By: Zahra Merchant
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss the long fasts.
But I now yearn for Ramadan once again.
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss refraining from food and drink.
But I now yearn for the constant awareness of the Almighty.
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss the frequent hunger pangs.
But I now yearn for the increased remembrance of the poor.
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss waking up for suhoor.
But I now yearn for that opportunity to pray Salaatul Layl.
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss the late nights at the masjid.
But I now yearn for the company of my fellow believers.
I hadn’t imagined that I would miss the exhaustion.
But I now yearn for the perpetual istighfar.
The istighfar in our duas.
The istighfar in both our sleeping and conscious states.
The istighfar of our hearts.
As Eid celebrations come to an end and our lives go back to normal routine, we feel an emptiness the holy month has left behind. Just a couple of weeks ago, we spent the nights in worship during Laylatul Qadr and were promised the forgiveness of our sins. The sins that were easy to avoid are now more tempting and the good deeds that was easy to perform are now more difficult.
How can we cling onto the spirituality of the blessed month? Here are some easy suggestions to keep the atmosphere of Ramadan alive.
- Fast three days every month.
Allah the Exalted multiplies the reward of every good deed by 10. That is why Salman al-Farsi used to say, “Fasting three [non-consecutive] days a month equals fasting all the time; so, if one can find anything beyond that, let him fast it!”
- Read the daily prayers at peak time.
We must remember that the purpose of our lives is to worship the Almighty so our daily routine must revolve around His commands. Imam Mohammed Baqir (as) said, “Verily any believer who is mindful of the prayers and prays them on time is not of the negligent ones.”
- Read Salaatul Layl at least once a week.
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said, “Do not leave the night prayer, for verily the loser is the one who has lost out on the night prayer.” The benefit of this prayer is so great that if it is not possible to pray after midnight or before Fajr, it can recited in the morning or anytime during the day with the niyyah of qadha.
- Recite a couple pages of Quran every day.
Prophet Mohammed (saww) said, “I advise you to recite the Quran and remember Allah much, for surely the Quran will remember you in the Heavens.” Receive divine guidance by also pondering on the meanings of the verses.
- Attend Thursday programs to ask for forgiveness and meet community members.
Prophet Mohammed (saww) said, “The best act of worship is seeking forgiveness.” Recite Dua Kumail and Ziyarat Waritha every Thursday to erase our sins and declare our allegiance to Imam Hussain (as) and Imam al-Asr (as).
- Attend Salaatul Jumaa every Friday.
Apart from receiving unlimited rewards, this is a perfect opportunity to meet and greet fellow believers. Prophet Mohammed (saww) said, “Whoever gives up the Friday (prayer) three times turns his back to Islam.”
Farewell Ramadan. We are eagerly awaiting your arrival once again.