Ramadan Notes #10: The Hidden Energy Drain And Your Mid-Ramadan Slump

As-salamu alaykum,

The mid-Ramadan slump is real.

Many of us started this month with high energy, a renewed sense of purpose, and deep spiritual aspirations. But now, with the fasts settling into routine, fatigue creeping in, and the final ten nights still ahead, the momentum may be slipping.

For healthcare professionals, this period can be especially tough. You’re likely juggling demanding shifts laden with complex patient care, and the longing to fully immerse yourself in Ramadan, yet exhaustion—physical, mental, and even spiritual—feels inevitable.

And you are trying your best to apply all the hacks that optimize your physical energy including your rest and recovery.

But what if there’s an energy drain we haven’t been paying attention to?
Something subtle, yet insidiously depleting?

The Ego Trip.

We often associate burnout with overwork, lack of rest, or poor nutrition. But a less obvious cause is when the ego takes center stage—when we unknowingly make our work about us rather than about Allah.

It creeps in in very subtle ways:

• That lingering need for recognition after making a critical call on patient care.

• The frustration when a colleague’s idea garners attention while ours goes unnoticed.

• The resentment when efforts feel undervalued, despite our sacrifices.

• The subtle self-importance that creeps in when we compare ourselves to others on the healthcare team.

• The emotional energy that is sapped into a patient care conversation that is adversarial rather than collaborative

These may seem harmless, but they take a spiritual, mental, and emotional toll. The ego demands validation, thrives on approval, and constantly craves acknowledgment. And when it doesn’t get it? It drains our energy, leaving us tired, dissatisfied, and disconnected—maybe more so in Ramadan when our days are bereft of the physical replenishment opportunities that we have outside of Ramadan.

Divine Wisdom

Allah warns us about this trap in the following verse of the Qur’an:
Surah Al-A’raf, verse 146: “I will turn away from My signs those who are arrogant upon the earth without right; and if they should see every sign, they will not believe in it. And if they see the way of consciousness,¹ they will not adopt it as a way; but if they see the way of error, they will adopt it as a way. That is because they have denied Our signs and they were heedless of them.”

At a time when our primary focus should be the mindfulness of Allah, the Ego Trip can rob us of this pursuit while depleting our energy reserves when it matters significantly in Ramadan.

Shifting from Ego to Barakah: The Energy Multiplier

Ramadan is a spiritual bootcamp where we can begin to shift the narrative around our nafs’ perception of itself from one that is self-centered to one that is God-centered; one where we shift the weight off our own shoulders and surrender our work to Allah.

• Exhaustion turns into renewed energy—because you no longer work for external validation but for divine acceptance.

• Frustration dissolves into contentment—as you trust that Allah sees all efforts, whether acknowledged by people or not.

• Resentment is replaced by gratitude—because serving patients becomes an act of Ibadah, not one of self-fulfillment and/or promotion.

This shift translates to energy-generation rather than energy-draining. When we align our work with the divine purpose, Allah multiplies our strength—mentally, physically, and spiritually.

This is where we want to be in Ramadan and beyond—transforming our work and engagements outside of work to opportunities to reconnect with the divine and grow towards our next best versions on this journey.

Take some time to appraise where you are on the spectrum of self-centered to God-centered and how your current locus may be impacting your energy levels over the course of your days this Ramadan. Notice how even a small shift recharges you and re-energizes you for the rest of Ramadan in sha Allah.

Let me know how it goes.

May Allah SWT the Most High, enable us to see ourselves for who we truly are today and build forward towards our next best versions this Ramadan and beyond. Amin

Sincerely,
Sulyman

P.S. If you’re seeking a space to cultivate resilience, deepen self-mastery, and thrive in your career and life—grounded in faith—join us in the SakeenahMD Community. Together, we are committed to faith-driven excellence in healthcare and beyond.

Let’s navigate this journey together. 💙