We’ve almost reached the end of Ramadan’s first 10 days, and it’s scary how fast they’ve passed.
For a number of us, we’re moving full speed ahead with our goals Alhamdu lillah. For others, we want to kick ourselves for the time we’ve wasted not doing so.
Regardless of what our situation is, it’s always helpful to engage in self-evaluation. Umar ibn al Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, once said, ”Hold yourself accountable before you are held accountable, and weigh your deeds before they are weighed for you.”
With that in mind, here is a sample report card you can use to grade yourself with to measure how well you’ve used the blessed month’s first 10 days.
Grading Standards:
A: My Ramadan is excellent and I’m reaching my goals
B: My Ramadan is very good but needs improvement
C: More conscious effort needs to be put in using my time in Ramadan wisely
D: I think I’m giving up on my goals too easily in Ramadan
F: Is it really Ramadan?
SUBJECTS:
PRAYERS
All five completed on time
All five completed within the first hour of prayer time
Necessary Sunnahs prayed
Extra Sunnahs prayed
Participation in Taraweeh prayers
QURAN
Reading
Memorization
Listening
DUA
Making Dua with every prayer
Dua lists being used during critical times (e.g. fast breaking)
CHARITY
Zakat paid (if you pay in Ramadan yearly)
Weekly Sadaqah
Non-monetary Sadaqah (e.g. smiling, removing harmful thing from road, etc.)
Participation in service work (e.g. feeding the hungry, making lunches, etc.)
BEHAVIOR
Avoiding backbiting
Avoiding lying
Avoiding arguing
Respecting parents and/or other elders
Being kind to children
Avoiding arrogance
Controlling anger
Avoiding overeating
Avoiding food wastage
Keeping in touch with relatives, especially parents.