- 14 Apr, 2025
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How a Muslim Can Treat the Spiritual Lethargy in Worship and Devotion
A believer may at times experience a sense of spiritual fatigue or a decline in motivation when it comes to worship and acts of obedience. To overcome this state, several steps can be taken:
1. Strengthen Your Connection with Allah
This is achieved through reading the Qur’an with reflection and contemplation. By pondering the meanings of the verses, one can perceive the greatness of Allah through His Book. Reflecting on His Beautiful Names, Attributes, and Actions also deepens this connection.
2. Consistency in Voluntary Acts of Worship
One of the main causes of spiritual burnout is overexertion in worship at the beginning of the journey. This was not the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), nor did he advise it. A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) described his actions as consistent and ongoing. He also informed us:
“The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are few.”
Therefore, if a Muslim wishes to avoid spiritual fatigue, they should commit to a manageable and consistent level of worship. Steady actions, even if small, are better than sporadic bursts.
3. Maintaining Righteous and Motivated Companionship
Surround yourself with companions who are driven and eager in their pursuit of memorization, knowledge, and calling to Allah. Such individuals will encourage you in your worship and guide you toward good. On the other hand, a person lacking motivation will not be pleased with the company of someone who is driven, so seek out companions who inspire and uplift you.
4. Reading Books on the Lives of the Ambitious and Righteous
These books present inspiring examples to follow on your path to Allah. Among the most beneficial are:
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“High Aspirations” (ʿUluww al-Himmah) by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Muqaddim
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“The Reform of the Ummah through High Aspirations” by Shaykh Sayyid ʿAfānī
5. Supplication (Du‘a)
We strongly advise you to make regular du‘a, especially during the last part of the night. One who sincerely turns to their Lord and seeks His help will never be let down. Ask Allah to keep you firm upon obedience and to aid you in performing acts of worship in the best manner.
We ask Allah to guide you to that which pleases Him, and to bless you with the best of manners, words, and deeds.
The Power of Remembrance and the Retreat of Satan
There is no doubt that Satan retreats, flees, and distances himself from a servant when he recites the Qur’an or remembers Allah, the Exalted. Allah has guided us to this in His saying:
“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
The Sovereign of mankind,
The God of mankind,
From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws,
Who whispers in the hearts of mankind,
Of jinn and mankind.’”
(Surah An-Nas: 1–6)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Do not turn your homes into graves. Indeed, Satan flees from a house in which Surah Al-Baqarah is recited.”
(Reported by Muslim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also conveyed the words of Prophet Yahya (peace be upon him), who instructed his people, saying:
“And I command you to remember Allah, for the example of one who remembers Allah is like that of a man being pursued by an enemy who is swiftly chasing him. Then he reaches a strong fortress and protects himself from them. Likewise, the servant can only protect himself from Satan by the remembrance of Allah.”
(Reported by At-Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Albani)