Salam Productive Muslims and Muslimahs, and Academy Members!

This year, we will be celebrating the 10th year Anniversary of Productive Muslim. Here’s how you can be a part of it:

Record a video of yourself or post your answers on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Youtube telling us,

• What attracted you to Productive Muslim?
• What’s your favorite article, lesson or doodle?
• How has Productive Muslim impacted your life?

And don’t forget to hashtag #ProductiveMuslim10thAnniversary to get a chance to be featured in our video collection.

Make sure you post your videos or answers before February 19th. Don’t miss it! :)

The post Let’s Celebrate Productive Muslim’s 10th Anniversary! appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Deciding to wear hijab can be an overwhelming life change for a Muslim woman. Dealing with the social and spiritual consequences of this decision is more than enough to keep us busy. Unfortunately, this new spiritual development can come at the cost of one’s physical well-being. Wearing hijab is not simply a fashion modification; it is symbolic of a shift in focus from the Dunya to the Akhirah. This shift can be even more overwhelming for new Muslimahs due to their additional lifestyle modifications. The lifestyle modifications that usually parallel the adoption of hijab can be conducive to weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle.

After careful reflection, it occurred to me that my self-confidence and self-worth were directly tied to the reinforcement I received from others about my appearance. My tight clothes and attention grabbing party personality was not “who I was” but a way to satisfy my inner desires to be loved and feel attractive. Although wearing hijab made me a more spiritual person and shifted my attention from certain worldly vices, it did not solve my cravings for attention. Without the reinforcement from others, I stopped caring for myself; I was completely detached from my desirability and worth. Without being able to exploit my sexuality and attractiveness, I abandoned them. Early in my time as a revert, I was misguided to believe that a Muslim woman’s physical appearance is irrelevant because she does not exploit or showcase her beauty. Despite my earlier focus on appearances, I never made the connection between my previous values and the sudden self-imposed neglect of my physical appearance.

Before Islam, being noticed by others was something through which I valued myself. Something I never considered was what would happen to my self-confidence if I could no longer depend on the validation of others. It sounds silly now, but I never realised that caring for my body was important whether or not anyone sees the fruits of that labour. Similar to the student that does not see the value of an ungraded assignment, I only saw value when an evaluation was given by someone other than me.

Despite the fact that reversion to Islam is a spiritual and intellectual experience, it is not healthy to neglect the physical aspects of life. Islam teaches us to remain on the middle path and to not exist in polar extremes. A vital aspect of this balance is the maintenance of an amanah (trust) given to you by Allah : your body.

Allah says: “Thus We have appointed you a middle nation.” [Quran: Surah 2, Verse 143]

Although maintaining one’s physical self and properly caring for one’s body is an important responsibility of a human being and a Muslim, it is one that is rarely discussed in the Muslim community. Physical fitness and proper nutrition for Muslim women is another topic that is also disregarded, sometimes for cultural reasons.

Contrary to some cultural beliefs, the physical maintenance of Muslim women is extremely important and does not require the sacrifice of any religious convictions or modesty.

In this modern age, there are plenty of halal ways to enjoy keeping healthy and to prevent weight gain.

Here are my tips to reversing what I call, “hijabi neglect”.

1. Set your intention

Your physical health is a blessing provided to you by Allah . You must guard and protect that blessing in order to preserve it. Allah says: “Truly, We did offer Al-Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e., afraid of Allah’s torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results).” [Quran; Surah 33, Verse 72]

2. Invest in a scale

Although weight is not a sole measure of health, it is a valuable way to keep you accountable.

3. Pamper yourself

Dress up once a month, even if you are not going to leave the house. Spend a day at the spa. Take a bubble bath. Do whatever makes you feel special and desirable. It can be too easy to be lured into a daily routine of sweatpants and pyjamas after spending all day wearing hijab. It is easy to feel unattractive and frumpy in your Dad’s old ripped t-shirt and pyjama pants. Although not the main focus of keeping healthy, feeling attractive can be a great mood booster and motivator.

4. Explore home exercise

Exercising at a gym or spending lots of money are not requirements to stay fit! A five minute YouTube video search will generate countless exercise videos available from the privacy of your own home, as well as the vast number of apps with exercise regimes and plans to track your progress. If you do not have a computer or find the videos difficult, an old school solution to fitness is available for little cost: a skipping rope. Skipping is a fabulous exercise that is portable, cheap and accessible anywhere. Hop to it!

5. Start an exercise group

Making healthy habits stick is easier to do with the help of a partner or support group. If your community lacks a women’s exercise group, start one! Walking and hiking are great exercises and social activities that can be enjoyed for free. The extra doses of vitamin D you will get from the sunshine is a delightful bonus.

