Ramadan is over, now what?

Fasting in Ramadan is difficult but a better term would be challenging. We have fought our hunger and, more significantly, our thirst. Ramadan rotates through all seasons as part of God’s plan for testing us.

[2:183] O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation. We do not need to question why as we know that it is a commandment of God and that should be sufficient for us.

There are millions who welcome Ramadan with pleasure rather than appear dejected for fear of hunger and thirst as they know they would be fulfilling their duty and purify themselves. Successful Muslims having completed the month are amongst those committed to control themselves even after Ramadan to obey all religious regulations as prescribed in the holy Qur’an.  

Fasting is referred to in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism know fasting for attaining moksha or nirvana.

However, Submission (Islam) takes this to a more inspiring and  loftier peak. God is not asking for you to hold your breath for extended lengths or like the Sufi self-renunciation. Why would our Creator and Sustainer place any hardship on us beyond our means?

Fulfilling our obligations toward God is the biggest part of Ramadan. We also have a duty towards our fellow beings. God has made it incumbent on us to meet the rights towards His creations. This shows that it is of extreme importance that we take care of the destitute. Giving food and drink to people who are not fasting is a sign of charity. Look after stray dogs and cats for they too are God’s creatures. If your mother is working in the kitchen, offer your help and lessen her burden, for she too is fasting. God is pleased and your mother will be too.

Fasting is an experience which cannot be explained to anyone but needs to be undertaken to understand its unique properties. If you speak to anyone who has fasted, he or she will say that they had a feeling not of misery and fatigue but of awareness of mind and senses, calmly and contently.

We feel so fresh and renewed after each Ramadan passes, as if we are a new being altogether, who has more self-control, patience, a general feeling of empathy and kindness towards others. Ramadan is a month to build good habits that will last you the whole year. Make a new schedule and follow it with discipline. God will help you.

God loves those who are clean so we have wudu / tayammum before we offer Salat. Isn’t it great to have a nice hot water shower and cleanse our body, but how do we sanitise the dirt from our soul? Hence, we fasted—controlling anger, sensual desires, feelings, faulty actions and negative reactions.

Ramadan does not mean you should not enjoy yourself. We enjoy a meal (Iftar) after each fast ends and especially after Ramadan ends, and we bow and prostrate giving thanks to God whom we pray will accept our supplications and sacrifices. There will be festivity after fulfilling this tremendous commitment. We have completed Ramadan, by the Grace of God, which requires a high grade of commitment and self-discipline.

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