Ramadan Notes #11: Embrace the Mirror Effect And Catapult Your Transformation this Ramadan

As-salamu alaykum,

Today, I want to reflect on a prophetic wisdom that we don’t leverage enough among healthcare professionals, likely because of some of the artificial barriers that we have created in our often hyper-competitive and egotistical world—we are burdened by the heavy scrutiny on individual performance and professional hierarchies that inadvertently take away from creating authentic and transformational relationships when the dynamic is poorly managed. 

I’ve been fortunate to experience the other side of this where the focus on performance is managed with empathy and wisdom leading to truly transformational impact on all stakeholders. Unfortunately, this doesn't appear to happen enough across our industry and the dominant narrative is the former.

Now what is the prophetic wisdom that can help us shift the needle here?

Prophetic Wisdom 

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
 "A believer is a believer’s mirror; and a believer is a believer’s brother, who guards him against loss and protects him in all aspects in his absence." (Sunan Abi Dawud 4918)

As healthcare professionals, we understand the power of reflection—whether it’s reviewing a complex case for lessons learned during a grand round or multidisciplinary conference, debriefing after a challenging shift with a colleague, or journaling about the care we delivered out of self accountability in order to optimize future care in similar situation. 

But what if we also applied the same lens—the mirror lens to one another—not just in the technical sense of professional feedback, but in a deeper, more transformative way?

The Role of a Mirror in Growth and Transformation

A mirror does not flatter, nor does it distort—it simply reflects reality. This hadith calls on us to be that honest and supportive presence for our colleagues. In Ramadan, when we strive for the mindfulness of Allah, we also have a golden opportunity to support one another on this journey of transformation. Here are 2 things that you can do in this regard;

• Think of constructive feedback as a responsibility that we owe to one another: Just as a mirror helps us adjust our appearance, a sincere colleague and/or leader can help us refine our character and upgrade our professionalism. In a field where patient lives are at stake, honest but empathetic feedback is incredibly valuable.

• Commit to uplift others through Mentorship and/or Coaching: Whether we are early-career physicians, seasoned specialists, nurses, or administrators, each of us has a role in uplifting one another.  Just as we seek personal growth in Ramadan, let us also assume the role of the mentor and/or the coach to support the next others on their journey of transformation. 

The Duty to Guard and Protect

The hadith also describes a believer as one who guards and protects their fellow believer. In the healthcare setting, this has profound implications:

• Protecting one another from burnout and isolation: Ramadan reminds us of the importance of community. In a system that can often feel isolating, checking in on a struggling colleague, offering words of encouragement, or simply acknowledging another’s efforts can be deeply impactful.

• Looking out for each other’s reputation and dignity: Healthcare, like any workplace, can sometimes become laden with gossip, competition, or undermining behaviors. The Prophet (PBUH) reminds us that a believer protects their brother or sister even in their absence. What would happen if we became more intentional about shielding one another from harmful talk and creating a culture of trust?

Embracing the Mirror Effect This Ramadan and Beyond

As we immerse ourselves in the spiritual bootcamp of Ramadan, here are a few ways we can embody this hadith in our daily practice:

• Seek out and offer feedback with empathy and wisdom: Approach conversations about improvement with the intention of naseeha (sincere advice) rather than criticism.

• Identify a colleague to mentor or support: Whether it’s an intern, a student, or a peer, be the mirror that helps them refine their practice and character.

• Be vigilant about fostering a culture of psychological safety: Avoid gatherings where others are the topic for discussions, if you can—call out unjust behaviors, be a voice of encouragement to others, and uphold ethical conduct, even in high-stress environments.

• Make du’a (prayer) for Taofiq (Capacity) and Divine Enablement: Seek divine help to embrace this transformation that will hone your self leadership and help you serve others better from your closest family and friends to colleagues at work.

The journey of transformation is a long one but Ramadan offers a great space for jumpstarting our next best versions we just have to realize that we don’t have to do it alone and can help each other by being mirror’s for one another and embodying the principles of guarding, protecting and uplifting one another to make this journey easier by Allah’s will.

May Allah, the Most High, continue to assist us on this journey of transformation and surround us with enablers who nudge us to seek our next best versions this Ramadan and beyond. Amin

Sincerely,
Sulyman