What to do after Ramadan –Imam Kutubi

Imam Kutubi who was speaking at the closing of Ramadan tafsir at the mosque said: “After the month of Ramadan is over, Muslims  should strive to keep up the spirit of the blessed month by continuing the good deeds and behaviour that they upheld as the fasting lasted,” adding that “Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has cautioned […]

Imam Kutubi who was speaking at the closing of Ramadan tafsir at the mosque said: “After the month of Ramadan is over, Muslims  should strive to keep up the spirit of the blessed month by continuing the good deeds and behaviour that they upheld as the fasting lasted,” adding that “Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has cautioned us that whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah (swt) is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.”
He cautioned the ummah against reverting to the bad habits they avoided during the blessed month, such as talking ill about other people behind their back, smoking/alcoholism, illegal sexual relationships, stinginess, gambling and other corrupt actions.
“The thing to guard against is not to be an angel in Ramadan and then a demon after it has come and gone,” he said, stressing that “the lessons learned and the spiritual benefits gained during the month should be sustained and carried through the remaining months, weeks, days, hours and every milliseconds of the year up till the next Ramadan.
“Ramadan should increase our faith and consciousness of Allah, swt, as the Lord of Ramadan is the Lord of the whole year. We should keep on doing the good deeds that we exerted great effort in doing during the Ramadan period even now that the month has ended.
Imam Kutubi listed among the meritorious acts of ibadah after Ramadan to include:  Fasting six days in Shawwal, saying that the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, ‘Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan, and then follows it up by (fasting) six days of Shawwal, it is as if he has fasted the whole year.’
It is highly recommended by the Sunnah for Muslims to fast the Sitta Shawwal, he said and explained that it is not compulsory that the  six days’ fast are observed consecutively but done within the month even if spread over some days.
He also said that those who missed fast days in Ramadan based on valid reason(s) such as illness, travel, or menses in the case of women, should, without delay, make up for them, after the Sitta Shawwal fast.
Imam Kutubi listed other nafl fasting after Ramadan which Muslims are encouraged by the Sunnah to observe to include: Fasting the Day of Arafah – the 9th of Dhul Hijjah (for those not performing the Hajj); Fasting the 10th of Muharram (and if possible the 9th and 11th days of the month);  Fasting many days  during the month of Sha’aban; Fasting during the months of Rajab, Dhul Qi’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram; Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays;  and Fasting the on 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month.
“We as  Muslims must strive to keep the spirit of Ramadan throughout the other months of the year”, he said, “through  constant remembrance of Allah (swt) and seeking  his guidance to remain steadfast in faith;  offering nafl night prayers; being generous and assisting the poor and the needy;  constant recitation and listening to the Holy Qur’an and reflecting on it; asking Allah’s forgiveness for ourselves and our parents; and other supererogatory acts of worship accepted by the Qur’an and Sunnah.”