Mid Ramadan reflections

Wow, how time does fly - almost 2 weeks into this blessed month, and again, I feel like I’m missing out.  The trial (well, arbitration really, but who aside from lawyers and their lackeys knows what an arbitration is?) started today and inshaAllah should be finished by Friday alhamdulilah.  That should mean no more long hours and overtime, which should translate into more ibadah time.

The commute is still Allah (swt) time.  Still listening to Qur’an and excellent podcasts.    This morning was Patience Takes Courage, one of my all time favorite Hamza Yusuf khutbahs, and the source of my favorite phrase, nafsi nafsi.  My lunch stroll was Ramadan Reflections Two with Imam Zaid.

The sunnipath short course I’m taking is most excellent - The Supplications of Daily Prayer.  SubhanAllah, I’m not exagerating when I say my attentiveness in prayer has increased 10 fold.  For those who aren’t native arabic speakers, don’t fall into the trap of rattling off strings of arabic you don’t understand in your salat.  Seek to understand every word you say, and inshaAllah your prayer will improve.

For iftar, I’m making Quick Moussaka.  I still have half a pot of cheddar chowder left for me, but alas, the husband doesn’t like it and he’s all out of the chicken and beef soup I made for him.

And finally, a hadith that I have been reflecting on today, via Imam Suhaib Webb:

Once a man came into the Mosque of the prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] lamenting over his sins. The man was so overcome and saddened by his state that the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said to him, “Say this:

اللهم مغفرتك أوسع من ذنوبي ورحمتك أرجى عندي من عملي

Allahuma maghfiratoka awsaa’ min thonoobi
Wa rahmatoka arja ‘andey min ‘amaley

Oh Allah, your forgiveness is greater than my sins and my hope in Your mercy is greater to me than my actions”

The man said this and the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said to him, “Say it again.” The man repeated it then the Prophet said to him, “Say it again.” The man did it and the Prophet [صلى الله عليه وسلم] said to him, “Arise for, indeed, Allah has forgiven you.”*

*This incident was related by al-Hakim with a sound chain that he considered to match the standards of Imam Muslim.

Allahu Akbar, God truly is Greater than everything.