A Ramadan of Tears

I don’t know what it is about this Ramadan, but I can’t stop crying. From the very first night, the tears haven’t stopped.

Right now, at this very moment, someone, somewhere in the world is in sujood, forehead pressed to the ground, whispering Subhana Rabbiyal A‘la. Some are crying in their tahajjud, pouring their hearts out to Allah. Some are reciting Qur’an, striving to complete multiple khatms. Some are new Muslims, experiencing the beauty of salah for the first time. Some used to fast and stand in prayer, but illness has made it impossible for them now. Some have passed away and will never see another Ramadan.

But I am here. I am one of those blessed to still be able to bow my head to my Lord.

And that thought made me weep.

Because I am part of that ummah, the one the Prophet ﷺ prayed for. The one he wept for on the night of Isra wal Mi’raj, saying, “ummati, ummati” The one he will seek intercession for on the Day of Judgment. Out of all the people who have ever lived, I am counted among those who say La ilaha illa Allah. I am among those given the honor to prostrate before Him.

And if I am part of this ummah, an ummah that never stops praying, that never stops striving, then how can I allow myself to be stagnant? If millions are racing toward Jannah, how can I not run alongside them?

Look at the people around us. Look at the Palestinians, fasting despite their homes being reduced to rubble, despite their hunger being far greater than ours, yet they still say Alhamdulillah. Look at the young person who, without hesitation, donated one million naira to NSF on the very first day of Ramadan, seeking nothing but Allah’s pleasure. Look at those who stay in the masjid after taraweeh, reciting Qur’an deep into the night, refusing to let a single moment of this month slip away.

And then, just when I thought I was striving, someone I know casually mentioned that she usually completes about seven khatms in Ramadan. Here I was, thinking my goal of three was ambitious.

These are the people we are competing with. How can we afford to be mediocre?

It’s like standing at the starting line of a race where everyone is sprinting toward the ultimate prize, and I’m just watching. No, if I am in this race, I have to run. If I am part of the ummah, I have to strive.

So, I ask myself: Am I putting in my best effort?

Ramadan is an opportunity that comes once a year. A month where the gates of Jannah are open and every single one of us has the chance to push forward, to beg for mercy, to be among those whose names are written as the freed from the Fire.

I don’t want to waste it. I don’t want to take it for granted.

Ya Allah, let me be among those who prostrate to You in this life and among those who are honored to prostrate before You in the Hereafter. Let me not just be part of this ummah, let me strive as one of them.

A Ramadan of tears, a Ramadan of effort. May Allah accept from us all.

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In a bid to hustle for jannah, some people I know have created a campaign called #SplitTheCostShareTheAjr , where you & a partner spend NGN29000 to feed a family.

Account Name: Neighbourly Support Foundation

Bank Name: Taj Bank

Account Number: 0007089072

It costs N14500 per person.

For more information, look them up on Instagram - @nsf.ng