How to Fight the Winter Blues with Worship
My good friend put up a reminder on social media a few weeks ago which inspired me to write this piece. She quoted Hasan al-Bisri (may Allah have mercy on him) who said: “Winter is the best season for the believer. Its nights are long for him to pray in and its days are short for him to fast in.”
At this time of the year in the UK, festivities are in full swing. Calendars are bursting at the seams and quite honestly, it’s all too easy to be swept away in the feverish wave of it all. Halloween, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and so on.
Sadly though, none of these occasions are Islamic. I say sadly not because I yearn to participate in them, but because celebrating them has become rife within the Muslim community.
Islam expressly forbids the celebration of occasions that hold no value or contradict Islamic beliefs. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) came to Madinah, the people had two days of celebration from the time of ignorance. He said: “Allah has replaced them for you with two better days: the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Fitr.”
This is not about spreading festive doom and gloom. Winter is one of my favourite seasons. I enjoy the snow when it appears, time off work, and shopping in the sales. However, un-Islamic beliefs, capitalist greed, and mindless consumerism dominate this period, and we should be mindful of that.
So how can winter be embraced in a way that complements Islamic faith and values?
Five Ways to Make Winter Work for You
Hasan al-Bisri highlighted the long winter nights, which are ideal for Qiyam ul-Layl or Tahajjud. Tahajjud is considered the most superior voluntary prayer in Islam. Imam al-Shafi‘i (may Allah have mercy on him) is reported to have said that supplication made during Tahajjud is like an arrow that never misses its target.
The time allocated for Qiyam ul-Layl is incredibly special. If access to Tahajjud were sold like tickets, they would be exclusive and limited. With winter days ending early, the opportunity for night prayer becomes longer and more accessible. Performing ablution in the cold also carries virtue, and when combined with prayer in the stillness of the night, it becomes spiritually powerful.
Winter days are also short, making voluntary fasting much easier. With sunset arriving early and dawn coming late, fasting becomes a manageable act of worship. In a season dominated by sales and indulgence, this opportunity should not be missed.
Winter is also a season of giving. Allah has blessed many of us with warmth, shelter, and sustenance, while countless others struggle against the harsh cold. Expressing gratitude through charity and service becomes especially meaningful during this time.
There is a beautiful narration about Safwan ibn Salim (may Allah have mercy on him) who once saw a poorly clothed man on a cold night and covered him with his own garment. Later, a man from Syria saw Safwan entering Paradise in a dream because of this act of kindness. This illustrates how small acts of compassion can carry immense reward.
Winter is also a time to revive supplications specific to the season. There are supplications taught for rain and for extreme cold, asking Allah for benefit and protection. Even the simple act of turning to Allah during these moments can become a means of salvation.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that when a servant sincerely seeks refuge from Hellfire, Allah commands Hellfire to bear witness that the servant has been granted protection.
Being neighbourly is another powerful form of worship in Islam, and winter presents many opportunities for this. Clearing icy paths, checking in on elderly neighbours, offering help with shopping, sharing warm food, or alerting authorities when someone is vulnerable are all simple yet impactful actions.
Winter as a Season of Growth
Rumi beautifully described winter as a season where bare branches appear lifeless but are quietly preparing for spring. Winter blues are real and medically recognised as Seasonal Affective Disorder, affecting millions in the UK.
However, winter does not have to be a season of stagnation. For a believer, it can be the most productive and spiritually enriching time of the year, a period of preparation, reflection, and growth.
How productive winter becomes depends on how consciously it is embraced. Through worship, fasting, charity, prayer, and service to others, winter can transform from a season of heaviness into one of immense light and reward.
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