#ramadan reflection

[pianouran]

Ramadan Dreams: Holding Onto Home

It's almost Ramadan, and I'm decorating my childhood home. It's a place filled with warm memories, a place that's always felt like a haven, and always will. While I don't observe the fast and I wouldn't call myself religious, Ramadan has become synonymous with a comforting nostalgia. It brings back memories of family gatherings before things changed, and simpler times with less commercialized entertainment. And my lovely grandmother was still with us...

Putting up the decorations is a way to reconnect with those feelings, even if for a short while. However, this home I cherish is under threat of being sold by my father. It's a source of frustration, especially since I work hard to avoid living with my parents at this age. But economic realities can be harsh. And other aspects of life can be too.

Despite the challenges, I'm searching for pockets of joy amidst the uncertainty. Potential buyers come through, interested in acquiring not just a house, but the priceless memories held within its walls. Explaining my emotional attachment feels futile at times, almost feeding into a sense of helplessness.

Yet, there's solace in the company of my cats. Their playful curiosity is a source of comfort. I find myself confiding in them, expressing a frustration with human nature - the capacity for narcissism and emotional cruelty that often goes unnoticed. And of course I am left with a "Meow!"

The scent of Ramadan spices might not fill this familiar kitchen next year. The future is unclear, filled with mixed emotions. But I resolve to stay positive, to find a way forward. Happiness and contentment won't be easy, but I'm determined to create them for myself.

Wishing everyone a joyous Ramadan 🌙❤️

Music credits in this video: Hassan Parhizkar

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 22 - Upgrade

My grand goal this year is to be a better person that can bring good benefit and show good role to others. As we strive to improve ourselves on the Deen, we should also strive to improve the Ummah in any way that we can. I have this strong determination to support others in the progress and process of me to find myself, and my aim is for Allah ridho and grant me reward for the effort and hustle that I put through in akhirah. I want all my struggle in this dunya to be rewarded in the akhirah so that I can be close to Him. 

Support the ummah with Your Knowledge

One of the best ways to help the ummah thrive is to share your knowledge. Depending on your level of knowledge, you can write books for the benefit of other Muslims, write articles, give speeches, teach the younger ones about Islam, etc. Something even as seemingly simple as correcting the manner of someone’s solah, is a form of supporting the ummah with your knowledge.

The Prophet SAW said, “The best among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Quran and teach it.” (Bukhari)

Support the ummah with Your Wealth

As an ummah, we have role models in the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his companions, in regards to how they spent their money on the path of Islam. It is well known that the Prophet SAW never kept money for himself when it could benefit someone else. But the story that I find the most beautiful, is that of Abu Bakr and how he spent all his money for the sake of Allah SWT.

Abu Bakr gave all he had for the sake of the ummah. He was known to give so much that the Prophet Muhammad SAW was said to have told the other Companions that the wealth of Abu Bakr has been the most beneficial to him. (Ibn Majah)

This is one of the ways by which each one of us can improve and benefit the ummah. Give what you can of your wealth in donations to causes that sincerely improve the ummah.

Benefit the ummah with Your Time

Volunteering your time is an excellent way to benefit the ummah. Not everything that the ummah requires can be solved with money. Sometimes, we all need to put in some time to help people do things.

During the time of the Companions, people would spend their time working for the mosque, or do something else for the ummah, all the while still maintaining their own businesses and personal lives.

Benefit the ummah with Your Character

People say that “If you can’t help me, don’t hurt me.” For us as Muslims, our character is a way to help the ummah. When you are good to people around you, the ummah has less strife. Many more people will love and respect each other for the sake of Allah SWT and everyone will be striving to be the best they can be to other people.

Maybe you do not have the time, money, or Islamic knowledge to help the ummah with. But when you meet your Muslim brother, you meet them with a smile. Their property is safe in your hands and their honor is safe with you. That is a way to keep the ummah united and cohesive.

“A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands.” (Bukhari)

Benefit the ummah with Da’wah

We Muslims are good at giving Da’wah to ourselves as we try to help each other improve upon our faith. But to grow the ummah, we also should be giving Da’wah to the non-Muslims. The early Companions used to preach Islam to their friends, trying to help them believe in the oneness of Allah SWT.

