What is a Muslim: Belief in the Books and Prophets

Belief  in the Books (sent by Almighty God)

1. Names of the books
2. Preservation of al-Qur'an from alterations (QS al-Ma'idah; Verse 48)
3. Meaning of al-Quran

Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of Almighty God

1. Believe in all of them, regardless of whether we know their names or we don't (QS al-Nisa; Verse 164)
2. Honour and respect them 
3. Prophet Muhammad is the last Prophet and Messenger of God
4. Jesus is a servant and Messenger of God, likewise Abraham, Moses and Noah.

More to come, God willing.

Misuse of Time

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Some people perceive that they have all the time to do the things they always wanted to do, although they agree that time in this world will come to an end. As a result, they fail to internalise the importance of managing their daily activities properly.

Another thing is that the concept of time management has been adulterated by some- they bring procrastination into it. Some call it creative procrastination, when in fact, the meaning of both words 'creative' and 'procrastination' are as far as the heavens and the earth. Creativity is generated when you're not lazy, procrastination is generated when you are lazy. So how can these two words be 'together' when their causes are from directly opposite circumstances?

Coupled with various distractions which are increasingly pervasive in society (i.e. time-wasters) from the screens to forbidden relations, managing our time well is even more important and crucial to our lives, dignity, and success in this world and in the hereafter.

As a reminder, .the believers (i.e. Muslims) believe in the existence of the hereafter, and so they work towards it (in this world), as it is the final destination of mankind- Hell or Paradise. Consequently, they are enjoined to make use of their time well in this world which is pleasing to Allah, the Exalted.

How to start off to manage one of our greatest assets?

1. Set goals in life.
2. Set up a time journal (to know where you are spending time at, on a daily basis, probably for a few weeks)
3. Create timetable or a to-do list for the day, week, month, or year (such that it brings you closer to your goals in life)

I hope this was beneficial for you and me.

Oh Allah, rectify our affairs.

Regards,

Akbar Azad

EVERY.PERSON.SUCCESSFUL

Intentional Change

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Change is something everyone is aware about. One can change for the better, or for worse. 

The believer should always strive to better himself to seek the pleasure of Allah (i.e. Paradise). Such a strive includes changing the evil one has into good, praiseworthy qualities.

In this article, we will look into a theory called Intentional Change Theory (which you will be familiar with, insya Allah). The aspect which you will find difficulty in grasping are only the terms used.

Richard Boyatzis, a professor at Case Western Reserve University, developed Intentional Change Theory (ICT) as part of his work on individual and organizational change. He published it in 2006 in the Journal of Management Development.

The theory outlines five common-sense steps that you need to follow if you want to make a lasting change within yourself. These five steps are:

1. Discover your ideal self.
2. Discover your real self.
3. Create your learning agenda.
4. Experiment with and practice new habits.
5. Get support. (click here for more)

Visually, this is how it should look like:

Firstly, think where you want to be in the future (in this world and in the hereafter).

Compare that ideal self to your current self- are there differences* between the two states? If yes, then work on the differences and bridge the gap between your present self to the ideal self.

By closing up the differences, you are already on a learning agenda.

Familiarise yourself with the new (positive) changes. We as humans can fall back into our evil ways at times. Hence, we should quickly repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, the Most Merciful and Severe in punishment, coupled with regret for committing the sin, and strive to stick to the praiseworthy changes, with the willpower to never return to (commiting) the sin.

Don't forget to get help and support firstly from Allah (through supplications), and then from those whom you trust and are close with (In fact, we should get help and support throughout the change process,and not only at a later stage of change)

Remember that positive and praiseworthy changes come from Allah alone, and you (begiining with myself) should praise and give credits to Allah and not to ourselves. For if Allah wills that you do not change for the better (or change for worse), you will surely not change for good. 

Lastly, I remind myself and you to be sincere and have good noble intentions in our strive to make positive changes (i.e. pleasing Allah alone).

For more info on intentional change, please visit Mindtools.



Let's change for the better and look at how we can initiate that change.


* When comparing between our present state (in this world) with our ideal state in the hereafter (i.e. in Paradise), please note that there is a huge difference between the two states. So, what we can do is to look at the traits and qualities that qualify one for Paradise, after the mercy of Allah, and also look at those qualities that lands one into Hell, except for whomever Allah has saved from Hell. Then, we work towards attaining those praiseworthy traits and avoiding the evil traits.

A man is upon the way of his close intimate friend.

What To Do In My Free-Time?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم



As Muslims who are aware of the reality of this wordly life (i.e. a temporary life), we should strive to attain good deeds in this life to attain the highest ranks in Paradise. This neccesitate that no day, hour, minute and second go by, except that we benefit them for the hereafter.

