THE MONTH OF FASTING - LESSONS DERIVED AFTER RAMADAN 1443 AH

 

THE MONTH OF FASTING - LESSONS DERIVED AFTER RAMADAN 1443 AH

ASSEMBLED BY MALLAM ABBA ABANA, KUBWA, ABUJA, NIGERIA

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Monday 1^st Shawwal 1443 AH or 2^nd May 2022 CE

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Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah. As-Salaam Alaikum WA-Rahmatullahi Wa-Barakatuhu.

Praise be to Allaah; we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (ﷺ) is His slave and Messenger.

PREAMBLE

Ramadan - taking lessons from it; is true school of transformation. So what happens after Ramadan? Real believers know that the noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners, but what will happen after it is gone, do Muslim continue performing the good deeds.

1.0 Shaitans’ Have Been Chained During Ramadan

However, the real Shaitan is inside you; if you are not strong believer? Don’t feel content that ‘SHAITANS’ have been chained during Ramadan, You are not aware ,the real one is moving freely inside yourself (the Qarin); Banish the malice, the greed, the hatred, and the rancor Turn them all into a stream, known as ‘love for humanity.’

Then you would say Satan is chained!!!!

(According to hadith of Prophet (ﷺ), at the sighting of Ramadhan moon, the most mischievous ‘shaitans’ are put under chains).

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious Jinns are put in chains and the door of hell are closed, none of them remains open. The doors of heaven are open and none of them remains closed. And a caller calls, ‘O the seeker of goodness, come forward and o the seeker of evil, desist. And Allah ﷻ has (many) who will be freed from Hell.’ This announcement is made every night. (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 618)

After Ramadan; is Shaitan released???

Ramadaan is one of the twelve Arabic months. It is a month which is venerated in the Islamic religion, and it is distinguished from the other months by a number of characteristics and virtues, including the following:

1 – Allaah has made fasting this month the fourth pillar of Islam, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:185]

and it was narrated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 8; Muslim, 16) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Islam is built on five (pillars): the testimony that there is no god except Allaah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah; establishing prayer; paying zakaah; fasting Ramadaan; and Hajj to the House (the Ka’bah).”

2 – Allaah revealed the Qur’aan in this month, as He says in the verse quoted above (interpretation of the meaning): “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)…” [Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah 2:185]

And Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”[Holy Quran Chapter al-Qadr 97:1]

3 – Allaah has made Laylat al-Qadr in this month, which is better than a thousand months, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”[ Holy Quran Chapter al-Qadar 97:1-5].

“We sent it (this Qur’aan) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan — the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]”[ Holy Quran Chapter al-Dukhaan 44:3].

Allaah has blessed Ramadaan with Laylat al-Qadr. Explaining the great status of this blessed night, Soorat al-Qadr was revealed, and there are many ahaadeeth which also speak of that, such as the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allaah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” Narrated by al-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, 8769. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 999.

And Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1910; Muslim, 760.

4 – Allaah has made fasting Ramadaan and spending its nights in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward a means of forgiveness of sins, as was proven in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 2014; Muslim, 760) from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” And al-Bukhaari (2008) and Muslim (174) also narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends the nights of Ramadaan in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

The Muslims are unanimously agreed that it is Sunnah to pray qiyaam at night in Ramadaan. Al-Nawawi said that what is meant by praying qiyaam in Ramadaan is to pray Taraweeh, i.e., one achieves what is meant by qiyaam by praying Taraaweeh.

5 – In this month, Allaah opens the gates of Paradise and closes the gates of Hell, and chains up the devils, as is stated in al-Saheehayn (al-Bukhaari, 1898; Muslim, 1079), from the hadeeth of Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When Ramadaan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are chained up.”

6 – Every night Allaah has people whom He redeems from the Fire. Imam Ahmad (5/256) narrated from the hadeeth of Abu Umaamah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “At every breaking of the fast, Allaah has people whom He redeems.” Al-Mundhiri said: there is nothing wrong with its isnaad; and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 987.

Al-Bazzaar (Kashf 962) narrated that Abu Sa’eed said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has people whom He redeems every day and night – i.e., in Ramadaan – and every Muslim every day and night has a prayer that is answered.”

