How to Remain Steadfast after Ramadan?

14/08/2013| IslamWeb

Dear brother/sister,

Let your example in Ramadan be like that of an infant who is put in an incubator to save his life and receive the necessary means of sustenance and survival. After ending the stay in the incubator, the baby comes out to the world to grow up, not to die and self-destruct.

Here are six means to continue observing good deeds after Ramadan:

1) Offering the five daily prayers especially Fajr (Dawn) prayer in congregation:

We proved to ourselves during Ramadan that we are capable of performing congregational prayers in the mosque and are able to pray Fajr prayers daily. So, let us observe the five daily prayers at the Masjid after Ramadan according to the best of our ability. If we cannot do so, then, we should perform these prayers at the beginning of their allocated time, besides performing the regular voluntary prayers. You should do your best not to abandon them and give Satan a chance to seize you. Be steadfast in this regard.

2) The Quran:

Do not be one of those who recite the Quran only during Ramadan. The Quran was revealed to be recited in Ramadan and at other times. In Ramadan, you were able to read a Juz’ (part), two Juz’s or three Juz’s every day and specified a time for doing so. So, try to specify a portion of the Quran to be recited daily even if it is just one page. Prove to Satan that you really have changed!

3) Remembering Allah The Almighty:

Do your best after Ramadan to regularly observe Athkaar (words of remembrance) in the morning and evening, while sleeping, going outside the home, and so on. You should utilize your spare time on your way to work by remembering Allah The Almighty.

4) Good Company

You should choose the company of those who help you to obey Allah The Almighty because birds of a feather flock together. On the Day of Resurrection, friends will turn into enemies except those who used to fear Allah The Almighty. Believers support each other like the bricks in a building. So, you should look for a friend who would warn you if you do evil and urge you to do good deeds. Just as you expect to benefit from a well-mannered, righteous friend, your friend expects the same from you to help him to perform acts of righteousness. So, intend to cultivate goodness in yourself to achieve what you want.

5) Supplication:

Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me} [Quran 2:186]
• {And your Lord Says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you."} [Quran 40:60]

Prophet Muhammad, , said: “Whoever does not supplicate Allah, Allah becomes angry with him.”

There are many verses and Hadeeths that mention the virtue and merit of supplication. So, be keen to supplicate Allah The Almighty after Ramadan. Do you not have a need after Ramadan? All of us are in need of  Allah The Almighty who is free of need and Praiseworthy. So, try to specify a time for daily supplication even if only for two minutes after any prayer or at the end of your day. It is important not to let a day pass without supplicating and beseeching Allah The Almighty. You should ask Him to make you steadfast on the path of obeying Him.

Besides, you should not deprive yourself from offering voluntary prayers at night even if for one day per week. Also, do not forget fasting, you should fast every Monday and Thursday and the three days in the middle of every Hijri month: 13^th, 14^th and 15^th.

You should choose the acts of obedience that you can do after Ramadan. However, it is important to make changes in your life for the better and to overcome your Self and Satan who enjoins you to do evil deeds.

6) Da‘wah to Allah:

It is one of the best contributing factors to remain steadfast on the right path after Ramadan. You should be concerned with your religion and work for it in order to practically prove the truthfulness of your repentance and returning to Allah The Almighty. When Allah The Almighty sees you working for His sake, be sure that He will make you firm on the right path by His will and power. As we said, He is The Appreciative Lord Who bestows favors by enabling good deeds and then gives reward for doing them.