We’ve reached the second week of Ramadan already, so a continued Ramadan Kareem to all my Muslim brothers and sisters around the world observing this blessed month. And for those who are unfamiliar with what Ramadan is, here’s a bulleted rundown for ya.
Ramadan is….
- The 9th month on the Islamic calendar
- One of the 5 pillars of Islam
- A total of 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon
- The month where Muslims all over the world refrain from food and liquids from sunrise to sunset
- A time where Muslims focus on renewing their spiritual state and its practical application in daily life
- The month of reflection and remembrance
- The month the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
- Breaking fast with friends and family – a month many Muslims look forward to
With that being said, much love, patience, healing, and strength to those observing and to those unable to. And to those with friends and family who are fasting, the best way to show your understanding is by acknowledging and showing grace. Something we all need during this time and beyond.
It’s safe to say this year has been and continues to be a whirlwind for the world. Aside from constantly thinking of the statistics of the pandemic, headspace for healing and reflection is something that’s been much needed. Not to say one is more important than the other, but rather, sometimes it takes letting go and letting God. Reminding ourselves that we can only do so much, and leave the rest in the hands of our Maker.
Similarly stated in my blog on Remembrance, but this time with an additional voice who speaks of the utter need for something as simple as reflection and hope.
I met Naima during my solo trip to Turkey, but truly speaking a solo trip is never solo. An unexpected encounter, now a beautiful friendship, alhamdulillah.
Sometimes we become so occupied with our own selves even from all the confinement we are facing in this present. And too often we forget to sit down with ourselves and truly contemplate our own inner state and the preciousness of life at its core – Naima reminded me of this through her words. So I share her words, as she shared them to me. Words that speak to remind us all the necessity of never losing the ability to reflect and to always keep hope alive.
Bismillah.
On Reflection and Hope
Today has been a day of critical reflection for me. After making an emergency visit to the hospital one night and even being told to consider the possibility that I was experiencing an impending heart attack, I found myself in an unfamiliar spiritual space that I am still in as I write this.
What better time to reflect about life than after coming to face with the belief that it could end at any moment. Anyone who has been in a similar situation goes through different thoughts. As for me, I came to think about all of the things in life that I have done, all of my plans for the immediate and far future, and the things in life that God didn’t will for me to accomplish yet, or at all. I found myself in a serious state of reflecting upon my actions—both good and bad.
It’s not like the hopes and dreams that I had were suddenly fading away. If anything, I found myself in a process of affirming my aspirations, not doubting for a moment whether they would come to fruition. For who am I too deny myself a future after experiencing the slightest hint of mortality? So I, like the billions of other worshippers traipsing this planet, made a decision—to put it on God. While this is not always an easy task, there’s one more ingredient that powers you through the process—and frankly any challenge: hope.
As a nurse, I’ve encountered many patients dealing with some of the most challenging things life can throw at you. Watching them overcome or simply come to terms with the reality of their conditions filled me with profound respect for them. They always reminded me of the quote, “where there is life, there is hope”. Those patients had different ways of strengthening hope. Some turned to family and others admirably managed to find solace in themselves.
For me, dua has been my greatest source of hope, especially in a time as blessed as Ramadan. Dua is an easy and quick act of worship that is one of the greatest in Islam and so beloved to Allah. It’s an opportunity for us to have a direct conversation with our Creator. The uplifting and empowering feelings that come with dua can only be felt by the one who makes them. The prophet (peace be upon him) said “A slave becomes nearest to his Lord when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.’’
Making dua has not been made an obligation for the Muslim, however, when a person feels the transforming effects it has on their life, it naturally becomes a part of their daily functions. Yasir Qadhi wrote a book Dua, and in it he says that the laziest Muslim is not the one who does not pray, rather it is the one who does not make dua. Why? It is because dua does not require any effort. The Muslim can connect with Allah at anytime, in any place just by raising their hands.
Another powerful element of dua is its ability to change a person’s Qadr (divine fate). I remember listening to a Shaykh once saying that, “Some people wonder why some [undesirable] things happen to them in life. But the reason why those things happened is because they did not make dua to Allah about them. Allah made a condition with Qadr, if we make dua it will happen and if we don’t it will not happen.”
Make dua and change your Qadr during this blessed month that not everyone is lucky enough to reach. When you make dua do not ever hold back and be sure to be grateful to life. But, we must also be grateful to death because it makes us ponder the value of every decision we make or fail to make. Sincerely ask Allah to give you both the largest and smallest of your wishes! And rest assured that He will.
To end this reflection, I end with what I believe to be one of the most beautiful verses in the Quran. Allah SWT says: “And when My slaves ask you concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the supplications of the supplicant when he calls on Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright” (Quran 2:186).
~N.M.
I would like to greatly thank Naima for allowing me to share this personal piece. To all who are experiencing similar emotions, may you find the healing and peace you need during this blessed month and beyond.
To share your work or story, feel free to contact me.
~love & healing
