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DEAR PIOUS READER IV

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Dear Pious Reader,

Can you feel it too? The gentle tug in your heart as Ramadhan slips through our days? Yet even as it departs, there are still blessings waiting to be claimed. As the anchor of Ramadhan is being unanchored, we should, if not must, tighten our belts and hold fast to the remaining blessings of these sacred days.

Let us ask ourselves: how are we planning to end this holy month? Perhaps we have not done our best in the days that have passed. Perhaps we missed Taraweeh, neglected the Qur’an more than we hoped, or held back the charity we intended to give. But Ramadhan is not over yet. The few days that remain could hold blessings worth a thousand years. For, as the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reminded us, “Verily, the deeds are only judged by their endings.”

The ache we feel in our hearts is not weakness; rather, it is awareness, the soul realizing that something sacred is passing. Ramadhan is guiding us, not because it is done with us, but because it came to show us who we could be. It arrives quietly, rearranging our lives, humbling our bodies so our hearts can attain taqwa, as Allah said, “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa.”

And for a fleeting, merciful moment, we touch taqwa. Hunger softens us. Thirst disciplines us. The Qur’an speaks to parts of us we have long ignored. In the stillness of the night, when the world turns its back, our foreheads meet the ground, and our tears speak languages our tongues have never learned. Allah affirms this when He says, “Their sides forsake their beds; they call upon their Lord in fear and hope.”

Ramadhan soothes our hearts, stirs the depths of our souls, and proves that discipline is never impossible; closeness to Allah is never reserved for the righteous few. If we can change in these thirty days, then change is always within reach.

But now, dear pious reader, as the ship of Ramadhan prepares to sail beyond our shores, we face the most important question:

Are we passing through Ramadhan as a season, or carrying its transformation forward?

The true loss is not that Ramadhan is passing. The true loss is returning unchanged. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

So if you stumble in these remaining days, return quickly. If you fall, repent faster. If the fire cools, remember how it once burned. For Allah has not moved; only the moon continues its course.

Let us honor these final days with sincerity, giving our best in prayer, Qur’an, and charity. And let our devotion not end when the month does. Let our days after Ramadhan testify that the lessons, discipline, and closeness we gain are not in vain.

Let our souls live and dwell in the presence of Allah. Let us grow closer, not just for Ramadhan, but for every day until we meet our Creator.

May these remaining days inspire you, dear pious reader, to carry the lessons and blessings of Ramadhan in your heart always.

Until we meet again,

Yours, the Soul Whisperer.

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WHERE’D YOU LEAVE YOUR HEART?

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Everything declines approaching its end. That is the natural way of the world. Not even a blessed month is immune from this principle. The systems of inertia you hoped would carry for the entire ramadhan are quickly hijacked by an onset of laziness you had from before, and suddenly you missed your first jamaa, or you notice your daily qur’anic wird reducing, or you notice tarawih finishing quickly with your heart totally absent from it. This encroachment of heedlessness and fatigue sets in.

But Ramadhan is a month that is meant to offset everything. The month when we refuse to accept these habitual loops that we fall back into. The battle for the nafs comes into play and the purpose has always been to transcend ourselves. Ramadhan overhauls everything we deemed constant, from meal times we couldn’t negotiate to our nightly routines. Allah breaks this natural circuitry, enforcing in place these acts of refrain; the days of swabr through fasting and nights of gratitude through prayer where we really extend ourselves.

But despite our good intentions, the dip always happens, right after day 7 to the middle of the month, where we find ourselves having to drag our souls again. Suddenly, this heart that had been longing for its Lord becomes clouded again. You don’t say your dua with the same enthusiasm, the same conviction, repetition, the tarawihs are a bleep without contemplation; not just contemplation of the meaning, sometimes you don’t have the Arabic, but contemplation that these are the words of my Lord, my source of guidance, and yet I do not understand them, and that should sting your heart. And yet it’s reduced to the physical motions.

If you want to know where you stand before Allah, pay attention to where He’s made you stand. Allah makes easy for everyone what he created them for. One must worry when the ibaadah becomes a tad bit straining on them, because it confirms something about the state of their hearts. We embody the physicality of everything, but most often than not, we forget our hearts, the powerhouse of our actions. That is an illness in need of urgent attention.

There’s a lesser-known story of Umar ibn Abdulaziz, and he was who he was, which usually recalibrates everything for me. It’s found in the Hilya. One day after fajr, he went out, arriving at the riverside where, in that waned darkness, he sees Mujaahid ibn Jabr, the famous exegete whose name appears all over the tafsir. Mujahid sat there remembering Allah, weeping, and Umar observed him. Then Umar said to himself, ‘Woe to you, oh Mujahid, how am I supposed to stand before Allah on the same day that you stand before Him!’

