Feel Ramadan – 12) The Easy way to Success

Do you love to be closer to Allah?

The messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) has taught us the way to there :  ”The closest that a person can be to his Lord, the Mighty and Sublime, is when he is prostrating, so increase in supplication then.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 1137)

 Do you want to sit with the beloved Prophet (PBUH) in the Paradise? 
Well, Prophet(PBUH) had taught us solution for that too, by drawing his middle and index fingers closer.

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this,” putting his index and middle fingers together. (Sahih Bukhari : Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 34)

Would you like to reap a reward equivalent to those who fight in the cause of Allah or pray the whole night, or fast throughout the day, for the sake of Him? 

The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah’s Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day.” (Sahih Bukhari : Vol. 7, Book 64, Hadith 265)

Do you want to be among those for whom Prophet (PBUH) has assured the final resort as heaven?

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones and what is between his two legs (i.e. his tongue and his private parts), I guarantee Paradise for him.” (Sahih Bukhari Vol. 8, Book 76, Hadith 481)

Do you desire to be among to be those who will be overwhelmed with good deeds?

 The Prophet (PBUH) said, “(There are) two words which are dear to the Beneficent (Allah) and very light (easy) for the tongue (to say), but very heavy in weight in the balance. They are: ”Subhan Allah wa-bi hamdihi” and ”Subhan Allah Al-`Azim.”  Sahih Bukhari Vol. 9, Book 93, Hadith 652)

Would you like to get the rewards of praying whole night?

Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Whoever attends Isha (prayer) in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) spend the entire night standing (in prayer).”  (Tirmidhi Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 221)

Do you want to increase your rank in front of Allah?

Whoever lowers himself, Allah will elevate him. And whoever is arrogant Allah will will disgrace him” (Mishkaat)

Would you want Allah to love to meet you?

 “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him, and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah, hates to meet him.”‘  (Sunan an-Nasa’i Vol. 3, Book 1, Hadith 1838)

Do you want to be under the protection of Allah, throughout a day?

 He who prayed the morning prayer (in congregation) he is in fact under the protection of Allah. (Sahih Muslim  Book 4, Hadith 1381)

Wouldn’t you love to reap the rewards equal to fasting a whole year?

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‘Whoever fasts three days in every month, then that is (similar to) fasting every day.’ (Part of Hadith Tirmidhi  Vol. 2, Book 3, Hadith 762)

Don’t you want Allah to ease your difficulties?

Whoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the griefs of the Day of Resurrection. And whoever alleviates the need of a needy person, Allah will alleviate his needs in this world and the Hereafter. (Part of Hadith 36 | Imaam Nawawi)

Do you want Allah to build a house for you in the Paradise?

 ”Whoever is regular with twelve Rak’ah of Sunnah (prayer), Allah will build a house form him in Paradise: Four Rak’ah before Zuhr, two Rak’ah after it, two Rak’ah after Maghrib, two Rak’ah after Isha, and two Rak’ah before Fajr.” (Tirmidhi Vol. 1, Book 2, Hadith 414)

Don’t to want Qur’an to bear witness for you in the hereafter?

 “Read the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” (Riyad as-Salihin Book 9, Hadith 991)

Wouldn’t you like to be the best among people?

 The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” ( Bukhari Vol. 6, Book 61, Hadith 545)

Don’t you love to obtain the shade of Allah, on the day of reckoning?

 The Messenger of Allah(PBUH) said, “On the Day of Resurrection, Allah, the Exalted, will say: ‘Where are those who have mutual love for the sake of My Glory? Today I shall shelter them in My Shade when there will be no shade except Mine”. (Sahih Muslim Book 1, Hadith 377)

Do you want Allah to conceal your secrets?

The servant (who conceals) the faults of others in this world, Allah would conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection. (Sahih Muslim Book 32, Hadith 6267)

Are you overwhelmed by dreadful hardships? Do you want answer to your problems?

 Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Safeguard the Commandments of Allah, you will find Him before you. Remember Him inprosperity and He will remember you in adversity. Be sure that which you miss, was not to hit you; and what hits you, was never to miss you. Remember that the Help of Allah is obtained with patience, and relief emerges after distress, prosperity follows adversity, and hardship is followed by ease”.  (Riyad as-Salihin)

Don’t you have money to give in charity?

