Last night concluded the 1st ten nights of Ramadan, and today we start the second ten days. 1st ten days we focused on Mercy. Mercy from Allah swt is an obvious ask, but also I hope you practiced mercy amongst yourselves. I hope you had mercy on your brother for eating the last samosa, your sister for making fun of you during suhoor and that one family member who takes forever to return your calls. I often have to find mercy deep in my heart somewhere for my very forgetful sister in laws. Kidding..
Jokes aside, I have learned that Allah swt treats us the way we treat eachother in this dunya. So I hope you find ways to let go and be merciful in your everyday life- and be mindful of what you hold onto in your heart so that Allah has mercy on you as well. A lecture I listened to by Mufti Menk spoke all about the types of people that won’t be forgiven- one of those types are people who hold malice and grudge in their hearts. The way we clean up our face at bedtime each night, we should find ways to integrate in our bedtime routine to clean the heart as well. Think of all the things that upset you through the day and find ways to let it go.
Which brings me to the next ten days of Ramadan- known for days for forgiveness. When you practice cleaning your heart, filling it with mercy, find ways to forgive everyone around you no matter what they did. No matter how harsh they were, forgive them. This is a lot easier said then done, but if you dig deep and truly find people you cannot forgive- you’re in trouble. If we want to seek forgiveness from Allah, we MUST learn ways to forgive others. Girl if you need therapy to handle that- then that’s what you’re gonna need to do. Handle your ish. On the flip side, if you have done wrong to others, the next ten days make sure you seek their forgiveness as well. I personally focus on patience these first 20 days. Whether it’s mercy or forgiveness, I practice heavy patience techniques- breathing through what’s occurring, a quick dua to relieve my anger, focusing on the positive side of the issue, putting myself in the other persons shoe..etc etc. These next ten nights I hope your nights are filled with dhikr, patience and prayer 🤲🏼. Here are some dhikr suggestions with Hadiths for forgiveness.
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi (100 times)
The Prophet (s) said, “Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea.” [صحیح البخاری: 6405]
Astaghfirullahal ladhee laa ilaha illaa huwal Hayyul Qayyoomu wa atoobu ilayh
The Prophet (s) said, "Whoever says أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَىُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ (I seek forgiveness from Allah, the One besides whom there is none worthy of worship, the Living, the Sustainer of all, and I repent to him), all his sins will be forgiven, even if he had fled from battle." [Sunan Abi Dawud 1517]