7 – Fasting Ramadaan is a means of expiation for the sins committed since the previous Ramadaan, so long as one avoids major sins. It was proven in Saheeh Muslim (233) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, from one Jumu’ah to the next and from one Ramadaan to the next are expiation for (sins committed) in between, so long as you avoid major sins.”

8 – Fasting in Ramadaan is equivalent to fasting ten months, as is indicated by the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim (1164) narrated from Abu Ayyoob al-Ansaari: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan then follows it with six days of Shawwaal, it will be like fasting for a lifetime.” Ahmad (21906) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts Ramadaan, a month is like ten months, and fasting six days after al-Fitr will complete the year.”

9 – Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer, because of the report narrated by Abu Dawood (1370) and others from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever prays qiyaam with the imam until he finishes, it will be recorded for him that he spent the whole night in prayer.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Salaat al-Taraaweeh, p. 15

10 – ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj. Al-Bukhaari (1782) and Muslim (1256) narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a woman among the Ansaar, “What kept you from doing Hajj with us?” She said, “We only had two camels that we used for bringing water.” So her husband and son had gone for Hajj on one camel, and he left the other for them to use for bringing water.” He said, “When Ramadaan comes, go for ‘Umrah, for ‘Umrah in Ramadaan is equivalent to Hajj.” According to a report narrated by Muslim, “… is equivalent to doing Hajj with me.”

11 – It is Sunnah to observe i’tikaaf (retreat for the purpose of worship) in Ramadaan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) always did that, as it was narrated in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in i’tikaaf until he passed away, then his wives observed i’tikaaf after him.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1922; Muslim, 1172.

12 – It is mustahabb in the sense of being strongly recommended in Ramadaan to study the Qur’aan together and to read it a great deal. You may study the Qur’aan together by reciting it to someone else and by having someone else recite it to you. The evidence that this is mustahabb is the fact that Jibreel used to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) every night in Ramadaan and study the Qur’aan with him. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 6; Muslim, 2308. Reading Qur’aaan is mustahabb in general, but more so in Ramadaan.

13 – It is mustahabb in Ramadaan to offer iftaar to those who are fasting, because of the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Khaalid al-Juhani (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives iftaar to one who is fasting will have a reward like his, without that detracting from the fasting person’s reward in the slightest.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 807; Ibn Maajah, 1746; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 647.

2.0 The End Of Ramadan Reminds Us With The Closeness Of Death.

The end of Ramadan reminds us with the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ), “Live in this world like a stranger or a bye-passer”. And Ibn Omar used to say, “If you wake up, don’t wait for the evening, and if you reach the evening, don’t wait for the morning. Take advantage of your good health and your life”. (Al Bukhari).

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  also said, “My example in this life is just like a traveler who takes shelter under a tree and then leaves it and goes”.(Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim).

What is there after Ramadan? Do the lessons of Ramadan end with it, or continue after it? To answer this question, we shall briefly go over these lessons:

2.1 Fasting

We’ve learned from fasting how to soften our souls and break their desires and performing the concept of Uboodiyah to Allah ﷻ alone. The Prophet (ﷺ)  encouraged us to continue fasting six days during the month of Shawwal when he said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and he follows it with six days of Shawwal as if he fast the whole year” (Sahîh Muslim (1163)). It was the tradition of the Prophet (ﷺ) to fast Mondays, Thursdays, three days of each lunar moth, the day of Arafah, Ashourah and most of Sha’ban and Muharram.

2.2 Praying Taraweeh

Praying at night was the habit of the Prophet (ﷺ) all his life, and he used to encourage his followers to do so. He (ﷺ) said, “Do qiyam-ul-lail, the night prayer; it used to be the good deeds of the pious people before you. It draws you closer to your Lord, it causes your sins to be forgiven, and it causes you to avoid doing bad deeds” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad). Allah ﷻ describes his pious servants that “they used to sleep a little at night” in Surat Al-Sajdah.

 

2.3 The Recitation Of The Quran

Do not stop reading the Quran after Ramadan. We made reading the Quran, and spending a few minutes per day to recite or listen to it, a part of our daily schedule. Make this habit live longer than this one month so you can be amongst those whom Prophet Muhammad described, “Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions.” (Muslim).

