It is January 20.
On the surface, it looks like any other Tuesday.
The world is still rushing, the emails are still piling up, and the noise of the daily grind hasn't stopped.
But if you are a believer, you’ve noticed it.
There is a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The morning air feels a little sharper. The nights feel like they are holding a secret. Your heart has started to beat to a different rhythm.
It’s a feeling you can’t quite explain to someone who doesn't fast, but you know exactly what it is. Ramadan is breathing down our necks.
The Scent of Hope
For a Muslim, the arrival of Ramadan is like the moment just before it rains after a long, dusty drought.
You can smell the change in the air before the first drop even hits the ground.
We are tired.
The last few months have been heavy. We’ve carried the weight of our sins, our worries about work, and the constant distraction of our phones.
We are spiritually thirsty.
The change you feel right now is the "scent" of mercy.
It’s the realization that in just 28 days, the doors of heaven will swing wide open.
The pressure to "succeed" in the dunya will pause, and the invitation to succeed in the Akhirah will begin.
Your Heart is Already Preparing
Have you noticed that you’ve started thinking about your prayers a bit more this week?
Or maybe you’ve looked at your Quran on the shelf and felt a small pang of guilt—or a spark of excitement?
That is your soul waking up.
Your body might be dreading the long days and the thirst, but your soul is already packing its bags. It is getting ready to go "home."
We spend eleven months of the year as tourists in a busy, loud world.
Ramadan is the only time we get to go back to who we really are.
The Quiet Before the Light
The next four weeks are a sacred window. It is the quiet before the light.
Don't ignore this feeling.
Don't let the "change in the air" pass you by while you focus only on grocery lists or meal prepping.
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When you feel that small spark of excitement today, say Alhamdulillah.
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When you look at the moon tonight, remember that it is shrinking so it can come back as the most important crescent of your year.
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When you feel tired of the world, remind yourself: The relief is almost here.
The air is changing because Allah is preparing the world for a feast of mercy.
You aren't just counting down the days; you are moving toward a version of yourself that you haven't seen in a long time.
Take a deep breath. The scent of the musk is getting stronger.
Ramadan is coming home.
