Maintaining the spiritual growth gained during Ramadan for the year ahead.
As the blessed month of Ramadan comes to a close, we are encouraged to reflect on the spiritual journey we embarked on during the blessed month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time of heightened devotion, self-discipline, and seeking closeness to Allah through fasting, prayer, charity, and so much more.
As we bid farewell and Eid celebrations commence, it is of utmost importance to remember that the lessons learned and values practised during Ramadan should not be confined to just Ramadan. It should serve as a guiding light for the remaining eleven months, moving us towards a more fulfilling life in the obedience of Allah.
During Ramadan, we immerse ourselves in acts of worship, striving to become better versions of ourselves. We fast from dawn till dusk, not only refraining from food and drink but also from negative behaviours such as gossip, anger, and impatience. We stand long nights in salaah, Dua, and reciting the Qur’an, seeking forgiveness and mercy from Allah (swt). We give generously to those in need, embodying the spirit of compassion and charity. Through these acts, we develop qualities such as patience, gratitude, empathy, and humility.
As Ramadan ends, we must not let these qualities end and fade away. Instead, let us carry forward the intensity and dedication we showed during the blessed month and incorporate it into our daily lives. Let our good practices continue our journey towards closeness to Allah.
The spiritual closeness we seek during Ramadan should not be for this short period. Our connection with Allah should encompass every aspect of our lives, guiding our thoughts, words, and actions throughout the year. Just as we devoted ourselves to worship during Ramadan, we must maintain regular prayers and engage in constant remembrance of Allah beyond this blessed month.
The acts of kindness, generosity, and forgiveness that characterise Ramadan should become essential parts of our character, not just temporary behaviours. We must continue to extend a helping hand to those in need, to forgive those who wrong us, and to approach every interaction with compassion and understanding. Let us live our lives as we are in Ramadan every day.
The blessed month serves as a reminder of our growth potential. It proves that we can do it and that we can be better and overcome our shortcomings with dedication and sincerity. As Ramadan ends, let us not return to old habits and act careless. Let’s use the positive changes we’ve made during Ramadan as motivation for ongoing improvement and spiritual growth.
Ramadan should fuel us for the year ahead and toward a lifelong journey of faith and devotion to Allah. The lessons learnt and the values practised during this sacred month must carry on for the year ahead and the rest of our lives. We must strive to draw closer to Allah and embody the teachings of Islam in every aspect of our lives.
As we bid farewell to Ramadan, We ask Allah to grant us steadfastness and commitment so we can maintain the hunger and willingness we had in Ramadan throughout the year. Yaa Allah! We seek your mercy alone. Forgive us for our shortcomings, and be pleased with our weak efforts. Give us the strength to improve and be better versions of ourselves – aiming to impress You alone.