Prophet (PBUH) said: In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i. e. saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqa, and every Takbir (i. e. saying Allah-O-Akbar) is a sadaqa, and every praise of His (saying al-Hamdu Lillah) is a Sadaqa and every declaration that He is One (La illha ill-Allah) is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a Sadaqa… (Sahih Muslim Part of Hadith Book 5, Hadith 2198)

Feel Ramadan – 11) Let’s forget sorrows

Had read a story of a little girl who was traveling in a train for the first time. All excited about the journey, she was giggling and running across the compartment. A wonderful journey by enjoying the scenic greenries and wide tillage. It is when she peeped through the window she saw that shocking scene. A river is flowing a bit away and the train is running towards it.
Her heart began to beat faster. As the train was nearing the river she was more and more frightened. That little heart could only imagine herself crying out for helping hands and drowning in the water. Suddenly she saw the train taking a beautiful and strong bridge built across the river. Every time she saw rivers she was frightened but everywhere someone had built strong bridges for the train to pass through. She continued all of her journeys without getting drenched in the river streams.
Many people have the mind of this little girl when any hardships befall on them. Their hearts wrench with unwanted anxieties and worries as if something dreadful is going to happen in life. This clearly shows the lack of firm and strong awareness about the Lord. If our awareness about Him is ‘just a belief’, we won’t be able to pass through the painful ordeals of life. Rather, how we believe that everything we see around is true and we have breath and life, if we can comprehend the belief in Allah, in the same way, we won’t fall flat in front of the trails of life.
Take a Look at the nature around us. It rains heavily and stops. Sunshine falls and leaves. Flowers blossom and wither. Leaves spike and fall off. Plants grow and fall apart. But no one really bothers to worry about all these, right? Why? Because we all know that these are common happenings in the nature around, the law of nature. If so, isn’t the same common law of nature is happening in our lives too?
Yes, happiness, grievance, sorrows, ailments, birth, death, success, failure, gains, losses…all these are part of very natural shadows of life.
To cook food items properly, it should be exposed to heat. In the same way, with the heat of tears and sufferings, our mind get molded into the shape it is suppose to be. Plants grow only if they get both sunshine and rain. If it is only sunshine plants will be withered and if only rain they will be putrefied. This is how the sorrows and hapinesses weave together our life.
A life without trails is like a school without learning. Nothing will be there to learn. Tortoises would have a long story to narrate about the ways they travelled, not rabbits. The fortitude attained by people who undergo severe hardships in life would be much more than the people who live an easy life.
Whatever befalls on us in this life are decreed by the Most Merciful Creator. To live a peaceful life through hardships, we must teach our minds that Allah is Most Merciful and would shower only mercy upon His slaves.
The shadows of sorrows should never steal the happiness of our lives. In this life something may happen and some other things may not happen, the way we wanted.
Verses 22 and 23rd of Surat Hadid is the shower of solace. These verses would pour in energy to face every happenings in this life, happily.

Many times, we wont reach the place we longed for. We must be successful in making the place we reached, a worthy abode. We are suppose to live our every day as if it’s the last one. That means our life should be that much fruitful and enjoyable. In this small life, we have only a countable number of sorrows. But the blessings we live in are uncountable. Take the learning from every distress and forget rest. Live happily!

Feel Ramadan – 10) Crying eyes are not far

There is story about a companion of Prophet (Many peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Before eating food, he would get out of house and give some portions of food for the birds and cats out there. When he was asked about that, he reminded his friend, about the saying of prophet (PBUH). Didn’t prophet(PBUH) say “A man is not a believer who fills his stomach while his neighbor is hungry” (Al-Adab al-Mufrad Al-Bukhari IV – 61). I do not think that only humans are included when he mentioned hungry neighbor.

Look at the minds of the people who lived at the time of Prophet! (PBUH) There are so many golden stories from their life where they themselves starved but fed the hungry neighbor. The messenger of Allah fostered their minds such that their broad hearts could give utmost importance to others than their own welfare. He acquainted them to love every living being and the nature around them and thus he nurtured a lofty example of inimitable humanity. He advised to love, help and feed the neighbor even without bothering about their ideology or faith group.
There are numerous people around this globe, struggling through overwhelming ordeals. Though they can be seen, heard and very reachable, many people prefer not to reach them. In the same society where people spent millions to get a fancy number for their vehicle, there also live another bunch who wish for a few pennies to buy their medicine, food for one time or a good cloth and a small house to sleep…
When would we feel contentment in life? Is it when we spent our entire money, time and energy only for ourselves? If so, many people in this world would have been happy and contented. But, the reality is that most people are unhappy. Though they built huge walls for their house and block any grievance entering their house, from the neighborhood, most in our time are still not able to sleep blissfully.

Those who believe in the Most Merciful, deep from the heart, would not be able to ignore their responsibilities in this world. How can we love our lord the unseen, if we can’t see the grievance of people living under our eyelids?
‘Woe to the performers of salaah who pushes away the orphan and do not persuade to feed poor” (Qur’an 107: 2,3). Doesn’t Qur’an refer to such people? Those who strictly fulfill their obligation towards Allah on time , but ignore their responsibilities towards the people around, they are not only losers but are in the path of destruction.
While fasting we realize how much we love food and water. The real hungry people around the globe, do not have delicious food to eat at dusk. Rather they are helpless in front of the reality that they can not afford to serve a healthy dish at least once in a day for their kids. Those mothers around the globe, who covers the noses of their children, when the delicious smell of mouthwatering dish airs from neighborhood kitchen, let their helpless faces annoy our minds, during every Iftar.
Look, every drop of tear that we shed for ourselves is nothing more than a few drops of wasted water. But if it is shed for others, that’s the best of tears.

