Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death.” (Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 1077)

Every year as Ramadan draws near, we find ourselves scrambling to prepare for the days ahead, hoping that this time we will have better self-discipline and a chance to experience profound spiritual rejuvenation. In an ideal scenario, we might hope to dedicate our days and nights to worship, free from worldly obligations and responsibilities. However it is important to remember that even the Sahaba, who would prepare for Ramadan six months before its arrival, did not shy away from worldly duties nor did they view it as a month to stop their normal routine or activities. For example,there were instances when they went to war while fasting. Rather, they spent more time in worship, sacrificing sleep and spending their time solely on what matters. 

However the question remains, in the midst of fasting and engaging in acts of worship, how do we strike a balance between our worldly responsibilities and devotion to Allah? We asked the Amaliah Community to send in their tips on effective time management during Ramadan and they did not disappoint. 

In this article, we will explore tried and tested strategies by our community members to help you manage your time effectively during Ramadan. 

1. Utilise Annual Leave Strategically 

“Save up annual leave to take off as much of the last 10 days as possible, or one day off every week”

Our favourite tip was to consider saving up annual leave to take off as much time as possible in Ramadan, particularly in the last 10 days or alternatively, take one day off every week. This can provide dedicated time for worship, reflection, and rejuvenation without the distractions of work or other commitments. 

2. Prioritise Salah Times

“I have prayer times set in my diary first, then anything else around them.”

Set prayer times as non-negotiable appointments in your diary and plan your day around them. This approach allows you to focus and pray as soon as possible after the adhan (call to prayer). Carry essentials like a portable prayer mat and water bottle for wudhu, to help facilitate prayers wherever you are. Additionally, for those who utilise digital calendars, consider syncing your calendar with prayer times. By incorporating prayer times directly into your digital calendar, you can receive reminders and notifications, ensuring that you never miss a prayer. This simple yet effective act can help you stay organised and prioritise salah throughout the day.

Here is a helpful video demonstrating how to sync prayer times with your digital calendar.

The Prophet ﷺ emphasised the importance of salah in numerous hadiths. 

“Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 413)

3. Establish Pre-Ramadan Routines

“Start getting into a routine before Ramadan starts, i.e. sleeping, eating etc.”

Gradually adjusting your sleeping and eating patterns before Ramadan begins can help ease the transition into the fasting month, ensuring that you’re physically and mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. Make an intention of adjusting your routine for the sake of having a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan and earn double the rewards.

4. Optimise Your Work Schedule

“I find it helpful to schedule work in the morning and do ibadah towards the end of the day.”

The Prophet ﷺ emphasised the merit of Qiyam Al-Layl, the night prayer and said, “The best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i)

Offering taraweeh during the night and waking up for work the next day is definitely one of the biggest challenges we face during Ramadan. Consider exploring flexible work options, such as remote work or adjusted hours, to accommodate your schedule. Have an open and honest conversation  with your employer about your religious obligations to improve your work-life balance during this time. 

You can find a ‘Ramadan Guide for Employers’ here which you can share with them and a ‘Flexible Working Email Template’ which you can use to request reasonable adjustments. 

5. Structure Your Day Around Worship

“During Ramadan, I plan my day around my worship, this way I can pray promptly and have dedicated time for the Quran.”

Try to organise your day into manageable chunks aligned with the ibadah you wish to fulfil. You can also allocate specific time slots for Salah, reading the Quran, making dhikr, or even taking power naps if you need them. Resting during Ramadan, with the intention of improving the quality of your worship, also brings numerous rewards and blessings. 

“I’ve found it helpful to leave my phone in another room to stay focused.”

Our favourite tip was putting your phone in a completely separate room away from the space where you will conduct your ibadah, in order to minimise distractions. Staying focused on achievable and sustainable spiritual goals also helps in staying consistent. 

The Prophet ﷺ said, “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those performed consistently, even if they are small.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i)

6. Meal Prep In Advance

“Meal prepping in advance on the weekends frees up so much time for me during weekdays and helps me focus on my ibadah post iftar.”

Simplify your Ramadan routine by dedicating weekends to meal prepping. Follow the Sunnah and prioritise nutritious and wholesome foods. By preparing healthy meals and snacks in advance, you can streamline your Ramadan routine and reduce stress. This allows you to focus more on worship and spiritual reflection during this blessed month. 

7. Have an Accountability Buddy

“Every year my sister and I keep each other accountable for Qur’an recitations. This helps me stay on track throughout.”

Reach out to your sisters, friends, or aunties to create a support network during Ramadan. Consider forming a WhatsApp group to address challenges together. Whether it’s praying taraweeh, waking up for suhoor or doing a Quran khatam, having like-minded friends can offer encouragement and accountability in reaching spiritual goals.

Narrated Abu Musa, “The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, ‘A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) then clasped his hands with the fingers interlaced (while saying that).” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

8. Ease the Load

“For the past two years, I’ve found a game-changer for Ramadan: hiring cleaners to come twice a week. It’s been a lifesaver in easing the load during this blessed month.”

Delegating household tasks and responsibilities can help lighten the load for everyone during Ramadan. Assign specific chores to each member of the family or if possible, outsource certain tasks like cleaning and laundry. Communicate openly about the importance of shared responsibilities before Ramadan starts to manage everyone’s expectations and encourage everyone to play their part.

9. Manage Hydration and Nutrition:

“I drink at least 2L of water post iftar no matter what to help with my hydration.”

Prioritising hydration can help in sustaining energy levels and enable optimal worship throughout the day. Incorporate hydrating foods and drinks into your suhoor and iftar meals to further support your health and enhance your spiritual practice.

You can also read our articles below for more tips on nutrition during Ramadan:

Sunnah Ways: Mindful Eating This Ramadan

Sunnah Foods to Try and Recipe for Tharid – The Beloved Meal of Prophet (ﷺ)

10. Streamline Ramadan with Technology

“I use google calendar to schedule everything, from salah, to quran recitation time to meal prep, this helps take off a huge mental load.”

Make use of time-saving technology tools and resources to streamline your daily routines during Ramadan. You can explore meal planning apps, productivity trackers, and digital organisers to manage tasks, stay on schedule, and make the most of your time effectively.

You can also read: 6 Islamic Apps to Help You Prepare for Ramadan

11. Have Sabr and Shukr:

“It helps to acknowledge that I am only human, some days will be good while others not so much.”

Fostering a mindset of gratitude and patience can help navigate the challenges and blessings of Ramadan. Each day of Ramadan is a renewed opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy and gain His forgiveness. Trust in Allah’s guidance to help you overcome obstacles and fulfil your obligations with sincerity and devotion.

For tips to help you overcome that Ramadan slump, aslo read: The Last Mile, Lift Your Ramadan Slump

Allah SWT says, “By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.” (Surah Al-Asr 103:1-3).

These verses serve as a reminder of the preciousness of time and the importance of utilising it wisely to fulfil our duties as Muslims. May this Ramadan be a time of growth, reflection, and connection. Ameen