Ramadhaan Check-Point: Day 10

As Salaam Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu brothers and sisters,

1/3 of Ramadhan done!!! Subhanallah time really does rush.

I remember the night the moon was sighted and I did not want to believe it because ‘I was not ready’ and had my hopes up for Sunday instead, so after hearing that it was sighted in Saudi, I went to sleep and woke up later, secretly hoping it would be a false alarm but then, God’s plans.

The first 10 days, or as the Hausa people say; ‘goma na marmari’- i.e. the easy 10 — are over.

I am sure that it’s been easier for some more than others, especially those who have to observe Ramadhan in school, away from home, away from their families, or while facing some calamity, and with this scorching heat, and so on. But do not despair, Allah is watching over you and He knows your struggles.

As my mom says, “may it serve as ajr for you and may He multiply your rewards”

This blessed month, even with its rahma is not as easy to observe as we may want it to be — but the challenge of how much we can do within these few weeks is one of its best parts. Quite honestly, and despite popular belief, abstaining from eating and drinking may just be the easiest part of it. Looking at this Hadith:

Abu Hurairah reported Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) as saying:

“Allah the Exalted and Majestic said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him, except fasting. It is (exclusively) meant for Me and I (alone) will reward it. Fasting is a shield. When any one of you is fasting on a day, he should neither indulge in obscene language, nor raise the voice; or if anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him he should say: I am a person fasting.

Sahih Muslim (35:2655)

It is almost as important to safeguard one’s tongue from lying, swearing, and bad utterances, and to avoid indulging in other acts that are haram (forbidden) or makrooh (disliked) as it is to abstain from eating and drinking. It is equally important to spend our time wisely reciting the Quran, making Dhikr (Remembrance) and Du’a (Supplication), observing Qiyaam (night prayers), giving Sadaqah (Charity) and seeking beneficial knowledge in order to make the most out of the blessed month; Especially keeping in mind that one can never know if he/she will make it to the next one.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“There are many who fast, who gain nothing of their fast except hunger; and there are many who stand for the night prayer, who gain nothing of their prayer except sleeplessness.”

‎(Ibn Mājah)

But most of all, the hardest part is realizing the shar (evil) of our nafs (self) and how much of a mark Shaytan has left on our souls. But even with that, the most beautiful part is the chance that this month gives us at fixing that and seeking forgiveness from Allah (SWT)

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

That being said, even if you have been unable to do all of these things, you should know that it is not too late to begin; as the famous saying goes: “better late than never.”

Do not be discouraged by your slow progress or lack thereof. The next 20 days are more than enough time to do better. Keep in mind that quality is greater than quantity, so it is not by how many good deeds you do, it’s by how well and how sincerely you do it.

Your intention is all that matters. If you are unable to do the big things like completing the Quran or giving out huge donations to charity, do the little things like reciting the parts of Qur’an that you have mastered and giving charity in other ways such as smiling, removing harmful objects from the road, and helping your neighbors, friends and family in need.

‎Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Take on only as much as you can do of good deeds, for the best of deeds is that which is done consistently, even if it is little.”

(Sunan Ibn Mājah)

With what’s left of the month, and as we enter the ‘goma na wuya’- i.e. the hard 10 — where we begin to get tired, the vibes and excitement begins to die down, and we tend to get behind and slack off in our good deeds, let’s endeavor to do our best Bi’dhnillah.

May Allah make it easy for us all, and may He accept our Siyaam, Salaat, Qiyaam, and Du’a!!!

Please do not forget Nigeria in your prayers!!!

May Allah spare our lives to reach the end of this one and see many more In shaa Allah.

Bismillah,

Ma’as Salam!