By Imam Mashood Dagbo
Maintaining consistency in worship after Ramaḍhan is a central sign of spiritual success in Islam, as true devotion is not confined to a season but continues throughout one’s life. The Qur’an establishes this principle clearly, as Allah commands: “So remain on the right course as you have been commanded” (Qur’an 11:112). This indicates that consistency in obedience is an ongoing obligation. Likewise, Allah praises those who maintain firmness in faith as He says: “Indeed, those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remain steadfast—the angels descend upon them…” (Qur’an 41:30). Thus verse also demonstrates that consistency in worship attracts divine support and ultimate success.
The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also in his sunnah reinforces this concept of continuity in worship, that is why, it encourages fasting of six days after Ramadhan as contained in his Hadith thus: “Whoever fasts Ramaḍān and follows it with six days of Shawwāl, it is as if he fasted the entire year (Sahih Muslim, 1164 ). The Hadith indicates that post-Ramaḍhan acts are part of the believer’s ongoing journey rather than a separate phase. While, IIbn Rajab al-Hanbali (RA) explained that: “the reward of a good deed is to be followed by another good deed”. This implies that continued obedience after Ramaḍān reflects divine acceptance.
As my weekly tradition, this piece is evident with Hadith related by `Aishah (RA) who reported that: The Prophet SAW) was asked, “What deeds are loved most by Allah?” He said, “The most regular constant deeds even though they may be few.” He added, ‘Don’t take upon yourselves, except the deeds which are within your ability (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6465). The Hadith is further explained by highlighting its lessons and jurisprudential implications as follows:
- Hadith teaches consistency in worship and steadiness in quantity. It’s because small deeds done regularly are more beloved to Allah than large but irregular acts.
- Hadith teaches moderation in worship by encouraging balance and avoiding extremism or overburdening oneself.
- Hadith establishes that sincerity and sustainability of deeds retains a stronger and lasting connection with Allah.
- Hadith indicates that religion considers human capacity and does not demand what is unbearable and dislikes excessive burden in worship
- Hadith draws our attention to maintaining our Ibadah regularly even if it can’t be as much as it was during Ramadhan as Allah likes the consistency of worship.
Prayers:
Please, O Allah! As we witnessed the third Jumu’a’h in the month of Shawwal, 1447 AH, may Allah accept our fasting, prayers and make it possible to fast the six days in the month in good faith and health.
O Allah! We confessed our sins before You, forgive us and cushion the effect of the hardship by Your Mighty and guide our leaders right and alleviate our abject poverty, save us from bad governance, protect Muslims from all worrying lands, and restore the world and Nigeria in particular, back to normal from pandemic, insecurity, hunger, banditry, kidnapping, war and other social evils rampaging the world with the blessings you accorded this month. Amin.
Imam Yusuf Mashood Dagbo is the Chief Imam, Government Girls Day Secondary School, GGDSS Central Mosque, Okesuna, Ilorin, Kwara State & Director, YUMAD Consults, specializes in educational consultancy, cultural orientation, marriage counselling, event organization, public presentation, columnist, etc.
