#ResilientResidencyInsights 10 - A Legacy of Growth, Resilience and Impact grounded in the Deen.

As-salamu alaykum,

3 years of residency has flown by!

You wake up early for suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) on the morning of Tuesday, 10th of Muharram 1449 AH (June 15, 2027) - the Day of Ashura - with the intention of fasting this blessed day when Allah, the Most High, saved Prophet Musa (AS) and his people from the hands of Pharaoh.

The serenity and the Barakah of the early morning hours sends you into reflective head space.

You could not help but see the connection between your journey through residency and the life of Musa (AS). 

On Growth

Like Him, you have experienced immense transformation and growth over the past three years. The growth is not merely professional but cuts across your integrated work-life seamlessly. The self doubt that clouded your clinical judgment in those early days of internship have now evolved to confidence. 

Your approach to life overall has similarly matured with careful attention to your physical, spiritual, mental and emotional/social dimensions in this time.

For Musa (AS), when his people feared what appeared to be an inevitable destruction in the hands of Pharaoh and his army, “Moses reassured ˹them˺, “Absolutely not! My Lord is certainly with me—He will guide me.” as revealed to us by Allah in Surah Ash-Shu’ara v.62 of the Qur’an..  

On Resilience

Your journey thus far has been with many ups and downs. 

There have been days when you asked yourself; if it was worth it; if you can do it; if you will make it.

In those moments, you turned inwards and found yourself. 

You leaned on colleagues and mentors to help you find clarity. 

You prostrated to the Most High and found peace and tranquility that gave you the courage to forge on. 

You again appreciate the struggles of Prophet Musa (AS) on his journey from his birth during a tumultuous time for his people through his grievous mistake that caused the life of another human being to his exile. The road was fraught with challenges.  

You reflect on the hadith of Prophet Muhammad PBUH,

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh green plant the leaves of which move in whatever direction the wind forces them to move and when the wind becomes still, it stand straight. Such is the similitude of the believer: He is disturbed by calamities (but is like the fresh plant he regains his normal state soon). And the example of a disbeliever is that of a pine tree (which remains) hard and straight till Allah cuts it down when He will." [Sahih al-Bukhari 7466]

Like Musa (AS), your journey has tried you but Allah, the Most High, has seen you through - burnout-proof and resilient - with the tools to carry on with an adaptable approach to an integrated work-life post-residency.

On Impact

You reflect upon on your contributions throughout residency thus far; the most impactful ones have improved the lives of patients and colleagues alike;

1. A quality improvement project that has re-invented how your colleagues and attendings approach their work improving their experience of work,

2. A research project that earned your program national recognition due to its positioning that improves patient-oriented outcome measures and,

3. Most notably, your role serving the program in a leadership capacity where you mentored younger colleagues and helped reimagine the residency experience overall and specifically shined a light on Islam through your character and commitment to Ihsan (excellence)

Musa (AS) spoke truth to the powerful Pharaoh despite the significant threats to him, cultivated a relationship with Allah that nurtured his confidence and certainty, ultimately, culminating in the flagship event where Allah, the Most High, saved him and his people from Pharaoh and his army.

Musa’s (AS) impact was others-focused. Your impact has had a similar facie due to your service orientation and grounding in the Deen.

You make the commitment to continue to foster this Growth, Resilience and Impact grounded in the Deen (GRID) through your intentional efforts for the rest of your residency and in sha’ Allah beyond because you recognize that this life of service is not about me or you but rather about serving humanity with Ihsan (excellence) and seeking Allah’s pleasure with Ikhlas (sincerity).

This is the legacy of Prophet Musa (AS).

This is the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his son, Isma’il (AS).

This is the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

This is the legacy of all our Prophets like Allah reminds us in the Qur’an;

“...We make no distinction between any of them. And to Allah we all submit.” Surah Al-Baqarah v.136.

This is a legacy that we should aspire to as a community of healthcare workers.

This is our mission at the SakeenahMD community; to nurture a community of health workers that aspire to the Prophetic legacy of GRID that we inherited.

This is your story. (by Allah’s will)

Take ownership for your growth.

Cultivate resilience along the way

And make a meaningful impact that benefits humanity and is acceptable to Allah. 

May Allah, the Most High, make your journey through residency one of profound growth, formidable resilience and high-value impact that brings you great success in this life and Jannah in the hereafter. Amin. 

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. Thank you for following along in this series. We will in sha Allah, go back to our weekly cadence in the coming week in sha Allah. Look out for a special announcement and Enjoy the rest of your Eid!

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