My last post stressed the importance of prioritising our education as mothers. This time, I’d like to focus on one specific area of education – Islamic Studies.

As Busy Mamas, it can seem almost impossible to add even more to our To-Do lists (find out how to write an awesome To-Do list here), but finding the time to focus on Islamic Studies will go a long way in making you feel like you’re still aligned with your purpose. Sometimes we find ourselves so occupied with the children and their Islamic development, we often neglect our own.

Try incorporating Islamic Studies for yourself with these following ideas:

Qur’an Journal

Qur’an Journals are pretty, let’s face it. (I mean, look at these!) But they are also incredibly intimate and personal ways to get closer to the Qur’an and increase your understanding.

Timing

But when on Earth will you get time to sit and write pretty notes in a journal? I find after Fajr holds it’s own peaceful ambience that’s perfect. No kids – no interruptions. But maybe you’re not a morning person (I get it!) So set some time aside – just 15-30 minutes – after the kids have gone to sleep in the evening.

Ramadan Boost: Ramadan is coming up, so taraawih would be a perfect time to crack open your Qur’an, your tafsir book and your journal!

Keep it playing

Have Qur’an playing throughout the house. Whether during chore time, school time or just wind-down time. Having it playing will loosen you up and get you ready to sit with your journal.

Go further

There is plenty of inspiration and guidance for starting your own Qur’an Journal. Check out these links:

Recite&Reflect
Quran Journaling Community

Bayyinah TV

Bayyinah TV the best subscription purchase I ever made! It keeps Islamic Studies engaging for me and even my children. My eldest often sits beside me and chuckles along as he listens to Nouman Ali Khan.

Intensity is totally up to you

The thing I love about Bayyinah TV is the flexibility. I could have an intense lecture filled with note-taking and in-depth analysis, or I could have Story Time on in the background whilst I fold laundry, wash dishes, or cook the dinner. There is such a range of lectures on there, and the app saves my progress with each one so I can dip in and out of whichever topic I’m in the mood for.

Systematic

Maybe it’s my personality type, but I LOVE knowing the specific order I need to follow. That is, if you’re taking your Qur’an studies seriously and want to get the most out of it. By all means, dip in and out of whichever video takes your fancy, but to truly appreciate the elegant and majestic beauty of the Qur’an, Nouman Ali Khan recommends a certain order for the Qur’anic videos:

1. Al-Fatihah – A Deeper Look
2. The Divine Speech
3. A Thematic Overview
4. A Deeper Look

Yaqeen Institute

Yaqeen Institute is another source for Islamic knowledge I like to use, especially when it comes to current affairs or matters of conviction (Yaqeen can be translated to ‘certainty’). Sometimes, as a Muslim, I am faced with difficult questions which I don’t have the knowledge to answer.

Yaqeen provides those answers and uses a variety of forms for their information. Research papers, videos, and infographics mean I can get my iman boost regardless of what mood I’m in. Sometimes I am sat with my highlighters and notebook ready to go through a paper, and other times I just want to relax and watch a video or quickly check a graphic.

Keep it social

You’ve heard it before and I’m going to repeat it here – Humans are social beings. Don’t venture into your Islamic Studies alone. Find a partner. Find a group. These can be people you know personally or online friendships (isn’t the internet amazing?)

Facebook and Instagram

There is no shortage of Facebook groups for various fields of Islamic Studies. They can be the source of accountability and support many of us need in order to stay committed to something.

Instagram has a level of community that really comes in handy. Gather your contacts and see if any of them are interested in starting an online Islamic Studies group.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp can be irritating or rewarding – your choice. Believe it or not, those little groups can be a force for good. Gilded Dunya talks about the success of a Qur’an WhatsApp Group she uses to steadily make her way through the Qur’an. The idea lit a fire online and masses of sisters now set up their own groups.

How do you do it?

How do you incorporate Islamic Studies in your life?

Let me know in the comments!

Khadijah x