How can you reflect and change during Ramadan?

Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam and it is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It is considered to be the most important and purest month of the year because in it, the holy Qur’an was revealed. Muslims spend the month of Ramadan fasting  from dawn to sunset. Fasting in Ramadan is a pillar of Islam, which becomes mandatory for every Muslim that is of age. During this precious month, God accepts the repentance of his servants and He also forgives their sins when they seek forgiveness. In this blessed month, there is the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), a night that is considered to be better than a thousand months. During this month of Ramadan, how can people reflect on their lives and change for better? LifeXtra got different views from some respondents.
Nafeesa Ahmed, a 35-year-old lawyer believes that there are several ways for a Muslim to change during the month of Ramadan. She says some people change for better when Ramadan comes, but the moment the month is over, they go back to their old ways. “There is no doubt that almost every one changes to a better person during Ramadan but what baffles is how some people go back to their sins after the holy month. The essence of the month is to purify the heart, body and soul so we can be better Muslims after the 29 or 30 days of fasting, but some people have failed to understand that the good acts that are done during Ramadan should be carried on throughout other months as well,” Ahmed says.
She says the holy Qur’an and Sunna of the Prophet (SAW) teach Muslims how to become better servants of God during Ramadan and also urge Muslims to stick to good deeds done during Ramadan. She explains that dhikr (remembrance of Allah) is an important starting point for one to be forgiven by God almighty during Ramadan.
“It is advisable to do lots of dhikr and seek Allah’s forgiveness because He loves to forgive his servants, especially in the month of Ramadan. Another way to change one’s self is by stopping all the sinful acts a person engages in. First of all, a person has to give up all prohibited acts and focus on doing deeds that will please Allah. If you do that and you ask for forgiveness, Allah will forgive you and you will become a better and new person,” she advises.
Abdullateef Adediran, 28, a mechanic, says Ramadan makes us ponder on all the bad things we have done because as humans, we commit sins because we aren’t perfect. However, we need to realise our mistakes and strive to become better every day. He said Ramadan changes people from bad to good or good to better.
“The good thing about being a Muslim is the fact that when you accept that you have wronged your creator, it is never too late to seek His forgiveness as long as you are still alive. Our Lord is all forgiving and merciful and he reminds us always that when you sin, regret the sinful act, never repeat it and seek His forgiveness and He shall forgive you. The whole month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training wherein believers devote much of their time to fasting, praying, reciting the Qur’an, remembering Allah, and giving charity. If you want to change to someone better, give charity, feed the poor and the needy because in it there is a great reward. Therefore, I am calling on my Muslim brothers and sisters to reflect on their lives and strive to change during the holy month,” Adediran stated.
Rabi Abubakar, a student in her early 20s, is of the view that some Muslims only appear to be Muslims during the month of Ramadan, once the month is over, they go back to their usual lives. She says Islam is a very simple religion that encourages us to be better every passing day. Although our religion tells us to be changed people during Ramadan, it is not acceptable for people to change for only the duration of Ramadan.
She cited the case of her friend who lives a life that is contrary to Islam but becomes an entirely changed person when it is Ramadan: “When you meet my friend, there is no single sign or thing that would convince you that she is truly a Muslim. From her ways of dressing, the food and drink she takes, in fact, her way of life is completely different from the one Islam permits us to live. However, when Ramadan comes, she starts praying, covering up herself and stops drinking. As soon as Ramadan ends, she switches back to her usual life. I have preached to her so many times but she won’t listen. I am not being judgmental but people need to realise that you can’t deceive your creator. On the good side of it, for some people, Ramadan is the turning point of their lives. Therefore, it is not a shameful thing if one decides to change during Ramadan. However, he or she must keep up with the new life he or she has adopted.”
Accountant Johnson Shekari believes that the month of Ramadan does change Muslims: “I am not a Muslim but majority of my friends are Muslims because of the neighborhood I grew up in. I have seen some of my friends change because of the holy month. I believe change starts from each individual and it is something that has to start from within. From my own perspective, I suppose change begins when a person is fully determined to change and with the endless blessings in the month of Ramadan, it makes everything a lot easier.”