Ramadan Kareem 2013/1434

Assalam-alaikam everyone and Ramadan Kareem,

Alhamdulillah, we are so blessed to find ourselves at the start of another Ramadan filled with blessings, forgiveness and mercy.  A chance to get rid of bad habits, start good habits and have our duas’ (supplications) answered.

Even more, Allah (SWT) has blessed us with this opportunity to get closer to Him and to work on our relationship with Him.  I pray we make the most of this golden opportunity to find tranquillity and purify our hearts as well as our bodies insh’Allah.

I was speaking to my best friend and we have both agreed to set five goals for Ramadan and then act as buddies to check up on each other and encourage each other.  She really inspired me when I saw that her fifth goal was to enjoy Ramadan.  We worry so much about the long days without food, the lack of sleep and the high standards we set ourselves.  Then there is the rush to fit as much as we can and take as much blessing as we can from this special month.  This year I will try my best, I will push myself and I will try and fit in as much as I can knowing that there is no guarantee that we will see another Ramadan, but like my bestest, I want to enjoy Ramadan.  I want to immerse myself in the worship, in the good deeds, in the sisterhood (and brotherhood) and in the shared willingness to remain in good cheer despite the physical challenge of this month.

May Allah (SWT) bless this Ummah during this month with an increase in iman, with forgiveness, mercy and with the acceptance of their dua’s.  May He increase the rizq (income) of the believers and make it easy for them and take away all of their hardships.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) declared, 'Three men whose dua is never rejected (by Allah) are: the fasting person until he breaks his fast (in another narration, when he breaks fast), the just ruler and the one who is oppressed.' ~Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi – Hasan.

Please remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering in Burma, Palestine, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and across the world.  Please don’t forget to make dua for those who are being persecuted for their faith, who are questioning their beliefs and who are alone because of their faith. 

Please remember me and my family in your dua’s insh’Allah and please forgive me if I have ever said or written anything that hurt or upset you.

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"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and rightousness" (Qur'an, al-Baqarah, 2:183)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) 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 - 31:123)

Narrated Sahl: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.” (Bukhari - 31:120)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “Allah said, ‘All the deeds of Adam’s sons (people) are for them, except fasting which is for Me, and I will give the reward for it.’ Fasting is a shield or protection from the fire and from committing sins. If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relation with his wife and quarrelling  and if somebody should fight or quarrel with him, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’ By Him in Whose Hands my soul is’ The unpleasant smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. There are two pleasures for the fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting.” (Bukhari - 31:128)

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