Can You Make This Your Best Ramadan Ever?

Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: “Are those who know equal to those who know not?” It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allahs Signs and Verses). — Qur’an 39[Az-Zumar]:9

Here comes the time of the year when we are so excited to go thirsty and hungry without care. All we care about is the blessings, mercy and forgiveness that comes with the holy month of Ramadan. So it’s here again! Like the previous one, we are lucky to witness another. If we look back in retrospect, we’d find one or two persons who took this spiritual sojourn with us a year ago but are six feet under the ground today. That alone is one reason to rethink — this may be your last Ramadan! So if it was, what plans do you have in stock to crush it astonishingly?

If you’re reading this; you’re blessed…

The noble companion Talha ibn ‘Ubaydallah (radhiallahu anhu) reported that two men came to the prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam) who had accepted Islam at the same time. One of them used to partake in Jihad more-so than the other, and so (one day) he fought in a battle and was martyred therein. The other remained behind him for another year, and then he passed away.

Talha said, ‘I saw in my dream that I was at the door of Paradise when behold, I was with both of them (the two men). Someone came out of Paradise and allowed the man who passed away later to enter first. Then he came out again and allowed the martyred one to enter. Then he returned and said to me, ‘Go back, for your time has not come yet.’

Talha woke up and began to inform others about this and they were all surprised. This reached the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu and when they informed him of it, he said: ‘What are you surprised about?’ They said, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Out of them both, this one strove harder (in Jihad) then he was martyred but this other one was entered into Paradise before him.’

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Did he not remain behind him for one year?’ They said, ‘Yes (he did).’ He said, ‘Did he not reach Ramadan, fast and pray with such and such number of prostrations in the year?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, ‘So the difference between them is greater than what is between the heavens and the earth .’ — (Ibn Majah)

So this may be our last chance, we never can tell. Let’s make the best out of it!

Now, let’s crush this Ramadan the SMART way…

Remember the goal of Ramadan is to build a soul that radiates piety. Allah has designed the lifestyle of a Muslim to resonate around continuous spiritual exercises that renew faith. The five daily salawaat wipes away minor sins, weekly juma’h to juma’h serves as expiation, and an accepted lifetime hajj performed guarantees a reward like a new born. Therefore, developing sound goals is critical in managing this, hence we will use the popular SMART analysis for illustration in sha Allah. Here, SMART stands for: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Result-focused and Time-bound. For illustrative purpose, let’s say our goal for this year’s Ramadan is outlined thus:

“By the 29th day of Ramadan, I hope to have attained spiritual uplift through constant qiyamu layl daily, completion of the Qur’an by the 15th day and other meritorious acts with the objective of earning the pleasure of Allah and making it a continuous habit afterwards.”

Now let’s break it down in simple terms…

• Specific: Ensure you define your objective for Ramadan in clearly outlined terms. What you want to achieve at the end of the month, how you intend to go by it and why you want it. To simplify this further; what do you intend to achieve — Spiritual Uplift! How will you achieve this — Qiyamul Layl and Qur’an recitation!! Why do you want it — In order to earn Allah’s pleasure and build a righteous habit!!!
• Measurable: Make sure you have a tangible evidence that showcase accomplishment of the goal. This is what checks whether or not the objective is achieved. From our set goal, it’s intended that by the 15th day of Ramadan, you must have completed the 30th Ju’z of the Qur’an.
• Achievable: Your goal should be big enough to drive you crazy to achieve. Do not set unrealistic goals as that’s the beginning of failure. Define a step-wise approach for accomplishment. The simpler it is, the easier to crush. For example, it is hardly possible to observe qiyamu layl if you eat all night and retire to bed late.
• Result-focused: The goal should give birth to tangible results. Not just series of activities, but accomplishments. The result of this goal is to see you as a better Muslim who submits to Allah, attains inner peace and brings benefit to humanity.
• Time-bound: There should be a realistic time frame that defines the urgency and importance of meeting the goal. Without this, it is child’s play which may only lead to incessant hope and waste of time. From our set goal, the 29th day of Ramadan defines the deadline for accomplishment.

This is just a quick draft guideline which I hope will help you in defining your objectives in order to make this year’s Ramadan your best ever experienced. Every goal is achievable, it all begins in the mind with the right intentions.

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Alhamdulillah, I want to use this medium to appreciate everyone of you (readers and subscribers to the newsletter). Your kind words and feedback have been encouraging. Here’s my first published book -30 days of transformation- and it’s all free for you. Click on the link to download, you can as well share with others. We ask Allah to make this a blissful one for us, forgive our misdeeds and reward us with an endless bliss. Ameen!

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