After Ramadan, people often lose momentum and the mosques become quieter. This is because one feels content and his desires cause him to believe that he has done enough, when in reality, the real work begins after Ramadan.
The blessed days of Hajj have arrived. If we keep the six fasts of Shawwaal, then we will be granted the reward for fasting for the entire year.
Ramadan and Sha'ban are those months in which we prepare for Ramadan and Ramadan is the month in which we purify ourselves and attain Taqwa.
Even though we have been purified, our objective has not been fulfilled. Allah ta'ala enabled us to become pure through Ramadan so that we can embark on the journey of Hajj. Before Hajj begins, we should strive to become a Muttaqi in order to fulfil the objective of Hajj.
Hajj is not completed by performing Tawaaf alone. It is only truly fulfilled when a person stands at Arafah. Through the plains of Arafah, one attains purification. Allah ta’ala prepares us beforehand so that we can reach Arafah and become true Hajjis.
Why does Allah ta’ala take us to Arafah? It serves as a powerful reminder that we will soon return to Him, and that the Hereafter is our ultimate destination, so we must prepare for it. Allah ta’ala uses this day to give us a glimpse of what the Hereafter will be like. On that Day, all of humanity will be gathered, standing before Him to be accounted for. Then Allah ta’ala will grant the final reward - the blessing of seeing Him. Until the believer beholds Allah ta’ala, they will never be truly satisfied.
Ramadan prepares us to reach Arafah and ultimately attain the blessing of seeing Allah ta’ala in the Hereafter.
During Ramadan, every person, including the sinners, became pious. Our worship improved, and our prayers, including voluntary ones were performed with desire and passion.
Allah ta’ala guarded our hearts and protected them. He granted us spiritual strength and energy during Ramadan, and this carries a powerful message. Allah ta’ala could have kept us at that level constantly, but instead, through this month, He showed us that we are capable of maintaining the same passion and dedication in worship throughout the entire year, just as we did in Ramadan.
During Ramadan, we remained focused on Allah ta’ala and trained ourselves to abstain from sin by following the true path of Deen. After Ramadan ends, our duty is to stay firm on this path and continue living by Deen until we reach Arafah.
Whatever habits we developed and the patience we showed in Ramadan, such as attending gatherings of dhikr and being mindful of avoiding sins, we must strive to maintain them in our daily lives and protect ourselves until we reach the Hereafter. If we happen to sin, we should repent immediately just as we learnt in Ramadan. This is an example of having steadfastness.
We should carry these habits forward even after Ramadan, as another Ramadan is never guaranteed. Let us remain grateful to Allah ta’ala for enabling us to adopt these good practices, and make a sincere commitment to continue them while striving to overcome our ego.
After Ramadan, the demands of physical worship are lighter, we are not required to fast or pray Taraweeh. However, this should not lead to compromise. Instead, it is an opportunity and a shortcut for us to remain steadfast. We should strive to maintain the same level of Deen that we practiced during Ramadan.
.."the angels descend upon them, ˹saying,˺ “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised." [41:30]
Once we understand our life’s mission and wish to continue practicing, we must remain consistent in our efforts. We should be punctual and regular in our worship. The routines of Ramadan, such as attending gatherings of dhikr and praying in congregation, should be maintained. To achieve success, steadfastness is essential. If attending both dhikr gatherings is not possible, we should at least aim to attend one, as even that reflects true steadfastness.
When a person remains steadfast, angels are sent to accompany him at every stage of life and even after death. They remove fear, uneasiness, and anxiety, bringing comfort in this life and the Hereafter. This is the great reward that we were granted during Ramadan.
At the time of a person’s death, two types of angels descend. One is stern and comes bearing punishment for the wrongdoings of the deceased, causing fear for those who led a sinful life. However, those who remained steadfast, even after Ramadan, are greeted by angels with love and affection. These angels reassure the deceased, alleviate their sorrows, and ease any worry about leaving loved ones behind. They then guide the steadfast believer towards Paradise.
If a person falls ill and is unable to perform a particular act of worship they had intended, and they feel regret for missing it, then when they recover and continue being steadfast in it, they will be granted the same reward as if they had fulfilled it at the intended time.
Those who performed repentance during Ramadan, should maintain their repentance and remain steadfast. By committing sins, repentance isn't broken. Rather, if we sin, we should repent immediately and in this way we will not even be counted as a sinful person and we will achieve a high level in Paradise.
All of us are capable of achieving steadfastness and earning the reward of the angels in the Hereafter. Allah ta’ala trained us in steadfastness during Ramadan, and it is now our duty to continue this practice even after Ramadan ends.
We recited many chapters from the Quran during Ramadan. Even if we recite one ruku everyday after Ramadan, it is considered being steadfast.
A severe warning has been given for the one upon whom Hajj is obligatory, yet they fail to perform it. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said regarding such a person that he has no concern whether they die as a Jew or a Christian, indicating the seriousness of neglecting this obligation.
The preparation in Ramadan is ultimately for the sake of Hajj. Performing Hajj in one’s youth is especially valuable and unique. A person should make every effort to go, even if it requires taking a loan, trusting that Allah ta’ala will assist you in repaying it.
Due to current restrictions, one should at least apply for Hajj and make a sincere effort. If your name is not selected, you will not be sinful, as you have tried. There is no success without effort. Even if you are unable to go, Allah ta’ala will still grant you the reward of Hajj for your sincere intention. One may apply again the following year.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement these precious pearls of wisdom. Ameen
After Ramadan, people often lose momentum and the mosques become quieter. This is because one feels content and his desires cause him to believe that he has done enough, when in reality, the real work begins after Ramadan.
