Alhamdulillah Allah has blessed us with the opportunity to
benefit from another Ramadan. It's that time of year where we up the ante and
use all our time to do good. We turn off the music, turn on the Quran and even
wait an extra month to watch The Dark
Knight Rises. But this maxing out on deen makes it almost impossible for
people like me to maintain such habits after the month ends. Truth is, I get
burnt out. I try so hard in Ramadan and then get too tired to keep up the good
work. Allah will ask us if we worshipped Him or if we worshipped Ramadan. After
all, the goal of this month should be to develop good habits. It shouldn’t be
to do as much good as we can then go back to our old ways. So how do we
set realistic, attainable goals that can be continued once this month ends?
Take baby steps. We all want to get better, but realize that it
doesn’t happen overnight. Most importantly, consistency is key. Choose a task that
is small, but done regularly. Establish a habit during Ramadan so that you can
continue once the month has passed, inshAllah. Also, grab a buddy. It’s so much
easier to be good when you’re not alone. Choose a friend whom you trust, love,
and someone you want to grow closer to. Do the task together. It can be a
daily, or weekly thing; whatever works for you, just make it consistent. Doing
it with someone else makes it that much easier. They will be there to give you
that extra motivation and keep you in check, plus bonding over deen will bring
barakah into your friendship and give it a strength that can’t be shaken.
Your task can be anything. Choose a lecture series and listen
once a week together. Or choose a surah and memorize a couple ayat everyday.
Maybe you can choose a new sunnah each week and work on implementing it
together. You can try to give up bad deeds together too! Maybe try to give up
music or gossiping together. The sky is the limit, folks. But the bottom line
is that it's easier when you do it together. We are weak people, and honestly,
we can’t make it on our own. That’s why we need each other to do good. “And
hold onto the rope of Allah together” (3:103).
And when we do that, our bonds grow stronger and we begin to love each other
for the sake of Allah. This love will unite us on the Day of Judgment under the
shade of Allah, while others drown in their own sweat.
So grab hold of someone you trust and race towards the pleasure
of your Lord. Struggle and fight together. Love and protect each other. Develop
good and solid habits that you can continue after Ramadan ends for many more
months to come. Check your intentions and do it for the sake of Allah alone.
And see the coolness it will bring to your hearts and the strength it will
bring to your bonds!!
May Allah (swt) grant us all the strength to admit to our
brothers and sisters that we love them. May He grant us the strength to grab
onto His rope and struggle for the sake of deen. May Allah (swt) accept our
efforts, and unite us amongst the righteous on the final Day. Ameen!!
Happy Fasting, and happy racing!!!
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