Do you have a colleague, friend, neighbor or family who is not a Muslim? You can invite them to Islam by sharing the beauty of the religion with them. Talk to them about what Islam really is about, invite them to your local programmes and entertain whatever questions they have about Muslims. Our ummah grows when we sincerely show people the beauty of it.

Let’s together bring benefit to our ummah. 

May peace be upon you. Love, v.

cr: the point of benefit is from Quran Academy.

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 21 - Lailatul Qadr

Lailatul Qadr can happen anytime from now. On this post I’ll share the info from the talk ‘Virtues of Lailatul Qadr’ by Sheikh Omar Suleiman; 

Virtues of Lailatul Qadr

Ibnu Umar narrates that Muhammad SAW says; “If you found yourself to be lazy or weak during the first half of Ramadan, don’t mess up or be lazy during the last week of Ramadan.”

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said, “Whoever fasts in Ramadan with imaan (faith) and ihtisab (seek accountability); he is forgiven for all of his sins.”

1.       Allah reveals the quran on this night. Imam Hassan Al-Basri says, “Allah has the Greatest Qadr (status) and He sent on that night the angel with the greatest Qadr (Jibril) to the Prophet Muhammad SAW, the book with the greatest Qadr (Quran) in the month of the greatest Qadr (Ramadan).”

All of the greatest revelation were brought down in Ramadan in particular; 

The suhuf of Abraham were revealed on the first night of Ramadan 

Taurat were revealed on the 6th Ramadan 

 Injil were revealed on the 13th Ramadan 

Zabur were revealed on the 18th Ramadan 

Quran were revealed on the 24th Ramadan 

2.       “The doors of mercy are open and the doors of jahannam are closed.” On that night, everything is decreed in the spirit of mercy not in the decree of punishment. There is no better night you would want Allah to be decreeing what’s going to happen with your life, whether it’s your studies, family, job, etc, other than Lailatul Qadr.

3.       “Lailatul Qadr is better than 1000 months.” (Quran, 97:3). Imam Al-Basri said; Surah al-Kauthar was released right before surah al-Qadr. Surah al-Kauthar was a gift to Rasulullah, but Rasulullah said he wanted a surah not just for himself, but for the whole ummah as well. So Allah brought down surah al-Qadr as a gift for us all. (how sweet is our Prophet Muhammad SAW).

4.       There is tranquillity in this night that is not obtainable on any other nights. Not a single individual prays except that the angels are covering the span between him and Allah. Jibril will send salaam upon the believers on this night.

5.       “Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Quran, 97:5). Lailatul Qadr is all the way mujahid Rahimullah says most people lose Lailatul Qadr because of their interaction with people.

Aisha ra said; “When the last 10 nights of Ramadan comes, Rasulullah will spend the entire night with prayer and acts of worship. He would also wake his whole family up to join him.”

Abu Hurairah reported; Muhammad SAW says, “The amount of angels on that night is greater than the number of stones in this earth.”

Rasulullah said; “The best part of the night, is the last part of the night. There is nothing that you ask for at that part of night except that Allah will give it to you on this dunya/ akhirah.”

WHAT TO DO ON THIS NIGHT?

·         Imam al-Shawkani says; Surah al-Alaq, which comes before surah al-Qadr comes with the command to read the Quran Iqra’ (to read), and it ends with Wasjud (prostrate).

Du’a to make;

“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu anni’” - O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me

“Rabbana aatina fid dunya hasanah, wa fil akhirati hasanah wakina azabannar” - "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire."

WHEN IS LAILATUL QADR?

From Abu Salam; “I went to Abu Saeed and I said, can you take a walk with us and tell us about Rasulullah. Tell me what you heard from the Prophet SAW regarding Lailatul Qadr?”

This is what he said;

The first Ramadan, Rasulullah made iktikaf the Jibril came and said that; “What you are seeking is still ahead you.”

The morning of the 20th, Rasulullah stood up to give a speech. He said, “I was informed of Lailatul Qadr in my dream but I forgot the exact night. Look for it in the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramadan.” He also said, “I saw myself prostrating in mud and water on that night.” (He had mud all over his face after sujood)

 If you just had niat (intention) to catch Lailatul Qadr, even if you did not stand up to see it, Biiznillah Allah writes that down.

