Day 20

Ya Allah, tonight I pray for you to open our hearts towards CHARITY. Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.) has said, "None of you will have faith till he wishes for his brother what he likes for himself." (Sahih al-Bukhari 1.12) Not only is charity a pillar of Islam, but charity acts as a way to purify our hearts from greed. Ya Wahhab, it is you that everything belongs to and it is you who blesses each of us with what we have. Ya Razzaq, soften our hearts so we may help our brothers and sisters in need and relieves their pain as we would like for you to relieve ours. Ameen.

Day 19

Ya Allah, tonight I pray for the overall health and well-being of our friends. Our friends help us stay sane, keep us in line, and have our backs when we are in need. They are like angels sent by heaven to help us get through life. “A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” Ya Nafi, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for blessing me with such great friends. I pray for their long, healthy and successful lives. Continue to bless us with such wonderful people and steer us away from the false ones. Ameen.

Day 18

Ya Allah, I earnestly pray for the ability to CONTROL OUR ANGER. Too many terrible things are said and done in the moment we allow our anger to take over our mind. It makes us do rash things or say things which we later regret. Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) has said, "A strong man is not he who defeats his adversary by wrestling, but a strong man is he who controls himself at the time of anger." (narrated by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him)). Ya Quddus, help us be that kind of strong person so we can make you and our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) proud. Ameen.

Day 17

Ya Allah, today I pray for the ability to TURN THE OTHER CHEEK. So many times we are tempted to out others because they have wronged us before or out of some twisted sense of justice. Other times we, either intentionally or unintentionally, publicly humiliate others for their weakness (in faith, in strength, in studies, etc) or their mistakes. Let us remember what our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) has said: "One who covers up the failings of somebody in this world, will have his shortcomings covered up by God on the Day of Judgment." Ya Barr, let us be lenient, as we would like you to be lenient with us. Ameen.

Day 16

Day 16: Ya Allah, tonight I pray for all those who have strayed from you, whatever their reason may be. They might have been faced with hardship, death, bad fortune, loss of property and riches. Many horrible and evil things happen which they don't understand the reason for or the cause of. These are the things that the Devil uses to whisper blasphemous things in our ears, to make our belief weaker, to question your judgement and your love. Help them realize that, "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (Qu'ran 2:286). Ya Hafiz, bring those hearts back to you and save their souls from Hell Fire. Help them ignore the Devil's whisperings and regain their faith in you. Ameen.

Day 15

Jummah Mubarak  !

Day 15: Ya Allah, tonight I express my GRATITUDE. While we are aware of the suffering of the poor, it is mostly in the back of our heads. During the month of Ramadan, while I abstain from food, water, and things of leisure for 17+ hours, I am reminded of all the things I am blessed to have. I am alive, healthy, safe, fed, loved, and sheltered. Most of us take such things for granted until they are gone. So tonight, Ya Wahhab, I express my gratitude for all you bless us with and pray that you shower the same blessings to the less fortunate. Please continue to give us such blessings. Ameen.

Day 14

Allah, please protect me, my friends, family and those reading this against GOSSIP and prevent us from partaking in it as well. It was narrated by Abu Musa that when asked, "Who is a very good Muslim?" our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims [and others] with his tongue and hands." (Sahih Buhari). Ya Wadud, prevent our tongues from uttering falsities about others. Let us heed your advise: "Oh you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what you have done (Quran 49:6). Ameen.

Day 13

Yes I realize I am a day late. Inshallah I'll be able to catch up tomorrow. Here's today's prayer:

Day 13: Ya Allah, tonight I ask you to bless us with KNOWLEDGE. After seeing pictures like these, all I can say is SubhanAllah. There's so much we don't know and so much we have not seen. We are so tiny, a speck of dust in space, if even that, yet we act so haughty and so mighty.. even though we will never create anything as magnificent as this. Ya Azim, give the knowledge to understand how magnificent you are. Ya Alim, give us academic knowledge to succeed in our careers, street knowledge to survive the world, common sense knowledge to be courteous and proper to others, and spiritual knowledge so we may live our lives as you have instructed, so that we may enter heaven easily. Ameen.