6. Organise a “Health Awareness Day” with sisters at the masjid or with your local Muslim service organisation

Too many people in the Muslim community are unaware of the importance of proper diet and exercise. Due to cultural preconceptions, some might even believe that it is haram or simply superfluous for women to engage in such activities. If no one is talking about it, things will not change.

7. Regular fasting

“O ye who believe, fasting is prescribed for you…so that you will (learn how to attain) piety.” [Quran: Surah 2, Verse 183]

Aside from the spiritual aspect of fasting, there are many health benefits to fasting. Fasting shifts our focus away from food as an indulgence and source of pleasure and forces us to observe it as sustenance.

8. Eat to live; do not live to eat

Too often we rely on food to serve as our halal entertainment and pleasure. It is good to focus on the 80/20 rule. At least 80% of the time, eat foods for their nutritional value and benefits. Limit indulgences to less than 20% of the time. Of course there is no magic formula for health, but as Muslims it should be our focus to remain in balance.

9. Do something active and adventurous

Instead of going out to eat with friends, take a hike, kayak, ride bicycles, engage in a new fitness class or go old-school and play tag. Mix it up and be unafraid. Simply walking around the mall with proper shoes can be exercise; no excuses!

10. Love yourself

Your body is a trust from Allah . He has provided you with only one; appreciate all that it can do and its utter uniqueness.

These reminders are by no means all-encompassing or the only ways to maintain health. They are also not limited to those who wear hijab. All Muslim women, whether wearing hijab or not, need to be aware of their bodies and how to respect them. Too often women are weighed down by obligations and equate taking care of themselves to indulgences. Investing in yourself will not only make you a better mother, sister, daughter and wife, but also it will make you a better and more capable Muslim. Taking care of our bodies and souls is the only way to true balance and success.

About the Author:

K.T Lynn currently resides in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her Saudi husband. She is an English teacher, blogger, freelance writer and editor. K.T enjoys travelling, cooking, reading and writing non-fiction.
Her blog, Yankee Doodle Saudi, chronicles her experiences as a Muslim, expat, American and wife of a Saudi.
You may contact her at therevertdiaries@gmail.com

The post [SISTERS] The Ultimate Guide to Reversing Hijabi Neglect appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

I really wish I could be a better mother but I just don’t know how… I want to talk to my kids differently, but I just keep defaulting back to being a yeller.. I feel like someone pushed the fast forward button in my life and I don’t know how to slow it down… I feel dead inside, like I have zero emaan left.. There are so many things I wish I was doing, I wish I could change, but I just don’t have the time or the energy right now.

Sound familiar? I am in the business of talking to mothers and I can’t tell you how many time I have heard these words come out of a mother’s mouth. I have to admit I can’t tell you how many times I said these words myself! I truly believe that mothers have the power to change the world. They have the potential to be a great army of fighters, aimed at mobilizing change, beginning with their own children. And yet, when I look mothers around me, I see exhaustion, fatigue and women living on the brink. Most are not living their best self and most do not live up to their greatest potential.

In this article, I’d like to explore how we can change – how we can begin living our best so that we can be the best mother, wife, daughter, sister and most importantly, slave of Allah . I would like to offer you some practical advice on how women, especially mothers, can become more effective in their roles, through one easy step.

Why Do I Need Mindful Me Minutes?

Me time. We all need it, and yet, there never seems to be enough of it. Thus is the life of mothers! We live our lives knowing and wanting more time for ourselves, and yet this action item inevitably finds itself at the bottom of our massive to-do lists. Unfortunately, there are always more important things that need to get done.

What if I told you that 10 minutes a day of doing nothing is more important than any other ten minutes that you spend doing a chore or ticking something of your to-do list? Would you believe me? That, by investing in just 10 minutes each day, doing nothing, in the company of yourself, you could actually increase your productivity for the rest of the day? That by spending those same 10 minutes each day just thinking for yourself (or not thinking!), you could alter the way you think for the remaining minutes in the day?

Could 10 minutes be that significant?

Let’s break down why we need mindful me minutes:

1. It allows us to form our own view of the world. In a world full of noise, silence is priceless. We live in a time of increasing social media, constant in our ever busy lives. As it increases, so too does the need to have some silence. To live with just our own thoughts. Indeed, how will we form our own thoughts if we don’t have some quiet time to figure them out? Being alone, even if just for a few minutes, allows us to figure out what we think. We can work through our own problems, decide what is important, or perhaps talk ourselves down from high stress situations.
2. It inspires creativity. John Updike, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author said “Ideally, much of my day should be, in a strict sense, idle, for it is often in idle moments that real inspiration comes.” It is in these moments – these moments of solitude – that ideas around born.
3. Alone time is a time of rest for the brain. When you sleep, your body takes a break and heals itself. When we do not get our required amount of sleep, our bodies become ill from overwork. Our brain needs a similar break to rest, which comes in moments of solitude. Being alone allows our minds to recharge from the intense workout it gets throughout the day, allowing it to function better.
4. Solitude changes your perspective. It helps you to take a moment to step back and see the big picture. Having alone time allows you to stop and determine the importance and scale of life’s different hurdles. Once you start again, you take life more slowly.. deliberately.

