Ramadan's over... so what now?

Adapted from "Wa maadha ba'da Ramadaan"

By DarAl-Watan Contributed by Sister Zuleikha Karim

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire... Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the God-fearing?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfils the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire? Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What have we gained from Ramadan? Ramadan is a school of Iman and a 'chance to recharge one's spiritual batteries' -to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year... For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah. "... Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves... "(Surah 13 Ar-Ra'd, Ayah 11)

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling it apart thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person? Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favoured with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1 - Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2 - Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favours, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favours and absence of gratitude.

These are signs of one's deeds not being accepted. For one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of 'Bid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah. " ...Andremember when your Lord proclaimed, 'Ifyou are grateful, Iwillsurely increase you [in favour]... '" {Surah 14 Ibrahim, Ayah 7) Increase your faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said."And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainly [i.e. death]. " (Surah 15 AI-Hijr, Ayah 99)

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Shariah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee'ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta'ala said, "So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] andihose who have turned back wilhyoit [to Allah]... " (Surah HHud,Ayah H2)And, " ...So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness... "(Surah41Fussilat,Ayah6)And the Prophet, (SAW), said, "Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast." (Muslim)

- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of 'Aashura and 'Arafat, and others.

- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. "They used to sleep but little by night. " (Surah 51 Adh-Dhaariyaat, Ayah 17)

- If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other doors open to charity and voluntary actions.

- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times. Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so beware of laziness.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you will meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. "O Allah, Turner of hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen."

We ask Allah to accept from us our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord . . . Ameen    MORE>>>