5 Points to Maintain Your Ramadan Taqwa Reservoir
As Ramadan concludes, many of us reflect on the spiritual highs and the close connection to Allah we've experienced during this holy month. This intense period of devotion is meant to recharge our spiritual batteries and elevate our taqwa—the consciousness of Allah in all aspects of our lives. But how can we maintain this heightened state of taqwa throughout the year? Here are five practical points to help you preserve the essence of Ramadan and keep your spiritual reservoir full.
1. Consistent Quran Engagement
Ramadan is synonymous with the Quran. During this month, we increase our recitation, reflection, and engagement with the holy text, drawing us closer to Allah and enriching our understanding of our faith. To maintain this connection:
- Daily Recitation: Commit to reciting for a specific time-period daily. Even a few verses each day can profoundly impact your spiritual well-being.
- Study Tafsir: Dive deeper into the meanings of the Quran by studying its tafsir (exegesis). This can be through organized classes or online platforms like SeekersGuidance.org.
- Listen to Recitations: In moments where reading isn’t possible, listen to Quranic recitations to keep the words of Allah close to your heart.
2. Regular Prayers and Dhikr
The punctuality and fervor in prayers observed during Ramadan should not wane with its passing. Preserve the quality of your worship by:
- Maintaining Timely Prayers: Continue to perform Salah on time, preserving the discipline instilled during Ramadan.
- Enhancing Sunna Prayers: Regularly perform the Sunna prayers associated with the obligatory prayers to extend your communication with Allah.
- Daily Adhkar: Engage in the remembrance of Allah through morning and evening adhkar (supplications) which act as a spiritual shield and constant renewal of faith.
3. Fasting Beyond Ramadan
Fasting is not exclusive to Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) practiced and recommended fasting throughout the year:
- Fasting Mondays and Thursdays: These days are Sunna to fast regularly and are a way to keep your Ramadan discipline alive.
- Fasting the White Days: The 13th, 14th, and 15th of each lunar month are known as the white days due to the moon being at its fullest. Fasting these days each month offers a regular cleansing of the soul.
- Special Occasions: Fasting on days like Arafa and Ashura brings additional spiritual rewards and rejuvenates the spirit of fasting.
- Six
Days of Shawwal: Abu Ayyub (Allah be pleased with him) reported: The
Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever
fasts the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of fasting in
the month of Shawwal, it will be as if he has fasted for the entire year.”
[Muslim]
There are still enough days remaining to fast these significant Ramadan follow up days to keep the soul nourished.
4. Charitable Actions
One of the critical components of Ramadan is increased charity. This selfless giving purifies wealth, assists those in need, and acts as a means to increase one’s taqwa:
- Regular Sadaqa: Continue giving charity regularly, even if it is a small amount. Consistency is vital in maintaining the blessings associated with it.
- Volunteering: Donate your time and skills to causes you care about. This keeps the spirit of community and giving alive throughout the year.
5. Community Involvement
Staying connected with a community that shares your values and aspirations can significantly help in maintaining your spiritual growth:
- Regular Mosque Attendance: Make it a habit to attend congregational prayers and community events at your local mosque.
- Study Circles: Join or initiate regular study circles or halaqas to continue learning and discussing Islamic knowledge with peers. SeekersGuidance.org is an excellent resource for this.
- Family Time: Reinforce the practice of discussing and reflecting on Islamic principles within your family, making spirituality a regular part of home life.
Maintaining the spiritual gains from Ramadan requires intentionality and effort. By integrating these practices into your daily life, you create a sustainable path towards high taqwa and continuous growth in your faith journey. Let the spirit of Ramadan permeate your year, and may your reservoir of taqwa remain abundant until the next Ramadan, Amin.
I pray that this benefits and that Allah guides us always.
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick