Ramadhan Is Over, What's Next?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate

The Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) used to make preparations for Ramadhan six months in advance, in which they would keep asking Allah to let them reach Ramadhan and in good health. Then for the next six months, they would keep asking Allah to accept their Ramadhan worship. This is the way of the best generation of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant him peace). They took the matter of worshiping Allah very seriously. It is their way of life.

Allah has appointed rituals for every nation.

لِّكُلِّ أُمَّةٍ جَعَلْنَا مَنسَكًا هُمْ نَاسِكُوهُ ۖ فَلَا يُنَـٰزِعُنَّكَ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ ۚ وَٱدْعُ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ ۖ إِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ هُدًى مُّسْتَقِيمٍ ﴿٦٧﴾

For every religion We have appointed rites which they perform. So, [O Muhammad], let the disbelievers not contend with you over the matter but invite them to your Lord. Indeed, you are upon straight guidance.

The purpose of the fasting is so we may become righteous.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ﴿١٨٣﴾

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous - (183) [Quran, Al-Baqarah 2:183]

Ramadhan is our training ground. We don't limit our Ramadhan rituals (fast, prayers, charity, du'as) and other acts of good deed in Ramadhan only. If we are consistent with our fasting and doing other good deed, not only this is a sign of the acceptance of one’s Ramadhan fasts and good deeds because a sign of Allah’s acceptance of a good deed is to be granted the success to perform similar good deeds, with consistency, but this is also a sign of one's commitment to continue in worship and submission to Allah, willingly, and not merely out of duty and obligation.

Allah does not need the actual ritual. What reaches Allah is our piety, righteousness, taqwa, our subservient to Allah. This applies to all our rituals.

لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَـٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ مِنكُمْ ۚ كَذَ‌ٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمْ لِتُكَبِّرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ﴿٣٧

Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good. [Quran, Al-Hajj 22:37]

When we fast, pray, perform hajj, offer sacrifical animal, that dedication and devotion demonstrate our believe in Allah that will reach Allah.

May Allah accept our Ramadhan fasts and enable us to complete the six day fasting of Shawwal and grant us righteousness and good works that are consistent. Ameen.

Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad wa 'ala aalihi wa sahbihi wasallam.

And Allah knows best and is Most Wise, and He alone grants success, and to Him is the final return of all.

Wassalaam