Ramadan Reflections: Day 2

Bismillahir rahmaneer Raheem. In the name of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, the Most Merciful, the Most Kind

Alhamdulillah we just completed our second fast. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala accept our deeds! Just the other day Ramadan started and now we have already done two. How quickly time passes! Every year during this time, I remember my beloved friend and mentor Ferzanah. She was an amazing sister in faith. Couple of years ago , she was diagnosed with cancer during Ramadan. She went through the difficult treatment with patience. Her brother was her donor. But her body rejected it and she died in 2008. She left her three children and husband and her parents and siblings. She is buried in Garden of peace in London. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala grant her with Jannatul Ferdous, ameen!

I also remember Najma Ghani. She left us last year after suffering for years with cancer. She was an amazing sister with so much passion mashAllah. I am sure all her family and friends miss her. 

I miss another lovely sister named Aasia, who also was suffering from cancer and died almost 2 years ago, leaving her three children and husband behind. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant them both Jannatul Ferdous!

Last year, during Ramadan my grandma died. It was a very emotional time for us especially for my poor dad. He hasn't seen his mum for years and I am sure he really missed her. Because of his circumstances he couldn't really travel. I have so many lovely memories of my grandma. She was a soft-spoken lady. It feels so odd thinking she is not going be there when I go to Bangladesh. It is with real sadness, I say that I wish I spent more time with her. I never thought she will leave us that soon. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala bless my dadi with Jannatul Ferdous, ameen! Maintaining relationship can be quite a daunting task but we should try our best to keep the relations going, bi'idnillahi ta'ala.

All these deaths, remind us that our time is numbered. One day it will be our turn to leave this ephemeral world. The way we live in this world seems like we are here to stay! Have you seen anyone who is travelling, trying to settle in the airport, behaving as if it's his home? We are indeed travellers and this world is our airport. Our destination is Jannah, bi'idnillah! But, unfortunately the hectic life on this earth has deluded us in thinking that we have time. We think we are too young to die yet. Please just visit any cemetery and you will see so many people in their 20/30s who have already left this world. Who are we kidding!? 

Ramadan is a great time to remind each other this very truth. Whether we believe it or not, it is the fact and we will face the consequence of our choices. Ramadan is the time when we can work on our faith and prepare for the best inshAllah. Everything depends on intention so let us make sincere intention to please only our Rabb, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. 

There is a beautiful word of wisdom, I really love keep reading alhamdulillah.

Imam Al-Ghazali (Rahimullah) said: "You should structure your time, arrange your regular devotion (awraad) and assign to each function a set period of time during which it is given first priority but which it does not overstep. For if you abandon yourself to neglect and purposelessness, as the cattle do and just do anything that may occur to you at any time it happens to occur to you, most of your time will be wasted. Your time is life and your life is your capital; it is the basis of your transaction with Allah, and the means to attain to everlasting felicity, in the proximity of Allah the Exalted. Each of your breaths is a priceless (because irreplaceable) jewel and when it passes away it never returns." [The Book of Assistance]

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala give us the ability to utilise our time properly and gain His Ridwaan, ameen!