Ramadan 1446/2025

It’s been a while since I last posted anything here. Life has taken over as usual and despite my best intentions, I haven’t had the chance to log any of my thoughts recently. To be fair, Ramadan priorities were always going to take precedence and it is a month of extra effort in ibadah (worship) and reflection. This, in turn, inevitably leads to a time where unwanted emotional baggage is divested, cobwebs are dusted off tangled thoughts and a deep spiritual cleansing takes place.

Halfway through the month already and I feel there has been progress. Although I know it will never be at a level where I have used my full potential, at least there has been some reflection and introspection.

For the first time this year also, I have decided to break away from the usual constant social media content which is put out in Ramadan. As much as this material is undoubtedly inspiring, I struggle to retain a lot of what is spoken about and, on reflection, realise that it hasn’t helped me become a better version of myself. That sounds like the fault is with the creators or speakers of the content that’s out there. Far from it. The issue is with me. I have chosen this year to use the faculties within myself and go right back to basics in my search for inspiration. What do I mean by this? For a start, I want to go to the Quran directly and seek solace from it.

The noble Quran has enough to inspire and encourage us to do and be the best version of ourselves. It contains a plethora of material to engage with and ponder over. For example, the infinite references to nature are points which stir me beyond no bounds. I have decided to let the Quran speak to me directly without a modern-day interpreter or scholar. This isn’t to say I can understand the Quran on my own. Far from it. But suffice to say, there is enough material there which needs no third party to explain the magnificence of Allah.

Going for long walks in silence this Ramadan, has actually achieved more for me than listening to someone speak as an agent of Islam. I need no words to convince me of Allah’s magnaminous status when I look at the clouds and the river and the grass as I walk behind my own home. Accompanied with utterances of praise for Allah throughout, I feel this is a far more productive way to spend my Ramadan. It’s a formula I haven’t seriously considered before – disconnecting from video after video of Islamic content. However, this year I have chosen a deeper silence and it has been working so far, Alhamdulillah. After all, how did Muslims manage deep contemplation in Ramadan before the advent of the internet?

I have thoroughly enjoyed going back to basics and relying on my own conscience to bring me close to Allah in this blessed month.

That being said, learning from others is definitely with its merits. I woudn’t trust myself to learn without a teacher. However, perhaps my age has caused me to want to enjoy the silence and cherish the stillness of a moment without interruption.

Alhamdulillah for the opportunity to reconnect with the peace and nature and simple things in life. This has been perhaps just as enlightening as sitting through hours of a lecture to be convinced of something I already hold in deep regard.

I need this time to be my own. I need silence to hear my own conscience. I need time to be.