Ramadhan Nuggets Series

How are you all? I hope you are well and safe during this interesting time, wherever you are in the world right now. To my muslim brothers and sisters, I hope you are having a blessed and wonderful Ramadhan.

I've been really enjoying Mufti Menk's Contentment Series this Ramadhan. I've been incorporating watching an episode a day in my daily morning routine. There are so many resources and books across the nation pertaining to this universal subject, happiness and being satisfied with life. However, what better way to truly understand the meaning of Contentment than to learn from the One that created us. The One that knows every aspect of us, the world and the universe more than we could possibly know. Just that fact brings me a lot of assurance and confidence. This series also covers the surahs in the Quran which gives us the opportunity to have a brief understanding of each surah.

He has blessed us with tools and guidance for success not only in akhirah but also dunya. We just have to do our part which is to learn and understand the Quran and breathe His words. I had a friend that once told me it would be a big shame to spend the entire life to never fully read and understood the Quran. We can finish reading so many books but never the Quran? That really struck me that I have to try my best to learn His words. 

It is undeniable that it is easier said than done. As everything rewarding, they are not easy to obtain. No pain, no gain. But in this beautiful religion it is more of —you persist, you win. The rewards are for those who choose to continue to run, walk or even crawl in His path even when the temptations of other paths are begging for us.

I am not saintly or pious when I speak of Islam. I make mistakes all the time. I'm just a normal human being trying to keep hold of what truly matters especially in a world that has so many potentials to divert us, if we let it to. No matter how thin the rope gets, I shall keep trying. Humans are forgetful creatures. I personally find reminders from the people around me to be very helpful. I really appreciate their reminders and I hope that they will always bring me back when I'm losing track. In fact, if we can recall what we've learned in high school, it is very much encouraged to remind and spread His words. Amar makruf nahi mungkar, enjoining good and forbidenning wrong.

"We should not quit when we are tired or feeling hopeless rather we should learn to take a break and keep on going." No matter how distant we feel from the Almighty, never be shy or stop speaking to Him and reflecting on Him even if it's just to ourselves. Just. keep. going. The beauty of this religion is that He looks at our niah (intention) and effort beautifully and He is always ready to forgive us. Never lose hope in His Mercy.

Ramadan Nuggets Series will be a list of wisdom I wish to be able to look back on in the future with hopes that it  will bring my feet back to ground and remind me of what truly matters. I'll see you in the next installment :)