Ramadan Reflection: The wisdom and depth of a date at iftaar time

Assalamualikum 

Bismillah,

As the Adhaan is called, most hands reach for it. Putting it in our mouth signifies the end of another fast . Another spent day in worshiping Allah in the most subtle ways, but giving up food ,drink and our desires and of this only Allah is Truly Aware, SubhanAllah. 

As I look at this small brown fruit , I can't help but marvel at its size and the benefits we reap from it. I also feel that it signifies something much more then just the fulfillment of a beloved Sunnah at iftaar time. I feel it the one thing that we all agree on a Muslims. What we call the Ummah is now fragmented in to a million different pieces. We all have our differences and you will find us constantly bickering and disagreeing about something or the other . Even this Blessed Month was marked by differences even in the same country people don't fast at the same date and have Eid at different days too. We disagree when the moon was sighted or if it was sighted at all and the list goes on. But I think whenever and where ever we open our iftaar: separated by millions of miles, cultures , time zones when we break our fast there is no argument that to open the fast one must eat dates (there is the option of water but you associate breaking your fast with the date.) 

It may seem like an insignificant thing and an almost non existent similarity in the face of our differences as Muslims but nonetheless we agree on it. 

We all savor the sweetness of the date, we relish that moment as our hand hovers close to our mouth and we seek the acceptance of duas right before the sweetness obliterates all other sensations in your mouth that we feel throughout the day as we fast.Just as we all savor the sweetness of the date, you will agree with me that we are united in purpose to fast too. We are all hoping that Allah will be Pleased with us, Will Bless us and our family members and grant us freedom from our sins. Of course, there are exceptions to that rule but the general spirit of Ramadan  is the same.

It makes me hopeful when I see how unanimously we agree on something that is from among the vital tenets of our faith. There is no bickering and no arguing that this THE MONTH to worship and please Allah. It also leaves me wistful that as Ramadan leaves us we will be even more bent on keeping up our differences. I try to justify the reasons why we are so fragmented, why we  also find a reason to disagree on matters that are clearly defined by the Qur'an and demonstrated in an exemplary form by our Beloved Messenger of Allah (pbuh) . Its uncomfortable to realize that sometimes there is no other explanation except that we follows our Nafs more then we follow Allah's Command , is it not true? 

I pray that just as we accepted that meaning and spirit of fasting to heart we are guided to take all the commandments of Allah to heart the same way, without hesitation , without argument. And I pray that just as we accepted that eating dates are not only the Sunnah at iftaar time but also so very beneficial for us for we can take Allah's Commands to heart and not always feel that they are something up for debate and very beneficial for us. I know truth always shines though the depths and misery of lies and fabrications and as I break one more fast with the same bountiful date I feel that one day the light of Imaan will shine though and we break free from the shackles of differences and misgivings that tear us apart on the inside as an Ummah. 

Ramadan Reflection: There is no going back

Assalamaualikum,

Bismillah,

Alhamdulillah, many of us know that in Ramadan you have to be extra careful in terms of your bad habits especially those that displease Allah (swt) but I find that for some people the take on this "cautiousness" is that one avoids bad deeds from dawn till dusk just like food and then when iftaar time comes I can go back to being my old self for the few hours that I have prior to Suhoor time.

Can you identify with such a person? Obviously no one will say it out loud but a lot of us can. I want this Ramadan to be the one where I look back at my sins and say that ; "its over" . Ramadan was , is not and never will be that one month where you give up your bad habits out of cultural significance of this month or to identify yourself with the "fasting" crowd. You give up sins so that you train yourself to never ever ever go back on them Insha'Allah. It is for Allah's Pleasure. And no doubt He is the Most Appreciative of our efforts. 

But lets make these efforts such that they last throughout the year. One should not put a facade of piousness in this month and in the back of her mind be thinking a few more days till I can go back to listening to music. Do yourself a favor and start thinking of ending that destructive relationship you have with your sins. You may think it reaps rewards now when they make you feel elated and happy but remember that misery of facing Allah's Anger and Wrath is something you and I can never comprehend or be prepared to face. So, why should I act like an idiot and continue with my sins . I should take strides, small steps , baby steps or crawl towards giving up my sins and believe me no effort goes to waste when you are on the right track. Be a new you this Ramadan, don't leave this month thinking "what did I get out of it?" For there is no going back to your old ways if reaching Jannah means anything to you.

‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, 

“Ramadan has arrived to you, a month of barakah (blessings). Allah envelops you (with His mercy and blessings), so He descends His mercy, erases the sins, answers the du’aas, and He watches in (this month) your competition / race for goodness, and He boasts to His angels about you. So let Allah see the best from you, for truly, the miserable one is the one who is prevented Allah’s mercy.” 

(Tabaraanee, saheeh)

Ramadan Reflection: Does it ask too much from us?