Feel Ramadan – 9) Careful Words…

Some people take very little water in mouth during ablution while they are fasting, fearing that they may swallow water. But, the same vigilance won’t be there in their talking. They don’t keep silent fearing that they may end up talking vain. Bridling of tongue- this is a greatest lesson to learn from fasting. Lies, pride, ridicule etc all undesirable acts originate from words and that could be the reason why Prophet(May peace and blessings from Allah be upon him) had warned about it many times. We are advised to use and practice truth, kindness, affection, simplicity etc.
A person’s words reflect his personality. Each and every inappropriate word degrades his value and personality. If built with carefully framed words, our life itself would be much beautiful. To whom, when, what, how- we should carefully evaluate this before every wordings. When every single word that we speak is by understanding the mindset of the listener, indeed our conversation would be priceless. People’s attitudes and mindsets would change according to the circumstance. Words considering these situations can be dearer to them.
Let’s look at an example from Prophet’s (PBUH) life. Prophet(PBUH) was at the house of beloved wife of Prophet(PBUH) Ayesha (RA). A girl came with Prophet(PBUH)’s favorite dish. It was sent by Prophet(PBUH)’s another wife. Ayesha (RA) trembled with rage and fury, took the bowl and hurled it away. Prophet(PBUH) gathered the broken pieces of the dish and then started collecting on them the food which had been in the dish and said, “Your mother (my wife) felt jealous.” He did not rage at her or blamed her. Ayesha was deeply moved by this response of the Prophet(PBUH) of Mercy. She realized her mistake and repented. [Sahih Bukhari: Volume 7, Book 62, Number 152: ]
How lofty is Prophet’s(PBUH) speech and response!! He never used to blame anyone in public. Nor did he hurt anyone with words. Even to the enemies, he displayed affection and mercy. His smiling face could diminish the anger of even the gravest enemies. Those with courageous stand and strong minds, would not hurt anyone even with a small word. Prophet(PBUH)’s word were wrapped in simplicity, softness and affection. Say the truth. Say it pleasingly. Don’t say in an unpleasing way.
The increased use ‘I’ in our speeches would not make it a good conversation. This eventually creates disinterest in listener.The more we reduce usage of ‘I’, the better will be our conversation. Let us make our words beautiful and meaningful.

Feel Ramadan – 8) Three Special Lessons

Time for Suhoor. Silently, they creep out of bed; should not interrupt the sleeping wee child! Carefully, they prepare food and serve. But, somehow that child hears the giggle of vessels and wakes up. Haven’t you seen some kids they are very eager to get up for Suhoor and obstinately keep fasting along with parents?
Those little tots who welcome Ramadan wholeheartedly, try to derive benefit out of blessed month by passionately joining their parents with tiny helping hands, zealously reciting Qur’an and energetically offering prayers! As the time passes, they feel tiredness and their energy diminishes. Upon seeing their stale face, empty belly, dried lips and tired body, how much affection their parents and siblings feel towards them! We all will feel full of love, kindness and sympathy towards such zealous kids, right? Indeed!
Dear brothers and sisters, similar way, there is someone who would feel boundless mercy, sympathy and love towards us, when He finds us fasting for His sake- indeed that is Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate! His love, mercy and sympathy are beyond the description of words. There is no moment in this world, without His abundant Mercy, kindness or Love being showered upon His slaves. He is the One who protects us, everyday, every moment and everywhere! Nothing but Mercy gushes from the Most Merciful towards His slaves.
His mercy is there even in making fasting compulsory upon His slaves. He wants us to leave the path we lived so far and embrace the most beautiful road of revering piety and everlasting virtues. The All Loving Lord, who doesn’t like to put burden on His slaves, made fasting compulsory because He wants his slaves to achieve the only ultimate aim of this life- Taqwa. This is what Qur’an has taught us. The first special lesson from Ramadan is the deep awareness about our Creator, the firm relationship with Him and the assurance about His everlasting affection towards His best slaves.
The second special lesson Ramadan teaches us, like we discussed before, is the piousness in our secret life. It is a golden opportunity to get rid of the adornments and distractions of the world outside and focus on renovating our secret life and inner purity. Qur’an recounts ‘Those who fear their Lord in secret’ as one of qualities of a true believer. Imaam Gazali describes the purpose of fasting as follows:

The object of fast is to anoint one with one of the divine attributes. That attributes. That attribute meaning is to be bereft of hunger and thirst and to follow the angels as far as possible being free from passion. The rank of a man is far more superior than that of a lover animal as he can control his passion by dint of his intellect, but his rank is lower than that of an angel as his passion is strong and he is tried by it. Angels are near God. (Ihya-ul-uloomidheen)

The third special lesson is that we get to learn the real Islamic life during Ramadan. Self control, patience, sympathy, kindness, charity giving, strictness and punctuality in the acts of worships, unity,  affection, watchfulness in expenditure, closeness with Masjid, tongues reverberating in Qur’anic verses, heartfelt supplications, and sincere thouba- that’s the complete Islamic life and that’s what we practice in Ramadan. This is how the life of a believer should be, always. The only extra act of worship in Ramadan is fasting- rest everything should be a part of our life even outside Ramadan. We are not ordered even a single extra rakat in Salah as a part of Ramadan. The difference between other days and Ramadan is that fasting teaches us good habits and conduct. It frees us from evil entanglements.
Those who continue with the life in Ramadan even after its departure, indeed those will be among the successful. Others, are the losers who lost the chance to attain Heaven even after witnessing one more blessed month in their life.

