Navigating Grief and Building Endurance
Ramadhan comes ready to embrace the believers. Like clockwork it arrives, waiting for no man, and brimming with blessings. We’re beyond grateful to witness the month once again, but amidst the gratitude, there’s a lingering feeling of doubt.
The doubt isn’t about the month itself, but more in relation to feeling ready enough. The beauty of Ramadhan is that it doesn’t discriminate; it welcomes everyone and allows you to immerse yourself without any requirements. The month is a gift from Allah, providing you with the healing and rejuvenation your soul desperately needs.
The Prophet (saw): “When the month of Ramadhan starts, the gates of heaven are opened, and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” (Bukhari)
The doubts we feel melt away as soon as we head into our first fast. As the last morsel of food touches our lips, and the day begins, we feel the coolness of our hunger, the blessing of communal prayer as we bow down in sujood, and the serenity as we complete our fasts.
Given the injustices we’re watching unfold, Ramadhan offers us an opportunity to unify as a Ummah and build resilience. More than ever before, we need its healing nature and transformative power.
Acceptance and Reflection
Fasting for long hours helps us focus on other things beyond what we’re consuming. We are invited to be in an introspective state, spending more time pondering and reflecting on ourselves and those around us.
Given the nature of Ramadhan and the weighty nature of what we’re witnessing, you can prepare for Ramadhan and spend the month looking inwards.
Introspection allows us to understand and contemplate our grief. On a day-to-day basis, although we may be switched on to what’s going on, the world continues to distract us, and we’re unable to work through our feelings and thoughts.
Take the month to open your heart. Share your vulnerability with others, and your Lord. There’s no greater time to call out Him to make du’a for others and to ask for forgiveness.
The Prophet (saw): “There are three whose supplication is not rejected: the fasting person when he breaks his fast, the just ruler, and the supplication of the oppressed.” (at-Tirmidhi)
Bearing Patience
When you’re fasting, you’re more patient than usual. You’re also paying closer attention to your actions. The very nature of fasting forces patience. Through your hunger, you grow tired, but still, you venture on for His Sake.
The endurance we build by fasting, performing lengthy prayers, and night worship, teaches us to be patient with the tests we face also. The grief we’re drowning in can make it difficult to be patient, but there’s a great reward for those who are patient, even more so in the blessed month, where blessings are multiplied.
“Only those who are patient shall receive their reward in full, without reckoning.” (Qur’an, 39:10)
Strengthening bonds
We’re stronger together. That rings true every day as we come together for justice and the greater good. To strive on, knowing hundreds, thousands, and millions of believers are unified and connected, makes your hardships that little bit easier.
Ramadhan is a time when you feel the presence of the Ummah tenfold. Friends and neighbours whom you don’t connect with often enough reach out and share well wishes and pots of goodness. You pray in congregation, break fasts in a congregation, and share the same grief with others.
The community spirit reminds you that you’re not alone, both in your joy and despair. Collectively, you carry the weight and heartache, and collectively in your du’a. Let the community spirit of Ramadhan envelop you. Lean in on those around you, and strengthen the bonds of brotherhood.
Charity: The Ultimate Healer
When we shower others with mercy, Allah shows His Mercy on us tenfold, especially in the month of Ramadhan.
The Prophet (saw) said: The best charity is that given in Ramadhan.” (Bukhari)
Beyond our du’as, charity is a great way to do a good deed. It increases your wealth and purifies it. Generosity in both your actions and your compassion is a great characteristic to increase, and giving to others helps connect people and alleviate the burdens on others.
You can help right those here on your doorstep and prepare for Ramadhan by giving your Zakat. Don’t wait until Ramadhan starts, as you may not reach it.
If you don’t want to miss out on your giving during the blessed month, then you can AutoNate your Sadaqah with HHUGS pre-Ramadhan. All you’ve got to do is simply sign up, choose your amount and we will do the rest.
Clinging onto hope
Just as we cling to hope for Allah’s Mercy, know that you’re always in the perfect position to reach out to Allah. Ramadhan is for you, as it is for every believer, and don’t waste a second pondering whether you’re ready enough to immerse yourself.
“O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins.1 He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an, 39:53)
The days will fly by and before you know it you will be longing for the month again. There’s no guarantee you will be gifted another opportunity so revel in its blessings whilst you can.
Uplift Your Heart
We’ve never been more in need of being enveloped in His Mercy and of finding comfort in the light of His Beneficence
With Ramadhan around the corner, it’s time to uplift our hearts and souls that’s why we’re sharing with you, ’30 Reminders to Uplift the Heart.’ You can download the booklet here.
We hope and pray that this booklet serves as a reminder to our readers that, although it may feel as though you’re drowning, there’s always khayr in your test, to be patient and trust in His Plan.