Ramadan Notes 1446AH #13: Rework Your Healthcare Hustle with Barakah this Ramadan

As-salamu alaykum,

A recurring conversation that I have stumbled upon too many times recently among colleagues is the never-ending healthcare hustle—you likely know colleagues that live by this and maybe you are knee-deep in it yourself. I’ve definitely had my struggles with it as well and continue to work to make the definitive shift to Barakah-driven work-life design.

In the world of healthcare, we pride ourselves on being high achievers. We work long hours, sometimes juggle multiple jobs, and push through exhaustion because, well… who else will? But at what cost?

Here’s a reality check from voices in our own field:

• "I’m always running, but I feel like I’m going nowhere. No matter how much I work, there’s always more to do, more patients, more documentation, more demands—never enough time."

• "I pick up extra shifts because the bills don’t stop, but every day I feel more exhausted and less human. Is this what I signed up for?"

• "I can’t remember the last time I prayed without rushing, ate without thinking about my next shift or the next meeting, or went home without feeling like I left something unfinished."

• "You tell me to take a break, but when? If I slow down, everything falls apart. And if I complain, I’m weak. So I just keep going."

• "I used to love my job. Now, I just want to make it through the day without breaking."

Does any of this sound familiar? It’s the voice of hustle culture—an approach to healthcare work driven by scarcity, anxiety, and survival mode. It’s synonymous with a life without Barakah.

What’s Missing? The Barakah Effect

We often believe that working harder and longer is the only way to get ahead. But the truth is, relentless effort alone doesn’t guarantee success, fulfillment, or even financial stability. The missing piece is Barakah.

Barakah isn’t just about having more time or money—it’s about divine facilitation. It’s about your limited time yielding extraordinary results, your hard work being met with ease, and your efforts being multiplied beyond your imagination. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have  constantly made dua for Barakah because he knew that it transforms how we experience life.

The Difference Between a Hustler and a Barakah-Seeker

How to Shift from Hustle to Barakah-Driven Work

1. Start Your Days Early
   The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made du’a to Allah:
    "O Allah, bless my nation in their early mornings." (Sunan Ibn Majah 2236)
   Even waking up just 30 minutes earlier to pray, reflect, or plan can open doors of ease you didn’t think possible.
   
   

2. Anchor Your Days with Salah

Establish the 5 daily regardless of how busy your schedule is to attract the Barakah effect of aligning your day with Allah’s will.

3. Let Go of the Illusion of Control
   Hustle culture teaches us that we alone are responsible for our success. Barakah culture teaches us that success is in Allah’s hands. Work hard, yes, but recognize that more work doesn’t always mean more success.
   
   

4. Trade Anxiety for Dhikr & Make Dua for Barakah Daily
   Instead of rushing through your day in a reactive state, rather we should ground ourselves with the remembrance of Allah, the Most High. Even a simple SubhanAllah or Astaghfirullah (Glory be to Allah or I ask Allah for forgiveness) between patient rooms can shift your energy. We should also ask Allah for Barakah in our days.
   
   

5. Reframe Your Work as Worship
   The stress of healthcare can feel overwhelming—until you remember why you do it. If your work is done with sincerity, every patient interaction, every note you write, every challenge you face becomes an act of worship. That shift in intention alone can bring immense Barakah.
   
   

Final Reflection

The difference between hustle and Barakah isn’t just about working less—it’s about working differently. It’s about trusting that when we align ourselves with divine wisdom, Allah facilitates our work in ways we cannot fathom, let alone measure its impact.

So the question is: are you grinding your way through, or are you allowing Barakah to flow through your efforts?

As busy healthcare professionals, in the pursuit of balance, seeking Barakah should be a dominant feature of our ask of Allah in these last 10 nights of Ramadan. The approach of a Barakah-driven life design is at the core of what we share and support healthcare colleagues with in the SakeenahMD community. I invite you to join the community and let us build forward together in sha Allah.  

May Allah, the Most High, put barakah in all we do and grant us a successful showing in the last 10 nights of Ramadan and beyond. Amin.

Sincerely,
Sulyman

P.S. If you’re seeking a space to cultivate resilience, deepen self-mastery, and thrive in your career and life—grounded in faith—join us in the SakeenahMD Community. Together, we are committed to faith-driven excellence in healthcare and beyond.

Let’s navigate this journey together. 💙

P.P.S. This Ramadan Notes 1446AH Series will be concluding this week in sha Allah ahead of the last 10 nights of Ramadan. I would love to get your feedback to inform improvements and our overall work at SakeenahMD as we strive to serve you better. Take the brief survey here.