Mid Ramadan Slump?

Assalaamu Alaikum! 

I pray you are experiencing a beautiful Ramadan.

It seems like just yesterday that we were getting excited to welcome Ramadan, but here we are almost in the second half of the month. Towards the end of the first 10 days of Ramadan, many people start feeling low about how things are going. We start with so much enthusiasm and planning, so its natural to feel disappointed when things don’t go as we expected. Amidst all that, some even forget that there is still time left to change things.

A fresh start

Few weeks back, the doors of my wardrobe, which happens to be white were beautifully designed by a toddler with a pencil (lesson learnt to keep them out of sight!). As I tried to erase the lines afterwards, this verse came into my mind "Surely good deeds wipe out evil deeds”(Quran,11:114). I took that as a reminder for me that Allah is so Merciful that He constantly keeps on giving us chances to wipe out or bad deeds and increase our good deeds that He allows us to do out of His Mercy.

Ramadan is one such opportunity.

Narrated by Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) 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." (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

We accumulate sins throughout the year and Ramadan comes with the promise of granting a fresh start for those who seek it.

Irrespective of how much of your plan you are able to implement, your fasting and striving is rewarded by Allah SWT. Instead of being disappointed by how much of your plan you are unable to put into action, take some time to revise your plan and focus on what you will be able to do for the rest of the month. Make the goal to continue a habit you build this month beyond Ramadan as well. Let this blessed month be a new beginning of a better version of you.

A season of dua

We can find one of the most beautiful verses on dua in the Quran right in between the verses that were revealed about Ramadan.

When My servants ask you ˹O Prophet˺ about Me: I am truly near. I respond to one’s prayer when they call upon Me. So let them respond ˹with obedience˺ to Me and believe in Me, perhaps they will be guided ˹to the Right Way˺. (2:186)

This is the month where we should be making more duas more frequently. There are beautiful duas in the Quran and Sunnah that we can ask Allah with, and we absolutely should be making those duas.

It says in the lengthy hadeeth of Abu Dharr al-Maqdisi that Allah says: 

“O My slaves, all of you are astray except those whom I guide, so ask Me for guidance, and I will guide you. O My slaves, all of you are hungry except those whom I feed, so ask me for food and I will feed you. O My slaves, all of you are naked except those whom I clothe, so ask Me for clothing and I will clothe you. … O My slaves, if the  first of you and the last of you, your humans and your jinn, were to stand on a single plain and ask of Me and I were to give each one what he asked for, that would not cause any loss to Me greater than what is lost when a needle is dipped into the sea.” Narrated by Muslim (2577). 

All of us have dreams that we want to pursue, problems that are in need of solutions, difficulties that we are desperate to come to an end or a loved one who is in need of something we are unable to give. Ramadan is your chance to ask for all those things and more! Write down your duas and ask Allah for them throughout the month and increase them in the last 10 nights. Ask in the language you are most comfortable in and make use of the times when duas are accepted. Don’t neglect something assuming that its too small nor hesitate to ask for something because it looks impossible.

A prescribed number of days

Its in our nature to give more value to things that are scarce, which is why certain “limited edition” products can be sold for an extraordinarily high price.

˹Fast a˺ prescribed number of days. (2:184)

Allah is reminding us that Ramadan is a limited number of days. Whether we make use of them or not, these days will pass.

As our good deeds, sadaqah or even a kind word to someone is multiplied in reward during this month, shouldn’t we try to make the most of it? Let us try to make use of every opportunity we get to do good in this month. Remember that ibadah goes beyond reciting Quran and praying. Greeting people with a salam and a smile, visiting or checking on a sick person or even a kind word to someone are ways to stack up good deeds when you are doing them with the intention of serving Allah.

The last mile

If you have run a marathon or even watched one, you might have noticed that its during the last mile that runners exert themselves most. You will see that there is a different kind of spirit and determination as they run towards the finish line.

The last 10 nights of Ramadan is like that last mile for us, as it contains within it a night with priceless rewards.

The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months. (Quran, 97:4)

Narrated `Aisha RA in Sahih Al-Bukhari: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan."

We should strive to do our best during these 10 nights. Remember that our best will differ based on our circumstances and plan accordingly.

A hadith to reflect on

Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "(Allah said), 'Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk." (Sahih Al-Bukhari 5927)

If you liked reading this, please share this newsletter with someone as a reminder for them to do their very best in the remaining days of this blessed month.

As I plan to send the next letter after Eid Insha Allah, I pray that you have a lovely Eid!!

May Allah allow us to make the most of the remaining days of this month and accept from us!

With lots of love and duas,

Samar