Waking up after Ramadan, Starting Anew
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
By
Maria Zain
It's the morning after Ramadan.
The Takbir in the distance croons the call for prayer.
Muslims hustle pass, together, gravitating towards the mosque.
How do you feel after the month of Ramadan?
That one sacred Month where Satan was shackled and the only thing stopping you
from committing to good deeds was your soul. And now, this morning after, how
are your good deeds rippling into your lives?
Scholars say that Eid is the acid test to Ramadan. Whatever happens on Eid,
how one behaves, how one arranges his thoughts, is a reflection on how Ramadan
had unfolded for him or her.
The ripple effect of good deeds vs. bad ones is also a telling sign as to how
Ramadan has changed a person. If a good deed is followed by another good deed,
this person is amongst those who have successfully committed themselves to
spiritual enlightenment throughout Ramadan. If a person commits a good deed,
followed by a bad deed, then it is telling sign that there is more work to be
done than to please God.
It is never too late to change one's route however, and for those who feel
that they have succeeded well throughout Ramadan, there is most certainly a
chance to continue on a good deed reel, even after Ramadan.
Here are a few tips to continue being the best of Muslims after waking up the
day of Ramadan.
Remember and Savor the Importance of the Fast
There is no time like Ramadan for a full fledge monthly fast, as that is the
pillar of Islam that requires us to commit to such an activity for the entire
month. However, the benefits of fasting trickle throughout the year.
It first starts with the six days of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan), at the
very earliest on the 2nd. day of the month. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon
him, said:
"Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days
fasting in Shawwal has done as if he has fast for life." (Muslim)
Following suit, there are opportunities to fast throughout the year:
"Fasting for three days in every month is equal to fasting forever." (Al-Bukhari
and Muslim)
It is also well known that Prophet Muhammad used to fast on Mondays and
Thursdays as that is when our deeds are presented to Allah (SWT).
This is the simplest way to experience the magic of the fast outside of
Ramadan.
Take Time to Perfect Your Prayer
Another integral part about Ramadan is prayer. This is mostly because of the
special Tarawih (Night prayer) as a Ramadan Sunnah. Praying Tarawih is always
a humbling experience as we only put our foreheads on the floor for God so
many times late at night. And sometimes it is during Ramadan that we also pay
more heed to our obligatory prayers. This is a good reminder that we should
pay more attention to perfecting our daily prayers every day.
Study the Sunnah of prayers. Are your movements correct? Are your recitations
correct? What could you do to achieve a higher focus? What could you do to add
to your merits (in accordance to the Sunnah)?
When we perform our prayers we are effectively asking for guidance, something
that should never cease from our invocations.
{Our Lord, do not cause our hearts to deviate after You have guided us; and
give us mercy from You; You are the Bestower.} (Al-Imran 3: 8)
Perfecting our prayers shows gratitude towards God, because on Judgment Day,
our prayers will be the first to be questioned.
Be in Constant Remembrance of the Day of Judgment
There is nothing more humbling that constantly remembering the Day of Judgment
for Muslims. The Day of Judgment is not hearsay; it has been fully recorded in
numerous Prophetic sayings in detail. Remembering the Day of Judgment is vital
throughout the year, even after Ramadan. During Ramadan we are more alert to
Islamic lectures, Islamic reminders, Quranic recitations – so sometimes we
forget the grandiosity of Judgment Day after the month has passed.
Constantly remembering the Day of Judgment automatically forces us to be
better Muslims, to be more conscientious of our deeds, to take more care in
our behavior and to be wiser in our speech.
{Every soul shall have a taste of death: And only on the Day of Judgment shall
you be paid your full recompense. Only he who is saved from the Fire and
admitted to the Garden will have succeeded. For the life of this world is but
goods of chattels of deception} (Al-Imran 3: 185)
A reminder of a temporary life is a good reminder that just like the month of
Ramadan that passes each year, our lives are also temporary. They pass.
So while we love Ramadan for all its blessings, we need to actively work on
our lives to have them showered with blessings as well. This is the only way
to attain Paradise, the most sought after resting abode in the Hereafter – and
to attain such pleasure would be to engage in good deeds.
Constantly Find Ways to Engage in Good Deeds
What deeds did you cultivate during Ramadan? Would you like to see more?
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, advised:
"The best of deeds is the one that is little but is consistent." (Al-Bukhari)
Keeping consistent in good habits, in good deeds, in helping others engage in
good deeds will pay benefit in the long run. So as Ramadan passes, keep in
mind this hadith so that all the charity you gave away during the sacred month
will not be in vain. All the kind words you uttered will continue throughout
the year. And all those supplications and dhikr (remembrance) will become
extremely light on the tongue.
Keep Good Company Who Can Remind You of Ramadan
Keeping good camaraderie who can enjoin in good and shun evil is often the key
to any successful day for a Muslim, whether during Ramadan or after Ramadan.
Good company would keep you abreast with good deeds. Good company would keep
the Quran in our hearts, accompany us to religious classes and remind us of
Ramadan throughout the year.
Besides that, good company helps dispel bad habits that we have tried to break
throughout Ramadan. While breaking these habits during Ramadan may be
possible, the true test surfaces after the month are over: can you really
continue on that route?
That's the best thing about keeping good friends, you share thoughts, so there
is a sense of camaraderie, just like the companions who advised each other
humbly and held on to each other for the sake of God.
Ramadan comes and goes. When it comes, it's normal for Muslims to go rushing
to perform good deeds to capitalize on the month. As it leaves, a little
sadness ensues, maybe a little concern.
After all, there is no month like the blessed Ramadan, where there is some
sort of safeguard to work on performing good deeds. But there are plans for
everyone even after Ramadan. It takes willpower and constant remembrance of
God to make that happen. It all starts the day after Ramadan.
Maria Zain is freelance writer by night and a homeschooling mother of four by
day. She currently writes for an assortment of publications but has a wish to
dedicate more of her time to charitable work, while championing the message of
Islam through her work.
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Team
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EsinIslam.Com
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