Remaining Steadfast After Ramadân

Sufyân ibn `Abdillâh radhiAllâhu `anhu said:

The hadîth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having îmân in
Allâh, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the
obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by
following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion without drifting away
from it, to the right or to the left.

If the Muslim lives through Ramadân and spent his days in fasting and his
nights in prayer and he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he
must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allâh at all times. This is
the true state of the slave, for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He
is ever watchful and witnessing over his servants at all times.

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadân and the rectification of one’s
statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit
from the month of Ramadân and striven in obedience. They are tokens of
reception and signs of success.

Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a
month and the beginning of another, rather they continue and extend until he
reaches death. Allâh says:

If the fasting of Ramadân comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary
fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in prayer
at night during Ramadân comes to an end, then indeed, the entire year is a
time for performing the night prayer. And if the Zakât-ul-Fitr comes to an
end, then there is still the Zakâh that is obligatory as well as the
voluntary charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting
the Qur’ân and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous
deed that is sought, for they can be done at all times. From the many
bounties that Allâh has bestowed upon his servants is that He has placed for
them many different types of righteous acts and provided many means for doing
good deeds. Therefore, the ardor and zeal of the Muslim must be constant and
he
must continue to remain in the service of his Lord.

It is unfortunate to find that some people perform worship by doing different
types of righteous deeds during Ramadân. They guard strictly upon their
five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur’ân a lot and they give
in charity from their wealth. But when Ramadân comes to an end, they grow
lazy in their worship Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations,
both generally, such as praying in
congregation, and specifically, such as praying the fajr prayer.

And they commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of prayers,
indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in parks,
especially on the day of `Î d. Obtaining help from these evils is only
through the grace of Allâh. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed
and destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation
and a sign of perdition. We ask Allâh for His safeguarding and protection.

Indeed, this type of people take the example of turning in repentance and
ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to
the month of Ramadân. And they stop doing these (good) acts when the month
stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of
Ramadân, and not out of fear of Allâh. How terrible is the state of these
people, who do not know Allâh, except in Ramadân!

Truly, the success that Allâh grants His servant lies in the fasting of
Ramadân. His assisting him to do that is a great favor, thus the calls for
the servant to be grateful to his Lord. This understanding can be found in
the statement of Allâh after completing the favor of the month of fasting:

The one who is grateful for having fasted, will remain upon that condition
and continue to perform righteous deeds.

Verily, the true way of the Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his
Lord for giving him the ability to fast and make qiyâm. His condition after
Ramadân is better than it was before Ramadân. He is more receptive to
obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to enforce the obligatory acts.
This is because he has gained benefit form this prominent institute of
learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for
indeed Allâh only accepts from those who fear Him.

The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their
deeds, hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would
be rejected. From the reports of `Alî,

`Â’ishah said:

So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained
guidance of going astray after persevering. And ask Allâh to provide you with
duration in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And
ask Allâh that He grant you a good end, so that He may accept our Ramadân
from us.

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