Ramadan reflections

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

all praises and thanks belong to Allah, ar Rahman ar Raheem. salutations to our beloved Rasulullah SAW, the best creation to have ever walked on the surfaces of Earth. 

Can you believe that Allah has granted us yet another Ramadan? So much mercy. One of the best gifts that we could ever receive in our lifetime, really. Ramadan Kareem to all of you.

Allah’s Messenger SAW said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari]

Allah has definitely made much ease for us during this holy month, not to say that He doesn't during other months, but more so in Ramadan, what with, among others, the gates of Heaven being opened and gates of Hell being closed and that the devils are chained. 

Having said that, I hope people realise that this doesn't mean that things become easy without effort. Yes the devils are chained during Ramadan, but it doesn't mean that we turn into angels. Our free will is maintained, and our nafs remains with us. So, sometimes, we may encounter ourselves having bad thoughts or whatnot during Ramadan, that must be the nafs. It's sad yes, that you realise that we are capable of it, even without syaitan, but you know what, we have to overcome it. That's the point. 

If we aren't able to deter bad thoughts or action in Ramadan, without the interference of Syaitan, how would we be able to do so outside of Ramadan, when Syaitan presents us a book of bad ideas to execute? We have to acknowledge what our role is in this month; and most importantly tell nafs who's the boss! 

It's the same way with doing good deeds... like let's say someone wants to start praying regularly in Ramadan. Yes, which better month to change than this time, but honestly it can only happen when one takes the step forward. It doesn't work in such a way that one day before Ramadan we were in a state of heedlessness, and then we wake up it's Ramadan, suddenly our limbs are taking action we find ourselves subconsciously performing solat. No. 

Ramadan is not an act of throwing some fairy dusts onto someone or a pious person touching someone's head while reciting some Quranic verses and poof holy they become. No. 

Ramadan is like a platform. But we have to get up on the stage, if we want to make the step forward. Trust me. Yes I know it's hard, but trust me because. 

The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction; therefore whoever of you is present in the month, he shall fast therein, and whoever is sick or upon a journey, then (he shall fast) a (like) number of other days; Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty, and (He desires) that you should complete the number and that you should exalt the greatness of Allah for His having guided you and that you may give thanks. [Al Baqarah:185]

I don't get tired of saying how Ramadan is not just about the restrain from food, drinks and other desires. Simply because it's not. The Quran was sent down to us during this month, Ramadan is the month of Quran. How do we celebrate this month without bonding with the Quran, like we have ever done in other months? We appreciate Quran all 12 months long, there is no doubt about that, but let's use Ramadan as a time to do more with it. Perhaps, recite more of it, reflect upon it more, listen to its recitation, anything.. and may we become people who are more grateful! 

We simply cannot make this like any other month, that's just like making business with no profit. 

I mean, it's just so easy as well to lose sight of Ramadan, especially when it has become somewhat of a custom. Even more crazy is that we have associated this month with more buffet and eateries - facepalm. But it's a reality. However, it's not one that I want to teach my children. I don't want them to grow up thinking that Ramadan is about having less hours at school/work, (buffet) iftars and terawih. [Of course, terawih is one of the special things about Ramadan, and I don't belittle it, but there is somewhat of even that being a culture, and I don't think that's what it should be!] 

So Ramadan is midway now, but still not too late. For us to embrace this month, for what it truly represents - and this is really up to ourselves. We can be told what it means, so and so, such and such, but the only one who can really live it is ourselves through the choices that we make. Remember - we still make our own choices. may Allah guide us to make the right ones. aameen. 

I, myself, have much to fix and Allah knows it. Please forgive me for my wrongdoings. 

So, please, let's make doas for one another, and set the intentions for the best Ramadan that we have ever experienced, and for our good habits to remain beyond Ramadan and for our bad habits to be buried forever after it. 

may Allah accept all our good deeds, may Allah guide us to keep firm and steadfast in His deen til the end, may we gain taqwa, may we develop a closer bond with the Quran, may Allah forgive all of our sins, may He save us all from the Fire and may He enter us all into Jannatul Firdaus without reckoning aameen ya Rabb.