Not a week goes by without me thinking about that. The day we will face account before a Benevolent Lord, presenting our deeds on the same day with Abu Bakr, and Umar, and Umar ibn Abdulaziz, and Mujahid. And like Umar ibn Abdulaziz, the thought of that inspires me to do better. And yet the heedlessness, the lack of foresight, the Hereafter being made a minutia in our eyes. 50, 000 years, Allah asks you about a couple of years of existence. A life when you talk about it yourself, you encompass it in a few minutes, and yet, 50,000 years; what do you think Allah will ask you about?

Everything? Then you must worry about everything. You must not make your Lord the least of those who see you. You must take chances and strive in the seasons He gave you as lifelines, to elevate yourself, and that is the purpose Ramadhan serves. The doors of hell are closed, those of paradise open, and a caller calls forth for your approach each night. Will you heed that caller and work against your instincts to slack and give it your all?

Years after years in regret, why not make this one the one you regret less? Allah loves the loftiest of ideals, why not make this Ramadhan the one you outdo everything. The life of the spirit is the real life despite our neglect of it, and Allah, the nurturer of our spirits, makes this month about that. How Generous! The boost acquired in it is supposed to last you the entire year, a practice to last you a lifetime. Are you going to take it?

Here we sit approaching the last 10. In it are the 10 best nights of the year, and of those is a night worth a thousand months. If your strategy was the inertia you hoped would carry you through the month, your resolve is most likely to be broken. The world seeps in as we prepare psychologically to transition to Eid and the days after. Society is working against you, and it’s not without intentionality that you will acquire the benefits of the 10 nights. Before you are days of striving, dear Muslim, which should always begin with interrogating the state of your heart. Where is it in this month? On what day did you leave it?

Before you were people who reserved these days for their Lord. They busied themselves remembering nothing else, and though that may seem impractical in a time when the world demands our constant presence, it’s only the recalibration of our hearts to some semblance of that that can ashore you to a ramadhan resembling the one of those who came before. Oh Muslim who was excited as this month entered, one should not become fully beat down approaching its most important days. Approach them not only as if this is the last time you’re approaching them, but also as if this is the first time you’re approaching them, wanting to really get them right, afraid of getting something wrong.

Study how the Salaf regarded them and pick a leaf from them, growing your deeds exponentially. We could never attain the levels of their piety, but effort must be exerted, for they are our examples. The taabi’in, some of them used to exert themselves, and when their bodies became weary, they would say, ‘Do the companions of the Prophet think they would beat us before our Lord?’ It was motivation for them, that awareness that they would stand before Allah and present their deeds on the same day with the Sahaba, and that would prompt them to stand up and exert themselves even more.

The opportunity presents itself now to go the unnatural way, because transcendence is the way of our religion. But more than anything, it’s to be reminded not to forget the most important thing, Ramadhan like every season of worship, is all about the relationship between a servant and His Lord. It’s about the state of your heart as you present yourself to Him. What is the state of your heart?

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DEAR PIOUS READER III

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Dear Pious Reader,

I hope this message finds you basking in the blessings of Ramadhan. Yet, let us not forget the wise words of ʿAlī (RA): «الوقت كالسيف إن لم تقطعه قطعك» “ Time is like a sword; if you do not cut it, it will cut you.”

One week has already passed, and time continues to glide through this holy month. May we all be seizing the blessings that are so generously laid before us. Remember, these benefits are fleeting. For those striving, keep striving. For those still hesitant, do not despair. The past is gone, the future is uncertain, but we have today. Let us use it to sow the fruits of tomorrow.

Our beloved Prophet ﷺ reminded a man: “When you stand for prayer, pray as if it is your farewell prayer. Do not speak words for which you will have to apologize tomorrow, and give up hope in what is in the hands of people.”

What would change if we truly lived with that consciousness? If each ṣalah felt like our last? If each word carried the weight of accountability?

Let us take a firm stance today. Do not postpone good deeds. Do not procrastinate in doing what is right.

Finally, the Prophet ﷺ advised us to “Take advantage of five before five: Your youth before old age. Your health before sickness. Your wealth before poverty. Your free time before busyness. Your life before death.

My dear pious reader, let us invest in today for the benefit of tomorrow. Every good deed, every act of worship is a saving for the Akhira. If we desire to dwell in gardens of gold with eternal bliss, the time to start saving is now.

Until next time,

Yours, the Soul Whisperer.

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DEAR PIOUS READER II

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Oh, fortunate one!

They say opportunity never knocks twice, yet here we are at the beginning of Ramadhan. Kwa kweli tuko na bahati ya mtende. Alhamdulillah.

The crescent has been sighted. The blessed guest has arrived. We stand at the doorway of a month unlike any other, a month where mercy descends, forgiveness flows, and rewards are multiplied beyond measure.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “When the first night of Ramadhan arrives, the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and a caller proclaims: ‘O seeker of good, come forward! O seeker of evil, stop!’ And Allah frees people from the Fire every night.”

What greater opportunity could a believer ask for?

Allah has promised reward beyond measure, and He never breaks His promise. As He assures us: “Indeed, Allah does not fail in His promise.”

So my dear pious reader, if we strive tirelessly for the dunya, should we not strive twice as hard for the akhirah?

We are at the beginning. The pages are still blank. The nights are still fresh. The door is wide open.

Are we guaranteed to witness another Ramadhan? If the answer is uncertain, then let this be our best one yet, as though it were our final meeting with this blessed guest.

It is narrated that when Ramadhan began, the Prophet ﷺ would tighten his waist belt, spend his nights in prayer, and wake his family for worship.

If this was the practice of the one whose sins were already forgiven, then what about you and me?

May this Ramadhan not pass us unchanged. May it soften our hearts, cleanse our souls, and draw us nearer to Allah, ameen!

Ramadhan Mubarak.

Yours truly, The Soul Whisperer

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Deen (Religion)

HE IS AL-QADEER, AL-MUJEEB

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We often hear stories about Allah’s divine power.

How He saved Nabii Yunus from the belly of the whale, parted the sea for Nabii Musa, made the fire cool for Nabii Ibrahim, and cured Nabii Ayub after decades of illness (aleyhim assalam). Everywhere we turn, we are reminded that Allah can do the impossible.

And yet, a quiet thought sometimes slips in. They were His prophets. Who am I, a simple, flawed human, heavy with sins, small among billions of His creation? Why would Allah turn up for me?

This is the beauty of our Lord, though. He is not only the Lord of prophets. He is the Lord of the pious and the sinner, of the one who falls and the one who returns, of the rich and the poor, of the known and the unseen. And when He decides to do the impossible for you, He simply will. And when it happens, it catches you completely off guard. It leaves you in awe.

This is exactly what happened to me some months back. It was a quiet afternoon, and a friend and I were reminiscing about our younger years, about a conversation we had more than a decade ago. Curious as always, I logged into Facebook to search for that old exchange. I did not find the conversation, but I found something else. A message sent four months earlier by a stranger living in Germany.

I began reading it. It was long, warm, and thoughtful. She had come across one of my articles and said it deeply touched her. She reflected on the topic and shared how she had written about something similar. It felt like one writer speaking to another across continents. I was honoured. Truly honoured. No mutual friends, no shared circles, just words travelling across the world and landing in her heart.

Towards the end of her message, she said she wished to send me a small gift, a token of appreciation and support for my work. We exchanged contacts, and soon after, she noticed my books and expressed interest. We exchanged our books, simply as writers do, with no expectations attached. She stayed up through the night reading mine and sent the most beautiful review. Then she brought up the gift again and asked for my PayPal account. But PayPal had some technical issues.

And then, unexpectedly, only two days after the initial PayPal attempt, she told me that her colleague would be travelling to Mombasa, Kenya, in just two days’ time. At that point, she did not even know I lived in Mombasa, only that I was in Kenya. Subhanallah. She then asked where the colleague could deliver the amanah. I gave her the location of my workplace. Shortly after, she sent me a screenshot from Google Maps showing her colleague’s route. When I first glanced at it, I was confused. The route shown was from my home area to my workplace. How does she know where I live? And then it dawned on me. Her colleague would be staying in the very same locality as my hometown. Goosebumps. Wallahi, goosebumps. Subhanallah! She was in tears, and I was in tears. Mind-blowing, how Allah arranges matters, how rizq travels, how nothing is random.

The week her colleague arrived in Mombasa, I met him. He handed me what I can only describe as a gift from Allah: crisp euro notes, an amount I had never held in my life. I was not just speechless. I was undone. Ya Allah, You did this for me? The flawed me? The sinful me? The broken me?

But this story did not begin here. It began more than a week earlier, while I was still at Umrah.

Remember the Umrah trip, and how I had prepared so extensively for it before everything fell apart? My finances had been aligned, and I was ready for the journey, until I wasn’t. By the time the trip finally happened, I found myself struggling. No one had warned me about the shock of international currencies, and suddenly, what I thought was sufficient wasn’t enough. Every exchange rate felt like a quiet blow. I struggled. I went into debt just to make ends meet. And beneath it all, I carried a quiet shame. I should have prepared better. I should have known better.

But in that sacred land, stripped of pride and plans, I did what I knew best. I made du’a. Sincere, bare, unfiltered, and I ended it with these words:

اللَّهُمَّ أَرِنِي عَجَائِبَ قُدْرَتِكَ فِي دُعَائِي Oh Allah, show me the wonders of Your power in my supplication.

It was not a dramatic du’a. It was not eloquent. It was simply desperate. And indeed, He did.

One week after my return, the message from the stranger in Germany appeared. When I later told her how Allah had used her as the means through which that du’a was answered, we both cried. Even then, I knew this was not about who I am, but about who He is, As-Sami’ The All-Hearing, Al-Qadeer The All-Powerful, Al-Mujeeb The Ever-Responsive, Al-Kareem The Most Generous. He heard the whisper I made in a moment of vulnerability, and He responded in a way I could never have arranged.

Reflecting on this incident still brings tears to my eyes because the lessons within it are profound.

