Ramadan Mubarak

The Blessed Month of Ramadan is almost upon us. Ramadan is the month when the doors of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained in restraint. To me, the Month of Ramadan is about adhering to the veracity of our lives and striving to be more mindful, seeking patience, and finding gratitude, from the time we rise up during the predawn hours, to the time we lay ourselves down to rest again after our night prayers.

Ramadan is a serious month of internal reflection, of examining the self, of pondering over the directionality of our lives. In Surah At-Tawkir (The Overthrowing), Verse 26, we are asked

فَاَيۡنَتَذۡهَبُوۡنَؕ

“Where then are you going?”

Ramadan is a month long retreat, as we examine the soul (ruh), the heart (qalb), the intellect (aql) and the ego (nafs), seeking tazkiyyah or purification of the whole self. It is a time of reexamining the purpose of our existence and studying the Divine Attributes of God.

Ramadan is the reminder of the reaffirmation of the Centrality of the Creator in our lives, so that we may attain God-Consciousness.

Ramadan is the reminder to reset. It is the month to slow down, simplify, and pause to ask ourselves “What have we been doing in the past year? What changes do we want to make for ourselves and our families in the coming year, if we are given the blessing of continuous life?”

Ramadan is the reminder that time is the most precious of gifts we have been given and time can never be bought nor extended. With each day that passes, that is one day closer to our exit from the world. It is a stark and poignant fact that those who were with us last Ramadan, are no longer with us and have returned to their Lord.

إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ

To Him we belong and unto Him we shall return.

Ramadan is the reminder about turning off the mindless entertainment, reducing the idle chatter, minimising the mental and physical clutter in our lives, reducing the consumption of material goods, especially in food and drink, and slowing down the hectic pace in which we are careening through life, so we can stop to think, to be present in the moment, to engage in meaningful reflection and change.

Ramadan is the reminder about disciplining the soul and walking in the path of the Great Prophets of God - of Abraham, of Moses, of Jesus, of Muhammad, May Peace and Blessings be upon them all. It is the time to use our time and energy wisely in engaging in the Worship of our Creator. The key to opening our hearts is the Qur’an and the Sunnah, and the teachings of the companions and the scholars. Imam Al Ghazali said that the real fasting is not the fasting of the stomach and the tongue but it is the fasting of the heart.

Ramadan is the reminder that this is the month of the Qur’an. It is the month of reconnecting with sweetness of the Book of Allah. The Qur’an tells us in Chapter 13 Ar’Ra’d (The Thunder), Verse 28 , “Verily in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest.” The Qur’an is the unchangeable Words of Allah and a Light and a Mercy to mankind, wherein there is great wisdom and healing for those who ponder over it. We must ask for openings during this Blessed Month to build a connection with the Furqan, the Criterion, the textbook of our lives for the success of the duniya (this world) and the aakhira (the next world). Allah is Al-Fattah, the Opener. He can open the doors to allow the light of the Qur’an to enter our hearts and its brightness to illuminate our lives and the path forward. The Qur’an is like an intimate friend. The more time we spend with the book, the more we get to know it as a companion, and the more we benefit from its secrets and gifts.

I pray that our stores of imaan are replenished to overflowing, as the spirit and light of the month touch every nook and cranny of our hearts and souls.

I pray that we fall in love again with Our Creator, with His Book, His Messengers, and all that this beautiful Deen of Islam encompasses.

I pray that our hearts and souls are flooded with the indescribable sweetness of love, mercy, tranquility, and contentment.

I pray that we learn to set us aside our entrapment in our individualism and our ego and the enrapture that is becoming more and more prevalent with I, me, mine, and myself.

I pray that we are more loving, caring, and compassionate to ourselves, to our families, to those in need, and to one another in charitable acts of goodness, kindness and generosity.

I pray that our bonds of human connection are strengthened to build a better world for tomorrow because community and congregation are fundamental components of a healthy Muslim society.

I pray that we, our children, and our families find elevated companions in this life, who will remind us of Our Magnificent Creator, of Our Beloved Messenger, of Our Beautiful Deen, of the importance of the excellence in manners and conduct and, in whose sublime company our own ranks and status will be elevated.

I pray that the abuse, oppression, and suffering of all people will be alleviated, so that human beings will find peace and live in harmony with one another in the short time we are here in this world.

I pray that all of us who are battling physical ailments are granted the means for complete healing and alleviation of pain, so that we are able to fast in the Month of Ramadan.

I pray that all of us who are struggling with mental health issues, grief, loneliness, and sadness are granted the means, the help, and support needed to overcome these debilitating states of depression and darkness.

I pray that we are mindful of the resources of the earth that we consume, and the footprints we leave behind in the environment of a planet, that we not only share with others but also must hold in trust and preserve for future generations.

I pray and ask you all with deep sincerity, to please forgive me if I have hurt you in any way, knowingly or unknowingly.

I pray and ask you to remember me and my girls in your precious duas, especially in the last one third of the night during tahajjud. It brings me great comfort to envision the duas and supplications made on our behalf ascending to heaven, like the glorious shimmering of ethereal light, winging its away across space and time, like beautiful butterflies in a kaleidoscope of spectacular colors, sent forth as the hands are raised in precious supplication.

I pray we all have the very best Ramadan of our lives and that each subsequent Ramadan is better than our last one.

اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالْيُمْنِ وَالْإِيمَانِ وَالسَّلَامَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى رَبِّي وَرَبُّكَ اللَّهُ

"O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in security and faith, with peace and Islam; and with the ability for us to practice such actions which You love. (O’Moon), My Creator and Your Creator is Allah.”

May Allah make the best of our deeds the last of our deeds and the best of our days the day we meet Him. May Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem grant us Jannat-ul-Firdous Al-A’la, the highest level of paradise, with the best of companions, Ar-Rafeeq Al-A’la. Ameen ya Rabb.

Ramadan Mubarak!

And Allah and the Messenger know Best