The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you is the one who is best to his family, and I am the best of you to my family.” (Tirmidhi)
“And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, that you may find comfort in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Quran 30:21)
Congratulations on your marriage, and welcome.
The Newlyweds challenge is one day, shared. Together, you will:
- sleep on the floor on Friday night, in your clothes, with no pillows or blankets
- fast from dawn on Saturday
- run a mud run side by side, in modest clothes
- break your fast at sunset with a plain, simple meal
- raise money for refugees along the way
It is a small, honest way to stand a little closer to families who face real hardship every day. It is also a gift to your marriage. Few things show you who your spouse is like being hungry, tired, cold and wet together.
You will not be alone on the day. A trusted friend will drive you, look after your things and keep your supporters updated.
The weekend at a glance
| Part | When | Quality | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday evening | Tawadu’ (humility) |
Change clothes, cook and eat together, pray, sleep on the floor |
| 2 | Saturday, before dawn | Sabr (patience) |
Sahoor, Fajr, begin the fast, travel to the venue |
| 3 | Saturday morning | Tawakkul (trust) |
The mud run, then prayer |
| 4 | Saturday afternoon | Tazkiyah (purification) |
The journey home, the long wait, washing, asking forgiveness |
| 5 | Saturday evening | Shukr (gratitude) |
Iftar, thanks, reflection, your own warm bed |
Each part is named after a quality of the heart. You will find yourselves practising each one, whether you plan to or not.
A word on humility
This is not a recreation of life as a refugee. It would be wrong to pretend it is.
You choose to begin. You know when it ends. A car, a roof and a warm bed are waiting for you. A refugee has none of these certainties.
So think of this as an approximation. It is a small effort to feel a fraction of what others live through, so that your compassion becomes less abstract and your giving more heartfelt. Hold it with humility and it will do you good.
How to use this blueprint
As a couple, read it together, in order.
- The first sections help you decide, choose your event and charity, and train.
- The five parts walk you through the day.
- The last section covers what comes afterwards.
Three things stay fixed: your sincere intention, your cause, and your care for each other’s safety. Everything else you can adapt.