Monica is from the West Midlands and is currently working in higher education. A nature lover, bookworm extraordinaire, and in hot pursuit of the white rabbit!
“And ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him. Indeed, my Lord is Merciful and Affectionate.” (Qur’an 11:90)
Ramadan is a most auspicious month when we are graced and honoured with a blessed time, and where, by the will and power of Allah (SWT), we have the potential to reap rewards on a much grander scale than usual.
Allah’s Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever observes fasts during the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (al-Bukhari)
Alhamdulillah. It is known as the month of forgiveness, where one has the golden opportunity to turn to Allah (SWT) in humility and sincerity, to acknowledge our sins and plead to Allah (SWT) in repentance. This, in turn, will allow for that much-desired serenity, peace, remedy, and ultimate success, Insha’Allah.
While we may be ensuring our pantries and fridges are stocked and that our homes are ‘Ramadan-ready’, it is also very important to purify our hearts in anticipation as we prepare to host this blessed month in the best possible way.
There is known to be a sweetness in worship during Ramadan. Spirituality is at a high, and it is such a delightful and tranquil feeling. Of course, we all want to experience this to the highest possible standard. However, our internal states—such as our sins and the things we hold onto within us—can sometimes be a barrier that prevents us from attaining and actualising this.
Allah (SWT), He is ar-Rahman (The Entirely Merciful and ar-Raheem (The Especially Merciful), and He tells us in the Quran:
“O My servants who have transgressed against their souls! Do not lose hope in Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53)
“O you who have believed, repent to Allāh with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow: (Qur’an 66:8)
As Ramadan swiftly approaches, it is in our best interests to amplify our repentance endeavours. While we should ask Allah (SWT) for His forgiveness, it is also important to ask others to forgive us, to forgive them, and to pray for them. This may be a challenge for us, but may we focus on our goal—our need to reach absolution—a most powerful and reviving state. May we strive for the sake of Allah (SWT) and His pleasure, and may He, the Most Merciful, make it easy for us and guide us all. Ameen.
A helpful habit we can introduce in Ramadan is a du’a regime, including a list of special prayers (duas) that were recited by our beloved messengers, peace be upon them all.
While we reflect on the very beautiful du’as of our messengers in the Qur’an, we can see many instances of how they submitted and surrendered to Allah (SWT) in such profound ways—with complete humility, remorse, and contemplation. To Allah (SWT), they turned, and in return, they were saved from their distress, and their calls were answered.
Dua of Yunus (a.s.) (Jonah)
“There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.” (Qur’an 21:87)
Dua of Adam (a.s.):
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.” (Qur’an 7:23)
They are our role models, and we can look to them in many situations, not just for inspiration and guidance around our repentance. Alhamdulillah.
Insha’Allah we can develop habits such as these, to take forward into the rest of the year.
By striving in humility and sincerity to ask Allah (SWT) to forgive us, as well as forgiving ourselves and others, we can, Insha’Allah, feel that inner peace and enter Ramadan with a light and open aura, which will put us in good stead to fill our souls with powerful nutrients. While we starve our physical bodies, we may feed our souls. Subhan’Allah.
Dear Sisters, I leave you with the following great hadith, and I pray that we may reach Ramadan soundly. May Allah (SWT) shower us with His mercy; may He forgive us, guide us, strengthen us, protect us, reward us, and accept us.
The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him)“O Son of Adam, as long as you invoke Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O Son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and you then asked forgiveness from Me, I would forgive you. O Son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the Earth, and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it [too].’” (Tirmidhi).
“O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He said: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).'” (Ibn Majah)
As we enter this incredible and beautiful month, and beyond, may He grant us well-being and goodness in all aspects of our lives, by His power, His will, and His unparalleled love, Ameen!
