Ribāṭ Insights
Fasting with Faith and Purpose
The Muslim Ummah is in the midst of observing the second Ramadan to come since the genocide took place in Gaza. While many of us are looking forward to the rituals associated with the month of fasting, the reality is that millions of our brothers and sisters around the world will not be able to observe a normal Ramadan.
Student of the Month – March
Nour Cauveren is the author of Sunday Serenity, a weekly newsletter that helps fellow Muslims bridge the gap between knowledge and action—making the lessons from Islam practical for everyday life. Before becoming a writer, she was a certified life coach who worked with hundreds of women. However, she made the difficult decision to step away from coaching to focus on writing full-time, especially after the idea for her book, Becoming a Tranquil Soul: 5 Habits to Focus a Distracted Heart, emerged in Ramadan 1444 AH (2023). Though the transition was daunting, writing has brought her deep fulfillment. She finds immense joy when readers connect with Sunday Serenity and share how her words have impacted them.
Rising Together: The Evolution and Future of Rabata
In 2014, when my halaqa teacher recommended that I take a Ribaat class—I had no idea how profoundly it would shape my learning journey. Online learning was unfamiliar to me, and at first, it felt strange. I had always preferred in-person classes, where engagement felt more natural. But despite my initial hesitation, I stayed the course, and that decision changed my life in ways I never imagined.
Sha’ban: The Forgotten Month
There is a beautiful month—the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, lovingly placed between a Sacred Month, Rajab, and Ramadan—that is forgotten. Sha’ban is this beautiful month, and translated from Arabic, it means the month of separation.
Excitement for Ramadan rises, and hurried preparations swallow our time during this month. Amid our mass shopping and planning, the importance, blessings, and rewards of Sha’ban slip away from us. This neglected month is one in which we need to wake up and give it its importance, remembering it as true spiritual preparation for Ramadan. Not only is it preparation for what is to come, but Sha’ban holds its own significance. It is a month that consists of historic events, blessings of a powerful night of forgiveness second to Laylat-ul-Qadr, an invitation to purify our hearts with salawat on Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and a call to increase in fasting and Quran recitation.
Student of the Month – February
From Indonesia to the Pacific Northwest, Ratu Vanda Wardini’s journey has been one of devotion—to her family, community, and faith. Residing in Portland, Oregon, she is a dedicated wife and mother of four boys, having homeschooled them before they transitioned to high school. While her family life keeps her engaged, Vanda’s commitment extends beyond her home.
Loving Learning: Reflecting on a Lifetime Journey
I have always been passionate about education and my journey over the years has informed my role as Education Director at Rabata. The first day of school always had me lying awake the night before, unable to sleep from excitement—the anticipation of meeting a new teacher, starting a new grade, reading more books, and learning new things. As a child, my mother would lovingly refer to me as Dr. Eamaan, as I longed to one day fill that title, hoping to reach the pinnacle of knowledge. I would seek out learning in all possible ways, even jealous when my older brothers were assigned homework and I was not. Soon enough, my day came, and I remember eagerly rushing to my desk to complete my much-awaited homework.