The holy month of Ramadan reflects our earthly lives. Paying close attention to its structure can enable us to live with greater clarity and strength.
Ramadan Reminds Us that Our Trials will Always End
During Ramadan, we wake up before sunrise to fast. In other words, we know we’ll face a trial by having to forgo food and water, for a limited time. This cycle continues till the month ends. Taking our Ramadan routine as an analogy to our time on earth, we face trials, small or big, till the end of our lives.
However, in the same way that each day’s fast is for a limited amount of time, Ramadan’s structure is a reminder that each trial within our lives will end soon. Those trying circumstances exist in our lives for a certain period, and when the clock strikes, the trial ends. Moreover, the successive fasting days in Ramadan can be seen as analogous to the successive trials written for us. However, like the days in Ramadan, all of these trials will always end.
And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient.
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 155
Therefore what matters is the journey till the end: were we patient? Did we follow Quranic commandments? Did we remember Allah SWT? The answers to these questions determine the quality of our fast in Ramadan. Likewise, these same questions determine the quality of each day of our lives.
So let’s try not to look at the clock, impatiently counting the hours till Iftar. The fast will end. That’s for sure. Likewise, the trials will face on any day are bound to end. While fasting and otherwise, let’s focus on what we can do till the clock strikes. Ultimately that is what matters: our taqwa and our deeds.
Ramadan Enables Us to See Our Blessings
The table full of food at sehri and iftar, our family and friends, our activities, and above all, our faith are among the innumerable blessings at our disposal. Thus, even though we must exercise abstinence during fasting, it’s not as though we have everything taken away from us. Rather, we have everything available to us. Reflecting upon this observation can lead to a positive and resilient attitude while we fast.
Likewise, in any trial of life, be it hunger or loss of loved ones, we still have so much to enjoy and be thankful for. Allah SWT designs each trial for His servants according to their capacities. What we need to succeed is patience. This is what fasting in Ramadan reminds us of.
For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.
Surah Ash-Sharh verse 5
Our Key to Success is within Ourselves
Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 286
When the hunger or thirst begin to manifest, we must endure to win at this daily test in Ramadan. By analogy, we must endure to win at the test of life. How convenient it is that our key to success rests within our hearts. We don’t have to buy endurance or travel the seven seas to attain it. It is placed in our hearts by the Most Merciful, who doesn’t test anyone beyond what she or he can bear.
And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]
Surah Al-Baqarah verse 45
Thus, when the going gets tough, let’s adopt patience and remember Allah SWT. These powerful tools work wonders when we open our hearts to them.
Take it Easy
When we’re fasting, there’s only so much that we can do. Although we’re supposed to tend to important tasks, we’re not supposed to burden ourselves. Likewise, while living through any hardships, we must remember to take it easy, because there’s only so much that our minds and bodies can bear.
To sum it up, Ramadan’s structure is blessed by Allah SWT with wisdom that reminds us on a daily basis that our trials will always end. Like every fast, every trial will end; if we face a series of trials, then like successive fasting days in Ramadan, it is all bound to end. What matters is our journey to the end. Patience, prayer, and persistence are needed to win in each fasting day, and likewise, they are needed to win in any day.
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