Words: 2,885

Read time: 11m 32s

By popular request, I kept the community doors open until who knows when.

If you want to master intentional writing, learn how to grow your audience and get eyes on your work, or gain a skill that lets you earn a halāl income with any interest…

Enroll here.

We just had Noor surpass 58k followers in less than 2 months. We are helping her create a digital product now to monetize her audience.

She will be earning a halāl income while still studying in school. She’s 15.

Onto the letter:

___________________________________________________________________________

I used to take Adderall.

I never had ADHD.

A few years ago my doctor prescribed me amphetamine because I told her I had brain fog and couldn’t focus.

The reality was:

• I was not eating properly.

• I was not moving how I should.

• I was not training my brain.

• I had no idea what I wanted to do.

The thing is humans are designed to be distracted.

The biggest enemy is our nafs.

Our minds constantly seek to unfocus.

The concept of focus is not a new one.

It did not begin with smartphones or social media.

It goes back to ancient times.

One of the first inventions ever made: the sundial.

The sundial was a tool designed not only for measuring time but also for helping people stay on task.

The Muslim polymath al-Jazari invented water clocks that could precisely mark time for prayer.

This not only helped people align their prayers but also provided structure to their day.

Islām has always placed great emphasis on time and how it is used:

By time

Indeed, mankind is in loss

Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

Surah al-'Asr

The problem is not that our attentions spans are getting shorter.

That’s a myth.

We just have access to get distracted more easily.

It’s easier to pick up the phone or turn on a show and avoid what we need to do.

The key to focus lies in this ayāh:

Unquestionably, [for] the allies of Allāh there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve -

10:62

The Levels of Focus

When you are constantly looking backward or forward: your mind becomes cluttered.

Focus is spiritual discipline.

A distracted heart is not capable of deep worship.

If it’s filled with thoughts of the past or worries about the future, there is no room for presence.

How often do we think about the past?

Regrets. Missed opportunities. Material losses.

How often do we worry about the future?

Job. Marriage. Kids.

This constant mental time travel prevents us from giving our full attention to the present.

We aren’t fully present, our minds become fragmented and true focus slips away. This lack of presence not only affects our productivity but also impacts our spiritual state.

This is what people mean when they say “live in the now”.

Thinking about the past is from Shaytān.

If anything befalls you, do not say: 

If only I had done such and such.

Rather say:

Qaddara Allahu wa ma sha'a fa'ala 

(Allah has decreed and whatever he wills, He does).

For (saying) 'If' opens (the door) to the deeds of Satan.

[Sunan Ibn Majah]

Psychological literature say that humans have an average of 50,000-70,000 thoughts a day.

And up to 90% of your thoughts are the same as yesterday.

Let that sink in.

I want you to consciously observe your thoughts. How often to you think about:

• what you could have done better

• stress about things you haven’t got done

• what you think you should be doing

• stress about future scenarios that haven’t even happened yet

The list goes on. The modern mind has its attention split in a million different directions.

When we dwell too much on the past or future, other thoughts take over.

They distract us from the one thing that matters:

The now. الآن.

Most people feel stressed out for this reason.

Think about the Battle of Badr.

Did the true believers stutter?

They saw the odds.

313 against a thousand.

Were they playing out hypothetical scenarios of defeat?

Were they thinking about the future of the battle?

No.

They were calm. Focused. And put their trust in Allah.

Think about Ali رضي الله عنه.

He was wounded in battle and had an arrow stuck in his leg.

You know what they used for anesthetic?

Sujood.

When Ali رضي الله عنه went into sujood the surgeon took advantage of his deep concentration and removed the arrow from his leg.

When Ali رضي الله عنه finished his prayer, he asked the surgeon:

“Have you removed the arrow?”

Focus and presence transcend physical realms.

Think about Umar رضي الله عنه.

He got stabbed during the Fajr prayer.

He completed his prayer before collapsing.

Even a life threatening situation could not distract him.

The Prophet ﷺ was the best of all creation.

If you want to learn anything about productivity: read up on his ﷺ life.

The Prophet ﷺ was able to read lengthy surahs during his prayers.

It was narrated that Hudhaifah said:

I prayed with the Prophet ﷺ one night. 

He started to recite Al-Baqarah and I thought, 'he will bow when he reaches one hundred,' but he carried on. I thought, 'he is going to recite the whole surah in one rak'ah,' but he carried on. 

He started to recite An-Nisa' and recited (the whole surah), then he started to recite Al Imran and recited (the whole surah), reciting slowly. When he reached a verse that spoke of glorifying Allah, he glorified Him. 

When he reached a verse that spoke of supplication, he made supplication. When he reached a verse that spoke of seeking refuge with Allah, he sought refuge with Him.

Then he bowed and said: 'Subhana Rabbiyal-Azim. (Glory be to my Lord Almighty)', and he bowed for almost as long as he had stood. 

