This was the first year I contributed to ramadan.co.za and alhamdulillah, I am a better person for it.
Although I could have done more. Life has a funny way of showing us up.

Let me start by saying, it isn’t often we are graced with platforms open to various opinions in Islam and to Ismail, I say shukran for making this space available.

I have learnt so much from every one on this site, the authors as well as the reader contributions, so before we usher out another Ramadaan it’s time to take stock.

Firstly we have learnt there are many various understandings of this wonderful Islamic way of life. The trick we have to learnt to practice, is to accept peoples opinions will differ from our own. If we take up arms against our fellow muslims, we open up ourselves to ridicule from others. So let us not nullify the very thing we tried to create this month, by arguing about things not relelvant in our lives.

We still have so much to learn about ourselves and about each other. Being a “Unified Ummah” is not about conforming to a single standard of worship, but that by allowing others to find their own paths to Islam, we strengthen our bonds with each other.

The calibre of writers here, surely surpass my measly understanding, but Allah command to the Nabi S.A.W was “Iqra!” read. Here we have so many informative articles and points of view. The biggest lesson I learnt, was although our experiences are vastly different, we are still all Muslims in the truest sense of the word.

My challenge to each and everyone of us here, is that the same charity and understanding, let us seek to practice it outside of Ramadaan. The congregational meals and the rule of talk about islam for just one minute, surely we can find just one minute to help strengthen our Imaan(Faith).

A good word to a friend, although unexpected, could make a real difference to some one, without even knowing it.

I hope to be one of the authors again in the next Ramadaan Insha Allah. And better yet, if any one of us are in doubt. We could always revisit these articles in the year, not just in Ramadaan.

To everyone, may your Eid be blessed and strengthen familial ties with each other, may is create new relationships then increase our Sawaab and create Nur amoungst us. May our increased Ibadaah not stop after the new moon is sighted.

The following excerpt is from a dua you read on Shab-e-Baraat and yet still so relevant.

La illah ha illah anta ( there is none worthy of worship except you)
Zahru’llaajeen wa jaaru’l mustajeereen wa amaanu’l khaaifeen ( you help the fallen and provide refuge to the refugees and give peace to those in fear)
Allahuma in kunta katabtanee, Indaka fee Ummil Kitabi.Shaqiyyan aw mahrum aw matrudan aw maqattaran alayya fi’rrizqi ( Oh Allah, If in the mother of all books that is with you, you have written me down as someone who is doubtful of achieving salvation, or deprived. Or rejected with without enough sustenance)

Fa’mhu Allahumma biFadlika Shaqaawatee wa hirmaanee wa tardee wa’qtitaara rizqee wa-athbitnee Indaka fee Ummil Kitabi Sa’eedan marzuqan muwaffaqanLi’lkhayraati Fa innaka Qulta wa Qawluka Haqq
(Then Oh Allah, with your grace, remove all these misfortunes from me, and in the mother of all books that is with you. Establish me as some one who is blessed, with abundant provision, and charitable good deeds. Indeed, what YOU said in the book YOU sent through the tongue of YOUR blessed Prophet is true. That Allah changes what HE wants and with him is the mother of all books)