Muslims around the world, myself included, fasted from sunrise to sunset during the sacred month of Ramadan. Many people associate Ramadan with not being able to consume any food or drink. When I was younger, even during my college years, I honestly didn’t take it too seriously and felt bummed because I had to fast.
I can’t believe I just admitted that!
Thank God that is no longer the case. Over the years, I have strengthened my iman (faith) and relationship with God that Ramadan is so special to me and I strive to make the most out of it each year as I get older. Ramadan and my religion period, has gotten me through so much and made me a better human being.
Ramadan is so much more than abstaining from food. It is a chance to strengthen your relationship with Allah (God), increase your prayer and good deeds, show your gratitude, and give back as much as one can. Until now, it is 2 years since I fasted. I was pregnant one year and then breastfeeding the other, you guys have no idea how left out I felt, I didn’t like it as all whatsoever.
Imagine, my first Ramadan (since having my son) was like none we had ever experienced due to coronavirus. That meant the spirit of the community would be missing, getting together with family and friends for Taraweeh prayer and iftar dinners whether held in the home or at the Mosque. I began to feel for my friends who celebrated Easter, things were just different.
I was determined not to let COVID ruin my Ramadan. I always set goals during Ramadan, but unfortunately, I just never follow through with them. This year I wanted it to be different, especially since there were no outside distractions, and I felt like I had all the time in the world.
Here is a glimpse of my daily to do list and how Ramadan went for me, click here to be taken directly to my IG highlight showcasing Ramadan 2020
What did I accomplish during Ramadan? I read the Quran in its entirety. Can you believe that? I finished the entire Quran. That has always been a goal of mine, at least for the past 6 years, and I finally did it. I have a sense of happiness flowing through my body ever since I finished it. Even today and as I write this, I’m grinning from ear to ear because it just makes me feel so good. When I finished, I cried and I jumped for joy … literally. I screamed so loud in my head, lol. I didn’t want anyone interrupting that intimate moment I was having with God.
His presence, I felt it so much the night I finished the Quran. One thing I made sure to do was listen to lectures, so anything that I didn’t quite understand would allow me to gain a deeper understanding. I still plan on reading it again and studying it more in depth.
What are some things I learned? I learned that I don’t need anyone besides myself to bring me closer to God. I always had it in my head that I needed someone by my side to help me become a better Muslimah and build a strong relationship with God that I so yearned for. Trust me, I know that that is not true, but for some reason there was that little voice in the back of my head telling me that I was unworthy and not good enough of a Muslim to be close to God. Thankfully, I truly believe and know that all I need is me when it comes to increasing my iman and strengthening my relationship with God. That little voice can’t tell me not a thing anymore. In a way I felt some sort of chip being lifted off my shoulder, I guess you could say I felt lighter. And I can’t wait for the spiritual growth to continue.
I am happy to say that the five daily prayer has become part of my daily routine. I am keeping up with fasting on Monday and Thursdays for the time being to continue strengthening my faith. I read the Quran daily and plan to finish it again, just at a slower pace. There’s just so much for me to learn.
Let me know if you think that this has gotten too long? I could always make a new post about Eid and have a link for them to see how Eid went.
How did we celebrate Eid in Quarantine? Well guys, I promised myself that I would be transparent as possible even when it is something that I do not want to share. Eid was not at all how I expected it to be and, in a way, it was kind of ruined because of stupid RONA, lol. If you want to know what happened I go all in …. Eid 2020|COVID-19 Edition .The Sweetest Thing
Ciao!
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