The Post-Hajj Paradigm Shift: A Lesson in Seasons of Life Transitions

As-salamu alaykum,

For many physician colleagues trained in the United States medical education system, the month of July is synonymous with major career transitions: medical school to residency, residency to attending, fellowship to attending status and beyond.

These transitions also provide the foundation for the less dramatic transitions from the season of an early career attending to mid-career and finally to late career for those who stick it out that long.

The latter half of June and the beginning of July 2024 incidentally coincides with millions of Muslims and some of our colleagues across different disciplines in healthcare, returning from Hajj. (May Allah SWT grant them an accepted Hajj. Amin). 

What did our colleagues and the millions of Muslims who made the Hajj trip come away with? 

By Allah’s will, we pray that they have all achieved forgiveness and attained paradise as the Prophet Muhammad PBUH taught us in a few different ahadith.

There is, however, a more hands-on implication to the journey; Tangible transformation and growth towards Allah, the Most High, that scholars reference to be a key essence of this journey. 

This Post-Hajj Paradigm shift requires more intentional work on the part of everyone who makes that journey.

It necessitates a decision to shift one’s perspective of life to a much broader one that places the end-goal of success in the hereafter as the key metric that should inform at least most of one’s choices rather than an “unfiltered” attachment to a successful career or life.

It requires us to zoom out and appraise our internal locus and calibrate it in a way that will keep the individual in the “safe” circle and aspiring towards what is pleasing to Allah, the Most High, in all that we do at home and at work.

Allah, the Most High, reminded us in the verses following the verses of Hajj to be mindful of this transformation and aspire towards it; 

Surah Al-Baqarah v207: “And there are those who would dedicate their lives to Allah’s pleasure. And Allah is Ever Gracious to ˹His˺ servants.”

This pursuit of transformation and growth requires an uncanny commitment on our part. It requires delving into our own inner workings through self exploration that may happen through personal reflective sessions sometimes augmented with journaling while seeking divine help along the journey. 

The month of July and the related seasonal life and career transition for healthcare colleagues presents a unique opportunity to carryover this Post-Hajj paradigm shift by taking the opportunity of a major life transition to really dig deep and find that ultimate alignment that adds barakah and eternal meaning to our work and lives outside of work.

Today, I invite you to take a pause as you go through these days of major life-career seasonal transition to embrace this lesson of Post-Hajj paradigm shift and define your next best version.

Let’s ask ourselves;

1. Where are you on your trajectory of life? 

   1. Think about your physical, mental, social-emotional and spiritual dimensions

   2. Are they aligned with the pursuit of Allah’s pleasure or are we simply following our whims and desires as we embrace the rat race and hustle culture mindlessly?

2. What is not working  for you (or not aligned with Allah’s will) and it’s time to let go?

3. What 1 - 3 aspirations will you commit to? across these spheres that will support your journey meaningfully on this next phase of life (residency, fellowship, attending etc) and better align you with Allah’s will 

Here a few to consider;

1. Physical - Add more movement to your day to better preserve the Trust of your body

2. Mental - Engage more meaningful content that helps better manage yourself and be more productive

3. Social/Emotional - Make new friends/rekindle old relationships that add value to you and make it easier for you to make better choices 

4. Spiritual - Reignite your connection to Salah and the Qur’an and find Sakeenah (tranquility)

The overarching result of this is Growth and transformation that sets you up to make meaningful progress in your healthcare career without divesting your eternal success in the hereafter.

This transformation impacts your Resilience and enables you to weather the storms of this major seasonal transition and prepares you for future challenges that are inevitable for all of us.

You will undoubtedly find the courage to pursue a life of Impact as a result as others who have towed this path have by Allah’s will.

Perhaps, this is one of the wisdoms why Allah, the Most High, shared this all-encompassing Du’a (supplication) with us among the verses of Hajj;

Surah Al-Baqarah v201: “...Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.”

For some, self-reflection and lessons from books will be adequate. 

For others, external support of some sort - coaching, accountability partners, masterclasses, webinars etc…will be a crucial part of this journey. 

In this regard, Please save the date for a SakeenahMD special webinar: The Healthcare Pro’s Sleep Essentials In sha Allah;

Date: Thursday, 5th Muharram 1446 AH (July 11, 2024)

Time: 7.00 pm CST

May Allah, the Most High, facilitate a meaningful life and impactful body of work for all of us that leads to success in this life and the hereafter. Amin 

Sincerely,

Sulyman

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