I recognise you might not be Muslim but are following me here and you read my articles.

I think though as a High Performing LEADER and a High Achiever and High Performer, a very successful individual, this article will resonate whether you are a Muslim or not.?

I am writing these because I am Muslim and it helps me reflect.

And even if you are not, by reading this you will gain some insight to Muslim life and culture. You will also relate to this because if you are like me highly successful, you feel distant from your loved ones

Do you often think

They seem to be happy with their lot.

They seem to be just getting on with it.

Partying

Muslims have the Iftar parties

And it seems those around you are fulfilled by whatever is filling your tummies.

But for you although you are grateful for the food, you think of the working family who have to rely on food banks, on the mother you saw on the news, who has one meal a day so her children can have three.

For you during Ramadan you are thinking like you do outside of Ramadan, how you can give to those who don’t have much, who are lost, who are wandering.

You are a giver

You are a high performing leader

This is what you do.

Yet

The TASTE of food is something all of us human beings LOVE

And in Ramadan when you have not had any food from dawn and you taste it at sunrise, it feels so good, you savour it. It’s the same with water.

Yes Muslims refrain from drinking water too from dawn to sunset in the month of Ramadan for 29 or 30 days depending on the moon sightings.

This is not easy and that is why you have to be fit to be able to fast.

You are not supposed to if you are sick, have a chronic condition that requires you to take medication several times a day, pregnant or breastfeeding

It is also not easy if you are a working woman or man having to do a nine to five job or run a business or do night shifts..

It is not easy if you are on the front line like I am being a social worker and having to work with serious youth violence and having to be alert.

Because lives can be lost if I do not undertake my risk assessments with careful consideration.

It is the same with surgeons and doctors and teachers and nurses and police officers and those who work in front line services, lives are affected if you are falling asleep whilst on the job.

Yet sleep is something that really suffers in Ramadan. If you have the job of being on the front line and being a carer of your partner or your parent or a relative, then it is even harder to maintain all these extra religious rituals that we are expected to do in Ramadan.

The silent suffering of working individuals is not talked about enough in Ramadan in Muslim circles.

The fact that we working professionals still have to maintain our duties and some of us women and a few men have to do more cooking too than the rest of the year is talked little. Because in some families fasting becomes feasting doesn’t it?

And us high achievers and high performers and high performing leaders witness these tensions, experience them in our own families and communities.

We are social beings  we usually group together around afood, this is a reality.

However in Ramadan sometimes the eating practices that become the norm actually means the fasting that we do doesn’t give us the full benefits.

In some families fried foods are so popular, you end up not having the nutrients you need.

Then there is the pressure to perform Taraweeh in the congregation in the mosque. This prayer is an extra one not the five daily prayers prayed after the night prayer every night 20 prayer cycles. The Qur’an one part, there are 30 is recited every night. Most mosques finish the Qur’an on the 27th or 28th night in case the month has only 29 days.

And you can get lost in the pressure to go to the mosque to do this

And you can get lost in the pressure to stay up all night standing in the night looking for the Night of Power.

And whilst I am not saying don’t do this, I am saying it is easier for you to do this if you are working from home, have flexible hours in your job, or not working, if you’re retired or have taken time from your job to do this.

Perhaps it is better if you recite a little more of the Qur’an than you are used to before you go to work?

Perhaps it is better that you look after your sleep and don’t stay up at night and so you are not grumpy all day?

I heard the story of a very grumpy doctor who just took the pressure of fasting on his patient in the consulting room.

Isn’t the fact that fasting has been prescribed so we can learn self restraint,?

Perhaps it is better that we don’t go to the mosque and perform Taraweeh at home with our children and teenagers and give them a homely feeling of community because they tend to be themselves at home than they are in the Mosque?

Perhaps we stop feeling so guilty of not doing this or not doing that because this is a special month, a full of blessings and we stop to notice all the blessings we do already have?

Perhaps we come together and invite friends we feel close to even those that don’t share our faith, other high performing leaders to our homes for iftar, who think of those who have less than we do?

Perhaps we come together and discuss nutritional foods not fried foods the reality of the chaos and crisis around us and what the Qur’an is really speaking to us?

Perhaps we share the insights and inspiration we receive on how to deal with serious youth violence on our streets, children killing other children for the most stupid reasons, the rising hatred in the world, the fact our rivers and lakes and seas are being polluted?

