What happens after Ramadan? In a natural sense, we know that seasons change. There’s winter, spring, summer, and fall; similarly, we experience fluctuating phases in our spirituality.
When Ramadan ends, many of us are consumed with the innate fear that our spirituality may diminish, oftentimes accompanied by a sense of sadness to see Ramadan go.
We find ourselves asking, “Will we be here next year? Will we be granted another opportunity to enjoy this month with all its blessings? Will everything just go back to the way it was before Ramadan?”
More than just the requirement to fast, we long for Ramadan and all its beauty. We long for the spirit of togetherness, sharing, betterment and heightened spirituality to linger post-Ramadan.
Read Also: Dr. Brown Recounts His First Experience with Quran
Does Renewed Spirituality End with Ramadan?
No. There is no reason for us to stop whatever good habits we achieved or expanded upon during Ramadan.
Fact is, habits are hard to alter, and that’s why developing a good habit is really worth the struggle.
Some researchers claim we need just 21-days, while others assert establishing a good habit can take up to two months.
No one knows really, I guess. However, once you have fully implemented a newly established habit into practice, maintaining it does not generally require extended self-discipline.
We just spent many days polishing our act, so-to-speak, and trying in one way or another to improve upon the habit of making worship our number one priority.
If you want to keep good habits, you’ve got to make sure they remain part of your daily schedule.
Despite the different atmosphere outside the holy month, there remain countless ways to keep the Ramadan spirit alive.
Engaging in good deeds at all times is a character of upright people and acts of obedience do not have a specific time.
Through, the month of Ramadan worship is normally more than any other time. Yet, worshipping Allah the Almighty should not be restricted to Ramadan alone. There is no end to a believer’s worship until he dies.
Here are spiritual tools to help maintain our spiritual fitness in the face of so many challenges and distractions.
Offer Supplications
It was Allah the Almighty who gave us the strength and ability to keep the good habit in Ramadan, and only He can help us maintain it afterwards. Supplicate that you not only keep the habit, but that it is accepted.
“Oh transformer of hearts! Make my heart steadfast on your Deen.”
Shahr bin Haushab reported:
“I asked Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her), “O Mother of the Believers! Which supplication did the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) make frequently when he was in your house?”
She said that he (Peace be upon him) supplicated frequently this dua. (At-Tirmidhi)
Remember, no one is safe from misguidance. So remember to constantly ask Allah to keep you on the straight path.
Read and Learn to Recite Quran
The first step to maintaining momentum is to continue nurturing the relationship with the Qur’an. Maybe we can’t keep up the exact amount but we could try at least reading two pages a day.
`Abdullah Ibn `Amr Ibn Al-`As (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The one who is devoted to the Qur’an will be told on the Day of Resurrection: Read and ascend (in ranks). Recite as you used to recite when you were in the first life (dunia). Your rank will be at the last verse (ayah) you recite.” (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
Fast
The main difference that distinguishes Ramadan from other months is fasting. Without doubt fasting is beneficial for both our spiritual and physical well being.
Make fasting a routine throughout the rest of the year. Why not start with the 6 recommended days in Shawwal?
Hadith tells us of the great reward for fasting in Shawwal:
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he had fasted the year through.“(Muslim)
It is also highly recommended to fast on Mondays and Thursdays when our deeds are offered to Allah the Almighty.
Charity
Ramadan always brings out the best in people. Continue to give to those less fortunate just as you did during the blessed month. The needy exist year-round and charity benefits both the person who gives and the one who receives.
It’s not how much you give but how you give. The summer months are here; buy a cold bottle of water and hand it over with humility. Remember, it could have been us performing that tiring, menial job. Give anything. Just give. You will be abundantly rewarded.
Allah the Almighty says:
{O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession.} (Al-Baqarah 2:254)
Ramadan Fruits
During Ramadan we were, insha’Allah, able to attain piety. It was a time of renewal and re-establishment of our commitment to Allah the Almighty. Now is a crucial time to put it into practice all year round. Bear in mind though, these actions should not be a burden, but done happily and readily.
{For such of them as do right and word off (evil), there is great reward.}
(Aal-`Imran 3:172)
Ramadan is Over
Remain consistent in the performance of good deeds and refrain from undesirable acts and words.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said
“The most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it is little.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Performing a devotional act of worship persistently and abidingly is the real worship. Obviously, it is not possible unless it is done with moderation, shunning both laxity and excess.
Whatever you were doing, keep it going even if it is less; the key is to stay connected. It doesn’t matter how little we are doing, what matters is that we continue to do something on a daily basis, so long as we continue to grow and maintain our closeness to Allah the Almighty.
The post One Week After Ramadan – Now What? appeared first on About Islam.
source https://aboutislam.net/shariah/refine-your-heart/tips-and-steps/ramadan-over-now-what/
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