6 Virtues We Should Cherish Until Next Ramadan

Introduction

Alhamdulillah; all praises are due to Allah. All thanks are for Allah. All good are in the Good Hands of Allah. All affairs shall be returned to Allah. No god but Allah. We seek His Forgiveness at all time, and to Him, alone, we repent. May His Peace and Blessings be upon our Master, Habibi Muhammad, his family members, his Sahabah, and all those who follow their guided path.

First and foremost, allow me to wish you an ‘Eid Mubarak, to you and your loved one. May the next ‘Eid bring along more prosperity and stability to Muslims, wherever they are. Ameen

It's such a mixture of feelings; the successful completion of Ramaḍān is one thing. The fast speed, with which Ramaḍān left us, is another thing.  All those seem to have happened in a blink of an eye. Time really flies.. Is it that we are really busy, that caused us not to realize how time flew, until Ramaḍān was over? Or is it our time been squeezed… as one of the signs of end of time?

In my article today, I'm sharing with my dear readers, readers of GSalam.Net, my observations which are related to Ramaḍān. I will also suggest some answers to the “What after Ramadhan” question, which made my head spin a lot of times, this year.

At the end of the article, I invite you to kindly register your observations during Ramaḍān, as well as your solutions to the “What after Ramaḍān” question. Let's learn from one another.

My Observations this Ramadan

This year, unlike my previous Ramaḍāns for 10 years or so, I was not an Imam for Taraweeh, except for a couple of days (nights). I was therefore, given the opportunity to pray behind other Imams and learn from them, where applicable. As I learnt, I also observed mistakes that are avoidable.

When we determine to observe things around us, every moment is suitable for note taking. In such case, I'm not able to share with you every single thing I've observed in Ramaḍān. For, some are really bitter truth.

First Observation

It was such an impressive and heart-warming seeing my fellow Muslim brothers and sisters sacrifice their leisure time; by putting in the effort to attend various congregations during the blessed month of Ramaḍān. Most of who attended 5 times congregations, on a daily basis. One could even observe that the saff (rows) were doubled during Zuhr prayers, in Ramaḍān. That was something good, at least, for Ramaḍān.

You could see how much effort Muslims put in, in order to make it for Isha’ and Taraweeh prayers, although Isha' prayers in Ramaḍān are unusually longer than that outside Ramaḍān.

It's even more inspiring when you could see the crowded Jama'ah in the peaceful Subh prayers.

This is something that we, Muslims, deserve praises and applauses for. As for our rewards, as long as we did it for His Sake, Allah will certainly please us. Ameen.

Second Observation

One of the unique, but disappointing things I observed this Ramaḍān is that, almost all the imams have the same voice. I almost became convinced that Allah s.w.t. created all of them the same, but I, thankfully, came to realize that they are the ones who have chosen not to be themselves, but copycats. I've already informed you; some the observations are bitter; but truth!

Third Observation

Ramaḍān is The Unique Month of Al-Qur'an. Yet, some ‘Imams', for some unknown reasons, had chosen to make Ramaḍān the Month of “Alhaakumu Al-Takaathur” until Surah Al-Naas. Some also made it the month of Surah Al-Qadr. Is it Sunnah or is it “highly recommended” in a way or another to do so?!

Why could an Imam still stick to reciting only that portion of the Surahs, in the time that Al-Qur'an learning has far advanced in our communities (Singapore, as an example)?

It's time that our Imams realize that [all] the Ma'moums behind them, even if they seem laymen, they take their solat and Qur'an seriously. Not all of them would prefer to speak their mind the way I'm doing here, but certainly each one of them will comment or react in their own way.

Fourth Observation

One of the disappointing Imams I prayed behind; he could pray 20 Raka'ahs in 30 minutes or less. I'm not joking! The reason why he did that? He wanted to deliver his lecture! The righteous Salaf would stop all lectures and focus their time towards Al-Qur'an and Solat! Even if he (our Imam here) wanted to deliver his lecture, he could have prayed 8 Raka'ahs of Taraweeh, instead of 20, in a proper way; in a way, that will leave the impression that one shows respect to the position of solat and that one values the feelings of the Jama'ah.

