Asalamu alaykum my dear brothers and sisters. Welcome to the third and last part of the Rise Up series of audio lectures called ‘Steadfastness after Ramadan’.
During this blessed month of Ramadan, we devoted our time in trying to do as much good deeds as possible such as fasting, being charitable, helping, reciting Quran, increasing in prayer, asking for forgiveness and much more. We are currently in the last ten days of Ramadan and who knows whether we will be able to see next year.
Sufyaan ibn `Abdillah (may Allah be pleased with him) said "Oh Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot ask anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: 'I believe in Allah' and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Muslim]
This evidently suggests that after having faith in Allah the Most High, we need to remain steadfast by performing obligatory acts to stay on the right path without drifting away side to side.
So how can we keep our momentum and enthusiasm up and remain steadfast after Ramadan?
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The most beloved of deeds to Allah is the one that is continuous, even if it is little”.

1. Make supplication to Allah asking Allah for guidance.

"Our Lord, Let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. Indeed, You are the Bestower.} [Quran 3: 8]

1. Try to prevent bad habits by at first making the intention and then lessen overtime till you completely stop such as music.
2. Read Quran and ponder on its meaning
3. Perform voluntary fasting.

Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"By Him in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell coming from the mouth of a fasting person will be more pleasant, in the Sight of Allah, on the Day of Judgment, than the odor of musk." [Agreed upon]

1. Fasting three days a month known as the white days (13-15th) of the Islamic calender.

Ibn Milhan (may Allah be pleased with him) said “ The Messenger of Allah ordered us to fast the white days of every month, the thirteenth, the fourteenth and the fifteenth, and said in that respect: “(Fasting) those days weigh (in reward fasting) the days of this life time.” [Abu Dawud]

1. To fast the first nine days of Dhul-Hijjah which includes the Days of Arafah., concluded with the Day of ‘Arafah.

Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah was asked about fasting the day of ‘Arafah (for the non-pilgrim). He said: “It expiates (the sins of) both the preceding year and the year following it.” [Muslim]

1. Ashurah and fasting the 9th and 10th of Muharram

Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, that he said: the Messenger of Allah said: "Should I live to the coming year, I would fast the ninth (day of Muharram besides the tenth day)." [Muslim]
Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah was asked about fasting the tenth day of Muharram (‘Ashura'). He said: “It expiates (the sins of) the preceding year.” [Muslim].

1. Fasting Monday and Thursday.

Abu Hurayrah, (may Allah be pleased with him) said: the Messenger of Allah said: "The deeds (of mankind) are presented (to Allah) every Monday and Thursday, and I like that my deed be presented (to Allah) while I am fasting." [At-Tirmidhi]

1. Fasting six days of Shawwal

Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari, may Allah be pleased with him that he said: the Messenger of Allah peace and blessings be upon him said: "He who fasts Ramadan, followed by six days in Shawal, weigh (in reward fasting) the days of this life time." [Muslim]

1. Continue to perform the 5 obligatory acts of prayer.
   
   
2. Voluntary prayers
   
   

A)Tahajjud (the last part of the night; before dawn)
 
Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said  “The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night.” [Muslim]

1. Duha

Abu Huraira may Allah be pleased with him said, "My friend [The Prophet (pbuh)] advised me to observe three things: to fast 3 days of every month, to pray 2 rakahs of Duha (every day), and to pray Witr before going to sleep." [Bukhari]

1. Tahiyyat-ul-Masjid

Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said “If anyone of you enters a masjid, he should pray two rakat before sitting.” [Dawud]

1. Salah Tahiyat Wudhu (Prayer after performing ablution)

After performing wudu, one should pray 2 rakaat and Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him said:
“There is no Muslim who performs wudu and performs it well and then stands and offers 2 units of prayer with devotion of heart and mind in the two of them, except that Paradise becomes guaranteed for him” [Muslim]
Furthermore, there are other optional prayers but are not required on a daily basis such as

• Salah al-Taubah - Prayer for repentance for sin 
• Salah al-Istikhara - Prayer to help you make important decisions of your life. 
  
• Salah al Janazah - Funeral prayer which is near-mandatory for a Muslim
• Salah before journey
• Make up missed fasts of Ramadan
• Increase in remembrance of Allah and asking for his forgiveness. This does not only increases one’s faith but also strengthens the heart.
• Increase in charitable acts – this does not only mean giving charity but also to help people regardless of religion, race and form.
   
  Prophet peace and blessings be upon him said:

" Every (good) deed of the son of Adam would be multiplied, a good deed receiving a tenfold to seven hundredfold reward. Allah, the Exalted and Majestic, has said: With the exception of fasting, for it is done for Me and I will give a reward for it, for one abandons his passion and food for My sake. " [Muslim]
 
Ultimately, we should only pay heed to Allah in Ramadan but always so let us strive our very best. I hope you enjoyed our Magnetic Love with Ramadan project this year called ‘Rise Up’. Please do contact for future suggestions in sha Allah. Anything good is from Allah, anything bad is from myself and shaytan. Asalamu alaykum.