A Mid-Ramadan Reflection

Assalaamu’alaykum,

SubhanAllah, we’re already past the halfway mark of this blessed month and I’m not saying that for dramatic effect. We wait for Ramadan to arrive with such anticipation and then somehow it begins to slip away faster than we realise.

And I pray that you are feeling connected and comforted, with hearts wide open to receive all the khayr, insights and purification this sacred time brings.

Speaking of time, I experienced a beautiful reminder a few days ago about the nature of time.

Time in Ramadan moves differently. Our routines are lifted out of their usual moulds and pushed in directions we wouldn’t normally be used to.

We sleep at unusual hours and we eat at times we normally wouldn’t. Outside of Ramadan, that kind of disruption could take a toll, but from the mercy of Allah, when we follow the sunnah, eating at suhoor, standing longer in qiyam ul layl, there is a spiritual nourishment that reaches far beyond the heart.

It touches the body, the mind and your physical world.

A few days ago, I was sitting in front of a large task as part of a bigger project. It was tedious work and I estimated it would take me at least two to three hours to complete.

But I hadn’t yet completed some of my morning practices, my adhkar, my Qur’an quota and Salatul Duha. For a moment, I thought I should just get the work out of the way first and return to the ibaadah later.

But after a moment of hesitation, I parked the work and completed my ibaadah first, Alhamdulilah.

The reason I share this is because when I returned to the work, it took me under an hour to complete the entire task. SubhanAllah. It was such a clear reminder that when you prioritise connecting with Allah, He opens up time with immense khayr and barakah in ways you simply cannot anticipate.

He SWT expands time and your capacity.

So I wanted to share this with you today, especially as we enter the second half of Ramadan, for anyone who may need this reminder: 

Without hesitation, give priority to your spiritual routine. Don’t worry about your dunya work, fit that around your spiritual anchors and trust that time will open up and barakah takes over.

When Allah is placed first, the usual calculations of time, effort and productivity no longer apply in the same way. There is an undercurrent of barakah running through it all, because you opened the door by putting Allah first. May Allah place sincerity in all our acts of worship and work. Ameen.

Reflection of the Week

When you look at how you spend your time each day, what is truly taking priority in your life?

Reflect on whether your worldly work fits around your ibaadah or whether your ibaadah is being squeezed in around everything else.. 

Dua of the Week

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ لِي دِينِيَ الَّذِي هُوَ عِصْمَةُ أَمْرِي، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي دُنْيَايَ الَّتِي فِيهَا مَعَاشِي

 Allahumma asliḥ lī dīnī alladhī huwa ‘iṣmatu amrī, wa asliḥ lī dunyāya allatī fīhā ma‘āshī.

O Allah, set right for me my religion, which is the safeguard of my affairs, and set right for me my worldly life, wherein is my livelihood.

(Sahih Muslim 2720)

Allah's name of the Week

Al-Baari’ (The One Who brings things into existence and brings them into proper order)

Ya Al-Baari’, You are the One who brings creation into existence with perfect wisdom and balance. Bring order and harmony into our lives, place barakah in our time, and help us arrange our priorities in a way that draws us closer to You. Allow our days to be shaped by remembrance of You, and let every effort we make carry goodness and benefit.