Stay Steadfast after Ramadan

Our journey to Allah does not end with Ramaḍān. Our journey of knowing Him, of tasting the sweetness of worshipping Him, of living a life of ʿubūdiyyah (servitude) does not end with Ramaḍān. It was said to Bishr al-Ḥāfī (raḥimahullāh), “There are some people who strive hard in Ramaḍān but when it ends, they stop.” He replied, “How evil are these people! They only know the rights of Allah in Ramaḍān. Indeed, the pious person is the one who worships and strives hard throughout the entire year.”

As we journey on the Straight Path to Allah (subḥānahū wa taʿālā), we should always ask Him for istiqāmah (steadfastness and staying firm). The Prophet ﷺ was asked, “Advise me with something that I could hold on to”. He ﷺ replied, “Say, ‘My Lord is Allah’, then remain steadfast on it” (Tirmidhī). The Prophet ﷺ also said, “ʿAbdullāh! Do not be like so-and-so! He used to pray at night, and he then stopped the night prayer”

(Bukhārī).

To stay firm, we should continuously seek knowledge (even if it is one class a week), and keep good company. We should fill our schedules with various good deeds, so that Shayṭān does not lead us to veer off the Straight Path. Every minute in our journey to Allah is extremely precious.

“O son of Ādam! You are nothing but a number of days: and whenever a day passes, a part of you passes away.” –

Ḥasan al-Baṣrī (raḥimahullāh)

Istiqāmah on the journey to Allah is attained through rectifying and nourishing the heart. Ibn Rajab (raḥimahullāh) writes, “The foundation of istiqāmah is the istiqāmah of the heart upon tawḥīd (the Oneness of Allah)… When the heart becomes steadfast on the maʿrifah (knowledge) of Allah, being in awe of Him, honouring Him, loving Him, seeking Him, hoping in Him, supplicating to Him, relying on Him and turning away from other than Him — then all the limbs and body parts will become steadfast on obeying Him. For the heart is the king of the limbs, and the limbs are its troops. When the king stands firm, his troops and subjects follow suit.”

May Allah al-Qawiyy (The Most Powerful) make us from the people of istiqāmah, about whom He says:

إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ قَالُوْا رَبُّنَا اللّٰهُ ثُمَّ اسْتَقٰمُوْا تَتَنَزَّلُ عَلَيْهِمُ الْمَلٰٓئِكَةُ أَلَّا تَخَافُوْا وَلَا تَحْزَنُوْا وَأَبْشِرُوْا بِالْجَنَّةِ الَّتِيْ كُنْتُمْ تُوْعَدُوْنَ . نَحْنُ أَوْلِيَآؤُكُمْ فِي الْحَيٰوةِ الدُّنْيَا وَفِي الْاٰخِرَةِ وَلَكُمْ فِيْهَا مَا تَشْتَهِيْ أَنْفُسُكُمْ وَلَكُمْ فِيْهَا مَا تَدَّعُوْنَ . نُزُلًا مِّنْ غَفُوْرٍ رَّحِيْمٍ

“Surely those who say, “Our Lord is Allah,” and then remain steadfast, the angels descend upon them, (saying,) “Do not fear, nor grieve. Rather, rejoice in the good news of Paradise, which you have been promised. We are your friends in this worldly life and in the hereafter. There you will have whatever your souls desire, and there you will have whatever you ask for: as a welcoming gift from the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful”

(41:30-2).

1. “Steadfastness is the ability to stay focused and determined, even in the face of challenges and adversity.”

. “In the journey of life, steadfastness is the compass that guides us through the storms.”

“True strength is not measured by how much we can lift, but by how long we can hold on.”

5. “Steadfastness is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”

6. “The path to success is paved with setbacks, but it is steadfastness that keeps us moving forward.”

7. “Steadfastness is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. It’s about endurance and perseverance.”

8. “When the winds of change blow, steadfastness is the anchor that keeps us grounded.”

9. “Steadfastness is the mark of a warrior who refuses to be defeated by circumstances.”

10. “In the face of uncertainty, steadfastness is the shield that protects our dreams and aspirations.”