Breaking Free from Old Sins: Staying Steadfast After Ramadan
As we approach the end of Ramadan, we reflect on how much we have pushed ourselves in worship—fasting, praying, reading Qur’an, and seeking forgiveness. We felt the sweetness of ‘ibādah (worship), the tranquility of our hearts, and the closeness to Allah. But now, as Ramadan comes to a close, we must ask ourselves: Will we maintain this momentum, or will we slip back into our old ways?
Many of us struggle with certain sins throughout the year—whether they are sins of the tongue, the eyes, or the heart. But in Ramadan, we restrain ourselves. Why? Because we recognize the opportunity for forgiveness and purification. The real challenge, however, is ensuring that this spiritual discipline continues beyond Ramadan.
Let’s remind ourselves of how to break free from old sins permanently, using the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the wisdom of Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله).
1. Recognizing the Danger of Returning to Sin
During Ramadan, we controlled ourselves. We resisted bad habits and refrained from sins we may have struggled with before. What changed? Our mindset. We were more conscious of Allah and the limited time we had to earn rewards. But if we are not careful, Shaytan, after being released post-Ramadan, will try to pull us back into our old habits.
Allah warns us:
We spent a whole month weaving the beautiful thread of discipline and obedience—let’s not unravel it in one night.
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) mentions in al-Dā’ wa al-Dawā’ that sins, when repeated, darken the heart and make returning to Allah harder. If we go back to our old ways, we risk losing the light and purity we gained in Ramadan.
2. Sincere Tawbah (Repentance) – A New Chapter Begins
If we truly want to break free from our past sins, we must start with sincere tawbah (repentance). Tawbah is not just about saying “Astaghfirullah”—it is about changing our hearts and actions.
Allah commands us:
The Prophet ﷺ gave us hope when he said:
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) teaches that true tawbah requires three conditions:
- Leaving the sin immediately – No more “one last time.”
- Feeling deep regret – A heart that trembles with fear of Allah.
- A firm intention never to return – True commitment, not half-hearted repentance.
This Ramadan has cleansed us—let’s not allow the stains of sin to return.
3. Protecting Our Hearts with Iman and ‘Ibādah
One of the reasons we fall back into sin is because our hearts become weak. But in Ramadan, our hearts were strong—we stood in qiyām, recited Qur’an, and made heartfelt du’ā. These acts protected us from sin. The same shield must continue after Ramadan.
Allah tells us:
If we want to stay away from old sins, we must stay consistent in:
- Praying on time (especially Fajr and ‘Isha).
- Reciting and reflecting on the Qur’an daily—not just in Ramadan.
- Making dhikr (remembrance of Allah) to keep our hearts alive.
- Fasting voluntary fasts (like Mondays and Thursdays) to maintain self-discipline.
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said:
The more we fill our hearts with iman, the less room there is for disobedience.
4. Replacing Sinful Habits with Good Deeds
We cannot just “stop sinning” without replacing our habits. If we used to waste time in distractions, we must now engage in productive acts. The Prophet ﷺ said:
Instead of old habits, we should:
Spend time in seeking knowledge—learning about tawheed and fiqh. Engage in charity and volunteering—keeping our hearts attached to the Ummah. Focus on building halal income sources—avoiding anything doubtful. Develop new halal hobbies and skills that bring us benefit.A busy believer is a safe believer. When we fill our days with purposeful action, we leave no room for Shaytan’s whispers.
5. Guarding Ourselves from Traps After Ramadan
After Ramadan, Shaytan returns and tries to make us slip. We must be prepared. Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) teaches in al-Fawa'id that a person who leaves the door open for temptation will eventually fall into sin. We must close those doors!
Practical steps:
- Avoid bad company—Stay around those who remind us of Allah.
- Be careful of free time—Have a daily schedule for worship and work.
- Stay away from triggers—Anything that reminds us of old habits should be cut off.
- Make du’ā daily for steadfastness—The Prophet ﷺ would often say:
Conclusion: Making This Ramadan a Turning Point
We have worked hard in Ramadan to cleanse our souls and strengthen our connection with Allah. Let’s not undo that effort. If we truly want to break free from our old sins, we must:
Repent sincerely and never return. Maintain our ‘ibādah after Ramadan. Replace sins with good deeds. Close the doors to temptation. Make du’ā for steadfastness every day.The believers who remain steadfast after Ramadan are the ones who truly benefitted from it. May Allah make us among them and grant us the strength to continue on the straight path. Ameen.
