Why I am afraid of Ramadan

Bilal Naeem – Hiba magazine team writer

As I get into the last Ashra of Ramadan, an unease begins to take hold, what will be left of this version of me once Ramadan is over?

This person, that wakes up for Tahajjud and is extra careful not to miss a Salah in congregation. A person who checks his tongue before backbiting or saying something hurtful. A person who is intentional about how he spends his time, where his thoughts go and careful about what his eyes, tongue and hand send forth. A person particular about his daily Wird (Quranic recitation) and his daily portion of the Quran that he cannot miss.

Ramadan shows us all exactly what we are capable of and then, it is over.

Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” (Al Baqarah 2:183)

Similarly, it is reported about the Salaf that they would spend six months after Ramadan asking Allah (swt) to accept it, and six months preparing for the next one.

Therefore, the true essence of Ramadan is to build up our Taqwa, not just for the month but beyond. To graduate to a higher form of God consciousness, the awareness that Allah (swt) is watching me and that I am aware of that loving gaze.

This has to manifest into an intentionality in how we use our core faculties, i.e. what we think, what we say, what we see and what we hear. Since these are doorways to our heart, care in how we apply them helps us to mend our heart, after all that’s where decisions are made. An authentic Hadith explains this as follows:

“When the believer commits sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the Ran that Allah mentions in His Book: “No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning.” (Al Mutafifeen 83:14)

Build to last

Will these habits begin and end in these 30 days or am I building something that will last? The question has to become practical rather than emotional: how do we preserve the spirit of Ramadan after it ends?

Just as you bring back souvenirs, shopping and pictures to remind you of a vacation and relive those moments with every mention and memory of it as if you are still there, Ramadan habits have to stay with you.

If you detach from the Masjid, disconnect from your Qiyam buddies, put away your Mushaf on the top shelf, stow away the prayer mat and eliminate every sign of the blessed month’s presence from your life, you are an easier prey for Shaitan than anything. 

Plan your post Ramadan during Ramadan. The Ibadah might lessen sometimes but it must not disappear. Remember you still desperately need Allah (swt) in the remaining 11 months of your life.

1, Quranic recitation

For many of us, Ramadan is the only time the Quran becomes a daily companion. Mosques fill for recitation, and even those who struggle during the year manage to read regularly. The key after Ramadan is to reduce the quantity but maintain the consistency, perhaps one page after Fajr or before sleeping. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small.” (Bukhari)

A single page every day will eventually transform into hundreds over the year. The goal is not speed but a consistent link with the Quran and Allah’s (swt) message to us.  

2, Salah and Tahajjud

“… And establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing…” (Al Ankabut 29:45)

Salah is the key and if this habit is developed in Ramadan, we must continue with that momentum. Many scholars advise protecting Fajr and Isha in particular, because when these two remain stable the others tend to follow.

Practical structure matters, such as preparing for Fajr by sleeping earlier, setting consistent Adhan reminders and essentially building habits around existing routines.

The attempt to regularly pray Tahajjud, a beloved habit of the Prophet (sa) does not necessarily require long prayers. Even two Rakahs can preserve the connection. Once this habit is formed and if practiced with the right Khushu, the mind and heart begin to seek out this solitude with Allah (swt) when the world is asleep.

3, Voluntary fasting

One of the most powerful experiences of Ramadan is the rediscovery of self-control. Hunger softens the ego and makes the heart more aware of Allah (swt). The Sunnah encourages us not to abandon fasting entirely once Ramadan ends.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year.”

Beyond Shawwal, the practice of fasting on Mondays and Thursdays or the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the Islamic lunar month, keeps the spiritual discipline alive.

The practical step is simple: schedule these fasts in advance, treating them like appointments rather than optional acts.

4, Increasing Dhikr

If you have been fortunate enough to set a fixed time for your daily Quranic recitation, then it is ideal to continue this or a portion of this. It is always easier to have a clear, fixed goal rather than just a vague intention of what you hope to accomplish.

Similarly, splitting up your Quranic recitation during the day or at set times, such as after Fajr, during your commute, after Asr or before going to sleep can be more helpful in maintaining it. Specific times of the day have their own recommended Duas and Azkaar as per Sunnah which can form the base of any such routine.

The lesson is not that Dhikr of Allah (swt) belongs only in Ramadan, but that Ramadan reveals our capacity for it.

5, Change in Ikhlaq

“Fasting is a shield. When one of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor raise his voice in anger. If someone insults him or fights with him, let him say: ‘I am fasting.’” (Bukhari).

In a lot of ways, this may be the hardest of all. While Ramadan makes us more aware and intentional about what we say and how we behave, carrying this on as a part of our behaviour can be challenging. This is where the base, i.e. Taqwa, comes in again. A mind and heart that is conscious of Allah (swt) will not casually backbite or speak out of anger but will show patience and forbearance.

The true measure of Ramadan is not how we behave during the month, but what remains afterward. The scholars often say that the sign of an accepted good deed is that it leads to another good deed. If Ramadan leaves behind stronger prayers, regular Quran, voluntary fasting, night worship, and generous hearts, then its light continues long after the moon of Shawwal appears.