What after Ramadan?
What is distressing and causes grief about the conditions of the people of Islam is their failure to understand this religion, and their willingness to give it up but only on occasions. When the occasion ends, obligations are abandoned and the mosques are forsaken, and the forbidden is committed and the Quran is deserted.
- Categories: Fiqh of Fasting -
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All Praises and thanks be to Allah, we thank Him, and we seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. We appeal for Allah's refuge from the evils of our souls and from the evils of our deeds. This who is guided by Allah will not be misled by anyone, and this who is misled by Him will not be guided by anyone. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah with no partner and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and upon his family and companions and upon his followers till the Day of Judgment.
Islam differs from other religions in terms of application and work in that it is a religion that is always connected to the slave. It is not disconnected once a performed ritual is finished, nor disengaged once the time of a great worship ends. Islam, however, accompanies the slave at all times and places, at home, in the market place, at work and everywhere; in the months of Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal and in every time.
This religion continues to connect a slave to his Lord. It elevates him to the Higher Kingdom and raises him high above the lowliness of this worldly life.
Such goodness appears only in the believer who is committed to Islam outwardly and inwardly, each and every time.
On the other hand, if you look at other religions, you will see that their rituals are just rites which are performed in their fixed times. They are traditional habitual practices which are not more than false heart gratification that does not connect the slave to his Creator nor generates inner happiness or tranquility.
As a result, worshipping Allah Almighty in Islam is continuous forever. It lasts with a slave from the age of puberty until he enters his grave. He does not disconnect his relation with Allah Almighty, unless he loses the way and goes astray from the straight path.
Look, for instance, to the obligatory prayers that are repeated with slaves every day and night, to fasting that is repeated every year. On the same line the same can be said about the zakat (obligatory alms giving), asking forgiveness, reciting the Quran and all remembrances, dutifulness to parents, keeping good relations with relatives and a lot more to be counted.
Continuation in performing good deeds does not stop only on the religious obligations. They exceed them to the optional acts of worship. It is recommended that a slave continues in performing them and not to quit doing them.
'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, has narrated that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "The most loved deeds for Allah Almighty are the most continuous even if they are little." [Reported by al-Bukhari and Muslim]
«أحب الأعمال أدومها إلى الله وإن قل» رواه البخاري ومسلم
She, may Allah be pleased with her, has mentioned that one of his features, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was the continuation of good deeds. She has said: "when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, decided upon doing any act, he continued to do it, and when he slept at night or fell sick he observed twelve rak'ahs during the daytime." [Reported by Muslim 746]
«كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا عمل عملا أثبته. وكان إذا نام من الليل أو مرض، صلى من النهار، ثنتي عشرة ركعة» رواه مسلم
Ponder; O slave of Allah, how the continuity of good deeds is important, as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to make up for optional acts of worship when he missed performing them in their due time, though they are optional and not obligatory to be performed. He even prompted the nation for doing that as he, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Should anyone fall asleep and fail to recite his portion of the Qur'an, or a part of it, if he recites it between the dawn prayer and the noon prayer, it will be recorded for him as though he had recited it during the night." [Reported by Muslim 747]
«من نام عن حزبه، أو عن شيء منه، فقرأه فيما بين صلاة الفجر وصلاة الظهر، كتب له كأنما قرأه من الليل» رواه مسلم
The Benefits of the Continuity of Good Deeds
Continuity of good deeds has many advantages that benefit a slave in both this worldly life and the Hereafter. Some of these advantages are:
1- Obtaining the love of Allah, Glorified and High be He: this who keeps performing righteous deeds is always connected to Allah Almighty, observing His obligatory acts of worship, approaching Him with the optional acts of worship until he becomes one of the beloved by Allah Almighty. Is there any honor greater than that!! Allah Almighty says in the Holy Hadith: "whoever has enmity to someone devoted to me, I will declare war against him, and My slave will not draw nearer to Me with anything more beloved to me than what I have obliged him to do. And My slave continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory acts of worship until I love him…" [Reported by Al-Bukhari 6502]
«إن الله قال من عادى لي وليا فقد آذنته بالحرب، وما تقرب إلي عبدي بشيء أحب إلي مما افترضت عليه، وما يزال عبدي يتقرب إلي بالنوافل حتى أحبه...» رواه البخاري
2- They are reasons for responding to the invocation: when the slave is afflicted by a hardship, he rushes to Allah Glorified and Exalted. Is it, however, appropriate to forget Allah in comfort and only remember Him in hardships?