Beginning from myself, when it comes to having 'nothing' to do, we are lost as to how we should utilise that time. How would you be if you knew that that time (being benefitted) could be a means to save you from Allah's punishment and be admitted to Paradise? How would you be if that time could be a (positive) life-changer for you, after Allah's permission? How would you be.... And the list of bright possibilities go on and on and on...

Alright, you feeling kind of motivated to benefit from free-time? I found a simple and practical solution for those who are stuck on utilising their time-

List down whatever you thought of doing , but couldn't do at that particular time.

Example:

Umar is in a middle of his school project when a thought comes to him- I want to catch up with my brothers. So, he saves that thought in his smartphone, laptop, notes etc. When he is has 'no' outstanding tasks to be done (so he is free), he takes out his smartphone and sees that thing he wanted to do- catching up with his brothers in Islam. Then he contacts them and plans for a dine-out session with them on that very day (of course I am not encouraging last-minute invitations/gatherings).

I hope that was clear. I apologise for any confusion caused.

Time Is More Valuable Than Money/Wealth

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

   We praise Allah for granting us the ability to utilise the blessings He has given us in a way that is pleasing to Him, may He be Exalted. 

   Among the blessings man is given from His Creator is time and money. Time can be spent for beneficial purposes like visiting the sick, seeking knowledge, reflecting on oneself etc. Money/wealth also has many ways by which it could be put to good use, among them are building mosques, spending in charity, supporting one's family, buying beneficial books and clothes (to cover one's body) etc.

   In this post however, the discussion will not be on how to spend time and money appropriately. Instead, we will explore the difference between time and money- hopefully igniting the spark to pay great heed on how we use our time is this world (for the hereafter).

Time Vs Money

•                                 Irreplaceable......................Possibly replaceable
•                        Every person has it......................Not everyone is granted it
•                      Only ends with death.....................Ends with death* and other events

   Since we know time is irreplaceable, and that each one of us is granted it, and that death is the only factor that will end our time by the permission of Allah, are we then giving the time we have been blessed with, its due right?

   I end off by supplicating to the One Who sent Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, to make this article a beneficial one and that it increases my scale of good deeds on the Day of Resurrection.

*As in the deceased will not be able to bring his wealth/money to the grave

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

Bismillahi'r-Rahmani'r-Rahim

Setting a timetable- we all know about it.

Exactly why we (are encouraged to) set timetable- not all of us know.

Each of us, generally, have goals in life. To achieve those goals, we need to work towards them. After Allah's permission, timetables ensure that we stick to those goals.

But, how do we set goals? Let me show you what I compiled...

We can categorise our goals into two:

• For the hereafter (akhirah)
• For this world (dun-ya)

*do note that we can work towards the hereafter through worldly means eg being a doctor (worldly) to save lives by the permission of Allah and intending it to increase his good rewards in the hereafter*

 We can further break these goals into two:

• Long-term Goals
• Short-term Goals (eg 90-day goals- in line with the long-term goals)

You may be asking yourselves this question (not that I know the unseen)- how do I broaden my goals?

Our GP (General Paper- a G.C.E. 'A'- Level subject) teachers may have taught us to write arguments through a number of structures/formats, among them is the S.P.E.R.M. format.

What does S.P.E.R.M. mean then?

S: Social etc

P: Politics, Productivity etc

E: Education/Environment/Entrepeneurship etc

R: Religion/Race etc

M: Medical, Money etc

So, we can apply this to our goals. For example (remember, you don't neccesarily have to follow the same)

S: Building an education institute for the less-educated

E: Attain a degree in Math/ Set up an unprecedented green business

R: Memorise the Quran, setting up financial centres across the world to aid poor Muslims

M: Being a leading event-organiser, inviting Medical professionals from across the globe to share their knowledge with the rest.

For P... it is challenging for me to have one example of its goal. 

Anyway, there are loads of other ways to have goals.

I hope that this was beneficial. All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

We, man and Jinn, were created not except to worship Allah (alone, with no partners)

1ce Here

Bismillahi'r-Rahmani'r-Rahim

We praise Allah and seek His aid and assistance. We seek refuge in Him from the evil within us. May Allah exalt the mention of the Final Messenger, Muhammad, the son of 'Abdullah, and grant him peace.

I would like to ask you the following:

Why are we here on earth?

Your answer can generally be classified under two categories:

1. For fun and live a life with no account
2. For the worship of the One Who created us

Since death will overtake us one day (and we won't return to this present life), it is apparent that we have only one chance in this world- but how do we utilise our time here?

In this blog, the author will share with you a little of what he knows with regards to being productive in life, how to achieve our goals and more. The author believes success in this life and in the life to come is greatly infuenced by our time spent in this world. And undoubtedly, we live 1ce (pronounced as once) here in this world.

If there is any feedback, please contact the author at akbarazad93@gmail.com .