Q:

Dear scholar, how should I maintain the spirit of Ramadan?

A:

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Thank you for your question.

I believe that Ramadan is the month when a Muslim spiritually recharges his/her heart with faith—by means of observing good deeds and acts of worship—in order to live Islam throughout the year.

It may be difficult for a Muslim to keep the same level of `ibaddah (acts of worship) after Ramadan. However, a Muslim should not totally abandon all types of `ibaddah he/she used to do in Ramadan.

Therefore, a Muslim should spare no efforts to keep the spirit of Ramadan throughout the other months of the year by means of-

1) Seeking Allah’s support, beseeching Him Almighty to guide him/her to the right path and help him/her remain steadfast in faith.

2) Observing optional fasting after Ramadan, as Muslims are encouraged by the Sunnah to observe optional fasting after Ramadan. The days in which optional fasting is recommended are:

a) Fasting six days during the month of Shawwal.

b) Fasting the day of Arafah, 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, provided that the person is not offering Hajj.

c) Fasting the 10^th of Muharram, and if possible the 9^th and the 11^th days of the same month.

d) Fasting as many days as possible during the month of Shaban.

e) Fasting during the months of Ragab, Dhul-Qidah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram.

f) Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays.

g) Fasting the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th of every lunar month.

3) Keeping on offering optional night Prayer.

4) Keeping on reciting, listening to and reflecting on the Quran.

5) Keeping on taking care of the poor and the needy.

6) Keeping on offering supererogatory acts of worship.

7) Keeping on performing dhikr a lot and asking Almighty Allah for forgiveness.

8) Avoiding the prohibitions and illegal practices.

May Allah accept your and our good deeds!

Allah Almighty knows best.