The continuity of a slave on performing good deeds can relieve and erase each and every hardship. Accordingly, in the Hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Know Allah in comfort, so He knows you in hardship." [Authenticated by Al-Albani]
«تعرف إلى الله في الرخاء يعرفك في الشدة» صححه الألباني
And in the Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "he who would like to be pleased that Allah responds to him at hardships and distress, let him increase invocation in comfort." [Considered good by Al-Albani]
«من سره أن يستجيب الله له عند الشدائد والكرب، فليكثر الدعاء في الرخاء» حسنه الألباني
3- They are means of virtuousness and protection: the continuity of good deeds is a reason for refining the soul, subliming it over lustrous desires, raising it from impure evil desires and lusts and keeping it away from any Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden). Allah Almighty has said: {Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahshâ’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)} [Sûrat Al-'Ankabût 29:45]
{إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ} العنكبوت: 45
Transliteration: inna alssalata tanhaAAani alfahshai waalmunkari
Prayers are everlasting and continuous. Therefore, whoever preserves performing them abiding by their essential rules, he will be forbidden by them from committing evil actions. "When a man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying: so-and-so performs prayers at night and steals in the morning. He has said: What you say will restrain him." [Al-Albani said it has an authentic chain of transmission]
«جاء رجل إلى النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - فقال: إن فلانا يصلي بالليل، فإذا أصبح سرق، فقال: إنه سينهاه ما تقول» قال الألباني: إسناده صحيح
4- The reward of his deeds will be written for him even if he is withheld by an obstacle: if the slave continues on performing good deeds and was withheld by an excuse, Allah writes the reward of this deed as if he has actually done it. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "When a slave falls ill or travels, then he will get reward similar to that he gets for good deeds practiced at home when in good health." [Reported by Al-Bukhari 2996]
«إذا مرض العبد أو سافر كتب له مثل ما كان يعمل مقيما صحيحا» رواه البخاري
In another words, the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Any person who offers prayer at night regularly but (on a certain night) he is dominated by sleep will be given the reward of praying. His sleep will be as charity given to him." [Authenticated by Al-Albani].
«ما من امرئ يكون له صلاة بالليل، فيغلبه عليها النوم، إلا كتب الله تعالى له أجر صلاته، و كان نومه عليه صدقة» صححه الألباني
Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, may Allah Almighty have mercy on him, said: "This is right for whoever performs an act of obedience and is prevented from doing it. It was his intention to keep on doing it were it not for the withholder." [Fath Albary 6/136]
How to keep on performing good deeds?!
There are means to be taken so that the slave continues on performing good deeds, Allah willing, and preserves them and not to abandon them. They include:
1- The continuous renewal of repentance and sticking to asking for forgiveness. This gives power and vigor. To ensure that a slave will keep on performing good deeds, he needs a power in his heart and body; a power in his belief and a power in his organs. Repentance and asking for forgiveness can achieve that. Allah Almighty has said about Hûd, peace be upon him, that he said to his people: {And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh).} [Surat Hûd 11:52]
{وَيَا قَوْمِ اسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاءَ عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَارًا وَيَزِدْكُمْ قُوَّةً إِلَىٰ قُوَّتِكُمْ وَلَا تَتَوَلَّوْا مُجْرِمِينَ} هود: 52
Transliteration: Waya qawmi istaghfiroo rabbakum thumma tooboo ilayhi yursili alssamaa AAalaykum midraran wayazidkum quwwatan ila quwwatikum walatatawallaw mujrimeena
Keeping up repentance and increasing asking for forgiveness along with belief and righteous deeds are a means of the power asked for by people. How beautiful for a slave to ask for power to be used in obeying Allah Glorified and Exalted.
2- Choosing what is suitable for the soul from good deeds:
This is of greater incentive to persist on them. Good deeds are varied and they are too many. Some of the righteous ancestors were famous for the long staying at night in praying and remembering Allah. Others were famous for the lot of glorification and remembrance. Some others were famous for seeking to fulfill the needs of people and help them. Others, however, were famous for teaching and educating them about religion, and so on. Each one of them searches for the desired deeds that he can master to be of greater incentive to persist on them and not to feel bored and quits it. This does not mean that a slave is to keep doing one deed and leave the others. He, however, is to increase doing what he feels he is more vigorous in and more persisting to perform.
3- Not to overburden himself; because the human self in nature is lustful and weary. If it is overburdened, it may quit doing deeds totally. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired till you get bored and tired." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«خذوا من العمل ما تطيقون، فإن الله لا يمل حتى تملوا» رواه البخاري
4- Asking help from Allah Almighty: success and help are from Allah Glorified and Exalted. A slave needs help and success from Allah Almighty to continue in performing his good deeds. That is why a Muslim declares his asking for help in each rak'ah he prays: {You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).} [Surat Al-Fâtihah 1:5].
{إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ} الفاتحة: 5
Transliteration: Iyyaka naAAbudu waiyyaka nastaAAeenu
The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to invoke Allah by saying: "O Allah help me to remember You, thank You and worship You in a good manner." [Reported by Abu Dawûd and authenticated by Al-Albani], He recommended Mu'az to invoke Allah by this after each prayer.
«اللهم أعني على ذكرك وشكرك وحسن عبادتك» رواه أبو داود وصححه الألباني
5- The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has denounced quitting the continuation of performing a good deed. Abdullah Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said to me: "O Abdullah, do not be like so-and-so, who used to pray at night but has left praying at night." [Reported by Muslim]
«يا عبد الله لا تكن مثل فلان، كان يقوم الليل فترك قيام الليل» رواه مسلم
6- Contemplating the history of those who continued on doing good deeds:
Reading about the news of the righteous ancestors of this nation and those who followed them, who borne and continued doing good deeds without leaving them in the darkest conditions and hardest hours activates a slave to perform good deeds and leads him to continue doing them. The example of them is the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: "I have never seen the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, since {When there comes the Help of Allâh (to you, O Muhammad against your enemies) and the conquest (of Makkah)} [Surat: An-Nasr: 1] had been revealed to him, but that he did not offer any prayer except that he said therein, "Subhanka Rabbi wa bihamdika; Allahumma ighfir li (Glorified and High are You my Lord, and all the praises and glory be for You: O Allah, forgive me! )" [Reported by Muslim].
«ما رأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم منذ نزل عليه: {إِذَا جَاءَ نَصْرُ اللَّـهِ وَالْفَتْحُ}، يصلي صلاة إلا دعا، أو قال فيها: سبحانك ربي وبحمدك، اللهم اغفر لي» رواه مسلم
The righteous ancestors of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and their good followers have many stories; some of which are:
1- 'Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, used to pray the eight rak'ahs of dhuha (the forenoon prayer) and then she said: "Even if my parents were sawed so that I quit them I would never leave them." [Reported by Malik 1/153]
2- Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, kept the ablution prayer, which made the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say to him one time during the dawn prayer: "O Bilal, narrate to me which act you did in Islam for which you hope to receive good reward, for I heard the sound of your footsteps before me in Paradise. Bilal said: I did not do any act in Islam for which I hope to get any benefit but that when I perform complete ablution during the night or day I observe prayer with that purification what Allah has ordained for me to pray." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«يا بلال، حدثني بأرجى عمل عملته في الإسلام، فإني سمعت دف نعليك بين يدي في الجنة. قال: ما عملت عملا أرجى عندي: أني لم أتطهر طهورا، في ساعة ليل أو نهار، إلا صليت بذلك الطهور ما كتب لي أن أصلي» رواه البخاري
In the Hadith of Burayda, may Allah be pleased with him, he said: one morning the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has called for Bilal and said: "O Bilal with what have you preceded me to Paradise? Whenever I enter Paradise I hear your clank before me. Last night I entered Paradise and heard your clank before me; I came upon a golden great square palace. I asked: for whom is this palace? They said: it is for a man from the Arabs. I said: I am from the Arabs, for whom is this palace? They said: for a man from Quraish. I said: I am from Quraish, for whom is this palace? They said: it is for a man from the nation of Muhammad, Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. I said: I am Muhammad, for whom is this palace? They said: it is for 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab. Upon which Bilal said: "O Messenger of Allah I never call for prayer unless I pray two rak'ahs and I never pass urine, stool or wind unless I perform ablution and see that I have two rak'ahs to pray for Allah. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: with them." [Reported by At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«يا بلال بم سبقتني إلى الجنة ما دخلت الجنة قط إلا سمعت خشخشتك أمامي دخلت البارحة الجنة فسمعت خشخشتك أمامي فأتيت على قصر مربع مشرف من ذهب فقلت لمن هذا القصر قالوا لرجل من العرب فقلت أنا عربي لمن هذا القصر قالوا لرجل من قريش فقلت أنا قرشي لمن هذا القصر قالوا لرجل من أمة محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم قلت أنا محمد لمن هذا القصر قالوا لعمر بن الخطاب فقال بلال يا رسول الله ما أذنت قط إلا صليت ركعتين وما أصابني حدث قط إلا توضأت عندها ورأيت أن لله علي ركعتين فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بهما» رواه الترمذي وصححه الألباني