So, we have established that alone time is important. But that doesn’t take away the impossibility of getting it when you’re a mother, right?

The truth is, every mother can collect minutes for herself somewhere in the day. We all are guilty of being ‘sloppy’ with our time. There are moments in the day when all the kids are occupied and we use that time looking at a screen versus looking within. Or better yet, what happens when our kids are in bed? Do we stay up under the guise of ‘me time’ but really use that time to stare at a screen?

Ten minutes a day devoted to yourself will help you align the rest of your day. When you realize that each day contains 1,440 minutes, perhaps it will be easier to find those 10 minutes somewhere.

What Should I Do in My Mindful Me Minutes?

The question we need to ask ourselves is, what constitutes ‘me time’? I would argue that many of us think we’re taking time for ourselves each day, but we are filling it with things that make it ineffective. So, what are the do’s and don’ts of good ‘me time’?

1. Do not look at screens. Technology is not allowed!
2. Do look at books. Books and reading provide the ultimate form of relaxation. But no electronic readers! If you want to read, go to a library or bookstore and get a good old fashioned book.
3. Do pray! Prayer is amazing mindful me time! Allah scheduled mindful me time for us 5 times a day, mamas! It’s unfortunate that we don’t think about salah this way, but we should. This is our time to refocus our thoughts, refresh our brains and remind ourselves of our ultimate purpose.
4. Recite Qur’an, memorise a few ayaahs and perform dhikr. Connecting with Allah in this manner will soothe your soul.
5. Try to be alone. Our energy changes with the presence of even one person. This is not to say that you do not want to relax with your husband, but being alone will free your mind of external distractions. Explain to your spouse and family about your mindful me minutes – you could even encourage your husband to give himself 10 mindful me minutes, and take turns to watch the children while you each take out this precious time to reframe your mind.
6. Do be mindful of your me time. This is the key to making this work. You must be aware that this is your time to refocus. I can find mindful me minutes at the gym or driving in the car, as long as I think to myself, ‘this is my time for myself’. If not, these minutes will pass without any of the previously mentioned benefits.
7. Just sit and do nothing. In a society that values busyness, doing nothing seems lazy, perhaps even wasteful. Doing nothing is good for your mind, so don’t always feel pressured to do something during your mindful me time. Sometimes you need to give your mind space to breathe and rejuvenate.
8. Use this list to do something different in each of your “mindful me minutes”. This way, you ensure that your mindful me minutes do not become dull, which can lead to distraction.

Utilizing “mindful me time” each day becomes a muscle that we strengthen each time we practice it. Ideally, we want to become like our beloved Prophet Muhammad , who was frequently in a state of reflection and dhikr. Indeed, he tells his companions, “Let not your tongue cease to be moist with the remembrance of Allah, mighty is He and majestic.” [At-Tirmidhi] This constant dhikr allowed them to center themselves, to remember their place in this world, and to remember that their ultimate goal is to serve Allah .

As mothers, sometimes we feel as though our busyness is an insurmountable hurdle in taking time for ourselves. If we don’t take these important moments for ourselves, we will continue to drown in our to-do’s at the expense of our emaan. The Qur’an says “Indeed, your wealth and children are a trial” [Qur’an: Chapter 64: Verse 15], so we need to make sure we are in a strong mental state to succeed at this test. Despite how busy are lives are, we should never forget all those who came before us, how much they accomplished while frequently making time to reflect.

Suddenly, 10 minutes doesn’t seem like very much, does it?

About the Author:

Saira Siddiqui is a freelance writer/online instructor who holds a Masters in Education. Prior to having children she taught for several years in the public and private sector. When she is not writing for others she enjoys writing for her own blog, Confessions of a Muslim Mommaholic. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
Check out her website at http://confessionsofamuslimmommaholic.com/
Contact Saira Siddiqui at admin@confessionsofamuslimmommaholic.com

The post Mindful Me Minutes: How 10 Minutes a Day Can Transform Your Life appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Are you a Muslimah with big dreams?

The Mothers of the Believers were strong women, who achieved perfect iman and utilized their skills to the best of their abilities. Contrary to the common misconception, women can make successful businesswomen, while maintaining their other roles as a wife, mother and sister in the community. Khadija bint Khuwaylid was such a woman – a wealthy and successful merchant who traded goods across Arabia, becoming the most loyal support system to the Prophet Muhammad . What was her secret? Well the secret lies in pursuing your passion while finding a perfect balance in your business and personal life.