2.4 Charity

Allah ﷻ says, “those who spend their wealth day and night, secretly and publicly, their reward is with their lord…’ (Holy Quran Chapter 2:274). The Prophet (ﷺ) was very generous, like wind loaded with rain. Remember that Allah ﷻ will compensate you for what you spend, and that spending is a sign of having Eeman. Spending from your wealth will benefit you in your life and in the hereafter. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When the son of Adam dies, his deeds will be terminated except in case of one of these three: a continual charity, or a beneficial knowledge, or a pious son who prays for his father. (Muslim).

2.5 Abandoning The Evil

Abandoning the evil and committing sins is a must in Ramadan and outside Ramadan. It is the deed of the people of true faith. There is no goodness in a Muslim who doesn’t do evil in Ramadan but as soon as Ramadan ends, he goes back to his evil deeds.

Knowing that Eid is an excellent chance to wash the hearts from hatred and bad feeling, the Prophet (ﷺ) says, “It’s not allowed for a Muslim to avoid his brother over three nights. They both meet, but this turns away and that turns away, and the best of them is the one who initiates Salam”. So be better than your brother and initiate the Salam (Bukhari).

I ask Allah ﷻ to bless you all, to accept our Ibadah, and to free us all from the hellfire.

3.0 Ramadan 1443 AH Has Just Left Us.

It ended with Eid ul-Fitr on Monday, but the useful lessons to be taken from it should remain with us every day of the year. If we do not take lessons from Ramadan and all that it signifies, then indeed we will be at loss. Every Ramadan that comes and passes by is like a month long boot camp in which we are reminded and in which we are trained. And there are many useful lessons to be taken from it.

Ramadan shows us the true potential of adopting a lifestyle that is closer to our Islamic ideals. Living the days and nights of this month with a reoriented focus and closeness to Allah ﷻ provides us a standard by which we can evaluate ourselves during other times of the year. None of us can deny that the month of Ramadan drives us to bond more strongly and meaningfully within our families, and engages us more positively with the activities of the Muslim communities at large. That's indeed something that we should hold on to even after Ramadan.

Let us not allow the fruits of Ramadan to be lost. If, during Ramadan, we were able to keep ourselves away from the lawful in obedience to Allah’s command, are we not able to keep ourselves away from the unlawful after Ramadan, out of that same submission to Allah ﷻ? One of the first and foremost lessons of Ramadan is one of attaining Taqwah, which is also the primary objective of fasting. The ayah 183 of Surat al-Baqarah says,

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ (١٨٣)

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.” (Holy Quran Chapter al-Baqarah, 2:183)

By Taqwah is meant a consciousness of Allah ﷻ; a sense of presence of Allah ﷻ; an awareness that Allah ﷻ is watching us; a state of mindfulness of Allah ﷻ that would make one a better individual. Taqwah is among the highest moral qualities that a Muslim can attain. This is achieved by being conscious of Allah ﷻ and His commandments at all times, which includes avoiding the prohibited as well as the undesirable.

Ali ibn Abu Talib (RA) defined Taqwah as being the fear of the Jaleel, acting upon the tanzeel, being content with qaleel and preparing for the day of raheel. In other words, taqwa has to do with fearing the most Glorious Allah ﷻ, acting upon the Qur'an, being content with little, and preparing for the journey from this world to the next.

Fear is an essential component of Taqwah. There are some people who argue that one should only love Allah ﷻ and not fear Allah ﷻ. This argument appears correct theoretically, but in fact it is not sound. Actually, fear of Allah ﷻ signifies the fear of the punishment that would come from the disobedience of Allah ﷻ. When we obey Allah ﷻ as He should be obeyed, and we keep repenting to Him and turning to Him, seeking His forgiveness for our lapses, then we have a hope in His infinite mercy. So, fear of Allah ﷻ and hope in Allah ﷻ are inseparable and they constitute the basic components of iman or true faith.

The phenomenon of weak faith (iman) has become very widespread among Muslims. One of the main reasons for weakness of faith and decline in our relationship with Allah ﷻ is spending too much time away from a faith-filled environment where people share their feelings and thoughts about being successful both in this life and in the hereafter. The believer is weak on his own but strong with his brothers in faith. Look at the circle of your friends. Do they remind you of Allah ﷻ or is peer pressure always distracting you from practicing Islam?

