Ramadhan is Here to Illuminate the Year

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.”

-Sahih al-Bukhari

Once again, Insha’Allah, we will be blessed to taste the sweetness of the Holy Month of Ramadhan this year, with our beloved friends and families. But it will not be without its challenges. We cannot deny the fact that our usual traditions and practices have been halted since the hit of the pandemic, and it has affected most of us in many ways.

Muslims from many parts of the world couldn’t perform congregational taraweeh prayer last year. Some couldn’t go out to Ramadhan bazaars to salivate on a slew of food choices. Some couldn’t gather with friends and families to break their fasts together with the simplicity of a date and a glass of water. It was those little things that made Ramadhan meaningful.

The pandemic has challenged us all in many ways, but it will never extinguish the spirit of Ramadhan within the hearts of Muslims worldwide. As the old saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. With the absence of usual practices during Ramadhan, we will soon miss it, long for it, and even wish we could rewind back time to make up for all the Sunnahs we missed or took for granted.

This year, let us redeem ourselves during the Blessed month with these four simple, yet impactful ways:

1. Free your Mind

Sometimes, we let our thoughts consume us, whether it is a cluttered mind, negative self-perception, anxiety, or any other kind of thoughts associated with the deterioration of our mental health. During this Holy month, it is best if we try and practice mindfulness and positivity. Let us repair our relationship with ourselves, the people around us, the environment as well as Allah the Glorious. This month should be the time for us to be calm, content and positive.

2. Free your Body

Decluttering your mind is a great first step, but freeing your body from negative actions is also just as important. Sometimes, we might have the best of intentions, but laziness consumes us and we end up not performing certain actions. There is a saying that goes, 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration. It takes a whole lot of effort to become a better version of ourselves, and it starts with the littlest of steps. Start with something small like smiling to others, give charity, help out our parents with chores and work our way up from there.

3. Free your Heart

Letting go might be a painful experience, but it is definitely worth the try. Learn to let go of the things that cause you pain and toxicity. Free yourself from jealousy, hatred and all other negative emotions that could affect your life. This is the time for you to try and fill your heart with love and kindness. Fill the void with mercy and spread compassion towards others. One of the ways to nurture this feeling is through studying the life of our Holy Prophet ﷺ. By reading Seerah, we can inculcate certain values and truly understand his way of life. Insha’Allah, Allah the Merciful will relieve you from the trials of this world and the burden on your shoulders.

4. Free your Spirit

Last but certainly not least, why are we here anyway? We are here to serve the best for humanity in the name of Allah the Almighty. We are here to spread all the positive attributes Allah loves, and try our best to avoid the very things that incurs His Wrath. The world is temporary, just as our family is, our spouse is, our wealth and property, and even our own physical bodies. Utilise this precious time to internalise the Ultimate Purpose of our existence in this world, and let your spirit be truly free.

Let’s educate our children to embrace the beauty of Ramadhan! Interested to provide the a first class Nabawi-centric STEM-based education for your children? Visit our website at www.itqanschools.com and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/simplyitqan or Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/itqan.my/