In this series, I will discuss three “pillars” that I believe are essential for a Muslimah to become a productive entrepreneur in the 21st century. Each month, I will focus on a new “pillar” to ensure success for your business and ongoing personal development.

For women who are thinking of becoming an entrepreneur or are already running a business or project, this will serve as a timely reminder to help you achieve prosperity in your affairs, In sha Allah.

Pillar 1 – A Productive Mindset

This month, we will begin with “a productive mindset”. The first pillar to becoming a productive Muslimah entrepreneur is to have a positive mindset. After studying many successful leaders in the world, I have found one thing in common with them all – a positive, spiritual and productive mindset. It all begins in the mind!

A mindset refers to our predominant state of mind day to day. As women, we are naturally emotional beings and it is quite normal to become dominated by things happening around us. But if we make a conscious choice to let go of external distractions, we can stop them from misleading us from our true purpose, and guarantee our success.

As a Muslimah entrepreneur myself, I believe it is my mindset that has played a key role in all of the tough decisions I have made in my life. It has helped me repel negativity, improve my belief system and has motivated me when I felt lazy. Without having this initial mindset, your endeavour won’t be enjoyable and could lead to stress and disappointment.

Here are 8 strategies to ensure you have a mindset tailored for success!

Mindset Strategy #1: Have a vision

As a Muslimah first, our entrepreneurial visions should be aligned with seeking pleasure of Allah as an ultimate goal. Some examples of may be to start a social enterprise linked with a non-profit initiative in the name of Allah or on behalf of a loved one; to earn more money and be a supporting hand for the family; or to seek knowledge and help other sisters seek knowledge.

Mindset Strategy #2: Align your driving force in the right direction

Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we all have some kind of driving force in our lives – the energy that drives our intentions and actions. Knowing our driving force and aligning it with our life goals can lead us towards fulfilling and meaningful success.

Being the eldest of 5 sisters, I was ambitious since childhood. I had the burning desire to become a proud daughter of my parents and achieve excellence in academics and in my career. Serving my parents in the best means, to gain Allah’s pleasure, has always been a driving force in my life. To me, being the source of bliss to my parents is something that ignites me to strive for more in life.

Alhamdulilah, I fulfilled many of my parents dreams but there are still some ambitions I have not achieved yet. Now this has become my driving force in my life. Whenever I feel lazy or de-motivated, I remind myself of what drives me and this has pushed me to achieve my long-term visions.

Mindset Strategy #3: Be mindful of your intentions

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hafs ‘Umar bin al-Khattab , who said: I heard the Messenger of Allah , say:

“Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended” [Bukhari and Muslim].

Since our actions are the product of our intentions, we consistently try and purify our intentions, as this determines whether our actions will be rewarded or not. Our actions will be blessed if our intentions are solely for the purpose of pleasing Allah . In all of the examples above, the visions are centered around pleasing Allah . No endeavour should be for any other purpose.

Mindset Strategy #4: Aim high but don’t let the dunya become your goal

Aiming high is essential for success, although we need to balance this with being grounded and not letting material things become our goal. Additionally, aiming high can lead to stress and disappointment when things do not happen as we expect. We need to couple aiming high with putting our complete trust in Allah and accepting that He is the Best of Planners. We must do everything we can, then leave the rest to Him.

So keep the dunya in your hand, don’t let it rule over you as Allah says in Qur’an:

“Know that the life of this world is but amusement and diversion and adornment and boasting to one another and competition in increase of wealth and children – like the example of a rain whose [resulting] plant growth pleases the tillers; then it dries and you see it turned yellow; then it becomes [scattered] debris. And in the Hereafter is severe punishment and forgiveness from Allah and approval. And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion” [Qur’an: Chapter 57: Verse 20].

Mindset Strategy #5: Value growth more than money

Measuring ones success in terms of the amount of money per month or year is usually what we use to measure success. However, if you are making good sum of money it does not necessarily mean that your business is growing. A stagnant business feeling may cause procrastination and demotivation.

To make sure you are continually doing something to make your business move forward, set some growth goals for what you see your vision to have become in 3, 5 and even 10 years. Long term goals will ensure that you never settle with where your business is, and will consistently try to develop it, one small step at a time. As sisters, we may become sidetracked with the other roles in our lives, but having these long term goals will give you the motivation you need to push yourself, even if your business grows slowly. Slowly but surely!

Mindset Strategy #6: Increase positivity and block sources of negativity

Women are more emotional and is very easy to fall into circumstances where we allow negative emotions to prevail in our lives. Blocking negativity is the key to secure your precious time and emotional well-being.

Here are ways to continuously invite positivity in your business and all aspects of your life:

1) Practice dhikr and meditation

Making conscious remembrance of Allah and performing meditation can help you be more content and peaceful. It is not about just offering prayers but really connecting wholeheartedly with Allah throughout the whole the day, and even during menial tasks such as cooking and cleaning.