Assalamaualikum,

Bismillah,

So, half of Ramadan is gone and where did this time go ? Only Allah (swt) knows best. I guess each  one feels a different emotion knowing that half of the this precious month is gone but one overwhelming feeling that I feel right now is exhaustion and I am not at peace with this emotion. In fact the more it haunts me and makes me want to shorten the length of my spiritual acts the more I want to take a sword and kill it. 

I think to myself... why , why why? Am I so exhausted some days wanted to reunite with my bed after Taraweeh and sometimes during Taraweeh.

It is just one month and here I am feeling like I need more then ever to sleep through this blissful and amazing month. I feel ashamed . I do. While I do say that I feel that sometimes when we think of this month I felt that there was this set pattern of worship that all the "practicing" Muslims ought to do. Like no going in the kitchen close to Iftaar time ever and always having this one hour before Iftaar where you make dua and you make dua and you make dua. Well I learnt that no it wont be like that for everyone and more so when the people around you arent so enthusiastic about the month as you are. 

And only Allah truly knows the feelings I have about this month, they too vary but the overriding feeling is that there should be less and less regret once this month goes .

I can  look at myself and say I tried to make this month matter and be hopeful that Allah will accept our deeds from us because really if we didnt have that hope that what are we hoping for we might slump back to bed and not bother with any extra worship .

Does this month ask too much from us? With the heat and the fatigue and the hunger? I would say that is life. Sometimes life asks too much from us , people ask too much from you wanting you to be everything and do everything and out of your overriding sense of love for them we turn our lives around and try to be what they want us to be . If this month is particularly hard for you find yourself stressing out about the Taraweeh prayers you lead or attend where your attention falters and your mind goes blank. Know that that is your test from Allah and don't go through this test feeling awful just keep coming back and keep trying , don't give up! This month does ask too much but coupled with Allah's infinite Mercy we pull through and our lives and our Aakhirah can change forever! Here is your chance! Seize it !

Ramadan Reflections: Silence is Golden

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah,

Although Muslims are told to watch what comes out of their mouths all year round but in Ramadan we are reminded to be especially careful;

 It is related that Abu Hurayra said that the Prophet (pbuh), said,

 "Allah is not in need of anyone abandoning his food and drink who does not abandon lies and acting by them while fasting."

(Sahih Bukhari)

As human beings I feel that those of us who are the talkative lot have a lot to say. But how much of it is really important? If we look back and think of all the things we talk about during the day and night , you will find that much our time is spent talking about things that hold little value for us and especially for our Aakhirah.

Sure it seems interesting and even "therapeutic" at the time as we discuss films stars, their broken marriages, their taste in clothing and shoes or the latest "news" about our not so friendly neighbor  But is any of that really important? Because when there is actually a need to talk we close our mouths and look the other way. 

I know it seems like an impossible task to weigh everything we say before we actually say it but we should at least try this Ramadan to speak less, avoid unnecessary arguments about this that and the other, not talk about the small injustices meted out to us by other people's words and actions. I know that when we are upset and there are plenty of times when we get upset in Ramadan but lets not use that anger to complain and backbite rather lets complain to Allah. He is the All Hearer, All Knower . 

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever remains silent is saved.”

Ramadan Reflections: Some of my favorite Ahadith related to Ramadan

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah,

Insha'Allah , today I will be sharing some eeman boosters related to Ramadan. Not so much my own reflection but something that keeps me going Alhamdulillah when I feel like, lets give it a rest :

The benefits of praying Qiyaam (night prayer)

Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan, out of eemaan and ihtisaab(hoping for Allah's reward), will be forgiven all his previous sins.”(Sahih Bukhari)

Regarding qiyaam in Ramadan in jamaa’ah, the Prophet (pbuh) said, “If one prays with the Imaam until he leaves, it will be recorded that as though he prayed the (full) night.”

(Tirmidhi)

Here I would like to point out that even going for Taraweeh counts as Qiyaam and you don't have to sleep to pray Qiyaam you can pray anytime after Isha when you are awake till fajr time, Insha'Allah.

