It's Ramadhan al-Mubarak again this time of year!
I can't explain why I'm so excited it's here, I just am. Every Muslim starts the same routine, we wake up for sahoor, then fast from food, drinks and bad words and actions for the whole day, we eat at dusk, we pray and focus all our attention to Allah at night.
Same routine for me this year, but the excitement and motivation in me are more intense for this year. :D
I've always believed Ramadhan was all about second chances. Allah purposely gave you 30 days to cleanse your soul and try to be a better Muslim, even if it is just for 30 days out of the 365 days in a year. It's beautiful isn't it?
Ramadhan to me, is the kick start to all your actions later, especially after Ramadhan is over. I'm 21 now and I've learnt to appreciate Ramadhan a little bit more than I used to during my teenage years. I've never really seen the purpose of Ramadhan besides from just abstaining yourself from food and drinks. When I read Reclaim Your Heart by Sister Yasmin Mogahed, she mentioned all the beautiful opportunities created specially for the month of Ramdhan. And I felt that I truly had to grab this opportunity. Better late than never :)
Notes from Reclaim Your Heart about fasting:
1. Know why you're fasting: By fasting, every hunger pangs remind us of Allah - By constantly remembering Allah and sacrificing for Allah and sacrificing for Him, we are made more aware of His presence, and in that way we increase our taqwa.
2. Don't make fasting just of hunger and thirst: "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is in no need of his leaving food and drink" (Al-Bukhari)
As the Prophet Muhammad warned us: "Many people who fast get nothing from their fast except hunger and thirst, and many people who pray at night get nothing from it except wakefulness." (Darimi)
Fasting is not just about staying away from food, it's striving to become a better person, escape the darkness of our own isolation from God.
Ramadhan is also a chance to find motivation. Since all your lusts are controlled and Shaytan is locked up in hell for the whole month, what better way to at least give a try in doing more good deeds for the sake of Allah? Maybe we can read a few extra pages of the Quran each day than we normally do, perform Terawih prayers (at least once or twice a week if we're busy), give more alms than usual, and learn the gift of sharing food with your friends and relatives. :D
We may forget at times what Ramadhan is all about, besides we're always so busy with our work or assignments and projects once in a while, but it is a fact that even our faith fluctuates, it goes up and down. it is never constant like the Angels. So keep on finding motivations or ways to get in the spirit of Ramadhan even if you're not up to it.
Try it, and Insyallah you'll find your way back to the happy journey in Ramadhan :)
Jazakallahu Khayran.