Feel Ramadan- 7) Reminding the Return

Have you heard an old Arabic fable about a man who made friendship with the Angel of death? At the spring of their friendship the man made an unusual agreement with the Angel. He demanded that before arriving to take his soul, the Angel should send him a notice well in advance. The agreement was made. Weeks became months and months into years. One bitterly cold night, as the man sat alone thinking of his success in life, Angel of death tapped on his shoulder. “You are here too soon” the man cried out. “You sent no messenger. I thought we had an agreement!” The Angel whispered: “Dear, notice your hair, when we made friendship, it was full and black, skin was smooth, teeth were shiny, eyesight was sharp, body was sturdy and hearing was strong. Today, your hair has plenty of silver streaks; skin is wrinkled, hearing and eyesight has weakened, teeth have fallen off and body is frail. You had asked me to send one messenger but I have sent many through the years! I have kept my word. Still, didn’t you expect my arrival?”
This may be a fable, besides it holds a strong message and reality of our life. Death will be rude awakening for those who live in sluggishness, without remembering about the return journey despite the shadows fell on every luster of life. They would be panicked as the death knocks at the door. Qur’an warns that as death approaches, they are those who will plead:
“My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.” [Qura’an 63:10].
In the next verse Allah warns us that: “But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” (63:11)
In a Hadith reported by Tirmidi, Prophet (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) mentions: “Not a day passes upon the grave except it will say I am the home of remoteness, the home of loneliness, the home of soil, the home of worms. (Tirmidi)

Each Ramadan we meet should remind us that we are one more year closer to the inevitable reality of death. We must effectively utilize Ramadan to bring down our affection and affinity towards this mundane world. The main threes, which conquer the minds and flutter in the thoughts of a person, are food, home and sexual urge. Fasting separates these threes from us. While fasting, every believer abstains from food and physical urges. Through I’thikaaf (retreat in the masjid), believers temporarily separate themselves from the warmth of household.

Ramadan does not separate us from the ties of this world, forever. But, it powerfully reminds us about the transient nature of this worldly life. In brief, it strengthens our awareness and remembrance of the eternal life. It enables us to prepare for the big day. It purifies our life and prepares us to embrace the reality called death.
Those who live in the warmth of luxury and enjoyment would faint easily. Their hearts would be entangled by materialistic cravings. It would be grave hard for them to trot through the road of inner purity and piety. Let’s absorb the lesson of simple life, stoic thoughts, awakening death and the salvation of this life, from this Ramadan.

Feel Ramadan – 6) The fuel for Taqwa

“O the Messenger of Allah! Would you advice me a favorable deed?”, said Abu Umama (May Allah be pleased with him).
“Perform fasting because there is no worship equal to fasting” : Replied the Messenger of Allah (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)
“Would you advice me a good deed?” Abu Umama repeated.
The Prophet replied: “Try to fast because there is no other worship as meritorious as it before Allah.” (Nasaî, Siyam: 43)
Introspection is the best path to attain inner purity. With the relentless questions we ask to our inner selves, we can dig out our hidden flaws. Most of us, face society by concealing our inner lapses. Many peoples’ private life would be a mysterious world, with a lot of crimes and bad deeds obscured in, different from what is shown to world outside.
It is very easy to get enslaved by forbidden whims and to treasure them secretly.  These days, anyone can enjoy the privacy and coolness of wrong deeds with a cellphone, even in the middle of a crowd. The cruel world of hypocrites who dare to deceive even the nearest ones very tactically!!
Ramadan treats our stinking private world of sins. It advices us to forget the past and renovate our most secretive life. The biggest tragedy in life is that we get enslaved by passions. Then, no external advices or warnings can influence us. We tend to treat these advises from outside as ‘nuisance’. But, the admonitions and realizations arising from our inner selves can influence us, tremendously. Such a path of rejuvenation is Ramadan. It intervenes to our secret life. It exterminates the filth from there, transforms our habits, and  imprisons our whims. It trains us to live in purity even in our secret life. That’s the inner meaning of fasting.

