By Shaykh Abdul Qayum
28 March 2025

﷽ 

Dear brothers and sisters, we are now in the final days of Ramadan. This blessed month that Allah has gifted us is about to depart. Our hearts should feel both grateful to Allah for allowing us to witness this month and sad that these precious days are slipping away. As we approach the end of Ramadan, it is time for us to think deeply about how we conclude this sacred month.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us about the importance of endings when he said:

Indeed, actions are judged by their conclusions

[Bukhari and Muslim]

This important Hadith reminds us that how we finish something can matter more than how we begin it.

One of the most important lessons I want to share with you is how our righteous predecessors approached their worship. Unlike many of us who feel confident or even relaxed about our acts of worship, they showed genuine concern about whether Allah would accept their deeds.

The companions and those who followed them worried more about the acceptance of their deeds than the performance itself. As Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

Our mother, Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), asked the Prophet ﷺ if this verse referred to those who are fearful because they commit major sins like adultery, theft, or drinking alcohol. He ﷺ explained that rather it speaks about those who pray, fast, give charity, and do good deeds whilst at the same time fearing whether Allah will accept their efforts.

This attitude of humility and concern is very different from our modern habit of simply ‘checking the box’ of worship without thinking about its quality or acceptance. I remind you that there are people who fast but gain nothing except hunger and those who pray at night but earn nothing except a sleepless night.

With only days or even hours remaining in Ramadan, I urge you to increase your efforts. Like runners approaching the finish line of a race, we should use our remaining energy for a final push.

Think of it like those final moments in an exam hall: Remember sitting in the exam hall, those last 10 minutes or five minutes… every line you write might bring one more mark. Similarly, these last moments of Ramadan is your precious chance to increase your rewards.

There’s also the serious reality that this could be our final Ramadan. None of us can guarantee we’ll see another. Many who began this Ramadan are no longer with us today. This thought should strengthen our commitment to making these final days count.

I want to emphasise the importance of seeking forgiveness (Istighfar) as we conclude our worship. Even after an entire month of fasting, prayers, and good deeds, we should acknowledge our shortcomings and seek Allah’s mercy.

We see this practice in the example of the righteous Caliph Umar bin Abdul Aziz (d. 720 CE). When he wrote letters to the governors of provinces, he would conclude his messages with many expressions asking for Allah’s forgiveness. Even after giving good instructions and doing his duty, he acknowledged his human weakness and sought Allah's mercy.

Allah reminds us in the Qur’an, in verses revealed specifically about fasting: 

This verse, placed within the passages about fasting, reminds us that Allah is especially responsive to our prayers during this blessed time.

I offer you several practical ways to ensure a good conclusion to Ramadan: Intensify your du‘as (supplications), especially asking for the acceptance of your fasting, prayers, and all acts of worship performed during the month. Increase your istighfar (seeking forgiveness), acknowledging that your worship has likely fallen short of its potential perfection. Pay your Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer, as this charitable obligation purifies our fasting and provides food for those in need. 

Continuing with steps to ensure a good conclusion to Ramadan, pronounce the Takbir from the sunset marking the end of Ramadan until the Eid prayer, saying:

اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَاللهُ أَكْبَرُ، اللهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلِلَّهِ الْحَمْدُ

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd

Which means: Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, there is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, and to Allah belongs all praise. And reflect on the possibility of this being your last Ramadan, as this serious thought can motivate you to make the most of every remaining moment.

Our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned about those who experience Ramadan but fail to receive forgiveness, saying:

May his nose be rubbed in dust (may he be humiliated), the person who found the blessed month of Ramadan and let it pass without gaining forgiveness.

[At-Tirmidhi]

This strong reminder is not meant to discourage us but to wake us from complacency and motivate sincere repentance and du‘a in these final precious hours.

As Ramadan slip away, I encourage you to approach its conclusion with greater awareness and spiritual focus. Let us combine our acts of worship with sincere supplications for their acceptance. Let us acknowledge our shortcomings while hoping in Allah’s endless mercy.

Most importantly, remember that the real test of Ramadan comes after it ends – in how we maintain our relationship with the Qur’an, our consistency in prayer, our generosity towards others, and our mindfulness of Allah in all aspects of life.

O Allah, accept our fasting, our prayers, our charity, and all our efforts during this blessed month. Forgive our shortcomings and mistakes. Strengthen our faith and make us among those who maintain the spirit of Ramadan throughout the year. Grant us the blessing of witnessing many more Ramadans to come, with increased faith and devotion each time. And may the spiritual gains of this month remain with us throughout the year ahead. 

Ameen.

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