As an annual opportunity of rejuvenation and reflection draws nearer, the ability to transform your life is within you! In a recent workshop I attended a central basis of vision for a faith based school was coined: ‘Looking back to light the way forward’. With these words in mind I would like to invite you to reflect on last year and your last Ramadan. How can past experiences be used to make this Ramadan better? Which of your weaknesses will you strengthen, and which strength will you capitalise on? How can we teach our youth to value Ramadan to reach greater productivity and success?
This Opportunity
One Ramadan can make a huge difference in terms of rewards, as all actions are rewarded with far greater weight in this month. Choose your goals wisely and strive for them. This month – when viewed through the lens of being an annual celebration of forgiveness and an opportunity or spark to a new start – can transform lives. Do good deeds: your focus may be spreading kindness; giving charity; perfecting fasting; standing for night prayers; Qur’an recitation or cleaning the mosque – everything adds up in the bank of eternal reward from Allah. Nothing is wasted:
And whatever good you send before you for yourselves, you will certainly find it with Allah, better and greater in reward. And seek Forgiveness of Allah. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most-Merciful. (73:20)
When to Prepare
The companions (RA) of the Prophet (SAW) knew the value and virtue of this month. They used to pray for 6 months of the year to live and have the ability to reach this month, and then five months of the year after Ramadan they would pray their actions during Ramadan had been accepted. Preparation of the soul, body and mind is necessary to optimise our worship and actions during this blessed month.
Learning
Through learning we grow and improve. We are all learners and the mindset of growth can lead us to the gates of paradise. Learn something new, and put it in to practice. Memorise more Quran. Learn more hadith. Learn more supplications to seek protection, and to remember our lord always. Learn about the wisdom of fasting, or the biography of the Prophet and his companions; the knowledge of Allah and His creation is unimaginably vast. Learning more deepens our understanding and increases us in reward and faith; It is the first step to lead us to boost ourselves in goodness further, as acting on what we learn helps us rise.
Perseverance through Patience
When facing a challenging day, persevere through patience, strengthening your soul with the belief that the reward of Allah is true and near, and that His decree is just and wise. Strong belief is the key to true success in every month, including Ramadan. Emotional and spiritual fuel comes from knowing our origin and return. In happy times and sad we must remember that to Him we belong and to Him we will return. All praise and thanks are to Him – always.
Remembrance
In Ramadan the energy and empowerment come from within, for we are like blank pure canvases fasting in devotion to our Lord. With every remembrance of Allah – e.g. subhanAllah, alhamdulillah, astaghfirullah – we plant trees and nourish the seeds of eternal fruits in paradise. Remembrance energises and nourishes souls. Let’s begin by remembrance and supplication:
اللهم بلغنا رمضان
‘O Allah let us reach Ramadan’ (Allahumma balighna Ramadan)
And know that, ‘Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.’ (13:28)
أَلَا بِذِڪۡرِ ٱللَّهِ تَطۡمَٮِٕنُّ ٱلۡقُلُوبُ
Parenting 4 Paradise 