Maintaining the Momentum
Ramadan has bid us farewell yet again. May Allah ﷻ accept our fasting, prayers, and charitable acts. This sacred month has allowed us to practice mindfulness and spiritual nourishment as we untangle the many thoughts, emotions, and habits we have been distracted from attending. This month-long journey results in developing taqwa, which is an elevated bond humans possess with their Creator ﷻ.
As Allah ﷻ states, “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become God-conscious” (Quran 2:183).
This state of mind colors our thoughts, emotions, and actions following the completion of Ramadan. Every thought that enters our mind becomes subject to a process of filtering based on the love of pleasing Allah ﷻ and the fear of displeasing Him. We evaluate each feeling that enters our hearts and our actions.
How do we carry these models we established over a month for the remainder of the year? Here I discuss some ways to maintain the benefits of Ramadan throughout the year.
- Pray 5 Times a Day, Every Day: There is no doubt that obligatory prayers are an essential form of worship a Muslim engages in daily. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was reported to have said, “The first matter that the enslaved person will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad” (Sahih al-Jami). Each prayer serves as a mechanism of purification, expiating the sins which occurred before it as Allah ﷻ states, “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do” (Quran 29:45). It is essential to focus your efforts and energy on safeguarding this pillar of Islam throughout the year above all other matters. Everything else will follow bi’thinillah.
- Make Fasting a Habit: Much research is now pointing to the health benefits of fasting two days a week, as was the customary practice of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ each Monday and Thursday over 1400 years ago. In addition to physical health, fasting nafila promotes spiritual health. Think of each time you stopped stating something, looking at something, or doing something displeasing to Allah ﷻ during Ramadan because you were fasting. By a similar token, think of all the instances you felt encouraged to remember and be thankful to Allah, to gaze upon His Holy Book, and to do charitable acts because you were fasting. A great way to maintain this mindfulness is to make fasting a habit since it combines patience in obeying Allah and refraining from what He has prohibited. Also, fasting is a means of gaining an immense reward. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was reported to have said, “Every deed of the son of Adam will be multiplied between ten and seven hundred times. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, said: Except fasting. It is for Me, and I shall reward for it. He gives up his desires and food for My sake” (Muslim).
- Give…from Everything: If we fasted during the month of Ramadan sincerely, we should have developed a sense of gratitude, which is a great motivator to give. Giving Zakat is an obligatory pillar of Islam and is mentioned in the Quran almost every time obligatory prayers are mentioned. The practice of providing sadaqa is also encouraged and rewarded immensely. In addition to giving from our wealth, Ramadan teaches us to share our time and attention to what matters most. We refrain from immersing ourselves in conversations or on social media focused solely on what so and so ate today or wore today. Instead, Ramadan teaches us to connect with those whom Allah ﷻ will hold us accountable for on the Day of Judgment, such as our families. Allah ﷻ states, “And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring. And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.” (Quran 20:131-132). Volunteering at a local Masjid or a humanitarian organization is a great way to maintain our gratitude.
- Befriend the Quran: The relationship between Ramadan and the Quran is exemplified repeatedly within the Quran itself and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. As Allah ﷻ states, “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion” (2:185). The number of classes offered to a diverse range of learners specialized in Quran recitation, memorization, and Tafseer does not allow anyone to have an excuse not to have the Quran be a part of their daily living. There are no excuses for a person not to become a life-long student of the Quran in this age of accessibility. Make listening to the Quran a habit every morning on your way to school or work, as you would make it a habit to listen to other things. Enroll in a Quran class to learn how to recite or advance in your recitation. Attend a weekly halaqa to gain new understanding and wisdom of this miracle Allah ﷻ has bestowed upon the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.
- Make Dua’a: During Ramadan, we also become accustomed to making du’a’ and speaking to Allah ﷻ, especially during nightly prayers. This is a highly recommended form of worship to maintain throughout the year and serves as an act of humility and submission to our Creator ﷻ. Allah ﷻ states, “And your Lord says, “Call upon Me; I will respond to you.” Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible” (40:60). What greater promise can we receive from Allah ﷻ than the one illustrated in this verse? Learning and reciting the different supplications detailed in the Quran and Sunnah daily is a great habit, such as supplications upon waking, before sleeping, before eating, etc.
I pray that we can use these tools that Allah ﷻ has equipped us with during the month of Ramadan to maintain our spiritual momentum and productivity throughout the year.
By Sh. Jamal Said