First, the timing. The lady had sent the message four months before I ever saw it. Four whole months. I rarely open my Facebook account, let alone the inbox. Yet subhanallah, Allah guided me there, and I saw that message after all that time. Again, what are the odds? That a colleague would casually mention he was travelling to Mombasa, of all times, just then, rather than any other?

I cannot help but think about the concept of rizq. That provision was already written for me. It existed. It was on its way. But Allah chose to release it at the exact moment I was struggling, when debt felt heavy, when shame lingered quietly in my chest. It makes me reflect on how often we grieve over what we think are unanswered du’as. Perhaps they are not unanswered. Perhaps they are already written. It is only a matter of time.

This humbled me in ways I cannot fully articulate. As much as I have always known that Allah can do the impossible, I never truly thought He would do it for me. For someone still striving, still flawed, still struggling to be a better Muslimah. Yet He showed up for me in the most unexpected way. Not because of who I am, but because of who He is. And here is the part that still leaves me in awe: this same rizq could have come through a freelance gig, a work bonus, a regular reader, someone within my circles, or even someone from my country. Any reasonable channel. But instead, He used someone who had read one blog post, just one. A stranger across continents. Almost as if to say: so you know this is from Me, so you know this is My power.

Something else dawned on me in that moment. That rizq was already written for me, but maybe the only thing left to unlock it was for me to raise my hands and ask. Not with polished words. Not with entitlement. But with sincerity and vulnerability. اللهم أرني عجائب قدرتك في دعائي. And He did.

And just like that, Allah lifted me from the debt that had weighed so heavily on my heart. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes. That Allah heard me, responded to me, the me who is still striving, still imperfect, still far from the ideal Muslimah I hope to become. And yet, He responded in the most beautiful, deliberate way. I do not share this story from a place of pride, nor to suggest I am deserving in any special way. I share it with humility. Because if Allah can show me the wonders of His power, then who are we to limit what He can do for us?

This Ramadhan, open your heart fully before Him.

Ask boldly, ask vulnerably, ask for what feels impossible. Do not shrink your du’as to match your fears. Do not measure Allah’s power against human logic. He is Al-Qadeer, The All-Powerful. He is Al-Mujeeb, the One who responds. And if the response does not come in the way or time you expect, remember He is already arranging matters, already moving pieces, already writing a story you cannot yet see. Perhaps tonight, revise your du’a list. Revamp it. If you don’t have a list yet, it’s never too late. Start as you are, wherever you are.

Let your duas reflect who Allah is, not the limits of what you think is possible.

May Allah reward this wonderful soul who became a reason through which Allah answered my du’a in the most beautiful way. May Allah reward her with abundance in this life and the next, and may it be a means through which she is elevated in status. May she also earn rewards for anyone else who might be inspired by this story.

But this story is not just about her. It is also about the many other ways in which Allah has shown up for me through countless people along my journey. To friends, readers, family, mentors, and anyone who has gone out of their way to support me. Your encouragement, generosity, prayers, and contributions have meant more than words can express. I am deeply grateful for each and every one of you. May Allah bless you all, multiply your rewards, and grant you goodness in this life and the next. Ameen.

Last Ramadhan, we had an exclusive Ramadhan newsletter, available for a small charge. It was a humble effort, and I poured my heart into it, but I realized that it wasn’t reaching as many people as I had hoped.

This year, I want to do things differently. The special Ramadhan content will be open to everyone. If you feel moved to give, you may contribute whatever works best for you (The poster for contribution is attached below). And if you cannot, that is completely okay. Your duas are far more important than anything else. Please remember me and my family in your prayers this Ramadan.

A couple of quick reminders: I do collect zakat and share it with deserving parties (I have a looong list). If you would like to give your zakat, please feel free to reach out to me at 0704731560. If you send anything, kindly text me to clarify that it is Zakat. Your contribution could be the reason someone feels relief, hope, or receives sustenance this Ramadhan.

And for those who love gentle, reflective reading, my books are available and recommended for Ramadhan. The Striving Soul (1250/=) and Reflection and Resurgence (1500/=) are written to be companions for quiet reflection and healing.

Ramadhan Mubarak, my beloved readers! May this month bring peace, reflection, and countless blessings to your hearts. May it soften the hardest places within us and make our hearts feel lighter and nearer to Allah. Ameen.

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DEAR PIOUS READER I

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Dear Pious Reader,

As we roll into the blessed month of Ramadhan, let me lean in and whisper a gentle reminder to you, not a secret, but a truth for your heart. A reminder that whoever wishes to float among the clouds must first set their sights on the sky. Surely, we all desire Allah to grant us His vast mercy and admit us into Jannatul Firdaus. But the question remains: what are we doing to achieve this noble dream?

Allah says:”And whoever desires the Hereafter and strives for it with the necessary effort, while being a believer, those are the ones whose effort is appreciated.” (Qur’an 17:19)

They say that when you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. Islam itself teaches us intention and preparation. The Prophet ﷺ said:”Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended.”

