Facebook Pixel

How to Overcome Addictions While Fasting???

by | Jun 5, 2018

Join Us Today

AlQuranClasses offers 1-on-1 classes at the comfort of your home under highly qualified Ustad and Ustadah. Our vision is to spread the light of the Quran among Muslims. Hurry up! Book your Free Trial of Quran Recitation with Tajweed Rules, Hifz Quran with Tarteel, and Quranic Duas.
AlQuranClasses offers a Quran Recitation course, Hifz Quran, and Quranic Duas. Book a Free Trial.
Start Free Trial

Regarding addictions and addicted people, Ramadan provides the opportunity to self-reflect on things that serve as distractions from the worship of Allah (SWT). It is a time when one can detox from addictive substances. It may shock your system when you quit cold turkey, but your ability to do so in Ramadan highlights your ability to continue outside of Ramadan.

What Are The Ways To Overcome Addictions While Fasting?

An addiction can be defined in addicted people as being abnormally tolerant to and dependent on something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming” by Webster’s Dictionary. There are several different things, activities, or substances to which one can be addicted. Alcohol and drugs are the most common addictive substances. However, coffee, tea, sugar, sodas, and even food can become an addiction. Regarding activities, watching TV and using social media can also become addicting.

This article will cover a few tips that may help a person overcome their addictions while fasting. We will use the running example of abstaining from smoking while fasting during Ramadan.

Think Smart To Avoid Addictions:

Smart is an acronym for goal setting. A SMART goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.

Your goal should be clear, not general. Ask yourself what you want to achieve. Here is a list of questions you can ask yourself when setting your goals, as well as a running example of what an answer may look like:

  • What exactly do I want to achieve?

I want to quit smoking.

  • How?

Since I am fasting and unable to eat or drink, I will replace my smoking behavior with a healthier alternative (such as worship, exercise, reading, etc.). This healthier alternative should also be specific. For this example, we will use reading Quran as the alternate action).

  • When?

For the entire month of Ramadan.

  • With whom?

Social supports are a great indicator of sticking to your goals. If you have friends who smoke and want to quit, you can encourage each other.

  • What are the conditions and limitations?

Know what your triggers are and how to manage your cravings. For instance, I tend to smoke when I am stressed. To quit successfully, I know I have to control stress. I will take a walk every day after work rather than smoke.

  • Why exactly do I want to reach this goal?

What is your internal motivation? Ramadan provides an external stimulus, but individuals are more successful at breaking and keeping an intrinsically motivated habit. In the running example, intrinsic motivation to quit smoking could be to become a better Muslim/healthy for your family, etc.

Tips to Overcome Addiction

  • Measurable

The means to break your goal into quantifiable elements can identify precisely how you expect to feel as you are taking steps to achieve your goal. It could include making a calendar and stickers to mark the days you have gone without smoking.

  • Attainable

To investigate whether your goal is acceptable to you, you weigh the pros and cons, the effort, and the time it will take to complete your objective and evaluate whether it is something you genuinely want to accomplish. It doesn’t mean you cannot take the impossible and make it happen. It merely means you will need to make it happen through careful planning.

  • Relevant

Is reaching your goal important to you? In what way? Where do you see yourself in the future if you continue your habit versus if you discontinue the practice? Knowing this about yourself will provide you with some motivation to reach your goal.

  • Timely

It involves having a specific time frame to complete your goal (which is easy to do in the month of Ramadan). It takes a month to make or break a habit, so use this time wisely to overcome your addictions while fasting.

  • Final words

Remember that relapse is part of recovery. It is not the end of your journey if you find yourself relapsing. Take the regression as an opportunity to fine-tune your goal and get back on the wagon. Do not lose hope, and stay motivated.

May Allah (SWT) make overcoming our addictions while fasting easy for all of us. Ameen.

 

Interested? Let’s Get Started

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive notifications of our latest blogs

Share This