Are You Living from Your Future Self?

As-salamu alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, last Sunday we welcomed the founding cohort of Muslim healthcare professionals to a journey of barakah-aligned transformation through The Resilient Healthcare Worker Program (Elevate with Barakah).

It was an inspiring onboarding call—reflecting on their journeys so far and envisioning what could be possible in the months ahead, bi idhnillah.

Each of them slowed down to imagine who they want to be in 12 months—beginning with a defining choice to start filling their cups today.

They chose to invest—
Not in who they used to be.
Not even in who they were on onboarding day.
But in who they can become, with Allah’s help, sincere intentions, and a commitment to work hard.

This refreshing perspective is a nudge to myself and to you today.

Because this isn’t really about them.

It’s about all of us who dream of a better version of ourselves—yet hold on to beliefs and choices that keep us stuck, delaying the decisions that build a stronger future self.

Prophetic Wisdom: What Have You Prepared for It?

Anas Ibn Malik narrated:
A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about the Hour (i.e., Day of Judgment), saying, “When will the Hour be?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “What have you prepared for it?” The man replied, “Nothing—except that I love Allah and His Messenger.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “You will be with those whom you love.” We had never been so glad as we were upon hearing this. Therefore, I love the Prophet, Abu Bakr, and `Umar, and I hope to be with them because of my love for them, even though my deeds are not like theirs.
— Sahih al-Bukhari 3688

When the man asked, “When is the Day of Judgment?” the Prophet ﷺ did not give a timeline.

Instead, he shifted the focus: “What have you prepared for it?”

He was teaching us a timeless principle—
To focus our energy and time today on preparing for the destination, so that when we arrive, in sha Allah, we are in the best possible state.

He didn’t dwell on timelines that distract us from the journey.
He emphasized the process—becoming the person who will, by Allah’s mercy, succeed when the time comes.

That means acting from your future self—investing in that version today.
The version that wants to break free from limiting beliefs and the work-life struggles rooted in daily choices we repeat while expecting tomorrow to somehow be different.

This question is worth asking—not just about the akhirah, but about every intention worth striving for:

• A healthy body that can carry your mission
  

• A thriving marriage that sets you up for success in the dunya and the akhira
  

• An illustrious career that turns your contributions into eternal assets on the Day of Judgment
  

• A stronger connection with Allah, anchored in ihsan (excellence)

The preparation determines the arrival.
The process shapes the outcome.
And the investment mindset bridges the gap between hopes and reality.

5 Insights to Anchor Your Future-Self Journey

1. Start with a Sincere Intention.
The Prophet ﷺ taught: “Actions are judged by intentions.”
The journey to your future self begins not with a planner, but with a sincere niyyah.
Make it about Allah, the Most High.
Make it about growth—and about the impact you’re capable of but haven’t fully invested in.
Watch your capacity expand from the first committed step.

2. Commit to the Vision.
Intention plants the seed.
Commitment turns it into growth—translating vision into steps that make what once seemed impossible a reality.
Whether it’s a vision board, a du’a list, or sitting with a mentor or coach—commitment turns dreams into tangible results, bi idhnillah.

3. Take Imperfect Action.
There will never be a perfect time.
Waiting until you’re “ready” is a trick of Shaytan—it guarantees no progress, and often regression.
Start small today. Remove friction. Build momentum with the support of trusted company and external help when needed.

4. Be Mindful of the Tricks of Shaytan.

• He’ll convince you that who you are now is who you’ll always be.
  

• He’ll tempt you to wait for ease instead of acting with courage—taking the step even when there’s risk or discomfort.
  

• He’ll keep you focused on fears and past failures—while Allah calls you to tawakkul (trust) and to use gratitude as fuel for progress

Growth is not optional. As Shaykh Muhammad Alshareef (rahimahullah) reminded us—quoting William S. Burrough—“If you’re not growing, you’re dying.”

We owe it to ourselves to lean into growth and the stretch zone that shapes the path to our next best selves, bi idhnillah.
Choosing not to is choosing decline—slowly chipping away until we are a shadow of our potential.

5. Surround Yourself with the Right Company.
Growth is hard—even with good company. Alone, it’s even harder.
That’s why I’m grateful for the teachers, coaches, mentors, resilience buddies, and now the founding cohort of The Resilient Healthcare Worker Program (Elevate with Barakah)—all committed to walking this path together.

If you’re still reading this:
We may still have space if this is the support you need right now.

But the program is not the point—your transformation is.

If your nafs is nudging you,
 “Maybe this is for me…”
I invite you to explore what it could look like to live from your future self—starting today.

🔗 Explore The Resilient Healthcare Worker Program (Elevate with Barakah) 

🔗 Join the Waitlist for the Next Cohort

May Allah, the Most High, grant us the courage to prepare for what matters most, and the clarity to act from who He created us to become. Amin.

Sincerely,

Sulyman