Ramadan Notes #9: The Mid-Ramadan Story - How will yours play out?

As-salamu’alaykum,

As we wrap up the 1st 10 days of Ramadan 1445AH and transition to the middle 10 days, the reality of our humanness is likely catching up with many of us - fatigue is setting in , focus on the lofty Ramadan “goals” is dwindling, the expansive lines at the mosque are fast shrinking…

Some of us may be feeling dejected and starting to have an unhealthy relationship with the primary ask of us this blessed month - to slow down and focus on Allah SWT and cultivate a heightened awareness of His essence and centrality to our existence…

There are two healthy ways to look at this time of the month;

1. You and I and everyonelse around us are human - we have exhausted ourselves in some capacity - showing up to Isha’ and staying back for Taraweeh, getting less sleep and giving up the continuous nourishment of our bodies in the form of food and drinks - in a way that we rarely do the rest of the year

2. One of my mentors describes the first 10 days as a period of transformation where you are “...shedding away your old Nafs (lower self) with its ego issues, habits, and attachments…” such that you reach the point of emptiness and hence intense fatigue at this time

Regardless of how you choose to look at it, slackening is a recognized phenomenon in our faith; Prophet Muhammad (SAW) shed light on this in the Hadith that follows;

Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: It was mentioned to the Messenger of Allah that some men from his Companions were severely fatigued from worship. So the Messenger of Allah ‎(ﷺ) said: “That is the yearning (zeal) of Islam and its slackening. For every yearning (zeal) there is a slackening. So whoever’s slackening is towards the Book and the Sunnah, then he is upon the straight path. And whoever’s slackening is to disobedience, then that [one] is destroyed” [Reported by Ahmad and graded Hasan by al-Albani in Saheeha (6/837-838)]

What can you and I do about it now that we have some understanding of what's happening to many of us at this time of the month?

First off, it’s an opportune time to go back to the cliched statement; you guessed it right - to renew our intentions! 

The position of intention (niyyah) in our faith is profound as it drives the mental and physical energy that we apply to various pursuits in life - remember how you showed up at the mosque that first night of Ramadan with zeal and enthusiasm or your fresh appetite to take on the world as you applied to medical school or other major milestone on your journey to your healthcare professional career - the beautiful intention you had is what drove your action!

For muslims, intentions also have an inherent place in setting us up for remarkable reward from Allah SWT even if things do not pan out like we intended. 

So, if you did not write those intentions down before Ramadan, here’s your chance to make them count - write them down - trust me, it does make a difference.

Secondly, lean into your masjid buddies - you know who I am talking about - some of those guys and gals who show up rain or shine and talk through your struggles with them - the social energy that you generate in that interaction, not to mention the great tips they share with you might just be  what you need to get you going again. 

I invite you to leverage the growing community of like-hearted healthcare workers at SakeenahMD where you will find a safe space to lean in and recharge this month and beyond. Join us tomorrow, in sha Allah, 11th Ramadan 1445AH (March 21, 2024) at 4.15pm CST/9.15pm GMT/10.15pm WAT for a Ramadan check-in (Register Here) to help get one another through this mid-Ramadan story and come out re-energized for the rest of the month by the will of Allah. 

May Allah SWT, Al-Hafeedh (the Preserver) strengthen and preserve our commitment to having an unforgettable Ramadan and cultivate sincere mindfulness of Him 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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