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Climbing the stairs: How to continue your spiritual journey post-Ramadan

Climbing the stairs: How to continue your spiritual journey post-Ramadan
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April 25, 2024
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As we bid farewell to Ramadan and welcome the joyous celebration of Eid, it’s natural for many of us to feel a sense of longing for the spiritual highs experienced during this blessed month. The question that often arises is: How do we sustain the same level of effort and devotion we exerted during Ramadan in the days that follow?

Today, I want to share some reflections on how we can keep the flame of Ramadan burning bright in our hearts throughout the year.

Firstly, let’s start with intention

The actions we performed during Ramadan—fasting, prayer, charity—were all done with a heightened sense of purpose and devotion. As we transition out of Ramadan, it’s crucial to maintain the same intentionality in our actions. Let our intentions remain pure and focused on seeking the pleasure of Allah in everything we do. Whether it’s praying, giving charity, or performing acts of kindness, let our intention be to draw closer to Allah and to serve His creation with sincerity and love.

Secondly, let’s emphasise consistency

Ramadan serves as a training ground for our spiritual muscles, helping us establish habits of worship and self-discipline. However, the true test comes in maintaining these habits beyond Ramadan. Make a commitment to continue your daily prayers, Quranic recitation, and acts of charity with unwavering consistency. Even if it means starting small, consistency is key to sustaining our spiritual momentum and nurturing our relationship with Allah.

Now, let’s talk about gratitude

Ramadan teaches us to be grateful for the countless blessings Allah has bestowed upon us, including the opportunity to fast and worship Him. Let’s carry this spirit of gratitude with us beyond Ramadan by adopting a daily practice of gratitude. Take a moment each day to reflect on the blessings in your life, both big and small, and express your gratitude to Allah. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude will not only deepen our connection with Allah but also enrich our lives with positivity and contentment.

Next, let’s prioritise self-reflection and self-improvement.

Ramadan is a time for introspection and growth, as we strive to become better versions of ourselves. Let’s continue this journey of self-discovery beyond Ramadan by regularly reflecting on our actions, identifying areas for improvement, and setting goals for personal and spiritual development. Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses and strive to overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of your spiritual growth.

Furthermore, let’s seek knowledge and guidance.

Islam places a strong emphasis on seeking knowledge, and the pursuit of knowledge should be a lifelong endeavour. Take advantage of the resources available to you—attend Islamic lectures, seminars, and classes, read books on Islamic topics, and engage in discussions with knowledgeable scholars and fellow believers. Deepening your understanding of Islam will strengthen your faith and equip you with the knowledge to navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and grace.

Finally, let’s nurture a sense of community and brotherhood/sisterhood.

Just as we came together as a community during Ramadan, let’s continue to support and uplift one another in the days that follow. Stay connected with your fellow believers through regular attendance at the mosque, participation in community events, and reaching out to those in need. By fostering strong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, we create a supportive environment where we can thrive spiritually and emotionally.

Maintaining the same level of effort and devotion we exerted during Ramadan requires intentionality, consistency, gratitude, self-reflection, seeking knowledge, and cultivating a sense of community.

Let’s carry the spirit of Ramadan with us in our hearts throughout the year, and may Allah bless us all with steadfastness on the path of righteousness. Each year you up spiritual strength and age which is like climbing stairs.

Imagine life as a staircase…

with each step representing every Ramadan year in our journey. Just like climbing stairs, our progress is gradual, one step at a time. Ramadan is like reaching each point on that staircase—a moment of pause and reflection where we gather strength and nourishment for the journey ahead.

During Ramadan, we ascend a few steps higher, exerting ourselves in acts of worship, self-discipline, and self-reflection. It’s a time when we feel spiritually invigorated, as if we’ve reached a new height on the staircase of our journey.

But as Ramadan ends and we transition back into our daily lives, we must remember that the staircase continues. The challenge is to maintain the momentum gained during Ramadan and continue climbing, step by step, throughout the year.

