Renewal of the Heart and Soul

Phase 5 – Transformation: Becoming Who Allah Loves

Holding onto Spiritual Gains

My dear brothers and sisters, today is the 30th day of Ramadhan. Tonight, the sun will set on this blessed month. Tonight, Ramadhan will be over. The month of mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from the Fire has come to its end.

There is a grief in every believer’s heart today. We are sad to see this guest depart. We are sad to leave the nights of prayer, the days of fasting, the closeness we felt. But there is also hope — hope that our efforts have been accepted, hope that our hearts have been renewed, hope that the month has changed us forever.

Today, as we complete our journey of heart renewal, we speak about Holding onto Spiritual Gains.

The Fear of Losing What We Built

Every believer feels this fear today. We have spent thirty days building. We have prayed, fasted, given charity, sought Laylatul Qadr. Our hearts have been softened, purified, renewed. And now we fear: Will it last? Will I go back to how I was before?

This fear is healthy. It keeps us vigilant. It drives us to protect what we have built. The Companions RA used to fear that their deeds would not be accepted, and that fear made them strive harder.

How to Hold On

The Prophet ﷺ gave us the formula for holding onto our gains:

“أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ أَدْوَمُهَا وَإِنْ قَلَّ”

“The most beloved deeds to Allah are the most consistent, even if they are small.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

You do not need to maintain the intensity of Ramadhan. That is not possible. But you must maintain consistency. A little bit every day, carried forward throughout the year, will keep your heart connected.

Your Post-Ramadhan Commitments

Before this day ends, make your post-Ramadhan plan. Choose two or three deeds you will continue:

The five daily prayers on time. This is non-negotiable. If you lose this, you lose everything.

A daily portion of Quran. Even one page. Even a few verses with reflection. Let the Quran remain your companion.

Night prayer, even if just two rak’ah. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“أَفْضَلُ الصَّلَاةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلَاةُ اللَّيْلِ”

“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim)

Morning and evening adhkar. A few minutes that protect and connect you.

Fasting the six days of Shawwal. The Prophet ﷺ said:

“مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ”

“Whoever fasts Ramadhan and follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year.” (Muslim)

Start as soon as you can. Keep the spirit of fasting alive.

The Heart After Ramadhan

Your heart has been renewed this month. It is softer, more sensitive, more connected. But the heart is like a garden. If you stop tending it, weeds grow. If you stop watering it, it dries up. You must tend your heart every single day.

How? Through constant remembrance. Through daily Quran. Through regular prayer. Through ongoing charity. Through avoiding sin. Through turning to Allah in every moment.

The Du’a of the Last Day

As this day ends, make this du’a with all your heart:

“اللَّهُمَّ تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ”

“O Allah, accept from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”

Concluding Note on the Theme

My dear brothers and sisters, our theme throughout this journey has been renewal of the heart and soul. Today, as Ramadhan departs, we ask: Has it happened? Has my heart been renewed?

The answer is not in a feeling, but in a commitment. Renewal is not a one-time event. It is the beginning of a new way of living. It is a heart that now knows its Lord, that turns to Him, that seeks Him. It is a soul that has tasted the sweetness of faith and will not settle for less.

Carry this renewal forward. Protect it. Nurture it. Let it grow.

Steadfastness. This is the key. This is what carries renewal forward.

May Allah accept from us all, renew our hearts, and allow us to witness many more Ramadhan’s in faith and good health. Ameen.