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More than the deed we offer, Allah values our mindset at that moment. We are asked to seriously evaluate the fluctuations in our mindsets. In a world where rights and wrongs are mixed up, it is very natural that our minds may sway in between. To preserve the purity of our hearts, we need to undergo strict training. Self control can be attained by stringent rules and systematic toils. Taqwa is achieved through very attentive self control. Hearts should be rejuvenated and controlled by the assurance of our imaan. We usually tie the things which are about to fallen off, with strong ropes. Our hearts may fall into sins, anytime. Even the word qalbu literally indicates that.

Prophet (PBUH) said, “The heart is like a feather that is being blown about by the wind in a desert” ( Ahmad 4: 408).
In Arabic we say aqeeda for the matters which we believe with conviction. Aqada means bonding or tie. That means imaan is the silver thread that ties our qalb (heart) with Allah. The bonding of our swerving hearts with unswerving faith. It must be the catalyst behind our worships.
Once, Prophet (PBUH) mentioned the purpose of fasting is to amass strength for doing acts of worships. (Ahmad 2: 524). It also begets mercy, cleansing of sins and protection from Hellfire (Bbnu Qusaima 1887). Indeed, these are ultimate aims of any true believer, aren’t they?
Journeying through sins, corrupts our fitra or inner purity. Fasting pours in the energy to sway away from and fight against all the evils. Our sins create fences between Allah and us. It obstructs us from creating a strong relationship with the Lord of worlds. Fasting is the solution that helps break the fences and hasten to the presence of Allah.
We abstain from every basic thing which we would need to preserve our breath, including our food and water.  Even the things that were otherwise halal  become haram while fasting. Why are asked to abstain from even those halal matters? Isn’t that to train ourselves to refrain from harms even after Ramadan?
Fasting is a very personal and secret worship, no one will know if another is really fasting or not. No other worships are the same. Salah is suppose to perform in congregation, zakat is the giving to others, Hajj is performed along with millions, but fasting is very secretive.
Why is it so? It could be for us to practice taqwa even in our personal and secret occasions. In this era where show offs are more and inner purity has deteriorated, this purpose has broad meanings.

Feel Ramadan- 5) Betterment of life

There are two ways for someone to posses a thing that we hold in our hand, either snatch it forcefully or tickle us until we drop it. This is how people steal many precious things from us. With no tinge of hurting, but by entertaining and making us laugh, how many priceless things they grapple from us!!
Haven’t you seen the human like puppets in textile stores? Though they get dressed in new attires everyday, they don’t have their own life, thoughts or personality. Are we suppose to live like puppets whom can be dressed by anyone in any attire?
Those who have a brain and discrimination power will not bow in front of anyone like a puppet. However, despite the high degrees and knowledge we hold, how easily we get entrapped in the pitfalls of luring advertisements!!
Fasting is the strong shield to defend the arrows of cravings and covetousness. While abstaining from the fundamental necessity of our life, food and drink, we must learn the essential lesson of self control and resistance. Besides, we should learn to bridle ourselves from the the wicked tricks of advertisements and marketing which constantly entraps our whims and minds. We must seriously think who is snatching our life, and making it similar to an advertising board, where anyone can put their ads?
Think, how easily we nurture those looters who steal our money, time, thoughts and mindsets, without our knowledge. We buy those with our own money. Ramadan obstructs us from sailing mechanically along the wind of ads. We can reach to the careful ways of Taqwa, from the luxurious ways of covetousness. Food is the most selling good nowadays. Food outside and rest inside home- this has become our motto.

The illusions woven by TV and Internet, have enslaved us, and they even intervene in deciding what to wear, where to stay, whom to befriend, how to spent time and when to sleep and wake up. At the end, they gift us nothing but agitations. A life without happiness, by loosing the self esteem, and being jealous about others- aren’t we choosing it ourselves?
Look at the life of our Prophet (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him). In that locality, his was the house which experienced poverty at its peak. He was living with the anxiety of not having to cook anything, for many weeks. However, Prophet (PBUH) and his family were able to live happily and sleep with contentment.
We need to find out the reason for that. This supplications of Prophet (PBUH) gives the answer to it:

O Allah! I seek from Thee a faith that will saturate my heart, and a true conviction that will make me realize that naught can befall me except what Thou hast decreed for me, and that I may find contentment in whatever Thou hast given me.
(Allahumma inni as’aluka imaanan yubashiru qalbi, wa yaqiinan sadiqan hatta a’alamu annahu la yusebuny illa ma katabta li, redan minka bima qasamta li
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ إِيمَانَاً يُبَاشِرُ قَلْبِي، وَيَقِيِنَاً صَادِقَاً حَتَّى أَعْلَمَ أَنَّهُ لاَ يُصِيِبُنِي إِلاَّ مَا كَتَبْتَ لِي، وَرَضِّنِي بِمَا قَسَمْتَ لِي )

Make this an ingredient of our daily supplications, we would be able to enjoy the real contentment in this life.

Your Mercy!!!

