With the end or Ramadhaan drawing near, we – Muslims - thank Allaah for the blessing of giving us the opportunity to fast and observe the night prayers during this blessed month, for making that easy for us and saving us from the Hell-Fire.

Such is how days and nights pass so quickly. Yesterday, we were receiving Ramadhaan and today we are bidding it farewell; and we do not know whether we are going to live to witness the next Ramadhaan or not. We beseech Allaah to let us have many more of it.

All righteous deeds should be concluded with Istighfaar (seeking Allaah’s forgiveness) . Prayers, Hajj, night prayers and meetings are all concluded with it too. Fasting should also be concluded with Istighfaar to amend for any act of forgetfulness, negligence or perversion we might have committed. Istighfaar erases the feeling of arrogance and ostentation from the heart and lets one feel his shortcomings. It is this very feeling that leads to doing more righteous deeds after Ramadhaan and getting more rewards.

Explaining the need for Istighfaar, Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “Having pleasure and contentedness for merely doing an act of obedience is of the frivolities of the mind and its stupidity, for, the resolute and knowledgeable people do more Istighfaar immediately after each act of worship because they recognize their shortcomings and their failure to give Allaah what befits His Majesty and Greatness in that act.”

Though we are now bidding farewell to Ramadhaan, this should not mean a farewell to acts of worship. A Muslim should rather strengthen the tie between himself and his Lord so that he may have a perpetual blessing. As for those who break their covenant with their Lord and abandon mosques as soon as Ramadhaan ends, such are miserable people who know their Lord only in Ramadhaan and afterwards turn back on their heels. Allaah Says (what means): “Say (O Muhammad): ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”[Quran 6: 162]

There is no value in an act of worship by which one does not increase in piety and fear of Allaah. Where is the impact of fasting when one abandons the recitation of the Quran, no longer observes the congregational prayers and desecrates other people’s honors? Where is the impact of his acts of worship in Ramadhaan when one afterwards consumes usury and takes other people’s properties wrongfully? Where is the impact of Ramadhaan when one abandons the path of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, for local customs and traditions and governs his life with man-made laws?  Where is the effect of fasting and night prayers if one engages in acts of deception in his business transactions and lies day and night? Where is the impact of Ramadhaan on him if he does not call the misled to the Path of Allaah, feed the hungry, cloth the naked and make a sincere supplication for Islam and the Muslims?

Ibn Al Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: “There is indeed a distance between a righteous deed and the heart, and there are in that distance a lot of impediments that prevent the deed from reaching the heart. Hence, you see a man who has many deeds to his credit and yet nothing of that finds its way to his hearts, for he never carried out the deed out of love for Allaah, fear of Him, hope in His mercy, in abstention from worldly life or out of craving for the Hereafter. Neither does he possess the light by which he can differentiate between those who love Allaah and His enemies. Had the impact of his deed reached his heart, he would have had the light and recognize the truth and falsehood.”

Needless to say, Allaah does not need the movements and efforts that we make in our acts of worship. He only requests our piety thereof. He, The Almighty, Says (what means): “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”[Quran 2: 183]

He also says (what means): “Their meat will not reach Allaah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you.”[Quran 22: 37]

Of the good deeds that are recommended after Ramadhaan is fasting for six days in the month of Shawwaal. The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhaan and follows it up with a fasting of six days in the month of Shawwaal is like the one who fasts for a complete year.” [Muslim]

Ramadhaan has filled our minds with blessings, awakened our conscience and purified our souls. It has taught us how to resist the insinuations of Satan and the whims of the evil inclining soul and how to eliminate differences and its causes. The ranks of the Muslims have become solidly united during Ramadhaan, so we should not let it become disunited again after it. The eyes have shed tears during Ramadhaan, so we should not let them become dry after it; mosques have become full of worshippers during Ramadhaan and the tongues were engaged mentioning Allaah, praising Him and invoking Him, so let this continue after Ramadhaan; we have been overwhelmed with desirable manners and characteristics such as humbleness and tranquility during Ramadhaan, we should not spoil that away with arrogance, ostentation and stupidity; we have become generous during Ramadhaan, so we should not withhold our generosity after Ramadhaan.

