The sacred month of Ramadan always seems to arrive when we need it the most and always invites us with open arms. This month offers every Muslim a chance to pursue a new beginning, regardless of how distant they feel from God. It calls us to loosen our grip on our worldly worries and seek peace and comfort in the blessings bestowed upon us. Ramadan helps us remember what we are truly capable of when we make sacrifices and live for something greater than ourselves.
Despite popular belief, Ramadan is not just about going hungry from sunrise to sunset. At its core, Ramadan is about mindfulness and intention. As we go about our day with empty stomachs and parched throats, we learn to move more slowly and with purpose. We become conscious of our every action and become grateful for every blessing. Every good deed we do comes with the intention of serving a power much higher than ourselves. In a world where everything seems to move at lightning speed, the spirit of Ramadan invites us to stay grounded, pace ourselves, and catch our breath.
When we fast and offer charity during Ramadan, we learn to give more than we take as we move through life. This helps us feel gratitude for everything we have been blessed with in our lives and encourages us to help those who have less. Our hearts become softened and arrogance becomes replaced with humility as we experience just a fraction of the suffering that plagues our brothers and sisters around the world. We learn to accept that nothing in this world truly belongs to us and that everything we have is a privilege bestowed by the grace of God.
Ramadan never demands perfection from us. It only asks that we open up our hearts and try our best. Those who do not pray regularly are invited to stand in front of their musallah and answer the call of adhan, comforted by the knowledge that God will meet their small step with a giant leap. Those who have not recited the Quran in months are invited to spend time with the book of God and find comfort within its pages. Those who have not spoken to God in a long while are invited to bare their soul to Al-Sami, the All-Hearing, the one who will always be there to listen. For Muslims, Ramadan is a reminder that as long as we remember him and turn back to him, God will always be there for us.
The sacred month of Ramadan is for every Muslim. No one is too far gone to feel its blessings. In fact, this month is a reminder that no one has ever strayed so far from faith that if they were to turn back, they would not find refuge in the mercy and love of God. Ramadan calls us back to our true purpose and helps us remember who we are. All we must do is answer its call and be willing to try with sincerity.
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