Reflection, Renewal and Respite
As we venture through the first week of Ramadhan, I am struck by how quickly time has flown by once again. It feels like only yesterday that we started and finished Ramadhan in the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020, and sadly had to endure celebrating Eid without the usual family or friends.
But perhaps with a little less ceremony than normal, we have welcomed this beautiful month of spiritual uplift and reflection. In a year that has seen so much of both turmoil and loss, as well as steadfastness and courage, it seems only fitting that having been forced to slow down for twelve months, that we slowly try to embrace the positives we have found along the way as we cautiously step out of a full lockdown.
Ramadhan is a spiritual month, characterised by physical fasting of food and water, and increasing acts of prayer and devotion as we try to become the people we should be, all year round. I have often thought that the physical aspects of fasting are the easiest parts of this month. To stop yourself from physically doing something is fairly straightforward.
The much more difficult elements are the spiritual and mental. I find myself trying to undo the damage of poor mental discipline established in the rest of the year, during Ramadhan. Emphasizing things like forgiveness, mercy, kindness, honesty and self-discipline are key, and these are ideals much more difficult to observe than physical fasting - or at least, in my opinion. As a general rule, I try to practice these at all times but to err is human and from time to time, I’m not able to adhere to being the best version of myself. You may find yourself thinking an unkind thought about someone or making a comment you later regret. Ramdhan is a key time of year to free the mind and inculcate positive mental habits - elements of this can be seen in modern day practices like mindfulness; but for me, Ramadhan is a far more holistic and all-encompassing set of practices than just one or the other.
The third element is of course the traditionally spiritual. Everything from increased prayer to nights spent reading and reflecting upon the Qur’an, to learning about Islamic history and everything in between, whatever way you decide to increase your devotional practice, this is the month to be richly rewarded for it. I have set myself “Ramadhan Resolutions” this year which include:
actually finishing a full recitation of the whole Qur’an (I always mean to do this but never seem to achieve it);
ensuring I complete all of my obligatory prayers on time every day;
getting into a routine of doing at least some optional prayers every day, even if it is only a few;
attending virtual circles to increase my knowledge of Islam; (I have a slight obsession with the supernatural so my way into this is to learn more about the jinn and the prophethood of Sulaiman a.s.)
I would love to hear about your goals for Ramadhan this year; leave a comment below with your thoughts!