Ramadan Notes #11: What’s in a Ramadan Routine?

As-salamu’alaykum,

As we continue to engage the #MidRamadanStory, it’s important to take a look at our routine so far over the course of the past 10+ days now.

How have my Ramadan 1445AH days been playing out? 

Am I in the driving seat or is Ramadan just happening to me (i.e. just going with the flow)?

What do I stand to gain by being in the driving seat, by actively navigating the course, by taking ownership?

 For me, Alhamdulillah, a few days have been spot on while another few have been short of my intentions for the day. But you know what - I am incredibly thankful for both ends of the spectrum because while the results and outcome of each day are important, the reality is that the results are not in our hands and not only that, we are judged and rewarded for our good intentions as the Hadith highlights below;

'Abdullah bin 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said that Allah, the Glorious, said: "Verily, Allah (SWT) has ordered that the good and the bad deeds be written down. Then He explained it clearly how (to write): He who intends to do a good deed but he does not do it, then Allah records it for him as a full good deed, but if he carries out his intention, then Allah the Exalted, writes it down for him as from ten to seven hundred folds, and even more. But if he intends to do an evil act and has not done it, then Allah writes it down with Him as a full good deed, but if he intends it and has done it, Allah writes it down as one bad deed". [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

What is in your hands and my hands is the effort - that we make the intention everyday to have a better Ramadan day, to have a plan for the day so that it does not slip by, to actively strive and work on these intentions including asking friends and colleagues for help when we need it and importantly asking Allah SWT for help. All of these are in our hands. 

To have a backbone or an operating system for our days is also essential - this is where the routine comes in. Our habits and routines account for 40 - 45% of the things that we get to do on an average day. This has huge implications - if these habits and routines carry negative traits then that much of our output could be getting in the way of our productive pursuits this blessed month and year round. 

Now, imagine that you are taking the once in a year opportunity that Ramadan presents to align your habits and routines with the Prophetic Routine. That we build out our days with intention with the five daily prayers as the key pillars for the day. That we make time for nurturing our souls and our bodies. That we make space to serve others from family to the community to colleagues to patients and their families with grace in a way that’s aligned with the daily routine of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). This is what it means to be in the driving seat. 

You and I have a unique opportunity every Ramadan when the Shaytan (devils) are chained to evaluate our year round routines and habits. This also means that as days of Ramadan move along that we are taking the time to make continuous assessment so that by the end of the month, we would have made meaningful progress in this regard in sha Allah. 

Healthcare professionals are incredibly busy and this intentional approach to our habits and routines is essential to drive productive pursuits and to transform how we engage the healthcare system. It provides the foundation for a productive and transforming Ramadan that has a far-reaching impact beyond the limited days of the blessed month.  

May Allah SWT give us all the insight to engage our routine and habits proactively to reach our next best versions this blessed month. Amin

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. Join like-hearted #HealthCareWorkers on Zoom every Thursday this Ramadan for weekly check-ins at 4.15pm CST/9.15pm GMT/10.15pm WAT . Register and join with this link.

P.P.S. What other suggestions do you have for me and others in this regard? Share in the comments section or reply to [email protected]

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