How to Keep your Faith Glowing after Ramadan.
Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah, and in His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) including all obligations ordered by Islam) and do righteous good deeds, they are the best of creatures. Their reward with their Lord is Adn (Eden) Paradise (Gardens of Eternity), underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein forever, Allah Well-Pleased with them, and they with Him. That is for him who fears his Lord. — Qur’an 98[Al-Bayyinnah]:7–8
Among the signs of the last hour is the quickening of time. To me, this year’s Ramadan just passed by like the twinkling of an eye. Just yesterday, we were basking in the blissful tides of Ramadan. Today, the holy month has elapsed and many Muslims are struggling to be consistent with the goodness it had instilled. Often times, Muslims are left with either of two sighs after attaining spiritual heights; that of relief and the other of anguish. Those with a sigh of relief feel like a burden has been taken off their necks. The ones who return to smoking, intoxication and all evil ways fall under this category. On the other hand, the sigh of anguish is felt by the Muslim who knows he’s losing touch with his conscious state of piety. He’s missed the steady Qur’an recitation, the night prayers and daily thirst that assured reward.
Once Ramadan goes past, it’s arguably more difficult to sustain the practices adopted during Ramadan than practicing these things in Ramadan itself. However, we can’t deny this fact — the feeling of Ramadan is second to none. Hence, we should see Ramadan as a training ground for the rest of the year. That way, we are sure to retain some of its lessons and practices. Remember the objective of Ramadan is to attain piety as Allah said:
O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious — see V.2:2). — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:183
Here are a few tips to guide through sustainability:
- Be mindful of Allah: The fear of Allah is the highest wisdom one can attain. Allah is the Lord of Ramadan and the eleven other months. So what He has made lawful in Ramadan remains lawful through the year. And what He has forbidden in Ramadan is the same for the rest of the other month. Hence, be mindful of Allah as He is All-Seeing, All-Hearing and All-Knowing. If we put it behind our minds that Allah is watching us, then it will be easier for us to indulge in good and abstain from evil.
- Be mindful of your deeds: It’s easier to do good deeds in Ramadan. May be because everyone’s mindset is programmed that way by default. We give charity, feed the poor and hungry, abstain from falsehood and indulge in more good deeds. But what happens when Ramadan is gone? We find those deeds in extinct again. We should aspire to do more even out of Ramadan. So keep a balance by fasting the white days — 13th, 14th and 15th of the lunar month. The weekly Monday and Thursday fasting shouldn’t be neglected neither. Rise up in the last part of the night to establish prayer and always have time to read through the book of Allah.
3. Be mindful of your association: Allah’s Apostle peace be upon him admonished us in an authentic Hadith on the essence of good companionship. Here’s his analogy as postulated through a parable:
Abu Musa reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, the parable of a good friend and a bad friend is only that of a seller of musk and a blacksmith. The seller of musk will give you some perfume, you will buy some, or you will notice a good smell. As for the blacksmith, he will burn your clothes or you will notice a bad smell.” — (Muslim)
Always keep good companies as they will remind you of Allah, help you perform acts of worship and distant you from evil craving. In as much as you can, avoid seclusion, idleness and gatherings devoid of the remembrance of Allah. For in the remembrance of Allah doth hearts find rest.
4. Be mindful of your lifetime: The dead tells no story and soon we’d all be gone. The demise of Ali Banat is still fresh in our memories as he passed away just this concluded Ramadan. The life of this world is transient and deceitful like a fading shadow. Hence, the need to always remember our time is short so we need to invest it wisely. Once we are gone, our book of record closes except for a continuous charity. So while we live, there’s still hope and chance to plant some good seedlings that will grow beyond our grave.
5. Be mindful of shaytan: It’s no longer news that the shayateen are tied up in Ramadan. So it’s easier to understand why it’s some how hard for people to indulge in iniquities. Although, you may still find yourself disobeying Allah even in Ramadan. At that point, you should realize it’s your self desire and not shaytan. So be prepared for a year long battle against yourself and your desires. For the desire is one of the major causes for which a lot of people will be punished in the hereafter. Be careful of the whispering from the devil and let the fear of Allah be your guard.
The prophet peace be upon him said: “Fear Allah wherever you may be; follow up an evil deed with a good one for it will wipe it (the former) out, and relate with people in the best of manners.” [Al-Tirmidhi]
Finally, remember to follow up your Ramadan with six days fasting in the month of Sha’waal. This can be completed in bits or continuously. It’s recommended to complete the missed days of Ramadan before starting the Sha’waal days. The reward of which is like fasting for a whole year.
Allah’s Apostle peace be upon him also said: Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Sha’waal, it will be as if (s)he fasted for a year.
May Allah grant us steadfastness and keep us guided upon the straight path. Amin!
