- Dr Habeeb Haris
The higher you climb up the ladder of faith qualitatively; you should keep it, strengthen it and build upon it for higher steps.
With this attitude we will benefit from acts of worship, where all our gains accumulate until they reach the point that Allah is pleased with us.
It is unreasonable and a very big loss to go back to the usual, unacceptable life-style and behaviour one used to have before Ramadan, as this means that he did not improve, there are no accumulative gains - all gone when Ramadan is over. He cancels the accumulation of achievements in his life, as they become related and limited only to one month.
The true test lies in maintaining these hard-earned gains and to maintain and build up on all the goodness you had in Ramadan for the rest of the year.
Here's how to preserve the health and spiritual blessings of Ramadan:
Spiritual Blessings
1. Dua for acceptance of all the Worship done in Ramadan:
The Salaf used to pray to Allah for six months asking Him to cause them to reach Ramadan, and they used to call upon Him for six months asking Him to accept it from them. (Lataif al-Ma‘arif, p. 148)
2. Maintaining the Habit of Salah - both in Quantity and Quality:
The increased focus on prayer during Ramadan should not diminish afterward.
-Strive to pray on time all the 5 prayers.
-Fardh salah in Congregation. (Rewarded 27 times more)
-Continue to perform all Sunnah Salahs to maintain the spiritual connection.
-Pray Nawafil : Dhuha, Tahajjud, etc.
-Pray with full focus of the heart.
“Verily, a man may return from his prayer and nothing good is written for him but a tenth of his prayer, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a fourth, or a third, or a half.” [Sunan Abī Dāwūd 796 - Sahih]
“Remember death when you pray, for if a man remembers death when he prays, he will strive to make his prayer good. Pray the prayer of a man who does not think that he will ever pray another prayer, and beware of any matter that may require you to offer an apology.” [Ad-Daylami narrated in Musnad al-Firdaws; Classed as hasan by al-Haafiz and Albani].
3. Consistent Connection with the Qur'an:
Ramadan fosters a deeper relationship with the Qur'an. Dedicate time daily, even if it's a few verses, to reading, reflecting, and understanding its message. This practice keeps the spiritual heart alive.
Consider learning Tajweed / Tafsir with a good Aalim.
"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." [Muslim].
4. Cultivating Taqwa and Avoiding Sins:
Ramadan cultivates Taqwa (consciously avoiding sins). Carry this awareness into daily life, reflecting on actions and intentions. If someone returns to sins after Ramadan, it’s like destroying all the gains of the month and not utilising the ability of self control developed from fasting when the actual time comes.
Ka’b ibn Malik رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنه said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and he says to himself that he will return to sinful disobedience when Ramadan is over, his fasting is rejected.” [Laṭā’if al-Ma’ārif 1/222]
“Indeed, the most honorable among you in the sight of Allah is the one with the most Taqwa. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” [Surah Hujurat 49:13]
Adopt good company for attaining Taqwa
“O you who believe! Be careful of (your duty to) Allah and be with the true ones”. [Surah Taubah, 9:119]
Avoiding the Excessive Halal and the Doubtful:
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “The servant will not acquire the status of those with Taqwa until he abandons what is harmless out of fear of falling into that which is harmful.” [Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi]
5. Fasting Regularly:
While Ramadan's obligatory fast ends, consider observing voluntary fasts, such as those on Mondays and Thursdays, the Ayyam e Baidh, Ashura, Arafa and DhulHijja or the six days of Shawwal. This reinforces discipline and spiritual focus.
Nothing is similar to fasting in reward: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “You must fast, for there is nothing equal to it.” [Sunan al-Nasā’ī 2223 - Sahih]
Fasting for Tazkiya of qalb three days of every month:
Amr ibn Shurahbil reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Shall I tell you about what will rid the heart of impurities? Fasting three days of every month." (Sunan al-Nasai 2385 - Sahih li ghayrihi)
6. Dua and Istighfaar:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Du'a (supplication) is worship." [Abu Dawud]
"Whenever a Muslim supplicates Allah, He accepts his supplication or averts any similar kind of trouble from him until he prays for something sinful or something that may break the ties of kinship." Upon this someone of the Companions said: "Then we shall supplicate plenty." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Allah is more plentiful (in responding)." [Tirmidhi].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "If anyone constantly seeks pardon (from Allah), Allah will appoint for him a way out of every distress and a relief from every anxiety, and will provide sustenance for him from where he expects not." [Abu Dawud].
Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I ask Allah for forgiveness one hundred times a day.” [Muslim: 2702]
7. Taking some time out for Dhikr / Salawaat (Durood).
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The similitude of one who remembers his Rubb and one who does not remember Him, is like that of the living and the dead." [Bukhari and Muslim].
One of the Companions said, "O Messenger of Allah. There are many injunctions of Islam for me. So tell me something to which I may hold fast." He said, "Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah." [Tirmidhi - Hasan].
Aishah رضي الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to remember Allah at all times. [Muslim].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions which are the purest to your Rubb, which exalt you to the high ranks, which are more efficacious than spending gold and silver (in charity), and better for you than you should encounter your enemies whom you smite their necks and they smite your necks?" They said, "Certainly." He (ﷺ) said, "Remembrance of Allah the Exalted." [Tirmidhi - Sahih].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The people who will be nearest to me on the Day of Resurrection will be those who supplicate Allah more often for me." [Tirmidhi - Hasan].
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "May he be humiliated in whose presence mention is made of me and he does not supplicate for me." [Tirmidhi - Hasan].
We all need to have a regimen of daily Dhikr from the Sunnah Adhkaar which includes various Tasbihaat, Duas and Dhikr after every Salah and in morning and evening, Sunnah Duas for other routine actions, Durood, Istighfaar and regularly recited Surahs (Yaseen, Mulk, Waqia, Kahf on Juma, etc.)
8. Continuing Acts of Charity and Feeding the Poor:
Generosity is a hallmark of Ramadan. Make giving sadaqa a regular practice, whether through financial contributions, volunteering, or acts of kindness.
"Indeed charity extinguishes the Lord's anger and it protects against the evil death." [Tirmidhi]
“…Giving charity secretly extinguishes the Anger of Allah…”
[Al Mu’jamul Kabir of Imam Tabarani, Hadith: 8014. Refer: Targhib, vol. 2 pg. 30, Majma’uz Zawaid, vol. 3 pg. 115 and Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 618 - Hasan]
9. Good Akhlaaq/ behaviour.
"Nothing is placed on the Scale that is heavier than good character. Indeed the person with good character will have attained the rank of the person of fasting and prayer." [Tirmidhi: 2003 - Hasan]
The Messenger of Allah saws said, "I was sent to perfect good character." [Imam Bukhari’s Adab al Mufrad - Sahih]
The Taba-Taba’i Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak رحمه الله explained good character, and then he said: "It is a smiling face, doing one's best in good, and refraining from harm." [Tirmidhi 2005 - Sahih]
10. Acquiring Islamic Knowledge.
"Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge." [Muslim].
"The world, with all that it contains, is accursed except for the remembrance of Allah that which pleases Allah; and the religious scholars and seekers of knowledge." [Tirmidhi - Hasan].
Any way, our relationship with Allah the Almighty should not be limited to a certain time. All our gains must be cumulative, continuous and keep increasing in quality and quantity till we meet our Lord.
Preserving the Health Gains:
1. Avoid Over-eating:
Ramadan encourages mindful eating. Continue to prioritize whole, nutritious foods and avoid excessive consumption of processed foods and sugars.
Pay attention to portion control and maintain regular meal times.
“The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.” [Tirmidhī 2380 - Sahih]
2. Staying Hydrated:
Continue the habit of drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Limit sugary drinks and excessive caffeine.
3. Regular Exercise:
Incorporate regular physical activity into your routine.
Even moderate exercise, such as walking, can have significant health benefits.
“The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer” [Muslim]
4. Prioritizing Sleep:
Establish a consistent sleep schedule to ensure adequate rest.
Avoid late-night overindulgence in food or entertainment.
“The Prophet saws used to like to delay the 'Ishaa' prayer and he hated to sleep before it or talk after it”. (Bukhari).
“Staying up late is tiring and burdensome.” (Darimi, Tabarani, etc.)
“Staying up late is for one of three categories of people; those traveling, those praying the night prayers, or those on their wedding night.” (Abu Ya’la).
5. Mindful Living:
Continue the practice of self discipline that was learned during Ramadan.
Practice patience, and control of one’s anger.
Key Principles:
Consistency: Small, consistent actions are more effective than sporadic bursts of effort.
Moderation: Avoid extremes in all aspects of life.
Reflection: Regularly reflect on your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Community: Maintain connections with your community for support and encouragement.
By consciously integrating these practices into daily life, we can preserve the transformative blessings of Ramadan and continue to grow spiritually and physically throughout the year.
