Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”1
Yet, Ramadan comes and goes, and you remain the same?
- Maybe you tell yourself that in the future, later, you will utilize Ramadan’s amazing “multipliers”.
- Or maybe these “multipliers” just cross your mind, but you don’t really think about them too much, after all work is hard as it is without eating or drinking, and it takes all your effort to carry through the day.
- Or maybe you are excited for Ramadan, declaring that this time will be different, and you await the start. You manage to be consistent in your objectives in the beginning but you fizzle out as the month go on, and you find yourself returning to your old ways.
Does any of this sound familiar to you?
Well, it does to me, I have faced these issues more than once in my previous Ramadans. And while I claim I am no scholar, I believe, by the Grace of Allah, I have been blessed and was able to finally last year utilize Ramadan to the best of my abilities, and I would love to share my two pennies with you. And hopefully, give you a guideline for making this Ramadan the one.
Sincerity of Our Intention
not in return for someone’s favours, but seeking the pleasure of their Lord, the Most High. They will certainly be pleased.
Al-Layl (92:19-21), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
A very important first step is to address our intention.
Step back for a moment, and remember: Why are we here? Remember who you are worshipping.
If you are busy with work and earning a living, nothing wrong with that, but don’t forget:
Indeed, Allah ˹alone˺ is the Supreme Provider—Lord of all Power, Ever Mighty.
Adh-Dhariyat (51:58), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Studying for exams and hoping to learn something new and succeed, again a noble cause, but don’t forget:
He ˹fully˺ knows what is ahead of them and what is behind them, but no one can grasp any of His knowledge—except what He wills ˹to reveal˺.
Al-Baqarah (2:255) , Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Don’t want to be the odd one out, want love and affection:
Abdullah b. Amr b. al-‘As reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any (direction) He likes.3
All in all, If we reflect on all this and comprehend it, we cannot act for anyone other than Allah, for everything is in His Hand, Exalted and Glorified is He.
So do not trade the finite for the infinite.
Warming Up
If you have an upcoming exam, you would probably study for it. A job interview next week, you would prepare for it. Going to be presenting in front of a big crowd, probably do a dry run in an empty room first.
And Ramadan should be no different. Start small and build up.
- If you are not praying, start with even just one prayer.
- If you are, then may add an extra two Rakas or putting more effort to pray on time.
- Find a Duaa that you like and say it everyday.
- Maybe reciting remembrance in the morning (Azkar) and then after getting used to that, reciting remembrance in the evening.
- Read a page of the Quran everyday.
- Performing night prayer, as few as two Rakas.
And with such few acts we prepare our hearts and minds for the holiest month of the year.
Narrated `Aisha:
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability.”4
Set!
and that each person will only have what they endeavoured towards, and that ˹the outcome of˺ their endeavours will be seen ˹in their record˺
An-Najm (53:39-40), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Now that you are warmed up. Let’s utilize Ramadan to the fullest. It’s time to set a target, a goal that you would like to undertake that will bring you closer to Allah. Here are a few examples:
- I will pray all prayers on time.
- I will pray Taraweeh an X number of times.
- I will read the Quran from cover to cover.
- I will quit smoking/drinking/
Remember our first insight, align your intention, you are pursuing this goal for the sake of Allah, for the sake of his satisfaction.
as ˹an act of˺ grace from your Lord. That is ˹truly˺ the ultimate triumph.
Ad-Dukhan (44:57), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Commit Even If You Are Inconsistent
What an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺.
Sad (38:44)
Whoever commits evil or wrongs themselves then seeks Allah’s forgiveness will certainly find Allah All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
An-Nisa (4:110), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Even if you fail in your non-negotiable on a given day or don’t follow through with your plan, don’t throw in the towel. Pick your self up and do it the next day.
You might have heard of the advice of not skipping a habit you are trying to acquire two days in a row. Well, do that.
Let’s take an example with reading a page of the Quran a day. If you trying your best and still only managed to do that every other day, then in a month you would have read 15 pages of the Quran, this is just shy from reading both Surah Al-Kahf and Surah Yasin. Definitely, better than not reading at all.
And when Ramadan comes around, you attempt the customary 1 Juz’ a day. If you failed on half of Ramadan days, you actually didn’t fail at all! You would have read at least 14 Juz’.
The same goes with the 2 Rakaas a day. You would have prayed an added 30 Rakaas. That’s 15 missed Fajrs or 10 missed Maghribs or 6 from the other three.
