As the new year has begun, it seems as though many goals are being set. These goals may be geared toward education, health, or self-improvement. With these categories in mind, your faith should also be a top priority. Islam is such a profound and rich religion. Islamic knowledge and growth are like an endless ocean. There is always room for self-improvement. With our endless daily affairs, we sometimes lack spirituality. Islam can and should be incorporated into our everyday routines. With that being said, I would like to share some ways you can improve yourself and become the best Muslim you can be!

1. Find a Fajr Friend!
   We have all undoubtedly experienced the struggle of waking up for fajr prayer. It can be a challenge to wake up to your alarm at times. The solution: find yourself a Fajr friend! You and your fajr friend can make a pact to have the first one that wakes up for fajr call the other. You can check in with each other before athan to make sure that you both are up and ready for salah. We all know the saying, friends who pray together stay together!
2. Get Involved!
   One of the easiest and most impactful forms of dawah is volunteering! Volunteer at your local mosque, get involved in your school’s MSA, or help out at a food pantry. The list of places that can use a volunteer never ends. As Ghandi wisely said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
3. Connect with Your Creator!
   Studying for a big exam? Stressed out? Play some Quran recitation to increase your productivity and ease your heart. When we are going through hardship, many of us resort to talking to Allah, through duaa. Instead, we can have Allah talk to us by reading from the Quran, whether that be the original Arabic version or the translation. The Quran is full of stories and reminders that you can relate to on a personal level. After all, it was sent to comfort all mankind, no matter the day and age they live in.
4. Incorporate Duaas in Your Actions!
   The duaa for waking up, the duaa for eating, the duaa when you enter the bathroom, the duaa when you get in a car,  the duaa when you go into a test, and the list goes on. There is basically a supplication for all your daily tasks. There is nothing more excellent than remaining in a state of remembrance of God. After all, we would not sin if we were always in a state of remembrance and consciousness of God.
5. Get Familiar With the Quran!
   What better way to connect to Allah than by reading the Quran? You can start learning based on your current knowledge as some may be more advanced than others. Register in a tajweed class, halaqa, or practice reading tilawa. Strive to really understand what you are reading and incorporate tafsir. Downloading a Quran app on your phone is a great start!