So many of you have told me Ramadan in quarantine was painful. You weren’t able to be with your family. You struggled with crippling, isolated depression. You couldn’t hold a community janaza or even bury your loved ones when someone you held dear more than the world itself passed away. Being indoors with small children at all hours stripped away your emotional ability to focus on anything extra. Working from home while fasting in the covid reality caused you to miss deadlines. You have told me you feel guilty because you look forward to Ramadan ending. I want you to remember that the Battle of Badr took place in Ramadan. Allah could have chosen to keep Ramadan as a month where all that historically happened in the time of the Prophet (p) was just fasting, praying, appropriately timed naps and Quran. But intense, physical, emotional pain, incredible loss, took place in Ramadan for him and his loved ones (s) And the joy of the unexpected victory was overshadowed by the news of the passing of his (s) beloved daughter Ruqayyah (r). And he (s) was not there with her when she (r) took her final breath. Out of Allah’s mercy to us, He showed us that even in the life of the most beloved (s), Ramadan included some of the most painful losses. And that reality doesn't take away from the mercy or blessings of this month, or the doors of heaven being wide open. If Ramadan was the Battle of Badr for you, remember it came with unexpected victory. Your victory is coming inshaAllah. We pray in both worlds. But if it's meant for the Hereafter, you’ll know that that was worth more than everything the world held in it combined. He saw your tears. He saw your regret. He saw your attempts to do better. He saw you give up in defeat. He saw your guilt. He saw your shame. He saw your hope. He appreciates every. single. effort you make for His sake. Don't rely on the smallness of your deeds, your personal insecurities- rely on the greatness of His mercy.