Sufyaan bin 'Abdillaah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: O Messenger of Allaah, tell me
something about Islaam of which I will not ask anyone else other than you (after
that). He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Say: I believe in Allaah and
then be steadfast (upon that)".
This hadeeth is a proof that the servant is obligated, after having Eemaan in
Allaah, to persevere and be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the
obligatory acts and avoiding the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following
the Straight Path, which is the firm Religion, without drifting away from it to
the right or to the left.
If a Muslim lived through Ramadan and spent its days in fasting and its nights
in prayer, and in that month he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then
he must continue to remain upon this obedience to Allaah at all times. This is the true state of the servant (abd), for indeed, the Lord of the
months is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing His servants at all times.
Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadan and the rectification of one's statements
and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit from the month
of Ramadaan and that he struggled in obedience. They are tokens of acceptance
and signs of success.
Furthermore, the deeds of a servant do not come to an end with the end of a
month and the beginning of another. Rather they continue and extend until one
reaches death, for Allaah says: “And worship your Lord until the certainty
(i.e. death) comes to you.”
If the fast of Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary fasting is
still prescribed throughout the entire year, and all praise is due to Allaah.
If standing in prayer at night during Ramadaan comes to an end, then indeed, the
entire year is a time for performing the night prayer. And if the
Zakaat-ul-Fitr comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah that is
obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year.
This applies to reciting the Qur’aan and pondering over its meaning as
well as every other righteous deed that is desirable, for they can be done at
all times. From the many bounties that Allaah has bestowed upon His servants is
that He has placed for them many different types of acts of worship and He
provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the enthusiasm and the
zeal of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in the
service of his Master.
It is unfortunate to find some people performing worship by doing different
types of righteous acts during Ramadaan; they guard strictly their five daily
prayers in the Masjid, they recite the Qur’aan abundantly and they give in
charity from their money. But when Ramadaan comes to an end, they grow lazy in
their worship. Rather, sometimes they even abandon the obligations, both
generally, such as praying in congregation, and specifically, such as praying
the Fajr prayer!
And they (even) commit forbidden acts such as sleeping through the time of
prayers, engaging in instruments of pastime and music, and using Allaah's blessings to disobey him. Thus, they demolish what they
have constructed and they destroy what they have established. This is an
indication of deprivation and a sign of perdition. We ask Allaah for His
safeguarding and protection!
Indeed, these types of people take the example of turning in repentance and
ceasing from committing evil deeds as something specific and restricted to
(only) the month of Ramadan. So they stop doing these (good) acts when the
month stops. Thus, it is as if they have abandoned sinning for the sake of
Ramadan and not out of fear for Allaah! How evil are these people who do not
know Allaah except in Ramadan!
Truly, the success that Allaah grants His servant lies in the fasting of
Ramadan. And Allaah’s assisting him to do that is a great blessing. Thus this
calls for the servant to be grateful to his Lord. And this understanding can be
found in Allaah’s saying, after having completed the favor of the month of
fasting: “(He wants that you) must compete the same number of days, and that you must
magnify Allaah (by saying Allaahu Akbar) for having guided you, so that you may
be grateful to Him.”
So the one who is grateful for having fasted, he will remain upon that
condition and continue to perform righteous deeds.
Indeed, the true manner of a Muslim is that of one who praises and thanks his
Lord for having been bestowed the ability to fast and make Qiyaam (night
prayer). His condition after Ramadan is better than it was before Ramadan. He
is more ready to obey, desiring to do good deeds and quick to implement the
obligatory acts. This is since he has acquired benefit from this prominent
institute of learning. It is that of one who fears for having his fast not
accepted, for indeed Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa.
The righteous predecessors would struggle to complete and perfect their deeds,
hoping afterwards, that it would be accepted and fearing that it would be
rejected. From the reports of Alee is that he said: Be more concerned with
having your deeds accepted than with the deed itself. Did you not hear Allaah
say: Verily Allaah only accepts from those who have Taqwaa?
.
Aa’ishah said: I asked the Messenger of Allaah concerning the aayah: And those
who give away that which they give (i.e. charity and other good deeds), while
their hearts tremble with fear. Are they the ones who drink alcohol and steal?
He (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: No, O daughter of as-Siddeeq. But
rather, they are the ones who fast and pray and give in charity, yet fear that
it won't be accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and
they are the first to do them.
So be warned and again be warned of turning backward after having attained
guidance, of going astray after persevering! And ask Allaah to provide you with
endurance in doing righteous deeds and continuity in performing good acts. And
ask Allaah that He grant you a good end, in order that He may accept our
Ramadan from us.
Source: Ahaadeeth as-Siyaam: Ahkaam wa Aadaab, pp. 159-162 by Abdullaah bin
Saalih al-Fawzaan
