Faith fluctuate: How to gain consistency?

Eid Mubarak everyone.

Alhamdulillah, we have completed our fasting for 30 days or less. A great thing about Ramadan is that people are doing good deeds here and there. In the month of Ramadan, we could see women start to cover up their aurah, we could see some men go to the mosque at least once every day and we could also see some people start to perform prayers five times a day. 

However, once Ramadan left us. Are we still doing it? Do we still read the Quran? Do we still make du'a before, after and in between of azan & iqamat? Do we still hold ourself from anger and hatred?

I know, we cannot deny the fact that faith did not remain at the same level. The main characteristic of faith is that its fluctuate. Sometimes, we feel like we are doing well such as we perform our prayer on time, we read Quran one page after every prayer and we listen to Islamic talk to gain more knowledge and understanding about Islam. But still there are times where we even skip our prayer, we feel so lazy to make dua and we don't even have the urge to read the Quran. 

To whom should we put the responsibility in ensuring the consistency of our faith? - on ourself of course. So, here are the ways to gain consistency (it works on me - I did not promise that these ways will work on you as well. But there is no harm trying).

1. Self-reflection - the cliche one.

    

    I am doing this every time I was having a bad day or when I realised that I am doing less ibadah than any other day. I would ask myself simple questions on who am I and what is my aim in this Dunya and in the Hereafter. We all should keep reminding ourself that we are not permanent and this life is temporary. Therefore, being overly attached to this Dunya, will not bring us absolute success. 

Bear in mind that Islam is the religion that proposed the idea of Wasatiyyah (balance). We should be good at balancing our performance for Dunya and for the Hereafter. Thus, when we start to favouring Dunya, then its time to get back on track. 

2. Read the Quran together with its translation

    Read the Quran alone without understanding the context and meaning will bring so much different. When we read the meaning, we will be able to see how much blessings we have been given by Allah SWT and we could see how syumul, flexible and relevant our religion are. However, we are not allowed to make an interpretation of our own in order to avoid any misleading and misconception of hukum.

I once said this to one of my friends, when she asked me on something regarding faith. Our faith decreasing not because of our lack of ibadah alone. Sometimes it is because of our lack of knowledge, lack of genuine curiosity & lack of love towards Allah SWT & our Prophet Muhammad SAW. We do ibadah because we feel obligated to do so.

I remind myself that being born Muslim and having Quran as well as Hadith as a guideline in this Dunya is the greatest blessings given from Allah SWT. Therefore, don't take it for granted - even though it is normal for a human being to not appreciate whatever is freely given to us regardless of how beneficial it could be.

3. Islamic talk/class

    I believe that faith will grow stronger when we know who are we going to put our faith on. When we know the greatness of Allah SWT, how He helps us handled our affairs every time we arrived at the dead end of the journey. Listen to Islamic talk that focuses on faith, Fiqh, Ibadah, Asma'ul Husna and Prophet SAW. Islamic knowledge does not involve family matters alone. 

Whenever we feel like our faith is decreasing, do something to put it at a higher place than before. Do not let it remain low. To remain consistent will be harder than we ever thought but yes, paradise is just too expensive to be given to those who reluctant on trying to be good and to do good. Put effort because effort won't betray us inshaAllah.

If any of you have another way/idea, feel free to drop it on the comment section okay? I will share it with my other friends as well. May Allah bless all of us and good luck trying.