10 things to ponder upon as Ramadaan ends

[ummtaalib]

 

It seems like yesterday that we welcomed Ramadaan. Now we are in to the last few moments of this blessed month. It’s time to reflect on how we spent the month and to use these last days to rescue it. If it ends well, it was spent well. As the hadith mentions, ‘Actions are judged by their endings’.

 

Here are 10 things to ponder upon:

 

1) How did I spend Ramadaan?

 

Am I happy with my worship? Where can I improve? Did I sin in Ramadaan? The sins I couldn’t avoid in Ramadaan are probably my biggest vices given I couldn’t stop them during such a blessed time. These sins require special attention and intervention.

 

2) What habits have I picked up in Ramadaan?

 

Can I continue some of them? Fasting is the most obvious one. What about reciting Qur’an, Zikr, Dua, five daily prayers, charity, frequenting the masjid, night time worship, watching my tongue, eating together as a family, sharing food with others, seeking out good content online, etc? None of these are exclusive to Ramadaan. Let’s pick a few and continue with them afterwards.

 

3) What have I cut down on?

 

Obviously food… But what else? Social media time, smoking, swearing, backbiting, arguing etc? How does it feel? Wouldn’t it be great if this could continue?

 

4) What is lacking in my learning?

 

Perhaps I don’t know how to pray properly, I don’t read Qur’an well, I don’t know what the Qur’an says, I don’t know many basic Duas, I know very little about my Prophet’s life. Whatever your gaps are in knowledge, you can fill them by reading good books or attending programmes.

 

5) What about my children’s learning?

 

Are they going to a good Madrasah? Are they attending after School Maktab? Do they recite Qur’an well, have good knowledge of Islam? Ramadaan is a good time to think about the whole family’s religiosity and think about solutions.

 

6) How do I treat my parents?

 

Ill conduct towards parents is one of the worst of the major sins. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “The punishment for disobeying ones parents is meted out even before a person leaves this world.” [Haakim] We must obey them, show them mercy and make sure we treat them with the utmost respect and love.

 

7) What about the company I keep?

 

Do my friends bring me closer or distance me from Deen. It’s something to think about. After all, ‘a person is upon the religion of his friend.’ A friend who turns you away from Allah is a friend you do not need. Allah Ta’ala states, ‘Close friends on that Day (of Qiyaamah), will be enemies to each other, except for the righteous.’ [Surah Zukhruf]

 

8) Are there any other relationships I need to mend?

 

It’s not too late. Reach out before Ramadaan ends. Mending relationships is spiritually and emotionally enriching, and breaking family ties is a grave sin. Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “Rahim (family ties) is a word derived from Allah’s special quality, Ar Rahmaan (The Compassionate One). Allah says: ‘I shall keep connection with the one who maintains you and sever connection with him who severs you.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

 

9) Set post Ramadaan resolutions

 

This is the best month of the year, and the best time to change and stay changed. Let us make those resolutions now.

 

10) What have I planned for the day of Eid?

 

If I commit any sin on Eid day, then what does it say about my Ramadaan? Will I dress is an Islamic manner? Will I avoid intermingling with non Mahram cousins and friends? This will determine if I really made a sincere and firm intention to change this Ramadaan.  

 

It’s time to think, evaluate and plan ahead. Let’s step into Shawaal a changed person. Insha’Allah.

 

Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians