Ramadan Notes #19: Time to Turn on your Akhira Mindset

As-salamu’alaykum,

The #Best10 of Ramadan are upon us and without a doubt, the nights are more virtuous than the days.

Over the course of the several notes in this series, we have attempted to uplift one another in the hopes of getting to this very point in the best shape and state of mind as possible.

It is now here and it’s time to deliver. Ramadan is one of such times where the end truly defines those who are successful because in this #Best10 is the Night of Decree - Laylatul Qadr. This is a night that Allah SWT describes in the Qur’an with an unprecedented equivalence of worship worth more than 83 years of worship! It is unmatched in its pre-eminence and so should be our approach!

Surah Al-Qadr v3: “The Night of Glory [worship in it] is better than a thousand months.”

We all aspire to “catch” this rare opportunity every year and it is one of those times where we truly need to make the intentional shift to an Akhira mindset - a mental shift where we are focused on our success in the eternal sense not merely in the productive pursuits of this life.

It is a time when we should tune in to discomfort and tighten our belts like Prophet Muhammad SAW did. 

Narrated Aisha: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Sahih al-Bukhari 2024] 

Imagine that our noble prophet Muhammad (SAW) whose status in eternity is unquestionably the best amongst all of mankind extends himself in these best of nights in search of Laylatul Qadr, what excuse do we mere mortals have to not follow suit. 

The obvious challenge is finding a “balance” between seeking this unrivaled opportunity when we continue to have obligations for work and in our case, healthcare work where sometimes human lives are in the mix and room for error is limited if not zero.

If you are in the minority that was able to take time off during this period then Kudos to you! May Allah SWT accept this investment in your Akhira from you and help you maximize these blessed nights. Amin

If you are working some or all of these #Best10 of Ramadan then consider the following to optimize your experience and tap into some of the high yield opportunities in these last 10 nights of Ramadan. 

1. Take stock of where you are now in terms of your intentions for this month

   1. What are those intentions?

   2. What’s the quality of your progress in each area? Don’t simply focus on quantity? 

   3. Are you connecting with these intentions in a way that is transforming your relationship with Allah (SWT)

   4. How far can you take the intentions before the month ends

   5. Reset your focus muscle on these intentions and say Bismillah! (Proceeding with the name of Allah) 

2. Aim high and let the reward push you to outdo yourself against the odds. 

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven." [Sahih al-Bukhari 1901]

3. Prioritize the odd nights given the higher likelihood even though we know that it can be from any of the nights.

Narrated `Aisha: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." [Sahih al-Bukhari 2017]

You can leverage the sprint interval training approach where you sprint on the odd nights and take a relatively slower pace on the even nights to recover some strength ahead of the next odd night and to give you some “juice” for your ongoing obligations at work.

4. Practice Taqwa with your obligations to Allah SWT especially Fajr and Isha’ prayers every night of the last 10 nights..

Uthman ibn Affan reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever prays the evening prayer in congregation is as if he has stood for prayer half of the night. Whoever prays the dawn prayer in congregation is as if he has stood for prayer the entire night.” [Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 656]

This is a very hopeful hadith that helps us to at least catch some portion of every night in a very doable way.

5. Don’t forget the ultimate du’a that Prophet Muhammad SAW taught to say in these nights even if you are able to say it just a few times every night.

Aishah narrated: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is your view? If I know when the Night of Al-Qadr is, then what should I say in it?” He said: ‘Say: “O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, [Generous,] You love pardon, so pardon me (Allāhumma innaka Afuwwun [Karīmun], tuḥibbul-afwa fa`fu annī).’” [Jami at-Tirmidhi 3513]

6. Ask Allah SWT for help to get you through these #best10 with a hopeful heart knowing that He is the Most Merciful (Ar-Rahman) and He sees and perceives your sincere struggle to seek His mindfulness despite your service to humanity at the bedside.

7. Consider the sleep cycles as you manage your sleep aim to sleep in multiples of 90 minutes (~ duration of 1 sleep cycle) so that you are refreshed upon awakening even if the quantity of your sleep is short you can still optimize the quality. And don't forget daytime naps.

8. Avoid sin during the day time as much as possible - you know those conversations about colleagues and sometimes patients that are not “kosher”. In discussing the losers in terms of Laylatul Qadr, this is an often overlooked aspect that can diminish the value of our worship so much so that we miss out on the bounties of Laylatul Qadr according to the scholars of our Faith.

Ultimately, this is a time to push ourselves to our true potential while fulfilling the obligations of our healthcare work and to others around us. The discomfort of these 10 nights is an investment in our eternity and an opportunity for growth and transformation in this life for the afterlife (Akhira). 

May Allah SWT allow us to reach Laylatul Qadr and to benefit maximally from the rest of 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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