The barakah of sujood.
Put your forehead on the ground.
Let the blades of grass and clover tickle your toes.
Allow your hands and knees to ground yourself in the soil.
Make dua and glorify the Creator of our bodies and this precious planet.
“The servant is closest to his Lord during prostration, so increase your supplications therein.” – Sahih Muslim
Let’s talk about what’s missing from your Ramadan prep.
Most Ramadan prep lectures include tips on:
– recommendations for getting the heart ready for this blessed month
– how to deepen the spiritual elements of the fast
– writing down your Ramadan goals and the duas you want to make
– connecting to and reading the entire Quran
– how to automate your sadaqah
– nutritious food for your fasts
– etiquettes of the masjid
– fitness while fasting
These reminders are important but incomplete. People of ihsan pay attention to the whole picture. The inner world and the outer world.
Here is what is missing from your Ramadan prep:
We also need Ramadan reminders to connect to Allah through the companion book to the Quran: the Book of Nature.
While the Quran points to the natural world in over 700 ayat, living in a modern, consumerist culture often disconnects us from nature. The Quran reminds us of Allah’s signs in nature. For decades, nature has been giving us clear indications that we need to pay it more attention. Ramadan is an excellent time to reconnect and recalibrate with the natural world and join in with its continuous harmonious dhikr of Allah.
An easy way to connect to the Book of Nature is to start Ramadan by sighting the hilal. Pay more attention to the cycles of the sun that indicate the times of the prayers. Take the earbuds out of your ear and listen to the chatter of the birds reminding us to pray fajr. Break your fast while watching a Ramadan sunset.
Reconnect with Allah through His magnificent signs in nature. Recharge your capacity to experience Allah’s majesty through the natural world.
Experience your deen outdoors!
I get to combine my master’s degree in Islamic Studies with my Maryland master naturalist certification to get Muslims outdoors engaging with the ayah of Allah in the natural world and connect with the ayah of Allah in the Quran.
Help me get my 40 volunteer service hours! If you’re interested in bringing one of my free small group workshops to a masjid or green space near you in the DMV, DM me or email kori@greenramadan.com
What is a master naturalist?
A master naturalist is a certified volunteer who has completed classroom instruction and hands-on experience outdoors, and then commits to put that knowledge to use in their region through volunteer service every year, along with additional advanced training. There are master naturalist programs all over the US.
In Maryland, we have to do 52 hours of classroom instruction, 8 hours of hands-on experience outdoors, followed by 40 hours of volunteer service every year and a minimum of 8 hours of advanced training.
Over 2021 & 2022, I did the master naturalist program with the Anacostia Watershed Society which focused on the plants and animals of the Anacostia River Watershed, how human activity has impacted the Anacostia River over time, and the art of teaching others about the natural environment.
For a free DMV-local small group workshop email kori at greenramadan dot com