Winter: A Season of Opportunity for the Believer

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم

We have now entered the winter months. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, and life around us begins to change. Many of us start adjusting our schedules; we go to work and school in the dark, we come home earlier, and we change our routines to suit the weather and daylight.

But what does it mean for us as Muslims? For a believer, winter is not only a change of season. It is a reminder and an opportunity.

A Reminder of Allah’s Power

Every change in nature reminds us of the greatness of Allah and are signs of His power and control.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the changing of the night and day are signs for people of understanding.” (Surah Aal Imran: 190)

This teaches us that nothing stays the same. Only Allah is constant. Time changes, life changes, seasons change, and all of this is from Him.

Winter – The Spring of the Believer

While many people may complain about winter; the cold, the darkness, the tiredness, a believer sees something different.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

“Winter is the spring of the believer. Its nights are long so he can pray, and its days are short so he can fast.” (Al-Bayhaqi)

Winter gives us long nights, which are perfect for praying Tahajjud and ensuring we pray Fajr on time. It also gives us short days, making it easier to fast. This is why the great scholar Hasan al-Basri said:

“What an excellent season winter is for the believer. Its days are short so he fasts, and its nights are long so he prays.”

Make Use of This Blessing

So as Muslims, we should not simply change our clocks and routines for winter. We should change our hearts and intentions too.

Let this season be a time to:

 • Wake up for Tahajjud, even if only for a few minutes

 • Fast some days, like Mondays and Thursdays

 • Spend quiet moments in dhikr and reflection

 • Make du’a in the stillness of the night

May Allah allow us increase in worship, and use our time in ways that bring us closer to Him.

Ameen.