الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين
Brothers and sisters! A few days back, we bid farewell to the holy month of Ramadan. The fasting is finished; the nightly prayers are over; the group gatherings to break the fast have vanished. That special feeling we have in our heart; the one that keeps us going despite our hunger and thirst has gradually faded away. We can now eat and drink without having to fast and without restrictions on timings. But after Ramadan, how do we feel spiritually—strong or weak? After a whole month of rigorous training, do we feel boosted or is there a letdown? Has the spiritual high evaporated, leaving us to live with are our same old bad habits? Ramadan is supposed to increase our faith and God-consciousness.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آَمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be conscious of Allah.” (al-Baqarah, 2:183)
In another translation we have, “so that you may guard yourselves against evil.” Both the meanings are correct, for it is only through being mindful of Allah, that one can guard oneself against evil. The lessons learned and spiritual benefits gained during Ramadan are intended to carry over for the rest of the year. Yet very often, they do not. Is there anything we can do about it? Let me share with you a few ways in which we can try to keep the spirit of Ramadan alive and well throughout the rest of the year.
Keeping up the good habits: We should know that more than just denying oneself food and drink, the fast of Ramadan is somewhat like a boot camp. It is meant to train the believer to live the way he conducted himself during Ramadan even after it. Once Ramadan is over, the good manners and behavior instilled during Ramadan should continue. For instance, in Ramadan, we guarded our tongues, eyes and ears from speaking evil, watching evil, and hearing evil; why not continue to do so after Ramadan is over? We should continue to go to the mosque for congregational prayers. It is unbelievable to see the mosque, which used to be packed just a few days earlier to stand almost completely empty during Isha’, after Ramadan. If we can go to the mosque each day during Ramadan, why can’t we get there every day during the rest of the year.
Fasting throughout the year: Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory, but there are numerous other fasts that Muslims are encouraged to undertake throughout the year. For instance, the Prophet (SAW) encouraged Muslims to fast six days of the month of Shawwal, which follows the month Ramadan. The reward is equivalent to fasting the entire year. In a few months, the season of Hajj will begin, and those Muslims who do not perform the Hajj are encouraged to fast on the day of Arafat, when all the pilgrims will be standing on that plain of Arafat, and begging Allah for forgiveness. Ideally, Muslims should fast the first nine days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah. We are encouraged to fast on Ashura, the day that commemorates the emancipation of the children of Israel from the bondage of Firaun. The Prophet (SAW) used to fast every Monday and Thursday, and if one is able, he or she could follow this Sunnah. Whatever the number, we should try to fast outside of Ramadan to help keep the spirit of the month alive in our daily lives.
Tarawih prayers: During the month of Ramadan, we prayed Tarawih in congregation for a whole month and we enjoyed it. Why not keep the feeling and spirit of Ramadan alive by praying at least two rakahs in tahajjud, when others are asleep. This is also a good way to recite from the Qur’an whatever we have memorized from it.
Charity: Ramadan is also the month of charity. It is a potent reminder that there are millions of people around the world who go without food and drink involuntarily, out of sheer poverty. As a result, we are motivated to be more charitable during Ramadan. We should continue to be generous even when it is not Ramadan, always ready to donate a little bit of what we earn to help the poor and needy and in other noble causes.
Eating together: We often break our fasts together during Ramadan. We can try to keep alive this tradition of socialization even after Ramadan by having monthly or weekly gatherings as we have here at AMDA through our monthly family dinner events or our weekly khatiras.
For Muslims, the month of Ramadan is the most wonderful time of the year. The blessings and beauties of this month are boundless, and even though after Ramadan, we can indulge in having our favorite food and beverages during any time of the day or night, yet we always feel a tinge of sadness when Ramadan is over. May Allah (SWT) help us and give us the tawfiq to keep the spirit of the month alive and well throughout the rest of the year and beyond.
أَقُولُ قَوْلِي هَذَا وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ وَلِسَائِرِ المُسْلِمينَ وَالمُسْلِمَاتْ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهْ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
وصل الله عَلَى خيرِ خَلقه مُحمَّدٍ وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين- بِرَحْمَتِكَ يا أرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِين
