had commanded. However, if you analyze it, you will realize that the fact that the man channeled his God-given ability into something halaal and positive, and the fact that he refrained from channeling it into something haraam, such as adultery or fornication, gained him rewards. 

Conclusion

The list above is by no means a comprehensive one. There might be many other simple tasks which, if combined with the correct intention, can earn you rewards easily during menstruation.

Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Helping a person or his belongings onto his mount is an act of charity. A good word is charity. Every step taken on the way to performing prayers is charity. Removing an obstacle from the road is charity.” [9].

What do you do to have a productive period during Ramadan?


Footnotes:
1. Narrated by At-Tirmidhi.
2. Narrated by Muslim, al-Hayd, 558.
3. Narrated by Muslim, 302.
4. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 583, and Muslim, 1829.
5. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5560.
6. Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
7. Narrated by al-Mundhiri and as-Suyuti.
8. Narrated by Muslim. Narrated by al-Bukhari

Posted in: hobbies,Khadeejah Islam,menstruation,productivity,Ramadan,time. productivity,Women,Worship