Ramadan Traditions for Married Couples.

By Sister Megan.

1) Compete for serving each other a date or sip of water first. 

2) Pray together more often when possible in the home. 

3) Resist the temptation to chat during the time for dhikr after Salah. Support each other in finishing it.

4) Make sure to spend ten minutes hugging or touching before bedtime so that the exhaustion of fasting and taraweeh doesn't create too much separation between both of you. Touch is to be treasured for married couples.

5) Ask each other your Ramadan goals so you can be a source of compassion, support, and understanding for their greatest spiritual needs. 

6) When things get sluggish, be the one who encourages with love to keep going and doing extra acts of worship. 

7) Tune in: when you miss your spouse let them know verbally. It's ok to find the extra time away a little difficult. Use Fearless Vulnerability to let them know so their heart can catch up with yours. Just don't let the space lead to frustration and tension. 

8) Find ways to show more gratitude for each other. Make du'a for them verbally, drop an email, or leave a small note.

9) Welcome your spouse's desire to change rather than hold them to their "normal self." If they want Qur'an in the car vs. music, to attend the masjid for prayer vs. stay at home, allow the newness to be welcomed. 

10) Avoid shaming for who they are when they aren't as religious in one area as you'd prefer. Ramadan doesn't make a miracle change out of most of us. For one spouse, just fasting itself could be extremely difficult. For another, it's praying Fajr on time. One spouse may recite the whole Qur'an with ease, but another finds dhikr easiest for them to do. Whatever you say - make sure your intention is to show love, respect, gratitude, or support for your spouse this coming month and be a positive person in their life. 

*That alone is one of the greatest forms of da'wah you could ever hope for, and who better to be your best self to than your own spouse?* 

May Allah bless us all to find His infinite Mercy in Ramadan and find the fruits of those days in a cool Shade on the Day of Judgment, in the ability to fly over the sirat radiating beautiful light, and a celebration of pure joy and bliss with those we love in gardens in Jannah, with rivers, fields of green, towering trees, and other unimaginable beauty that Allah has created for those who seek Him.