Now that the blessed month is over, it's time to set our sights on planning again. This time, it's to keep those good Ramadan habits we picked up and to develop more in the next 12 months.

During Ramadan, we had one month to try to establish resolutions and habits we hope to keep. But if we want to continue those habits, we need to take a careful look at ourselves and evaluate where we've been, where we want to go and how to get there, Insha Allah.

The planning until next Ramadan has to be done NOW. There is no time to wait.This is a sample self-evaluation form you can use to assess your present state in different aspects of life and how you can improve on the good.


SECTION ONE: Your personal relationship with Allah

-is Allah the most important priority in your life?

-how often did you remember and thank Allah in times of happiness and joy?

-how did you react to difficulties and tests Allah placed in your life? Were you patient or impatient?

-did your understanding of and commitment to Allah deepen with knowledge and practice this year?

-how often did you remember Allah on a daily basis? How can I incorporate Zikr into my life?

-how often did you "talk" to Allah through Dua, apart from when you wanted something?

-how often did you ask for Allah's guidance?

-how often did you turn to Allah in times of anxiety, need and difficulty?

-what can you do on a daily and weekly basis to increase your remembrance and commitment to Allah?

-how can you memorize relevant Duas from the Quran and Ahadith to remember Allah at all times?


Your Islamic knowledge

did you read Quran with meaning and understanding this past year on a daily basis?

-if not why not?

-did you attend a regular Islamic study circle (Halaqa) or class?

-if not, where can you find one?

-what are 10 new things that you learned about Islam this past year which you did not know before?

-did you implement any of these 10 things?

-did you seek knowledge only for Allah's sake, or was there another reason?

-what 10 aspects of Islam would you like to know about by next Ramadan which you do not know about right now?

-how many Islamic books did you read this past year?

-what way of learning suits you best (i.e. oral, visual, written)?


Your prayers

did you pray five times a day?

-did you pray on time at school or at work, or did you make up the prayers when you got home?

-are you praying correctly, or just assuming the way you pray is correct?

-have you been concentrating in your Salah?

-have you approached prayer with anticipation, love and fear of Allah, or with a reluctance and dread, hoping to just get it over with?

-do you read Sunnah prayers with the Fard as well?

-how can you improve your prayer?

-have you made dua for your neighbors and friends at job?


SECTION TWO: Your Family

-when did you last thank Allah for your family?

-is your relationship with your family for the pleasure of Allah?

-have you understood your responsibility as a Muslim to your family?

-do you know your duties as a father/mother, husband/wife, brother/sister, son/daughter?

-do you know your rights as a father/mother, husband/wife brother/sister, son/daughter?


How is your relationship with your parents?

-have you developed any grudges that have to be cleared away?

-have you forgiven them for any hurt they may have caused you?

-have you sought their forgiveness for mistakes you have made that hurt them?

-is your behavior towards them as respectful as possible?

-have you said "uff" to them or reacted angrily towards them?

-in the last year, what five things have you done to bring them closer to Allah?

-how have you served your parents?

-(if they live far away) have you called and visited them regularly?

-have you given them gifts on Eid and tried to get together with them?

-if they have passed away, when did you pray for them?

-have you done any charity lately for their sake?


How is your relationship with your spouse?


-have you learned about Islam together by attending a regular Islamic activity?

-how have you tried to make Islam part of your lives as a couple and family?

-do you feel you have built an Islamic household together?

-has there been verbal, emotional or physical abuse in the relationship? If so, why and what can be done about it?

-is there a silent grudge that needs to be discussed and cleared away?

-have you forgiven each other and sought forgiveness from each other for past mistakes?

-how often have you spent leisure time alone together in the past year?

-has your Iman (faith) in Allah and Islam grown through your relationship this past year?


How is your relationship with your children?

-what five things have you done to bring them kids closer to Allah?

-how much have you invested in their Islamic education, both financially and in terms of your time?

-do you know who their friends are?

-do you talk to them on a daily basis in any meaningful way?

-do you spend leisure time with them?

-how many fun activities have you engaged in with them over the year?

-have you helped introduce them to good Muslim kids their age that they can be friends with?

-has there been verbal, emotional or physical abuse in the relationship? If so, why and what can be done about it?

-have you sought their forgiveness for mistakes you have made that hurt them?

-have you been a living example of Islam to them?

-how can you spend more time with them?

-do you know what kind of environment they are growing up in?

-how often do you take them to the Masjid?

-how often do you take them to Islamic activities (i.e. dinners, camps, conferences, seminars, etc.)?


How is your relationship with relatives (i.e. brothers and sisters, etc.)

-did you send them Eid cards/gifts or at least call on Eid?

-do you visit each other at least once a year (if you're not living close by)

-are there any grudges that need to be cleared up?

-have you forgiven them for any past hurts and errors?

-have you sought their forgiveness for mistakes you have made that hurt them?

-have you tried to bring them closer to Allah?

-have you helped them with Halal needs (i.e. financial help)?


SECTION THREE: Your money

-Is your income (i.e. job) Halal? If you're not sure, who can you consult about this?

-how have you thanked Allah for it?

-did you pay your Zakat?

-how often and how much (approximately) did you spend in charity?

-do you keep track of expenses?

-do you have a personal budget?

-did I make a will to make sure that my property and belongings are divided Islamically after I die?

-has your debt increased or decreased?

-have you completely stopped taking and giving Riba (interest)?


Your time

-how can your free time make you closer to Allah?

-do you spend more time watching tv or talking to your spouse and children?

Your work for Islam

-how much time do you volunteer for good causes?

-have you volunteered for any soup kitchen, thrift store or similar project?

-what are three worthy projects you can devote your time to in your community for the sake of Allah?

Dawa

-how much time have you spent conveying the message of Islam to others?

-have you prayed for those Muslims who do not pray and fast?

-have you or your neighbor participated in each other's happiness or sorrows?

-is there a phone tree in your community so that you can easily inform other Muslims about events and issues of concern?

-how often have you had a conversation about Islam with neighbors, classmates or co-workers?

-have you given any Islamic literature to a non-Muslim this past year?

-have you followed up with non-Muslims who may have expressed an interest in Islam to you?

-have you attended any Dawa training programs or classes?

-have you written any letters to non-Muslims about Islam?


These are some questions which we came up with. They may or may not apply to you. Only you know yourself better, after Allah. So ask yourself all the questions which you want to ask, all the right questions. And then do these three things:

• Thank Allah for everything good you have been able to do

• Seek Allah's forgiveness for each and every sin and your shortcomings

• Take a pen and paper to plan for a better life......