Ramadan Around The World #4: Tenacious and Tender, Tawakkul of A Woman 

This Ramadan we share with you a bird’s eye view of personal Muslim stories from across the globe. 

A UK-based Muslimah of Palestinian origin shares her struggles with fitting in, training as a gym instructor, making choices as a woman, and her undying faith in Allah.

Tawakkul. Trust in Allah.

When you put your full trust in Allah, nothing bothers you. Every bad thing said about you, every hurtful action towards you, you will just brush it off. Because of your trust in Allah.

You know, Allah is just and merciful and everyone will get what they deserve. But, you should also remember that Allah is most forgiving, and if you forgive, your reward lies with Allah.

وَجَزَٰٓؤُا۟ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا ۖ فَمَنْ عَفَا وَأَصْلَحَ فَأَجْرُهُۥ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

“The reward of the evil is the evil thereof, but whosoever forgives and makes amends, his reward is upon God.” 

[Surah Ash-Shuraa 42:40]

The first lockdown was life-changing. That episode of my life consisted of me making a change and to do this, I had to re-think the company I keep. I had to let go of things which are not in my control and naysayers who restricted me from reaching my potential. I focused on reconnecting with my Lord.

As women, we are often told to stay at home and avoid heavy weight lifting exercises because it makes us bulky. Supposedly, by doing so we cause more harm than good to ourselves. It deteriorates our physical and mental being. It is sunnah to take care of our physical being as our bodies have a right on us.

I was forcing friendships I never felt comfortable with. This affected my deen and had a massive impact on my mental health. If you are ever with people whom you do not relate to, leave.

For me, showing mercy to myself and my body was done through training and breaking stereotypes. It helped me physically and mentally; something which I could not imagine before. Even on days when I did not not feel like moving, I fit in a quick workout.

Be merciful towards yourself and do what is right for you. Renew your intentions, knowing that you are moving for the sake of Allah. The best advice I have ever received is that consistency is the key to change.

 

Be consistent in your prayers, your fasting, your seeking of knowledge and watch how your life becomes fruitful. Developing habits creates discipline and routine, and this will help you stay firm at your lowest times.

Ramadan helps me change the way I think. I become a lot more self-dependent as it strengthens my relationship with Allah. I start understanding my situation, look at life from a positive perspective and focus on my akhirah.

By the end of Ramadan, I feel like I have gained control over my wants and desires. My connection with Allah becomes stronger. My heart feels at ease and a feeling of tranquility overcomes everything I do. When I say farewell to this beloved month, Eid is a reward to mark the end of Ramadan.

I’ve rarely spent Ramadan in Palestine; however, this blessed month is just as special and rewarding anywhere in the world. My favourite part about Ramadan in the United Kingdom is the sense of community. It is a time when Muslims collectively make an effort to practise their deen and do more good. My days during Ramadan are spent preparing for iftar with family and friends.

My favourite thing about Eid is the sense of oneness, with Allah and the collective ummah. It’s a day when Muslims forget their differences and join together to celebrate. The mosques are packed for the Eid prayer. Gatherings at multiple houses and the streets are filled with joy. The whole ummah joins to collectively celebrate one big achievement we have all gone through together. Eid for me consists of calling my family back in Palestine and meeting up with friends to celebrate.

Being firm in your faith strengthens you in ways you could never comprehend. The power we hold when we have Allah on our side is limitless. Eventually, every challenge is surmountable. You feel safe and protected with Allah. During the first lockdown in the UK, the only thing that got me through was seeking refuge in Allah. I believed with all my heart that the difficulty I was facing would pass and that Allah’s plan was greater than mine. There is wisdom behind everything even if we cannot see it. Seeking refuge in Allah gives you strength.

About the Writer:
Uns Khatib is a Palestinian living in the United Kingdom. Currently, she is a social media influencer and full-time student. She aims to break the stereotype of hijabi women through her passion in fitness by showing the world that hijab does not limit a Muslimah from reaching her full potential.