Monthly Archives: January 2006

Inexpensive Waqf/Asset Ideas

January 31, 2006 – 11:11 pm

An asset is anything that brings reward (usually income) with little effort. A waqf is an asset donated to the Muslims feasabilillah (for the sake of Allah).

Looking for an inexpensive asset to deposit continual good deeds into your akhira bank account? Try this: purchase an ‘itter bottle–one of the big oil ones–and place it somewhere in a masjid or prayer space. Or a kleenex box (especially if it’s winter or flu season). Or a book. All Muslims benefit from it, and you continue to earn the reward.

For a minimal cost, you reap massive benefit. Alhamdullilah. If you know any other inexpensive waqfs, comment them in inshaAllah. Jazakumullahu khayr.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam | Comments (2)

Gender Interaction: Professionalism

January 30, 2006 – 11:40 pm

The key to gender interaction (aka gender relations) is professionalism.

During the lifetime of the Prophet, peace be upon him, ‘Umar said to one woman sahaba in Abysinnia: “We have more right to the Prophet then you”. She said (to the effect of) “nope”. She approached the Prophet and narrated the incident to him, and he said “‘Umar was incorrect. You (Abyssinians) made hijrah (migration) twice, you get double the reward.”

This hadith was more beloved to them then the dunya and everything in it.

The companion spread it far and wide, and taught it to several people, both men and women. If you investigate the event, and other similar events, you will see the companions treated each other, in terms of gender interaction, with professionalism. Never will you see joking around.

This is the key to gender interaction. Keep it professional, purposeful, and limited. Wallahu ‘alim.

References

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki. Life in Mecca.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Islam, Islamic Work, Sahaba, Tazkiyyah | Comments (2)

Burnt Food: An Opportunity

January 29, 2006 – 2:05 pm

Common reactions among many types of people when their spouse burns their food, or forgets the salt, or oversalts, or otherwise destroys it, are statements such as “what’s wrong with you, don’t you know how to cook” and “didn’t your mother/father ever teach you anything” and so on.

Remain patient, as the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) remained when his wives cooked food he didn’t like. He sat, and said nothing at all, nor did he eat from it.

Realize the person is more important than the meal, and take the opportunity to say to yourself “You know what, this person and their feelings are more important–it’s ok, it’s just burnt food.” Positive and encouraging statements correct painlessly. Acknowledge the effort, regardless of the results.

May Allah grant us all wisdom in our da’wah and patience in our afflictions.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Akhlaaq, Islam, Marriage, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

Lessons Before Death

January 28, 2006 – 9:38 pm

From the teachings of the khulafa rashideen: when you’re about to do something, ask yourself: “Would I be happy and unregretful of how I spent my time today?”

If the answer is “no”, then find something better to do with your time.

And remember: Time is one of the ONLY irreversable resources. Money comes and goes, status builds, but time, once it’s gone, it never comes back.

The Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, said: Two things about which people are deceived are their health and their time.

May Allah allow us to optimize our times in the best of manners for the best of uses. Ameen.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Tazkiyyah | Comments (1)

UIA Arabic Course: Tentative Second Offering Staring May

January 27, 2006 – 7:09 pm

For those who missed the train for UIA’s two-year Arabic course, email info@uia.ca and ask them to put you on the waiting list. They’re planning on holding another session (same content, different teacher) starting in May inshaAllah.

Register today. There are only approximately ten seats left!

Related Links: Classes: Understanding Islam Academy

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in News | Comments (0)

The True Measure of Leadership

January 26, 2006 – 11:14 pm

The true measure of leadership is influence, nothing more, and nothing less.

When you can influence people, you’re a leader, even if nobody recognizes you. And when you can’t influence people, you’re not a leader — even if the masjid says so, or the organization says so, or your friends say so, or your car says so.

And remember the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him: Do not covet leadership, for it entails blame, regret, and punishment on the Day of Judgement — except for the just ruler.

References

Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Conquest: History of the Khulafa. University of Toronto, Toronto. November 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Islamic Work | Comments (1)

Belief Shapes Identity and Action

January 25, 2006 – 6:47 pm

In Surah Baqarah, Allah says:

وَإِذَا لَقُواْ الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ قَالُواْ آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْاْ إِلَى شَيَاطِينِهِمْ قَالُواْ إِنَّا مَعَكْمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِؤُونَ

Translation: “When they meet those who believe, they say ‘we believe,’ but when they are alone with their shayateen, they say ‘we are with you‘ …” (Al-Quran, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:14)1

Although the hypocrites say they believe, they associate their identities with shayateen (devils, or “evil ones”).

The lesson: your belief system shapes your identity.

As an example, consider zina (fornication). Many people consider it a positive attribute to commit the act in ever-increasing numbers, because their football buddies or gossipy friends believe this to be a good thing. However, Muslims know that zina, unrepented, entails severe, severe punishment in both lives, and the same attribute becomes negative.

Sound belief is vital–it shapes your identity and your actions.

Believe that you are one of the people of Jannah (paradise), and over time, you automatically reshape your actions to achieve that identity.

Similarly, avoid beliefs that you are a “bad person” or “bad Muslim”, it motivates you towards ill-found actions.

May Allah protect us all from messed-up beliefs.

References

(1) Pickthall, Muhammad M., trans. Al-Qur’an Al-Kareem: Parallel Arabic text with English Translation. One Ummah Network. 25 Jan. 2006 <http://www.oneummah.net/quran/quran.html>.

(2) Muhammad Alshareef. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Breach of Covenant. University of Toronto, Toronto. May 2005.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Tafseer, Tazkiyyah | Comments (0)

Train Leaders, Not Followers

January 24, 2006 – 10:46 pm

If you want your Islamic work–your project, or organization, or masjid, or whatever it is–to survive you, you need to train leaders, not followers.

When you train followers, they work well, for a time–a month, or two, or a year, or ten, or 20–but without a leader, the project collapses. Instead, train leaders, who in turn train followers and other leaders in your absence, and the cycle perpetuates inshaAllah.

This is also part of what you need to transform your project from a mom-and-pop-style business to an independant self-existing entity. Wallahu ‘alim. More on that soonish inshaAllah.

As examples, most MSAs in North America train the succeeding generation of executives for the next term. In successful universities, such as UTM, MSAs last for decades thanks to this method.

Wallahu ‘alim.

Related Posts: Self-Employed vs. Business System

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam, Islamic Work | Comments (0)

Eman: Belief

January 24, 2006 – 12:31 am

“Eman is to believe, even when an overpowering tide of evil surrounds you.” –Imam Anwar al-Awlaki

Remember, Allah controls eman. Even great Muslims sometimes die as disbelievers, wa iyyadubillah. O Allah, protect us from that evil end.

Among the many means to strengthen include constant rememberance of Allah and reminders of the hereafter. Ask Allah to strengthen your eman, and inshaAllah even your low-points become higher and higher over time.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam | Comments (0)

Yaqeen: Certainty

January 24, 2006 – 12:21 am

Imam Anwar al-Awlaki says: Yaqeen is certainty in your beliefs over your physical reality. Your heart soaks up the belief and becomes unshakable.

The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) had it. All four khulafa had it.

O Allah, grant us belief in the hereafter and make our hearts firm.

By Ilm Seeker | Posted in Gems, Islam | Comments (1)