It usually hits me around the 10th night of
Ramadan, when the first third of the
month, the days of Mercy, have passed.
The month is not nearly over, but I find
myself looking back and feeling under-
accomplished.
The Ramadan “Plan” that I had written up
during Sha’ban was a hefty one, detailing
every action, every thought and prayer
that I have to perform and think and
reflect upon to reach the status of the
Ideal Muslimah that I have formulated. And
I have 30 days to do it… perfectly.
Needless to say, after about 10 days of
Ramadan, I have fallen short on my (too
stringent) plan and I am feeling
disappointment and regret.
Whether or not you make too big plans for
Ramadan or the first days of it zoom past
before you realize it, many of us
experience a sort of mid-Ramadan blues.
The mid-Ramadan lull is visually obvious in
the waning lines at taraweeh prayers.
During the first week of Ramadan, pity the
person who leaves their house five
minutes later than planned. Not only will
they have to park in the nether regions of
the lot/field/gravel pit, when they finally
reach the place of prayer, they will be
banished to the basement/babysitting
room when they get inside.
SubhanAllah, the lines are so tight, that
only prophetic prescribed brotherly love
can give the patience necessary to endure
so many people in such a small space.
As we reach the middle of Ramadan,
however, the parking lot becomes less
foreboding as iftar parties become more
frequent and last later into the night. We
may be struck with a false confidence that
Ramadan is long-lasting. Thus we become
casual with a short-staying guest that
should be held in highest esteem.
It is not until the last 10 days of Ramadan
that the severity of this loss strikes us. But
by this time, our rush of good works to
complete the month are just that, rushed
and sloppy, not fortified with the practice
of the 20 previous days.
This year, I do not want any regrets during
Ramadan. In my (more feasible) plan, I
have included “interventions” designed to
quell my mid-Ramadan blues and allow me
to experience a fulfilling and spiritually
uplifting Ramadan.
1. MAKE DU’A
When we meet with other Muslims on this
night, we joyously say, “Ramadan
Kareem!” This literally means Ramadan is
generous. Not only is this a succinct
supplication for the retrieving end of the
greeting that the blessedness of Ramadan
fill their days, it is also a reminder to the
believer that Ramadan is a time of
limitless rewards that are free to anyone
who will work toward them. The first step
to not becoming overwhelmed and
regretful during Ramadan is to submit to
the One who is in control. Too often do we
attribute levels of power and control to our
selves. Of course, we are bound to be
utterly disappointed! A daily Ramadan
practice should be reflecting on our
relationship with Allah, subhanhu wa
ta’ala, as our Creator and Master, the One
who answers the sincere du ‘a of the
fasting. Our recurring du ‘a should be for
Allah’s help and acceptance of our deeds
during Ramadan.
2. RENEW YOUR INTENTIONS EVERY
NIGHT
Umar ibn Al-Khattab relates that: “I heard
the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu alayhe
wa sallam, saying, ‘Verily, actions are by
their intentions, and for every person is
what he intended ” (Muslim). At the end of
the night, before we sleep, we should take
a moment to mentally prepare our
intentions for the next day. This reflection
between your soul and its Creator will help
clarify and set straight the acts of worship
you wish to perform and for Whom, in fact,
you are performing them. Insha’Allah, you
will begin the next day fresh and with
purpose.
3. REFRAIN FROM WHAT IS
DISTRACTING YOU
Many of us living in the West find it difficult
to change our schedules entirely during
Ramadan. Work, school, and other
commitments will not be put on hold for a
month. There are, however, habits and
activities that we consider part of our daily
lives that, if left completely, would add to
the health of our Ramadan experience. For
many of us, we successfully keep these
temptations at bay for the first week or so
of Ramadan. But we get too casual as the
month goes on and slowly these
distractions sneak back into our days like
they never left. Television, music, and
unchecked internet and computer usage
can easily be highlighted as main
distractions during Ramadan, and they can
drain away our limited, blessed time. I
once heard that it takes 30 days to form a
new habit, or to get rid of a bad one. We
should make the intention to utilize
Ramadan to purify us from our useless and
horrendous habits.
4. FORM ENDURING, EVER LASTING
DEEDS
Ramadan should serve as a platform for us
to establish practices and behaviors that
we will then carry with us throughout our
days and months. If we intend to make
these changes in our lives permanent, it
will be less discouraging than if we feel as
though the days on which these acts of
good will be accepted are limited. Allah
tells us that it was the month of Ramadan
during which the Quran was first sent
down “ as a guidance for all people, having
in it clear proofs of divine guidance and
the criterion for right and wrong ” (Surah
al-Baqarah: 2:185). Though initially sent
down during Ramadan, the guidance, as
with the Quran itself, is meant to be
sought after and reflected upon everyday.