The fasting Muslim has two occasions of happiness: when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord; one is a worldly happiness and the other is the everlasting one in the Hereafter when he will have the greatest enjoyment and bliss which is Paradise in which there are enjoyments which no eyes have ever seen, no ears have ever heard of, and no human mind has ever imagined- a place where we, Allaah willing, will be addressed (what means): “Eat and drink in satisfaction for what you put forth in the days past." [Quran 69:24] 

Such is Paradise which when a slave is made to enter it, he forgets his misery, distress and sorrow as it is reported that the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The most unfortunate person in this world among the people of Paradise will be given a short dip into the Paradise and he will be asked: ‘Have you ever known misery? Have you ever experienced difficulty’? He (or she) would say: ‘No, by Allaah, I have never experienced any misery nor known any difficulty!’” [Muslim]

The Muslim nation is now bidding farewell to the blessed month of Ramadhaan while its agonies are still ongoing. It is experiencing great calamities that can be seen in what is happening in Palestine and other places in the Muslim world; a merciless war aimed at Islam in order to exterminate it.

The Islamic nation has been tested during its long history with different kinds of conspiracies and afflictions some of which are enough to wipe other nations out of existence, but the power of Islamic belief that was and is still keeping this nation alive. This gives us a hope that the future is certainly for Islam.

It is therefore a duty of all Muslims to help the causes of Islam, to exercise patience and self-control, to make sincere supplications and to seek the help from Allaah in the face of all these tribulations so that He may rescue us from all these sufferings.

Source: www.islamweb.net

Most assuredly you would get a "yes" answer from every Muslim you ask as to whether Ramadaan ends with 'Eed Al-Fitr. Concerning the injunctions for abstaining from food, drink and sexual contact with our spouses during the daytime, these could be easily ascertained from the Quraan and the Hadeeth. However,when we investigate some of the reasons that make the Ramadhaan such a great blessing, we will see that its lessons should be with us every day of the year.

First of all, the fact that we spend from dawn to sunset denying ourselves the normal needs and pleasures of this world builds within us fortitude and self-discipline. This will enable us to develop the most prized virtue of patience (if Allaah wills). Allaah (T) tells us:O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: For Allaah is with those who patiently persevere} [Baqarah 2:153]

By keeping in mind that we are complying with the commandments of Allaah (T) we will remind ourselves of our purpose in seeking Allaah's Pleasure. Ramadaan helps to reinforce our need to be constantly conscious of obeying Allaah (T) and be mindful of the fact that His guidance is the greatest mercy. Allaah (T) tells us:

{O mankind! There has come to you a direction from your Lord and a healing for the disease in your hearts, and a guidance and a mercy for those who believe. Say: In the Bounty of Allaah and in His Mercy: In that let them rejoice. that is better than (the wealth) they hoard} [Yoonus 10:57-58]

Through Ramadaan we not only realize that obeying Allaah (T) is the greatest joy, but we live and experience this obedience in a more acute sense as we restrain our desires during the course of the days of this blessed month. Obeying Allaah (T) with love and humility, which is the essence of worship, become the focal point of our lives. For that reason when asked about the end of Ramadaan, we can see that its spirit never really ends as this should be our attitude relative to worship of Allaah throughout the year. We realize that it is just one more stepping stone, a large one indeed, on the path of Islaam, which is instituted to assist us to achieve our purpose here in this life. Thus does Ramadaan by nurturing the virtues of patience, focusing our vision on the Guidance and the Mercy of Allaah(T) and fine-tuning our will to obey Him, instill in us the quality of character needed to truly strive in the Cause of Allaah. This striving in the Cause of Allaah (T), or Jihaad, encompasses every aspect of our lives and is the highest achievement in a Muslim's life. Allaah (T) informs us:

{Those who believe, suffer exile and wage jihaad in Allaah 's cause with their goods and their souls, have the highest ranks in the sight of Allaah. They are the people who will achieve (salvation).} [Tawbah 9:20]

The elevated purpose of striving in the Cause of Allaah (T) must reflect the lessons taught in Ramadhaan. We need patience and temperance; we need to know the Guidance and the Commands of Allaah (T) as preached and practiced by the Messenger of Allaah (S); and we need to obey Allaah (T) and His Messenger (S) truly and faithfully regardless of the excesses to which our own desires may be prompting us. Therefore, when Ramadhaan has come to an end, let us not lose this great blessing by thinking that it is over, and falling back in our more lackadaisical ways. Let us, inshaa'allaah, take hold of this Divine Mercy and Guidance, shape our lives around it, and become the type of human beings worthy of being called Muslims!

