The light outside our family farm is bathed in gold. But as the sun exchanges places with the Ramadhan moon, many people feel a sense of worry. They struggle to pray diligently, perform at work, and rest adequately while making time for family and friends.
The holy month urges us to make wise use of our time and reap its benefits in full. But how?
We find the answer in the Holy Quran, in reading Seneca’s writings circa 40 AD, and in an essay written by Bertrand Russel in 1932. The answer comes from understanding that work, pleasure, and spirituality are all essential, and in giving each element the respect it deserves.
The Spirituality of Work
Understand that your daily job is also spiritual. We learn this In Surah Juma, Verse 10, wherein Allah Almighty urges Muslims to head out into work and seek prosperity after the prayer. The Prophet adds another element, where he says “Allah loves to see his servant who does a job meticulously.” So, surely working hard is a virtue, is it not? When you understand this, you’ll see that honest work, done well, is a carefully crafted form of worship.
Seneca, in “Letters from a Stoic” highlights that to do a work well is to capture the essence of goodness in some way. Therefore, honest work with deliberation cleanses the soul, allowing the mind to pursue happiness.
The Case for Pleasure
Know that enjoying yourself is a key aspect of life, including during the holy month. Seneca’s “On the Shortness of Life” highlights that workaholics are making a mistake. True, Time IS money, but workaholics spend too much of it on the world around them, and not enough of it on themselves. Those who drown in pleasure are no better, turning their joys into prisons.
Russell’s 'In Praise of Idleness' is just as harsh. He says that in economic terms, spending 2 hours of your time as a consumer is actually more important for the world than the 8 hours you put in at work. The world does not lack for production but for consumers. Russell is also convinced that work isn’t even as good for you as people pretend it is. The mind, he says, needs nourishment beyond what is provided at daily work. It requires intellectual pursuit, artistic expression, and sometimes, just plain fun.
Our most significant source, the Holy Quran, is certain in its explanation. Al Baqarah 201 showcases that there is room for happiness in life, as well as in paradise. We should not forget to enjoy the blessings with which Allah has wreathed us. Rather, the pleasure of life should be the kindling we rely on to enflame our spirit to do more good.
Not all About this Life
The beauty of Ramadhan is that it makes connecting with your maker easier than ever before. Your work time is reduced, and you forego meals. This is prime time to kick any bad habits you have and give room for prayer, the Quran, and charitable work.
The Holy Quran has many, many verses which discuss the spiritual bliss which comes from leading a virtuous life. Therefore, I will highlight here that philosophy says the same. Seneca concludes his essay by asserting that neither hard work nor pleasure is enough to fill a person’s cup. There must be a higher spiritual purpose. To him, that purpose is philosophy or the pursuit of wisdom.
Conclusion
There are 24 hours in a day, and I’m not asking you to meticulously plan every second of them to achieve maximum value. Instead, what I ask of you is this: Today, when Ramadhan’s moon lights the world without and the soul within, ask yourself whether you’re honestly trying to give yourself the best life possible. Try to make some time for work, some for joy, and some for your soul. That way, you won’t regret how you’ve spent this Ramadhan.
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