Fifth Observation

In one instance, I couldn't complete 8 Raka'ahs behind one of the Imams. My solat has never been heavier before, although I was never sleepy. He recited the Qur'an in the Solat, as if he was in Tarannum competition! The worst was when he broke the Tajweed rules, just to suit his so called Tarannum! I had to offer my tissue papers to one of the Jama'ah beside me, as he was heavily sweating in a relatively cool evening.

Al-Qur'an is read and should be read like Al-Qur'an; following Al-Qur'an rules. Music is never part of Al-Qur'an recitation and we shouldn't be applying it in our Qur'an recitation.

Sixth Observation

One of the things I also observed is that, Singapore (where I'm writing this article from) is able to produce home grown perfect Qur'an reciters. Evidence? Some of the imported Imams (from Egypt, to be specific) were not better reciters than our local imams. In fact, our local imams have proven to be better.

In fact, they will be better, if they are given the trust and opportunity. How can they flourish and shine when they are not given the platform to practise?

Seventh Observation

Erm.. One of the strange things I also observed this Ramaḍān is that, the closer one stays to the mosque, the later they go for Taraweeh.

Thanks to my father in-law, my (his) house is 7 minutes walking distance (0.6 km) to the mosque. Unfortunately, most of the nights I performed my Taraweeh in the mosque of my neighbourhood, I went late.. That bad? Yes.. Unfortunately; that's the truth. Sometimes, the truth hurts, especially when you have to say it against your own self.

But, anytime I reached the mosque, I find most of the congregators in the last rows (for late comers) are my neighbours. When I turned around behind me, I find those who stay nearer to the mosque to have come even much later. No offence, my dear neighbours. I love you, for Allah's Sake. 🙂

Those are true experiences I've observed. Thanks to Allah for allowing me to be a ‘Ma-moum' most of the days this Ramaḍān, so I could assess Taraweeh from the perspective of ‘Ma-moum'.

If Imams don't find this article reminder for them to reflect, this article will remain one my constant reference for reflections and corrections, as an Imam, insha Allah.

What after Ramadan? The 6 Virtues We Should Cherish Until Next Ramadan

This is the most serious (not the most important) part of this article; What after Ramaḍān?

To some, the first day after Ramaḍān sends us back to our normal routines. But to the majority, I assume, the days after Ramaḍān serve as continuity of Ramaḍān, thus, they strive to fill them with rewarding deeds, similarly to their strive for rewards in Ramaḍān.

What after Ramaḍān 1: The Fast Continues…

The best person, to whom we can refer, for an answer to the question posed, “What after Ramaḍān?” is Rasulullah.

There are numerous Ahaadeeth in which Rasulullah taught us what we are supposed to do, after Ramaḍān. One of those Ahaadeeth is the Hadeeth narrated by Abi Ayyoub Al-Ansari, reported by Imam Muslim, that Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّال، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ

“He who observes fasting in the month of Ramadan, and also observes another six days of fasting, in the month of Shawwal, it is as if he has observed fasting for the whole year.”

These six days of fasting (in Shawwal) can be done continuously, as well as it can be done separately; as long as they are done within Shawwal.

We can also observe fasting twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays), as part of what Rasulullah used to do. Sayyidatuna Aishah, r.a. said in a Hadeeth reported by Imam Al-Tirmizhi:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَتَحَرَّى صَوْمَ الإِثْنَيْنِ وَالخَمِيسِ

“Rasulullah s.a.w. used to observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays.”

If one is unable to fast twice a week (eight days a month), Rasulullah encouraged them to fast only three days a month, instead. Abdullah Ibn ‘Amr Ibn Al-‘Aas narrated a Hadeeth, reported by Imam(s) Al-Bukhari and Muslim, that Rasulullah s.a.w. said:

صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ كَلِّهِ

“Observing fasting for three days every month is equivalent to fasting a full month”.

To emphasize and specify the 3 days referred to, in the Hadeeth above, Rasulullah said in another Hadeeth narrated by Abi Zharr Al-Ghifaari, reported by Imam Al-Tirmizhi:

إِذَا صُمْتَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثاً فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَخَمْسَ عَشَرَةَ

“If you want to observe three days of fasting in a month, then fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth of the (lunar) month.”