Each year, as Ramadan comes and goes, we have the opportunity to ascend higher on the staircase of our journey. With each passing year, we build upon the progress of the previous year, gradually inching closer to our ultimate destination—the pleasure of Allah and the attainment of spiritual fulfilment.

Just as climbing stairs requires effort, determination, and perseverance, so too does our journey in life. We may stumble at times, or even take a few steps backward, but the key is to keep moving forward, one step at a time. And with each step we take, we grow stronger, wiser, and closer to Allah.

If you find yourself stepping back due to sins and disobedience, remember that repentance is the key to restarting your climb. Turn to Allah in sincere repentance, seek His forgiveness, and resolve to renew your commitment to righteousness. Just as a climber regains their footing after a slip, so too can you regain momentum on your spiritual journey through sincere repentance and steadfast determination.

So, let us approach each new year with the determination to climb higher on the staircase of our journey. Let us seize the opportunities for growth and self-improvement that come our way and let us strive to reach new heights in our faith and spirituality. With Allah’s guidance and mercy, we can ascend the stairs of Ramadan with confidence, knowing that each step brings us closer to our ultimate goal which is to be closer to Allah to Almighty and for Him to be pleased with us.

The best way is up and gradually. Imagine doing this over the years and where you will end up InshAllah.

Ramadan may end, but our journey towards Allah continues. May He guide us and keep us steadfast on the straight path.

Quiz: Sustaining Spiritual Momentum Beyond Ramadan

  1. Intentionality

In what ways can we ensure our intentions remain pure after Ramadan?

a) By seeking approval from others for our actions

b) By focusing solely on worldly gains

c) By consistently seeking the pleasure of Allah

d) By prioritizing personal desires over spiritual goals

  1. Consistency

What does consistency in spiritual practices entail after Ramadan?

a) Praying only on weekends

b) Maintaining daily prayers, Quranic recitation, and acts of charity

c) Performing occasional acts of worship without regularity

d) Skipping prayers when feeling unmotivated

  1. Gratitude

How can we cultivate gratitude beyond the confines of Ramadan?

a) By taking our blessings for granted

b) By engaging in regular expressions of thankfulness

c) By complaining about our circumstances

d) By comparing ourselves unfavourably to others

  1. Self-Reflection

Why is self-reflection crucial for ongoing spiritual growth?

a) It distracts us from our goals

b) It helps us identify areas for refinement and growth

c) It reinforces our sense of perfection

d) It leads to self-criticism and despair

  1. Seeking Knowledge

What steps can we take to deepen our understanding of Islam post-Ramadan?

a) Avoiding discussions with knowledgeable scholars

b) Engaging in regular study of Islamic literature and attending educational events

c) Believing that we already possess all necessary knowledge

d) Prioritizing secular education over religious learning

  1. Community

How does fostering a sense of community contribute to our spiritual journey?

a) It’s irrelevant to our spiritual growth

b) It strengthens our faith and provides support during times of difficulty

c) It leads to division and discord among believers

d) It distracts us from our personal spiritual goals

Answers:

  1. c) By consistently seeking the pleasure of Allah
  2. b) Maintaining daily prayers, Quranic recitation, and acts of charity
  3. b) By engaging in regular expressions of thankfulness
  4. b) It helps us identify areas for refinement and growth
  5. b) Engaging in regular study of Islamic literature and attending educational events
  6. b) It strengthens our faith and provides support during times of difficulty
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Samia Ahmed is the founder of Blossoming Believers, a project focused on engaging children in learning about Islam through teaching and children’s books and resources. With a background in education and extensive involvement in organisations like the Utrujj Foundation and Islamic Relief, Samia has produced educational materials for schools, delivered assemblies, and co-written publications. She holds a Masters in Islamic Studies. Samia’s goal is to create books for children that promote life skills based on Islamic teachings, making Islam simple and relevant to modern-day challenges.

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