Perhaps?

#ramadanreflectionsandthemuslimalchemist

_________________________________________

Did You Love This Article?

Did it really resonate with you? I have a feeling it did because you finally found someone who understands you—someone who can see the importance you place on reflection and has some awareness of the fact that we live in a hustle culture that actually feels very claustrophobic and can see past the superficiality of 21st century life and over reliance on being online.

Acknowledging The Lies of 21st Century life!

In our society, work and personal development are idolized, while drug addiction, alcohol addiction, and sex addiction are viewed as obvious villains. Yet, working is often celebrated in the 21st century, and self-improvement has become a multi-billion dollar industry.

The Limits of Self-Help

However, self-help can only assist you to a certain extent. While it’s important to spend time reflecting and sitting in silence, we are not islands. We are social beings, living in communities—both offline and online.

Many religious and spiritual traditions, some centuries old, teach that you have all the answers within you if you only look deep enough. This is contrary to the New Age Spirituality movement, which often suggests that you need to do certain things to heal. Most religious traditions teach that we come into the world whole and complete, but sadly, we forget this. That’s why it’s crucial to unlearn what we’ve been taught and much of what we see online and in modern psychology.

The Importance of having a reflective space

Unlearning requires investing in a reflective space with a professional or a set of professionals. In social work and therapy circles, this is common practice and is known as reflective practice or supervision. While many professionals engage in this to understand their clients, I have found that many do not do this for themselves. This applies to innovative change-makers, high performers visionary entrepreneurs, high-performing leaders and creatives and high achievers, who often hire professional help for their teams, families, and pets but neglect their own needs.

In today’s world, where information overload is common and scams are on the rise, discerning who to hire for your personal growth takes time. As a leader, I understand that you need to carefully select a consultant, coach, healer, or therapist who is not only competent but also highly skilled.

The Quest for Transformation

Honestly, I know that what matters to you isn’t just my identity or qualifications, but how quickly I can facilitate your transformation from point A to point B. And you want that transformation yesterday, am I correct?

While I can’t facilitate it overnight, I can certainly do it FASTER than my competitors.

– What takes others minutes takes me seconds.
– What takes others hours takes me minutes.
– What takes others days takes me hours.
– What takes others weeks takes me days.
– What takes others months takes me weeks.
– What takes others years takes me months.
– What takes others decades takes me years.

The Muslim Alchemist

I brand myself as The Muslim Alchemist, not out of arrogance or because it sounds cool, but because, as one of my coaches pointed out, I truly embody this title. With over thirty years of experience as a practicing social worker in London, United Kingdom, I have learned how to use limited resources to provide opportunity and hope. Even when faced with challenging situations, I have witnessed my clients transform their lives for the better.

By the way, alchemy is the process of transforming base metals into gold. It comes from the Arabic word “Al Chemy.” The ancient Arabs discovered this practice from the Egyptians, who found ways to turn base metals into gold. From alchemy, chemistry and other sciences emerged. Social workers are modern-day alchemists, and through my extensive experience with countless individuals—children, teenagers, parents, and professionals—I have seen many turn their struggles into success.

Personal Experience Matters

My lived experience as a parent of three sons, including one diagnosed with Developmental Language Disorder in 2013, adds depth to my understanding of being a parent and working with children and young people with special education needs. You can trust that I empathize with your struggles if you are a carer and have the insight you seek.

Moreover, I have been married for three decades. You know from your own experiences that long-term relationships come with their challenges, both good and bad. This extensive experience, combined with my knowledge of the human condition, offers you immense wisdom to tap into.

A Non-Judgmental Space

Having studied Islam, Judaism, and Christianity with various religious leaders since 1993, I provide a non-judgmental service rooted in traditional religious and spiritual wisdom.

I offer you **THE REFLECTIVE SPACE** in various forms. No matter how you choose to enter this space, the typical results are profound, rapid, and lasting transformations in health, wealth, or relationships. Many clients have embarked on this reflective journey since I started my business in 2018.

Diverse Transformational Journeys

Some clients, like Zahra*, have completed the personal alchemy journey which leads you to a life style which is the right pace for you because you digitally detox instead of being addicted to the screen..Others, like Liz* and Asma*  have undertaken all four journeys personal, identity, practical and emotional alchemy journeys.

What use is an adventure if it doesn’t equip you with practical skills for everyday life? Many personal development programs foster dependence on a coach or therapist, but I don’t believe in that model. Some of my clients have rehired me, but usually for entirely different challenges.

To complete the adventure—one that delves into your life and business in depth—there is the emotional alchemy journey. Transmuting repressed feelings requires confronting painful thoughts and emotions. This process demands skill and years of experience, especially if you have buried these feelings deep within. Doing this alongside someone who understands emotional pain can be incredibly liberating and nurturing.

Finding Peace in Vulnerability

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to face emotional pain. For most of my life, I avoided feeling my own pain, immersing myself in work and family responsibilities until I slowed down in August 2017. The emotional alchemy journey is the hardest path to walk, especially if you’ve numbed your feelings with work and success.

Investing in a professional who understands that there comes a time when you can no longer carry the weight alone can feel incredibly peaceful. It’s like finding a friend who truly understands.

Building a Friendship Takes Time

However, I recognize that building a friendship takes time, and it cannot be established through a single article. I invite you to take a moment out of your busy life to watch or listen to some Video resources I recorded. Whether you are an entrepreneur, creative, professional or healer or a leader, you will relate to the interviews I recorded in 2018 as they explore the subject of identifying burnout, preventing burnout or overcoming burnout. As a High Performing LEADER or High Achiever or High Performer we are prone to burnout and only when you watch me or listen to me, then a friendship can be formed. There is also an interview with Michael John Shoeman that I recorded on 14th February 2025 that you can listen to or watch that explains the challenges for us heart centred professionals, creatives and leaders.

Below are a list of secure vimeo links which take you straight to the video or audio interview with some top professionals, leaders, authors. 23 were recorded in 2018 when I prepared, hosted and launched the BeatBurnoutSummit.
The first video is the launch video explaining that this Summit is for health care professionals and social workers.
Although now I realise the video interviews are for those outside this demographic because burnout affects every single industry including entrepreneurs. However if you are a health care provider or a social worker who I have met in person recently, I know you will resonate with them.
https://vimeo.com/user84925978/beatburnoutsummitlaunchvideo

The next video was recorded in Day 22 of the series, the last in the series and is with the Overwhelm coach Susan Rumack. If you are an empath and do hands on therapy or heads on therapy, you will really learn about vicarious trauma. And even if you don’t, you will understand being a sensitive person you are sensitive to the energy of your patients and clients or those around you. Sometimes you can have a good life but you are being affected by the trauma of others.
https://vimeo.com/user84925978/susanrumack

The next video is an interview with Dylan Murray and Tania Adams, two business owners from South Africa. This video interview shows how burnout doesn’t just affect the individual but the whole family. You will learn sometimes your biggest burnout can be your biggest breakthrough. There is alot of shame and embarrassment when you are experiencing burnout. However this interview will show you that literally your biggest burnout can be your biggest breakthrough. The story provides so much hope even in the brink of despair. This is for you if you are wanting to overcome late onset of burnout.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/dylanmurraytaniaadams

The next video is with Facebook Expert Sherri Lee. She tells her personal story of how her husband walked out on her and how she had to turn her life around and built her business with hardly any money. Feeling so burnt out and having young kids, she did make it. In the interview she tells you how she did. The walk out came without any warning and you will learn the amazing persistence she mustered.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/sherrileewoycik

The next video is especially for social workers or health care professionals who have desk duties or feel chained to their screens and find it difficult to take breaks because their job requires lot’s of administrative tasks and not just in person face to face interaction with clients or patients or customers. I interviewed Peggy who used to be a social worker and then she became a therapist and now is an online coach working with survivors of child sexual abuse.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/peggyoliveira

The next video is with an online coach who works with women leaving the corporate sector and entering the world of entrepreneurship. In the corporate sector burnout is hardly spoken of compared to social work or health care. However her story shows the importance of speaking about it in the corporate world and when you don’t what are the consequences.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/denisehansard



The next video that you watch or listen to you will learn the importance of self care and that it is not taking a bath now and then or treating yourself to a massage but it is a whole lifestyle. Self care Coach Deb Crowe explains this in detail. If you struggle with self care because you are an extremely ambitious person this is a must watch.


https://vimeo.com/user84925978/debcrowe

The next video you will find helpful if you have experienced narcissistic abuse and also if you love writing. Stacy explains how writing can be so therapeutic. You will learn writing your life story can be one of the best strategies to overcome trauma even complex trauma such as narcissistic abuse.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/stacybrookman

The next video is with Lisa Marie Grantham who explains how one of her clients said, you can only give from your overflow. As a woman who is a healer you will find so many other gems when you watch this. Sometimes as high performers we give even when the glass is empty because we are used to pushing hard, pushing forward but this approach has long term consequences.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/lisamariegrantham

The next video is with Alex who speaks about being naked. Not in body. When you are vulnerable even when you are in the Entertainment industry, you have loads to lose. Alex is well known in Nigeria. She stripped off her mask that she was successful in all areas of her life and only then did she find freedom.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/alexokoroji

In the next video interview with Bill he explains as a Christian and as an Entrepreneur he had to find his own way to overcome burnout.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/billsimmons

In the next video which is for those who are carers of relatives, how self care is very difficult to practice. Rita tells her own story and inspires other carers to adopt strategies that work for them. The subject of being a carer is not really explored by many in the online space so this is an invaluable free resource.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/ritagarnto

In the next video, Wani a lawyer speaks about abundance and the myths around abundance and how she ended up in Paris although she grew up in Miami Florida. Wani is a change expert and I know as humans we find change difficult. This is a must watch for any individual whether you are an entrepreneur or not an entrepreneur.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/wanimanly

In the next video you will hear the remarkable story of Tiphanie of how she built her online business whilst being in a violent marriage. Tiphanie is a lawyer and she explains how burnout affected her but how she overcame the most adverse of circumstances.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/tiphaniejamison

In this next video you will find out how perfectionism can be the cause of burnout. As high performers and high achievers many of us are perfectionists and this video you will learn how to prevent burnout by dealing with perfectionism and still being productive.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/deborahhurwitz

In this next video if you are Muslim you are going to love it and even if you are not you are going to love it too..Mamoon explains there is a small verse hidden away in the Qur’an that can cause burnout and prevent burnout. It can actually stop you from over promising as many of us heartcentred leaders do often.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/mamoonyusaf

In this next video you will hear Dr Jones story. This is especially for doctors and these who are in the top of the medical profession. Dr Jones even though he was burnt out carried on performing surgery. It was only when his wife noticed that he was not functioning that she stopped him from going into work. He was lucky he had a wife he lived with.Some doctors live by themselves. This video shows how burnout can be identified by family members and how to have friends and family nearby is crucial to identify it or prevent it.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/drshawnjones

In this video you will find out how burnout affects entrepreneurs and the importance of asking for help and not falling into the trap of trying to do everything yourself.. Marina a top business coach explains how she was left crying on the bathroom floor because she couldn’t delegate.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/marinastamos

In this video you will find out how burnout manifests in the public sector. So if you are a professional in the public sector you will really relate to this. Louisa is now a Top Coach and Healer but she never forgot her professional background and how personal bereavement can affect you so profoundly. Many carry on after the death of a family member when resting, pausing could prevent burnout.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/louisahavers

In this video Henrietta explains her way of dealing with burnout, overwhelm and stress. As a coach of many years she details strategies that have worked for her and her clients.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/henriettaszovati

In this video, SharRon who is a Christian pastor explains the importance of boundaries and saying no. If you are an imam, rabbi or pastor, you will easily relate to her video interview on how burnout affected her and how as a leader of a congregation it was hard for her to reach out for help. Pastors, Rabbis and Imams though are human like us and this video is a timely reminder of this. Burnout is not often talked about in this community of high performing leaders so this is a valuable resource.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/sharronjamison

In this video Imani Evans speaks about the importance of reflection and reflective spaces. She is a coach and consultant for non profit organisations and is an experienced counsellor. Working with survivors of sexual abuse, she speaks about how her skin came out in rashes due to vicarious trauma. Physical manifestation of trauma is not often spoken about when we discuss the subject of burnout. So this video interview is a timely resource.





https://vimeo.com/user84925978/imanievans

In this video Lisa Hartwell a former nurse and psychologist speaks about the importance of community. This video resource is a timely reminder how supportive communities can prevent burnout.

