Ramadan 2020/1441: Ramadan Kareem!

So Ramadan is here, on us before we know it or feel adequately prepared to make the best of it. But this year, so very different to the years that have gone before. No taraweeh prayers and no iftars planned with friends or family. Maybe not even an Eid together with our loved ones to look forward to.

But still, the blessings are there for the taking: fasting by day, praying my night, spending more time reading and reflecting on the Quran. Still trying to do what good deeds we can, more than ever in a position where others need out help and we can try to step up and serve where we can.

Alhamdulillah we are still eating well and many of us are still working. So many brothers and sisters face an uncertain future with their jobs and businesses at risk, no one knows what the next few months will look like.

Already we are hearing of serious food crisis across the world, with the fourth annualGlobal Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. We have to be grateful for what we have with every cell in our bodies, but more than that do and give whatever we can to help others.

I pray this Ramadan, the Muslim community step up as always to serve, to help and to pray for others. But I also pray that the future is not too harsh for us, that we get through this time with our health, wellbeing, and livelihoods intact and with our iman (faith) are raised through this test.

If Allah (SWT) has tested us, he has sent us this blessed month full of opportunities to raise our taqwa (consciousness), to try and better ourselves and to turn to him for help and sustenance insh’Allah.

This Ramadan be gentle with yourself and kind to those around you, please remember me and my family in your dua’s and may Allah (SWT) have mercy on every brother and sister and all of humanity.

"Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness" ~ Qur'an 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

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.