How You Can Beat the ‘Mid-Ramadan Slump’ This Ramadan The “Mid-Ramadan Slump” is something most of us tend to experience in the month of Ramadan. For the first 10 days we are enthusiastic about fasting while looking forward to delicious iftars at the end of the day. We feel pumped to take advantage of such a special month and be closer than ever to Allah. However when we get to the middle of Ramadan, we start to get tired and that special feeling we had at the beginning of the month starts to fade. In an effort to combat this annual challenge of the drop in enthusiasm and productivity during the middle of Ramadan, here are some practical tips that you and your family can implement to sail through the middle of Ramadan with the same eagerness to do good and gain maximum reward as at its beginning: 1. Simple Daily Tasks When you set out your daily plan of what to do and achieve in these blessed days, one way to motivate yourself is to set realistic targets which aren’t overly ambitious to the extent that you find yourself giving up easily. Set simple tasks to carry out such as dhikr, reading Qur’an, reading the translation of the Qur’an etc. If you set simple targets, you will be able to exceed them and therefore be more productive. Aisha (may Allāh be pleased with her) narrates that: “The most beloved prayer to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little.” [Bukhari] So even if your tasks are small, do them consistently throughout Ramadan as this was most beloved to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him). 2. Varying Tasks You don’t necessarily have to do the same thing everyday - do a variety of good deeds on different days so they don’t become routine and monotonous. Some days you can focus more on self-improvement whereas other days you should involve yourself in group tasks with family or friends. For example, you could hold weekly group circles where you talk about Islam and then prepare iftar together. You can choose to read tafsir of the Qur’an with your family before iftar in order to be productive right up until you break your fast. Support from family and friends is really important so take advantage of other Muslims around you and learn from one another. Abu Musa (may Allāh be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) saying: “A believer is like a brick for another believer, the one supporting the other.” [Muslim] 3. Making Your Environment “Ramadany” This tip is particularly for those who must work and go to school during Ramadan. One cause of the “mid-Ramadan slump” is when we let ourselves forget that we are still in the sacred month of Ramadan. So there is an easy solution: don’t let yourself forget! Make sure you wake up for suhoor (pre-dawn meal) because then you are getting into the routine of Ramadan, therefore you won’t be able to lose that enthusiasm you first had when the month started. There is also an extra blessing in suhoor: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: ”Take suhoor as there is a blessing in it.” [Nasai] Additionally, watch lectures on YouTube on Ramadan, attend the mosque whenever you can and read things specifically focused on Ramadan so you can understand the importance of this sacred month. 4. Remember How Sacred Ramadan Is Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allāh be pleased with him): Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.” [Bukhari] This is something that slips our mind by the time we hit the middle of Ramadan. How can we take such a blessing from Allah (glorified and exalted be He) for granted? Ramadan is the most special month of the year: reward is increased immensely in everything we do! When we get half way through the month we should realise we only have 15 days left to take advantage of this beautiful gift from Allah. These are just a couple hadith from many that highlight the extra reward that is given in Ramadan by Allah (glorified and exalted be He): Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allāh be pleased with him): I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) saying regarding Ramadan: “Whoever prayed at night in it (the month of Ramadan) out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari] Az-Zuhri said: “A Tasbihah in Ramadan is better than a thousand Tasbihah in other that it.” [Tirmidhi] One way we can ensure we remember how sacred the month of Ramadan is and keep performing alot of good deeds, is by having a group session or halaqah in the middle of Ramadan so we refresh and remind ourselves of the blessings of the month. Get a powerful speaker from your community to give an Iman-charged talk to remind everyone again of the great blessings and rewards Ramadan brings and how little time is left, or plan ‘itikaf/spiritual retreats in the mosque with friends. Additionally, you and your family and friends can write down what you have achieved in the first half of Ramadan and discuss the activities that have been undertaken. Then you can all learn from each other’s tasks and look to repeat or increase the amount you have done in the second half in order to ensure you’re doing your best for the rest of the month. 5. Healthy Eating and Sleep Patterns In Ramadan, our diets tend to change drastically. By eating large portions in the morning and evening, our bodies react to this. So attempt to still eat healthily in order to keep your body and mind alert throughout the month. Sometimes, if we start to eat unhealthily we become victims of the “mid Ramadan slump”. Healthy foods that keep us alert include fish, nuts, fruit and foods that are low in fat. Additionally, attempt to regulate your sleep pattern. Don’t lose out on too much sleep and thus get exhausted by the middle of Ramadan. Start planning and changing your lifestyle today to make the most of these remaining days of Ramadan. Don’t be over ambitious when planning but do as much as you can. Eat healthily and sleep enough so your body and mind are ready to be close to Allah (glorified and exalted be He). Finally, seek the support of family and friends and beat the “mid Ramadan slump” together, in sha Allah! (courtesy:productive muslim)
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 09:26:32 +0000
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