I regret every time I let someone know me too much.
Virginia Woolf〡Selected Prose; Mrs Dalloway
“For some of you, this Ramadan isn’t going to be about reading the Qur'an or making taraweeh prayers. It’s going to be about fighting to complete an entire day of fasting, one day at a time. For some of you struggling with depression or deep emotional states, fasting can sometimes make your struggle even more vulnerable. For some of you, your physical realities or your circumstances make fasting in and of itself one of the hardest acts of worship you struggle to complete.
Don’t compare yourself to people who are praying all night. Don’t compare yourself to people who are making khatm of Qur'an throughout the day. That is their form of worship as they are able to in this time.
Your greatest act of worship this Ramadan is simply to give it your all however that is for you- in spite- not despite- your circumstances. Recognize that whatever you are putting forth for God’s sake, even if it’s ‘nothing’ in comparison to what others seem to be racing to do, is huge in the sight of God. It may be even bigger than what others are doing, even if in quantity it seems smaller.
”…My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him/her, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him/her..“ (Hadith Qudsi)
How can you feel like your best isn’t good enough? How can you feel like doing “just” the obligation isn’t enough? That is exactly what brings you closer to Him.
Know that even while you feel deflated and defeated, He is Al-Shakoor, The Appreciative. He appreciates your striving for His sake despite your difficulties and your pain. He loves your sincere efforts for Him.
Now, instead of hating yourself for not being good enough, know that He knows your life situation and understands your reality better than you ever could yourself. So turn to Him, give your burdens to Him, and feel lighter while seeking His light.“
“disappointed, but not surprised” has been my biggest mood this year.
"The Prophet ﷺ was generous with people in such a way that he was not afraid of faqr (poverty). He used to tell Bilal, “Spend. Don’t be afraid of poverty. This is what Allah has told me."
Shaykh Mahy Cisse
i just want to sit in front of the ocean for a little while
prayed about it and moved on