Feeling spiritual fatigue or heaviness in worship is a natural human experience, as Dr. Ali Gomaa, former Grand Mufti of Egypt and member of Al-Azhar’s Senior Scholars, explains. Even the devout and pious encounter such moments.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Every deed has a period," meaning each act of worship comes with initial enthusiasm that may wane over time. The key is to maintain commitment to obligatory acts, even if optional practices are occasionally skipped.
Practical example: Fasting during Ramadan must be observed, even if optional fasts like Mondays and Thursdays are missed. Mandatory prayers should be performed, even if some Sunnah prayers are skipped. Maintaining the minimum level preserves the warmth of faith, though not at full intensity.
Dr. Gomaa also emphasized that spiritual fatigue is temporary and should be addressed gradually: after a period of maintaining minimum commitment, one can renew effort and strive again. This natural cycle may continue for months, but despair is not an option. A believer feeling remorse over missed opportunities is in a state of good, unlike a hypocrite who pretends piety outwardly.
He concluded by citing Allah’s words: {Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah; indeed, Allah forgives all sins."} [Az-Zumar: 53], affirming that temporary fatigue does not justify despair, and perseverance—even at minimal levels—is key.
