Remaining
steadfast after Ramadaan
Author:
'Abdullaah Ibn Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Source:
Ahaadeeth As-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Adaab (pg. 155-157)
Translated:
Masjid Ahl-ul-Qur'aan wa Sunnah (www.al-manhaj.com)
Sufyaan Ibn 'Abdillaah said: "O Messenger of Allaah r, tell me something
about Islaam of which I will not ask anyone else besides you (after
that)." He r said: "Say: 'I believe in Allaah' and then be
steadfast (upon that)." [1]
This hadeeth is proof that the servant is obligated, after having Eemaan in
Allaah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the
obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by
following the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion, without drifting away
from it to the right or to the left.
If a Muslim lived through Ramadaan and spent its days in fasting and its nights
in prayer, and in that month he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then
he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allaah at all times (after
that). This is the true state of the servant (‘abd), for indeed, the Lord
of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing His servants at all
times.
Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadaan and the rectification of one's statements
and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month
of Ramadaan and that he struggled in obedience. They are tokens of
acceptance and signs of success.
Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a month
and the beginning of another. Rather they continue and extend until one
reaches death, for Allaah says:
“And
worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e. death) comes to you.” [2]
If the fasting of Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting
is still prescribed throughout the entire year, and all praise is due to
Allaah. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadaan comes to an end,
then indeed, the entire year is a time for performing the night prayer.
And if the Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that
is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year.
This goes the same for reciting the Qur'aan and pondering over its meaning as
well as every other righteous deed that is desirable, for they can be done at
all times. From the many bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His
servants is that He has placed for them many different types of acts of worship
and He provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the enthusiasm
and the zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in
the service of his Master.
It is unfortunate to find some people performing worship by doing different
types of righteous acts during Ramadaan – they guard strictly their five daily
prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur’aan abundantly and they give in
charity from their money. But when Ramadaan comes to an end, they grow
lazy in their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the
obligations, both generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically,
such as praying the Fajr prayer!
And they (even) commit forbidden acts such as sleeping over the time of
prayers, indulging in places of foolishness and entertainment, and mingling in
parks, especially on the day of 'Eed! Obtaining help from these evils is
only through the Grace of Allaah. Thus, they demolish what they have
constructed and they destroy what they have established. This is an
indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allaah for His
safeguarding and protection!
Indeed, these types of people take the example of turning in repentance and
ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to
(only) the month of Ramadaan. So they stop doing these (good) acts when
the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the
sake of Ramadaan, and not out of fear for Allaah! How evil are these
people who do not know Allaah except in Ramadaan!
Truly, the success that Allaah grants His servant lies in the fasting of
Ramadaan. And Allaah’s assisting him to do that is a great
blessing. Thus this calls for the servant to be grateful to his
Lord. And this understanding can be found in Allaah’s saying, after
having completed the favor of the month of fasting:
“(He wants
that you) must compete the same number of days, and that you must magnify
Allaah (by saying Allaahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be
grateful to Him." [3]
So the one who is grateful for having fasted, he will remain upon that
condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.
Indeed, the true manner of a Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his
Lord for having been bestowed the ability to fast and make qiyaam (night
prayer). His condition after Ramadaan is better than it was before
Ramadaan. He is more ready to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick
to implement the obligatory acts. This is since he has acquired benefit
from this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears
for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allaah only accepts from those who
have Taqwaa.
The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds,
hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be
rejected. From the reports of 'Alee t is that he said: "Be more concerned with having your deeds
accepted than with the deed itself. Did you not hear Allaah say:
'Verily
Allaah, only accepts from those who have Taqwaa?' [4]" [5]
'Aa'ishah said: "I asked the
Messenger of Allaah concerning the
ayah: 'And those who give away that which they give (i.e. charity and other
good deeds), while their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who
drink alcohol and steal?" He said: "No, O daughter of As-Siddeeq. But rather, they
are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity, yet fear that it won't be
accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they
are the first to do them." [6]
So be warned and again be warned – of turning backward after having attained
guidance, of going astray after persevering! And ask Allaah to provide
you with endurance in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good
acts. And ask Allaah that He grant you a good end, in order that He may
accept our Ramadaan from us.