As salaam alaykum warahmatullah friends,
Our beloved month of Ramadan is coming soon and (rightly s0) we are all in full prep mode.
However some of us might not really be feeling the excitement and anticipation that the rest of our friends and family might be feeling.
If that’s you, then first of, know that you are not alone.
Secondly, know that there is still time for you to tap into that excitedness and anticipation that you really do wish to feel.
There is time, but there is also work to be done in order to get there.
The reason you feel this way is most likely because your heart feels disconnected from its maker; Allah subhaanau wa ta’ala. This disconnect could be down to a number of things
- You’ve probably been living the past couple of months distant from the Book of Allah and from good righteous company.
- You’ve probably been not so mindful of the boundaries of Allah and so have done some things you really shouldn’t have done (haven’t we all?). The bad part is that this causes the heart to blacken and harden. But the good part is that Tawbah (sincere repentance and a promise not to return to our old ways) usually does the trick of cleansing, softening and bringing our hearts closer to Allah.
- Or, you are going through a tumultous time in your personal life. Things are difficult, trials seem to be knocking you down so much that you can barely muster up the motivation to do your obligatory acts of worship. Right now, you are only hanging on by the skin of your teeth.
Don’t worry, do not despair. I have been there. And I can tell you that it does get better.
It does get better, but only if you let go of that thread that you’re hanging on to and grab on desperately to the rope of Allah. The point of trials and tumultous times is to remind us of our inability to hold ourselves up and to surrender to a Higher Power that does not tire of sustaining all life in the heavens and the earth.
In these coming days before Ramadan, pick up your prayer rug and make Taubah to Allah. Then beg Him to hold you up and keep your heart connected to Him alone. Then, pick up a pen and paper and write down all the things you want out of life and especially this coming month of Ramadan.
We’ve all heard of vision boards and the power of writing things down. They really do help keep you motivated and accountable to yourself. And the satisfaction that comes from hitting those goals is just…..indescribable!
If you don’t have it written down, then you don’t really want it.
So, if you’re feeling a little despondent and unexcited about this coming Ramadan, here is your simple action plan:
- Be honest with yourself and figure out why you’re feeling this way.
- Recognise that you cannot fix the situation by your might alone, so return to Allah in repentance and ask Him for His Divine Help and Strength.
- Finally, hold yourself accountable by writing down your goals and desires for this month of Ramadan and get to work!
You can do this!
Remember, tomorrow is not promised. If you have been blessed to witness Ramadhan, do not waste it!
May Allah grant us all success…