3- This is Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, who has never quit performing a good deed to which he was guided by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, even in a night which morning will witness war and fight. Ali and Fatima asked the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for a servant. He said: "Shall I teach you a thing which is better than what you have asked me? When you go to bed, say, 'Allahu-Akbar' (Allah is Great) thirty-four times, and 'Subhan Allah (Glorified and High is Allah) thirty-three times, and 'Alhamdu-lillah (all Praise be to Allah) thirty-three times for that is better for you both than a servant." In another narration in the Hadith of Mu'az: "When you go to bed at night." in a narration: through the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, as the Hadith of Al-Hakam through ibn Abu Laila, and it was added in the Hadith: Ali said: "I have never let them since I heard them from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. He was asked: even in the night of the battle of Siffin? He said: even in the night of the battle of Siffin." [Reported Muslim]
«أن فاطمة اشتكت ما تلقى من الرحى في يدها. وأتى النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم سبي. فانطلقت فلم تجده. ولقيت عائشة. فأخبرتها. فلما جاء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، أخبرته عائشة بمجيء فاطمة إليها. فجاء النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إلينا. وقد أخذنا مضاجعنا. فذهبنا نقوم. فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم "على مكانكما" فقعد بيننا حتى وجدت برد قدمه على صدري. ثم قال: "ألا أعلمكما خيرا مما سألتما؟ إذا أخذتما مضاجعكما، أن تكبرا الله أربعا وثلاثين، وتسبحاه ثلاثا وثلاثين، وتحمداه ثلاثا وثلاثي؛ فهو خير لكما من خادم". وفي رواية: وفي حديث معاذ: أخذتما مضجعكما من الليل. وفي رواية: عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم. بنحو حديث الحكم عن ابن أبي ليلى. وزاد في الحديث: قال علي: ما تركته منذ سمعته من النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم. قيل له: ولا ليلة صفين؟ قال: ولا ليلة صفين. وفي حديث عطاء عن مجاهد، عن ابن أبي ليلى، قال: قلت له: ولا ليلة صفين؟» رواه مسلم
4- The narration of Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, in the Hadith of his famous dream; when Hafsa narrated it to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he said: "What an excellent man Abdullah is if he prayed at night." Salim said: "Then Abdullah was sleeping but a little in the nights." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«نعم الرجل عبد الله، لو كان يصلي بالليل» رواه البخاري
5- The narration of Umm Habiba, may Allah be pleased with her, that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: "whoever prays four rak'ahs before the prayer of noon and four rak'ahs after it, Allah Glorified and Exalted will forbid his flesh to be burned by Hellfire." Umm Habiba said: "I have never let them since I heard them." [Reported by An-Nasâ'i and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«من ركع أربع ركعات، قبل الظهر، وأربعا بعدها، حرم الله عز وجل، لحمه على النار. فما تركتهن منذ سمعتهن» رواه النسائي وصححه الألباني
6- One of the amazing tales in this matter is what Imam Muslim reported in his Authentic Book [728]. He said: Mohamed Ibn Abdullah Ibn Numayr narrated to us that Abu Kahlid – he means – Suleiman Ibn Habban narrated to him from Dawud Ibn Abu Hind, from An-Nu'man Ibn Salim from 'Amr Ibn Aws that he said: 'Anbasa ibn Abu Sufian told me in his illness by which he died about a Hadith so that he might be relieved by it. He said: I heard Umm Habiba saying: I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, saying: "he who prays twelve rak'ahs in a day and night, a house will be built for him in paradise because of them". Um Habiba said: I have never abandoned observing them since I heard about them from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him". 'Anbasa said: I have never abandoned observing them since I heard them from Umm Habiba. 'Amr Ibn Aws said: I have never abandoned observing them since I heard them from 'Anbasa. An-Nu'man Ibn Salim said: I have never abandoned observing them since I heard them from 'Amr Ibn Aws." [Reported by Muslim]
«من صلى اثنتي عشرة ركعة في يوم وليلة، بني له بهن بيت في الجنة. قالت أم حبيبة: فما تركتهن منذ سمعتهن من رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم. وقال ابن عنبسة: فما تركتهن منذ سمعتهن من أم حبيبة. وقال عمرو بن أوس: ما تركتهن منذ سمعتهن من عنبسة. وقال النعمان بن سالم: ما تركتهن منذ سمعتهن من عمرو بن أوس» رواه مسلم
Look – O slave of Allah – how each one of those righteous Ancestors, may Allah have mercy on them, took the initiative to comply, and maintained performing the sunnah and the optional regular acts of worship and continued in doing them. They did not abandon observing them since they knew their virtues.