The blessed days of Hajj have arrived. If we keep the six fasts of Shawwaal, then we will be granted the reward for fasting for the entire year.
Ramadan and Sha'ban are those months in which we prepare for Ramadan and Ramadan is the month in which we purify ourselves and attain Taqwa.
Even though we have been purified, our objective has not been fulfilled. Allah ta'ala enabled us to become pure through Ramadan so that we can embark on the journey of Hajj. Before Hajj begins, we should strive to become a Muttaqi in order to fulfil the objective of Hajj.
Hajj is not completed by performing Tawaaf alone. It is only truly fulfilled when a person stands at Arafah. Through the plains of Arafah, one attains purification. Allah ta’ala prepares us beforehand so that we can reach Arafah and become true Hajjis.
Why does Allah ta’ala take us to Arafah? It serves as a powerful reminder that we will soon return to Him, and that the Hereafter is our ultimate destination, so we must prepare for it. Allah ta’ala uses this day to give us a glimpse of what the Hereafter will be like. On that Day, all of humanity will be gathered, standing before Him to be accounted for. Then Allah ta’ala will grant the final reward - the blessing of seeing Him. Until the believer beholds Allah ta’ala, they will never be truly satisfied.
Ramadan prepares us to reach Arafah and ultimately attain the blessing of seeing Allah ta’ala in the Hereafter.
During Ramadan, every person, including the sinners, became pious. Our worship improved, and our prayers, including voluntary ones were performed with desire and passion.
Allah ta’ala guarded our hearts and protected them. He granted us spiritual strength and energy during Ramadan, and this carries a powerful message. Allah ta’ala could have kept us at that level constantly, but instead, through this month, He showed us that we are capable of maintaining the same passion and dedication in worship throughout the entire year, just as we did in Ramadan.
During Ramadan, we remained focused on Allah ta’ala and trained ourselves to abstain from sin by following the true path of Deen. After Ramadan ends, our duty is to stay firm on this path and continue living by Deen until we reach Arafah.
Whatever habits we developed and the patience we showed in Ramadan, such as attending gatherings of dhikr and being mindful of avoiding sins, we must strive to maintain them in our daily lives and protect ourselves until we reach the Hereafter. If we happen to sin, we should repent immediately just as we learnt in Ramadan. This is an example of having steadfastness.
We should carry these habits forward even after Ramadan, as another Ramadan is never guaranteed. Let us remain grateful to Allah ta’ala for enabling us to adopt these good practices, and make a sincere commitment to continue them while striving to overcome our ego.
After Ramadan, the demands of physical worship are lighter, we are not required to fast or pray Taraweeh. However, this should not lead to compromise. Instead, it is an opportunity and a shortcut for us to remain steadfast. We should strive to maintain the same level of Deen that we practiced during Ramadan.
تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا وَأَبْشِرُوا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِي كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
.."the angels descend upon them, ˹saying,˺ “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised." [41:30]
Once we understand our life’s mission and wish to continue practicing, we must remain consistent in our efforts. We should be punctual and regular in our worship. The routines of Ramadan, such as attending gatherings of dhikr and praying in congregation, should be maintained. To achieve success, steadfastness is essential. If attending both dhikr gatherings is not possible, we should at least aim to attend one, as even that reflects true steadfastness.
When a person remains steadfast, angels are sent to accompany him at every stage of life and even after death. They remove fear, uneasiness, and anxiety, bringing comfort in this life and the Hereafter. This is the great reward that we were granted during Ramadan.
At the time of a person’s death, two types of angels descend. One is stern and comes bearing punishment for the wrongdoings of the deceased, causing fear for those who led a sinful life. However, those who remained steadfast, even after Ramadan, are greeted by angels with love and affection. These angels reassure the deceased, alleviate their sorrows, and ease any worry about leaving loved ones behind. They then guide the steadfast believer towards Paradise.
If a person falls ill and is unable to perform a particular act of worship they had intended, and they feel regret for missing it, then when they recover and continue being steadfast in it, they will be granted the same reward as if they had fulfilled it at the intended time.
Those who performed repentance during Ramadan, should maintain their repentance and remain steadfast. By committing sins, repentance isn't broken. Rather, if we sin, we should repent immediately and in this way we will not even be counted as a sinful person and we will achieve a high level in Paradise.
All of us are capable of achieving steadfastness and earning the reward of the angels in the Hereafter. Allah ta’ala trained us in steadfastness during Ramadan, and it is now our duty to continue this practice even after Ramadan ends.
We recited many chapters from the Quran during Ramadan. Even if we recite one ruku everyday after Ramadan, it is considered being steadfast.
A severe warning has been given for the one upon whom Hajj is obligatory, yet they fail to perform it. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said regarding such a person that he has no concern whether they die as a Jew or a Christian, indicating the seriousness of neglecting this obligation.
The preparation in Ramadan is ultimately for the sake of Hajj. Performing Hajj in one’s youth is especially valuable and unique. A person should make every effort to go, even if it requires taking a loan, trusting that Allah ta’ala will assist you in repaying it.
Due to current restrictions, one should at least apply for Hajj and make a sincere effort. If your name is not selected, you will not be sinful, as you have tried. There is no success without effort. Even if you are unable to go, Allah ta’ala will still grant you the reward of Hajj for your sincere intention. One may apply again the following year.
May Allah ta'ala allow us to implement these precious pearls of wisdom. Ameen