Preparing for Ramadan 2012: Learning to Forgive, Forget and Smile!

turn your frown upside down!

“It is He Who accepts repentance from His servants and pardons evil acts and knows what they do.” (Surat Ash-Shura, 25)

“The repayment of a bad action is one equivalent to it. But if someone pardons and puts things right, his reward is with Allah. Certainly He does not love wrongdoers.” (Surat Ash-Shura, 40)

Is it not true that Allah has the capacity to forgive murderers, slanderers, and disbelievers if they find the right way and repent? Then why is it that we can hold grudges for weeks, years, and lifetimes? Why is it that we feel like we have the right to pass judgement on others with authority? Surely, this cannot be good for the heart.The burden of anger and resentment is so heavy on us! Oh Allah, Help us! We need to do better.

The Holy month of Ramadan is approaching. It will be a time for new beginnings: a time for worship, a time for gratitude and a time for reflection. How do we live our lives? Sometimes we are our own worst enemy... trudging around with pessimism and arrogance weighing heavy on our shoulders and our souls.

3 Tips to help you lighten your emotional burden before entering into Ramadan:

1. Let it slide- The sister who rolled her eyes when you gave her salaams... the maniac who cut you off in traffic... your mother when she way oversteps her bounds... the spouse who seems to dwell on the negative things... the brother who just don’t have his facts straight... the children (yes, I said it, sometimes we got to let it slide with them too) who are getting on your last nerve! Take a deep breath and let it go.

2. Make excuses for people- You make excuses for your own ill actions so you need to start pardoning other people you encounter as well. It is not good to judge every single thing someone says or does. Maybe they had a bad day. Maybe they are feeling hurt or ignored or unloved. Maybe they are ailing mentally or physically in secret, and here we go just assuming we know them up down and all around. A lot of people are in pain!

3. SMILE- Just smile.

“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish.” (Qur’an, 7:199)

The Spirit of Ramadan

The English translation of the Qur'an spells it out quite clearly in Surah Al-Baqarah:

183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious - see V.2:2).

184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskin (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you knew.

So what if you are nursing? Or taking medication? Or sickly? Or traveling? How do you maintain the spirit of Ramadan? Should you punish yourself by fasting when your body is giving you all the signs that the fast would not be beneficial for you?

No food and No drink from sunrise to sunset

 Hey, I'm not talking about people who are just really hungry, no thats your tummy talking, go read some Qur'an and ask Allah for strength- keep up the good work, may Allah make the fast easy on you and increase your Iman!

I'm saying if you have a valid excuse for not fasting from food, how do you maintain the spiritual fast? When your stomach is aching, it is a big reminder that you need to be more humble, give charity, pray harder, and read qur'an and hadith. When you are fasting in these long summer days, you will be inclined to search for peace, inshaAllah. But if you're eating, there is little reminder it is even the blessed month of Ramadan! Especially if you are secluded from other Muslims for whatever reason.

Here are 5 tips to stay focused:

1. Wake up for Fajr, and ask Allah to increase your Iman

2. Make a schedule. ie: 5a.m., fajr 5:15 -6a.m. read surah Al-Baqarah... 12 p.m. lunch 12:30-1p.m. read Hadith from Sahih Muslim. Stick to your schedule! and if something comes up, have make-up slots in your day.

3. Go to iftars. Be around the fasters - support your brothers and sisters - learn with them, feed them! It would be benefit you to surround yourself with people who are serious about Islam. There are many benefits to be reaped from the fast, but if you can't withhold from food and drink, try to get some of that piety to rub off on you by attending iftars and taraweh prayers.

4. Eat light healthy meals high in Omega-3 fatty acids. This is BRAIN FOOD.

5. Restrict television, as a matter of a fact, just leave it off because it can be a MAJOR distraction, as can be the internet. However, if you have small children, it is easy to watch Islamic songs and documentaries that teach about Islam and Ramadan either on DVD or www.Youtube.com. And the internet can be a great way to learn surahs of the qur'an on sites like http://www.mounthira.com/ and listen to lectures.

6. Think before you speak or act! It's Ramadan Muslims! Don't backbite! Don't cuss! Don't gossip or tell lies! DO be nice. DO help a person in need. DO feed a hungry person. DO go out of your way to say and do things in your everyday life that are pleasing to Allah. DO SMILE :-))

Okay Muslims, just thought I'd give a little inspiration in these last ten day of Ramadan 2011. May Allah reward the fasters! And may Allah reward those who persevere for the sake of pleasing Allah! Ameen.

SHAHADA...SALAT...ZAKAT...SAWM...HAJJ...
declaration of faith...prayer...charity...fasting...pilgrimage