Ramadan has passed. Our Qur’ans have been shut. Our masjids have emptied. And our hearts have once again filled with the love of life, the hatred of death and the desires that consume us.

The shaitan that who once banned has again taken his place in our minds, our homes, at our fronts and at our backs.

Once again, he has kept his vow of assault: "He (shaitan) said: ‘Because thou hast thrown me out of the way, lo! I will lie in wait for them on thy straight way: Then will I assault them from before them and behind them, from their right and their left: Nor wilt thou find, in most of them, gratitude (for thy mercies).’ " (Qur’an 7:16-17).

And so, while we find ourselves again vulnerable to the very same struggles that plagued us before Ramadan, let us not forget the very purpose of our efforts during that blessed month.

Let us not allow the fruits of Ramadan to be lost. And let us not miss out on the very purpose of our fast.

When commanding mankind to fast, Allah says: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that ye may attain God-consciousness (taqwa)." ( Qur’an 2:183)

It is that consciousness of Allah that is essential for the fulfillment of our purpose in this life. It is that fear of Allah that provides the muscle for our struggle to remain on the straight path.

And if taqwa is the muscle, Ramadan was our personal trainer.

If, during Ramadan, we were able to keep ourselves from an essential physical need of eating and drinking out of fear of Allah, are we not able to keep ourselves from haram after Ramadan out of that same fear?

None of us would dare sneak a glass of water while we are fasting.

And yet, the very same Lord who could see us sneaking that drink during Ramadan can see us commit haram outside of Ramadan.

During Ramadan, we could wake up before sunrise to feed our bodies.

But after Ramadan, we sleep through fajr and starve our souls.

Let us not allow ourselves to be conquered.

Yes. Shaitan can call us again. But all he can do is call.

The power is ours. Allah tells us in the Qur’an: "And Satan will say when the matter is decided: ‘It was Allah Who gave you a promise of Truth: I, too, promised, but I failed in my promise to you. I had no authority over you except to call you, but ye listened to me: then reproach not me, but reproach your own souls. I cannot listen to your cries (on this Day), nor can ye listen to mine. I reject your former act in associating me with Allah. For wrong-doers there must be a grievous penalty.’ "(Qur’an 14:22)

And, so, there are some who will allow shaitan to reign over them.

But there are others over which shaitan has no power.

Addressing Satan, Allah says: "For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee." (Qur’an 15:42)

But how do we become among Allah’s servants, over which shaitan has no authority? How do we continue the spirit of Ramadan for the entire year, and throughout our lives?

The following are some ways:

1. Guard your prayers:During Ramadan, many of us make sure to pray every prayer on time — often at the masjid. Continue to guard your prayers, because surely they will guard you. Allah says in the Qur’an: "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greatest. And Allah knows that which you do." (29:45)

2. Remember Allah by staying close to the Qur’an:During Ramadan, many of us spend our nights and days reading Qur’an. Remembering Allah by staying close to the Qur’an everyday will protect you from shaitan and keep your heart polished. Allah’s messenger said: "There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah." (Bukhari) The Prophet has also said: "Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions." (Muslim)

3. Think more and talk less:The Prophet said: "Sometimes a person says a thing that pleases Allah, and in return Allah raises his status; and sometimes a person says something that displeases Allah, and it takes him to hell." (Bukhari) Ibrâhîm an-Nakhâ‘î, a pious predecessor, once said: "Whoever reflects will find that the noblest and most dignified person of every gathering is the one who is most silent, because silence beautifies the scholar and conceals the faults of the ignorant."

4. Repent often:Many of us seek forgiveness from Allah during Ramadan, but abandon this practice once Ramadan is over. Keep in mind that the Prophet Muhammad used to repent to Allah 100 times every single day. Repenting often keeps our hearts clean and always connected to Allah.

A dear colleague of mine said that with the passing of Ramadan one feels as though they have lost a relative. Indeed. But in our grief, let its passing not be in vain.