✅Optimized Muslim Newsletter 30/07/2022
Jul 30, 2022 7:59 pm
Update for 30th July 2022
as Salaamu Alaykum
Optimized Muslim Project Update
I'm sending this email whilst being away from my usual set up so expect some errors here and there. the project is growing more than expected الحمدلله. I have only really been consistent since the end of May and the results show the demand for this type of content. I always knew this but could not figure out a system that fit in with the rest of my obligations. I seem to have done so now but the project takes over 10 hours per week if I am to be consistent, which is a challenge. So I try not to tie the success to output but rather input/effort for which we are rewarded. This allows you to stay connected with your ultimate purpose and vision whilst appreciating any results as blessings from Allāh ﷻ.
An Idea I was thinking about this week
I've previously spoken about how Islamic content creators (any content creator really but the consequences are greater for content creators within the Muslim space) can be heavily susceptible to the influence of their audience. Me and Ustadh Haqiqatjou also discussed this on our podcast two years ago. I posited that if we apply husnadhann to these institutes that prop up and their leadership, we can assume that they may well start off with entirely noble intentions but as they grow and deal with investors, payroll, employees, marketing, leads, growth targets - more and more problems arise.
For example, let's say they now have 10 employees, and they realise that if they are to remain functioning they need a set turnover per month. What vehicle is used to drive this? Courses. Who predominantly buys the courses? Sisters. On what topics will the courses have to be for these sisters to purchase? And what personality and public profile will the heads of the institute have to embody to be able to rely on the support of said audience? Perhaps they avoided speaking out on the abortion ruling. Perhaps they stop talking about verses that have been labelled by feminists as offensive or in need of reform.
Everyone's human. Perhaps there are some on the board who are more idealistic and protest against some of the public stances of this institute. But ultimately the decision is driven by numbers and more pragmatic points.
Anyway, i was reflecting more on the above after a video of mine in which I discussed Hijrah to Malaysia went from 1000 to 10,000 views in a few days resulting in over 130 subscribers from Malaysia. The easy, growth oriented step for me would be to rouble down on more content about Malaysia and appeal to that audience considering they have demonstrated the potential growth, but, this would take me away from the overall goals of the project.
Seerah/Hadith
"When the Prophet (s) found a companion sitting in the masjid looking distressed due to the burdens of debt, he taught him a dua to counter those feelings of anxiety.
When someone in his presence got visibly angry, he (s) told him to counter that feeling by seeking refuge in Allah.
He (s) taught us to deal with negative feelings toward others with the positive action of giving a gift - “Give gifts, for indeed the gift removes bad feelings from the chest” (Tirmidhi" from Ibn Abe Omar's newsletter linked below"
An Islamic Reminder
"It’s the famous story about when the Prophet (s) said, “A man from the people of Paradise is coming upon you now.” An Ansari man whose beard was wet from wudu came into the masjid. The next night, he (s) said the same thing, and the same man entered. And the next night as well.
Abdullah ibn Amr followed the man and made an excuse about having an argument with his father and needing a place to stay. He stayed with him for 3 nights, but did not observe anything particularly noteworthy about his actions that would make him stand out as a person of Paradise.
Abdullah then explained his true intention in coming to stay with him and asked him why the Prophet (s) spoke so highly of him. He said, “I am as you have seen, except that I have no malice toward any of the believers and I do not envy anyone because of the good that Allah has given them” (Musnad). "
Source: ibnabeomar Newsletter
Content I found beneficial this week:
Sh Abdal Hakim Murad's "Paradigms of Leadership" series. I have watched most of these. The recent upload was on Ali Ibn Al Khataab رضي الله عنه. Link to series here
Book Recommendation
Manual for the Practical Stoic by Kevin Malone. A succinct guide through the main practices and tenets if stoicism with accompanying practical tasks.
Some quotes from my readings:
Absorb books, podcasts, and magazines while exercising at the gym. In between sets, on the treadmill, or on the stationary bike, exercise is transformed to education. The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco
With fools, being wise counts for little, and similarly with madmen, being sane: you need to talk to everyone in their own language. The person who feigns stupidity isn’t a fool, just the person who suffers from it. Whilst real stupidity is just simple, feigned stupidity isn’t, for genuine artifice is involved here. The only way to be well loved is to put on the skin of the most stupid of animals.
How to Use Your Enemies by Baltasar Gracián
With every addiction, as tolerance sets in, we gradually lose our ability to respond to life’s normal experiences with sustained focus, pleasure, interest or motivation.
Staying Focused in a Hyper World by John Gray
We feel self-respect when we are doing tasks that are both difficult and are done on our own volition. Our self-respect comes from actions, not rhetoric.
The Power Bible by Brendon Lemon, William Beteet, and James Altucher
Marcus Aurelius puts it: “Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.”
The Little Book of Stoicism by Jonas Salzgeber
Tolstoy expressed his exasperation at people who didn’t read deeply and regularly. “I cannot understand,” he said, “how some people can live without communicating with the wisest people who ever lived on earth.
”Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
Something unrelated but I found interesting:
- Health related Mystery Content 1
- Mystery Content 2
Fifty million people in the world have epilepsy. Six hundred thousand people in the United Kingdom are affected. Brainstorm by Suzanne O'Sullivan
The systematic review claims to debunk the serotonin theory of depression which holds that depression is caused by low levels of serotonin; a ‘chemical imbalance’. Instead, the authors argue that depression is caused by difficult life events. Read more:
One question to ask ourselves
How many sins did i commit today? Take inventory and account.
I want to hear from like-minded people, please feel free to reply.
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Some of the Content from this week:
🎥 People into Self-improvement coming to Islam
People who are interested in Self Development are often more receptive to Islam.
They present a good opportunity for those interested in Dawah.
You will find that they will often have productive interests that you can confidently engage on without having to be in with pop-culture because if they are into self development, they too could not care less about stupid stuff.
🎥 Why do you want to Improve? What's the Point without Islam?
How Improving Oneself Often leads people to the big questions about life and purpose.
🎥 Why People Interested in Self Development Often Find Islam like Aanghel from The3Muslims
🎥 Why does Bitcoin have value?
What gives Bitcoin its value?
Please share if you learned something or found it interesting.
Aadil
