The month of Shawwal arrived, and at the beginning, many of us tried our best to maintain the worship and faith we practiced in Ramadan. Now, as Shawwal comes to an end, we reflect on the spiritual journey we embarked on during Ramadan – a journey where we immersed ourselves in ‘ibaadah, connected deeply with the Qur’an, performed extra prayers, increased in good deeds, and worked on letting go of bad habits. Most importantly, we sought new ways to strengthen our faith and build a closer relationship with Allah (AWJ).
We tried, we tried, and we tried again to carry this spirit into Shawwal. Some of us succeeded, while others found themselves caught up in busy schedules, slowly slipping away from the strong connection we had with Allah (AWJ). Yet, in this reflection, we realise that Ramadan was a time when we promised ourselves change. And in Shawwal, we proved that we can keep that promise – if we truly try, even if it’s little by little, every single day.
Now, as Shawwal departs, we remind ourselves of that commitment. Whether or not we slipped in this month, we must hold onto our promise and continue striving. So, when next Ramadan arrives, we are already stronger, spiritually prepared to embrace its blessings once more.
Shawwal: A Bridge Between Ramadan and the Rest of the Year
As the days of Shawwal passed, many of us tried to continue the good habits we developed in Ramadan. Some of us completed the six fasts of Shawwal, while others fasted on the white days or on Mondays and Thursdays. We kept up with Sunnah and Nafl prayers. We didn’t put the Qur’an back on the shelf, but instead, continued reading – even if just a small portion each day.
For some, these habits came easily, while for others, they were a struggle. But now, as Shawwal comes to an end, we have a choice: will we allow our success to continue, or will we let ourselves slip back into old routines?
We have reached the end of this bridge – the bridge between Ramadan and the rest of the year. Now, we must decide how to take the next step. What will your next step be?
How Can We Take the Right Step and Make These Changes for Life?
Here are a few small yet powerful steps we can take to ensure our worship remains consistent throughout the year:
- Read a portion of Qur’an a day – even if it’s just a few verses.
- At the very least, wake up for Tahajjud on your days off work – even if it’s only two rak’ahs.
- Fast three white days each month – keeping the spirit of Ramadan alive.
- Continue in charity – even if it’s just a small daily or weekly act of kindness.
- Maintain your zikr – spend at least 15 minutes every morning and evening in azkar and dedicate a few minutes every hour to remembering Allah (AWJ) and sending salutations upon the Prophet (SAW).
Take small steps, but make sure to take them – because that is our purpose in this dunya.
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