Allah mentions of His servants in Qur’an as “Those who remember their Lord standing, and sitting, and lying on their sides” [Qur’an: Chapter 3: Verse 191].

2) Talk less if possible

Talking less is recommended by the Prophet Muhammad and can save you from many undesirable situations and disputes, especially when running a business. If speech does not have value or benefit, then remain silent. Women can especially fall victim to gossip – refrain from this, least of all because of the weight of sin it carries.

Remember Ibn ‘Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah said, “Do not indulge in excessive talk except when remembering Allah . Excessive talking without the Remembrance of Allah hardens the heart; and those who are the farthest from Allah are those whose hearts are hard” [At-Tirmidhi].

Instead, listen more! Surround yourself with positive, inspirational and motivational people. I am an inspiration junkie; I love listening to entrepreneurs and speakers who help me maintain a positive mindset. Ted.com is a fantastic resource for short, inspirational and moving talks from everything to business, science and psychology.

3) Take criticism positively

I used to be very reactive when it comes to criticism. Realize that not everyone will like you, pamper you or support you. Everyone has a different psychology and a different perspective. Take criticism as a point of view as it might not need to be your reality.

Mindset Strategy #7: Dare to admit failure, and then move on

All the great leaders in the world have tasted many failures before achieving success. So if you’re stuck, or have failed, take the first step and openly admit that.

Mindset Strategy #8: Be ready to invest in your growth

We as women sometimes always give ourselves the lowest priority, because of all the other demands of our role as a Muslimah. We support our husbands, our parents, children and community but forget to support our dreams. One thing which I have learned is that you not only needs to invest your time and energy but it’s also essential to set apart a monthly budget for personal and business growth. There is no such thing as a low- or no-cost for success or business growth. These will only keep you stuck in a place for years. While you play small, others will take your idea, invest more money and grow fast. Why? Because your dreams were not given a priority.

Train your mindset to believe that you are your greatest asset. You are more precious than gold and emeralds. So invest in yourself, you will never regret it!

Stay tuned for the second part of this series which is about productive planning and marketing.

About the Author:

Shereen Pasha is multi-passionate entrepreneur and small business coach with more than 7 years of work experience in web development, digital marketing and online business development. Shereen helps businesses align their branding, marketing and mechanics to grow their businesses online. Shereen is passionate to build platforms for women entrepreneurs. She is the co-founder & CEO of Muslim Women Coach, a Socially Conscious Enterprise with the vision to shape entrepreneurial growth of Muslim women. Muslim Women Coach offers strategic business consulting, marketing plans, personal coaching and web presence services to Muslim women entrepreneurs.
Website: http://muslimwomencoach.com/ | http://shereenpasha.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MuslimWomenCoach | https://www.facebook.com/ebusinesscoach
Twitter: https://twitter.com/muslimahcoach
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/shereenpasha

The post [Muslimah Entrepreneurship Series] Pillar 1 – The Ultimate Guide to a Productive Mindset appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

So you have a bright and wonderful idea; you’re going to change the world, or perhaps start a bit smaller. But how do you see your idea through to success, as opposed to letting it dwindle away as an ephemeral vision in your mind, or giving up altogether half way through?

We have all been there. We have been inspired to, say, learn the Arabic language, start a fundraiser, write a book, start a business, complete a dissertation or even plan and execute a huge family dinner! And we’re all looking for the best way to go about it.

So if you’ve been meaning to get started on a new project, below are 10 fundamental elements that you can implement to see any of your projects through to positive results and success, In sha Allah:

1. Trust in Allah

Our Creator always takes the top spot. Once you have chosen to embark on a certain path, place your trust in Allah that he will see you through. Believe in yourself firmly with this principle of tawakkul (total reliance on God while doing your part, of course).

Allah says in the holy Qur’an:

“If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And upon Allah let the believers rely.” [Qu’ran: Chapter 3, Verse 160].

“And you do not will except that Allah Wills. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.” [Qu’ran: Chapter 76, Verse 30].

2. Purify Your Intentions

Guard your motivations behind an act. Remember that there is no harm or benefit except with Allah’s permission, so prevent yourself from falling into vain pursuits and ostentation.

Stop and really ponder over your intentions behind taking on a project, particularly a devotional act such as memorising Qur’an, seeking Islamic knowledge or raising funds for charity. Are you sure you are not doing it for praise from others, or for any other worldly gain?

If your intentions are pure, your reward is certainly with Allah . If you seek reward from others, that is the only reward you will get. Unfortunately, seeking reward from others leads to disappointment and low self-esteem. Furthermore, if you do not reach your goals, you will not fear the criticism of others if your pursuit was purely for the sake of Allah to begin with.

