Ramadan Blessings: a poem by MWA's Fahmida Sultana

Amidst the sweltering heat
Dehydrating thirst
Delicious aromas swaying in the air
Constant Chitter chatter
Children's wants and needs
Extreme exhaustion
Lack of soothing sleep
I cherish my fast from dawn till dusk
When the sunset welcomes the Adhan and the Adhan welcomes the Iftar
Knowing in my heart that Allah was watching me and protecting me throughout the day
Giving me strength from hidden sources

When the last few seconds are ticking towards Iftar I have hope that Allah will accept my fast for Him
And in return he blesses me with abundant gifts in the form of thirst quenching drinks and nourishing food
Replenishing anything that was lost
How can I not be grateful to my Creator when he blesses me when I'm fasting and continues to bless me when I'm eating?

©Fahmida Sultana 2013

Reflecting on life and Ramadan: a journal entry from MWA's Nafisa Cooper

Ramadan is always a welcomed and sought out time for me to not only participate in all of the many activities that bring us closer to Allah and His Messenger, but also to do a lot of self reflection.

This time of the year I remember more of who has been a constant and positive influence in my life than most anytime. I have found that I measure my spiritual growth not from season-to-season, but I unintentionally measure the changes and growth during this month from year-to-year. Maybe because I know this is the month of mercy.

The Importance of Gratitude in Ramadan and Beyond

Often we seek Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala during difficult times or perhaps more often when we are seeking fulfillment of our needs. However, we should ask for and seek Him steadfastly, particularly when things are going well in our lives.

During times of ease is our time to thank Him and praise Him for all the blessings He has provided us.

"And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you' [in favor]…" (Qur'an 14:7)