Day 3 - 12

Since I was a bit caught up in things, I wasn't able to post up the last few prayers so here they are:

Day 3: Ya Muhyi! I cannot thank you enough for getting me through another year, without harm and hardship that many around me has and is going through. Thank you for keeping me and those who I know healthy and happy. Ya Mughith, please continue to watch over me, my family, my friends and those reading this. Grant us success in all we do and lead us to a path to a better, healtheir, wiser and richer life. Bless those who remembered me on my birthday and bless those that didnt. Most importantly, bless our mothers and fathers for all they do and all that they put up with. We would not be where we are if it werent for them. Bless them with long, healthly life and easy years as they grow older. Help us remember all that they did for us when we were young and helpless so we too may take care of them with the same love and attention. Ameen.

Day 4: Ya Allah, bless me, my friends, family and those who are reading this, with STRENGTH. Provide us with physical strength so we may take on our daily struggles without fatigue, mental strength so we may overcome the many obstacles we face, emotional strength so we may learn to work through daily trials of our lives. And most importantly, especially in this blessed month of Ramadan, give us spiritual strength so we may get closer to our Creator. Ya Hamid, we are weak and easily fall prey to Shaytan and his tricks. Give us strength so we may avoid his temptations. Give us the strength to fight evil and strengthen our faith. Help us become the kind of person that would be granted a sure access to heaven. Ameen.

Day 5: Ya Allah, bless this whole world and its inhabitants with PEACE. During a time when hate has become the norm and cold hearts have become the fashion, open everyone's heart to be more understanding and accepting, more sympathetic and caring. There is anger in everyone's mind and sorrow in everyone's heart that fuels such feelings of hate. Ya Salam, shower this world with peace and ease of mind. Stop such destruction caused by mankind and help us stop killing each other, the animals around us and the environment we live in. Take away all the hate, all the misunderstandings, all the ill wishes we harbor in our hearts. Bless us with peace of mind, peace of heart and peace of our soul. Ameen.

Day 6: Ya Allah, help me, my friends, family and those who are reading this, get rid of the disease called JEALOUSY. This disease that lives within us is one of the most evil and destructive one that exists. It causes unhappiness for the ones who are afflicted with it and ruins the lives, relationships, and faith for those who are around the ones with the disease. Our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) has warned us, "Beware of jealousy, for verily it destroys good deeds the way fire destroys wood." [Abu Dawood]. If we are to be jealous, let us be jealous of the good others do so we may strive to be just as good to please our Creator. Ya Qahhar, help us follow our Prophet's (S.A.W) advice: "Do not look to those above you. Look to those below you, as it will more likely remind you of Allah's favors bestowed on you." [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]." Ameen.

Day 7: Ya Allah, in light of recent events, I pray for everyone's GOOD HEALTH. Last two weeks I've heard of more than five deaths and the last few months, had few health difficulties within my family. Ya Muqit, keep us healthy and strong so we may continue to serve you. Ya Mu'id, those of us who are suffering from illness or know anyone who is, give them a speedy recovery so they can witness how merciful and benevolent you are. For the elderly and weak, give them strength and ease their pain. And for those who have passed on, Ya Adl, forgive their sins and decrease their time in hell fire. Allow them, as well as ourselves, access to Jannat-ul- Firdous (highest heaven). Ameen

Day 8: Ya Allah, during Ramadan, I see so many people renew their faith in you and try so hard to please you and become closer to you. They not only wake up in the AM to eat, but also to pray on time and eat as a family. They come to the masjid to pray as one big community, break fast together and make new friends. People are kinder, more generous, more patient and friendlier. Many go out of their way to help the poor or their neighbor. Many remember to abstain from sin and haram and go out of their way to do good deeds. Ya Mu'min, I pray that you keep this religious spirit alive in us even after this holy month. Let our current lifestyle become our daily habit for life. Ameen.

Day 9: Ya Allah, help me, my friends, family and those who are reading this, escape HELL FIRE. Oh Allah, we are human and weak. We make many mistakes, both intentionally and unintentionally. We fall into temptation and fool ourselves into thinking it's okay. We avoid thinking about our death and the consequences of our actions thinking we have many years left to live. Ya Hasib, guide us in the path to righteousness and forgive our sins. Help us realize that any moment could be our last. Ya Basit, I pray you lessen our punishment in our graves and in the afterlife. Ameen.