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam,
would review the Quran with the Angel
Gabriel during Ramadan, but it was
definitely not left during the months in
between. Ramadan is the time to
reenergize and reestablish our good deeds
and character to sustain us for an entire
year, until we need Ramadan once more.
5. BE CONSISTENT WITH SMALL DEEDS
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam,
said: “Convey from me, even if one ayah
(verse), for it may be that the one being
informed will comprehend better than the
one listening (at present)” (Bukhari). It is
the steady trickling of a stream that over
time will produce large crevices in the
hard rocks of the earth. The power of
small, consistent deeds has an
accumulating power over time, improving
the condition of our souls while keeping us
motivated. Small acts, like donating a
dollar every night at the masjid or
consistently praying two or four rak ‘at of
the Sunnah of Duha at midmorning will
weigh heavy in our Book of Deeds on the
Day of Judgment. Allah says, “ Whoever
does an atom’s weight of good shall see it
(Surah Al-Zalzalah, 99:7).” Whatever you
do, Allah knows about it. And this is the
most reassuring feeling.
6. FOCUS ON WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT
When feeling discouraged or disappointed
in our worship, it is important to build up
confidence by focusing on the acts of
‘ibadah that come naturally to us. These
are deeds that you find yourself looking
forward to and, importantly, the ones that
you can complete and repeat everyday.
For some of us, giving charity is easy and
brings us close to Allah. May Allah make
those who give charity indiscreetly among
the ones shaded by His Throne on the Day
of Judgment. For others, the taraweeh
prayer is just the beginning of their long
night vigil. If you can stand long hours in
the night with just you and your Master,
you should focus on perfecting this act of
worship. From the hadith and stories from
the Salaf, we know that the Companions
had particular acts of worship in which
they would excel. Khalid ibn Walid knew
few surahs of the Quran by heart, but was
the leader in jihad. The more wealthy
Companions would give massive amounts
of charity while the less wealthy were
comforted knowing that any little they
gave with their wealth or bodies would
weigh just as much in their scales.
7. MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT
I have a friend who would struggle with
Fajr prayer. If she had missed it, she
would find herself increasingly distressed
throughout the day and she would miss
other prayers in hopes that the next day,
she could start all over. Admittedly, there
was no logical argument for her actions.
She was driven by an emotional letdown
that whispered in her heart and caused
her to justify these feelings. I believe that
this may be common among Muslims, a
sort of spiritual procrastination that
reflects a level of low iman and that will
have both short-term and long-term
detriment for a believing soul. The way
that acts of worship, particularly that of
salah, are distributed throughout the day
should be proof to us that regardless of
how disappointing and how spiritually
unmotivated we may feel, there is an
opportunity to lift ourselves up and make
the rest of our day count. If we feel as
though our last prayer was less than
worthy, we have the next fard and
countless nawafil that we can perform to
bring ourselves back to make the rest of
the day count. This is especially important
during Ramadan where we find that the
days of the month go by so quickly.
8. ASK FOR ALLAH’S FORGIVENESS
AND MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS
It may be a misconception for some that
istaghfar, or asking the forgiveness of
Allah, is to be done only after one has
sinned. In fact, seeking Allah’s pardon for
shortcomings even after good deeds is the
way of the righteous. The constant seeking
of forgiveness helps keep us constantly
mindful of Allah and our status as His
slaves. Along with this, it is inevitable that
we have some shortcomings or mistakes
in our acts of worship or in something that
we say or do. Throughout our days and at
day’s end, and during Ramadan and all
through the year, we will not feel as
regretful or discouraged if we do our best
and make a habit of asking Allah’s
forgiveness for our shortcomings.
As with anything that you wish to
accomplish, make your goals for Ramadan
challenging, but within reach. I make lofty
goals, fall far when I cannot complete
them, and it takes me longer to get back
up.
But not this year, insha’Allah. The end of
Ramadan is truly a Sign from Allah. We are
bound to feel some degree of sadness
then, for the blessed days have ended,
and we never know if we will be able to
benefit from them the next year. But the
day of Eid Al-Fitr is a jubilant one. We have
fulfilled a commandment of Allah and
share good tidings with those in need with
Zakat Al-Fitr and with our family.
It is a sign that despite feeling some
degree of regret for not doing as much as
we could have during this blessed month,
we are grateful for the Mercy of Al-Basit
for extending to us the opportunity to
benefit from this month and its relief from
sin and Hellfire. May Allah accept our
deeds and our fasting during this month
and make it our best Ramadan
ever. Ameen.

Ameen. Jazak Allahu khair