Once the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked, "What person can be the best friend?" And he replied, "He who helps you to remember Allah, and reminds you when you forget Him.” The Prophet (ﷺ) was further asked, "Who is the best among people?" And his reply was, "He who, when you look at him, you remember Allah". Such a friend reflects qualities of love, mercy, honesty, service, patience, optimism, and the entire lifestyle taught by Islam.

The next lesson of Ramadan is the constant practice to exercise patience (Sabr). Indeed, proper fasting requires patience. Patience is critical for success in life. In Surat al-‘Asr, Allah ﷻ describes all mankind to be in a state of loss except those who believe and do good and enjoin one another to truth, and enjoin one another to patience.

A further lesson is to escape from the desire to show off in order to seek praises from others. It is difficult to show off in Ramadan for a couple of good reasons. Salah, zakah, and hajj are open acts. Siyam or fasting, however, has to do with self-restraint, and is invisible. It is something that is internal. It is not seen externally. One can stare a person in the face and not know whether that person is fasting or not. This is an act which no one will know externally. Ramadan trains us to get rid of the disease of showing off.

Yet another lesson is getting rid of bukhl or stinginess, which means to hoard money and refuse to spend it on one’s family and the needy. This disease of the heart holds people from fulfilling their duties and recognizing the rights of others. Ramadan teaches us generosity. People are more generous in Ramadan than any other month. This attitude of generosity cultivated in Ramadan has to remain with us even after Ramadan.

One more lesson to take from Ramadan is the strengthening of one’s bond with Allah ﷻ. During the month of Ramadan, the various acts of worship are increased—both in quantity and quality. If we follow the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) regarding how to conduct ourselves in Ramadan, we should once we come out of this month be at a higher level than we were before we went into the month.

We are all aware that we are often unjust to ourselves in the sense that we often subject our bodies and souls to excesses. Fasting in Ramadan helps us to attain both physical and spiritual healing. The values and discipline we observe in Ramadan should help us make our worship encompass our whole life.

قُلۡ إِنَّ صَلَاتِى وَنُسُكِى وَمَحۡيَاىَ وَمَمَاتِى لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (١٦٢)

“Say, ‘My prayers and sacrifice, my life and death, are all for Allah, Lord of all the Worlds.” (Holy Quran Chapter al-An’am, 6:162)

A true Muslim’s complete life becomes a form of worship of Allah ﷻ. We find that we increase our interaction with the Qur’an more during Ramadan. In reading the Qur’an more, we are increasing our contact with the word of Allah ﷻ, and hence our bond with Allah ﷻ. The intention should be to read the Qur’an with the desire to gain from what Allah ﷻ has to say in the Qur’an. This will affect the way we think and the way we live. As true believers it’s now time for us to promise ourselves that we will not let the Qur’an that we read with such regularity during Ramadan to be closed up, and we will not let our mosques become empty. May Allah ﷻ bless us with the tawfiq to do so.

Another unique lesson derived from Ramadan is that change is possible. When we look at the state of Muslims today, and see them so far away from Islam, there seems to be hardly any hope for Muslims at all. The situation seems to be getting worse and worse. The only way for that situation to change is for the Muslims to change themselves.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ

“Allah does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves.” (Holy Quran Chapter Al-Ra’d, 13:11)

But, if we look at Ramadan carefully, we realize that it is possible for the change to take place. We can change for the better. However, it is going to involve struggle against ourselves; against the evil within ourselves and our community, and the society.

During Ramadan, we guard our tongue, our eyes and our ears from speaking evil, watching evil, and listening evil. Now after a whole month of rigorous training, we should not lie, we should not backbite or slander anyone, and we should not indulge in useless and unnecessary talk. We should refrain from watching anything that is undesirable, whether it is on the TV, on the internet, in the print media or otherwise. Frivolous activities may give us momentary pleasure but they do not carry us closer to Allah ﷻ; rather they take us far away from Allah ﷻ.

Remember our actions are being recorded every moment in our book of deeds by angels deputed for that purpose, and will be shown to us on the Day of Judgment. Remember that the time is very near, perhaps nearer than we can imagine, when each one of us has to bid farewell to this earthly life. There is still time to mend our ways, and seek the pleasure of the most merciful.