Imagine you have been summoned to meet a president or a person of high status. You would carefully choose your attire, prepare your speech, and think about how to act and respond. Now reflect on this: Allah, our Creator, the King of all kings, has invited us to a month where our duas are answered, our sins are forgiven, and our deeds are multiplied. Should we not prepare more for our Creator than for any of His creation?

I understand that we all have lives to live. However, Allah reminds us clearly:”Know that the life of this world is but play, amusement, adornment, boasting among you, and competition in wealth and children. But the Hereafter is better and everlasting.” (Qur’an 57:20)

A righteous person once asked: If you traveled to a foreign land for a two-week visit, would you bother buying a house and a car, knowing that you would never return? Yet here we are, living in this temporary world that Allah placed us in so that we may gather provisions for the Hereafter. Let us not forget our destination, for the Prophet ﷺ said, “Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.”

So plan for this Ramadhan. Plan to pray more, recite the Qur’an, give charity, guard your tongue, lower your gaze, fast sincerely, and abstain from all wrongdoing and immoral acts.

The Prophet ﷺ said:”Whoever fasts Ramadhan out of faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”So let us all strive to attain forgiveness and taqwa from Allah. Let us fast with our hearts, tongues, eyes, and actions, not just our stomachs.

Remember, there are souls beneath the earth who wished for one more Ramadhan but were not granted it. Let us keep praying for another opportunity of this great harvesting month and make a plan to take advantage of all opportunities.

Allahumma ballighna Ramadhan.

Lastly, let us remember the timeless wisdom: “Man ijtahada wajada” (Whoever strives, finds). And Allah confirms this promise: “And those who strive for Us, We will surely guide them to Our ways.” (Qur’an 29:69)

So let us strive, prepare, and act, so that we may be among those who emerge from Ramadhan forgiven, renewed, and closer to Allah.

Yours Truly, The Soul Whisperer

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2025 Exclusive Ramadhan Musings

THE DOOR OF ALLAH IS ALWAYS OPEN

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The most awaited time of the year, Ramadhan, is upon us, Alhamdulillah. For many people this means that the girl who wasn’t wearing her hijab will now be wearing it. The men who had stayed away from the masjid for months will now be standing in the front row of the mosque. Those who couldn’t go a day without smoking or using miraa will now put those habits on hold until later at night, or perhaps until the end of Ramadan. People who used to blast music in the neighbourhood will now have Sheikh Sudais on repeat.

Every year, we are reminded not to judge those who only engage in worship during Ramadan. Thereafter, we often observe them returning to their old habits. At times, we may find ourselves experiencing similar backsliding too. It’s easy to feel judgment toward them or ourselves based on how we revert to past sins. Regardless of how serious their actions may appear to us or those around us, we must remember that Allah’s door is always open to everyone—especially to those who seek a relationship with Him, even in the smallest ways.

There is a story about a thief that I once read, narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Shibli. “Once I was travelling to Syria along with a group of other travellers when on the way we were plundered by a gang of thieves. They took all our possessions and put them in front of their gang leader. Amongst the goods were a bag of sugar and almonds, the thieves began to eat them but their leader did not join them. I asked him why the rest of his gang was eating but he was not, he replied, “I am fasting”. I asked surprisingly, “How is it that you steal from people and fast at the same time?” He replied, “A man should do something to keep the doors of reconciliation open as well”. Sometime later I saw the same gang leader in a state of “ihram” performing tawaaf [circulating around] of the blessed ka’ba. His face was resplendent with the light of worship and he had weakened himself through devotional practices. I asked surprisingly, “Are you the same man?” he answered, “Yes, I am, and let me tell you, that very same fast is what caused my reconciliation with Allah”. (Raud-ur Riyaheen, P163, Maktaba-tul-Maymaniyyah Egypt)

This story serves as a powerful reminder that one’s past actions do not define the possibilities for redemption and transformation. It illustrates the potential for change and reminds us that no matter how ‘bad’ we might think we are, there is always the chance for growth and spiritual awakening. No one knows when a person will be granted tawfiq—the divine assistance to overcome their sins. Someone may have only worshipped during Ramadan for the past ten years, but perhaps this will be the year they finally conquer their nafs (inner self). Therefore, it is essential for us to extend grace, make dua (supplication), and guide others along the straight path without judgment. We never know what may happen. This perspective also applies to the struggles we face against our own nafs. Do not despair at Allah’s mercy; keep striving and be intentional about nurturing a good relationship with Him. No matter how distant you may feel from Allah, always keep the door open. There is always a chance for each of us.

