The Ramadan Effect: Rediscovering Our Power

As 2026 Ramadan began, my reflections turned towards the fact that it is not only a month that Allah
allows us to settle our affairs with Him as a beginning step towards Taqwa, but also a month that
allows us to rediscover our power and capacity in a unique manner.

One of Shaitaan’s many tricks is to whisper to us that we are lesser than we think we are, and incapable of accomplishing much. We succumb to this and begin to feed ourselves negative self-talk. This repeated negativity leads to what Martin Seligman in the 1960’s called “learned helplessness”. This is a psychological condition wherein a person comes to believe they have no control over a situation, even when they actually do, and consequently stops trying to change it. This usually develops firstly by repeated negative experiences such as failure, criticism, trauma, or lack of control. Then it gets cemented into a belief that says, “I can’t change this,” or “I am not capable,” or “there is no point trying.” The final straw is that we do not act even when opportunities appear because we believe we can’t win. We begin to believe we cannot memorize the Qur’an, we cannot give a good public speech, we cannot learn the Arabic language. All the dreams we have for ourselves get lost in our apathy and lack of self-esteem.

In the Qur’an, Allah constantly reminds the believers of their power and strength. He says “So do not
weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.” Surah Aali-Imran (3:139)
“How many times a small group has overcome a large group by the permission of Allah. And Allah is
with the patient.” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:249)

“If there are twenty patient ones among you, they will overcome two hundred…” Surah Al-Anfal (8:65-
66)

Despite these inspiring words of Allah, Shaitaan manages to slowly beat us down to a state where we set
the bar so low for ourselves as a way to compensate for our lack of belief in our capacity and ability to
accomplish great things.

When all seems lost, Ramadan comes and gives us a chance to regain our optimism and confidence, to
reignite our passion and pride in terms of contributing to making the world a better place. Ramadan
comes as a loud noise, immediately forcing us to pay attention and disrupting the status quo. It shakes
up our work schedules, food habits, praying structures and so much more. We are forced to take a
pause from our complacency and listen to its call. Suddenly, an amazing thing happens. We respond.
Our apathy changes to energy.

Here are eight ways Ramadan allows us to rediscover our power and value by challenging our
preconceived notions about our settled compromising reality:

1. Time

Almost everyone these days seems to be in a time crunch. We are busier than ever with less and less
time to do everything we want and need to do. This is despite the fact that we live in an era where
technology provides us with the maximum number of time-saving gadgets, devices, and appliances in
history. We press a button on our fantastic phones and cooked food arrives!

Yet the irony is that we still think we have no time. Then Ramadan comes along and we find
ourselves suddenly able to find time to recite the whole Qur’an in a month, to go to the masjid every
night for hours on end and to pray twenty rak’aats of taraweeh prayer. Where did this extra time come
from? Ramadan doesn’t bring more time, rather it allows us to understand the power of priority. We will find time for whatever we deem most important to us. Ramdan reminds us about what is truly
important in our lives.

2. Socializing

Our daily grind makes it difficult for us to socialize and to find time to hang out with friends and family.
We choose the lonely option of TV, video games, and social media to find some companionship. We
begin to lose our desire to mix and enjoy the human connection of others. Ramadan pushes us to come
out and break the fast with our fellow believers. To interact and enjoy their presence, brotherhood and
love. To come to the house of Allah and experience its blessing. It helps us reconnect with our families
and communities in a way we may have been neglecting over the rest of the year.

3. Food

Our weakness in coming to grips with our eating habits causes many of us to give up hope of ever
developing healthy food habits. Ramadan comes and shows us we have the power to control ourselves
and our food. It demonstrates what discipline we can have but also lets us re-examine our food as the
blessing it is. As we change our relationship to food in Ramadan, we learn that we can change it for any
of Allah’s blessings from being seen as a given to one deserving of immense appreciation.

4. Quran

Throughout the year, very few of us actually have a daily regimen of reciting the Qur’an consistently. It is hidden on our shelves as decoration. Ramadan comes and something in our heart revives our love for
the Qur’an. The nightly recitation of the Qurraa (reciters) in the taraweeh prayer moves our souls once
again. We rediscover our lost love of the book of Allah, and find ourselves committing to opening and
reciting it once again.

5. Vices and bad habits

During the year, our status quo becomes an acceptance of our vices and bad habits. We have long given
up on changing them. Ramadan comes and causes remorse and feelings of guilt to the extent that
people who drank alcohol or smoke cigarettes would stop for the month. “Whoever does not give up
false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, then Allah has no need of him giving up his food and
drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari). This includes backbiting, slander, insults, cursing, and arguing harshly.

6. Money

Shaitaan promises us poverty if we spend, but sadaqah (charity) is burhaan (evidence of faith). During
the year, we become unwilling to spend our wealth on the less fortunate. Allah says, “O you who
believe! Give of the good things you have earned, and from what We have produced for you from the
earth. And do not pick the inferior things to give away, when you yourselves would not accept it except
with eyes closed. And know that God is Sufficient and Praiseworthy. Satan promises you poverty, and
urges you to immorality; but God promises you forgiveness from Himself, and grace. God is Embracing
and Knowing.” Surah Al-Baqarah (2:267-268). Ramadan brings the good news of the blessings of giving, and suddenly we rediscover our generosity. We share our wealth more in this month than any other to help the poor and needy.

7. Watching TV/Media

A lot of us can’t be wrestled away from our favorite show on TV, or scrolling through hours of videos on
our phone. It can even cause us to miss our daily salaah. Now, Ramadan comes and convinces us that we should be in the masjid instead. That we should switch over to our Qur’an apps, or spend time listening to Islamic reminders and talks. We are slowly forced to realize how shallow our lives have become and how much time we waste in things which will not benefit us in the next life.

8. Imaan

Most of us think and believe our imaan could do with some polishing and strengthening. It is only when
Ramadan comes that we get to realize how strong our faith really is. We see it reflected through the
actions we are able to take in Ramadan and help ourselves to start to believe in our own belief.
Ramadan allows us to have a renewed respect for our imaan.

In closing, I do believe that Ramadan comes to disrupt our status quo in order to repair our damaged
souls and allow us to re-adjust our paths toward Allah. It allows us to believe once again in our power
and capacity. It gives us a chance to recognize our “learned helplessness” and to free ourselves of its
chains. It allows us to regain our pride as believers and our confidence to pursue any dream we wish
with optimism and confidence once again. May Allah accept all of our striving during this blessed month.