It was such a beautiful trip. I was pretty anxious those first few days, but getting to travel and to be in such proximity to God and His Prophets with such wonderful people remains so memorable. I think I went back for umrah once more and since then, haven’t had a chance to be back. Hope you are well and Ramadan Mubarak!
A long post full of wisdom and hard learned lessons. Jazakallahukhair for sharing! The Ramadan reality with kids is probably going to be a very rude awakening when I get there iA. Baby steps, as you say. What's interesting is that the prophet himeself pbuh prayed taraweeh mostly at home. So you've been forced into following a sunnah! Wallahu a3lam.
And romans marching thru madinah is indeed pretty wild.
It is quite the awakening - I've had friends who sent their young kids to Islamic school primarily because of Ramadans, so that they (and their kids) can have the fullness of the experience, develop that attachment to the month, and enjoy the more flexible schedules especially around the last ten nights. In recent years I can't say I don't envy those choices at times; Ramadan is very different when fajr comes in at 6:44, the bus shows up at 6:54, and that's your morning. But alhamd, the converse -- it builds a certain strength, resilience, and forces younger Muslims to cultivate the confidence and assuredness to have to ask for accommodations (say, for prayer during practice). I believe that part is invaluable and in my experience there hasn't been a single coach, teacher or tutor who hasn't been thoughtful and reasonable in response.
That's amazing. It's not easy to ask and demand accommodation and equal access and so on, but as Muslims we must stand firm and proud and seek it out. Otherwise it won't happen. And yes, I think more often than not, people are reasonable. I know I create too much fear in my mind.
The affairs of a believer are always kheir, right? May Allah swt you and your family and your community. I'm honored to connect with someone like you through this space. Your struggles and triumphs motivate me, someone much younger, and provide me the reassurance that even if things don't go how I wish or plan, iA if I show up with resolve and sincerity, Allah swt will take care of me.
I have nothing but fond memories of that trip, alhamdulillah, and you did an amazing job leading it!
It was such a beautiful trip. I was pretty anxious those first few days, but getting to travel and to be in such proximity to God and His Prophets with such wonderful people remains so memorable. I think I went back for umrah once more and since then, haven’t had a chance to be back. Hope you are well and Ramadan Mubarak!
Ramadan Mubarak to you as well!
A long post full of wisdom and hard learned lessons. Jazakallahukhair for sharing! The Ramadan reality with kids is probably going to be a very rude awakening when I get there iA. Baby steps, as you say. What's interesting is that the prophet himeself pbuh prayed taraweeh mostly at home. So you've been forced into following a sunnah! Wallahu a3lam.
And romans marching thru madinah is indeed pretty wild.
It is quite the awakening - I've had friends who sent their young kids to Islamic school primarily because of Ramadans, so that they (and their kids) can have the fullness of the experience, develop that attachment to the month, and enjoy the more flexible schedules especially around the last ten nights. In recent years I can't say I don't envy those choices at times; Ramadan is very different when fajr comes in at 6:44, the bus shows up at 6:54, and that's your morning. But alhamd, the converse -- it builds a certain strength, resilience, and forces younger Muslims to cultivate the confidence and assuredness to have to ask for accommodations (say, for prayer during practice). I believe that part is invaluable and in my experience there hasn't been a single coach, teacher or tutor who hasn't been thoughtful and reasonable in response.
That's amazing. It's not easy to ask and demand accommodation and equal access and so on, but as Muslims we must stand firm and proud and seek it out. Otherwise it won't happen. And yes, I think more often than not, people are reasonable. I know I create too much fear in my mind.
The affairs of a believer are always kheir, right? May Allah swt you and your family and your community. I'm honored to connect with someone like you through this space. Your struggles and triumphs motivate me, someone much younger, and provide me the reassurance that even if things don't go how I wish or plan, iA if I show up with resolve and sincerity, Allah swt will take care of me.