Competing for good deeds in Ramadan

‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Ramadan has arrived to you, a month of barakah (blessings). Allaah envelops you (with His mercy and blessings), so He descends His mercy, erases the sins, answers the du’aas, and He watches in (this month) your competition / race for goodness, and He boasts to His angels about you. So let Allaah see the best from you, for truly, the miserable one is the one who is prevented Allaah’s mercy.” (Tabaraanee, saheeh)

Tip: as the days of Ramadan progress you may find that you zeal to do good deeds and maintain a healthy Iftaar routine wanes , try to remind yourself that this is your test and you need to pass more then anything else you need right now. Print your favorite Ahadith somewhere or refer to them regularly so you can go into each day more motivated to do good and avoid evil . Insha'Allah 

Day 3: Push past the negativity

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah,

So I am a little behind with these posts but Insha'Allah I hope that they are benefiting you.
We reach ramadan in a state of low eeman levels and bearing the burden of numerous sins. This is bound to effect us negatively. We question whether we can recite more Quran then we are usually used to, we ponder upon the chances we will make it Qiyaam and Taraweeh after a heavy iftaar meal.
And when we set ourselves up for more worship, one day where we cant achieve our desired act of worship: there starts a downward spiral. The spiral of negativity coupled with hopelessness and anger and getting upset.
Don't let it get to you just push past that moment where you feel like a failure , continue to focus on the goals you have for yourself this Ramadan. If you couldn't pray Qiyaam and recite Quran at night , there is also time for a short two raka'ahs before Suhoor Insha'Allah. All you have to do is keep trying to clock into those times where you know that there is great importance of a certain act of worship like reciting Quran at fajr time because the angels witness your recitation or making lots of dua close to the time of iftaar and of course keeping the tongue moist with the rememberance of Allah, coupled with lots of astaghfar.
Remember that negative emotions will pass but for that to happen you need to stay busy and keep trying to please Allah . But don't wait around for the feelings to subside chances are that with the hunger pangs and lack of activity you will slump into a worse mood .
Insha'Allah I will share some ahadith related to this with you , stay tuned :)


Any good in this post is from Allah swt and mistakes are from me and Shaitan.

Ramadan Reflections : Day 2 - Ebb and Flow

Assalamualikum,

Bismillah ,

I think we tend to give Ramadan a sort of cultural significance but that isn't true for all of us. I think that Ramadan teaches us how we should be living : we should living the knowledge that Allah swt is always Watchful over us. If we were to cultivate that feeling inside us how different would our lives be. So many bad habits would be eliminated from our systems, so many arguments would be over before they even started.
But what does Ramadan really mean to us? Well quite honestly up until that point where one does not take pains to understand its significance and beauty , it is used as an excuse. Its an excuse to be unproductive, grumpy and lazy. Why? Because I am fasting, of course.
When really Ramadan should be an excuse to try and cultivate more good habits, push harder to be a better person. Do you think Allah swt understands that when we fast our energy levels will eventually get low and we would end up with parched lips and the dreaded empty growling stomach? Allah also tells us in the Qur'an that he wants ease for us not difficulty.
So, with that in mind lets try and be wise about how we utilize our energy and let the most of our efforts go towards worshiping and pleasing Allah. When Ramadan comes , life will not stop. You won't climb into some whole where no one and nothing bothers you and you read Qur'an all day. Issues will arise and you may feel low but don't make all this an excuse. Try and push past these feelings and look at the bigger picture.But with that being said, one should still try to lessen the worldly commitments so there is more time for worship.
May Allah swt allow us to take the maximum benefit out of this month. Ameen
Any good in this post is from Allah swt and mistakes are from me and Shaitan 

Assalamualikum ,

Bismillah,

As Ramadan is finally here, I think a lot us are blessed to be able to reach this month with good health and a sound state of mind Alhamdulillah because so many of us thought "Yeah, I will make up for all the fasts later" and later never came... SubhanAllah.
This book that we keep on the top shelf, this book we seem to shy away from , this book that we think of as something difficult to read. Let this Ramadan change that perception of ours Ya Rabb! This book is not difficult Allah made it easy for us to understand . All you and I have to do is approach it and give it the time and effort it deserves.
This month is the month of Allah's Mercy and for me one of the biggest and most- awe inspiring forms of Allah's Infinite Mercy is this glorious book - Al Qur'an. The more I understand the more I read about what it really says to us, I am left speechless and so memorized.
It was revealed more then 1400 years ago yet it captures the very essence of our problems and hang ups so accurately that you cannot turn around as say "I don't know what you are talking about" . Its verses are like the reflection of our souls the one we cannot flea from.
Reading the translation of Surah Baqarah and you see so many themes and the problems of the society of Bani Israel and you think as if Allah is showing our state of society.
We still run after worldly pleasures, when Allah promises us gardens and ease by worshiping and following Him we decline His offer.
We are like sheep being pulled this way and that by the Shepard and we blindly follow but Shepard is our Nafs our desires.
So in order to get to know yourself better , take this book , this Qur'an and embrace it , understand it and whatever the cost do let it go and never give up following it . It has been loving sent down from Allah in this month where His Mercy and Love envelopes us more then ever. Are we not going to take heed of this loving reminder?

ps : if you are not fluent with reading the Arabic script then at least make it a point to read its translation in a language you understand , it makes all the difference. :) Insha'Allah
May Allah reward our efforts to please him . Ameen
All that is good in this post is from Allah , mistakes are from me and Shaitan