#6 DDN - The Ramadan Edition
#6, 26 February 2025, The Divine Duty Newsletter
Assalamu Alaikum!
Welcome to Issue #6 of the Divine Duty Newsletter - the bumper Ramadan edition.
Ramadan is around the corner. The month where the entire rhythm of life shifts.
A month where time slows down just enough for us to reflect. A month where barakah fills our days in ways we can’t fully comprehend. A month where the gates of Jannah swing wide open, inviting us to draw closer to Allah like never before.
Yet, for many of us, Ramadan often feels like a paradox.
On one hand, we’re inspired - we of course want to make the most of every moment, soak in the blessings, and emerge as better versions of ourselves. But on the other hand, we sometimes feel overwhelmed, so much to do, so much we haven’t done, and before we know it, the month slips away, leaving us guilty and unfulfilled.
This issue is about making this Ramadan different.
Not through grand, impossible resolutions, but through a focused, intentional approach that allows us to unlock the real essence of this sacred month.
Before diving in, check out the free scorecard that assesses how aligned your life is with your true purpose. Nearly 3,000 Muslims have taken it so far! (link)
In today’s Ramadan-themed newsletter, we will go over:
Quaint Quotes – Prophetic wisdom and Qur’anic verses that highlight the rewards and opportunities of this month
Fascinating Frameworks – Fasting beyond the physical: The 3 levels of a true fast
Actionable Insights – How to deepen your connection with Allah this Ramadan
Recommended Resources – Books, Qur’anic reflections & must-watch talk
Upcoming Livestream – The Inner Dimensions of Fasting with AbuBilaal Yakub
This is our chance to reset, realign, and elevate. Let’s dive in.
"When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained." – Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Bukhari & Muslim)
This is not just a metaphor. Ramadan is divine intervention, a time when Allah removes barriers between us and Him. If you’ve ever struggled with consistency in worship, bad habits, or distractions, this is your window of opportunity. The doors of Jannah are wide open - it’s up to us to step through them.
"Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven." – Bukhari & Muslim
Imagine beginning a new chapter in life, completely unburdened. Ramadan is a spiritual reset button - a chance to cleanse the soul, rebuild habits, detoxify and get closer to Allah. Don’t let it slip away.
"Every deed of the son of Adam is multiplied: a good deed is multiplied tenfold, up to seven hundred times. Allah says, ‘Except for fasting, for it is for Me, and I will reward it Myself.’" – Bukhari & Muslim
This is the month where small acts carry enormous weight. Do not belittle them. More on that later.
"The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs of the guidance and the Criterion." – Qur’an 2:185
Ramadan and the Qur’an go hand in hand. Not just recitation, but proper reflection. This month is the perfect time to let the Qur’an transform your self, not just stay a book on your shelf.
"Ramadan is often treated as a spiritual sprint. But what if we saw it as the start of a marathon? Instead of setting ourselves up for failure with overambitious goals, what if we focused on making small, powerful shifts that last a lifetime?"
The Prophet ﷺ was ahead of his time. Modern self-help gurus talk about habit formation, but he already gave us the blueprint: small, consistent deeds are the key to lasting success.
James Clear says if you get 1% better every day for a year, you’ll be 37x better by the end. Imagine applying this principle during Ramadan, when rewards are multiplied beyond measure.
This year, focus on one small deed you can sustain, even beyond Ramadan.
Instead of 10 pages of Qur’an a day, start with one.
Instead of an hour of tahajjud, start with two raka’at before bed.
Instead of huge charity goals, commit to daily sadaqah - even £1 a day.
The goal isn’t to do more - it’s to be transformed over the course of the rest of your life.
Read the full article “An Atomic Ramadan” here: (link)
1️⃣ Make your goals identity-based: Instead of "I want to read the Qur’an daily," say "I am a person who connects with the Qur’an every day."
2️⃣ Use the 4 Laws of Habit Formation:
✅ Make it obvious (Set a fixed time for your deed)
✅ Make it attractive (Tie it to something enjoyable)
✅ Make it easy (Start small, just one ayah, one du’a)
✅ Make it satisfying (Track your progress, reward yourself)
3️⃣ Focus on long-term change: This isn’t just about 30 days. Think beyond Ramadan. Ask yourself:
📌 What one habit will I continue even after Eid?
