Now that we have achieved what we could during the Month of Ramadhan
and are ready Insha'Allah to receive our rewards during the coming days

where do we go from here?
We have a choice:
We can go back to our pre-Ramadhan routines, default to our old habits and fall back into our ruts; or,
We can embark on a new beginning to strive to be even better for the rest of the year.
We can draw a personal plan tonight that may have specific targets to achieve, some of the following objectives:

On a personal level:
· Continuing on the learning, recitation, study, and reflection on the Qur-aan with specified, challenging but attainable daily/weekly targets.
· Encourage and associate with other Muslims who are doing good, ignoring their imperfections.
· Improving our 'social and business dealings conduct and behaviour' to the level of Islamic excellence.
· Loving and hating for Allah only (i.e. on the basis and reason of Islam only) not on parochial, ethnic or linguistic basis.
· Standing up for justice and for the rights of the persecuted people of the world on a regular basis.
· Increasing the level of active and regular involvement and participation in the Islamic activities of our local community.
· Making meaningful contributions to Islamic work, Islamic propagation, promotion of proper Islamic understanding, etc.
· Voting only and only on the basis of a candidate’s level of sincerity, Islamic knowledge, practice and Taqwa.
· Getting rid of bad habits on a permanent basis.

On a community level:
Ø Standing up for justice and for the rights of the persecuted people of the world in a carefully planned and organised manner with set goals and targets.
Ø Improving the state of our organisation (regimentation and discipline), orderly behaviour and socio-political structures and practices.
Ø Attaining unity on a neighbourhood, city and region level (how can we dream of unity or complain about disunity of Muslims internationally when
we cannot work together in our neighbourhood).
Ø Establishing and professionally operating social service institutions such as comprehensive counselling facilities, abuse shelters etc. for our community members.
Ø Setting and achieving targets for Islamic propagation.
Ø Cooperating effectively with non-Muslims organisations that are working for common causes and issues.
Ø Electing Imaams/leaders from local talent pools as far as possible, as they are aware of our local problems and aspirations.
Ø Running Muslim affairs openly, democratically and with full participation and consultation of the community.
Ø Keeping the interest of our country, its laws and our communities in the forefront, with emphasis on Commands of Allah swt.

Some of the ideas mentioned above may seem far fetched and unrealistic.
However, these are just ideas and guidelines.
Why not formulate your own list, and check it at the end of next Ramadhan as to how much and what you have achieved.

REMEMBER, ONE WHO DOESN'T PLAN HIS OR HER OWN LIFE, WILL ALWAYS BE A SLAVE AND A FOLLOWER OF SOMEONE ELSE'S PLAN!!!!!

from Muallim Mustafa Mawjee of London

I think that sister azra has an amazing thought started. During the month of Ramadhan if u ask ANYONE they will know what time Magrib prayer is to the DOT....however...if u ask someone what time magrib prayer is in any other month the best response u will get is "umm...like 7ish or 8ish...something like that". The month of Ramadhan the goal is to increase our spirituality...and in the rest of the months the goal is to maintain it...and thats where people find it "hard".

I always like to make resolutions for myself during the Month of Ramadhan and then resolutions for the rest of the year after Ramadhan. I make simple resolutions that I can do throughout the week such as studying Arabic or reading a particular book (could be about any one of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.), or being a more helpful and kind wife.

I like to make resolutions that I can outline and see the end of so that I do not feel overwhelmed; that is easiest with my Islamic studies. I can give myself a time frame on a particular book to study, for example. When it come to community, I like to resolve to attend often and try to contribute in any way I can. The center I go to has a lot of converts there so there is always something to be done.

thats a great idea
kind of like new year resolutions except after ramadhan since we're all supposed to be better people

Excellent!

If one starts at, say age 10, and keeps adding 1 new GOOD HABIT at the end of each Ramadhan, by the time she is 30, she'll have 20 new GOOD HABITS added to her character Inshallah!

for example
AGE TEN - always pray sala on time
AGE ELEVEN- always pray sala on time; + never lie
AGE TWELVE - always pray sala on time; + never lie; +give 5% from my allowance to charity every month;
AGE THIRTEEN - ++++
AGE FOURTEEN - +++++

That'll be ideal, if only we can keep it up Inshallah!

Hajjah wrote:

Excellent! If one starts at, say age 10, and keeps adding 1 new GOOD HABIT at the end of each Ramadhan, by the time she is 30, she'll have 20 new GOOD HABITS added to her character Inshallah! for example AGE TEN - always pray sala on time AGE ELEVEN- always pray sala on time; + never lie AGE TWELVE - always pray sala on time; + never lie; +give 5% from my allowance to charity every month; AGE THIRTEEN - ++++ AGE FOURTEEN - +++++ That'll be ideal, if only we can keep it up Inshallah!

wow! that is a great way to become a better person great idea!