Ramadan Reflections

Many times we as Muslims may struggle with how to begin that connection with our creator, or if we are even deserving of that connection. We might wonder if we’re even worthy of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. I was listening to a halaqa a few nights ago. In the halaqa, a beautiful hadith was mentioned that spoke about Allah’s mercy. Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“Allah says: ‘I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for Him what He thinks I can do for Him) and I am with Him if he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to Him running.’” [sahih al-bukhari, book 9, volume 93, hadith 502]

This hadith resonated with me and made me reflect on Allah’s mercy on a deeper level. Our minds are a lot more powerful then we think. If you think of Allah in a positive way, then He will be positive to you. If you have tawakal, trust in Allah, Allah will not abandon you. Allah is Ar-Rahman and Ar- Raheem — the most gracious and the most merciful. There is a saying that says, “once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” Why can’t we replace those negative thoughts about our Lord who created the heavens and the earth with positive ones?

Many of us might feel as though our sins are unforgivable and there isn’t a point in going back to Allah. For me personally, I would feel almost ashamed when I would turn back to Allah. I would think maybe my Lord doesn’t want to hear from me because I have forgotten Him for so long. Will he accept my duas? But remember that this thinking is from shaytan, who wants to strive you further away from your Lord. Allah is always willing and ready to forgive his slaves. “And if He comes to Me walking, I go to Him running”. As long as we take that first step towards Allah, He will always be on the other side.

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