5 Ways to Maintain Good Habits After Ramadan
Ramadan has ended very quickly, leaving us with a feeling of sadness. If you already miss the blessed month, you can follow these tips on how to maintain your spiritual bond with Allah SWT and leave Ramadan on a good note:
1. Fasting the 6 days of Shawwal
Fasting the six days of Shawwal will allow you to continue to live the spirit of Ramadan and earn the pleasure of Allah SWT by following the Sunnah practice of the Prophet (saw).
2. Fast on Mondays and Thursdays
It was the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) to fast on Mondays and Thursdays, and as such, we should try to fast these two days of the week to gain closeness to Allah SWT.
The Prophet (saw) said, "Allah said: The Fast is for Me and I will give the reward for it, as he (the one who observes the fast) leaves his sexual desire, food and drink for My sake. Fasting is a screen (from Hell) and there are two pleasures for a fasting person, one at the time of breaking his fast, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord. And the smell of the fasting person is better in Allah's Sight than the smell of musk." [Bukhari]
3. Pray Fajr on time
Even though it is not always easy to wake up for morning prayer, it is very important to do so!
According to Aisha (ra), the Prophet (saw) said: "The two units of Fajr are better then life here and what is there." [Muslim]
Waking up for Fajr prayer and starting the day with the remembrance of Allah SWT is an excellent habit through which you can increase your Taqwa.
Recite and reflect upon the Quran
Ramadan is a month we thank Allah SWT for revealing the Quran as a guidance for mankind. "It was the month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was revealed from on high as a guidance for humanity and a self-evident proof of that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false." [Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185]
During Ramadan, many of us dedicated time to reading or listening to the Quran (a very rewarding action during the blessed month). To continue to experience the blessings of Ramadan, dedicate 10 to 15 minutes of your time every day to reciting the Quran. Know that Allah SWT in His Infinite Mercy has promised to double the reward for the person who experiences difficulty reading the Quran but makes the effort:
Aisha (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Qur'an will be with the honourable and obedient scribes (angels) and he who recites the Qur'an and finds it difficult to recite, doing his best to recite it in the best way possible, will have two rewards." [Bukhari]
5. Donate regularly
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “Charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.” [Ibn Majah]
The Prophet (saw) was even more generous during the month of Ramadan than other months of the year when he gave continuously, and many of us followed his Sunnah by increasing our Sadaqah during the blessed month. But let’s not forget that the acts most loved by Allah SWT are the most regular, even if they are small! [Bukhari]
Giving a small amount of charity regularly can have a significant impact and be enough to change the life of a person or even an entire community- so don’t underestimate any amount you give throughout the year!
May Allah SWT allow us to maintain our Ramadan habits and gain closeness to Him, Ameen.
