While we are not meant to eat or drink in Ramadan, there is a part of ourselves that is meant to enjoy the sweetness of Ramadan and that is the heart and soul.
We see this month coming to an end, slowly, sadly, but surely and as much as I want to keep the spirits up because we’ve just entered into the last and most special days of this month, I have to admit I’m a little despondent. I’m sure you are too.
So let’s talk about that.
One of the greatest gifts we as Believers have, is this month. Without which, we would not know even half our potential of what we can do, be and have in every aspect of our lives.
So why do our spirits dampen at this time, why do we feel a sense of despair at the end?
I’ll say it again. Without this month we would not know our potential. In this month we find ourselves living as we should! Not as we do, as we should!
Post Ramadan, we fall back into the normal way of things, which is prioritizing everything else and then squeezing in the worship of Allah. This has to be corrected, especially if you’re looking to have the sweetness of Ramadan linger in your life.
You may ask “How is possible to have a change in lifestyle in just a month?” Many believe it’s because Shaytaan is back in the equation. While that is true we too, we play a part in that. Simply because we choose to.
Shaytan does tempt man, there is no denying that, but that is all he does, tempt. As part of your journey to create a spiritual lifestyle where Worshipping Allah is the centre piece, then fighting these temptation is part of the process.
A little self-reflection will have you realize that giving in to those temptations and desires are something to be worked on too.
But aside from self-reflection, let’s look at how you can turn your Ramadan habits into a lifestyle.
It is important to remember the objective of Ramadan which is to attain piety.
Allah (swt) says in Surah Baqarah: O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon.
One of the major aspects of Ramadan is of course, fasting so we should aspire to keep this going even after ramadan. One of my favorites are the Monday and Thursday fasts. The Prophet (pbuh), said, “The deeds are presented on Monday and Thursday. Thus, I love for my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.”
It’s not just about the fasting though, it’s reading Salaah on time and giving the same time and attention you give during Ramadan. The same goes for time with Quran. Continue that habit of reading a few pages after Salaah and make time to reflect, learn and understand what Allah (swt) tells us.
An important aspect to mention is time. Notice how well you spend your time in Ramadan. That is because you’re finally give priority to what is important. Now, I’m not saying your jobs and laundry and other commitments are not important, but people tend to give more importance to these things before giving importance and time to their purpose. Let me explain…
How many times have you planned your day from morning to evening and then just squeezed in time for salaah? Your stress levels are high and your have deadlines so your rush through your Salaah.
During Ramadan, you’re working around Salaah times so you can give it the full time and attention it deserves and you still manage to meet deadlines and feel very fulfilled and productive at the end of the day.
Time is such that when it is spent well, you get more out of it.
So if you can plan your day - priorities first, you will feel the blessings in your time, your duties and your stress levels drop to half.
Next is Being a mindful Muslim:
Fear of Allah is the highest wisdom one can attain. He is watching you at every second of the day and night, your whole life. This makes it easier to stay far from bad habits and it encourages more and sincere intentions to do and be good.
Another very helpful way to keep the Ramadan spirit is the company you keep. Especially those that will remind you of Allah (swt), those you can learn from and encourage you to better yourself.
Once these practices become a habit and then a lifestyle, it becomes easy to distance yourself from doing wrong. You will notice how you start to fall in love with hearing of Allah, talking to Him in Salaah and listening to him in the Quran. You no longer want to engage in activities that don’t bring you self and spiritual improvement. Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah doth hearts find rest.
May The Almighty guide us all, inshallah.
About
Naseeha Tayob Ibrahim
I speak. I write. I coach.
I want to make the world a better place.
As an avid reader and writer, it’s no surprise that communications became my career and line of work. There is never one thing in particular that defines who I am, except the fact that I am passionate about everything I do. That made me the odd one out most of my life. It made realize how important it is to listen to my heart.
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