The joy of the coming of Syawal is one of the forms of joy mentioned by the Prophet  ﷺ in his words: “For the fasting people there are two joys; when breaking he rejoices, and when he meets his Lord he is happy with his fast.” – Muttafaqun ‘alaih. 

Islam has sanctioned zakat during the holy month of Ramadan in order to support the poor during the month of Syawal. Despite the joyful mood, we need to reflect on the situations after Ramadan.

The Disappearance of the Quran Readers

Muslims are generally aware that Ramadan is the “celebration” of the Quran. This month, Salafussoleh (the pious predecessors) demonstrated how they interact with the Quran.

Imam Qatadah, for instance, finishes the Quran every seven days; when Ramadan arrives, he finishes it every three days. During the last ten of the month of Ramadan, he completes it every night. The same is true of other scholars for this month. And they continue to recite the Quran and complete it several times a month outside of Ramadan.

As Muslims, we must recognize that the Quran is recited during Ramadan and throughout the year. It would be a loss if a day passed in our lives without reciting the Quran while Allah sent down mercy for those who recited it. Uthman bin ‘Affan once said, “If your heart is pure, you will never feel full of God’s words.“

Revealing Awrah

Eid is a joyous occasion for Muslims around the world. It was a delight to have completed religious acts for a month. The permitted joy, however, has its limits. A Muslim or Muslimah is forbidden from disclosing their awrah to others. We see this either in reality or on social media, where many women show off their outfits for the day where their awrah can be seen.

Ramadan should be a “madrasah” that teaches us to observe our faith as Muslims. Why don’t we avoid exposing the awrah, which is strictly forbidden?

The same holds true when visiting relatives and close friends. Some men and women who are not mahram shake hands. This is a religiously forbidden practice.

“By Allah, the Prophet ﷺ has never touched a woman’s hand (ajnabi),” ‘Aisyah r.a said. “It is better for you to be pierced by an iron needle than to touch a woman who is not halal for you,” the Prophet ﷺ explained. -HR at-Tabarani.

The Return of Vices

During Ramadan, Muslims abstain from minor and major vices to preserve the month’s holiness. In fact, Satan is bound for the month in order to make it easier for humans to worship and repent of their sins.

Nonetheless, do we protect the sanctity of any other month besides Ramadan from sins and vices? Does a person who refrain from slander resume the practice after Ramadan? Does the swearer refrain from using profanity for other months? The same goes for other sins. Is it performed again after Ramadan, or has it been abandoned permanently? Train ourselves to abandon sin permanently. Try even a little bit to avoid sin. May we return to Him in a state of nobility.

Qiyamullail

Qiyamullail is one of God’s most beloved sunnah practices, performed by His servants. This worship is sunnah throughout the year. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did so until his leg became swollen. Then, Aisyah asked, “Why did the Prophet ﷺ do this if His sin has been forgiven?” Prophet ﷺ  said, “Can’t I be a grateful servant?” -HR Muslim.

During Ramadan, the mosque is filled with Tarawih or night prayers. The question is whether Qiyamullail practice end with the end of Ramadan or whether it continued within the family.

Abu Hurairah r.a. said, “My beloved (Prophet ﷺ ) bequeathed me three things, and I will not abandon them until my death: three days of fasting every month, the Dhuha prayer, and the Witir prayer before going to bed.” –Muttafaqun ‘alaih.

The Qiyam prayer begins following Isya’ and continues until dawn. If we can do it with many rakaats as we did during Ramadan, continue with two rakaats before going to bed.

Contributed by Abdul Rahman Rahuni

Ustaz Abdul Rahman Rahuni. The author is a graduate of the Islamic University of Madinah studying in the field of Islamic Shariah. He is currently an instructor at Sekolah Menengah Ugama Islamiah, Tawau, Sabah.