Voice of British Muslim Women

Fatiha Nadeem, Bradford

As a future university student (God-willing), I often find people saying university is the time where an individual truly ‘finds themselves’ and ‘feels at peace’, yet this concept of peace and clarity, or lack thereof, is becoming an increasingly common concern in today’s modern world, with many seeking it through materialistic pursuits, rather than inner spiritual fulfilment.

We constantly find ourselves competing with others, whether through worldly success, seeking social validation, or keeping up with unrealistic and idealised images of perfection. In doing so, the line between truly finding ourselves and cultivating inner peace becomes increasingly blurred, affecting our outer selves as well.

It could be argued that the world seems to have forgotten its Creator and, ultimately, its purpose; however, in light of this, as Muslims, we are fortunate to know that the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, provides a spiritual haven, one we hope is permenant, not just lasting 30 days – a period marked by fasting, prayer and reflection, offering immense spiritual and physical benefits. (1)

Chapter 2, verse 184 of the Holy Qur’an states, ‘O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.’ This verse clearly demonstrates that fasting is not only an act of obeying Allah the Almighty’s commandment, but also a way to attain righteousness, connect with our Creator, and that sense of tranquillity the world is missing.

Likewise, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be His Helper), stated in a Friday sermon that righteousness enables us to avoid sin; therefore, we must save ourselves from evil, as a soldier protects himself behind a shield. Not only does a soldier protect himself, but he also attacks, and thus, by attacking Satan, we can put an end to him as well. (2)

Thus, Ramadan extends beyond abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset; it is a blessed opportunity to strengthen one’s faith, seek forgiveness and draw closer to Allah. Nevertheless, this transformation may be easier said than done, and it is vital to intentionally prepare ourselves to allow the month to become a truly transformative experience.

Therefore, let’s discuss a few ways we can prepare for this upcoming blessed month:

Starting with the mind, reducing screen time can help improve mental focus, as scrolling through social media has a significant impact, whether immediate or delayed. Especially as Ramadan is a time for reflection, it is essential to clear our minds, as we would before taking an exam, ensuring we use our full concentration where needed.

Next, to meet the physical demands of fasting, we can begin slowly reducing unnecessary snacking and caffeine intake, which may be far more challenging to achieve! However, adopting healthier eating habits will stabilise our energy levels, benefiting both our physical wellbeing and ability to fast effectively. Similarly, prioritising our sleep schedule now will allow our bodies to adapt smoothly to changes in daily routines and eating patterns, enabling us to focus entirely on our spirituality rather than being distracted by physical discomfort.

Last but not least, preparing our soul, or nafs. In the sayings and discourses (Malfuzat) of the Promised Messiah, His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, (peace be on him) the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, he stated that the purification of the nafs (self) is a very difficult stage to reach; however, salvation revolves around the purification of the nafs. He further states that the purification of the nafs cannot be achieved without the grace of God, as Allah the Almighty states in Chapter 87, verse 15, ‘Verily, he truly prospers who purifies himself,’ highlighting that attaining forgiveness from God is of utmost importance, if we seek to attain spiritual purification ahead of the holy month of Ramadan. (3)

Therefore, as we approach Ramadan in the coming weeks, let us remember that we can truly transform into a better version of ourselves if we utilise our time and efforts to the best of our abilities.

As the Holy Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) once stated, one who fasts in a state of Iman is as pure as a newborn baby. (4)

With this in mind, let us strive to carry this state of purity and goodness beyond Ramadan, through preserving our deeds throughout the year, inshaAllah.

References:

Ramadan: A sacred month overflowing with blessings (1) https://www.alhakam.org/ramadan-a-sacred-month-overflowing-with-blessings/

Ramadhan: Striving to Achieve Taqwa (2) https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2024-03-15.html

Malfuzat vol.10 (3) https://files.alislam.cloud/pdf/Malfuzat-10.pdf

Holy Month of Ramadhan (4) https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2004-10-15.html