Ramadan Notes #10: Slow down to Speed up - Choose wisely now!

As-salamu’alaykum,

A huge thank you to those of you who signed up for the Ramadan check-in. Jazakumullahu khayran.

The session was Alhamdulillah energizing as it was inspiring for me. One thing was clear from the session - “the struggle is real” for so many of us and we have an opportunity to glean insights from peak performance science to better manage ourselves while harnessing the divine and prophetic wisdoms of our faith to have an unforgettable Ramadan experience.

 One of my mentors always remarks that “...there are signs everywhere, if only we would heed these signs…”

One of such applications of this insight is to pay attention to our bodies and to really connect with and keep a pulse on our energy levels so that this insight can fuel an intentional response from us.

…I return from a long day at work serving the sick and disabled at the local Skilled Nursing Facility or Hospital and I head to Taraweeh even though I am fatigued. My intention is to pray all 20 rakahs everyday of this month or 8 rakahs with the Imam for some of us but I have been exhausted the last few days but have insisted on powering through with some good old Caffeine drink so I am not resting well at night and even the hours that I am getting are just about 3-4 hours before I start my day again and I keep going but I feel disconnected now even when I show up so what are my options?...

Dear Friend - Your first task is to slow down…

1. Recognize that you are exhausted and on the brink of burnout given that your physical exhaustion is beginning to disconnect you from the essence of the month.

2. Prioritize your recovery

   1. Sleep is central to your physical and mental recovery (more on sleep science sometime in the near future, in the meantime - look up the concept of sleep cycles

   2. Hydrate well

   3. Intentional Movement is key - consider the seven-minute workout

   4. Focus on high-yield engagements - Obligatory over Optional prayers is one way to do that. Check out the Hadith below;

Uthman bin Affan narrated that Allah's Messenger said: "Whoever attends Isha (prayer) in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) spend the entire night standing (in prayer)." Jami` at-Tirmidhi 221

In essence, one is rewarded as though one prayed the whole night standing in prayer if you make it to Isha and Fajr prayers. So an option may be to reduce your portion of taraweeh in the light of this hadith and focus your energy on Fajr and Isha instead. Speak to your local Imam and trusted parties in this regard.

3. Acknowledge this recovery and slowing down as an investment in your last 10 days when we all need to speed up in search of Laylatul Qadr. 

As a healthcare professional, one could argue that you are doing God’s work in a sense. Focus on doing it with Ihsan and be more selective of high yield rituals that keep you grounded and mindful of Allah this blessed month rather than quantity!

The key message here is to Choose wisely!

May Allah SWT allow us all to reach Laylatul Qadr and grant us immense reward for our sincere efforts this blessed month. Amin

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. Join like-hearted #HealthCareWorkers on Zoom every Thursday this Ramadan for weekly check-ins at 4.15pm CST/9.15pm GMT/10.15pm WAT . Register and join with this link.

P.P.S. What other suggestions do you have for me and others in this regard? Share in the comments section or reply to [email protected]

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