Let us resolve not to let Shaytan infiltrate our minds, our homes, our emotions, and our life decisions. Remember the fight against Shaytan must continue as he has declared war against us. What did he say to Allah ﷻ?

 قَالَ فَبِمَآ أَغۡوَيۡتَنِى لَأَقۡعُدَنَّ لَهُمۡ صِرَٲطَكَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِيمَ (١٦

“He said: ‘Now that You have sent me astray, I shall most certainly lie in ambush for them all along Your straight path.’”(Holy Quran Chapter al-A’raf, 7:16)

The purpose of struggling and striving in the cause of Allah ﷻ must reflect the lessons taught in Ramadan. Therefore, when Ramadan has come to an end, let us not lose this great blessing by thinking that it is over, and fall back to our careless ways. Let us take hold of this divine mercy and guidance, shape our lives around it, and become the type of human beings worthy of being called Muslims. The virtues and greatness of the month of Ramadan and the lessons to be learnt from it should never be underestimated.

May Allah ﷻ make us among those who are able to hold on to the lessons that Ramadan provides. May He make us among the people of taqwa may He accept our good deeds, forgive us, keep us safe and protected, both in this life and the next, and make us all enter into His jannah; Allahumma Ameen.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَأۡمُرُ بِٱلۡعَدۡلِ وَٱلۡإِحۡسَـٰنِ وَإِيتَآىِٕ ذِى ٱلۡقُرۡبَىٰ وَيَنۡهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَٱلۡمُنڪَرِ وَٱلۡبَغۡىِ‌ۚ يَعِظُكُمۡ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تَذَكَّرُونَ (٩٠)

“Surely Allah commands justice, good deeds and generosity to others and to relatives; and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, so that you may be reminded” (Holy Quran Chapter al-Nahl, 16:90).

 

4.0 True School Of Transformation

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners, but what will happen after it is gone, do Muslim continue performing the good deeds.

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, Taqwah, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

Have we fulfilled the requirements of Taqwah and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the God-Fearing?

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

5.0 - What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of imaan and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries'- to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'Azza Wa Jall.

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوۡمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنفُسِہِمۡ

{{"Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves."}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 13:11)

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of Taqwah, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thaub, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?!

Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1- Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the Masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2- Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `Eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `Azza Wa Jall.

وَإِذۡ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمۡ لَٮِٕن شَڪَرۡتُمۡ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَٮِٕن ڪَفَرۡتُمۡ إِنَّ عَذَابِى لَشَدِيدٌ۬ (٧)

{{"And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…"}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 14:7)

Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

وَٱعۡبُدۡ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأۡتِيَكَ ٱلۡيَقِينُ (٩٩)

{{"And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty [i.e. death]."}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 15:99)

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Shari'ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Shari'ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah `azza wa jall said:

فَٱسۡتَقِمۡ كَمَآ أُمِرۡتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلَا تَطۡغَوۡاْ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ۬ (١١٢)

{{"So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]."}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 11:112) And,

فَٱسۡتَقِيمُوٓاْ إِلَيۡهِ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرُوهُ‌ۗ (٦)

{{"So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness."}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 41:6)

And the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

{{"Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast."}} (Muslim)

- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

كَانُواْ قَلِيلاً۬ مِّنَ ٱلَّيۡلِ مَا يَہۡجَعُونَ (١٧)

{{"They used to sleep but little of the night."}} (Holy Quran Chapter, 51:17)

- If the charity in Ramadan and Zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brothers and sisters – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin.

"O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen"

 

6.0 Conclusion

Eid celebrations are dependent on Sighting of the Moon and may differ with each Region, however for ease of understanding in some countries it is celebrated on the same day as Saudi Arabia.

Yesterday, Muslims were waiting for Ramadan, however, today they are saying goodbye to it, as if this month were moments long. And as this month passed quickly, life does, and so people die and move to the hereafter.

The end of Ramadan reminds us with the closeness of death. The end of Ramadan reminds us with the saying of the Prophet (ﷺ), “Live in this world like a stranger or a bye-passer”.

Ibn Omar used to say, “If you wake up, don’t wait for the evening, and if you reach the evening, don’t wait for the morning. Take advantage of your good health and your life”. (Al Bukhari). 