Surround Yourself With Like Minded People
And patiently stick with those who call upon their Lord morning and evening, seeking His pleasure. Do not let your eyes look beyond them, desiring the luxuries of this worldly life. And do not obey those whose hearts We have made heedless of Our remembrance, who follow ˹only˺ their desires and whose state is ˹total˺ loss.
Surah Al-Kahf (18:28), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
One of my faviourte ‘Surah’s is Al-Kahf ( Al-Kahf literally translates into “the cave” in English).
In the Surah, we encounter the story of the youths that took refuge in the cave from their own people from fear of retribution. There is a lesson there on how to stay steadfast in worship and goodness, they surrounded each other and bonded together as not to falter.
You and I could follow the same steps, if we look around us and in our circles, we are sure to find family, friends or acquaintances that utilize Ramadan better than us.
Get even closer to them, ask about Ramadan and what plans they have, maybe ask if you can join them when they are going to Taraweeh, or if their is a WhatsApp Group related to finishing the Quran in Ramdan. I’m sure you don’t even need to do that, just asking them about their plans and telling them that you too are hoping to do more this Ramadan would be more than enough, you would be surprised by the opportunities they throw at you.
These people are around us if we focus. If you are blessed that your parents are still alive, then that’s the first place to start, usually they would have stuff going on. May be also check with that friend that seems to never miss a Prayer or one that goes to Quran Class.
I am sure if your intention is true, you will find someone. After all, Allah will guide you.
He (ﷺ) said, “If you are sincere toward Allah, Allah will fulfill your wish.”5
While It Might Be Never Too Late, It’s Surely Never Too Early Either
You might be this post and agreeing with some of it, but still undecided whether to commit or not. Thoughts like, “What if I fail” or “This is gonna be hard” might be attacking your mind, and you hear a familiar voice telling you “Do it later, you always have next year.”
And while it’s true that Allah is the most merciful, and while you might have time, may Allah bless you with health and long life. I would like you to mull around with what comes next.
Every day that passes is a day closer to GAME OVER, to our death. You never know when that day will come, It could be tomorrow or decades from now. At that moment, your deeds will be sealed. And don’t you think in that moment you would wished you have started earlier.
When death approaches any of them, they cry, “My Lord! Let me go back, so I may do good in what I left behind.” Never! It is only a ˹useless˺ appeal they make. And there is a barrier behind them until the Day they are resurrected.
Al-Mu’minun (23:99-100), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Do Not Lose Hope
Say, ˹O Prophet, that Allah says,˺ “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
Az-Zumar (39:53), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
I would like to highlight one last thing I see some friends and acquaintances struggle with.
“But I sin too much, how could Allah ever forgive me?”, or another version of the same feeling, “But I just came back from doing this haram thing. how can I just go and pray?”
I understand the feeling, I know where you coming from. But my brother, my sister, Allah is not Human. The emotions we go through, we go through. He is above all that.
He won’t be contempt because you are returning to him after you sinned, nor would he be petty that you are asking him for guidance, even as you are committing sin.
This is not an invitation to sin, on the contrary, this is an invitation to turn to the Most Merciful, no matter what ugly deeds you think you have accumulated.
When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺.
Al-Baqarah (2:186), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
Final Thoughts
I hope I was able to highlight the amazing blessing that is Ramadan, and that I was able to shift your perspective from “the month were work is gonna be hard” or “the month were we are tired most” to the opportunity of a lifetime.
So let’s all try to be different this Ramadan, if even by the slightest of hairs.
And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise as vast as the heavens and the earth, prepared for those mindful ˹of Allah˺.
Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:133), Translation by Dr. Mustafa Khattab,The Clear Quran2
References
- Imam al-Bukhari. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 2, Hadith 31. URL https://sunnah.com/bukhari:38 ↩︎
- Dr. Mustafa Khattab. The Clear Quran. Kalam, Research & Media, Toronto, Canada, 2016. URL https://quran.com ↩︎
- Imam Muslim. Sahih Muslim, Book 46, Hadith 29 URL https://sunnah.com/muslim/46/29 ↩︎
- Imam al-Bukhari. Sahih al-Bukhari, Book 81, Hadith 54. URL https://sunnah.com/bukhari/81/54 ↩︎
- Imam an Nasa’i. Sunan an-Nasa’i. Number Hadith 136. URL https://sunnah.com/nasai:1953 ↩︎