(T): Ta'ala

Source: http://nur-ar-ramadan.tripod.com

Imâm al-Madîna al-Munawarrah 'Abdul Muhsin Ibn Muhammad al-Qâsim

All praise is due to Allaah. We thank Him, we seek for His help and forgiveness. We also seek His refuge against the evils of our souls and that of our deeds. Whoever Allaah guides, nobody can mislead him, and whoever He misleads will never have no guide. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. May He bestow Peace and blessing upon this noble Prophet, his family and companions.

Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah as He should be feared for, the fear of Allaah is the best treasure for you.

Dear Muslims! Months, days and years are made to determine lifespan and to afford people the oppurtunity to perform good deeds. Further, death do patrol day and night to take the souls of those whose time is due and you shall be addressed on the Day of Ressurection on account of your deeds. It is then that your Lord will say:

“These are only your deeds that has been recorded for you and for which I am going to reward you. So, whoever gets a good reward should be thankful to Allaah and whoever gets otherwise should only blame himself.”      

Dear brothers! Your month of Ramadan has now gone with your deeds. Let those who have committed wrong among you quickly repent and mend their ways before Door of Repentance is closed and let those who have done good continue on the same for, the best of all acts of obedience are the the ones followed up with its like. Be concerned more over the acceptance of your deeds than over the deeds itself for, Allaah does not accept deeds except from the pious ones. Also, beware of following up good deeds with bad ones because, if we say that good deeds eradicate bad ones, it is also not impossible that bad deeds destroy good ones.

Brothers in faith! You were - during the just concluded month of righteous - fasting in the day, praying in the night and doing different kinds of sacrificial acts in oder to get reward and to be saved from the Fire. With the depature of this month, a stage of our live has passed. Such is how we pass days of this life in stages on our way to the everlasting abode. Indeed, continuation of good deeds at all time is character of righteous people for, acts of obedience do not have a specific time; it is rather Allaah’s unconditional right upon His servants as long as they are alive. Though, month of Ramadaan is an opportunity for the faithfuls to race with one another towards good deeds and an opportunity to direct one’s soul towards meritorious acts and keep it from vices; yet, it is quite incumbent on Muslims to remain on the path of righteousness even after Ramadaan. Worshipping Allaah should not be restricted to Ramadaan alone for, there is no end to Muslim’s worship except when he dies. What evil people those who worship only time and do not know Allaah except in Ramadaan!

Dear Muslims! Certainly, the acceptance and rejection of deeds in this month have signs. Among the signs of acceptance of good deed is when it is followed up by good deeds and it is among the signs of rejection to follow up one’s good deeds with evil ones. Therefore, follow up the good deeds with its like, it will be a sign of acceptance of that good deed and follow up your evil deeds with good ones, that will indicate that those evil deeds have been overlooked. Allaah says:

“Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder (an advice) for the mindful (those who accept advice)." (Hood 11:114)      
The Prophet saws also said:

“Fear Allaah wherever you are, follow up the evil deed with good one it will remove it and relate with people with good conduct.” (Reported by At-Tirmidhee)

Let those who are determined to go back to sins after Ramadaan know that Allaah is always pleased with those who obey Him regardless of the month the obedience takes place and is angry with those who disobey Him irrespective of the month the disobedience takes place. The essence of posperity lies in long life and good deeds and a person’s continuation of good deeds without restricting it to a certain period, particular month or special place is a sign of one’s righteousness and acceptance of his good deeds.

Fellow Muslims! Though Ramadaan season is now gone, yet, fasting is still recommended in other months. The Messenger of Allaah saws has recommended fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

He said: “Deeds are presented to Allaah on Mondays and Thursdays and I would like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting."

It is also reported that he admonished Aboo Hurayrah ra thus: "Fasting for three days in every month is (equal to) fasting forever." (Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim).

