But now that the month is over, what next?
Certainly not what we are into! The main aim of fasting is to achieve taqwa (piety) as stated by Allah (SWT) in His glorious Qur'an, “O you who believe! Observing As-Sawm (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]
In defining taqwa, Umar ibn Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked Ubbay ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him), “What is the meaning of Taqwa?”
Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “O Amir ul Mu’minin, have you walked on a field that had a lot of thorny plants?”
Umar said, “Yes” Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “So what did you do?”
Umar replied, “I lifted up my clothes and I was very careful,”
Ubbay ibn Ka’ab said, “That is Taqwa.”
This makes the month of fasting a learning month. For those who are lucky enough to dedicate themselves to total devotion to Allah (SWT) with His help, they should uphold that devotion and make it a part of their lives. Just making an effort, will help our dedication. Allah (SWT) knows what we can do and also knows what is in our hearts. He sees our efforts, rewards us for them and help us to achieve what we intend to achieve.
Allah says,
"Do they not know, then, that God is aware of all that they would conceal as well as of all that they bring into the open?" [al-Baqarah 2:77]
"Say: "Whether you conceal what is in your hearts or bring it into the open, God knows it: for He knows all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth; and God has the power to will anything."[al-Imran 3:29]
Allah (SWT) also says,
Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Muhsinoon (good- doers). [An-Nahl 16:128]
Now that we have tried to achieve taqwa, how do we keep it? Starting something is usually not the problem, maintaining it, however is. To help us maintain what we have achieved during Ramadan, I have made a little list. May Allah (SWT) help our efforts.Ameen.
I know it is a lot easier to do some of these things in Ramadan, but with a little effort and prayer, Allah will help our struggle.
1. Maintain dhikr. This is the most important step to maintaining taqwa. Recall all the favors of Allah on you such as the air you breathe, the water you drink, the roof over your head and thank Allah for them.
2. Maintain Qur'anic revision. You don't have to read it completely in one month like you did in Ramadan. Read at your own convenience and complete it at your own time.
3. Keep away from sins. By avoiding sins, you are not only maintaing your taqwa, but also denying Shaytan Ar-rajim the chance to come close to you.
4. Perform Salaah on time. Ensure that you perform all the 5 daily prayers on time and with complete piety and concentration.
5. Maintain tahajjud. Try to wake up at night and pray. Night prayers are highly encouraged in Islam. Allah (SWT) says,
"[The (faithful) servants of the Merciful are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish one address them answer: Peace;] And who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing…" [Qur’an, 25: 63-64]
"They forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of what We have bestowed on them. No soul knows what is kept hid from them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do."[Qur’an, 32: 16-17]
6. Observe voluntary fast: The Prophet (SAW) has recommended fasting on Mondays and Thursdays and Ayyamut tashriq (i.e 13th, 14th, and 15th of each month). You can also fast 6 days of Shawwal, day of Arafat, and ashura days(i.e 9th, 10th, and 11th days of Muharram). You can follw this up here.
7. Hasten to do good deeds. No matter how little the deed, Allah will surely reward you for it.
The most important example for this is the hadith of a prostitute who was forgiven by simply giving a dog water to drink. (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 4, Book 54, Number 538)
Allah also says,
So whosoever does good equal to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), shall see it.[Az-Zalzalah 99:7]
While we are struggling to maintain this, we should keep in mind that Allah (SWT) has reserved His wrath upon all those who fail to abide by His rules, as He clearly states in His glorious Qur'an,
" Leave alone those who take their religion to be mere play and amusement, and are deceived by the life of this world. But proclaim (to them) this (truth): that every soul delivers itself to ruin by its own acts: it will find for itself no protector or intercessor except Allah: if it offered every ransom, (or reparation), none will be accepted: such is (the end of) those who deliver themselves to ruin by their own acts: they will have for drink (only) boiling water, and for punishment, one most grievous: for they persisted in rejecting Allah." [Al-An'am 6:70]
Alhamdulillah And May Allah SWT help us in our struggle to attain His pleasure, accept all our good deeds, and help us avoid Shaytan and His whispers.
Ameen Ya rabbul alamin.
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