August 15, 2013

Feeling disconnected? The post-Ramadan syndrome

Eid was a week ago.. and life is back in full swing.

My Muslim colleagues laugh about their nights out drinking, go back on their cigarette breaks, bars are back in business in the Middle East and the dress code is considerably 'shorter' and well, barer. 
Tonight, an acquaintance even told me she wishes she knew I was a Muslim earlier, as she likes to hang out with Muslims during the Holy Month. I asked, what about the rest of the year???

Feeling low?


Meanwhile, many other Muslims are still desperately trying to hang on to the blissful spirit of Ramadan. Some are still fasting to make up for missed days or for the 6 days of Shawwal (10th month in the Islamic calendar) that are not mandatory. 

It is said that “Whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days from Shawwal it is as if they fasted the entire year.”
[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah; Ahmad transmitted it from Jabir, Muntaqa]

On the other hand, some may experience the post-Ramadan syndrome and perhaps feeling blue or disconnected from reality: as if Ramadan was a distant dream and they are not ready to get back to the harsh reality. 
So what happens after we are done fasting? What do we do with the good habits we picked up during Ramadan? Do we throw them out the window?

Advices & tips from fellow Muslims


1) Ask yourself : what goal(s) did I achieve and which habit do I want to keep up?

ie. praying 5 times a day, waking up for fajr, dressing conservatively, reading the Quran etc
Make a realistic list and decide what is achievable.

2) Let's ask God to guide us and to keep us on the straight path and to make it easy for us (Ameen)


3) Continue to read the Quran and to educate ourselves on a regular basis


4) Stay in touch with friends who invited us for iftar, who we met at Taraweh prayers, who we can talk about our faith and are a good influence on our spiritual quest.


5) Stay fit and healthy.. because it makes us happy!

ProductiveMuslim.com give great tips in the following video:


Addtionally, sisters may tune in online on Sunday, August 18th at 7.15pm (GMT+4) as Al Huda Sisters will give a talk on "Firmness after Ramadan". More details here.


رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ 
”Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower "(3:8)

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