I click lazily at yet another Ramadan article in my inbox. It would have been a good read – except that I’ve already come across quite a few articles in the same vein. An all-consuming yawn almost knocks the computer backward, and I look wearily at the clock. Sigh. Still some eight hours to go before Maghrib.

Alhumdulillahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen, it is that time of the year again. When nights brim with serenity, intimate worship and du’as, while days overflow with struggle and patience. When hearts are softer and resolves are harder; when good deeds are easier and sins are difficult.

Insha’Allah in this episode we are going to be talking about utilizing the month of Ramadan as a month of healing and recovery. You know it has been a very long year, and some of us have experienced all sorts of trials from divorce to death in the family to maybe falling out with some friends. Maybe people are having issues in this economy finding employment issues with their kids. Maybe people are suffering from different types of addiction. Maybe they are just unhappy.

It was a warm summer night. Sweat trickled down our backs as we climbed the stairs to the roof of the two story bungalow. It seemed barren. The boundaries were antique with intricate carving; they were old but sturdy, a witness to all the conversations ever to have occurred in their vicinity. How many boys and girls must have played there, how many arguments must have surfaced, how many deaths grieved. Who knew the secrets this ancient place withheld?

Just remember that there is a lot that can be done when you cannot pray and fast. All you have to do is make an effort to stay connected with Allah ta’ala and insha’Allah, He will help you. You just need to make the intention.