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Remaining Steadfast After Ramadan
by
Shaykh Salih Al-Fouzan
Sufyan
Ibn `Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "O
Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot
ask anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: 'I believe
in Allah' and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Sahih Muslim]
The Hadith is proof that the servant is obligated, after having
Iman 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 Ramadan 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 Ramadan and the rectification of one's
statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained
benefit from the month of Ramadan 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 Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed the
voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year.
If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan comes to an end, then
indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer.
And if the Zakat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the
Zakah that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that
lasts the whole year. This goes the same for reciting the Qur’an
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 Ramadan. They guard
strictly upon their five daily prayers in the Masjid, they recite
the Qur’an a lot and they give in charity from their wealth. But
when Ramadan 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 `Eid. 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 Ramadan. And they stop
doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if
they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadan, and not out of
fear of Allah. How evil are these people who do not know Allah,
except in Ramadan!
Truly, the success that Allah grants His servant lies in the
fasting of Ramadan. 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}. (Al-Baqarah: 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 Qiyam.
His condition after Ramadan is better than it was before Ramadan.
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 `Ali,
"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 Taqwa)}. [5:
27] "[Lata'if ul Ma`arif, p. 246]
`A'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-Siddiq. 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." [Sahih
Sunan At-Tirmidhi 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 Ramadan from us.
Excerpted from www.islaam.com
with slight modifications.
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