Ramadan is a marathon, not a sprint. The initial days are filled with enthusiasm, spiritual highs, and a renewed sense of purpose. But as the days pass, many of us hit what feels like a wall—the dreaded mid-Ramadan slump. The fatigue sets in, our routines become mechanical, and the energy we started with begins to wane.
But here’s the secret: this is exactly where true spiritual growth happens.
The Struggle is the Path to Taqwa
Ashraf Gangrekar from Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) likens this phase to going to the gym:
“You know that you’re signing up and you need to go because your body needs it, your mind needs it, and then off you go. You start, you’ll get there and you’re enjoying it. After a while, it wears off. Many people are unable to sustain this and so gym ends.”
The same applies to Ramadan. The excitement of the first few days fuels our worship, but as exhaustion sets in, the commitment is tested. However, unlike gym-goers who may quit when motivation fades, we don’t stop fasting.
“We don’t stop fasting because we know the cause is higher. We know that this is our attempt to gain closeness to Allah and to heighten our consciousness of Him.”
This is where the last ten nights of Ramadan come in—a golden opportunity to reignite our spiritual drive and push through the slump.
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The Last Ten Nights: A Window of Infinite Blessings
The last ten nights of Ramadan are not just another phase of fasting; they hold Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Decree—a night that is better than a thousand months (Quran 97:3).
As Mohammed Faris from Productive Muslim explains, the mid-Ramadan slump is where true jihad al-nafs (striving against oneself) happens. It’s where we tell our exhausted bodies:
> “Your comfort is not my priority—my relationship with my Creator is.”
This is the moment where we shift gears. The past 19 days, whether productive or not, are gone. But these last ten nights are still ahead of us.
“Whatever’s happened in the 19 days that have come and gone, you’ll never do anything to change that or get that time back. But the best of nights are about to come, that contain one special night that’s better than a thousand nights,” says Gangrekar.
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How to Push Through and Maximise the Last Ten Nights
1. Reframe Your Mindset
Instead of seeing the slump as a failure, view it as a necessary phase of growth. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Do good deeds properly, sincerely, and moderately, and know that your deeds will not make you enter Paradise, and that the most beloved deed to Allah is the most regular and constant even if it were little.” (Bukhari)*
Consistency, not quantity, is key. Small, sincere actions hold immense value.
2. Prioritise Laylatul Qadr
We don’t know which night it will be, but we do know that it falls within these last ten nights. Imagine standing in prayer on a night that is worth more than 83 years of worship.
“Don’t languish,” Gangrekar says. “Don’t get stuck in the slump. You’ve survived the slump, and now we’ll push through to, inshaAllah, reach Laylatul Qadr.”
Even if you feel exhausted, remind yourself: this is the final push.
3. Simplify Your Worship Goals
Unrealistic goals lead to burnout. Instead of overwhelming yourself, focus on three core things:
– Quran Recitation – Even if it’s just a few verses daily, consistency matters.
– Dua and Dhikr – Keep your tongue moist with remembrance of Allah.
– Night Prayers – Even if it’s just two rak’ahs, pray them with sincerity.
4. Make Dua Like Never Before
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us the best dua for Laylatul Qadr:
> اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
> *Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni
> “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi)
This is the time to pour your heart out to Allah. Ask for everything—your dunya, your akhirah, your loved ones, and your forgiveness.
5. Give Charity, Even If It’s Small
The Prophet (peace be upon him) was most generous during Ramadan. Even if it’s a small amount daily, aim to give something in these last ten nights.
Ramadan is not over yet. The finish line is in sight, and the rewards are beyond imagination.
“This is where we know we’ve been through the ‘toughest’ part. We can push through a slump to then maximize our efforts,” Gangrekar adds.
So, don’t stop now. Keep going. Push through. The best of Ramadan is still ahead of you.
Picture: via Pro Pakistani.
