Assalamualaikum warahmatullah my dear,

How are you? How are you feeling for Ramadan, the guest that might just be a few hours away from us now!

Initially I was planning on writing something about how to approach and plan for Ramadan. But subhanallah, I feel like there’s just so much beneficial content out there, I decided it was best I didn’t overload anyone with more prepping tips!

Instead, I wanted to talk about a really beautiful trend that started on Instagram recently. It’s a trend based on a poem by Jennae Cecelia called ‘I met my younger self for coffee.’ She writes about a conversation she has with her younger self. It’s a beautiful trend that has had people rewriting, remaking this poem into their own meetings with their younger self.

I’m not usually one for trends, but I found this one so heart warming. It was lovely reading different peoples conversations they would have with their younger self. The nostalgia, the warmth, the regrets. All of it.

Conversations ranging from the small things like changes to their clothing choices to the big things like family, work and dreams.

It made me reflect on what would happen if I was to meet my younger self for coffee. I sat with myself and wrote for (quite) a bit.

I wanted to share a small window into that conversation. (Don’t expect any poetry though, it’s just a brain dump!)

It’s crazy, Subhanallah.

I didnt realise how much had changed in the span of 10 years for myself, from my insecurities to my dreams to my worries, until I started writing this out.

But you know what’s crazier? And the real reason why I wanted to share this with you today.

Every single one of those crazy changes that happened to me over the past decade, that resulted in me having become nearly a completely different person can be traced back to a specific dua I wrote into my dua list for the past 10 years of Ramadan.

No kidding.

Every. single. change.

Subhanallah.

From wanting to feel more beautiful and confident in my appearance, to wanting to do something creative in life, to wanting to be guided about what to do in life.

Every single one of them were duas I asked to Allah over different years of Ramadan.

It’s crazy subhanallah.

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Dua Journaling

I’ve been an avid dua journaller for years now.

Every Ramadan, I would sit down and write out a list of duas I wanted to focus on for Ramadan and the rest of the year. Then when the next Ramadan comes around, I’d review my old dua list and edit it to create my new one.

The process of reviewing my old dua list was always a heartwarming one. Seeing yourself living the reality of a dua that was so fervently made months ago in Ramadan is honestly just beautiful.

I can’t recommend it enough!

And on top of that, imagine meeting your younger self 10 years from this Ramadan. Imagine getting to see the culmination of years and years of dua lists come to reality. 🥺

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Time for your dua journal!

The reason I really wanted to share this with you today was because I wanted to simply remind you that there is no time like Ramadan to dream big and to dream the impossible.

I wanted to give you a reason to get your Dua list ready for tonight or tomorrow, with the most insignificant and craziest duas you desperately want in life.

We will soon be gifted with 28 to 29 days of fasting, a time where all our duas will be answered -

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The supplications of three are not turned back: the supplication of a parent, the supplication of a fasting person, and the supplication of a traveler.”

Of a night, Laylatul Qadr, where our decree for the coming year is set.

Don’t let this gift on our doorstep go to waste. Please use it, and use it as much as you can.

Because remember Allah never tires of your Duas.

The beautiful Hadith where the Prophet (s) tells that every single dua will be accepted in one of 3 ways ends with this even more beautiful line where the sahabahs, once they hear that any dua will be accepted say -

The Prophet ﷺ replies to the sahabahs (companions) saying-

So make as much dua as you can.

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Dream big for more than you

And lastly, but most importantly, dream big for your own life but don’t forget to

• dream big for the Ummah suffering around the world

• dream big for your family and your friends

• dream big for your Next life, your Hereafter

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A small announcement

InshaAllah, I plan to take a break from writing these letters to you over Ramadan. I’ll be focusing on the Ramadan Quran Journaling Circle (tickets are closed now) and I want to give my full attention to that space for this month! I’ll be back here after Eid.

✨So I pray Allah grants you and your loved ones a blessed and accepted Ramadan. ✨

Salaamun alaykum my dear,

Until after Eid,
Thasneema 🌻

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