Stuffing Ourselves and Sleeping All Day Are Not Acts of Mercy.
Text Summary: We know that we can’t expect mercy from Allah, without showing mercy to those around us. When we reflect on the fact that the prophet peace be upon him was a mercy to all of humanity, then we need to ask ourselves, who are the people around us to whom we can show mercy as well? Are they in our homes, communities?
Who are the people who are doing without? At night, who does not have a place to sleep. In my own city, I know that over 60 000 people go to sleep hungry each night. What does that mean to me? We need to be aware of this wherever we live- it is our duty and responsibility to know who the most vulnerable members of society are. Whenever Muslim leaders were just throughout history, they never indulged in extravagance. The prophet peace be upon him never went to sleep if he had even on dirham left until he gave it to those in need.
When we reflect on the fact that the first part of this beautiful month is mercy, we should be thinking of how we show mercy and to whom. Sadly, in many parts of the world, we have belittled this month and made it about eating and drinking. We stuff ourselves at night, we become too tired to pray and then we sleep the day away. We waste our food and we do not spend time thinking about those in need.
We completely lose sight of the fact that we are supposed to be doing more during this month. That this is the month, when we give up the things we often do, the things we are used to, to really understand the nature of our true potential and how this message of Islam is relevant to making our societies better places to be in- because Ramadhan provides a training ground in which we actively work for that.
Keeping in mind that the prophet peace be upon him said that a Muslim is like the date palm, people throw stones at it and it gives them fruit in return… what do you give to those around you? “When people are hard with me for instance when my parents/husband/wife/friends upset me, perhaps instead of reacting, I can forgive, overlook and know that Allah will bless me for being patient.”
This month, what is it that you can do to make a difference in your sphere of influence? Who are the people who need assistance? How can you and I reflect mercy to our families, community and to the world?
Related Topics:
Ramadhan Reflections: Do My Prayers Benefit Me?
Ramadan Reflections- We begin with Mercy
Letter to the Self #30 Remember Me
Letter to the Self #29 Forgiveness
Letter to Self # 28: Those We Ignore
Letter to the Self # 27: Destination or the Journey!
Letter to the Self # 26: Change
Letters to the Self #25: Window of Opportunity
Letters to the Self #24: More Than You Think You Are Able
Letters to the Self #23: Submission
Letter to the Self #22: Do You Have Trust Issues?
Letter to the Self #21: Possessions
Letter to the Self #20: Sacred Spaces
Letter to the Self # 19: The Big “I”
Letter to the Self # 18: Insecurities
Letter to the Self # 17: Backbiting
Letter to the Self # 16: Knowledge or Just Information?
Letter to the Self # 15: Beyond the Limited Self
Letter to the Self # 14: A Better Way
Letter to the Self # 13: The Spoken Word
Letter to the Self # 12: A Blessing or a Curse?
Letter to the Self # 11: Purpose
Letter to the Self #10: Let’s Partey
Letter to the Self #9: Looking Good
Letter to the Self #8: Worship
Letter to the Self #7: Rights of the Body
Letter to the Self#6: Time
Letter to the Self #5: Gratitude
Hwaairfan's Blog 
Thank you for a great post.