Basic HTML Version
The Islamic Bulletin
Volume X No. 23
Page 12
AFTER
RAMADAN
Even though Ramadan is ending, we all have to make sure it
stays with us. How, might you ask? Everybody knows that
Ramadan lasts only for a month, 29 or 30 wonderful days.
This special month is a time to get closer to Allah (SWT),
physically and mentally. And we have to take care not to lose
this closeness with Allah (SWT).
We know that Ramadan is a very special time in our lives. In
addition to the obvious, fasting from sunrise to sunset, we
must also abstain from so many other things. One added
bonus that comes with fasting is that we actually learn to be
more kind to those around us.
Since we strive to strengthen our bodies with both the
physical and mental power that we need to complete our
fasts, let’s take that a step further and make it last
throughout the year. It takes real devotion to Allah to fast for
His sake only. There is a hadith narrated by Sufyaan ibn
‘Abdallah (RA) who said, “O Messenger of Allah (SAW), tell
me something about Islam, which I cannot ask anyone else
besides you.” He (SAW) replied, “Say, ‘I believe in Allah’
and then be steadfast (upon that).” Saheeh Muslim
This hadith is proof that we are obligated, after having faith
in Allah, to be steadfast in obeying Allah by performing the
obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is
achieved by following the Straight Path, which is Islam. If a
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.
In fact, steadfastness after Ramadan is the greatest sign that
one has gained benefit from the month of Ramadan. These
are the real signs of a successful Ramadan. Furthermore, the
deeds of a Muslim do not come to an end with the end of
Ramadan. Rather, they continue and extend throughout the
year. Allah (SWT) says,
“And worship your Lord until the certainty (death) comes
to you.”
(Al Hijr; 99)
When the fasting of Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed
the voluntary fast is prescribed throughout the entire year.
When standing in prayer at night in Ramadan comes to an
end, then indeed the entire year is a time for performing the
night prayer. And if zakat ul fitr comes to an end then there
is still the zakat that is still obligatory as well as the voluntary
charity that lasts the whole year. This goes the same for
reciting the Quran and pondering over its meaning, as well
as every other good deed that was sought, for these can be
performed at all times. Therefore, the zeal that was felt
throughout Ramadan must continue through the whole year.
It is unfortunate to find that some people perform worship
by doing righteous deeds only during Ramadan. They guard
strictly upon their five daily prayers, they recite Quran, and
they give charity. But when Ramadan comes to an end, they
grow lazy in their worship. Sometimes, they even abandon
their obligation entirely.
Truly, there is much reward that Allah grants his servant in
the fasting of Ramadan. Allah (SWT) says in the Quran,
“He wants that you must complete the same number of days
and that you must magnify Allah (by saying Allah Akbar) for
having guided you, so that you may be grateful to Him.”
(Quran 2: 185)
Ramadan is a time to correct and change our habits that we have
acquired over the year without the whispers of Satan. For now is
the time in which Shaytan is locked up and he does not have the
chance to twist our thoughts and change our good actions. The
first step is always hard to take, but Ramadan is the time to do it.
So after Ramadan, may we all try to keep up with our good
deeds—praying at the correct times, charity to the less fortunate,
and genuinely being more patient and kind with one another.
May Allah (SWT) shower us with blessings, forgive our sins and
grant us all Paradise. Ameen
One of the ways in which we can continue with our good deeds
after Ramadan is to make sure that we are careful
to keep our Salat. So in the following pages you
will find an updated Mosque list for both
Northern and Southern California. This prayer
location list was designed with phone numbers,
addresses, web addresses if available, and driving directions to
help Muslims find prayer locations easily. In fact, if you click on
our web site, www.islamicbulletin.org, then click on enter here,
click on mosque, then choose the mosque that you would like to
visit. This online version allows you to type in your address and it
will prepare driving directions for you. In addition, if you type in
your address in the Qibla locator, it will create a red line pointing
to the Qibla. This will help you in knowing the direction in which
to pray. May Allah reward the people who have designed these
two features, which enable us to pray and find masjids easily.
Remember, the Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “Salat (prayer) is the
first act that the person will be accountable for.”
Death is the most certain aspect of life. 6,178 people die in the
world every hour, according to the latest
statistics. These are people of all ages, dying of
all causes. Some of these deaths make
headlines, but the great majority do not. Yet,
everyone will enter his grave the same way,
alone, at the time appointed by God. Even
though death happens all the time, we feel
that it won’t happen to us - at least, not
anytime soon. We fail to recognize it as the beginning of
another life, a life that will never end, and a life where we will
reap what we sowed here. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Truly smart
is the person who controlled his desires and prepared for the life
after death.”
We never know when Allah will take our lives away from this
world. Therefore, prepare ahead of time to leave this world and
for our Akhirah. One of the important duties on Muslims is to
prepare a Last Will and Testament. If someone lives in a non-
Muslim environment, like in the western world, a will must be
made ahead of time, with arrangements for your inheritance and
burial. To help you, in the center four pages of this publication,
we have positioned for easy removal a Last Will and Testament.
We also have an Arabic, French, and Spanish version on our
website, www.islamicbulletin.org, then click on enter here, click
on Last Will. We encourage you to copy, share, and distribute
the Will.