Day 10: Ya Allah, today I ask of you for the ABILITY TO FORGIVE. We get so caught up on people's mistake that we find it difficult to forgive others. We hold grudges and hold the anger for so long that it becomes unhealthy and our hearts become impure. In Hadith Qudsi, it is said that you have told our Prophet (S.A.W): “O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you” (Al-Tirmidhi). Ya Ghafur we wrong each other so many ways, we sin so much, we ignore so many of your commands yet you forgive and continue to protect us and guide us. Ya Mujib, please bring forgiveness in our hearts. Ameen.

Day 11: Ya Allah, tonight I ask for your help in avoiding ARROGANCE. There are many of us who believe we are better because we have what other's desire, whether it be riches, knowledge, deeds, color of our skin, etc. Ya Qahar, help us remember that pride is a characteristic of Iblis/Lucifer. It is pride that caused him to be thrown out of heaven. Help us remember that too much pride prevents one from admitting their mistakes, seeking or accepting advice or even face the truth. Help us heed our beloved Prophet's (S.A.W) warning, "He who has in his heart the weight of an atom of pride shall not enter Paradise" [Muslim]. Ameen.

Day 12: Ya Allah, tonight I pray for COURAGE. There are so many problems in this world that overwhelm us. For some it is having to deal with abuse, financial problems, health issues, or even something simple like a test. Ya Jalil, give us the courage to do what it is necessary to succeed in this world and the next. Ya Qawiyy, I especially ask for the courage for us to proudly express our love for you and for our religion. Due to tragic events there are many who hide who we are in fear of repercussion. As our Prophet (S.A.W.) has said, "Courage is standing firm to virtue when all around bend to the winds of change.” Ya Mani', guide us back to you and give us the courage to face this world proudly and defend you. Ameen.

Day 2

 Oh Allah, please guide me, my friends, my family and those who are reading this, to be NOT SO JUDGEMENTAL. We dont know what is going on with someone or what they have gone through. Allow us to realize that we should not feel as though are better than others for whatever our reasons may be. Only you, Ya Alim, Ya Basir, know and see all that was, that there is, that there will be and only you have the right to pass the kind of judge we foolish humans think we do. Ya Wadud, bless us with understanding hearts and open minds so we may live in peace with our fellow brothers and sisters, so we may be compassionate towards each other and come to accept our differences. Ameen.

I think thisnprayer is really important for me to remember... As much as I hate to admit it, there are many times that I either intentionally or unintentionally pass harsh judgement of others, as if I am without flaw. It's such a nasty habit. I dont always mean harm by it by even when I say judgemental things as a joke, I should realize that someone may take it seriously. Like the other day, I jokingly said, "prepare yourself, the seasonal Muslims are coming" right before ramadan started. The first day of fasting I found out that J isnt fasting because he didnt want to pretend like he cared. I caused a lot of damage because perphaps if I was more understandinf and didnt pass of such judgements and instead said emcouraging things, maybe he would have fasted. Who knows, maybe I might have embarassed someone else and they didnt do it because of me. How shameful of me. No matter what, omly Allah can accept or reject someone's prayer or fasting, whether they be from a religious person or someone who barely ever prayers. From now on, I'll try my best to not be so quick to say such things. Here's to becoming a better person, one mistake at a time.

-M

Day 1:

Allah, please grant me, my friends, family and those who are reading this PATIENCE. Please forgive us for the times we lost our patience for small matters and even when worldly matters try us, specially when it comes to our parents and the elderly. Ya Rahman, Ya Ghaffâr, Ya Muhaymin, we are flawed and need your guidance. We sin so much yet you forgive us. Bless us with patience so we, too, may follow the teachings of Prophet (SAW). Ameen.

I needed to pray for patience today after all that occurred with the first ten minutes of my awakening. I literally couldn't finish washing up or anything before I had to fly out the door to stop the situation from escalating even further than it had. Reflecting back on it, I realized that some of the moments that I remained calm and was patient enough to not join in on the shouting was the most effective. The times I lost it only made me lose control of the situation and myself. I hope Allah grants me my prayer because it seems the older I'm getting the less patient I am. I would love to go back to the super calm me from a few years ago..

-M