Ya Allah, Ya Rab, Ya Gafur, Ya Jabbar, Ya Malik,
This part of Ramadan is mercy.
So Grant us mercy.
Grant Our parents mercy.
Grant our children mercy.
Grant our family mercy.
Grant our friends mercy.
Grant our well-wisher & helper mercy.
Grant Your mercy to the poors.
Grant Your mercy to the helpless.
Grant Your mercy to those who are sick
Grant Your mercy to those who are oppressed & in misery.
Ya Allah, Grant Your mercy to those who are in the grave.

Ya ma'bud, Ya Rahim, Ya Rahman,
Grant Your mercy to Bangladesh
Grant your mercy to Pakistan.
Grant Your mercy to Rohingya muslims.
Grant your mercy to Iraqi brothers
Grant Your mercy to Afghanistan
Grant mercy to the muslims of Philippines
Please Grant the people of Syria your mercy
Have Your mercy on Lebanon
Have mercy on Palestine
Have mercy on Egypt
Have mercy on Libya
Have mercy on Iran
Have mercy on Nigeria
Oh Allah, Have mercy on Somalia
Have mercy on Congo muslims
Have mercy on Kashmir
Have mercy on Yemen
Have mercy on Bahrain
Have mercy on Russian muslims
Have mercy on the muslims who live in America
who live in United Kingdom, on those of France & Italy.
And Grant mercy to all the muslims living around the world, to those who passed away, to those who will be coming to the world.

Ya Allah, Ya Almighty, Ya Most High,
Accept our dua and Have mercy on all of us . Because You are Most Merciful and we are helpless , we have no other way without You & without Your mercy. We learned that You want our good and We trust You .

Feel Ramadan- 4) Wrapped in affection…

Be like a honey bee-When it stings honey from flowers it helps them for pollination in return. The love, recognition, respect, honor and good behaviour which we expect from others, if we could reflect the same in our own attitudes, our personality would sparkle with splendor.
Those who pour in affection without hesitation, would get love in return through unexpected ways.
A single word of appreciation, wrapped with affection, that we tell someone, would be more than enough for them to remember us affectionately, forever. A simple smile can reciprocate deep love that sometimes words fail to convey. By words adorned with respect, we can obtain a special place in everyone’s mind. The best reply one can give to enemies is affection. With that being the reply, even the intense animosity would melt away. This is what Qur’an taught us.
Ramadan is the time to foster our minds to accept and honor everyone. When we turn humble with the thirstiness, hunger and tiredness we feel through our fasting, it acts as the platform to train ourselves to accept and respect others like our brothers. One of the great lesson from prophet’s life was his mindset to understand others. That broad mind forgave those who tortured him in animosity and even when they returned in conciliation, later.
All he had was unconditional forgiving, to the slave Vahshi, who killed hamza bin Abdul mutha lib, who was a gallant supporter to prophet, to Hind who ordered Vahshi to kill, and to Khalid bin Waleed who incited the act.
Erasing all those painful memories, he loved them wholeheartedly. To the companion who requested the Prophet to supplicate against enemies, prophet reminded him: “I did not come to curse but to treat everyone with kindness”. How can we comprehend that enormous mind!
Prophet was teaching us that love and patience are the sharpest of weapons. Prophet Ibrahim(AS), who addressed his father “dear father” despite being his enemy, ideologically, was sharing the same priceless lesson.
There are numerous virtues inside us. We need to analyze whether we are utilizing them effectively or not. No benefit can be derived from an unread book. Even if it holds ideas that have a potential
to turn the world upside down, the book would bring no change. It is only when utilized effectively, the treasure it holds becomes invaluable. Love, care, kindness, honor, good bahaviors etc. must be shared between everyone. It is their right from us. Only those who know to forget and forgive would live blissfully.
How should we accept those who enter our life as spouse or friends? Accept them with all shortfalls they live with. Treat them like humans who would make mistakes. Then we will be able to forget and forgive anything and everything.
This may be the reason why people who can forgive make more coteries in life.
The famous philosopher socrates’s wife was cruel towards him. The day before his death, when he was asked for forgiveness, this is what he replied: dear, I had forgiven for all cruelty and sorrow you had given to me. I have nothing but love towards you. Seeking or giving forgiveness is not needed in between us.
Only human beingshave the capacity to forgive and forget, animals don’t. We owe to give forgiveness even to animals. 3 points from the famous 9 vasiyyas of Prophet are as follows: ” Forgive those who attacked you”, “reconnect the broken relations”, and “forgive those who hurt you with their words, objections and those who made you cry”.
Let’s forgive to everyone who saddened us with words, hurt us with deeds, and made us cry!
How can we seek forgiveness to Allah if we can’t forgive to others, right?

Rejoice with Qur’an

Have a look at below two verses from Qur’an.
O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, “In the bounty of Allah and in His mercy – in that let them rejoice; it is better than what they accumulate.” (Qur’an 10:57-58)
We are being provided with many blessings in life. We feel happiness in those and rejoice over it. These could be our achievements in life, recovery from illness, weddings, celebrations and so on. No one would like to miss such instances in life. We welcome all such instances of life happily and thank Allah for the same. 

