Does Ramadan end with Eid ul-Fitr? Unarguably you would get a loud “yes” answer from every believer you ask as to whether Ramadan ends with ‘Eid ul-Fitr as the time bound restrictions and limitations set on food, relations etc ordained during the Holy month of Ramadan come to an end with the sighting of Eid Crescent. The life after Ramadan–is now time for us to do some introspection and re-evaluate our Iman; Question ourselves, What Have We Gained from Ramadan in a process to improve ourselves. Yes, there are blessed ones who gain from the opportunity of the atmosphere and blessings of holy month of Ramadan in order to reform themselves towards a righteous way of this earthly life here and life- after by getting rid of bad habits, bad company, bad usage of drug and substance abuse and drinking alcohol.
It’s more than something that you got relieved you had become addicted to. It becomes the whole reason for renewed living for those who were physically dependent on a drug or drink. You had become so sick that you just didn’t care about losing your close friends and family over it, the Holy month provided you an opportunity to abstain from all these corrupt practices. During the Holy month we realized our faults and felt guilty. We made duas and sought help and forgiveness from Allah (SWT). Several of us tried our best to stop sins of tongue like cursing, slandering, lying, backbiting during the month of Ramadan, but now what. We tried our best to close our ears to that which was not permissible to hear, we tried our best to lower our gazes at sights which we are not allowed to see. Now, after Ramadan is over, do those things become permissible to us?
Sadly, it is not too uncommon to find some brothers and sisters who after Ramadan month find it too incumbent to remain on the path of righteousness immediately after Ramadan. They fail to strive to sustain the religious duties and worthwhile habits of truthful, honest, dutiful, and tolerant character we imbibed during the blessed month of Ramadan. In an endeavour to improvise upon habits and character, the end of Holy month is not and should not mark the end of a virtuous life for a true believer. The Holy month is expected to inspire believers to sustain all the noble acts of devotion (ibadah) they undertook in the holy month. 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 continuation of good deeds and it is among the signs of rejection to follow up one’s good deeds with evil ones. As an obedient servant of Allah (SWT), I must clarify that the statement “Muslims are good only in Ramadan” is not to make a gross generalization and that is not accurate. Undoubtedly every individual is unique, and their behaviour cannot be judged based on their religious affiliation or ethnicity.
We the Muslims are followers of Islam, a religion that teaches its adherents to strive towards goodness, kindness, and compassion towards others always. Ramadan is the holy month in the Islamic calendar, the surrounding atmosphere is geared up to,”do more,” review, repent, reform and resolve to continue the good deeds which earn acceptance and rewards from the Creator, Allah the Almighty. Undoubtedly month of Ramadan is a spiritual laundry a preparatory school, during which Muslim fast from dawn till dusk that does not mean abstinence of foods and follow certain restrictions but engage in additional acts of worship, and make an extra effort to be charitable and compassionate towards others. However, the virtues and values promoted during Ramadan are not exclusive to this month. Muslims are encouraged to practice these virtues throughout the year, and many do so.
The lifestyle of a true believer during Ramadan should not be different from that which he/she lives after the holy month. Now that the Holy month is over, the state of transformation must be continued and manifested in our actions, habits, character, and manners in accordance with the Law of Allah (SWT). If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, your good deeds and endeavour to be righteous must not cease with times and places, so be warned, and again be warned of turning backward after having attained guidance of going astray after persevering. And let us ask Allah (SWT) the merciful to bless us with fortitude in continuing noble deeds and continuity in performing good acts. I ask Allah (SWT) to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be an improvised one, acceptable and noble one–“aameen.”
(Dr Fiaz Maqbool Fazili is a Practicing Doctor, but contributes to socio religious columns. He can be reached at [email protected])
