Spirituality in the WorkplaceSpirituality in the Workplace

A Physician’s PerspectiveA Physician’s Perspective

spirituality

Four things that define spirituality in IslamFaithGood behaviorSocial concern and pursuit of truthPatience in adversityBenefits of spiritualityGives a sense of purpose in life Creates a balance in lifePhysical and mental health

Workplace DiversityWorkplace Diversity

A Muslim Physician in a Catholic hospitalA Muslim Physician in a Catholic hospital

SimilaritiesSimilaritiesAbrahamic faithsAbrahamic faithsPeople of the bookPeople of the bookJesus and Maryam (Mary) are revered by Jesus and Maryam (Mary) are revered by MuslimsMuslimsThere is a chapter titled Surah Maryam in There is a chapter titled Surah Maryam in the QURANthe QURANMuslims believe in the miraculous and Muslims believe in the miraculous and immaculate conceptionimmaculate conceptionMuslims believe in all of Jesus’ MIRACLESMuslims believe in all of Jesus’ MIRACLES

Similarities (cont’d)Similarities (cont’d)

Muslims believe in the second coming of Muslims believe in the second coming of JESUSJESUS

Muslims believe in THY KINGDOM ON Muslims believe in THY KINGDOM ON EARTH after the arrival of JesusEARTH after the arrival of Jesus

CHALLENGESCHALLENGES

lack of curiosity to seek authentic lack of curiosity to seek authentic information regarding Islaminformation regarding Islam

Seeing beyond the stereotypes in the mass Seeing beyond the stereotypes in the mass mediamedia

Seeing through the partisan propagandaSeeing through the partisan propaganda Sometimes deliberate and at times due to Sometimes deliberate and at times due to

ignoranceignorance

Conflicts

Stereotyping and competing interests

Difficulty in practicing the daily prayers due to workplace constraints. But in Islam,, “work is worship” if it is done with the intention to help humanity and to please GOD the creator of the heavens and the earth.

Difficulty in attending Friday prayer which is akin to attending Sunday church services

Spiritual Life at WorkSpiritual Life at Work

THE QURAN says that “saving one human life is like saving humanity in its entirety”

Taking care of the sick reminds me of the fragility of human life and helps me to remember ALLAH and seek HIS blessings and forgiveness.

Spiritual Life at Work (cont’d)Spiritual Life at Work (cont’d)

* How can I be a better person and a better human being.

* How can I continue to grow spiritually and develop a stronger personal connection with my creator.

* How can I continue to expand my horizon of care and service.

Strategies to Promote Respect for Strategies to Promote Respect for Patients and Staff with Different Patients and Staff with Different

FaithsFaiths

Ethical Practice

• Islam instills the concept of dignity and sanctity of life for all human beings.

• Visiting the sick and the needy and tending to their care is obligatory for Muslims.

• The Prophet visited even his enemies when they fell ill.

Respect to All Patients and Respect to All Patients and StaffStaff

The QURAN says that we all came from The QURAN says that we all came from oneone male [ADAM] and male [ADAM] and one female [EVE] and reminds humans that they are all equal.one female [EVE] and reminds humans that they are all equal.

QURAN also states that we were made into different tribes and QURAN also states that we were made into different tribes and nations so that we may recognize and learn from each other.nations so that we may recognize and learn from each other.

The Prophet in his last sermon stated in unequivocal terms that The Prophet in his last sermon stated in unequivocal terms that an Arab has no superiority over a Non-Arab, a white over a an Arab has no superiority over a Non-Arab, a white over a black etc. black etc.

He also stated that you are only superior if your faith and He also stated that you are only superior if your faith and character is better than the other person, and the final judgment character is better than the other person, and the final judgment lies with ALLAH.lies with ALLAH.

Respect to All patients and Staff Respect to All patients and Staff (cont’d)(cont’d)

““Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If [a Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If [a squirrel] cannot carry forests on [its] squirrel] cannot carry forests on [its] back, neither can [a mountain] crack a nut.“--back, neither can [a mountain] crack a nut.“--FableFable, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Ralph Waldo Emerson

Appreciating Different Ideology

The QURAN commands and demands The QURAN commands and demands Muslims to respect all religions. It also states Muslims to respect all religions. It also states that all Muslims should refrain from saying that all Muslims should refrain from saying anything negative about other Gods including anything negative about other Gods including name-calling.name-calling.

The QURAN also states there is no The QURAN also states there is no compulsion in religion.compulsion in religion.

SpiritualityIslamic Practice

1. Imaan[faith]

2. Salaat[the five daily prayers]

3. Saum[fasting in ramadan]

4. Zakaat[obligatory charity]

5. Hajj[pilgrimage to [Mecca]

6. Family relations including parents.

7. Human relations including neighbors.

Spirituality

Muslim Holy days or DAYS OF CELEBRATION

Eid-ul-fitr [feast of Ramadan]

Eid-ul-adha[feast of sacrifice]commemorating ABRAHAM’S faith and obedience to ALLAH

Spirituality

Truthfulness.

Justice and equality.

Honesty.

Fair dealings between humans.

Universal human brotherhood.

Mutual respect.

Avoiding backbiting

Avoiding Mutual suspicion

Spirituality and Ethical Practice

Optimal care of all patientsGuiding Principles

Egalitarianism espoused by Islam,which is also what the US Constitution stands for.

Prophet’s teaching that you are not a BELIEVER unless you wish for your fellow human what you wish for yourself.

My own rule that I impose on myself is what would I do if that patient was either one of my family member or myself, then it becomes easy for decision making,no matter how difficult the circumstances are.

Spirituality and Ethical Spirituality and Ethical PracticePractice

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CREATOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF CREATOR How does this apply to MuslimsHow does this apply to Muslims

In the daily five obligatory prayers, we recite surah In the daily five obligatory prayers, we recite surah fatiha in which we praise ALLAH and ask HIM to fatiha in which we praise ALLAH and ask HIM to guide us on to the straight path, 17 times at the least.guide us on to the straight path, 17 times at the least.

The daily prayers are direct communication with the The daily prayers are direct communication with the creator five times in 24 hours.creator five times in 24 hours.

The firm belief that you are before the watchful eyes The firm belief that you are before the watchful eyes of the creator 24/7/365of the creator 24/7/365

Accountability in the Hereafter for our actions in this Accountability in the Hereafter for our actions in this world.world.