How Will You Navigate the Ramadan Time Crunch?

As-salam alaykum,

Ramadan is now just 8 days away subhan’Allah! 

May Allah, the Most High, allow us to reach Ramadan. Amin.

As healthcare professionals, we often feel the time crunch—especially in Ramadan. Long shifts, patient care, and unpredictable schedules can make it challenging to be as present in our worship as we’d like.

But frankly, Ramadan isn’t about perfection; rather it’s about presence, intentionality, and returning to Allah—again and again to discover the sweetness of Taqwa—that intimate mindfulness of our creator in all that we do!

The reality is that the struggle to achieve that sweetness is the very thing that defines Ramadan for most if not all of us and it is the inherent sincerity that comes with that pursuit that helps us find Allah, the Most High.

The struggle—that race against time is one that we all need to slow down to and strategize in a way that is true to a big part of our identity. The identity of working in healthcare and the heavy lift that this space is well-known for. 

To be realistic and yet ambitious about what is possible in Ramadan because of the Barakah that comes with the time. 

To have a balanced approach grounded in spiritual intelligence and the divine as well as prophetic wisdoms.

Let’s take a step back to zoom in on the big pillars that we need to get right by Allah’s will this Ramadan.

With limited time, we need to focus on high-impact rituals that fit into our busy schedules and leverage these to attract Barakah into our time—and be able to do more with less.

Here are three core areas to prioritize.

High-Yield Focus Areas for Healthcare Workers in Ramadan

1. Salah: Your Anchor in the Chaos

Salah is our direct connection to Allah. No matter how busy our shifts get, we must build our schedules around it. In a famous Hadith Qudsi, Allah, the Most High, says:

“My servant draws near to Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My servant keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him.” [Bukhari]

Prioritizing Salah—even in the busiest moments—grounds us spiritually and emotionally. It brings peace in the midst of chaos and reminds us to stop and seek Allah’s help even in these dire moments with the realization that the success that we are seeking this Ramadan is ultimately in His hands.

2. Qur’an: The Month of Revelation

Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an. While it would be optimal for all of us to complete a khatm (complete recitation of the whole Qur’an) during the month of Ramadan, focusing on consistency and quality of our engagement with the Qur’an even if it’s simply reading or reflecting on a few verses daily can transform our pursuit of the mindfulness of Allah this blessed month.

The Qur’an deepens our spiritual intelligence and reminds us of Allah’s all-encompassing relevance to our lives at work and at home. Don’t underestimate what even five minutes of reflection about a verse can do—it can be life-changing.

3. Adhkar & Gratitude: The Mindful Connection

Incorporate adhkar into your daily routine—between patient rounds, during commutes, or before sleeping. A simple, mindful dhikr can re-center our heart in the middle of a demanding shift and remind us again to call upon Allah to help us navigate the incessant challenges of working in healthcare.

Another powerful practice is mindful gratitude. As you witness the vulnerability of patients and the blessings of health, let those moments become silent dhikr and reflection. Recognizing Allah’s blessings fuels our hearts with Sakeenah (tranquility) that energizes us to keep going.

Praiseworthy Planning: Setting Yourself Up for Success

Having committed to these 3 core areas to optimize for Ramadan, its essential to realize that our likelihood of success is impacted by how intentional we are about incorporating them into our busy days. Taking the time to plan our weeks and days of Ramadan with Ihsan (excellence) ensures that we approach both worship and work with sincere intention and focus. That’s why we created the Healthcare Pro’s Ramadan Mastery Workshop going LIVE tomorrow in sha’ Allah but if you can’t make;

Here are a few tips to consider.

✅ Structure your days to protect Salah times

✅ Layer Qur’an time into your Salah windows 

✅ Pre-plan meals and protect time for rest to sustain your energy for Ibadah

✅ Set reminders for Adhkar during pockets of free time during your day

The goal isn’t to control everything but to create a rhythm that allows you to be present—both in your work and in your worship.

And when the day doesn’t go as planned? Remember: The outcome is in Allah’s hands, not yours. Instead of frustration, step back into neutrality:

• What went well?

• What didn’t?

• What did I learn that can help me navigate tomorrow more smoothly—by Allah’s will?

Then, renew your intention and ask Allah for help. Treat every day of Ramadan as a fresh start.

Before I let you go though, here’s a final ask of you 😊

Join Me for the Ramadan Mastery Workshop

To help healthcare professionals like you and me maximize Ramadan despite our demanding schedules, I’m hosting a workshop designed specifically for us. Let’s plan for a Ramadan that is both spiritually fulfilling and professionally sustainable.

🗓 Date: Saturday, 23rd Sha’ban 1446 AH (22nd February 2025)
 ⏰ Time: 10:30 AM CST (90 minutes + Q&A)
 📍 Location: Zoom
 🔗 Join Here: Click to Join the Workshop

In the next newsletter, I will shift our focus from doing to being so that the core essence of Ramadan—Transformation is front and center as we lunge in to the blessed month next week, in sha Allah.

May Allah, the Most High, allow us to reach Ramadan and grant us Barakah to do more with less in its blessed days and nights. Amin.

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. Can’t make it live? Here’s a Bonus Gift:

🎁 Ramadan Planner for Healthcare Professionals
I’ve created a planner designed specifically for busy healthcare professionals to help you structure your Ibadah, work, and energy throughout the month.

📥 Access the Ramadan Planner Here: Download Now

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Let’s navigate this journey together. 💙