By Shaykh Tauqeer Shah | Published on April 13th, 2024

It’s always a sad feeling every year when the Month of Ramadan passes by. We experience sadness because Ramadan has ended with all its Blessings, Rahmah and Mercy. With the late night Taraweeh, Duas and Qiyaams and with community Iftaars, family events and so much more that fills our hearts with joy, contentment and that spiritual upliftment and increase in our Imaan in Ramadan. But just like that, we also get over it very soon and move on. So this year, let’s try to keep the spirit of Ramadan alive among us. Let us first see the Hadith of the Prophet PBUH that talks about the increase and decrease of faith and then go over some ways through which we can retain some aspects of Ramadan and keep the momentum alive.

عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ الأُسَيِّدِيِّ، قَالَ – وَكَانَ مِنْ كُتَّابِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ – لَقِيَنِي أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَقَالَ كَيْفَ أَنْتَ يَا حَنْظَلَةُ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَافَقَ حَنْظَلَةُ قَالَ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ مَا تَقُولُ قَالَ قُلْتُ نَكُونُ عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُذَكِّرُنَا بِالنَّارِ وَالْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى كَأَنَّا رَأْىَ عَيْنٍ فَإِذَا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَافَسْنَا الأَزْوَاجَ وَالأَوْلاَدَ وَالضَّيْعَاتِ فَنَسِينَا كَثِيرًا قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فَوَاللَّهِ إِنَّا لَنَلْقَى مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏.‏ فَانْطَلَقْتُ أَنَا وَأَبُو بَكْرٍ حَتَّى دَخَلْنَا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْتُ نَافَقَ حَنْظَلَةُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ وَمَا ذَاكَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ نَكُونُ عِنْدَكَ تُذَكِّرُنَا بِالنَّارِ وَالْجَنَّةِ حَتَّى كَأَنَّا رَأْىَ عَيْنٍ فَإِذَا خَرَجْنَا مِنْ عِنْدِكَ عَافَسْنَا الأَزْوَاجَ وَالأَوْلاَدَ وَالضَّيْعَاتِ نَسِينَا كَثِيرًا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ إِنْ لَوْ تَدُومُونَ عَلَى مَا تَكُونُونَ عِنْدِي وَفِي الذِّكْرِ لَصَافَحَتْكُمُ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ عَلَى فُرُشِكُمْ وَفِي طُرُقِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَا حَنْظَلَةُ سَاعَةً وَسَاعَةً ‏”‏ ‏.‏ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ ‏.‏

Hanzala Usayyidi, who was amongst the scribes of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ). reported:

I met Abu Bakr. He said: Who are you? He (Hanzala) said: Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. He (Abu Bakr) said: Hallowed be Allah, what are you saying? Thereupon he said: I say that when we are in the company of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) we ponder over Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our very eyes and when we are away from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) we attend to our wives, our children, our business; most of these things (pertaining to After-life) slip out of our minds. Abu Bakr said: By Allah, I also experience the same. So I and Abu Bakr went to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said to him: Allah’s Messenger, Hanzala has turned to be a hypocrite. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: What has happened to you? I said: Allah’s Messenger, when we are in your company, we are reminded of Hell-Fire and Paradise as if we are seeing them with our own eyes, but whenever we go away from you and attend to our wives, children and business, much of these things go out of our minds. Thereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: By Him in Whose Hand is my life, if your state of mind remains the same as it is in my presence and you are always busy in remembrance (of Allah), the Angels will shake hands with you in your beds and in your paths but, Hanzala, time should be devoted (to the worldly affairs) and time (should be devoted to prayer and meditation). He (the Holy Prophet) said this thrice. (Sahih Muslim)

We learn that our Imaan increases and decreases when we are in a blessed environment and special seasons of Mercy. Ramadan is a very special month for Muslims and it’s normal to feel spiritually low after Ramadan. It is important to make a plan to keep up with the momentum of Ramadan. We also learn from this Hadith the importance of keeping good company and staying away from bad associations, company and sins. When we are in a good environment, it has a positive impact on us. Similarly, when we are in a bad environment and company that also has an impact on us. Keeping good company and staying in a good environment will nurture our hearts and soul and help us to maintain a positive momentum.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and many other scholars have stated that: Whoever obeys Allah (SWT) in Ibadaah and completed it, then among the signs that the worship is accepted is that he continues it afterwards. While among the signs that the worship is rejected, is that after performing the worship, he followed it with an act of transgression. (Lata’if al-Ma’arif) Continuing to fast even after the month of Ramadan has ended is a sign that the fasting of Ramadan was  accepted. When Allah (SWT) accepts the worship of a person, HE the All-Mighty would guide him to continue doing good.

Let us explore some options that can help us to maintain the spirit of Ramadan alive in some ways. Although, there are many ways but we will just focus on five ways:

1. Continuity and Consistency is Key. Allah (SWT) loves the actions that are consistent even if they are small. The Prophet (PBUH said:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ “‏ سَدِّدُوا وَقَارِبُوا، وَاعْلَمُوا أَنْ لَنْ يُدْخِلَ أَحَدَكُمْ عَمَلُهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَنَّ أَحَبَّ الأَعْمَالِ أَدْوَمُهَا إِلَى اللَّهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّ ‏”‏

Narrated by Aisha (RA):

Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “Do good deeds properly, sincerely and moderately and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

In the month of Ramadan, we were engaged in extensive Ibaadah, Prayers and Duas. Our goal should be to maintain some portion of that after the month of Ramadan has ended. Starting with the fasting, if we missed some fasts of Ramadan, we should not delay in making up for them. Allah (SWT) says:

فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ ٱلشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍۢ فَعِدَّةٌۭ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ

Meaning: “So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month (Ramadan), let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days.” (Surah Al Baqarah, 2:185)

Furthermore, reviving the Sunnah of fasting the ten days of Shawwal. The Prophet (PBUH) said:

وَعَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ اَلْأَنْصَارِيِّ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- أَنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-قَالَ: { مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ, ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ اَلدَّهْرِ

Narrated by Abu Aiyub Al-Ansari (RA) that The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year.” (Sahih Muslim)

Apart from fasting the six days of Shawwal, we should try to maintain the habit of fasting voluntarily/sunnah fasting outside of Ramadan. It is recommended to keep voluntary fasting throughout the year as much as we can. This includes, the fasting in Dhul Hijjah, the fasting on Arafah Day, the fasting in Ashura and the fasting on the days of Ayyam al-Beed (white days: 13, 14 and 15 of the lunar month) and fasting on Monday and Thursday each week.

2. Prioritizing Prayers and Keeping up with it: In the Month of Ramadan, we spent hours in Taraweeh, Qiyaams and special/optional prayers. We should set a goal to continue with at least some portion of it. Most importantly, one should prioritize at the least on offering the obligatory Prayers on-time and not miss it. Make it a habit to pray wherever you are, when it’s time for Salah, pray right away and do not delay. Apart from this, we should try our best to offer a few prayers in the Masjid with the congregation. Additionally, one should try to establish the habit of offering the Sunnah and Nafil Prayers with every Salah. It doesn’t take long and it is very easy to revive this sunnah specially after Ramadan since we are already in the habit of praying.

3. Clinging to the House of Allah/Masajids: During the month of Ramadan, we spent an ample amount of time in Masajids, so one should try to maintain some type of association with the house of Allah. Masajids are the most  sacred places on earth that gives us peace and sukoon. The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that the person whose heart is attached to the Masjid will be under the shade of the throne of Allah on the Day of Judgement.

وعنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله ، صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏‏”‏سبعة يظلهم الله في ظله يوم لا ظل إلا ظله‏:‏ إمام عادل، وشاب نشأ في عبادة الله ، ورجل قلبه معلق في المساجد، ورجلان تحابا في الله، اجتمعا عليه، وتفرقا عليه، ورجل دعته امرأة ذات منصب وجمال، فقال‏:‏ إنى أخاف الله، ورجل تصدق بصدقة فأخفاها حتى لا تعلم شماله ما تنفق يمينه، ورجل ذكر الله خالياً ففاضت عيناه” ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA):

Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Seven people Allah will give them His Shade on the Day when there would be no shade but the Shade of His Throne (i.e., on the Day of Resurrection): And they are: a just ruler; a youth who grew up with the worship of Allah; a person whose heart is attached to the mosques, two men who love and meet each other and depart from each other for the sake of Allah; a man whom an extremely beautiful woman seduces (for illicit relation), but he (rejects this offer and) says: ‘I fear Allah’; a man who gives in charity and conceals it (to such an extent) that the left hand does not know what the right has given; and a man who remembers Allah in solitude and his eyes become tearful”. ( Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)

4. Set a goal for the Qur’an: The month of Ramdan is the month of Qur’an and we spent a lot of time in Ramadan reading and listening to the book of Allah. Set a goal this year to maintain the habit of staying connected with the book of Allah. Whether it is reading a page everyday in the morning or evening with the translation or reading five pages a day after every Salah or completing a JUZZ once a month. Recitation of Qur’an has many virtues and blessings. After all, it is the book of Allah and the month of Ramadan is adorned with the Qur’an.

مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ كَعْبٍ الْقُرَظِيَّ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ مَسْعُودٍ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ مَنْ قَرَأَ حَرْفًا مِنْ كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فَلَهُ بِهِ حَسَنَةٌ وَالْحَسَنَةُ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا لاَ أَقُولُ الم حَرْفٌ وَلَكِنْ أَلِفٌ حَرْفٌ وَلاَمٌ حَرْفٌ وَمِيمٌ حَرْفٌ ‏”

Narrated by Muhammad bin Ka’b Al-Qurazi:

“I heard ‘Abdullah bin Mas’ud saying: ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “[Whoever recites a letter] from Allah’s Book, then he receives the reward from it, and the reward of ten the like of it. I do not say that Alif Lam Mim is a letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and Mim is a letter.” (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi)

5. Continue to give Sadaqah: Giving charity is a big part of Ramadan as all deeds are multiplied. Many Muslims utilize this time to take out the yearly Zakat and give in fundraisings to support our favorite organizations. Without a doubt, Ramadan is the best time to give charity and Prophet Muhammad PBUH was even more generous in giving during Ramadan. Set a goal this year to continue this beautiful habit of giving charity throughout the year. It can be every Friday at Jumuah Prayers or every other week on the 15th or the 30th of the month. Set a portion to give once a month so we can continue to receive Barakah and purification of our wealth. Charity also protects us from calamities as Prophet Muhammad PBUH said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Tirmidhi) Furthermore, the Prophet PBUH said:

 عَدِيَّ بْنَ حَاتِمٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ “‏ اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ ‏”‏‏.‏

Narrated by `Adi bin Hatim: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying:

“Save yourself from Hell-fire even by giving half a date-fruit in charity.” (Sahih al Bukhari)

Ramadan is the time when we are in our best state of Taqwa and Imaan so let us retain the good we did during Ramadan. Let us make the most out of this year’s Ramadan and continue with its momentum and spirit. Let us try to carry on the good habits and stay away from the bad ones after Ramadan. May Allah accept our Ibadah of Ramadan and allow us to benefit from it after it has ended. Ameen!