Submission. Sincerity. Sacrifice

As-salamu alaykum,

This past week was a rollercoaster ride—from a clinically heavy schedule to an unforeseen plumbing mishap at home. Add to that the end-of-school-year celebrations, difficult leadership conversations, and global events unfolding around us… it was a week that forced me to pause and ask: What is Allah, the Most High, calling my attention to?”

A striking one for me that hit home differently was gratitude—when everything around us seems to be spiraling out of control, a common tendency is to focus on the gap—what’s not going well? How much will I have to pay to fix this? What was I thinking when I made that clinical decision? What will my boss, my wife or even my colleagues think of me? 

As the week unfolded, I struggled in some moments with similar questions and potentially crippling thoughts—how will I run the team meeting today? My slides will not be ready; can I survive this shift or should I just cancel it? what will my colleagues say; how is it that this plumbing issue is coming up again?

Then I came across a powerful hadith where Prophet Muhammad PBUH shared a profound perspective-shifting prophetic wisdom; 

Salamah bin 'Ubaidullah bin Mihsan Al-Khatmi narrated from his father -and he was a Companion- who said:

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever wakes up feeling safe in his home, healthy in his body, and has his food for the day, it is as if he were given the entire world.” Source: Sunan Ibn Majah (4141)

This hadith caused me to pause as it has done on a few other occasions in my past. Alhamdulillah.

Some of my concerns were largely focused on what was missing rather than the numerous blessings that were simultaneously unfolding in the mix of what was a chaotic week.

As healthcare professionals, running busy schedules and surrounded by a largely consumerist and individualistic culture, we sometimes lose sight of the many blessings in our lives and let Shaytan and the mainstream cultural narrative drive how we internalize the challenges that we face from patient care, to administrative and operational bottlenecks on the work front to the home front challenges that span anything from parenting struggles to “facility management” and everything in between.

The key thing is to slow down to our Salah, to our Qur’an and the remembrance of Allah—our God-centered anchors—and the examples of the great prophets of Allah in their navigation of their daily and lifetime challenges so that we are operating from a more optimal perspective that drives us to action rather than inaction. 

This intentional shift can help us zoom out to what we might be overlooking that deserves gratitude; what the hardship is softening or shaping inside of us; what is the current challenge making room for in my current season of life?

As we approach the best 10 days of the year in the month of Dhul Hijjah starting in the next few days —May Allah, the Most High, allow us to be among those who witness and benefit maximally from them. Amin —it is crucial that we take time to slow down and revisit our perspectives on life and work in a way that elevates how we show up in these spaces with grace and intentionality and brings us closer to the sincere pursuit of Allah’s pleasure.

The lessons of submission, sincerity and sacrifice for the sake of Allah, the Most High, from the life of our beloved father and role model, Prophet Ibrahim (AS) are palpable at this time of the year but without intentionally slowing down we stand to miss out on the bountiful opportunity and shift in perspective that's so crucial to foster our growth, resilience and transformation.

Now before I let you go, please allow me to share some details about an upcoming SakeenahMD webinar specifically designed for healthcare workers like you and I to approach our work and life with the God-centered, Akhirah-centric perspectives of the best people that Allah, the Most High, sent to us. 

Webinar details: 

Title: The Spiritually Intelligent Healthcare Worker: Realigning Your Work and Life During the Best 10 Days of the Year

Date: Sunday, 5th Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH (1st June 2025)

Time: 2:30 PM CST

Duration: 60 minutes + Q&A

Register here

Here’s What You’ll Take Away,

• Discover how to anchor your healthcare career in spiritual intelligence and divine intention.
  

• Learn how Prophet Ibrahim (as) modeled sacred service — and how to apply his legacy to modern-day healthcare work.
  

• Explore six levels of intention and shift from fleeting goals to a life anchored in akhirah and Allah’s pleasure.
  

• Break through the comfort zone of professional success and step into a God-centered vision for your life.
  

• Receive practical tools to navigate career decisions, burnout, and life design — through the lens of akhirah success.
  

• Experience a transformative shift during the best 10 days of the year — and reemerge with purpose, clarity, and peace.

I look forward to helping you make meaningful progress with your sincere intentions for this blessed season and refreshing your perspective this Dhul Hijjah and beyond.

May Allah, the Most High, make us from among those who chose to be intentional about our integrated work-lives and to experience growth, resilience and impact in this new season and beyond. Amin 

Sincerely,

Sulyman

P.S. If this message resonated with you, feel free to share it with a colleague who could benefit. Let’s build a culture of faith-centered resilience—together.