Ramadan Burnout - How far should we go?
As they say, you never know until you try.
Assalamu'alaikum wr wb my dear friend!
Here are 2 Ideas, A Verse to Reflect Upon & One Question for you 👇
Two Ideas from me
1. Embrace fatigue as Ibadah
Fasting deprives us of food, yet Allah prescribed it and assures it is better for us.
…And fasting is better for you, if only you knew.
Surah Al-Baqarah 2:184
The Prophet ﷺ would stand for so long in night prayer that his feet would swell. (Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim)
Allah describes the people of Jannah:
They used to sleep little of the night, and in the last hours of the night, they would seek forgiveness.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:17-18
The companions fasted during the battle of Badr (17th Ramadan, 2 AH), because this is their level of iman (faith), even in extreme conditions. The Prophet ﷺ did allow those who were struggling to break their fast, and the Quran also gives concession for those who are travelling or unwell.
The fact is that Allah never commands us to do something except that it benefits us in ways we may not fully comprehend.
Islam prioritises health first, but we must embrace the fact that Ramadan is meant to challenge us, as we seek closeness with Allah and strengthen our iman.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If the people knew what reward there is in the call to prayer and praying in the first row, then they could find no other way to get there than drawing lots, they would draw lots. And if they knew what reward there is in going early to prayer, they would race one another to it. And if they knew what reward there is in the Isha prayer and the Fajr prayer, they would go to the mosque even if they had to crawl.“
Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim
The hadith mentioned is not specific to Ramadan. However, Ramadan being a virtuous month, amplifies the rewards of our deeds. So how much more should we brace and exert ourselves this Ramadan? How much more deeds should we busy ourselves in even if we had to ‘crawl’?
Reminders to the self:
Intend that your fatigue be for the sake of Allah, as a means to be closer to Him.
Being able to be fatigue for His sake is a rizq too, it is a blessing that Allah makes us amongst those who fight our nafs and are tired for His sake.
We may not live to see the next Ramadan, so do our best and trust that Allah will grant barakah and ease in your time and affairs.
Don’t seclude yourself unnecessarily, find a muslim community if you can. Having righteous people will motivate you to strive harder too.
Leverage on technology and applications that facilitates your Ramadan.
2. We only know our limits if we PUSH
Athletes push beyond their comfort zone to achieve new records.
Scientists keep going despite the thousands of failures in order to discover or invent something new.
If we want to achieve a toned body, we have to be on a stricter diet and follow an exercise routine of increasing intensity.
Ramadan pushes us beyond what we thought we were capable of, proving that we can do more for the sake of Allah. Suddenly we can fast 30 days consecutively, pray Taraweeh in the masjid every night or so, and recite Quran so often.
But Ramadan is not just about pushing hard and then leaving the routine of good deeds when it ends.
Ramadan is also about building habits that last beyond the month.
Remember, Allah loves the deeds that are consistent, even if they are small. So let’s build habits that we can continue even after Ramadan.
Exert yourself, but don’t harm yourself.
A Verse to Reflect Upon
Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah, establish prayer, and spend in His cause out of what We have provided them, secretly and openly, can expect a transaction (profit) that will never fail.
Surah Fatir 35:29
We invest in businesses, education, and careers… all with no guaranteed returns. But Allah promises an investment that never fails. How much time do we spend investing in our Hereafter?
One Question for you
What are your non-negotiable and sustainable deeds for this month of Ramadan that you plan to continue after Ramadan?
For any feedback and comments, drop us an email at digest@hourofqadr.com