Allah azza wa jall has blessed us with this month to focus on Him and to seek his pleasure. And Alhamdulillah we’re able to witness this blessed month: may He make us able to see many more and to make ever-better use of the time to draw closer to Him.
One thing that I’ve noticed just today: time during the day yawns out, seems very long; time in the evening is compressed. Fajr time is roughly 4:40am here in North Texas; Maghrib time (sunset) is roughly 8:45. That gives us a bit more than 16 hours to pray three of five prayers, make some Nafl (voluntary) prayers, make dhikr and dua, etc.; work 8+ hours; take a long nap; work on personal projects; etc. On the flip side, we have a bit less than 8 hours to pray 2 prayers, go to the masjid for extended night prayers, make qiyam ul layl; eat and drink all that we’re going to; and sleep as much as possible.
This year, Alhamdulillah, Samie has a job and gets off work about 9, 9:15, so that adds a layer of responsibility to that hour or so between breaking fast and going to the masjid (or bed… Astagfirullah, for me, most nights, it’s bed).
This makes me intensely grateful for the rest of the year, where I can rush around and rock out chores and then relax in the evening. So far, it’s been the reverse for me very many nights, and the rushrushrush right at the end of the day is difficult.
Alhamdulillah Allah has guided me to this place, this wife, this family, this job, and He daily gives me the strength and focus to accomplish most of what I need to, and some of what I want to. May He guide me to make better use of the free time during the day, to draw closer to him and spend more time giving thanks, Amin.
