Author’s Note: I meant to post this on the first day of Ramadan! 😭 Ramadan Mubarak! I pray your Ramadan is going well. As always, thank you for your continuous support.

There was a slight breeze outside, but it was perfect as I put my car windows down for some fresh air. It was dark, and people were driving home or wherever their Friday plans took them. But, a few of us were driving to a destination—a place to stand in congregation and begin the holy month of Ramadan. My heart was light, and my body was ecstatic because the time had finally arrived. We’ve been waiting, our hearts yearning for Ramadan. 

During the day, I did not realize how busy I was preparing for Ramadan in my school building. I was tasked with helping plan Dhuhr’s prayer on weekdays this month. Students came and went as we met with them and provided a game plan. As a school counselor, I was used to the rush and urgency. I was excited to see many Muslim students and their enthusiasm for Ramadan. But everything settled for me when I finally reached the Masjid with my sisters. 

As we crossed the street to walk towards the Masjid, we saw many people heading in the same direction. At this point, I could not conceal my excitement. My heart burst, my smile widened, and my feet quickened their pace. Ramadan was finally here. I did not realize how much I missed praying with so many sisters in the Masjid. It had been a while since I attended Jummah, and being amongst sisters eased my heart. 

Taraweeh last night felt blissful– listening to the different recitations of Surah Al-Baqarah warmed my heart. I felt Allah’s love last night. I felt His mercy. As I listened to the Surah being recited, I kept telling myself I needed to read the translation when I got home. It was only right to understand the meaning. I am typing this because I found so many gems while reading the English translation of Surah Al-Baqarah. However, I wanted to share this gem with you: 

In Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 28-29, Allah states, “How can you ignore God when you were lifeless and He gave you life, when He will cause you to die, then resurrect you to be returned to Him? It was He who created all that is on the earth for you, then turned to the sky and made the seven heavens: it is He who has knowledge of all things (from The Qur’an, M.A.S Abdel Haleem, pg. 6).”

And this, my friends, shook me to the core. I paused and reread that line over and over again. I thought about when I was ungrateful for Allah’s blessings and mercy. I thought about times I disobeyed Him. How can we ignore Allah when He is our Creator? We are so preoccupied with this Dunya. I don’t know about you, but after reading this verse, I knew things in my life had to change even more. What a perfect time we are in, the month of forgiveness and taqwa (God Consciousness). 

I invite you to ponder the verses above or any other in Surah Al-Baqarah. Engage even further and reflect. How will you be more mindful of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) during this month?