With the start of the sacred days of Dhul Hijjah, many Muslims find themselves torn between fulfilling all of their spiritual goals and the weight of daily responsibilities. These ten days are among the most beloved to Allah (SWT) and filled with opportunities for immense reward, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “No good deeds are better than what is done in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah” (Sahih al-Bukhari 969). Yet for students juggling final exams, parents managing households, or professionals meeting deadlines, the fear of not having adequate time and energy to fulfill all their worship goals can be overwhelming and potentially lead towards burnout. So, how can we strike the right balance?The answer lies in this powerful reminder: intentions over perfection.
In Islam, intentions are everything. The Qur’an and Hadiths are filled with reminders about how intentions are what allow us to gain good deeds. Worship, no matter how little, is still worship. Every effort is still sacred. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “..Whoever intends to perform a good deed but does not do it (or is unable), Allah will record it as a complete good deed.” (Sahih Bukhari 6491). This hadith offers immense comfort since it shows how Allah is always appreciative of every effort. If your heart desires to fast all nine days leading up to Eid, recite extra dhikr, or donate generously—but your circumstances limit you, you can still earn the reward of that deed through sincere intention for any good deed that you do – whether that be work, engaging with your family, cheering up your friends, helping your community, or taking care of your health.
Start Dhul Hijjah by sitting with yourself and writing down what you intend to do. Whether it’s fasting for a few days, reading more Qur’an, or smiling more at others, remind yourself that Allah rewards effort and sincerity, not only outcomes.
We sometimes underestimate the weight of simple but consistent deeds. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged reciting with contemplation SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar, and La ilaha illAllah during these ten days. You can say them while walking, driving, at work, or even in between daily errands.
Incorporate Worship into Everyday Life
You don’t need hours of free time to earn a reward; instead, focus on integrating small acts of devotion into your routine. Reframing your intentions before logging into work, a two-minute dua before sleep, sending a hadith to a friend. All of these, when done with intention, carry weight.
Make your daily life your worship. Be mindful, be kind, and remember Allah in your tasks.
Allah is Al-Latif (The Most Gentle) and Ash-Shakoor (The Most Appreciative). These ten days are a time of multiplied reward and open mercy. Burnout is real, and it’s okay to pace yourself—Allah values sincerity and effort, not perfection. One heartfelt rak’ah or quiet dua can be more meaningful than hours of rushed worship. Protect your niyyah, stay connected in your own way, and remember: the goal was never perfection, but closeness to Allah.
Sakeenah Canada, a national charitable organization, was founded in 2018 in response to a gap in culturally and religiously sensitive services available for women and children facing domestic violence and homelessness. Since then, our services have expanded to include mental health therapy and counseling. Sakeenah has also started The People’s Market, a food program that helps combat food insecurity, and has become the first licensed foster care agency for Muslim children in all of North America. We currently operate 8 transitional homes across Canada: Toronto, Brampton, Milton, London, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Regina, in addition to the first long-term housing program for Muslim women and children in Canada, in Windsor.
Every night, thousands of women and children in Canada face homelessness, poverty, and trauma. We are on a mission to change that.
While Sakeenah functions at a national level, our head office and The People’s Market operate out of land that is part of the Treaty and Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, The Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Huron-Wendat and Wyandot Nations.
Sakeenah believes that while a land acknowledgement is the first step, we also understand that land acknowledgements alone are not sufficient to redress the harm caused by centuries of land theft, forced displacement and ongoing acts of settler colonialism. We recognize that this work is ongoing and complex, and we are dedicated to doing our part to create a better future for all.
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