Then he raised his head and said: 'Sami Allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears those who praise Him)', and he stood for almost as long as he had bowed. 

Then he prostrated and started to say: Subhana Rabbiyal-'Ala (Glory be to my Lord Most High),' and he prostrated for almost as long as he had bowed.'

Sunan an Nasai

How?

He ﷺ was so immersed in the now, time expanded for him. Read the letter on expanding time with barakah here if you haven’t already.

When he ﷺ spoke to people, he ﷺ gave them his undivided attention. He ﷺ turned his whole body towards them. He ﷺ did not speak with his back to anyone.

How often does someone say something to us and we are still engrossed in our devices or whatever we are doing and respond back without even looking at them?

Brain Power on a Plate

What you consume affects your mental, physical and spiritual state.

Don’t think food just makes you fat or skinny.

It’s a nourishment in both the seen and unseen realms.

There are literal hadith about a man’s du’a not getting accepted because he would nourish himself with haram food.

What you eat plays a role.

Have you ever had something sugary and just couldn’t think anymore?

You get major brain fog.

Here are some foods that can help with focus:

1) Raw Honey

There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying color wherein is healing for men.

16:69

Honey is rich in antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation in the brain, improving focus and cognitive function. Research shows honey’s natural sugars provide a steady source of energy for the brain.

It’s also great for memorizing.

Drink it in the morning with some water. Thank me later.

2) Dates

The Prophet ﷺ often consumed dates. It’s a sunnah to begin and break your fast with them.

They are known for their benefits in boosting energy and mental focus. Dates contain natural sugars, fiber and essential vitamins: providing sustained energy without the crash associated with processed foods.

3) Olive Oil

Another food associated with cognitive health. Modern research has shown that the monounsaturated fats in olive oil support brain function and improve focus by reducing oxidative stress.

4) Seafood: Fish

Omega 3 fatty acid in fish like salmon (also walnuts & flaxseeds) support of brain health and cognitive function. Omega-3s help build brain and nerve cells which are important for focus and memory.

5) Blueberries

I started growing them in my garden last year.

They are rich in antioxidants that protect the brain from oxidative stress and improve communication between brain cells, boosting cognitive function and focus.

6) Leafy Greens

Spinach, kale and broccoli are full of nutrients that benefit brain health. They contain vitamin K, lutein, and beta carotene, all of which support cognitive function.

7) Pomegranate

It’s pomegranate season!

Pomegranate is mentioned as a fruit of paradise.

In them [both] will be fruits, and date palms and pomegranates.

[55:68]

Rich in antioxidants, pomegranate supports memory retention and reduces oxidative stress in the brain which can improve mental clarity.

Focus Requires Reps

Focus is a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it.

1) Memorize qur’an. It’s the most powerful exercise.

Memorizing verses requires intense concentration, repetition, and recall, all of which strengthen the brain’s ability to sustain attention over time.

It connects new neural pathways and forces you to make connections in your brain.

The levels of focus in hifdh:

• reciting it out loud to yourself

• recording yourself & listening back

• reciting it back to someone else or a teacher

• reciting it in your prayers

If any of you just memorized a new portion and tested it out during voluntary prayers— ya’ll know how much focus is needed to be revising in front of Allah.

2) Time blocks

I love time-blocking.

I share both my Excel and Notion templates in the creator community.

But sometimes I just straight up do it on paper.

It’s not just about filling your schedule but about creating intentional focus.

Give each task your full focus and turn your fragmented time into a continuous flow.

Focus: In Prayer

Our focus in salah begins long before reciting Surah al-Fatihah.

It starts with wudhu (ablution). Mindfulness during wudhu is essential. It is the first step in preparing to enter a state of focus.

Do you say the shahādah before starting?

Do you leave the water running?

Do you say any du’as during washing of the limbs?

The Prophet ﷺ was known for using very little water for wudhu.

He ﷺ used approximately one mudd (about 650 ml) of water during wudhu.

This is how that looks like.

Excessive water usage not only distracts us but also detracts from the spiritual aspect of preparation for prayer. Try using as little as water possible next time.

Next is your intention. Niyyah. It is a condition of prayer.

Without a clear intention, how do you differentiate if you are praying Dhuhr or ‘Asr?

You can’t.

Be mindful of your movement.

if you move excessively for no reason, your prayer may become invalid.

There are different rules for each madhāhib.

Focus is not only mental but also physical.

When we fidget or become restless in prayer, we break our connection and dilute the purpose of salah.

Where we look also matters.

We are taught to fix our gaze on the spot where we will prostrate.

If we find our eyes wandering during prayer, it reflects where the mind is wandering.

Are you thinking about Allah?

Or are you thinking about what you’ll cook for dinner?

Or what work still needs to be done?

You wanna know what you love? Look at what you think during prayer.

Understand what you are reciting. 

