ASalaamu Alaykum!
You felt unstoppable in the first days of Ramadan—your worship was strong, your discipline was locked in, and your energy was high. But now? That initial drive is fading. Fajr, tahajjud, and even suhoor feel harder to wake up for. Your Qur’an reading slows down, taraweeh becomes a maybe instead of a must, and your meal choices start slipping from clean fuel to convenient indulgence. This is the mid-Ramadan slump—the point where many of us start to feel sluggish, distracted, and lazy with our ibadah and health. But here’s the truth: these middle days are just as valuable as the beginning, and perhaps even more important. Why? Because how you navigate this stretch will determine your momentum going into the last 10 nights. If you let yourself slow down now, it’ll be harder to ramp back up. But if you stay consistent, these days will prepare you for a powerful final push in the most blessed nights of the year. And with the right strategies—backed by Sunnah and science—you can push through, maintain your momentum, and make the most of every single day this Ramadan. Let’s get into it.
1️⃣ Renew Your Intention – The Key to Unlocking Barakah in Your Efforts
📖 The Prophet ﷺ said: “Actions are but by intentions, and every man shall have only that which he intended.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
As we hit the mid-Ramadan slump, it's easy to lose sight of why we’re fasting in the first place. Many people enter Ramadan thinking, “This is my chance to lose weight, get in shape, or finally fix my bad habits.” And while those are great goals, they should never be the primary reason for fasting. The intention behind Ramadan should always be for the sake of Allah—to seek His pleasure, draw closer to Him, and purify our souls. Everything else—whether it's improved health, weight loss, or better discipline—is just a byproduct of barakah.
Think about it—Allah is the One who dictates your success in everything, including your health, your fitness, and your ability to stay disciplined. If He wills for you to become leaner, stronger, and sharper, then nothing can stop that. And if He withholds it, no amount of effort will make it happen. So why not align your intention with the One who controls all success? When you fast with the correct niyyah (intention), seeking Allah’s pleasure above all, you’ll see that everything else starts falling into place effortlessly.
Fasting has profound effects on the body—improving insulin sensitivity, increasing cognitive function, and even promoting longevity—but none of this compares to the spiritual elevation it brings. If you’ve lost motivation, take a moment today to reset your intention. Remind yourself: I am fasting for the sake of Allah, and He will bless my efforts in ways I cannot even imagine.
2️⃣ Move Your Body – Unlocking Energy Through Movement
📖 The Prophet ﷺ said: “Your body has a right over you.” (Bukhari)
A major reason you might be feeling sluggish right now isn’t just the fasting—it’s the lack of movement. When your body is inactive for too long, blood flow slows down, your metabolism drops, and your brain gets foggy. A lot of people stop working out completely in Ramadan thinking they need to conserve energy, but this actually makes you feel worse.
The science is clear: movement increases blood circulation, helps your body process nutrients more efficiently, and even boosts dopamine and serotonin—two neurotransmitters essential for motivation and focus. Even a short walk after iftar can re-energize your system, prevent bloating, and improve digestion.
The best time for exercise during Ramadan? Either before iftar (for those who like to train fasted) or after taraweeh when you’re fed and hydrated. It doesn’t need to be intense—even bodyweight exercises, stretching, or a light jog can make a huge difference in keeping your energy levels up. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged movement, and science backs it up: a physically active body leads to a sharper, more disciplined mind.
So, if you’re feeling slow and weak, get up and move—not to burn calories, but because your body is an amanah (trust) from Allah. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.
3️⃣ Surround Yourself with the Right People – The Hidden Key to Success
📖 The Prophet ﷺ said: “A person is upon the religion of his close friend.” (Abu Dawood 4833)
Feeling unmotivated in the middle of Ramadan? Look at who you’re spending time with. Your environment directly influences your energy, habits, and even the way your brain functions. Science proves that the people you surround yourself with impact your motivation, discipline, and even your lifespan.
A 2018 study in the journal Personal Relationships found that people with strong, positive social circles had higher rates of self-discipline, longer lifespans, and lower stress levels. Neuroscientists have also discovered that your brain literally mirrors the habits of the people around you. If you’re constantly around people who are lazy, unmotivated, and wasting their time, your brain will follow suit. But if you surround yourself with people who prioritize ibadah, health, and discipline, your brain will naturally adapt to those standards.
This is why Ramadan is the perfect time to build a high-energy, motivated community. Start attending taraweeh with friends, waking up for suhoor with family, or even joining an online Quran memorization group. The Prophet ﷺ built a strong brotherhood around him, and science shows that having a purpose-driven community is one of the biggest factors for long-term success.
So take control of your environment—find people who push you to be better. Because if you surround yourself with excellence, you’ll naturally become excellent.
Final Thought: The Mid-Ramadan Slump is NOT an Excuse
We've all felt it—that dip in energy, the creeping laziness, the struggle to wake up for suhoor, fajr, or tahajjud like we did at the start of Ramadan. But here’s the reality: these middle days are just as important as the first and last ten. They set the tone for your final push.
If you let yourself slow down now, you risk coasting through the most blessed nights of the year on autopilot. But if you realign your intention, move your body, and surround yourself with the right people, you'll enter the last 10 nights at your peak—mentally, physically, and spiritually.
So ask yourself: How do you want to finish Ramadan? Strong, disciplined, and spiritually elevated? Or sluggish, unmotivated, and regretting lost opportunities?
📢 Your move: Reignite your energy today. Reset your intention. Move your body. Find your tribe. The best days of Ramadan are coming—make sure you’re ready. 🚀
Yours Truly,
Jamil bin Khaled.