South Africa – The Holy Quran teaches that Ramadan is a period during which we cultivate piety and compassion through fasting, engaging in righteous deeds, and dedicating ourselves to prayer. This structured approach to Ramadan promotes a deeper spiritual awareness and connection with our Creator.
As the appearance of the crescent moon bids farewell to this sacred month, many of us express sadness at its conclusion yet hope to experience its divine mercy again. Throughout Ramadan, countless people earnestly upheld their intentions to maximise its benefits by regularly attending prayers in congregation and increasing their charitable acts.
Still, the question arises: How can we ensure the continuity of these practices beyond the temporal boundaries of the 30 days? Appa Ruwayda Haroun Begg offers a straightforward answer, we should live as if we are in Ramadan and persist in our established routines.
This change should be manageable, as Ramadan has demonstrated our capability to maintain daily prayers, engage in Quranic recitation, and constantly remember Allah through Dhikr. Furthermore, it has highlighted our capacity for change when consciously pursued.
“As we move forward, you make your intention and be consistent … We cannot be perfect, but there is an expectation to try. We keep on trying to move toward Allah, and that is something that we all know. If you take one step toward Allah, he comes running toward you.”
Encourage and Support Each Other Outside of Ramadan
Ramadan is a unique month in the Islamic calendar, as it offers abundant opportunities for fresh beginnings, ridding old habits, and seeking physical, psychological, and spiritual improvement.
For some, Ramadan magnifies existing virtues and tendencies. They use this time to deepen their commitment to kindness, generosity, and prayer, strengthening their faith in all aspects.
However, for others, Ramadan signifies a pivotal moment for transformation. While they may enter the month unprepared, they are willing to address their shortcomings.
Different from those with established Islamic backgrounds or supportive networks, some may lack these advantages. However, they exhibit remarkable dedication during Ramadan, by attentively learning and reading the Quran, attending the mosque, or observing the hijab more devoutly.
Yet, after Ramadan, they may struggle to maintain their newfound practices due to life’s distractions. In such instances, Appa Ruwayda advises against discouragement. Instead, she encourages mutual support and understanding.
“It has been proven that if you do something for 21 days, it becomes a habit … If you actually want to do something, you start off small, and every day, you change one small thing … Again, Allah doesn’t ask you to be perfect.”
