“O soul, get a little tired so that you can rest in al-Firdaws a lot…”

— Ibn Al-Jawzī رحمه الله | Al-Mawā’idh

Cloak yourselves with endurance and patience

By Allāh, the pleasures of this worldly life are sweet and tempting, but the sweetness in the hereafter are sweeter and everlasting. Therefore be mindful of Allāh, and He will be mindful of you. Whoever wants the ultimate victory and reward must show endurance and patience on the path that leads to such because whoever aspires to reach a lofty rank with Allāh will not achieve this without enduring the struggles that come with it and being patient with it. While our nafs inclines to the comforts of this world, we need to compel ourselves into obedience for His pleasure.

**Abū Muslim al-Khawlāni رحمه الله said:

Did the companions of Muhammad think that they would be the only ones who will be close to him? No, by Allāh, we will crowd around him with them so that they will know that there were men of ambition and will power who succeeded them!**

He used to say this whenever he spent the night in prayer and worship. If his feet grew tired he would strike them with his hand and say that.

So cloak yourselves with endurance and patience in these remaining few nights and strive in obedience to your Lord.

Having fear that one's deeds may not be accepted is more worrisome for a sincere person than enacting the deed itself. It is mentioned that this is a trait of integrity.

"I found those (who came before us) striving in righteous deeds, and then falling anxious upon completing them; wondering if they [the deeds] would be accepted from them or not." [Latā’if Al-Ma’ārif]
——
Al-Fudayl ibn ‘Iyād said,
“To know that Allāh has accepted from me (a deed) the weight of a grain is more dearer to me than the whole dunyā’ and everything in it. This is because Allāh said: “Allāh accepts only from the muttaqīn”(5:27) [Siyar A’lām Nubalā’]
تقبل الله طاعتكم

إِذۡ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا
“When he called out to his Lord in secret.”

He only made his supplication secretly because it is more beloved to Allāh.
—
Qatādah said regarding this āyah,
"Verily, Allāh knows the pious heart and he hears the hidden voice.” [Ibn Kathīr]

وَغَرَّتۡكُمُ ٱلۡأَمَانِىُّ

“…and you were deceived by your wishful thinking…” (Al-Hadīd:14)

Ibn ‘Abbās (رضي الله عنه) said:
This means: "You procrastinated, with regards to [doing] good deeds."

— Shu'b Al-Īmān | v.5, p. 462-463

A regret like no other

‎”No hour passes by us in which we didn’t engage in the remembrance of Allāh, except that on the day of judgement our hearts will be torn apart with grief and regret because of it.”

[Imām Al-Awzā’ī رحمه الله | Al-Hilyah]
———
“Every second of your life is precious. And more precious is every second of Ramadān.”

[Shaykh Ahmad Mūsā Jibrīl حفظه الله]

A comfort for the grieving hearts amidst the agonising trials and pains of this temporary life. Sufficient for you is the guidance of Allāh as a recompense.
وَمَن يُوْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ
“…and whosoever believes in Allāh, He guides his heart…”
“Whoever suffered an affliction and he knew that it occurred by Allāh’s judgement and decree, and he patiently abides, awaiting Allāh's reward, then Allāh guides his heart, and will compensate him for his loss in this life by granting guidance to his heart and certainty in faith.” [Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله]

“Surround yourself in this month in this time with those who you see are better than you. Take it as a competition. Wallahi it’s a race to Allāh.
وَفِى ذَٰلِكَ فَلۡيَتَنَافَسِ ٱلۡمُتَنَٰفِسُون
“So for this let the competitors compete.” Muhayb ibn al-Ward said, “If you can be first in the race to Allāh, be so!”

[Shaykh Ahmad Jibrīl حفظه الله |
Gems of Ramadān | Catch the breeze]———
"Life is short and virtues are many, so hurry to take advantage. Afterwards, resting will be long and happiness will be great. O soul, exert yourself a little bit in worship and you will relax a lot in the highest levels of Paradise!"