By Zimarina Sarwar
So there is goes, Ramadhan has left us once again. The hum-drum takes over and the cobwebs are set to reappear over that spiritual fervour that the blessed month gave us. Even the term ‘Ramadhan Muslims’ has been tossed around so much we’ve almost become immune to the initial message and quirk behind its coinage. It’s actually pretty damn cool being a Ramadhan Muslim, just as its great being a Shawwal Muslim, a Rajab Muslim, a Shaban Muslim, a Muharram Muslim and so you catch my proverbial drift.
It’s nothing shocking or outrageous that Ramadhan should fan those dying spiritual embers and restore the focus and drive towards ibaadah we should carry the whole year round; that is in fact, its very purpose. The sign of a successful month of fasting only presents itself, like with so many other things in life, after the hype and gusto of the actual month has passed us by. The conviction to continue, to persevere, to struggle, to restrain, to grow and to remain steadfast is the greatest return we can be awarded.
That renewed vigour will be put under strong assault because it’s only a sturdy-hard-as-nails defence that has any chance against Shaytaan and his armies; those who are equally as committed to chipping away and tearing down the taqwa you’ve spent your time investing in. The battle lines are drawn, and this time you needn’t worry about armourment because this one’s all taking place within.
So the fasting in Ramadhan has ended, but wait- voluntary fasts are still up for grabs; there’s a fine selection from 6 days during Shawwal (which combined with Ramadhan gives you the same reward of fasting the complete year), on Mondays and Thursdays, three days in the middle of the month, the day of Ashura and Arafat and etc.
And though Tarawih is tucked away for another year- Tahajjud/ Qiyam al-Layl remain for us to reap the rewards of. Zakat ul-Fitr came by the by- but obligatory Zakat and Sadaqah are always ready and waiting for us. Reading and contemplating the Qur’an carries its sweetness the whole year round. What’s the best time for righteous actions? Why, all the time of course.
Do we want to be ‘like her who undoes the thread which she has spun, after it has become strong’ (Al-Nahl 16:92).
Whichever stair of that taqwa ladder you’re currently occupying, moving a foot up comes only with your own conviction; it’s not about making grand spectacular leaps (though those aren’t too bad either), it’s about little and often, measured and sincere, during Ramadhan and all other times. ‘The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those which are continuous, even if they are little. The family of Muhammad [saw] when the did something, they would persist in doing it’. Narrated by Muslim.
So let Ramadhan’s departure be bittersweet; it’s a whirlwind that’s left us, but rather than a trail of destruction we’ve not left with a tumultuous ray of opportunity for these next 11 months. Seize it and don’t look back, Ramadhan is over; the reformation continues…
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