Do you know Surah al-Fatihah means?

What Allah says after you say it?

If not, check this post by Eternah.

Memorize new surahs to recite.

This keeps your brain on edge so you are not reciting ‘qul huwallahu ahad’ and ‘wal-'asr’ and ‘inna a’tayna kal kawthar’ over and over again.

Yeah, you know who you are.

Think about the greatness of Allah.

Empty your mind of world.

Fill it with Allah.

Imagine the angel of death is going to take your soul right after you finish this prayer.

Imagine you are standing before Allah on the Day of Judgement.

If I ever find myself wandering during prayer this slaps me back into the reality of this world real quick.

Focus: In World

The flow state.

The flow state is a mental space where you're fully immersed in the task at hand.

Everything else fades away.

So how can we do it in dunya tasks?

I’ve entered flow states so deep that I felt as if I accomplished a week’s worth of work in just one day.

Let’s call this the “one-week” day.

This doesn't just challenge traditional notions of productivity; it shatters them.

The state of flow, as described by psychologist Mr.Csikszentmihalyi, is the optimal state of intrinsic motivation, where a person is fully immersed in what they're doing.

In flow, time distorts, self-consciousness evaporates and we enjoy our work with the same energy as our favorite pastimes.

A McKinsey study suggests a 500% boost in productivity when executives are in flow.

Combine this with the fact that the average knowledge worker is productive for about 2.3 hours a day and the math suddenly makes sense.

A month's output in a single day depends on two factors:

• eliminating distractions (thus freeing up our limited daily 'real work' hours) and

• significantly enhancing these hours' productivity by tapping into flow states

The Flow State: A Mocktail of 5 Brain Chemicals

Intricate neurochemical changes underpin flow states.

You need a mocktail of:

• Dopamine: Often dubbed the "reward chemical," it motivates us by rewarding goal-directed actions with feelings of pleasure.

• Norepinephrine: Acts as both a stress hormone and a neurotransmitter that increases arousal and alertness, enhancing focus and attention.

• Endorphins: Known as natural painkillers, they help to elevate mood and can induce feelings of euphoria, reducing discomfort during intense work.

• Anandamide: Sometimes called the "bliss molecule," it plays a role in pain regulation, mood, and memory and is known to enhance creative thinking.

• Serotonin: This neurotransmitter is key to mood regulation; it contributes to well-being and happiness and can affect social behavior and feelings of confidence.

These molecules contribute to performance by boosting focus, pattern recognition, motivation, endurance and mood.

A 400% to 500% increase in intentional productivity is not just possible but within reach.

So how can we achieve this? Let me break it down into 6 steps:

1. Isolate

Choose tasks that align with your ultimate purpose in life.

Ask yourself: What task today will contribute to my greater goals, including both dunya and akhirah? 

Whether it’s working on a business project, studying or even spending quality time with family, set a clear goal for your day that carries meaning.

Just as you set intentions for prayer, setting intentions for worldly tasks helps channel your energy toward meaningful output.

2. Eliminate Clutter

Before you dive into your work, clear the distractions and unnecessary thoughts that crowd your mind.

Just like preparing for prayer with wudhu, set yourself up for success in your dunya tasks by:

• organizing your workspace

• planning out meals

• planning out outfits

• small daily decisions in advance

The more mental clarity you have, the easier it will be to reach a flow state.

3. The Workspace Corner

Make your work environment a space where flow can thrive.

Block out social media, notifications and any other interruptions that could derail your focus.

I use an app called ‘Opal’ to do this.

You know how you have a prayer corner?

Make yourself a workspace corner.

4. Boring Breaks

Break your day into focused “flow blocks” where you work with undivided attention for a set period. It could even be 10-15 minutes. What matters is during this time, you focus on ‘xyz’

Between these blocks, take brief breaks that help your mind recover.

Do dhikr.

Stare at a wall.

Open the window.

Step outside for 5 min.

These breaks aren’t about mindless activities like scrolling your phone. They’re about giving your brain the space to reset.

5. Recovery & Rest

Deep work demands recovery.

Just like the Prophetic nap (qaylulah) is a sunnah practice that resets your energy for the rest of the day, incorporate longer recovery periods into your routine.

This could be a mid-day nap, physical exercise or mindfulness activities.

Rest isn’t wasted time.

It’s essential for maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

We aren’t machines.

It’s healthy to step away.

6. Reflect

At the end of your work session, take time to reflect on what you accomplished.

Acknowledge the progress you’ve made and how that progress serves both your dunya and akhirah.

This feeling will motivate you to return to flow in future sessions, creating a sustainable cycle of deep focus and productivity.

Remember, flow cannot be forced.

Sometimes it hits at 6am. Other times at 12am.

It looks different for everyone.

That’s all I have for you today.

Thank you for reading this letter.

And as always:

مع حبي (with love)

— Saufiyah ♡