Farwell until Next Time

June 17, 2018

As you can see the title of my blog is Words of a Ramadan Addict and some of you may not know this but that phrase is quite literal. I coined this title in Ramadan 2013, which I would argue was the best Ramadan of my life. It was my first official Ramadan after I started practicing Islam again and I have nothing but good memories and recollections. I had just come back from my 8 months stay in Egypt. I made a checklist and everything. I think that’s the year I fell in love with Ramadan for the very first time. All my time was accounted for and I’m so proud of my younger self and my eagerness and commitment to learn, practice and maximize the benefit. I even vaguely remember reminded my father, “Do not stop Allah’s female slaves (women) from going to Allah’s Mosques” when he would advise me to pray my prayer at home and in my room. Since that day, he hasn’t discouraged me from going to the mosque.

Alhamdulillah, many years later, I am just as addicted to Ramadan as I was before. I find every Ramadan is different and a beautiful opportunity to learn, grow and be better than your former self.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to spend Ramadan with my biological father and his family and my half-siblings and their families. Last year, I spent Ramadan with my family from my mom’s side and this year I spent it with half the family. I was a bit worried at first because everyone wasn’t there but my main concern was who was going to go with me to Taraweeh, Tahjuud, and Fajr because my mom was not around. Alhamdulillah, by the will and grace of Allah, everything worked out so beautifully. This last Ramadan, just like all Ramadans was truly beautiful and a blessing. I worked 8-4:30pm, 5 days a week and managed to attend Taraweeh on most days for the first 20 days and tried to attend Taraweeh, tahajuud and fajr on the last ten night. Subhanallah, what a beautiful vibe. Even if I was running on little sleep and on the verge of crashing, I still would not change it for the world. The unity and vibe were not only so alive but powerful as well. Seeing all my brothers and sisters, awake in the night eager to worship our Lord was very humbling.

Subhanallah, Ramadan is a perfect time to make new friends and learn new things. Ramadan is a great time to reconnect with people that you don’t normally connect with. Ramadan is a fantastic time to stop bad habits and start new ones. Subanallah, I love and miss how hectic Ramadan was. Towards the last few days, I found myself making duaa that I reach the next Ramadan.

On that note, I will end this post with the following duaa.