He also said: Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadaan and then follows it with six days fasting in Shawwaal has done as if he has fast for live." (Reported by Muslim)

Though, night prayer during Ramadaan might have gone; yet, the night prayers throughout the year is also recommended. It has been authentically reported from the Prophet saws that

"Allaah use to descend to the nearest heaven to this world when it is the last third of the night and say: 'Who is going to call Me that I may answer him? Who is going to ask from Me that I may give to him? Who is going to seek for my Forgiveness that I may forgive him?"

Therefore, the most pleasing to Allaah of all acts are the ones that are continuously done.

Fellow Muslims! While there are a set of youths who during the noble month of Ramadan were busy passing their time in lustful things, sins and acts of obedience, there are others who were busy doing deeds of righteousness such as I‘tikaaf in the Houses of Allaah severing all ties with fellow creatures and meditating with the Creator. They gave obedience of their Lord preference over their own desires. You would see them bowing, prostrating and reciting the Glorious Qur’aan. Such youths are the hope and pride of this Ummah.

Dear Muslims! Fear Alllaah for fear of Allaah is the head of all matters. Obey Allaah and keep away from His restrictions, you will achieve His pleasure and be saved from His torment. Do not go back to sins and disobedience so as not to be entitled to His punishment.

Dear brothers, thank your Lord for making you complete the fasting of this month. Enjoy your Eid by remaining consistent on the those good deeds and keep away from undesirable things that are capable of removing Allaah’s favors from you. One of our righteous predecessors said:

“Each day in which no act of disobedience to Allaah is committed is Eid and each day a believer spent in acts of obedience to his Lord is Eid”

Source: http://nur-ar-ramadan.tripod.com

Sufyaan ibn `Abdillaah radhiallahu `anhu said: "O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Saheeh Muslim (38)]

The hadith is proof that the servant is obligated, after having emaan in Allah, 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 the Muslim lives through Ramadan and spent his days in fasting and his nights in prayer and he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allah at all times. This is the true state of the slave, for indeed, the Lord of the months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing over his servants at all times.

Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadan and the rectification of one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadan and striven in obedience. They are tokens of reception 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 he reaches death. Allah says:

And worship your Lord until the certainty (death) comes to you. Al-Hijr: 99

If the fasting of Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan 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'an and pondering over its meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is sought, for they can be done at all times. From the many bounties that Allah has bestowed upon his servants is that He has placed for them many different types of righteous acts and provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the ardor and zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the service of his Lord.

It is unfortunate to find that some people perform worship by doing different types of righteous deeds during Ramadan They guard strictly upon their five daily prayers in the masjid, they recite the Qur'an a lot and they give in charity from their wealth. But when Ramadan 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 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 Allah. Thus, they demolish what they have constructed and destroy what they have established. This is an indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allah for His safeguarding and protection.

Indeed, this type of people take the example of turning in repentance and ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to the month of Ramadan And they stop doing these (good) acts when the month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of Ramadan, and not out of fear of Allah. How evil are these people who do not know Allah, except in Ramadan!

Truly, the success that Allah grants His servant lies in the fasting of Ramadan His assisting him to do that is a great favor, thus the calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. This understanding can be found in the statement of Allah after completing the favor of the month of fasting:

(He wants that you) must complete the same number of days, and that you must magnify Allah (by saying Allahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him. 2:185

The one who is grateful for having fasted, will remain upon that condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.

Verily, the true way of the Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his Lord for giving him the ability to fast and make qiyaam. His condition after Ramadan is better than it was before Ramadan He is more receptive to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to enforce the obligatory acts. This is because he has gained benefit form this prominent institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not accepted, for indeed Allah only accepts from those who fear Him.

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,

Be more concerned with having your deeds accepted than the deed itself. Did you not hear Allah say: 'Verily Allah, only accepts those from those who fear Him. (i.e. possess taqwaa).' [5:27]

`Aa'ishah said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah concerning the ayah: 'And the one who are given what they are given and their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?" He said: "No, o daughter of as-Siddeeq. 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." Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee 3/79-80

So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained guidance of going astray after persevering. And ask Allah to provide you with duration in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And ask Allah that He grant you a good end, so that He may accept our Ramadan from us.

Source: www.missionislam.com

lHamdulillahi Wa kafaa, was-Salatu was-salamu `alaa `ibaadihi-lladheena Stafaa

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the god-fearing.

Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations?

Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' - to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year...

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza Wa jall.

Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. Ar-Ra`d, 11

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against you soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it... Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

My dear ones,

Falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

1 – Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

2 – Return to musical entertainment, forbidden films, women displaying their adornment beyond that which ordinarily appears thereof, free mixing etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza Wa jall.

And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]… Ibrahim, 7

Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [I.e. Death]. Al-Hijr, 99

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah at`Ala said,

So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]. Hud, 112

So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness. Fussilat, 6

And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi Wa sallam, said,Say 'I believe in Allah', then be steadfast. Muslim

-- If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

-- If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year.

They used to sleep but little of the night. Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17

-- If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

-- Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive – O my brother and sister – and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. “O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen.”

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen
 
Source:http://missionislam.com

By: Sumayyah Bint John

As we enter upon the end of Ramadan, let us not leave off the many acts of worship we have performed during the blessed month of Ramadan. Ramadan, for most of us is a time of renewal and reestablishment of our commitment to Allah and His religion.

We fast, give charity, read the Qur'an and perform the night prayer. We avoid gossip, slander and every evil that would invalidate our fasts and additional acts of worship. But now that Ramadan is about to be over, the majority of us unfortunately will put the Qur'an back on the shelves, will suspend fasting until next year and will abandon the night prayer. This is not the way it should be, because all of these acts of worship carry rewards and are of benefit to us throughout the year, in addition to the fact that there is no divine prescription limiting them to Ramadan.

The Qur'an

It's sad, true, that many of us have fallen into the bad habit of only reciting the Qur'an during the month of Ramadan. By doing this, we cheat ourselves out of the abundant blessing that come from reading the words of Allah. Reading the Qur'an is the best way to remember Allah, it is a protection from the Satan and in it are cures for what ails us. Allah says, "Oh mankind, there has come to you a protection from your Lord and a healing for what is in your hearts and for those who believe, a guidance a mercy." (Qur'an 10: 57)

The Messenger of Allah [sallallahu alayhe Wa sallam {saws}] said, "Whoever reads a harf (letter) of the book of Allah shall have a good deed (recorded for him or her) and every good deed is increased a ten-fold (reward). I do not say that alif lam meem is a harf, but that alif is a harf, lam is a harf and meem is a harf," (Tirmithi)

The Qur'an is also the best way for a servant to draw closer to his or her Lord. Khabbab ibn al-Arat said to a man, "Draw closer to Allah as much as you can, and remember that you can do so by no means more pleasing to Him than by His own words."

The Night Prayer

Many of us pass the nights of the month of Ramadan, especially the last ten, standing in prayer before Allah. Just because Ramadan is over does not mean that Allah does not see us now if we stand in the night prayer. He says, "Surely your Lord knows that you stand (in prayer) two thirds of the night or half of it, or a third of it." (Qur'an 73: 20).

The night prayer carries with it many blessings. For example, Al-Hasan was asked, "How is it that those who stay up at night have the most attractive faces." He replied, "Because they are on intimate terms with the Merciful, and He adorns them with some of His light."

And for those of us who feel that standing in the night prayer will leave us tired and unable to go about our daily tasks in the morning, we should consider the following words of Allah's Prophet {saws}. He said: "When any of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of his head. On each knot he repeats and exhales the following words, 'The night is long so stay asleep.' If you wake up and remember Allah, one knot is undone - and if you make wudhu (ablution) the second knot is undone - and if you pray the third knot is undone, and you get up in the morning full of energy and with a clear heart. Otherwise, you will get up feeling lazy and with a muddled heart." (Bukhari)

Fasting

The Prophet {saws} said: "Whoever fasts a day in the way of Allah, Allah will place between him and the Fire a trench like that between the heavens and the earth." (Tirmithi)

Likewise, fasting wipes away the evils that arise out of person's wealth, family or neighbor. Huthaifah ibn Al-Yaman narrated that the messenger of Allah, said, "The evils caused for a man through his family, wealth and neighbor are expiated by prayer, fasting and charity." (Bukhari)

The Prophet {saws} explained to us that fasting protects us from our unlawful desires, shields us from the hell fire and draws us closer to Allah and His Paradise. He {saws}, also encouraged us to fast at least three days each month. The best days for this optional fasting are Mondays and Thursdays, or the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

Charity

Alhamdulillah (Thanks to God), most of us live relatively comfortable lives. But there are Muslims all over the world that find great difficulty in attaining the most basic necessities of life. During Ramadan most of us give charity, but we forget to do so for the rest of the year. Giving charity is of greater benefit to the one who gives it, than to the one who receives it. It is a means of purifying our wealth, increasing our faith and attaining righteousness. Allah says, "It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East or West, but it is righteousness to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Books, and the messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer,."