However, do we rejoice as it mentioned in above verses from Qur’an? This is the rejoicing we should feel through Qur’an– upon hearing the guidance from our Lord, through the solace we feel in our hearts and through the best wealth we amass. The rejoicing we achieve through Qur’an is therefore very meaningful. Those minds that find this rejoicing will experience the magnitude of acquiring knowledge. This rejoicing felt by those knowledge seekers is better than any other wealth men accumulate.
Prophet (May Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him) told in a Hadith. “Rejoice! Verily, one end of this Qur’an is in the hand of Allah, and its other end is in your hands. Hold fast to it. You will never be destroyed, nor will you go astray after that” (At-Tabarani).
May Allah bless us to feel this rejoicing by holding fast to Qur’an and through its learning. May He make us rejoiced in this life and Hereafter by showering His abundant mercy and kindness. Aameen!

Feel Ramadan- 3) As Sweet as ripen fruits

How do we shop fruits? We select only the good ones. If we use the same criterion for our words, glances, deeds and coteries our life also will become successful. We very well know to differentiate between virtues and vices. But vices lure and attract us. Our minds have the tendency to incline towards vices even when knowing it. And eventually our minds go astray.
Everywhere if we move forward by evaluating the quality and standard, life will be as sweet as ripen fruits.
Always we are in the middle of choices. In whatever we see, hear, say, read and befriend, there are choices between virtues and vices. Even when we sit in front of computer and Internet, we have choices. Certainly choices are there in spiritual ways as well. Where on this planet we run out of choices?
Many times, the vices dressed in the suits of virtues allure us. Virtues and vices can not take the same road- they are two extremes. One road is very beautiful. It has the glamour to lure our hearts. There are sights which would pour in coolness to our eyes. However, if we fall in the trap of that daunting beauty, we would end up in desperation. The way of truth, al though it is not so appealing at first, the end would be marvelous. If we go through a beautiful road reaching our neighbours’ house, it won’t take us to our house.
Abstaining from sins is much difficult than doing virtues. We have experienced that we would require to put in more self control and endurance to refrain from any sins. That is why some, though, they refrain from eating and drinking while fasting, fail to refrain from futile talks and sights.
We need ten times imaan in our hearts to refrain from sins than what we require to indulge in virtues.
Lets see the advice of Renowned scholar athiubin Abu rabiha to his son: Beloved son, our pious predecessors never liked futile talks or deeds. They dedicated their every second to perform fruitful things. Recite Qur’an by understanding and perceiving it’s meaning. Read good books in plenty. Always Talk about virtues. Fight evils…
How to differentiate between right and wrong is a very old riddle. In fact, noble Qur’an is the perfect solution to this perplexing riddle.
Let’s wind up with a beautiful reminder from Qur’an
But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge. (Qura’n 79: 40-41)

Feel Ramadan- 2) Change the Habits

Our mind is like a compass – it always points to one direction, the direction of virtue. It hates evil and gets annoyed when we commit sins. It truly enjoys virtues and inspires us to do more and more. We know from our experience that we cannot commit a sin but by cheating our own conscience.
Allah dislikes not those who commit sins but those who repeat their sins. Even when recounting the heirs of Paradise, Qur’an reminds that “who do not persists in what they have done” (Qur’an 3:135). Repeating-sins snow ball to bad habits. It is very common that sometimes we commit minor sins and trivialize it but later on, they will become part and parcel of our routine. At the end, we lament: “I tried my best but I could not get rid of it”.

We have a great lesson to learn from the history made by pious sahabas, in acquainting to the ways of virtue, by exterminating all bad habits from their within.They were much intimated by and indulged in their habits than we are. Those minds were hazed with consuming alcohol, fornication and bad habits. Superbly gallant is their memoir! The people who hastened to a blessed new life, inspired by their piousness and unswerving faith in Allah!
When they attained an unswerving faith in the Merciful Lord, it was their evil habits that were swerved. Those whose hands otherwise trembled if they miss liquors for one time were transformed into those who burst out if happen to miss one prayer in congregation. Those hands which once pleaded in front of idols, raged to demolish them. Those who outlived all laws and rules turned out to be the kalifas and governors, and the role models in practicing justice. Those who were not ashamed of committing sins even publicly did not dare to commit sins even in private, later. Those who once didn’t even believe that women have heart and soul, transformed to be respecting the greatness of femininity.
Those who sang “this life is for joy and enjoyment ” we’re metamorphosed to pious devotees who realized the wide meaning and value of time and life. By purging all the attitudes and evil habits that they we’re living with, their imaan could plant the seeds of empowerment, humanity and righteousness in them, instead.
They were those who were vindictive for generations, against their enemies. The miracle was that those who danced in the blood pool of their enemies were changed such that they did not dare to hurt even an ant. They realized that they are obliged to do nothing but virtues for every human and other living being on the face of earth. As they rectified their fanatic illusions and evil habits, they attained a rejuvenated, new life.
With their transformation to humans with humanity, they could inscribe a legend in golden letters. Only when our habits and styles change, we could transform as their real heirs.
Ramadan teaches us to reform our habits and styles. Ramadan is the worship which helps replace our sluggish life with a more cautious one. It teaches us the careful lessons to effectively utilize our time. Starving helps us realize that every second is precious. Ramadan showers the opportunities to fatten our backpack with virtues.
It multiplies the ways to purify our eyes, tongue and minds. It reminds that no act of goodness is trivial and every trivial sin is significant. It repeatedly admonish us to exterminate the weeds of evil habits from our day to day life and to sprinkle the kernels of good habits.
Blessed are those who could carry on at least one habit from Ramadan to rest of the life. Losers are those who could not get rid of at least one bad habit with the passage of Ramadan.
Let’s start the preparation for it from day 1.

