Ramadhaan 2024

When I hear the word رمضان (Ramadan), one of the first thoughts I have is B-R-B. Many of us may be familiar with this term from a dunya (worldly) standpoint.

BRB = Be Right Back. This is definitely true for رمضان. Think back for a minute: do you or do you not remember رمضان of last year? How about the one before that? Try harder this time: can you or can you not remember our first ever Covid-infested and Masjid-less رمضان?

Whether we like it or not, just like most things in this dunya, it comes, it goes, and before you know it, it's here again. Every year, especially during the last ten nights of رمضان we are reminded of many things; one of them being this beautiful month telling you and I, "I'm leaving now, but don't worry, I'll BRB!"

I still remember my very first رمضان here in the USA in 2011. I'll describe it as unique & memorable, to say the least :)

From a Deen perspective, however, I'd like you and I to keep these three letters (BRB) in mind as indicators of the features of the special month of رمضان

B stands for Barakah

R stands for Recharge 

B stands for Breakthrough 

B

In the month of رمضان, Allaah sends down more Barakah than ever, especially since this is the month of the Noble Qur'aan. Hence, the rewards for our good deeds are multiplied in many folds.

Let us do our best to increase in good deeds and decrease our bad deeds. 

R

Many Muslims all over the globe feel super Recharged in the month of رمضان. We have a sense of energy like never before. The Masaajid are packed. Our hearts are cleansed. 

Take a moment to glance at the battery level of the device you're currently using to read this article. What's the percentage? Now, tell me, once the battery level is low/yellow -- or in some cases; apparently some folks don't charge their devices until it's red/dead (lol) -- what will you do?

Exactly!!! You'll plug in the device to get more juice. The month of رمضان is our charger. And thank God He made our hearts like a rechargeable device. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said that Eeman is like this: (motioning upwards and downwards). 

The next time you feel like your Eeman is low, don't give up. Plug in that charger by first fulfilling your obligations as a Muslim (i.e the 5 Pillars) and try doing some extra good deeds (e.g. reading Quran, giving charity, volunteering, praying at night, etc).

B

Some scholars have compared the month of رمضان to a training ground. Some have even called it a boot camp. The point here is that we rack up on so much Barakah and Recharge during this month to help us break through and stay afloat even in Shawwaal and beyond. 

You and I can measure our Breakthroughs by assessing the amount of good deeds we did in رمضان and how much of them we're able to keep up with even after رمضان.

Remember this: even the devil has some sort of breakthrough after رمضان. We all know the shayaateen are locked up in the Holy Month. Do your best to not let the devil have a bigger and better breakthrough than you. 

We're humans. We're imperfect. We'll make mistakes. Our Eeman will go down. Pick yourself back up. Stay strong. And even after you've done your best and it still seems like it's not enough; remember, another رمضان will BRB!!! Inshaa Allaah :) 

May Allaah allow us to make the most of our days in this life and make the most of every رمضان, knowing it very well could be our very last. Aameen 

Supplication

اللهم اجعل خير أعمالنا خواتمها ، وخير أعمارنا أواخرها ، وخير أيامنا يوم نلقاك

Allahumma ij-'al khayra a'amaalinaa khawaatimahaa, wa khayra a'amaarinaa awaakhirahaa, wa khayra ayyaaminaa yaoma nalqaaka

Oh Allaah, make the best of our works the last ones, and the best of our years the latter ones,

and the best of our days when we meet You.

Action Item

In 48 hours, think carefully and select a Ramadan-Buddy for yourself -- could be your spouse, teacher, parent, friend, child, family member, or anyone you trust in your community.

Tell them you've chosen them as your Ramadan-Buddy. The task of this Buddy is simply to check up on you after رمضان and (if needed) remind you to keep up with your Breakthroughs by continuing one or more of the good deeds you've picked up in رمضان.

Tell your Ramadan-Buddy you'd like this check-up to be once a month, every other week, every three months... whatever you're comfortable with. 

I pray that Allaah (The Most High) will ease our affairs, give victory to the oppressed, and unite us all in the Highest Level of Jannah. Aameen 

رمضان مبارك