Remaining Steadfast After Ramadhaan

Sufyaan ibn ..Abdillaah radhiallahu ..anhu said: "O Messenger of
Allah, tell me something about Islaam, which I cannot ask anyone else
besides you." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be
steadfast (upon that)." [Saheeh Muslim (38 )]

The hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having
eemaan in Allah, 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 Ramadhaan 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 Allah 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 Ramadhaan and the rectification of one's
statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained
benefit from the month of Ramadhaan 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. Allah says: "And worship your Lord
until the certainty (death) comes to you." [al-Hijr: 99]

If the fasting of Ramadhaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary
fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in
prayer at night during Ramadhaan comes to an end, then indeed, the
entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the
Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is
obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year.
This goes the same for reciting the Qur'aan 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 Allah 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 Ramadhaan. They guard
strictly upon their five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the
Qur'aan a lot and they give in charity from their wealth. But when
Ramadhaan 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 ..Eed. Obtaining help from
these evils is only through the grace of Allah. 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
Allah 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 Ramadhaan. And they stop doing these (good)
acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned
sinning for the sake of Ramadhaan, and not out of fear of Allah. How
evil are these people who do not know Allah, except in Ramadhaan!

Truly, the success that Allah grants His servant lies in the fasting
of Ramadhaan. 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 Allah after completing the favor of
the month of fasting:

"(He wants that you) must complete the same number of days, and that
you must magnify Allah (by saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you,
so that you may be grateful to Him." [2:185]

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 qiyaam.
His condition after Ramadhaan is better than it was before Ramadhaan.
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 Allah 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 ..Alee, "Be more
concerned with having your deeds accepted than the deed itself. Did
you not hear Allah say: 'Verily Allah, only accepts those from those
who fear Him. (i.e. possess taqwaa).' [5:27] "[Lataa'if ul Ma..aarif,
p. 246]

..Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah concerning the ayah:
'And the one who are given what they are given and their hearts
tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He
said: "No, o daughter of as-Siddeeq. Rather, they are the ones who
fast and pray and give in charity yet fear that it won't be accepted
from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are
the first to do them." [Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee 3/79-80]

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



--
"Whoever guides [another] to a good deed will get a reward similar to
the one who performs it." Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)[Sahih Muslim]
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