Mahasin D. Shamsid-Deen

Ramadan Mubarak. This statement is as much a greeting as it is a supplication. The inner dimensions and significance is found through reflection.

Ramadan is the month of Mercy. Surely Allah as Al-Rahman bestows His abundant benevolence, and as Al-Raheem His overflowing kindness upon the believers who fast with sincerity and pure intention during this month.

The month of Ramadan (shahrul Ramadan) is upon us. It is the month of:

Maasha Allah, the blessed month of Ramadan is nearly upon us. This is a month of fasting, introspection, and community connectedness. Fasting during the month of Ramadan is ordained in the Quran and is a form of Ibadah (worship) that is for Allah, alone.

Studies conducted by both the Pew Research Center and the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding report that more than half of the Muslim population in the United States is married.  

Sha’ban is the eight month on the Islamic calendar. Although it is not classified as one of the sacred months, it has both spiritual and historic prominence that is often not reflected upon by the collective Ummah.  

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There is no kindness in a thing but it adds beauty to it, and there is no absence of kindness but it disfigures a thing.” (Muslim)