Allah ﷻ says:
Verily, those who say: “our lord is Allah (alone)”, and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): “Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!” [Surah Fussilat, 41:30]
-"So stand you (Muhammad saw) firm and straight". [Surah Hud, 11:112]
"And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death)". [Surah Al-Hijr:99]•
In the hadith:
On the authority of Abu Amr who said: I said: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, tell me something about Islam which I could not ask anyone about it save you”. He ﷺ answered: “Say: I believe in Allah and then stand firm and steadfast.” [Sahih Muslim, no. 21, Arba’oon Nawawi]
The worship of Allah does not end by the ending of the season of worship but one should stay firm and steadfast until death comes as Allah Almighty commanded.
According to Ibn al-Qayyim, there are five conditions to achieve istiqamah (Being steadfast)
1. The act should be done for the sake of Allah (good intention)
2. It should be done on the basis of ‘ilm (knowledge).
3. Performing ibaadah should be in the same manner that they have been commanded.
4. To do it in the best way possible.
5. Restricting oneself to what is lawful while performing those deeds.
Our beloved prophet said: “The most beloved deed to Allah’s is the most regular and constant even though it were little.”
*So how to keep up the good habits after Ramadan and continue to be close to Allah.
-Fasting is a unique action because it is purely for Allah: we sacrifice our food, drink and more only for Allah’s sake and He will reward us for our sacrifice on the Day of Judgement.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ’Allah the Majestic and the Exalted, said, “Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it, for by the One in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the one who is fasting is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk”’. (Muslim)
There are many days throughout the year on which it is Sunnah to fast: Mondays and Thursdays, the three middle days of each lunar month (or ‘The Bright Days’), any six of the days of Shawwal (the month following Ramadan), and many more.
-The five prayers represent time taken out of our busy schedules to connect with Allah and renew our submission to Him. Now that Ramadan is over, don’t fall into old habits of delaying prayers, missing Fajr or not praying Sunnah; maintain discipline and give this second pillar of Islam the time it deserves.
-Ramadan is ultimately the month of celebrating the Qur’an and glorifying Allah for sending us this guidance.
"The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, a guidance for mankind…(He wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that which He has guided you (to); and perhaps you will be grateful". (Qur’an, 2:185)
Now that Ramadan is over, keep up the habit of reading Quran daily. This will keep our relationship with the Qur’an alive and will help us hold onto the spiritual feeling we experienced during Ramadan.
-Give Sadaqa: The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, ‘Sadaqah extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire’. (Sunan Ibn Majah)
-Always make Dua’a and repent and keep tongue busy with the remembrance of Allah.
May Allah make this Ramadan, a turning point in our life. It is worth mentioning about the sayings of salaf, regarding losing steadfastness after Ramadan.
بئس القوم لا يعرفون الله إلا في رمضان
Worst are those people who remember Allah (swt) in Ramadan alone.
May Allah make this Ramadan a turning point in our life.
يا مقلب القلوب ثبت قلبي على دينك
O turners of hearts, keep our hearts firm on your religion. [Sahih Muslim]
ربنا لا تزغ قلوبنا بعد اذ هديتنا و هب لنا من لد
نك رحمة
Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after you guided us, and grant us mercy from you. [Qur’an, Surah Aal-Imran, 3: 8]
