Ramadan comes every year so we can attain Allah’s consciousness (Taqwa). Once Ramadan ends, we need to ask ourselves a vital question ‘what to do after Ramadan to keep the Ramadan spirit alive’. There are several ways how we can keep Ramadan habits active in ourselves. Here are some post-Ramadan activities that you can do to keep up the good habits of Ramadan:
Evaluate your Ramadan by looking at your current state. It may be impossible to perform good deeds at the level of Ramadan after the month is over. But even if you are able to continue a fraction of them after Eid, it is a good indication that Ramadan had a positive effect on you and that Allah accepted your fasts.
If you missed any fasts in Ramadan due to illness or travelling, make up for them whenever possible. Allah says in the Quran: “So whoever sights [the crescent of] the month (Ramadan), let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days.”[Surah Al Baqarah: 185].
However, If you missed any fasts intentionally, repent to Allah immediately and make up for the broken fasts. Make a promise to Allah that you will never intentionally break your fasts during Ramadan again.
During Ramadan, we spend hours standing before Allah in Taraweeh, Tahajjud, Salatut Duha, and other voluntary prayers. Even though we might not be able to do it throughout the year, we should pray Nafl prayers whenever we can.
If you are busy and can’t spend enough time in prayers, at least do not miss the 12 Sunnah prayers daily. Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever is regular with twelve Rak’ah of Sunnah (prayer), Allah will build a house for him in Paradise: Four Rak’ah before Zuhr, two Rak’ah after it, two Rak’ah after Maghrib, two Rak’ah after Isha, and two Rak’ah before Fajr.” [Jami at Tirmidhi: 414]
It’s recommended to keep voluntary fasting throughout the year as much as you can. It includes fasting in Shawwal, fasting in Ashura, fasting in Dhul Hijjah, especially on Arafah day, etc. You can also keep fasting on ayyam al beed (white days- 13, 14, 15) each lunar month, fasting on Monday and Thursday each week, and more.
During Ramadan, most of us develop the habit of praying Tahajjud prayers before Sehri. We stand before Allah in prayer, reciting the glorious Quran, and pondering on its meaning in hopes of rewards from Allah.
“Truly, rising by night (for the prayer of tahajjud) is the most effective way to subdue and to make speech more upright.”
It serves as a great tool for believers to stay on the right path throughout their entire lives. Allah says in the Quran: “Truly, rising by night (for the prayer of tahajjud) is the most effective way to subdue and to make speech more upright.” [Surah Al Muzzammil: 6]
We all know that Ramadan is the month when the glorious Quran was revealed. We recite the Word of Allah a lot during this month. Some of us even do Quran Khatam during this honourable month. That is all great. But what is the purpose of the Quran’s revelation? Is it so that we recite it only during Ramadan and let dust build-up for the rest of the year?