If you had niat (intention) to do qiamullail, but accidently missed, Allah still writes down the full amount and your sleep is regarded as sadaqah (charity). MashaAllah!

If you caught solah Isya’ in jamaah that night, you are among those who got Lailatul Qadr.

SIGNS OF LAILATUL QADR?

Prophet said; “Lailatul Qadr, Lailatul Samha”

It’s a soft/ gentle night

It’s not hot/ cold (a very comforting) night

The sun rises that day is weak/ no rays – reddish

TIPS FOR LAST 10 NIGHTS!

 Treat every single night as if it’s Lailatul Qadr,

 Start from maghrib don’t talk to people more than you need to talk to people,

Don’t get involved in conversations that are not going to be good for you or healthy for you,

Try to do whatever worship you can and if you’re tired, then take a break and alternate du’a, alternate other act of worship, just keep engage with Allah,

and that’s the only way to guarantee that you would catch it and we ask Allah SWT to protect us from being amongst those that are forbidden or deprived from the blessing of this night and from the blessings of this month, and we ask Allah SWT to forgive us and to allow us to observe Lailatul Qadr in full, and we ask Allah SWT to make it easy for us this year to catch Lailatul Qadr. Allahumma aamiin.

May peace be upon us and may us catch Lailatul Qadr. Love, v.

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 20 - Last 10 days

In this last 10 days of Ramadan, let’s keep practicing this du’a. 

Try to keep making this du’a: 

 1. اللهم باركلنا في شهر رمضان و بلغنا ليلة القدر - “Allahumma bariklana fi shahri Ramadhan wa ballighna lailatul qadr”

EV - “O Allah! Make the months of Ramadan blessed for us, and let us reach Lailatul Qadr”

MIV - “Ya Allah, berkatilah kami sepanjang bulan Ramadhan ini & temukanlah kami dengan Lailatul Qadr”

2. اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّى - “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu anni’” 

EV - “O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me”

MIV - “Ya Allah, sesungguhnya Engkau Maha Pemaaf yang menyukai permintaan maaf, maafkanlah aku”

Let’s together strive our best-est effort in worship during this last 10 days of Ramadan, seek forgiveness to Allah SWT and may He blessed us to meet Lailatul Qadr. Allahumma aamiin.

May peace be upon you. Love, v. 

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 17 - Nuzul Quran

Allah revealed in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 185; “….شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ” - (The period you are required to perform the fasting) is “The month of Ramadhan (is that) in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people… (Quran, 2:185)

Nuzul Quran is a noble event known for the revelation of the first verses of al-Quran to Prophet Muhammad SAW, which is surah al-Alaq verse 1 until 5 that emphasizes reading. The revelation was then continued in stages until the content was completely revealed as the one we read today. This noble event took place on Friday night, Ramadan 17th, the 41st year of Prophet Muhammad SAW’s birthday when he performing in Gua Hira’.

As mentioned earlier, the revelation of al-Quran was executed in three main stages. At the first stage, al-Quran was kept safely in Luh Mahfuz, also known as ‘protected sheet’. Moving on to the second stage, al-Quran was revealed completely to Baitul Izzah that is found in the first heaven. Finally, al-Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad SAW through Jibrail for a period of 23 years, divided to 13 years in Makkah and 10 years in Madinah.

Rasulullah SAW had once said; “تَرَكْتُ فِيْكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوْا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا : كِتَابَ اللهِ وَ سُنَّةَ رَسُوْلِهِ” - “I have left behind two things, you will never go astray as long as you hold fast onto them ie. the Quran and Sunnah” (Sahih Lighairih, by Imam Malik, al-Hakim dan al-Baihaqi)

Muslims are highly encouraged to take a moment and make reflections to evaluate their worship. Have we been practicing a quality kind of worship each day and night and how far have we gone through to understand the meaning of al-Quran in Ramadan? 

Also, al-Quran itself is not just a mere book or a set of compositions that should be uttered with correct tajweed, but it explains the roles and function it holds for all human beings, as guidance for all muslims. 