Beware of a relapse:
The people in Ramadan used to examine the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him: "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«إذا دخل شهر رمضان فتحت أبواب السماء، وغلقت أبواب جهنم، وسلسلت الشياطين» رواه البخاري
I wonder if the sons of Adam will follow the Devils after Ramadan after that they are being freed from their prison and unleashed from their chains?!
Is it worthy of the fasting who spent the nights praying and remembering Allah to follow the devils? Will they abandon the meaning of fasting? Will they ignore the incentives of spending the nights worshipping Allah? Will they break covenants and pacts? Is it worthy that after fasting the sons of Adam follow the Devil in every path? Is it worthy that they go through every valley and ravine in committing sins? And return to committing all sins and acts of disobedience?!
Does Ramadan end and end with it the fear and repentance to the Lord of Ramadan? This is not what the people of fasting and worshipping at night think.
O you who spent the nights of Ramadan worshipping Allah out of faith and hoping for the reward!! O you who realized the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) and your invocations were accepted!! Is it worthy of you after that the sins and guilt have been wiped off that you return back to committing sins again?! Do you remember that you were crying over your sins some days before! Or have you forgotten the crying of yesterday!! We seek refuge with Allah from being of the people who do not know Allah but only in Ramadan.
What is the condition of those people compared to nations whose whole time was Ramadan: fasting during the day and spending the nights worshipping Allah!
Some people of the ancestors sold a female slave. When the month of Ramadan approached she saw her new owners prepare themselves for it and preparing foods and other things. She questioned them, they said: "we prepare for the fast of Ramadan," she said: " do you not fast but in the month of Ramadan?! I have been with people whose whole time was Ramadan!! Return me to them." (Altaf Al-Ma'ârif (the Anecdotes of Knowledge) 378)
Some of the ancestors said: "you should fast this worldly life, and make death your breakfasting. The whole life is the month of fasting to the pious where they fast from every forbidden lustrous desire. When death comes, then their month of fasting has ended and they receive their Eid al-Fitr (the feast of breakfasting after Ramadan). (Al-Latâ'if (the Anecdotes) 378)
Whoever fasts today from his lustrous desires will breakfast on them after his death. On the other hand, whoever hastens to what is forbidden before his death will be punished by being deprived in the Hereafter. Allah Almighty has said in His Holy Book: {On the Day when those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) will be exposed to the Fire (it will be said): "You received your good things in the life of the world, and you took your pleasure therein. Now this Day you shall be recompensed with a torment of humiliation, because you were arrogant in the land without a right, and because you used to rebel against Allâh’s Command (disobey Allâh).} [Surat Al-Ahqâf 46:20]
{وَيَوْمَ يُعْرَضُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا عَلَى النَّارِ أَذْهَبْتُمْ طَيِّبَاتِكُمْ فِي حَيَاتِكُمُ الدُّنْيَا وَاسْتَمْتَعْتُم بِهَا فَالْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ الْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ فِي الْأَرْضِ بِغَيْرِ الْحَقِّ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَفْسُقُونَ} الأحقاف: 20
Transliteration: Wayawma yuAAradu allatheena kafaroo AAala alnnari athhabtum tayyibatikum fee hayatikumu alddunyawaistamtaAAtum biha faalyawma tujzawna AAathaba alhooni bima kuntum tastakbiroona fee alardi bighayri alhaqqi wabima kuntum tafsuqoona
What is distressing and causes grief about the conditions of the people of Islam is their failure to understand this religion, and their willingness to give it up but only on occasions. When the occasion ends, obligations are abandoned and the mosques are forsaken, and the forbidden is committed and the Quran is deserted. They will not return to it until there is another occasion. As this includes committing sins and the forbidden, it also includes imitating people of the Scriptures (Jews and Christians) and those who went astray who do not know Allah but on their religious occasions.
A Muslim should beware of taking the way of the people of Scriptures and he must be one of those who worship Allah in every time and place till he meets Him, the Almighty; according to His words, Glorified and High be He: {And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).} [Surat Al-Hijr 15:99]
{وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ} الحجر: 99
Transliteration: WaoAAbud rabbaka hatta yatiyaka alyaqeenu
I ask Allah Almighty to keep us firm on faith and the sunnah, and that He make us obedient to Him and that He takes us among His slaves who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious and righteous persons who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden).
Slightly modified
Written by: Ibrahim ibn Muhammad Al-Huqayl
Ibn Khuzaymah House