Additionally, we must remember what Allah says about sinners;
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah, the Exalted, and Glorious said: ‘A slave committed a sin and he said: O Allah, forgive my sin,’ and Allah said: ‘My slave committed a sin and then he realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sins and punishes for the sin.’ He then again committed a sin and said: ‘My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and Allah (SWT) said: ‘My slave committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives his sin and punishes for the sin.’ He again committed a sin and said: ‘My Rubb, forgive my sin,’ and
Allah (SWT) said: ‘My slave has committed a sin and then realized that he has a Rubb Who forgives the sin or takes (him) to account for sin. I have granted forgiveness to my slave. Let him do whatever he likes”. The last sentence “let him do..”. means, as long he keeps asking for forgiveness after the commission of sins, and repents, Allah will forgive him because repentance eliminates previous sins”. (Editor’s Note) (Riyad as-Salihin 421)

As we enter this blessed month, let us approach it with intention and purpose. This is a time for deep reflection and repentance, where we turn to Allah with sincere hearts, asking for His divine guidance and support in our lives. It is essential that we confront and conquer our nafs, the inner voice that often leads us astray. And most importantly, when you see the ‘Ramadhan Worshippers’, before you start judging, before you feel the urge to mock, remember; the door of Allah is always open.

May this month serve as a powerful opportunity for redemption and transformation, helping us grow closer to our Creator and to our true selves. Ameen.

Please note: The Ramadhan Exclusive content will start on the 4th of March in shaa Allah. For 1000/= only, you can register for it through the following link: https://lubnah.me.ke/register/ramadhan/ Check out the poster below for more information.

I’m so excited for Ramadan; can you feel it? Ramadan Mubarak, good people! May this month be a breath of fresh air, a warm balm on our wounds, a comfy embrace, a chance for genuine change and the miracle we so desperately need. Ameen.

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Deen (Religion)

TEN TIMES RICHER

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Allah Subhanahu Wataala did not lie when He said:

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the cause of Allah is that of a grain that sprouts into seven ears, each bearing one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies the reward even more to whoever He wills. For Allah is All-Bountiful, All-Knowing.” (Suratul Baqarah, Verse 261)

I recently came across the story of Hamza, a 56-year-old man who was jailed at the age of 16 after accidentally firing a gun which led to the death of his loved one. While in jail, he became a devout Muslim and had been pleading for parole for years. Forty years later, Hamza is finally going to be released at the end of March in shaa Allah. But here’s how one act of kindness has changed his life entirely.

Hamza was working as a janitor at the prison which earned him 13 cents per hour only. Yet what he got from the 136 hours of tough labour, a total of 17$, Hamza donated all to Gaza.

Justin Mashouf, a filmmaker who was in correspondence with Hamza, shared his story on X (Twitter). Touched by this noble act of kindness, his story quickly went viral and Justin created a gofundme campaign to empower Hamza to transition back into society with dignity and security after years of imprisonment. A total of USD 102,187 was raised until Hamza requested that it be suspended (after thanking all the donors of course). Instead, he requested the donors to consider helping the suffering children, mothers and fathers of Palestine, Yemen, and Africa living under inhuman conditions. 

When I first saw the fundraising, the goal was 40,000 USD. This was more than double that. Subhanallah!

Allah Subhanahu Wataala tells us in Suratul Baqarah, Verse 265:

“And the example of those who donate their wealth, seeking Allah’s pleasure and believing the reward is certain, is that of a garden on a fertile hill: when heavy rain falls, it yields up twice its normal produce. If no heavy rain falls, a drizzle is sufficient. And Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”

Isn’t it mind-blowing that Allah Subhanahu Wataala inspired Hamza to do this act, a mere weeks before his release (in shaa Allah)? Can you imagine what kind of worries Hamza might have had (or not) about going back into the world after 40 years?! A different name, a different religion, a totally different era, jobless, homeless, with no money. Yet the heaviest of all is the concern of whether the community would embrace him upon his release. And subhanallah, just like the best of planners Allah is, He brought a way in which Hamza got all he could ask for, at least in terms of livelihood and community, at the eleventh hour!

Someone once told me of a time when he gave a guard lunch money, it was very random, and that same day, someone he had been referring clients to, randomly tipped him ten times what he gave the guard. Literally ten times! Mind you, this had never happened before and was quite unexpected. And he told me something that really struck me. He said, ‘I pity those who don’t believe in Allah.’ And I thought, yeah! What a great loss to not know, see and feel God’s love and mercy and kindness?!

I’ll never stop preaching about charity because I have read, watched and witnessed the miracles of giving. I have seen how much Allah can give and give and give. And the stories are too many to count.

We are just a few days to Ramadhan and many people are planning menus, festivities and early Eid shopping. Let us dare be different by planning for more ibadah and charity, charity, charity! 

Times have been increasingly tough, not just in our country, but in the entire globe. But that should never limit us from giving because you know what? We have a very generous Lord, and what you give, especially when it is difficult for you to do so, will never go unrewarded. Charity does not make you poor, it elevates you more than you can imagine.

The prophet peace be upon him said: “Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.” (Sahih Muslim 2588)

Let us have our intentions set, ready for Ramadhan, and let us put in effort to make it a more productive one than it ever was.

