How to Help Teens Maintain Their Ramadan Habits Year-Round

We have reached the finish line of Ramadan, hopeful that Allah will accept our fasting, good deeds, and forgive our sins. We woke up early for tahajjud, ate suhur with our families, and made sure our children were right beside us, taking them to the masjid for tarawih prayers and ensuring they got the most out of this blessed month. But for some, this was more challenging than for others. Not everyone gets to immerse themselves in Ramadan the way they hope. Life’s responsibilities, whether demanding jobs, school schedules, caregiving, or simply exhaustion, can get in the way. Let us not forget the single parents juggling work and home, the exhausted caregivers, and those carrying unseen burdens who still did their best. And of course, the monumental responsibility of parenting does not pause when we stop eating and drinking. Now that we have reached the end of the road, it is important to know that it is not a dead end. We can carry the spirit of Ramadan forward and let it boost our faith for the rest of the year until the next Ramadan.

It is expected to feel defeated as this month comes to a close. We may regret the opportunities lost and feel ashamed that we failed to take more action. I have felt this deep sadness many times, especially as a busy mom, and fondly remember when one of the imams at a masjid I frequently attended cried on the pulpit on the day of Eid. Between sobs, he told worshippers that although Eid-ul-Fitr was rightfully a day of celebration, he also felt sad that the month of Mercy was over. My children sat beside me, bewildered at the time because they were too young to understand. In that moment, I realized that while Ramadan leaves many of us with a bittersweet ache, children experience it in a different way. Their perspective shifts as they grow, but even as teenagers, their feelings about the month’s end may not mirror our own. 

Adolescents, although incredibly intelligent and compassionate, might not experience the same level of sadness that adults do. Now that some of my children are in their teens, I can understand their excitement for Eid and sighs of relief when they no longer have to fast. They are probably ecstatic to return to a sense of normalcy after Ramadan. With as many blessings as the month brings, it also significantly alters their schedules. Since they are fasting, they may feel extra tired during school hours; they do not have as much time to finish their homework due to the iftar and tarawih schedules, and they may not be getting enough sleep because of waking up for prayer and suhur. Depending on whether they take a bus to school and their class schedules, some teens may be getting half the sleep they usually do. As parents, we should not be disappointed if our children yearn to go back to their regular schedules. Routine brings comfort, and adolescents need adequate rest to function mentally and physically. While this return “to normal” may seem disheartening to us, it does not have to mean the end of spiritual growth for our families.

Here are five practical ways to ensure our teens continue on a path of goodness after Ramadan:

1. Continue Taking Them to the Masjid

Hopefully, you were able to take your teens to the mosque, Islamic community center, or Muslim gatherings during Ramadan. If you were not due to your schedule, work and school commitments, or living situation, it is understandable. However, building a lifelong connection to the masjid is vital, and Ramadan is a great starting point. For that reason, we must help our children establish that relationship with Allah’s House early. To sustain this habit:

• Encourage your child to attend the masjid regularly by making it enjoyable and meaningful.
• Get them involved through volunteer opportunities—this fosters a sense of belonging and responsibility.
• Enroll them in an Islamic class (weekends or after school) to maintain their connection to Islamic knowledge and keep them surrounded with good company.
• Make prayer time special by grabbing a treat afterward. Small incentives like a quick stop at 7-Eleven or chai at the masjid cafeteria can make a huge difference, especially for teenagers.

2. Maintain Consistent Spiritual Practices

Sustainable habits strengthen faith, and the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught that “Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.” (Sunan Ibn Majah 4240). Even if you feel that you did not do enough during Ramadan, that is normal. Try to take an inventory of at least one good thing you did during the month and keep it going.  

• Have your teen choose one Ramadan practice to continue as a family—whether it is extra dhikr, Quran reading, or increased charity. You may be surprised at what they choose. 
• Use Aisha’s example: She reported that when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did something, “he did it regularly” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6466, Sahih Muslim 783).
• Identify the Ramadan practice that was most meaningful for your teen and encourage them to continue it beyond the month of Ramadan. Get their friends involved to motivate them. 

3. Follow Ramadan with Other Acts of Worship

Encourage your teen to follow Ramadan with additional acts of worship:

• The six days of Shawwal: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he has fasted for the entire year.” (Sahih Muslim, 1164)
• Regular fasting throughout the year: Consider fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or during the three white days (13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month). If you have adolescent girls, encourage them to make up for their missed fasts as soon as possible. It may be easier for them to use the momentum of Ramadan to complete them. Moms should strive to do it together, so they feel supported. 
• Increase in charity: Reinforce the idea that generosity is not limited to Ramadan. Find local causes they can contribute to year-round. Make it an enriching family activity and be consistent. 

4. Transform Regrets into Action

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Regret is part of repentance.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, 4252). Rather than allowing post-Ramadan regrets to linger, channel them into positive change for yourself and your children:

• Follow evil deeds or shortcomings with good deeds: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, advised, “Fear Allah wherever you are, follow a bad deed with a good deed and it will erase it, and behave with good character towards people.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 1987).
• Use missed opportunities as motivation: If your teen did not accomplish all their Ramadan goals, help them turn those feelings into a commitment for the future. 
• Encourage positive thinking about Allah: Remind them of the Hadith Qudsi: “I am as My servant thinks of Me…” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 7405).
• Help your teen pinpoint an area they fell short in during Ramadan and create a realistic plan to improve it moving forward.

5. Implement Journaling as a Growth Tool

I recently spoke at a webinar where I mentioned journaling as an effective post-Ramadan tool for adults, but it can also be just as beneficial for teens. Encouraging our youth to document their spiritual journey promotes accountability and mindfulness. Ramadan journals are popular for setting goals and tracking progress, and post-Ramadan journaling can be even more impactful in planning how to maintain our spiritual high. 

Journaling does not require anything fancy. A simple notebook, the notes app on a mobile device, or a Google Doc will work for your child to keep track of their post-Ramadan goals. Here are some journaling prompts to keep their faith engaged:

1. Record daily moments of gratitude: What are they saying Alhamdulillah for today?
2. Track consistency in worship: How often are they maintaining their Ramadan habits?
3. Note instances of divine mercy: Where do they see Allah’s blessings in their lives?
4. Document Quran reading, spiritual insights, and lessons learned: What stood out to them during their recitation?
5. Start small: Just five minutes a day can enhance spiritual awareness and self-accountability.

Instilling a sense of responsibility in our teenagers is key to their spiritual development. Part of that responsibility is nurturing their relationship with their Creator through prayer, fasting, and other acts of worship that extend beyond the month of Ramadan. While this blessed month provides a powerful boost in faith, it is up to us as parents to guide our children in maintaining that momentum. Encouraging them to take ownership of their spiritual journey while modeling consistency ourselves will help them see that faith is not a seasonal commitment, but a lifelong one. The end of Ramadan is not a conclusion, but a new beginning. It is an opportunity to apply the lessons we have learned and continue growing together as a family throughout the year.