Ramadan Reflections 2020: 30 Days of Gratitude

Bismillah.

It appears that all my recent posts are about Ramadan. I should have a whole separate section for them. Therefore, I decided to record whatever I learn on a daily basis for my own benefit first and maybe to inspire other mothers/women.  :)

It is the first day of Ramadan 2020. While Sehri was rushed, thanks to a wailing toddler mid-sehri prep, I managed to stay up for a considerable amount of time after Fajr prayers and realised how many benefits one reaps as an outcome. I am listing down some things you can do in this time, below: 

1. Fast from your mobile at least during the first hours of the day. 

2. Take a chair outdoors and pray Ishraq, read Quran and tafseer there. 

3. Look up at the sky and you will realise we barely do that any more - our necks craned over our tiny screens all day.

I did all of these this morning, الحمد لله and despite being drowsy I felt considerably better. I shall call this my “Me-time” with Allah (SWT). Additionally, on the topic of الحمدلله, I was reading through the Tafseer of Surah Al Fatiha, where it was defined as all praise belonging to Allah Alone. When we mention His beautiful creation, we should always attribute it to The Creator and praise Him and be grateful to Him. Hence, my theme of “30 days of Gratitude”. 

May Allah (SWT) help me in maintaining this healthy routine throughout this month and beyond. Ameen. 

Have a blessed Ramadan, everyone! 

The Healer of Hearts

Bismillah.

For a long time now, I have searched for inspiration to write. What better inspiration than the Book of Allah (SWT) and the most blessed of months, Ramadan!

Every single one of us have reached a point in our lives when our heart suffered the deepest blow. The death of a loved one, a broken relationship, a scandal that ruined one's life, failure of the acutest kind, and the list goes on. You reach a point where you feel like no one can understand your pain and it feels like it will never go away. A void in your heart that nothing can fill.

We go left, right and center, searching for shrinks, self-help books, or we wallow in despair and drown in drinks and drugs. Yet, nothing seems to fill that gaping void in your heart.

Why is that so?

Because we are searching in all the wrong places! Our Creator, the One who knows our every single thought before we even express it, says in His Book, the Qur'an:

"O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers." (Qur'an, 10:57)

This Book that we take off from our shelves when someone is sick, dying or to hold it above the bride's head during her Rukhsati - don't leave it there to gather dust while you knock your head against people and other things to heal your heart. When you are breaking down and when the whole world seems to be falling apart, pick it up and read.

By reading I don't mean reading out the Arabic without having a clue what the words say. I mean, try to understand what your Lord is saying to you. There is a reason why the Quran was revealed as a Spoken Word (Kalaam) and not in written form. It is the only Book where you feel like you are directly being addressed in speech. It is the only Book which, like a mirror, makes you feel like every word is about you.

Sink in the power of His Words and let them heal you. Because, Wallahi, there is nothing else in this world that can do the same. Take it from me, I have tried!

If you still feel like you don't have a friend in the world who can protect you from its ugliness, read on in the same Surah, Allah (SWT) assures you:

Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allah there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (Qur'an 10:62)

This article was also published on the Youth Club Blog.