Ramadan Day 2 – Things to be grateful for in Ramadan

لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ شَكَرْتُمْ لَئِن

‘..If you are grateful, I will surely increase you..’ [Qur’an 14:7]

“Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli haal” is one of the most difficult phrases to say. When we say Alhamdulillah for everything, we usually mean that we are grateful for all the blessings that we feel good about.
“Alhamdulillah ‘ala kulli haal” is for the times we don’t feel good about. We forget that those things may also be blessings – but in a disguise that we don’t like.

Usually, the month of Ramadhan is celebrated before it comes but hardly amidst the hunger, exhaustion and work load during Ramadhan.

So following are the Ramadhan-things you can be grateful about if negativity sinks in because you’re unable to catch up with all the goals you set for yourself.

1) Alhamdulillah for the month of blessings.

Even if you are unable to reach your big goals, know that your baby steps will also save immense rewards in shaa Allah. Because it’s the month of infinite blessings. Even little becomes enough!

It’s a month where blessings are multiplied. Allah gives us the perfect opportunity in Ramadhan by locking up the Shaitaan. So we can go ahead without excuses, without chains that bind us within our regrets, without bars that prison us inside our past. Allah gives us the opportunity to step ahead and start anew while showering countless blessings upon us.

2) Alhamdulillah for big rewards on tiny good deeds.

Allah is giving us a perfect chance to multiply our rewards with minimal effort.
Chance to forgive.
Chance to repent.
Chance to improve.
Chance to reflect…

Choose a deed you’re struggling with right now.

Is it Fajr? Or Is it praying on time?
Is it backbiting? Or is it the lying?
Is it haram relationships? Or Is it riyaa?
Is it anger? Or Is it hayaa?

Or Is it ungratefulness?

Pick ONE thing you’re struggling with and struggle more with it. Fight it with all that you’ve got. Just one thing. So when you step out of Ramadan in shaa Allah, you are able to feel that accomplishment even if it was just ONE thing.

3) Alhamdulillah for the chirping sound of birds at Fajr.

It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The chirping sound of birds like they are praising their Lord…while you pray to your Lord after a satisfying suhur.

The whole atmosphere seems magical at times – with everyone struggling to please their Rabb. 

4) Alhamdulillah for toothbrush and toothpaste in one.

“Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]

*Ref: http://sunnah.com/urn/1000050

When an empty stomach makes your breath unpleasant, miswak is your go-to solution which doubles as a reward as well if you do it as a part of the Sunnah.

Although the breath of the one who fasts is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. But Ramadhan is a great way to build the habit of miswak as well. Make a miswak chart if tracking helps you stay motivated.

5) Alhamdulillah for the sound of adhaan at the time of iftaar.

“…There are two (occasions) of joy for the observer of fast. He feels joy when he breaks the fast and he is happy when he meets Allah…” [Muslim]

*Ref: https://sunnah.com/muslim/13/214

It’s amazing how we wait for that beautiful sound of adhaan so eargerly…

Allāhu akbar

Allāhu akbar

Allāhu akbar

Allāhu akbar
Allah is the greatest.

Ash-hadu an-lā ilāha illā allāh

Ash-hadu an-lā ilāha illā allāh
I acknowledge that there is no god but Allah.

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan-Rasul ullāh

Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan-Rasul ullāh
I acknowledge that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.

Hayya’alas-ṣalāh

Hayya’alas-ṣalāh
Hasten to prayer (Salah).

Hayya ʿalal-falāḥ

Hayya ʿalal-falāḥ
Hasten to success.

Allāhu akbar

Allāhu akbar
God is greatest.

Lā ilāha illā-Allāh
There is no god but Allah.

6) Alhamdulillah for Sunnah that keeps us healthy.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “…keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for…breathing.” [Tirmidhi]

*Ref: https://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/1/516

When you break your fast, remember this rule of thumb. It will not only help you spend less time in the kitchen but keep you healthy as well in shaa Allah.

7) Alhamdulillah for a chance to perform Umrah during Ramadhan.

The Prophet said: “Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj.” [Tirmidhi]

*Ref: https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi/9/132

If you’ve ever performed umrah during Ramadhan, you’ll know that it’s a chance of a lifetime one can get. May Allah give such chance to all the Muslims around the world and let them fall in love with Allah all over again <3

8) Alhamdulillah for a phone on an airplane mode.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah said: “The son of Adam hurts Me by abusing Time, for I am Time; in My Hands are all things and I cause the revolution of night and day.” [Bukhari]

As YouthlyHub states: “Treat your devices as a huge Amanah (trust) that you will be questioned about. So take yourself into account before you are asked to account. Begin your day with gratitude and remembrance that will nourish your mind, body and soul NOT feeding your desires with the latest digital trends, updates and news.

Unplug to take digital breaks. Start and end your day on a digital low – zero or minimum engagement with digital devices. Turn off all push notifications on your phone. You can also leave it on airplane mode.”

9) Alhamdulillah for day and night spent in the worship of Allah.

Let’s fast beyond our stomach – with our tongues, our heart and most importantly our mind – which is the hardest to keep caged.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Indeed, having good thoughts concerning Allah is from the perfection of the worship of Allah.” [Tirmidhi]

It gets hard to filter thoughts most of the times. Your mind is constantly working with you or against you. It takes a lot of practice to grab its reigns in your grip. Let’s take advantage of the fact that Shaitaan has been locked up and we have better self-control as a result. So…

Let your mind reflect within
And supplicate silently to your Lord
Who let your stomach fast from food
So you could feed your soul strong

10) Alhamdulillah for free Eid décor 😀

Last but not least, the Eid at the end of it all. And of course, FREE stuff! :p

If you have suggestions regarding #AlhamdulillahForSeries captions, then please submit them and we will try illustrating them one by one in shaa Allah. Let’s spread some positivity amidst all the negativity in the world.

May Allah allow us to complete this blessed month having earned His pleasure and forgiveness. May we reach the end of this Ramadan being better servants who continue to strive for betterment beyond as well…

May Allah always keep us grateful. No matter what. For gratitude brings positivity and positivity brings joy. Aameen. Thumma aameen.

Author Bio:

AYEINA is an online space for Muslims to reflect – a community of people trying to strengthen their Islamic identity and make the best of both worlds – run by two sisters trying to spread positivity and gratitude through #AlhamdulillahForSeries