Ramadan Diaries: Day 08 - “Lazy Muslim Syndrome” Part 1

The “Lazy Muslim Syndrome” is a spell from Shaytan(Satan), commonly experienced in Ramadan by those who fast, and unless there is proactive planning and continuous improvement of one’s self, Ramadan would be wasted. Like a typical disease, the syndrome can be avoided through precautionary care and combatted through active treatment. This implies that you should proactively prepare for Ramadan and correct your shortcomings during the month, inshAllah. We’ll be discussing ways to identify and deal with the signs and symptoms of the “Lazy Muslim Syndrome.”

Identify What Makes You Lazy

You will only be able to treat a disease when you know what causes it and laziness in Ramadan is caused by factors that are often overlooked. Laziness is caused by hunger, irregular sleep, lack of physical exercise, and a deficit in spiritual commitment. The time of Suhooris compromised by people who wish to sleep in a little longer. They bravely wake up a few minutes before the end of Suhoorand hog a few bites of food and a few sips of water, offering Fajr prayers hastily, and go back to bed. Most people complain of insufficient sleep during Ramadan. This is because they stay up too late, following their usual routine of watching television, or pursuing another leisure activity. Irregular sleep is the biggest contributor to laziness that one experiences throughout the day. In order to cover up, the person is found sleeping whenever he gets the chance, or spinning with dizziness when he doesn’t. A general practice is that people reduce their physical exercise. It feels as if they’ve labeled themselves “Fragile.” They explain that if they move around too much they would run out of energy or feel hungry or thirsty. Also, the missing element of “commitment” to Allah (swt) initiates the “Lazy Syndrome.” When a person does not strongly feel the love for his Creator, he fasts as if he’s merely starving himself, and Ramadan becomes very boring for him.

Be Proactive

Fortunately, there are ways that can help you eliminate laziness in order to benefit from Ramadan. Being proactive for Ramadan means that you actively start a planning process before the blessed month arrives. At this stage, you schedule your Ramadan activities and identify the possible factors that can meddle with your sincere intentions of pleasing Allah (swt). You may ask what time, what number of days, before Ramadan should this phase begin? It is the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to fast in Sha’baan, the month that precedes Ramadan, in particular, the first half (Al-Bukhari, Muslim). This is the ideal time to plan ahead. 

Revise the Importance of Ramadan

When you are aware of the philosophy and possess good, strong intentions about your actions, you are able to act productively without becoming lazy. The foremost reason for commemorating Ramadan is to show your obedience and utmost love for Allah (swt). Second, it is a golden opportunity for self-development whereby you learn self-control. The abstinence from food, water, sexual desires, and misdeeds allow you to establish an uninterrupted state of “Muslim-ness,” that’s what I like to call it. The first 10 days, or the 1^st Ashraa, of Ramadan present an opportunity to seek mercy, the 2^nd calls for seeking repentance for all misdeeds, and the 3^rd allows you to evict yourself from the torment of Hellfire. You should look up the Hadith of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) and the verses of the Holy Quran to understand the philosophy and the importance of Ramadan. Only then can you be able to do justice to its rituals and give 100% spiritual commitment.
To be continued ...