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)  also said, “ My example in this life is just like a traveler who takes shelter under a tree and then leaves it and goes”.(Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim).

What is there after Ramadan? Do the lessons of Ramadan end with it, or continue after it? To answer this question, we shall briefly SUMMARIZE over these lessons:

 

Fasting:

We’ve learned from fasting how to soften our souls and break their desires and performing the concept of Uboodiyah to Allah alone.

The Prophet (ﷺ)  encouraged us to continue fasting six days during the month of Shawwal when he said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan and he follows it with six days of Shawwal as if he fast the whole year”(Sahîh Muslim (1163)).

It was the tradition of the Prophet (ﷺ) to fast Mondays, Thursdays, three days of each lunar moth, the day of Arafah, Ashourah and most of Sha’ban and Muharram.

 Praying Taraweeh:

Praying at night was the habit of the Prophet (ﷺ) all his life, and he used to encourage his followers to do so. He (ﷺ) said, “Do qiyam-ul-lail, the night prayer; it used to be the good deeds of the pious people before you. It draws you closer to your Lord, it causes your sins to be forgiven, and it causes you to avoid doing bad deeds”(Reported by al-Tirmidhi and Ahmad).

Allah ﷻ describes his pious servants that “they used to sleep a little at night” in Surat Al-Sajdah.

 The Recitation Of The Quran:

Do not stop reading the Quran after Ramadan. We made reading the Quran, and spending a few minutes per day to recite or listen to it, a part of our daily schedule. Make this habit live longer than this one month so you can be amongst those whom Prophet Muhammad (saw) described, “ Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions. ” (Muslim).

Charity:

Allah ﷻ says,

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمۡوَٲلَهُم بِٱلَّيۡلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ سِرًّ۬ا وَعَلَانِيَةً۬ فَلَهُمۡ أَجۡرُهُمۡ عِندَ رَبِّهِمۡ وَلَا خَوۡفٌ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا هُمۡ يَحۡزَنُونَ (٢٧٤)

 “Those who spend their wealth day and night, secretly and publicly, their reward is with their lord…’(Holy Quran Chapter 2:274).

The Prophet (ﷺ) was very generous, like wind loaded with rain. Remember that Allah ﷻ will compensate you for what you spend, and that spending is a sign of having Eeman. Spending from your wealth will benefit you in your life and in the hereafter. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “ When the son of Adam dies, his deeds will be terminated except in case of one of these three: a continual charity, or a beneficial knowledge, or a pious son who prays for his father.(Muslim)

 

Abandoning The Evil:

Abandoning the evil and committing sins is a must in Ramadan and outside Ramadan. It is the deed of the people of true faith. There is no goodness in a Muslim who doesn’t do evil in Ramadan but as soon as Ramadan ends, he goes back to his evil deeds.

Knowing that Eid is an excellent chance to wash the hearts from hatred and bad feeling, the Prophet (ﷺ) says, “It’s not allowed for a Muslim to avoid his brother over three nights. They both meet, but this turns away and that turns away, and the best of them is the one who initiates Salam”. So be better than your brother and initiate the Salam (Bukhari).

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord… Ameen.

End of selected topics on lessons derived after Ramadan 1443 AH. May Allah accept our Ibadat?

رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلۡ مِنَّآ‌ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ (١٢٧)

Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us; for thou art the All-Hearing the All-Knowing. There Is No god But Allah ﷻ And Muhammad Is His Messenger ﷺ

EID MUBARAK

(Eid-ul-Fitr Prayer) -----"Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar.
La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allahu-Akbar, Allahu-Akbar. Wa-lilahill Hamd"

Means, "Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest. There is no god but Allah (none is rightfully worshipped but Allah). Allah is Greatest, Allah is Greatest. And all Praises are for Allah" is recited to honor and glorify the Greatness of Allah.

And Allaah knows best.

Sources

a)      www.amda.us/index.php/khutba/361-ramadan-taking...

b)      Islam Q&A, 13480

c)      www.islamweb.net/eramadan/index.php?page=...

d)      www.vanguardngr.com/2018/06/eidul-fitr-sustain...

e)      www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CqGbCBWayU

f)        www.irfi.org/articles2/articles_3301_3350/important...

g)      islamhouse.com/en/articles/58128