race to ramadhan
July 19, 2011I can’t stop smiling now.
Just got back from a very nice Islamic talk by the Young Muslim Project. Have so much respect for the volunteers in that committee, they’re so dedicated bringing in Muslim dakwah speakers from all over the world and doing it out of love for Islam.
This talk was extra special to me because I was sandwiched between the 2 bestest friends, Toots and Asma’. And at the other side of the hall, was Dean. We suddenly felt like we should be more active in going to Islamic talks to learn more about Islam and become better Muslims. A different kind of date altogether, but who knows, our relationship might be more blessed.
So anyway, this talk was about the preparation we should do in order to greet Ramadhan. We should be racing to embrace Ramadhan, but to be completely honest to you, the only race I seem to be participating in is the Ganti Puasa Race. Not looking good, guys, not looking good.
Sheikh Yahya Ibrahim started by introducing Ramadhan as a month that people envy Muslims for. When else will you get 1.7 billion people unite to abstain themselves from the temptations of life, be it food, cigarettes, sex or even gossip? There is no such unity in the world that is stronger than the spirit of Ramadhan.
And what is the point of it all? For me, I think it’s to remind ourselves. Like Sheikh said just now, nothing trains our hearts better than deprivation. When we’re in an airconditioned room, we don’t realise how hot it is outside. When we’re rubbing our tummies at a buffet, we don’t realise how hungry some people outside are. Feeling the pain of others helps us remember, helps us become better people more willing to help others in need.
We all know this. In primary school, we had to write this in our exams. Yawn.
But then, the Sheikh said something that touched me. “From the last Ramadhan, 365 days has passed. Have we changed? Are we still doing the same habits? Are we still doing what we did a year ago? Are we still talking the same slang? Are we still wearing the same clothes?”
*Hugs my wardrobe* Yes and proud of it!! Hehe.
But I get what he meant –> Have we improved aspects of ourselves to become better people, better Muslims in particular?
Ramadhan is supposed to instill some awareness in us, a chance for our sins to be forgiven and kind of reborn ourselves to a clean slate. Have we all taken that opportunity? I know I haven’t. I’m still the same me a year ago. Sheikh said that if after Ramadhan we don’t feel clean, new, improved and loving God more, we should be wary. It’s probably because we didn’t embrace Ramadhan for the goodness that it is.
He gave us simple links. Just 3:
1) Quran – The more time you spend with it, the more God will love you. Our life guide is in there. It’s weird how I can stay up till 3-4 am reading Sophie Kinsella, but one page of the Quran and the yawns never stop coming! Devil.
2) Solat – The wajib is one story, but the Tarawikh is what’s special about Ramadhan. Once a year opportunity, he told us to grab it. There was a story of our Prophet Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. praying in the mosque at night until his feet shook. One person asked him, “Don’t you think God already loves you and will protect you from hellfire?” And our Prophet said, “So then shouldn’t I be a thankful servant?”
3) Sedekah – Be generous to people with the sincerest of heart.
Foooh, can’t believe Ramadhan is drawing near. I’m going to miss food, but this Ramadhan I want it to be different than the previous ones. I want myself to feel a difference and change for the better, InsyaAllah. I’m not a kid anymore, it’s time to mature and make decisions I’d be proud of.
the second example – it’s very deep :'(
thanx vivy for this entry.kinda reminder for me.i want to be a better person too insyaAllah
Thank you for sharing this, Vivy! May you and all of us be blessed with the motivation and determination to ensure that this Ramadan changes us for the better, inshaAllah.
I love this post – makes me more excited for Ramadhan than I am for Raya. π
VIVY! thank you for sharing this with us. SUPER LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Insya Allah, if He Wills it, Nothing is impossible. Kun Fayakun. (i started taking care of my 5 time prayers during RAMADHAN (when i was in form 3) and alhamdulillah it last until this very day. The power of Ramadhan, and of course, Allah the All Mighty . (am 20 at the moment)
Has Been a while since I last comment on any post. This is good. How do you know the updates of any islamic talks?
i’ve changed a lot since the last Ramadhan..can’t wait for this coming Ramadhan…God bless everyone! π
nice one π thank you for sharing
Vivy,
Thank you so much for sharing this.
=)
thanks for sharing this Vivy. I pray to Allah that this year’s Ramadan will make all of us a better person, insya Allah.
whether u realise it or not…u r also berdakwah in this blog vivy..m sure ur readers (muslim or not) can relate to ur writing when it comes to the issue of religion…somehow u make it sounds cool and hip and that is the approcah the dakwah have to take because younger generations know the concept of good, bad, heaven n hell but to embrace it, they need a platform where they can relate to…so thank u for writing an honest and great important piece which serves as a timely reminder to me without sounding like a kelas agama…
may allah bless u, dean n ur family..
PD,love this post.as a reminder to me! π today is my last day ganti puasa!hihihi
Salam Vivy
Thanx for sharing.
May Allah shower us with grace and blessing.
Vivy,
Thanks for sharing it. And I uber love the way you ‘bercerita’..
Thank you for sharing Vivy. Let’s hope together for a better Ramadhan. π
This was very inspiring, even as a non-Muslim π Thanks for sharing.
<3 Belly B
Vivy, i copied and sent your blog link to my loved ones. This entry is like a wake up call for us. TQ for sharing my dear.
vivy, thank you so much for this entry.
you’re such an inspiration vivy! thank you for sharing!
This is the reason why we love your blog. It’s like one biiiig plate of rojak. You keep us updated with fashion stuffs whatnot, but at the same time there’s a bit for the soul as well. InshaAllah, let’s make this Ramadhan a better one.
Allahumma balighna Ramadhan…
Tq for this post Vivy..
lets us be better ummah =D
Truthfully speaking, I’ve always wanted to see you wearing hijab. My du’a is always for you dear sister.
π
Take care,
AlFageerah
im so proud of u
I met u and Tot at Sheikh Yahya’s talk @Bukit Tunku today. U are so pretty n friendly in person :D! My friends said I’m such a stalker for saying hi to u theheheh.
sharing is caring..me too like AlFageerah, wanted to see u wearing tudung π insya-Allah.