Feel Ramadan- 1) The drizzle of supplications

How do newspapers report  the demise of eminent personalities? It will be covered with ample importance, flooding with condolences and recollection of their priceless doings. Sometimes, we read the story till end, but would not feel any twinge of grief or loss. However, when someone closer to us from our family, friends or relatives die, even  if it do not get featured in a newspaper, still that loss will create deep wounds in our minds. That means, it’s not the importance of dead person but our closeness to him that matters in reality, isn’t it?
If so, when another Ramadan reaches the doorsteps, and later it leaves (in sha Allah), only those who have made a closer relationship and an unbreakable bond with Ramadan, will feel the real pain from its adieu. Those who have pledged for a new life, immersed in the teardrops of supplications and invocation, would never love to see a Ramadan vanishing behind the curtains. Like how the blood in our body gets purified at a central point, Ramadan is the point that purifies the stains of sins from our lives. Like how we plant new seeds in the soils after eliminating the pests and weeds, new sprouts of piety grow in the purified minds. Ramadan- it must intervene into our habits. It must be the season to throw away our bad habits and acquaint us into the ways of good habits.





Don’t you love the blossom of spring after snowy winter days? Plants get a new energy and life as spring comes along. Blessed are those who achieve similar rejuvenation and austere purification from Ramadan. Successful are those who could get rid of at least one bad habit and begin a new good habit during Ramadan…


Supplication – that is the soul of every ibadah. Supplications that originate from the bottom of hearts are the best opportunity to attain inner purification. Supplicate from the bottom of our hearts to the Lord, The Provider, who though tests those who plead,  will never forsake the pleaders.
Our sincere duas can show us way to there.


O Allah, I plead for your blessing, there is no deity worthy to worship than You. Allah, let everything related to me become best.  O Lord, make everything easy for me. Never forsake me even for blink of an eye.
O Lord, bless me to love things that You love…
O Lord, let everything that I like be for those, which You like.  Include me in those who love You wholeheartedly.
O Allah, bless me to remember You abundantly, be grateful to You and live always with a fear of You. O Allah give me the fortune to live with taqwa and turn to You with repentance. O Allah purify me from my sins and accept my repentance. O Allah, bestow me with steadfastness, make my tongue good and accept my duas.
Ya Allah, bestow up on me the fortune to do good deeds in abundance, stay away from wrongdoings and love poor people around me. Cleanse me from sins and shower upon me your boundless mercy. Guard me from all afflictions, The Protector…
I seek You for Your love and the love of people who love You in plenty. Guide me to the deeds, which would yield Your pleasure.
O Allah, cleanse me from all evils and flaws. Cleanse me from sins like how a white cloth is cleaned from its lingering filth.
O Allah, flourish affection and care within my heart. Show me the right path and lead me to light from darkness.  Forgive me for all the sins that I committed knowingly and unknowingly. Shower Your boundless blessings upon my spouse, kids and in my eyes and ears…
O Allah, clean my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from  worldly show offs , my tongue from saying lies, and my eyes from transgression. You are the one who knows the lies of my eyes and whatever I concealed.
O Allah, help me to be contented in  what You have decided for me  and in everything that You have provided me.
O Lord, you know whatever I have concealed and revealed, so fix my lapses. O Lord You know my needs better than I do, so accept this supplication, O Provider.  O compassionate, do not block Your mercy due to the sins I have committed.  O Allah Your promises are true. Accept my duas, The All Hearing.


We are those who must abide in the strength and contentment that our supplications would out-pour. Let’s make our life worthy, by repeatedly retrospecting the ways we traveled and by taking careful steps through new ways. Let our Ramadan be the nights and days of pure supplications.

Benefits of Ramadan

The lessons learned during Ramadan should last throughout the whole year

Ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world. While major holidays of other faiths have largely become commercialized events, Ramadan retains its intense spiritual meaning.

The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.

• Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day.
• Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him.
• Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."
• Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits.
• Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking.
• Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may "learn self-restraint" (Qur'an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our "normal" lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.

May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.