[1/4] The Fresh Start Series: Deen

Assalamu alaykum dear friend,

Welcome to Episode 1 of The Fresh Start Series.

This is brand new email series where we explore ways we can have fresh starts in the different areas of our lives inshaAllah, especially as we head into the new year 🎉

In today’s episode, we’ll be looking into different things we can do to achieve a fresh start in Deen.

First, please take a moment (like, a real moment) to reflect on what a fresh start in your deen would look like FOR YOU?

What would it feel like? How would it make you feel?

A fresh start in Deen is one of the most critical fresh starts we can ever have (and we’re kinda blessed to have the opportunity to fresh-start in deen, if you think about it!)

It’s incredibly important to take every opportunity we have to reflect and re-orient and recenter ourselves as muslim women.

A Deen fresh start is where we slow downnnnn on all the go-go-go of life and business, to gently and deeply reconnect with our WHY, to renew our intentions, to reconnect with Allah… so that we can stay focused on what truly matters.

Let’s break this down further into smaller bits.

I’ll be sharing 4 main reflection categories below — please keep in mind where you are now, and where you’re trying to go regarding these specific reflection categories.

And of course, you can reflect on other major categories (e.g. tazkiyah, tahajjud, ibadah, sincerity, sins).

Ok, let’s get into it. Bismillah :)

1. Istighfar + Dhikr

Reflection Questions:

What’s your relationship with seeking forgiveness and repenting?

Is it one of those things on your to-do list that you never quite get to?

Or are you more on the “what’s the point of these” side?

Action Item(s):

• Read this article, reflect on it deeply, and implement what you learn.

• Watch AT LEAST the first 11 minutes of this video (with full presence). You’re welcome! If you prefer to listen to it on Apple Podcasts, here ya go!

• Incorporate the morning and evening adhkar into your daily routine, and make them a non-negotiable, focused part of your day. Put it on your calendar.

2. Salah

Reflection Questions:

How consistent and focused are you with your five daily prayers? Are you praying, like really praying, or just… moving your limbs?

Action Item(s):

• Create a quiet and inviting distraction-free space you’re eager to pray in.

• Watch this video with full presence and deep it. Salah *is* a gift.

3. Qur'an

Reflection Questions:

How often do you read and reflect on the Qur'an? Do you actively seek to understand the message of the Qur’an and apply it to your everyday life?

Action Item(s):

• Dedicate a specific time each day to recite and reflect upon the Qur'an, even if just 10 minutes. As much as you can, be consistent.

• Join a Qur’an class near you and commit to showing up for it! If you can’t attend one in-person, join one online.

• Sign up for a Tafseer course to understand the meaning of a specific surah, or *gasp*, the whole Qur’an!
  Here’s one I started and have enjoyed so far.

4. Knowledge, knowledge, knowlegdge!

Reflection Questions:

Are you actively seeking knowledge to help you on this journey of life that we’re on? How grounded are you in your understanding of islam, and your role as a muslim woman? If you’re already seeking knowledge actively, go you! Are you applying what you learn to your daily life?

Action:

• Choose a book, online course, or YouTube lecture series to study, on a topic like aqeedah, fiqh, tafseer, hadith, arabic, seerah…
  Check out these programs I’ve either started or have my eyes on:

  • AMAU

  • A Year of Knowledge

  • Inkpot Syllabus

• Set aside time each week for learning, and block off “knowledge time” on your calendar.

• Find an accountability partner!

• Join Maktabah, a community of sisters who come together weekly via Zoom to learn.
  Side note: Maktabah is hosted by one of my most favorite humans ever ever ever, Fatimah Maitambari a.k.a, My Zee! Tell her I sent you to her 😁 (and yup, in case you were wondering, “most favorite” is grammatically incorrect lol!)

Remember, small, consistent, and sincere baby steps will take you faaaar by Allah’s will.

May Allah bless you with the strength and sincerity to keep going and growing in your deen, and in your connection with Him. Ameen.

See you next week for Episode 2 of our Fresh Start Series inshaAllah.

Love + Du'a,
Maryam

P.S. Want to know what’ll make me smile so wide right now? It’s this: Would you please reply to this email to tell me which of the action item(s) you’re going to try hard to implement? :)