Ramadan in the summer is officially here! I have to admit that I was a bit weary thinking that the day will be long and the weather will be hot and my coffee fix will be delayed (you know you`re an addict when…), but I had forgotten how special Ramadan in the summer can be. Of course, I wouldn’t underestimate the brilliance of Ramadan at any time of the year, but here, now, in August 2011, reminds me of when I was a girl for that was the last time a summer Ramadan had come. It makes one wonder how many seasonal Ramadan cycles we`ll experience over a lifetime, eh?
Anyhow, when I was a girl, an imam would come from Saudi Arabia, the small Winnipeg Mosque would be filled with eager hearts and we just couldn’t get enough of the Quran. In fact, because fajr was so close to the conclusion of the Taraweeh, we’d stick around for Qiyam and visit Dairy Queen for suhoor 
Sleep was an afterthought – especially with friends who shared the experience (maybe your remember this article: http://iamsheba.com/?p=429). Good times, w’Allah. ♥♥♥ my parents and not just for the banana splits or peanut buster parfaits or because they allowed me to skip school when the lack of sleep got the better of me!
Sleep was an afterthought – especially with friends who shared the experience (maybe your remember this article: http://iamsheba.com/?p=429). Good times, w’Allah. ♥♥♥ my parents and not just for the banana splits or peanut buster parfaits or because they allowed me to skip school when the lack of sleep got the better of me!So, despite my perceived weariness over the timing this year, I do have positive memories of the last time. This month, even though we are only on the second day, I’m grateful that there isn’t too much demand from work or school to preoccupy. I’m grateful that the heat helps us stay in so that we can focus on the spiritual. And I’m blessed that Ramadan is here and Allah has been so merciful to me, my family, my friends and my people. May HE SWT bless those who are fighting for their lives and help them make a Ramadan filled with wonderful memories too.
I came across this aya – and oh, how the reminder benefits -:
“And give good tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds that they will have gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow. Whenever they are provided with a provision of fruit therefrom, they will say, “This is what we were provided with before.” And it is given to them in likeness. And they will have therein purified spouses, and they will abide therein eternally. “
I’m no tafseer expert, but the idea of “this is what we are provided with before” is an incredible one. It speaks to me and reminds me that we need to find inner contentment and peace and foster a sense of gratitude for everything that we experience – in the NOW. And hopefully, we will be able to recognize it’s goodness now – and LATER too.
May Allah accept from us.
Ramadan Mubarak everyone!
