Now that Ramadan is over, some people will sadly revert to their old selves, wasting away the hours spent in training to change for the better. Others will use the excuse that worship in Ramadan makes up for the rest of the year. But this, my friends, is simply a mask for laziness and perhaps hypocrisy also. We are in no position to judge anyone for their lack of sincerity after Ramadan, but we must point out that one of the signs of an accepted Ramadan is that the spiritual high continues on long after the month has passed.

We may have come across a few of the following types of people who fall back into their old habits after Ramadan.

The People of the 27th Night:

These people only come to the mosque on the 27th night of Ramadan. They filled the mosques with pillows and blankets as they camped there to read Quran, mention Allah’s name, supplicate, and seek forgiveness from Allah. Some people feel that the worship done on the 27th night covers them for the rest of their life. We should beware of falling into this trap. Indeed, the Night of Power is better than a thousand months (approximately eighty-three years), but it does not remove the obligation of worship for the rest of your life. Furthermore, there is no specific confirmation that the Night of Power occurs on the 27th night. According to the various sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it could have fallen on any of the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Allah has commanded us to worship Him every day, through our five daily prayers. He has designated acts of worship throughout the year to bring us closer to Him, so that we may attain His pleasure and mercy and enter Paradise.

The People of Ramadan:

Another group of people are those who only worship Allah during Ramadan. They may believe that they are not obliged to do any more than fast the days of Ramadan and all their sins will be automatically forgiven. They think that the remaining eleven months of the year are free for them to enjoy life.

We must remind ourselves that Allah did not restrict His blessings and gifts to Ramadan alone, but rather to everyday that the sun rises upon and every night, and thus we should show gratitude to Him constantly for His immense blessings. We should remain steadfast in our worship during Ramadan and the remainder of the year as well.

The People of Eid:

These people fill the mosques and prayer ground on Eid. The mosques are overflowing like never before, the prayer ground is alive with a new buzz of men and women and children all dressed in their best. The scene is heartwarming and the atmosphere so pleasing to witness; many Muslims in one gathering with one intent; to attend the Eid prayer. Sorrowfully, just as quickly as the prayer places filled up, so quickly do they become empty. After Ramadan and Eid, the mosques are once again quiet, and the buzz no longer in the air.

The truth of the human condition is that we have no guarantee that we will live to see the next Ramadan or the next Eid prayer. We have no idea when death will strike. We do not even know if we will live until tomorrow, for how many have passed away in their sleep. How many were with us last Ramadan, but are no longer here?

Ramadan was the month of training; do not waste it away and become complacent with the good you have done in it. We hope with utmost hope almost to the point of certainty, that our acts of worship in Ramadan are accepted. Yet we also should fear almost to the point of desperation that they may not be accepted. This should spur us on to continue to invoke our Lord, The Most Gracious and Merciful to accept our deeds, this should motivate us to continue the good we have started in Ramadan.

My brothers and sisters, are you amongst any of those mentioned above? If you find yourself to be there, then you still have a chance. Allah has given you today. And you have made the first step on the road of repentance; that is acknowledging your error. Now take the next step, and seek forgiveness from your Lord, and begin a journey of obedience to Allah, Most Great.

We want to be amongst those Allah mentioned in the Qur’an when He said,

{Only those believe in Our verses, who, when they are reminded by them, fall down in prostration and exalt Allah with praise of their Lord, and they are not arrogant. They arise from their beds; they supplicate their Lord in fear and aspiration, and from what We have provided them, they spend. And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do.} (Chapter 32, verses 15-17)

My brothers and sisters, the striving has just begun, Shaytan is unleashed. Do not become complacent with what you have done, but strive to do more, and be better.