O it’s a few days into Ramadan and people around you keep talking about how they love Ramadan. They love how they can focus and worship, they talk about how they love the feeling of the shayateen being chained, and they are just so…happy. And all you can think is, “I want to feel that!” You’ve read articles, listened to lectures, and tried to get yourself pumped up but it just isn’t there. You’re not “feeling” Ramadan. Maybe Ramadan didn’t start off like you planned. While it’s true that Ramadan is a time to focus, life doesn’t stop because it’s Ramadan. We still have our jobs and responsibilities but that doesn’t mean you can’t benefit. Life is stressful at times and things won’t suddenly become easier once Ramadan starts. Yes, the shayateen are chained but we still have to work on ourselves. I used to think that as soon as Ramadan came in, I would feel better. I would plan to officially sit down before Ramadan started and repent for all of my shortcomings and resolve to do better- start off on the right foot. And I would get my Ramadan goals in order. But despite doing all of that, something was still missing. I realized that Ramadan isn’t just about outside changes. You can read all the Quran and hadith, listen to all the lectures and read all the Ramadan articles, but it might not affect you. And when that happens, we need to look inside. You’ve heard that you can’t pour water into a dirty glass… Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When the believer commits sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the raan which Allah mentions in His Book: ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn’.” (Al-Tirmithi) So we need to polish and soften our hearts. Allah says, “Then your hearts became hardened after that, being like stones or even harder. For indeed, there are stones from which rivers burst forth, and there are some of them that split open and water comes out, and there are some of them that fall down for fear of Allah. And Allah is not unaware of what you do. (2:74) Maybe you have given up and wonder “what’s the point of fasting and praying if I can’t be a better Muslim?” Watch "Never Give Up Hope" by Nouman Ali Khan, if you feel this way. Or maybe there is something in your life right now that you don’t want to address. Maybe you know what you need to work on but you just don’t want to. Allah says, “Have you seen he who has taken as his god his [own] desire, and Allah has sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?” (45:23) Maybe you are not on good terms with another Muslim. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursday s, then every servant of Allah is granted forgiveness if he does not associate anything with Allah in worship. But the person in whose heart there is rancor against his Muslim brother, they will not be pardoned. It will be said about them, ‘Hold both of them until they reconcile.” (Muslim) Or maybe you’ve overloaded yourself with preparing for Ramadan and you felt overwhelmed and gave up before it even started. Whatever the cause, start correcting it now. Go back to the basics. Renew your intentions and remind yourself about what Ramadan is all about. Make specific, smaller goals and don’t feel sad if you got off to a slow start. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “May his nose be rubbed in the dust (an Arabic expression for humiliation) who fasts Ramadan and Ramadan ends without him being admitted into Jannah.” [al-Tirmidhi] Insha Allah, Let’s not let that be us! How did you get back in to “feeling” Ramadan? I’d love to see your suggestions in the comments section!