https://vimeo.com/user84925978/lisahartwell



Lastly here is the video interview with Michael John Shoeman recorded on 15th February 2025 that explains why I call myself The Muslim Alchemist and my honest opinion about the online space and the Pink 🩷 movement which I founded at the end of 2024. In this interview I bring together my thirty plus experience as a social worker and my six years experience as a coach in the online space.

https://roguecounselor.com/2025/02/14/the-muslim-alchemist/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIclmNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQxynwQBF5LCdhRYa-9ex29PWT8REpGVohOfqq3r0yU_OGTbfF8F2i4VRQ_aem_b82ikj7u-9byDw3KZqL7cA

For more information on the Pink 🩷 movement click here.

https://bit.ly/Pinkmovement



Also by the way you are warmly invited to  join my Telegram community, where from time to time, I share videos, audios, and articles, and engage in discussions about the latest insights of the online space and the world.

If you like small and intimate online communities, you will love the calm vibe of my growing Telegram Community

https://bit.ly/Invitetotaniyahussaintelegramcommunity


If you are a business owner or the coordinator or founder of a non profit organisation you will love the medium sized online community of 300 plus members called The Reflective Space Private Group on Facebook. The Community has free guides to do with Alchemy and on workaholism, building an online business and burnout prevention resources.



The Reflective Space Private Group can be joined by clicking on this link.

https://bit.ly/TheReflectiveSpacePrivateFacebookGroup


Finally if you are a coach, healer or a spiritual leader and love learning about the other, you can join this Facebook community. This is one of the few interfaith online communities where we have monotheists and polytheists. We have had Zoom discussions about Tarot and Human Design.

To join the Transformation of Consciousness Community click on this link.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/uJ2Wd9dgAX3Xd8CB/




Remember, transformation is possible, but traveling the road less traveled on your own takes a long time. You don’t have to go it alone now that you are awake and seeking a fulfilled life. The journey takes far less time when you have a friend to accompany you.

If you’re like me and want your transformation yesterday and DESIRE a TASTE of The Reflective Space ADVENTURE then I encourage you to book a paid consultation by clicking the link here.
https://calendly.com/contact-3453/consult

The Consultation costs £497 and lasts 90 minutes. Previous clients that have booked a consultation with me have uncovered the underlying cause of their lifelong challenges. Finn* a doctor was able to realise in 45 minutes why he could not relax and was paranoid. It was because he felt been abandoned by his parents who left him at the age of seven with his grandparents. Dee* a successful entrepreneur was able to find out why she suffered from insomnia for decades.

This was ecause she was adopted and was still trying to prove to herself that she was good enough. Although she had met her birth parents who loved her and accepted her fully. In 90 minutes you receive a diagnosis of why freedom or flow or fulfillment has eluded you most of your life but you will also be given strategies or a series of tips that you can go away and see if that helps you overcome your challenges. In some cases if you are interested in The Reflective Space Adventure you will be invited to that. I work with up to three one on one clients in any given year guiding them during the Adventure. This is a four figure soon to be five figure dollar investment. It can last up to 28 weeks or 28 months. The Rapid Transformations clients usually experience within the first 90 days or 12 weeks of working with me
If you cannot afford The Adventure there are other ways you can work with me. During the Consultation you could be invited to book The Reflective Space Sessions which are 8 sessions that you can book as often as you want but you need to book them all within a 10 month period. This is a four figure dollar investment. You can then embark on the Adventure at a slower pace. Or if you are an extremely busy High Achiever or cannot afford or don’t want a one to one experience, you can join The Reflective Space Circle where you can meet with me monthly and others who seek a reflective spaces where we explore what is going well in our lives or businesses, what we are worried about and what needs to change. This is a Membership and costs £77 per month.

During the consultation if you live in the UK and want to meet with me in person again then you will be invited to book The Reflective Space VIP  Retreat. That is a one to one experience at a hotel in London.

I am leaving the link here again if you want to book The Reflective Space Consultation and start your customer journey with me.

https://calendly.com/contact-3453/consult

*Names marked with an asterisk are fictional to protect the identity of real individuals who wish to remain anonymous. I offer a private and confidential service, especially for clients who are well-known in their own communities or industries.

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