We are currently in the month of Ramadan, the best month for spiritual development. We spend this blessed month trying to gain blessings, trying to be more aware of our relationship with Allah SWT. It’s during Ramadan when we are the most aware of our actions, speech and character. We strive for that spiritual growth during this blessed month, but what about after the month is done? How do we keep going. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the momentum up, and when Ramadan is finished it’s almost like you are at square one again.
So here are my tips to continue your spiritual growth even after Ramadan is done:
Prayer-
You just got to pray pray pray pray. Salah is the most fundamental thing in our religion. It’s something that is required from us, and it brings us closer to our Lord. During the time of Ramadan it’s easier for us to stay conscious about our prayers, we’re more likely to put more care and effort into them. After Ramadan, it’s super important to keep those conscious thoughts about salah with us.
There’s a quote that I always see that goes “When prayer becomes a habit, success becomes a lifestyle”. I feel that quote on a deep level. The key to a good life starts and ends with prayer.
Quran-
During the month of Ramadan the Quran has such an importance to us. We all strive to finish the Quran during this month, we try to incorporate reading Quran whenever we can. We start some good habits with reading when we can, most of us replace our music with Quran.
But after Ramadan is finished, you need to try to stick to these habits. Replacing your music with Quran or nasheeds and Islamic lectures can be a helpful way for you to continue your spiritual growth even when the blessed month is finished.
Think about it, if you have an hour train journey, if you just read and listened to the Quran during it. You’re already better off, when thinking about the Quran it’s important to think of the quality, how much you are relating to the words and understanding them, not quantity. Don’t rush, take your time and gain a better understanding of what the surah is saying.
Taqwa-
Taqwa means to be God-conscious. It’s very easy to achieve this state during Ramadan, but after Ramadan we all start to slip. We need to develop our taqwa to a level where we are aware of Allah all throughout the year and just Ramadan.
To get to a point where we are so mindful of Allah we need to make it a habit to remember Allah more often, repent, learn more about the religion, fast and just remember death. The more your faith grows, the more your taqwa increases.
The more things you do in your day to day life to please Allah, the more your spiritual level will increase, along with the fact that you’re becoming more God-conscious because you are doing things that please Allah.
Remembrance-
I think this is the key to developing that much more spirituality in your life. Daily remembrance of Allah is what can give you that “Ramadan feeling” all 365 days in a year.
Remembrance of Allah is such an important thing to do. It can give us that push we really need when it comes to the deen. Reading and reflecting on the words of Allah SWT can you really help you. The more we reflect on Allah with every big or small deeds we do in our lives the more spiritual aware we will become.
And Allah swt says “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace”.
There are so many ways and things you can do in your life that will help you with spiritual development. These are just a few I think are important.
May Allah increase us in knowledge and thank you for reading.