What after Ramadan 2: Remain Attached to the Qur'an…

Many of us selflessly related to the Qur'an, and read it almost all the time, during Ramaḍān. Our continuity of establishing better relationship with Al-Qur'an, through reading, contemplations, reflections, studies and other righteous deeds will broaden our minds, as Muslims who seek light and guidance towards Allah from the Qur'an [and Sunnah].

What after Ramadan 3: Maintain the Qiyāmullail…

It was noticeable how Muslims sacrifice their sleeping time, in order to perform Qiyaam or Tahajjud. Tahajjud, as Rasulullah s.a.w. did very often in Ramaḍān, he, s.a.w. was also frequent in doing it outside Ramaḍān.

He s.a.w. did that to set a good example for us, and also to set a benchmark for us. So let's keep up the tradition of Rasulillah s.a.w.

What after Ramadan 4: Do Not Forget the Less Fortunate…

It's heart-warming to see that the welfare of the poor and the needy are taken care of, by those who are well-off, amongst us. However, the moment Ramaḍān departs, the kind-hearted among us also do depart. Strange indeed. I'm still searching to find out; where do they go to, for 11 months?

Let's work to ensure the poor amongst us, whose condition became better due to the generosity of the rich among us, continue to feel they are cared for. To achieve that, the rich among us should continue to take care of their needs.

Let's imagine; if Allah was to bestow His Mercy and Blessings upon us only in the month of Ramaḍān, what would have happened to us? Similarly, let us not forget our needy brothers and sisters in Islam, once Ramaḍān is over.

We don't have to do it, only in the presence of media coverage. Allah's media is the best media, and Allah's media covers our good deeds round the clock, although it remains unseen.

What after Ramadan 5: Let Us Keep the Mosques As Lively…

Many of us have certainly strived to make it, to perform their prescribed prayers in the mosques. Let's continue to keep up the same level of effort in making it, to filling the mosques during all prayers.

If we could fill the mosques during Isya' in Ramaḍān, when we had to pray 15 Raka'ahs (4 Isha' + 8 Taraweeh + 3 Witr), or 27 Raka'ahs (4 Isha' + 20 Taraweeh + 3 Witr) all together, I don't see why we can't continue to make it, to the mosques where only 4 Raka'ahs will be performed. What's applicable to Isha' is also applicable to Subh, Zuhr, Asr and Maghrib prayers.

What after Ramadan 6: Cherish the Patience, Strive, and Sacrifice…

Masha Allah! Muslims are very conscious of Allah during the fasting month of Ramaḍān. The level of musabarah (patience), mujahadah (strive), tadhiyah (sacrifice) shown, the tears shed, to mention a few, all indicate that, we are entitled to doing better than what we've done in Ramaḍān.

Let's continue to benefit from the great blessings of Allah, which are abundantly provided and distributed in Ramaḍān and outside Ramaḍān alike.

Conclusion

Ramaḍān, likewise any other months, is a season which is guaranteed significance by Allah. Our pleasure for the opportunity of Ramaḍān should come in a form of appreciation to Allah, thus, our appreciation to Allah should be timeless, since He never fails to bestow His Blessings upon us, whether in Ramaḍān or outside Ramaḍan.

The patience and the perseverance we have shown in Ramaḍān are an indication that we can fight our egos, our desire, and put Iblis at shame, insha Allah.

So let's strive to make our lives after Ramaḍan an extension from the highly spiritually productive life which we enjoyed in Ramaḍān.

Let's make our life after Ramaḍān an extension of our life from the Ramaḍān we're bidding a farewell, for only Allah knows; whether or not, we'll live to see the next Ramaḍān.

Even if we are granted another opportunity to see another Ramaḍān, only Allah knows; whether we'll be in a promising physical condition as we are in, today.

What are your observations during Ramaḍān which you reflected upon? Was it good or bad? Feel free to share with us. What have you planned to do, in order to ensure continuity of Ramaḍān in your life? Please comment below.

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Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