Ramadan 2020 is here. It feels very bittersweet as it will be one of the weirdest Ramadans that we all experience together. Many, if not all, communities around the world will refrain from going to the masjid for Taraweeh, no getting ready and going out for family iftars, no enjoying the company of others throughout this blessed month. Many of us are disheartened and sad at the fact that we won't be doing what we always do.
But... if we think long and hard, this may actually be a blessing in disguise. Being home with loved ones, we can appreciate that suhoor wakeup call, the intense few seconds before dawn when our fast begins, the anticipation of opening our fasts and doing all of this with our family; now that is a blessing. For those who don't know the word fasting actually means withholding from actions or speech. Allah made it so that we are all confined to our home (we are beyond fortunate if we actually have a home ) and our interactions with the outside world is limited and thus we can make it more positive in terms of our deen. This is the best time for us to increase how we implement the best and modest muslim lifestyle in our home and life.
It's the best time for us to make time to get closer to Allah. We should capitalize on this month, make time to wake up a little before suhoor to pray tahajjud, increase in our daily dhikr, create and stick to a schedule, try to finish a quran (one juz every day all at once or 5pgs after every salah) and you will easily reach that goal.
This pandemic has confined us all physically, but now we have a chance to expand spiritually and emotionally. This blessed month where we muslims practice patience and are rewarded for it can allow us to clean the filth in our hearts. Here are some things we can keep in mind through this blessed month.
1) Have a clear realistic goal for Ramadan. Something that you know if you put in a little effort you can achieve!
2) Sacrifice for the sake of your spirituality and aim for a spiritual goal more than mundane. Prioritize things that will benefit your deen over your dunya.
3) Some things you can Recite that will inshallah grant you immense benefit is saying the adhkar below as much as possible and sincerely:
لا اله الا الله*
Saying this outweighs everything in the whole entire universe
* Astaghfirullah
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not
اللهم إني أسألك الجنة و أعوذ بك من النار
* Whoever says اللهم إني أسألك الجنة three times, jannah says, ohh Allah allow him to enter me. And whoever says و أعوذ بك من النار three times, Hellfire says, ohh Allah protect him from me
We hope this Ramadan is filled with acceptance blessings and Barakah in all of our lives inshallah!
Best,
Niswa Fashion