What may be considered a non-devotional pursuit, such as starting a business or hosting an event, may also earn you rewards just by having the right intentions. Perhaps you intend to seek Allah’s pleasure by benefiting the community, or earning to spend on your family and give in charity.

A hadith narrated by ‘Umar bin al Khattab attests to that fact. He narrates that the Messenger of Allah said:

“The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention. So whoever emigrated for Allah and His Messenger, his emigration will be for Allah and His Messenger; and whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration would be for what he emigrated for” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Real life application: When founding Sweet Apple Publishers, I had a very strong and clear vision of representing Muslim children and families in a positive light in children’s books. My primary intention was to teach good values to children of all backgrounds and to provide insight into Muslim families to the wider world in a very warm and fun way.

My other intention was related to my earnings. At the time, I was doing sufficiently well working as a secondary school science teacher and was not in need of money but rather wished to give a lot in charity, intending to do work for the community. I also loved the idea of doing this in secret.

However, I continue to struggle in terms of intentions, especially the charity aspect! I often come across causes that I feel very passionate about and wish to raise funds for. I also happen to have many great ideas on how to raise money for that cause, linked to my business. But any situation where I am donating part or all of the profits to a charity and announcing it publicly forces me to stop and check my intentions. On the one hand, I would be able to raise much more if I announced it and got public involvement, but on the other hand I would be gaining publicity doing so, which may blur my intentions. I never want to be in a position where I am questioning whether I am marketing the business or simply increasing the amount I can possibly donate? I really battle with this, and more often than not prefer to do as much as I can in secret with a clear conscience.

3. Do Your Research

Delving into something blindly is never a good idea. Know what you’re getting yourself into. So, research is pivotal to managing any project successfully.

This applies to projects large and small; such as market research for a business idea or researching pathways or institutes in terms of course structure, timing, fees, location etc., when aiming to gain knowledge in an area of interest.

With sufficient research you will save yourself valuable time and money; and you will gain a wealth of information, ideas and a realistic framework for your project, In sha Allah.

Real life application: Speaking from experience, I myself did not spend enough time in the research phase when I published my first book. My time was devoted to my family as a single mother and to my job as a teacher. Furthermore, I was so excited about getting my story into the hands of those little people, that I rushed it.

For the last year or so, I have stopped teaching and focused more on publishing. I have learnt so much and have had the opportunity to research exhaustively. I love the fact that I learn new things every day through what I do, and now am in a position to look back and recognise that I did not research enough at first.

4. Embark on Passionate Pursuits

Completing your project successfully will require dedication, commitment and drive, especially when things seem hopeless. Your chances of success are greatly enhanced if you are pursuing an authentic passion. Often the rigour with which we begin a project diminishes until we lose interest, but only if we were not passionate enough about that particular endeavour to begin with.

Moreover, the likelihood of doing something with ihsan (excellence) increases if we are passionate about it.

There is a hadith on the authority of Abu Ya’laa Shaddad bin Aws . He narrates that the Messenger of Allah said:

“Verily Allah has prescribed ihsan in all things…” [Sahih Muslim].

Often, a combination of passions brings about great results. You might combine your passion for IT and teaching Qur’an to create apps to benefit Muslim children, for instance. Or perhaps combine your passion for baking with that of charity work to offer to bake cakes to sell at fundraisers.

Real life application: Personally, I combined my passion for writing and children to do what I do today. As a little girl, I wrote all the time and was praised for my poetry, which I have kept to this day. The entrepreneurial journey is not an easy one, though it may seem very cool and romantic from the outside. There are extremely tough times, decisions and obstacles. If I did not feel so very passionately about the dearth of the types of books Sweet Apple published, I may have packed up shop already!

5. Set Achievable Goals

You may have heard this one before! Goal-setting is used widely: in schools and businesses, by top athletes and weight-loss programmes.

Goals are important because they keep you focused on your specific objectives. Goals can motivate you to achieve as you track your progress. They help you push yourself harder if need be or help you feel confident that you are progressing well.

So what is an achievable goal? For instance, do not be determined to climb Mount Snowdon to the summit for charity next week if you get puffed out just walking down the road. Instead, you could set yourself an achievable goal of, say, walking for 30 minutes every day for three weeks.

Alongside this goal, which you have a great chance of achieving, set a more aggressive goal: for example, climbing the mountain to the summit. You may have a lesser chance of completing it but it will increase your performance.

Goals can be set for any task you undertake.

Real life application: I now use goal-setting in all aspects of my life. From my Arabic studies and memorisation of Qur’an, to business-related issues. I have learnt how important this is and how it gears me towards my objectives.

In contrast, back when I published the first book, I did not use the above guidelines to set goals. Instead, I had a very ambitious and at-the-time unattainable notion of going mainstream and international straight away. Both, Alhamdulillah, have now been achieved.