May we all live to experience the holy month and may we be among those whose lives will transform for the better, ameen. Ramadhan Mubarak good people! Please do remember me and my family in your duas 🙂

That said, here is a charity opportunity you can begin with:

Hamza’s story source: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-generous-soul-reenter-society-from-prison

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Deen (Religion)

RAMADHAN MUSINGS (2)

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To read part 1, click here

“Allah, the Exalted, says, ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” – Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

(Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Last week a wonderful woman (Allah ybarik feeha) donated some cash so that I could share it among deserving families. Before sending it to one of the young men highly indebted, I called him to ask which number I should send the money to. First thing he said was, ‘Wait, where’s the money coming from?’ I said it was a donation by someone (I didn’t want to say the name). Then he said, ‘Let me tell you what happened…’

“A woman sent me a message this morning asking for help to buy iftar. She seemed desperate so I checked my Mpesa and I had 100/= only. I decided to send it despite it being the only money I had with me. Immediately I sent the 100 bob, someone sent me 6k. In a matter of seconds, literally. And then immediately after that, your call came in, wanting to send me another amount Subhanallah.” I laughed in awe at Allah’s kindness. I sent the young man 5k, which is literally a bit more than double the amount he gave.

Allah Subhanahu Wataala says in Surat Al- An’aam,  6:160:

مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا، وَمَن جَاءَ بِالسَّيِّئَةِ فَلَا يُجْزَى إِلَّا مِثْلَهَا وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

“Whoever does a good deed will be repaid tenfold, but those who do a bad deed will only be repaid with its equivalent and they shall not be wronged.” Truly Allah keeps His promises.

The economy has been so tough everywhere around the world Subhanallah. Everyone is struggling one way or another. Yet as believers, we should have that yaqeen (surety) that so long as we do good for His sake, He would never leave us hungry. That as long as we sacrifice what we love the most or need to give it to a fellow Muslim, then our reward will definitely come.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “None gives charity from what is good, for Allah only accepts what is good, except that the Merciful takes it with his right hand. Even if it is a date, it is nurtured in the hand of the Merciful until it becomes greater than a mountain, just as one of you nurtures his young horse or camel.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1014)

So give, dear reader. Give, give, give. Give from what Allah has blessed you with. Give from the little you have. Or the many that you have. Your 50, 100, 1000 does make an impact. What’s little for you, may be a dinner for an entire family elsewhere. So give without hesitating, without worrying about where your next meal will come from. Without thinking that it will decrease your wealth. Tawakkal on Allah’s name, and see Allah’s mercy and kindness with your own eyes.

And even when you have nothing at all to give, you still have your smile. Smile at your Muslim brothers and sisters for it is charity. You still have your energy and health- put the intention and help the house girl or your mothers in doing house chores, that’s charity too! You have a useful skill, teach it to someone else. You have certain knowledge or information that is beneficial, share it with others who could benefit as well. You know a charity group, volunteer to help them in their physical activities. Or support them by sharing their posters and posts.

You know a sick person, visit and take care of them or help them out. There are stray kittens or birds or any animals around your home/work place, put out a bowl of water/food for them (especially with the kind of heat we experience now subhanallah), or take care of them in any way you can. Plant a tree if you can. Caring, supporting, cooking, serving your family is charity too. Men, helping your mothers, sisters and wives with washing dishes and cleaning up after iftar is also a form of charity 🙃 Making dua for your loved ones and the Muslim Ummah, giving sincere advice are all considered charity …among many other acts.

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, “Every good deed is charity.” (Riyad as-Salihin 134). And in another narration, the prophet peace be upon him said, “A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)

So strive to do good every single day and always have that sincere intention to do it as charity for Allah’s sake.

Remember that charity is one of the best deeds- it extinguishes your sins, it will provide you with a shade on the day of judgement and it will protect you from calamities and hellfire (among many other benefits). Without a doubt we all know the importance of Ramadhan and the abundant rewards during this beautiful month. It is thus the best time to engage in as much charity as we can.

I’ll end this piece with one of the beautiful hadiths on the same:

Abu Hurairah (RAA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“If anyone relieves a Muslim believer from one of the hardships of this worldly life, Allah will relieve him of one of the hardships of the Day of Resurrection. If anyone makes it easy for the one who is indebted to him (while finding it difficult to repay), Allah will make it easy for him in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and if anyone conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah helps His slave as long as he helps his brother.” Related by Muslim. (Bulugh Al-Maram: Book 16, Hadith 29)

***

For those interested in participating in charity for the poor, orphans, widows, the sick, indebted, reverts etc, kindly contact me at 0704 731 560, in shaa Allah I’ll directly link you up with deserving families.

Let’s also constantly remember our brothers and sisters in Palestine in our duas. May Allah protect them and grant them victory from the Israelis. May He revenge upon the Israelis for the animosity they do on our people. And may He shower His mercy on the Palestinians and the Muslim Ummah suffering all over the world, ameen.

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RAMADHAN MUSINGS (1)

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*Musings: A period of reflection or thought.

