It’s the final night(s) of the month of Ramadan. He has his bags packed by the door and the hall is busy with people, pushing and shoving, who have come to have a final look at him and enjoy a last moment with this honoured guest. As we gaze at the guest sipping the final drops from our hospitality, he asks to be excused. It is at that moment we realize that all the hospitality we offered was not enough to meet his status. So we hold his hand tight wishing that he would not let go and hope, in vain, to keep him longer. We become remorseful and ask for forgiveness and say “sorry!”
Before he leaves, however, he reminds us of the purpose of his visit – “So that you may become conscious of Allah”.
And so it is, he leaves, but does his legacy remain with us?
Here are a few points on how we can be pro-active post Ramadan and continue the Ramadan legacy on in our lives. I can tell you one thing, it won’t be easy.
- Fasting. Ramadan is all about fasting and we can fast the six days of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan). The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever fasts Ramadhan, then follows it with six days from Shawwal, it is like they fasted the entire year.” A beneficial note, especially for women, is that it is valid to combine one’s intention, such as a make-up fast with the six days of Shawwal!
- Quran. Reciting the Quran is a staple for Ramadan and many Muslims will have dedicated time to reciting the Quran in full during the days and listening to it in full during the nights. It is important to continue reading during the day and night, whether it be a page or less – the maintenance is key! For those new-Muslims/converts who are unable to read the Quran but want to for next Ramadan, we are starting a Quran reading programme specifically for converts! Please get in touch if you need further information.
- The mosque. We probably spent more time in the mosque during Ramadan then the rest of the year combined, but we should aim to attend the mosque for at least one or two congregational prayers a week outside of the Jummah prayer.
- Friends. We also spent a lot of time with our friends, being cordial with them and disengaging from worldly talk – we should find time once a month to meet and continue to build these bonds of friendship.
- Knowledge. Ramadan is a great time to learn about the religion and here at Lote Tree we are primarily focussed on the dissemination of Islamic knowledge. At the foot of this post we will be listing upcoming activities surrounding knowledge to be aware of and look out for.
- Diet. In Ramadan we were more aware of what we were eating and how eating oily, heavily processed, high sugar or carb laden foods affected our physical, spiritual and emotional states. We should bear in mind eating less with a focus on healthy eating of natural foods.
- Sleep. Ramadan can be an extreme boot-camp of less sleep or very broken sleep. One thing that we do know, is we don’t require as much as we normally take! With that in mind we should aim to sleep straight after isha while waking up for tahajjud (night prayer) and then having a short sleep before starting our day. This ruptured sleep is nothing like the disturbed sleep we have been having during Ramadan, but the benefits are huge.
- Seeking forgiveness and dhikr. We recited many supplications during Ramadan seeking Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness and we need to continue this habit. The Prophet (saw) would seek forgiveness from Allah (saying astaghfirullah) 70-100 times a day and yet he was sinless, so what of us? We should incorporate as much dhikr during our days and nights as possible.
- Charity. Ramadan can “suck you dry” with all of the campaigns and charities requesting money. It is important that we do, however, continue our charitable giving after Ramadan. Just £10 per month as a regular standing order can make little difference to your bank balance, but from enough people can help small, local, charitable organisations stay afloat and bring top quality scholars to your local area (hint hint)! Please do consider setting up a standing order, our details are HSBC sort code: 40.33.33, account number: 92516438 – Lote Tree Traditional Learning. If you set-up the standing order in Ramadan it may be that the continuing reward is multiplied. You will never be poor by giving charity!
There are probably many more points you can think of but the above should suffice.
Here at Lote Tree we have so many post-Ramadan activities planned, here is a taster of what is in store!
- Fortnightly Convert’s Circle with Daniel Tilton
- Weekly Quran reading for Converts with Ustadh Reduan
- Fortnightly intermediate Fiqh with Shaykh Hassan (London)
- Fortnightly da’wah course with Shaykh Khurram (Blackburn)
- Fortnightly class on creed and tajweed with Shaykh Ahmed (Birmingham)
- Weekly classes on the Ten Companions Promised Jannah Ustadh Mohamed
- Weekly dhikr and salawat gathering
- Weekly women only class on Fiqh with Ustadha Sabeena
- Archery Taster Course (June)
- Annual Lote Tree BBQ (July)
- Fundraising walk up Snowdon with Shaykh Khurram (September)
- Youth Madressah (September)
- Micro Madressah for adults (September with Shaykh Khurram)
This is in addition to the current classes and activities we are running.
So whilst this is a goodbye to Ramadan it is a hello to learning and strengthening Emaan.
Lote Tree 