Hopes for this Ramadhan

I hope that Muslims will make the most out of these especially blessed 29/30 days...
to repent for all kind of wrong doings
to apologize and grant forgiveness to others
to increase all kind of ibadah and good deeds

I hope that Allah will make it easier for those in places experiencing summer to fast throughout the month.
The long day, the heat, the humidity...
I'll pray that Allah will make it easy for them
And that those who have it easy and still refuse to fast to learn a lesson or two from their Muslim counterparts in those countries experiencing hot sultry summer...
(yes Ju, you are in my prayer...)

I hope that Allah will grant those who have just learn to fast the strength and patience needed.
Be them small kids, new reverts or adult born Muslims who have just started to fast after failing to do so before this.
Let their start be a fruitful one that will lead them to be closer to Allah...
And I hope that there will be less born Muslims trying not to fast during this holy month and drift further away from Allah AlMighty...

I hope that those who are venturing into new areas - wearing tudung, trying to quit smoking, nibbling on food all the time - will be granted strength and self-discipline needed to keep continue doing the good things even after Ramadhan is over

I hope that there will be less Muslims who claim that they fast but missed the real significance of fasting in Ramadhan...
Like those who overspend at Pasar Ramadhan (PaRam) and waste a lot of food at the end of the day
Or like Muslims who 'fast' yet break her/his fast with alcohol
Or like that Muslim couple who asked in an Aunt Agony column, what is the 'kifarah' for an unmarried couple who fornicated during the day in Ramadhan
Or like those Muslim girls (tudung-clad or otherwise, but especially the tudung-clad ones) and their partners who continued all sort of 'ringan-ringan' activities despite not eating or drinking during the day
I pray that Allah will guide them to learn and understand the real meaning of fasting and not continuing getting simply thirst and hunger in their endeavour

I hope that all the great not-to-be-missed bargains in Ramadhan -
the night of 1000 months,
the super extra blessings,
the promised rewards in the hereafter
will entice all Muslims to do good and do better.
And that we will keep the momentum going even after Ramadhan leaves...

Ahlan wa sahlan wa marhaban ya Ramadhan