Photo: Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
Eid al-Adha was likely a joyous occasion for those who were able to celebrate in the fashion that it was intended both religiously and culturally. But what of those individuals who experience this same occasion as yet another event on the social calendar that induces anxiety and apprehension?
I specifically make reference to the Autistic Muslimah (Muslim woman) whose anticipation of the demands that the preparation for and participation in the Eid festivities require.
When the social, emotional and practical load imposed on this woman outweighs the capacity to cope, she is at risk of autistic burnout—a state characterised by extreme exhaustion and functional limitations (Ali et al, 2025).
The impact of burnout is usually made worse by the masking employed to conceal autistic traits and behaviours, a strategy an Autistic Muslimah may resort to to protect herself against negative judgment.
Masking may increase during Eid as expectations of social participation surge, thereby accelerating energy depletion and forcing her to withdraw into the safety of her own home.
Whilst a period of convalescence may be essential to recovery, the Autistic Muslimah may feel shame about having burnt out and considers her weakened state a moral failure that needs to be concealed from prying eyes. Her guilt over letting others down and the perception that she is a burden onto others push her to also mask the pain.
The masking of both autistic traits and the pain of burnout result in ‘dual-masking’, a new concept to describe old ways of reacting to one’s pain in relation to others (Clarey et al, 2026).
Unfortunately, this ‘dual-masking’ only compounds her symptoms, reducing functional capacity, work and educational opportunities, self-esteem and social withdrawal. So, how do we protect our Autistic Muslimahs against the pernicious impact of prolonged stress on a nervous system already on edge?
From an Islamic perspective, shame has a positive, pro-social function essential to moral behaviour (Smith, 2018). However, Imam al-Mawardi distinguished between three different kinds of shame (Sheikh Bangura, 2022).
The first and third type are the shame a believer feels before Allah and within themselves respectively for dereliction in religious obligations and the failure to uphold personal standards.
The second is shame before one’s fellow man (or woman). The first and third type of shame are meritorious and contribute to moral intelligence in accordance with a prophetic model (Smith, 2018). The second type, however, is unnecessary as it is subject to changing mores within society that may not reflect the Islamic ethic.
For the Autistic Muslimah, this is an important point to bear in mind as any stigmatising attitudes directed at her neurodivergence could and should be ignored as the uninformed beliefs that they are. Islam specifically places the preservation of life and the requisite physical and mental health as an objective of its just law.
So to the Autistic Muslimah, have no guilt in engaging restorative self-care activities. There is no shame in illness, disability and/or the need to heal.
Photo: Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
References
Ali, D., Bougoure, M., Cooper, B., Quinton, A. M. G., Tan, D., Brett, J., Mandy, W., Maybery, M., Magiati, I., & Happé, F. (2025). Burnout as experienced by autistic people: A systematic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 122, Article 102669. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2025.102669
Clarey, M. M., Ireland, M. J., Abel, S., & Brownlow, C. (2026). Beyond exhaustion: Shame, identity disruption, and functional collapse in autistic burnout. Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, 13623613261444797. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613261444797
Sheikh Bangura, A. (2022). Illuminations: Great anecdotes and quotes from al-Māwardī’s adab al-dunya wa al-din. Independently Published.
Smith, M. A. (2018). Shame, morality, and emotions: Understanding the prophetic model of intelligence. Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. https://yaqeeninstitute.org/read/paper/shame-morality-and-emotions-understanding-the-prophetic-model-of-intelligence
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