6. Be Different and Stick to it

There is never only one way to do something. Give yourself a positive edge by taking on your task differently to the norm. Think outside the box!

Don’t shy away from personalising your project to suit your personality, your ambitions, goals or learning style. You don’t have to work with existing ideas or formats for doing things. Invent your own! It’s more fun, trust me.

Real life application: This is the way I like to do things. Alhamdulillah, I think it shows in the books we publish, which have been called ‘revolutionary’ by reviewers. This also applies to the way I think about everything related to publishing and marketing, including the way we sell our books. Even as a teacher, I tried different ways to communicate information, and it worked!

7. Constantly Seek Assistance from Allah

You might get to the point where you are ready to give up, thinking that it is too hard. Maybe somebody made a punitive remark or perhaps something didn’t turn out the way you had hoped. Stop and seek assistance from Allah .

The following hadith is so empowering it will lift any heart and put you back on track:

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said:

“Allah the Almighty said: I am as My servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself; and if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assemble better than it. And if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed” [Al Buhkari, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn-Majah].

A great dua to make during tough times is: “O Allah! There is nothing easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if it be Your Will.”

I shared the above because I make this dua frequently throughout the day, and it brings me peace and reassurance. It reminds me that nothing I do, none of my efforts, are of any good if Allah does not will for what I am trying to achieve to translate into reality.

8. Build Personal Relationships

Most projects will depend on or be influenced by the people involved, other than yourself. It is essential to build good relationships with these people, to benefit from each others’ expertise and experiences. Good personal relationships can make or break your project. You will find that if you are sincere, people will go to great lengths to help you achieve your goals.

In an era of ever increasing digitisation of culture and communication, a personal touch can go a long way. Take time out to network with people, and communicate with people face-to-face, or at least by picking up the phone and starting conversations, then just listen and learn…

Real life application: A year ago, I set out on an Arabic journey, and Ma sha Allah, I made strong bonds with people at the institute I studied at. These relationships not only helped me achieve and surpass my goals, but frequently enrich me in other ways, including the running of my business! I always take a genuine interest in people and this is perceived and in turn mirrored towards me, at a personal and professional level, Alhamdulillah.

9. Ask for Help

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Admit that you are not a superhuman with the knowledge, strength and skills to take on any task single-handedly.

Asking for help indicates your willingness to learn and shows that you value people around you. Asking for help whether you feel you need it or not will safeguard you against arrogance and inspire a sense of humility which is pleasing to Allah .

Iyad ibn Himar reported that, while the Prophet was delivering an address he said:

“Allah revealed to me that we should be humble amongst ourselves and none should show pride upon the others…” [Sahih Muslim].

Real life application: You will find that with the help of friends and family you are able to meet and surpass your goals. I am not afraid to admit that I do seek out friends in those hopelessly despondent moments. Sometimes help comes from a professional angle and at other times in the form of a reassuring hug. Needless to say, when it comes to areas out of my expertise I employ the right person for the job, or turn to people who, out of good will, wish to help me.

10. Take Breaks!

Go on, you deserve it!

Depending on the length of your project, you need to tear yourself away from it for some hours or days. Perhaps most suitably at the I-want-to-give-up stage!

Do not live and breathe the project 24 hours a day. Continue with your routine exercise, spend time with your family and take time out for your favourite activities. Often, great ideas come to us at a time when we are totally focused on something else. We may even get an opportunity to apply what was learnt as we take time off, which is a great form of consolidation.

Real life application: As I mentioned, directing a company as a single mother is not the easiest of tasks! I ensure I give myself enough time to breathe daily, even when my fingers are itching to continue working! I work out, read, or play boardgames with the kids. More importantly, I give myself something to look forward to every couple of months, such as day trips with my friends, or (less frequently) travelling.

You will find that not only will you be more productive when you refocus on your task after taking time to refresh, but you will also feel less stressed, more creative, have improved mental acuity and make better decisions.

So there you have it! These are the 10 key elements that have seen my many projects through to success Alhamdulillah! I hope they serve you just the same. I’d love to hear your personal tips and hacks for successful projects, so go ahead and share them through a comment below.

About the Author:

Zanib Mian is the Founding Director of Sweet Apple Publishers. She believes Muslim children of every ethnicity should see themselves in fun, fantastic and most importantly—well made books—that teach good morals and values. She is currently developing a programme to empower women to start their own small businesses from home. www.sweetapplebooks.com

The post 10 Key Elements of a Successful Project appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

The eyes have desires that have a great tendency to want to be fulfilled, as if there is a gravity-like force that pulls the sight to the things we should not be looking at. Like gravity, those who resist will feel the force acting on them, while those who just go with the flow will feel little or nothing at all. Like gravity, it takes a lot of strength to escape it.

