Self Help Content Halalifying Test? Optimized Muslim Newsletter 🚀

Nov 18, 2022 5:20 pm

Update for 18/11/2022

as Salaamu Alaykum Optimized Muslims, 😁

My intention with these newsletters is to synthesise beneficial information for you in sha Allah.

How much of self-help content applies to us as Muslims

You brothers and sisters are probably similar to me in that you consume a lot of the conventional self-help content out there. If you have a basic grounding in Islam, (have studied at least the fard Ayn - the compulsory knowledge that every Muslim has to know) then you should be able to differentiate between that which aligns with our belief system and that which does not. If in any doubt, contact someone more learned.

However, when I interviewed Sh Ismail Kamdar recently, he outlined a concise framework which I can now adopt and share as a mental model of sorts through which to view this issue. Ismail Kamdar by the way is the founder of Islamicselfhelp.com and was active in this space years ago ma sha Allah.

Checkout our interview here:

It's a 4-part test or filter to apply to any questionable content:

Aqidah - Does it contradict our aqidah? Example: I am the captain of my own ship. I control my destiny. Problematic for obvious reasons.
Fiqh - Does it contradict fiqh rulings? An example: Almost any book on building wealth will talk about compound interest. So, we can read those books, but cannot make use of that concept albeit you can apply the mindset of "compounding" to other areas of your life.
Akhlaq or characteristics of a believer- Example: Clickbait and shady marketing. Dishonesty, Cash grabs, scams etc
Tasawwuf or spirituality - If you do not have trust (tawakkul) in Allah SWT or do not understand qadr, then this will have trickle-down effects on your heart and soul. Other examples: seeking fame for its own sake or equating money with success - having a warped notion of success

Hadith

Prophet Muhammad (s) said: “If only you relied on Allah a true reliance, He would provide sustenance for you just as He does the birds: They fly out in the morning empty and return in the afternoon with full stomachs”.

[Ahmad and Tirmidhi]

Integrity like Umar Bin Abdul Aziz

Caliph Umar Bin Abdul-Aziz, who received a visitor from a distant land. While they conversed about the state of the Muslims, he kept a lamp lit. However, when the conversation turned to personal and family issues, the caliph dimmed the lamp and conversed in the dark. His visitor was bemused by this behaviour and asked him why he did this. The Caliph responded that he bought the lamp using money from the Treasury of the Muslim World, so he only used it when working on related matters...

Purification of the Heart by Hamza Yusuf

The Prophet said, “Contentment is a treasure that is never exhausted.”

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On over thinking

"A problem postponed is a problem extended." Gurwinder Bhogal

"A lot of people belabour a decision when they’re not gaining more information.

Time is not a requirement for decision making, information is." Alex Hormozi

Recommended Video

A history of Islam in in India (in under 40 minutes): https://youtu.be/PBSVaPmHUaY

Something unrelated (but massive if you're into crypto😂)

In our view, FTX’s insolvency is one of the most damaging events––potentially worse than the 2014 Mt. Gox hack––in crypto history. Caused by one of the revered leaders of the industry, this collapse has impacted crypto’s reputation dramatically. It could delay institutional crypto adoption by years and perhaps give regulators license to take draconian measures

Decent Article:

What Hunter-Gatherers Can Teach Us About the Frustrations of Modern Work: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/office-space/lessons-from-the-deep-history-of-work

One question to ask ourselves

What's my biggest weakness in Deen? Why can't I take action today to improve it?

Some quotes from my readings:

“This man has conquered the world!” one of Alexander’s men shouts. “What have you done?” The philosopher responds, with complete confidence, “I have conquered the need to conquer the world.”

"In the same way the enjoyment of the heart depends upon its being employed in that for which it was created, in learning to know every thing in its reality and truth." The Alchemy of Happiness, Imam Al Ghazali

"Don't go get coffee because you don't want to finish that email. Allow yourself the reward of coffee if you finish the email"

The Science of Self-Control by Menno Henselmans

I want to hear from like-minded people, please feel free to reply.

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Some of the recent content:

🎥 Islam Is On The Rise In Britain - Br Paul Williams of Blogging Theology

Click here to watch the video

🎥 The Thinking Behind the famous "No Design🙄" posts

Br Paul Williams of Blogging Theology shares the thought process behind the somewhat amusing yet incredibly powerful "No Design 🙄" posts that he shares across social media.