📌 What kind of Muslim do I want to become beyond this month?
Small, consistent actions lead to massive transformation. Make this Ramadan the launchpad for who you become, not just what you do.
For more tips, check out my article: “How to make this Ramadan the G.O.A.T” (link)
A powerful framework for approaching fasting is understanding its three levels:
1️⃣ The Fast of the Stomach – Refraining from food, drink, and desires. The minimum requirement.
2️⃣ The Fast of the Senses – Guarding the tongue, eyes, ears, and limbs from sin.
3️⃣ The Fast of the Heart – Detaching from worldly distractions, focusing entirely on Allah.
Most of us only focus on Level 1. But real transformation happens at Levels 2 and 3.
This Ramadan, don’t just fast, fast with your heart.
For a deeper dive, join our upcoming livestream on this very topic 👇
Here are the details:
📅 Thursday 27th February 2025
⏰ 5 PM (GMT)
🎙️ Speaker: Ustadh AbuBilaal Yakub
📍 Live in the KNOW Community → skool.com/kn-ow
This deep-dive session will explore:
✅ The true spiritual dimensions of fasting
✅ How to elevate your Ramadan experience beyond just hunger
✅ Practical ways to purify the heart and mind this month
This will get your mind right for Ramadan. Don’t miss it.
The Ultimate Resource this month of course - The Qu’ran. This should be the focus. Here are some suggested resources:
The Majestic Qur’an (link) – A plain English translation, and a very easy enjoyable read for deeper understanding
The Clear Quran Audiobook – Perfect for daily listening. (Download on App Store | Google Play)
A great video from Nouman Ali Khan to help prepare for Ramadan 2025 (link)
A staple of Ramadan content for many Muslim households has become Yaqeen Institute’s excellent daily well produced, thought provoking reminders. This year, the topic is on the Barazakh. Sign up for that plus other Ramadan reminders (link)
And another staple is LaunchGood’s Ramadan Challenge, 30 days of giving (link)
The Quran and the Moon (book), Sheikh Imran Hosein – (link)
This is a great book with a unique methodology on HOW you should recite the Qur’an this month, to unlock the maximum barakah
"The Inner Dimensions of Fasting" by AbuBilaal Yakub (Upcoming KNOW livestream – see above!) (link)
I have something SPECIAL this Ramadan for 40 people. Apply here. (link)
Want more content like this? Follow me on X, Instagram or LinkedIn.
You, the people will decide
Remember, Ramadan isn’t about doing more, it’s about becoming more.
Small deeds. Big rewards. Consistency over intensity. As I said, this is our chance to reset, realign, and elevate.
May Allah bless you with a transformative Ramadan, full of mercy, forgiveness, and lasting change.
Please let me know what you think of these newsletters and give me suggestions for themes for future issues. I promise to read every single email insha’allah!
With Love,
Faisal
P.S. Here are the previous editions if you'd like to check them out:
#1: The Two Seas of Knowledge | #2: Knowing Yourself | #3: Being an Amazing Action Taker | #4: Balance, Meezan and the Middle Path | #5: Biomimicry and Learning from Nature
P.P.S. A final thought. Last year in Ramadan, brother Haruna from the UAE made a du’a. He asked Allah for clarity, for purpose, for direction. And Allah answered. This is what he said:
"Having completed my Itikaf in Ramadan 2024, I came across the Know Your Purpose Programme and after enrolling, I soon realised this was one of my answered prayers during Ramadan. I now think the same of this program as I do of Hajj, Umrah, and Itikaf - your life will change."
Haruna went from feeling lost to knowing his mission with certainty.
He realised:
✅ Everything in his life had been leading to something greater
✅ How to truly trust Allah and surrender to His plan
✅ That success requires commitment, discipline, and sacrifice
"After the Know Your Purpose Programme, I do not want to merely live. I want to make a difference."
Maybe your du’a this Ramadan could be the one that changes your life. Make it. Believe in it. And take action when the opportunity arises.
What will you ask Allah for this Ramadan?
I love the piece about small, realistic habits. We forget that habits take time to settle in and once Ramadan begins we won't automatically switch on new habits. I think Ramadan is a great motivation for us explore new Islamic habits to stick with us rather than a time to be a 'perfect' Muslim.