One of the things Islam has taught me is to pay attention to my behaviour and ask why before reacting. Yesterday I caught myself being grumpy with my staff over some really small things, and instead of brushing it off, I stopped to figure out what was actually going on inside me. What I realised was a reminder of how connected the body, the heart, and our worship really are. I want to share this honest reflection because it might help someone else too.
I noticed yesterday that I was being grumpy when I started acting stressed with my staff over some really ridiculous things.
In the afternoon, I caught myself and realized..
I asked myself why am I being grumpy?
Why I Hadn’t Felt This in a Long Time
I haven’t felt ‘grumpy’ for ages because I have been so unwell over the last year or so that I either felt like I was about to die or I was praying, fasting and closely connected to Allah throughout my spiritual purification process.
When you are in deep illness or deep worship, there is no space for grumpiness; you are too focused on survival or too connected to Allah. So feeling this kind of emotion was unfamiliar to me after a long stretch.
The Realisation That Hit Me
Then it suddenly hit me that now I am getting my health back, alhamdulillah, I am well enough to go back to the gym regularly.
I got my gym clothes on and did a workout, and I IMMEDIATELY felt AMAZING.
I apologised to my staff and explained to them why I was being grumpy.
The body needed movement, and the mood lifted the moment I gave it what it needed. Apologising openly to my team was also part of correcting the moment, because they deserved to know it was not them.
Exercise Is So Important
Exercise is SO important.
It will solve most of your problems.
And NEVER take your health for granted.
It is an act of worship to Allah when you exercise and eat healthy.
Looking after the body Allah gave you is not optional; it is part of obedience. A healthy body supports a focused mind and a strong worship, and that is why exercise and clean eating belong inside the spiritual life, not outside of it.
The Real Reasons Behind Grumpiness
Whenever you find yourself grumpy for no reason, it either means you ate something bad, you need to work out, go to bed on time or commit to Salah 5 x 7.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.
Bad moods almost always have a cause. Once you become honest with yourself about which one of these four things you are slipping on, the fix becomes obvious. The combination of clean eating, movement, sleep, and prayer keeps the heart steady.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Hadn’t You Felt Grumpy For So Long?
Because over the last year, I was so unwell that I either felt like I was about to die or I was deep in prayer, fasting, and closely connected to Allah through a spiritual purification process. In both states, there is no room for grumpiness.
What Helped You Snap Out Of The Mood?
Exercise. The moment I got my gym clothes on and did a workout, I immediately felt amazing. Then I apologised to my staff and explained why I had been grumpy, so they knew it was not their fault.
Why Do You Consider Exercise An Act Of Worship?
Because the body is an amanah from Allah. Taking care of it through exercise and healthy eating is part of how we honour what He gave us. When we look after our health, we can pray better, work better, and serve others better.
What Are The Common Causes Of Grumpiness?
Whenever you find yourself grumpy for no reason, it usually means one of four things. You ate something bad, you need to work out, you need to go to bed on time, or you need to commit to your Salah 5 times a day, 7 days a week.
Why Did You Apologise To Your Staff?
Because they did not deserve to carry my mood. Owning the moment, explaining what was really going on, and saying sorry is part of being a good leader and a good Muslim. Islam asks us to be gentle and respectful with people at all times.