I was never the kind to delete a phone number after someone close passed away. I would always hold onto it as if miraculously I’d realize it was just a terrible dream and my person was still there with me. Alive. Healthy. Never any better. That’s how I held onto mama two’s contact until I lost it when I changed phones. It was always like a souvenir where I’d open her contact details and just stare at them longingly. Grief does that to you sometimes. You ruminate on how she could have been now, what she’d be doing, how she’d react to your growth and achievements and what she’d have said on different occasions. You remember how she’d call when you were late home and lovingly say, ‘my baby’ whenever you picked up the phone. You’d remember how she’d fill your bedroom wall with hand-written motivational quotes for your studies. You’d remember how she’d sacrifice her sleep to wake you up to study late at night. You remember a lot of things…

However much time passes, her memory is always there. Like a stubborn stain on a cloth. And everything and everyone reminds me of her. I recently met mama two’s very old friend for the first time. She looked young and healthy and she was very bubbly mashallah. My first thought was, so this is how she’d looked (age-wise) had she been alive to date? She died so young, didn’t she? Is this how charming she would have been with my nieces and nephews had she met them? I bet she would have been so for she was the most loving and caring aunt ever.

The grief follows me around always but sometimes I dream of her. Once she was combing my hair like how she’d do when we were young, another time she was seated with me in the backseat of a car and she was holding me close; my head on her chest, another time she kissed me on my cheek. Whenever I’d have these seemingly very real dreams, I’d ask her, ‘But aren’t you dead?’ That’s always the question, but I never get a response. When I’d wake up from such dreams, I’d be emotional but also very happy because it feels like a gentle squeeze of my hand. Like a reassurance that she is okay (I pray she is). That she is with me even if far away.

I always regard these dreams as Allah’s mercy on me. That Allah knows how much I miss her so He brings her into my dreams so that it can comfort me. So that it can give me joy, even for a short moment. And it warms my heart that Allah keeps gifting me these beautiful dreams of her. The thought of it makes me wonder how much more Allah Subhanahu Wataala can be merciful to me? To us?

Many times we think of Allah’s mercy in terms of repentance and forgiveness such that sometimes we overlook these seemingly ‘small’ mercies of His. Like when you’re having a terrible day and a message pops us where a good friend is expressing gratitude and love to you. Or when you’re very broke and He brings forth someone to purchase your goods unexpectedly. Or when you’re ill and Allah gives you relief by allowing you to pray seated or even lying down. Or when someone speaks well about your deceased loved one and it warms your heart. Or when you’re sad and feeling low and Allah grants you a job opportunity that you’ve praying for. Subhanallah, when you think deeply about it, we’re always in Allah’s mercy-one way or another.

I started a gratitude journal on my phone early this year. There were days I could easily write what I was grateful for -like when I graduated, or when my article was published, or when my books were purchased. Yet there were some long days, some mundane days too that I had to think for a while on what I was grateful for. Days whereby nothing extraordinary happened. But this is when you get to realize the small ways Allah comes through for you. Like when I was having severe anxiety and I couldn’t point out where the issue was exactly but Allah guided me to realize it and deal with it. Or on a very normal day and I got to buy something I couldn’t afford before. Or when I was sad and I had a very beautiful conversation with my mother and sister about life, it uplifted me. Or when a dua I asked for, a very long time ago was finally answered even though I had forgotten about it. This is all by Allah’s mercy. The relief we get. The joy we get. The love and compassion that others give us. The beautiful bonds we have with our families and friends. The good people who volunteer to help us without expecting anything in return. The unexpected rizq that we get when we have no money at all. The opportunities that open up for us. It’s all by Allah’s mercy.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Allah created one hundred units of mercy on the Day He created the heavens and the earth. Each one of them can contain all that is between the heaven and the earth. Of them, he put one on earth, through which a mother has compassion for her children and animals and birds have compassion for one another. On the Day of Resurrection, He will perfect and complete His Mercy”. (That is He will use all the hundred units of mercy for his slaves on that Day). [ Riyad as-Salihin 420]

Subhanallah, how amazing is our Lord? And if what we’re experiencing is just ONE UNIT of His mercy, how much more can we expect from Him on the Day of Judgment?

May Allah grant us His mercy and may we always be among those who identify it and appreciate it. May He enable us to be among His most Grateful servants.

May Allah have mercy upon our loved ones who’ve passed away. May He elevate their status and make their graves to be gardens from the gardens of Jannah. May He make them among the dwellers of Jannatul Firdaus and may He reunite us with all our loved ones there, Ameen.

*

Ramadhan Mubarak good people! I pray that your Ramadhan started well in shaa Allah. Talking about gratitude, I challenge you to download a gratitude app (I am currently using ‘Presently’, it’s free and works well for me so far) or get a small notebook where you note down every day, the way Allah comes through for you by His mercy. You’ll be amazed!

Also, for those interested in participating in charity for the poor, orphans, widows, the sick, indebted, reverts etc, kindly contact me at 0704 731 560, in shaa Allah I’ll directly link you up with deserving families.

May Allah accept our good deeds and make us firm in His deen. May our duas be answered most beautifully that He knows best. May He grant us relief from all our worries and distress and may He grant us forgiveness for all our shortcomings. Ameen ameen. Please do remember me in your duas 🙂

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