Can You Recommend Methods of Relaxation So I Don’t Get Burnt Out by Worship?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

Please give me examples of fun things which I can do to relax. I would like it if you could give me a list of halal movies, animes, cartoons, cartoon movies, fiction stories, books, and music (not nasheeds). I need music because my family plays haram music in the car, and I need to give them alternatives that are not Islamic. Mention some trustworthy Islamic websites. I know the criteria but need examples. Also, please suggest to me the names of trustworthy Pakistani scholars. I know that this question is a little demanding, but I am burning out with devotion. Please tell me a minimum amount of devotion (zikr, recitation, knowledge ) to save myself from sin and how to progress.

Answer

Thank you for your question. May Allah reward you for your noble intention, and may you strike a perfect balance between devotion and leisure.

Moderate Way

A believer has true rest in his grave, but of course, one should not get burnt out by his worship, so I advise you to only do what is sustainable. The moderate way is the best way, and that is the quality of our Muslim nation. Allah Most High said in the Quran, “In the same way, We made you a moderate Umma (community) so that you should be witnesses over the people, and the Messenger a witness to you […].” [Quran, 2:143]

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) also advised us on what is most pleasing to Allah in the way of good works: “The acts most pleasing to God are those which are done most continuously, even if they amount to little.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Suggestions

I don’t know of any particular music or books etc, but you can refer to the links below. I am also not familiar with the names of trustworthy scholars except Mufti Taqi Usmani. Ask Allah to give you ease, and you will find it, by His grace. Eventually, you will reach a point where your worship is relaxation, in sha Allah.

• SeekersHub’s Reading List for Kids
• SeekersGuidance Essential Reading List For Every Muslim’s Bookshelf
• Is It Unlawful to Watch Movies or Read Novels?
• Movies on the Lives of the Companions

Perfect Your Obligations

I encourage you to worship as much as you can manage but keep in mind that performing your obligations well is the most beloved action of all to Allah Most High.

On the authority of Abu Hurayrah ((may Allah be well pleased with him), said that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “Allah (mighty and sublime be He) said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death, and I hate hurting him.’” [Bukhari]

Please see these links as well:

• Part Four: Being Extremely Moderate
• How Can I Overcome Religious Burnout?
• How Do I Balance Having Spiritual Ambition With Being Humble and Not Burning Myself Out?

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria, for two years, where she studied aqidah, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin and completed her Master’s in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan, where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.