May peace be upon you. Love, v. 

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 16 - Blessing

*short sharing*

Blessing is difference with profit. Profit is about figures, while blessing is about benefit; happiness. People tends to gain many profit but that can’t ensure them to gain happiness. Sometimes big profit can lead to disaster without we noticed. Meanwhile, blessing is the form of profit with Allah ridho, where it leads to goodness and happiness. 

There’s a difference between non-believers and believers. 

What the difference? 

For believers, Allah gives them blessing in their rizq (provision), which is more important than figures. If we’re given billion dollars, without Allah’s blessings, it would just create new problem. If we’re given a thousand dollars, with Allah’s blessing in it, that thousand dollars would be equivalent to thousand billion. With thousand dollars, he could be happy. With thousand dollars, he can make his family happy. With thousand dollars a year, he can make others happy. 

So when we learn about imaan, we should put du’a and Allah are above everything. What we think difficult, it’s easy for Allah. What we think heavy, it’s light for Allah. What we think massive, it’s tiny for Allah. What we think is too much, it’s trivial for Allah. What we think impossible, it’s absolutely possible for Allah, if we depends on Allah SWT.

May peace be upon you. Love, v.

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 15 - Doubt

*short sharing*

Having doubt with other person usually normal and seen as the way to stay cautious from being hurt or wasted. But, having doubt in Allah is truly a huge loss for yourself. If you understand the way Allah SWT fulfill your du’a, you’ll realize that Allah always keep His promises. 

“Waman Yatawakkal Alallah Fahuwa Hasbuhu” - And whoever puts all his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him. (Quran, 65:3)

Allah SWT actually is enough for the believers. If only our imaan is a strong imaan, and our ‘aqidah is straight towards Allah SWT, Allah will be enough for us. Things that make Allah feel not enough for us is because of our sins. Things that make Allah feel not enough for the believers is because of the doubt towards Allah in the heart. 

The greater doubt in your heart, then the lesser Allah’s miracle in your life. The lesser doubt in your heart towards Allah, the greater and much more miracles happen in your life. So that for those who do tawakkal (put trust in Allah) towards Allah 100%, there’s no doubt as no matter how small in his heart. Surely, Allah SWT will show and gives many illogical wonderful miracles. “And whoever puts all his trust in Allah - Waman Yatawakkal Alallah” and their tawakkal towards Allah is perfect,  “...Fahuwa Hasbuhu...- ..Allah will be enough for him” (Qur'an 65:3). 

May peace be upon you. Love, v.

[vivywhulandary]

ramadan day 14 - Just du’a

“Du’a (Supplication) was to be the first recourse of a Believer before anything else and the last action after everything else and upheld in the intervening period while executing our plans and actions with great diligence! Du’a has the unique ability to change destiny.” (Hadith-Tirmidhi).

Du’a is the weapon of the believer. Indeed, verily. If anything happens, just ask solution from Allah. Allah gives this, Allah gives that, Allah gives everything. Thus, when Allah gives you a solution, everything would be easy for you. When you need something, just ask Allah. Then He will give it to you. When we don’t have the network to somebody, Allah does. We don’t have enough budget, Allah does. We don’t have the knowledge, Allah does. We don’t have the time, Allah does. He has everything. 

“Tabaarakal lazee biyadihil mulku wa huwa 'alaa kulli shai-in qadeer” - Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power; (Quran 67:1). Ask Allah. No matter how the trivial it is. ‘I have made du’a, but what I’m worried about eventually happened.’ Sometimes Allah gives what we’ve asked for, but sometimes He gives the opposite. “La Tahzan”; don’t worry. Why? Because He never disappoint someone who ask any goodness from Him. But why this still happen? Because we don’t know what good for us, while Allah know best. 

Salman al-Farsi reported: The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Verily, Allah is munificent and generous. He would be ashamed, when a man raises his hands to him, to turn them away empty and disappointed.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhī)

Ask Allah what you want, He would give it to you. Trust and leave everything to Allah before other efforts. Learn to put trust in Allah, never lose hope and tired on raising your hand to made du’a to Allah. Prove to Him that you trusted Him. Then later you’ll see the miracle of it. 

May peace be upon you. Love, v.