THE SUPERHABIT HERO
The month of abstinence is hurtling towards the new Gregorian year. And those with New Year’s resolutions should be delighted.
Many enter the new year sincerely wanting to cultivate good habits.
It’s common for people to want to kick off their new plans at the beginning of the week, month, or year. So, for those wired this way, Ramadan 2026 serves as an opportune booster to carry their annual goals deeper into the year, simply because most New Year’s resolutions wither and die in February. Luckily, Ramadan arrives mid-Feb to hopefully spur their resolutions all the way to New Year’s Eve.
Building good habits and foregoing bad ones requires a system.
I believe no better system other than Ramadan exists to help craft a better version of yourself.
Fasting is a superhabit, just like reading, though their natures are opposing. When you read, you consume, and when you fast, you refrain. And abstinence, the latter’s nature, is why fasting is so effective: ‘Accept whatever the Messenger gives you (Islam, beginning with ‘Iqra—Read!’), and abstain from whatever he forbids you. Be mindful of God’ [59:7].
One then realises that abstinence or temperance, not just from food and drink, is a superhabit, too.
We all have bad habits, too efficient at devouring our time. Not only will abstinence and taqwa, God consciousness and life’s best rudder, liberate you from them, but it will also create the time and a flourishing environment to install better ones.
We Love Ramadan
by: Zaahied Sallie, Nurah Tape-Sallie,
We Love Ramadan is a delightful tale about how the spirit of Ramadan captures the hearts of three siblings and sets them on a Ramadan adventure until the special day of Eid arrives!
THE BEST DRESSED
The Jamaicans say: ‘Skin your teeth, man.’
One of the easiest sunnan (traditions of the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him) observances is to smile.
The Prophet (s) was the best-dressed because he wore the best smile.
My occupation after Jumuah prayers is to search for smiles. Sadly, I don’t find many. And I wonder if it is because mosques lack inspirational and intellectual paragons who fail to lift our hearts. Or if fire and brimstone sermons are dispiriting. Or if people are just too stressed, unhappy, or uncharitable.
To the unsmiling, whatever the reasons are, remember the Prophet (s) said: ‘When you smile in your brother’s face, it counts to you as sadaqah‘ [Tirmidhiy].
I often hear the following refrain: “This country has no future.”
I agree. Life is tough. But with such an outlook, it will only get tougher.
Regardless of the state of affairs, the future belongs to God. So trust God, then be a Panglossian.
[pan-glos-ee-uhn] adjective: extremely optimistic despite ongoing hardship or adversity
“A Panglossian outlook finds the silver lining, even in the worst of situations. The word nods to a character from French literature who stays sunny in absurdly grim circumstances. Used today, Panglossian often highlights hope that borders on stubbornness.” Dictionary.com
Until next week, InshaAllah
P.S. Remember to write weekly to the President
Zaahied Sallie
Author of The Beloved Prophet – An Illustrated Biography in Rhyme
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