With many countries still tackling the pandemic, being able to gather at our local mosques will be limited. It is important to create that spiritual feeling at home so that we do not miss out on that special Ramadan atmosphere! In this post, Fatima shares her tips on how to create a spiritual environment at home for the month of Ramadan.
Fatima is a Millennial-Muslimah, striving for balance and self-improvement. By profession, she is an interior designer but also a lifetime student of this world! As a seeker of knowledge, she is in constant search of what feeds the soul. You will find her reading books, studying, designing homes, and taking care of her ‘little ones’ (aka. Her plants!). Follow her on Instagram @fatima_khanafer.
Another Ramadan at home…
Last year, the whole world was hit by a pandemic. We all experienced the lockdown. We had to stay home, we could not go out anymore, we were not able to see our friends and families. It was a shock for many, myself included. Shortly after, the month of Ramadan arrived. For the first time, we were forced to celebrate the holy month in our homes. We were not able to gather together for Iftar, go out in the evenings, and most importantly, go to the masjid or the Islamic center to commemorate Shahr Ramadan nights all together.
In other words, for the first time ever last year, the usual spiritual environment of the month of Ramadan had been compromised. For many of us, it is simpler or more encouraging to worship collectively rather than by ourselves. The concept of community is crucial in Islam and is greatly enhanced during the month of Ramadān… and we did not get a chance to experience it!
A year later, the holy month is soon approaching, and we are still unable to gather. However, this time, we have a better idea of how it is going to be and can prepare ourselves accordingly! Here are some tips I find useful on how to create a spiritual environment at home for the month of Ramadān. If you have children, let them get involved too! Make preparing for Ramadan a fun family activity to get them excited and create beautiful memories that they can treasure.
How to create a spiritual environment at home for Ramadan
1. Make your home LOOK and SMELL Ramadan!
What I mean by this is that you want to enter your house and immediately feel the spirit of Ramadān. To do so is quite simple. Decorate! Let your home be colorful and vibrant. It does not have to be extravagant, expensive, or ‘insta-worthy.’ A simple touch can make all the difference. Place some candles or lanterns here and there; after all, these are the most common images that we think of when visualizing the holy month. Use string lights or get the kids to make some colorful paper chains. All these lights and colors create a lovely ambiance, especially in the evening when we sit down to recite supplications.
I came across this beautiful Qur’an calendar whilst shopping for my decorations. It’s perfect as it adds an amazing touch to our space but also is a great way to learn about the Qur’an.
To make your home smell perfumed and inviting, how about adding a fragrance to your space with some oud/bukhoor. These scents usually remind us of the mosque or Islamic countries, so they are perfect for creating that spiritual environment at home. I love this Bukhoor sample set as it includes a variety of different aromas in small packets and doesn’t require the whole lighting coal procedure. It is a reasonable, fast, and easy way to have the home smelling wonderful after cooking Iftar!
Spread the joy of the blessed month by creating a beautiful wreath!
Why keep the excitement to yourself? Spread the joy and blessings of the holy month with those around you – you can do that by creating your own wreath.
This beautiful crescent moon wreath took me a couple of hours to make and all the materials can be found at your local dollar store!
Fill out the form below to receive a free PDF guide on how to create your own! Share your creations with us over on Instagram @balancedbayt and we will be sure to feature you! .
Remember, you really do not need to pay hundreds of dollars to create a spiritual environment at home for Ramadan. Consider doing some DIYs or going to your local dollar store. You can find more stuff than you think and do not forget to keep everything for next year!
2. Create a Spiritual Corner / Space
This tip does not apply to the month of Ramadān exclusively. I feel it is a must-have in every Muslim’s house. If you don’t already have your spiritual space at home, why not create one in time for the blessed month? What a great and meaningful project to take on which you could start using in Shahr Ramadan and make the intention for it to be your permanent spiritual space. For more details on how to create one, check out this post on how to create a prayer/meditation space.
Make sure to prepare all the necessary resources such as your Qur’an, your dua (supplication) books, and your journal. Doing dhikr (remembrance of God) in this space truly feels different and special.
Creating a spiritual environment at home for Ramadan really helps to increase your connection with Allah during the blessed month. Pray, read the Qurān and supplications, commemorate the nights of Qadr… all in this special space! It is your personal nook in which you can have your moment of spirituality, your exclusive moment between you and God.
3. Establish a Ramadan Routine!
Everything is different in Shahr Ramadān. The usual daily routine changes with fasting, sleeping later, and more recommended acts to perform.
You too can change!
I have a detailed episode on how to plan your spirituality and organize your life here which discusses how to balance religion with every aspect of your life. Create a spiritual environment at home during Ramadan by planning ahead and having a routine!
How about trying something new like praying together as a family or perhaps Qur’an Journaling? This is a great guide for beginners on how to start.
Something I always do and recommend to all is to have a plan for the month. Write down the goals that you would like to reach and the habits that you would like to set. Have long-term and short-term goals. For the long-term ones, aim to keep certain habits for the rest of the year and not only during the holy month.
Each night, set a to-do list for the next day, and before sleeping reflect on your day and see how you’re doing. Should you add more goals to that list, or should you remove some? It is crucial to remember to take small steps. One step at a time leads to a better result. The aim is not to accomplish the higher number of goals and acts, but to embrace each one and to let them have a beneficial effect on you. You’ve heard it, you know it but I will say it again – Quality, over, quantity!
I hope you found my tips useful and can benefit from them. I would love to know what you do to create a spiritual environment at home during Ramadan, especially now when we need it the most! Please share your ideas with us in the comments below or over on our Instagram page.
I know it has not been an easy year for all but let us look for ways to find that silver lining by making it useful and beautiful. And let us pray to Allah (swt) that for Shahr Ramadan next year, we will have the chance to gather once again and be reunited with our loved ones. But for now, see you all on Zoom!
Wishing you a blessed month.
Du’as,
Fatima
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