Giving in charity also allows us to express our faith. To truly taste the sweetness of faith, we must like for our brothers and sisters what we like for ourselves. For the Prophet {saws}, said, "None of you will have faith until he likes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself." (Bukhari)

Source: www.missionislam.com

By Tawfique Chowdhury

May Allah the great accept from us and you! You have fasted and prayed and wept and begged Allah the Great and now is your time to rejoice as His mercy and forgiveness envelopes the Universe. May Allah shower you and your family with His choicest rewards and please you on the Day you meet Him just as you are pleased today.

A lot of people ask the question: How do I know if Allah has accepted my Ramadan? How do I know that my deeds were not rejected, but accepted and written in my scale of good deeds? And you too must ask this question, since Ali radiallahu anhu said: “Do not be so concerned about the number of deeds as the acceptance of it.

Do you not remember what Allah the great said?

Verily Allah only accepts from the pious. [AlMa'idah: 27]

The answer to that, is simply: That your relationship with Allah after Ramadan is better than your relationship with Him before Ramadan. That you feel and act closer to Allah in Shawwal than you did in Shabaan. This strengthening of your relationship with Allah, is a feeling of the heart as well as from the action of the limbs.

The feeling of the heart, is that you see Allah’s signs in creation, and feel His authority and mercy and blessings in your life and thus draw nearer to Him by constant remembrance of Him. Ibnul Qayyim rahimahullah said: “The more that you witness the magnificence of His Lordship and the meagerness of our servitude to Him, and the more you learn about Allah and His greatness and about your soul and its meagerness, it will become manifestly clear to you that that which you have put forward from your offerings is not the least bit suitable for the Lord of Truth, even if you were to offer the deeds of all of Mankind and Jinn together. As a result, you would be full of fear how your measly offerings would ever be acceptable to Him. However, it is out of His honour and nobleness and graciousness that He accepts it. On top of that, He even rewards you for it, by His grace, nobleness and honour!” [Madarij As-Salikeen (2/439)] Glory be to Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful!

And that you draw closer to Him through your actions. That you feel the need to turn to prayer so you resolve to pray at the earliest time, that your heart wants to come back to the mosque so you make every attempt to pray in congregration, to open the Quran even on the day of Eid or start memorizing - so you make every effort to read it frequently, that you desire and miss the taraweeh and so make the resolve to continue to pray tahajjud and that you miss the fasts, so you resolve to do the 6 days of Shawwal. Then you remember the hadeeth of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wa sallam:

“If the Prophet used to do any action, then he used to stick to it (i.e. make it a habit).” [Reported by Muslim]

Based on this, you resolve to make good habits out of the bootcamp that Ramadan provided so that good deeds become second nature to you.

Remember, if you want to get that special Ramadan feeling in your heart again, then take a path to gaining knowledge.

“Whoever Allah wants good for, then He gives him the fiqh of this religion.” [Reported by AlBukhari]

This is the surest sign that Allah accepted your Ramadan, that after it, you are more knowledgeable about Islam than you were before it. Islamic knowledge is now more accessible to you than ever before. So, make every effort to attend courses, read books and listen to lectures so that you draw closer to Allah every day. There is an AlKauthar course in your city, just around the corner, so make sure you attend it. Once you have gained that knowledge, then act upon it by calling to Allah through all those projects that are working on helping Allah deen. Mercy Mission has a project that you can get involved in or help you to launch your own.

Lastly, I hope to see you all soon in an event near you. Glory be to Allah that He has given us life until the end of this Ramadan, may Allah give us all the opportunity to see the next Ramadan and protect you and your families and all Muslims till then. Ameen.

Source: http://islam4parents.com

Abu Huraira (Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade to observe fast on these two days. 'Id-ul-Adha bi and 'Id-ul-Fitr. (Muslim, 2534)