New beginning – A Ramadan Reflection

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarkatahu,

I’m feeling bittersweet writing this because we are bidding Ramadan goodbye. 😔

There will be many things that I will miss about Ramadan, but I think what I will miss most about this blessed month is this inexplicable sense of serenity that seemed to have cradled me this month.

A few nights ago, I.e on the 27th of Ramadan, my little 7 year old cousin told me that the Imam of our neighborhood Mosque finished the last Juz’ of the Quran for Taraweeh. The further into the night, the more familiar the Surahs that were being recited became to him. When he finally recited the concluding 114th Surah of the Quran, Surah an-Nas, there was again that bittersweet feeling in his heart. 

I was so delighted to listen to this from my lil brother.

I asked him after his prayers that night what would the Imam read next if they have already finished the Quran on the 27th night and he said, “well, he’ll start again From Surah Baqarah.

I don’t know why that simple answer from My cousin impacted my heart so much but when I got home, I started mulling over it and that’s when I realised…. “Subhan’Allah. Every ending is truly just a beginning for something else”

So, as much as I’m saddened and will miss Ramadan when it ends, I am determined to use the momentum that I’ve gained during this month as an inspiration to start afresh once we go back to our normal everyday routine, post-Ramadan. 

And every single good deed that we’ve done during this month should also not cease even though Ramadan is ending, rather, it should be a testament and a proof, that we actually do have it in us to start and begin a good deed / habit! 

And if you felt your Ramadan this year wasn’t as productive as you aimed for it to be, then know that even though this month will leave, Allah SWT is still here, waiting for you to pull closer to Him.

I pray that we’ll be blessed to welcome Ramadan and reap it’s reward again next year, In Sha Allah. But till that beautiful moment comes, I pray that we’ll be mindful enough to know that every second that Allah has blessed us with to be alive in this world, is also an opportunity to begin again. 

 

So if you can feel your heart murmuring to you to start now, then respond to that call, and know that it’s not too late. Ramadan may have ended, but your life certainly has not! I urge you to try to begin doing these things, now:

to be more God-conscious,

to be more grateful,

to be more forgiving,

to be more sincere,

to be more honest,

to be more optimistic,

to be more generous,

to be more adventurous, 

to be more present,

to be more hopeful,

and to be more… you*

*The “you” that is whole, that is worthy, that is Allah’s.

I want to end today’s blog by sincerely wishing every single one of you an Eid Mubarak, Taqabbal Allahu Minna wa Minkum and a million apologies for all of my wrongdoings if I’ve ever hurt you with my words and actions. May this year’s celebration be one that you’d remember and cherish forever, In Sha Allah and may we use the end of this blessed month as an opportunity to begin (or continue) working on ourselves as we eagerly, but patiently, wait to welcome our beloved Ramadan again next year, In Sha Allah.

Love and prayers always,

F