One of the desires of the eyes is the sexual desire. Some follow this desire willingly, some struggle to keep the gaze down, and others are somewhere in between. If this desire is not kept in check, it can affect our productivity. Looking at what we should not distracts us, and when we are distracted, we stray away from our focus and lose much of our precious time on useless things.

“Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts…” [Qur’an: Chapter 24, Verses 30-31].

Not only does the Qur’an make a connection between the gaze and sexual desires, it does so explicitly by specifying the physical area of the body associated with sexual desires: the private parts. The explicit nature of the verse should catch our attention. It should also make us realize the seriousness of the issue, considering that the ultimate sin of the private parts is zina (fornication).

It is incredible to realize that something as serious as zina can start from something as simple as a gaze! The path to zina can be short or long. For some, Shaytan may slowly whisper for years and years before the individual falls into the trap of zina. Shaytan is relentless and he is patient. Whatever small opportunity he sees, he will take it, as long as it leads us closer to zina.

The danger is that we might be oblivious to all the more reason why we should cultivate the awareness of Allah in ourselves. Those who are most aware of Allah (those who have more taqwa) are those who are hardest for Shaytan to lead astray. And in this context, it makes perfect sense that more taqwa leads to the protection from Shaytan. This is the reason why Allah prohibits not only zina itself, but anything that leads to it, as He says:

“And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way” [Qur’an: Chapter 17, Verse 32].

We have all heard that “prevention is better than cure”, and preventing zina starts from lowering the gaze. So, how can we fulfill this command?

1. Find Good Friends

As much as we are autonomous and in control, we cannot deny the power of the environment we are in. We are all directly or indirectly influenced (in a good way or bad way) by the people we hang out with. They shape a large part of who we are. If you want to know who you are, look at the people whom you spend most of your time with. We must be wise in choosing our friends. If we choose friends who are guarding their gaze, In sha Allah we will follow their footsteps. Good friends help each other in the struggle to lower the gaze by reminding each other when one forgets and succumbs to the gaze. Even being in the presence of people who lower their gaze is a form of reminder in and of itself. Allah’s Messenger said:

“The example of a good companion in comparison with a bad one, is like that of the musk seller and the blacksmith’s furnace; from the first you would either buy mush or enjoy its good smell while the furnace would either burn your clothes or your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof.” [Bukhari]

Therefore, it is essential to surround yourself with friends who are unlike the obviously lustful and those who make quick comments on the appearance or attractiveness of the opposite gender. If you notice the people around you behaving as such, either remind them to lower their gaze, or surround yourself with those who do so and whose presence are constant reminders of Allah and His Messenger .

2. Carry a Book

This one is a personal tip from me. Sometimes I find myself in situations, for example when waiting for a bus, where my eyes tend to wander. To avoid that, I try to always carry a book with me. Whenever I am in such a situation, I take out my book and read. It is a good way to spend time and learn something. Reading off your phone or e-book reader is a good substitute as well.

3. Fight the Second Gaze

At times we find ourselves unintentionally looking at something we should not look at. For example, while we are walking in a mall, we might come upon an inappropriate sight. In such a situation, we should avert our gaze immediately and actively fight to avoid looking at it again (as tempting as it might be). We will not be held accountable for the first unintentional gaze, In sha Allah.

Ideally, we should strive to avoid the first gaze but that is not always under our control and is not always practical. But what we can do is try and avoid going to places where there will be sights we should not see, if we are able to. For example, if there is no need to go to the mall, it is best to avoid going there in the first place.

However, there are instances where that is impractical, like being in a workplace with non-Muslims, for example. Some of them might be wearing clothes that are not particularly modest. You cannot avoid the place you work in. So, what do you do? In such a situation, we should avoid their unnecessary company whenever possible (e.g. during lunch breaks).

A place where avoiding the second gaze is very challenging is the internet. Even when we surf through innocent parts of the web, we are never entirely free from inappropriate images, for example, in pop-up ads or banner ads. Alhamdulillah, there are ways to go around it like installing an adblocker on our browsers. However, cutting out unnecessary and time-wasting web pages is essential.

4. Get Married

One a related note, the Prophet recommended two sure-fire solutions for fighting the urge to look again: marriage for those who can afford it, and fasting for those who cannot.

He said: “O young men, whoever among you can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it should fast, for it will be a shield for him.” [An-Nasai]

Without a doubt, being married protects you from fulfilling your natural desires in unlawful ways as you have a spouse whose company and comfort you can enjoy day and night. As for those whose circumstances do not permit them to commit to marriage yet (such as financial reasons, bad temper, or those who are not mentally fully committed to all aspects of marriage), fasting gives them time to build themselves up, and particularly helps diminish their sexual urge and their inclination to look at what is unlawful.

On the other hand, if one is already married yet having trouble with their wandering gaze, they should make some time in their day to bond more with their spouse. Discuss what pleases you/them and what else you/they can do to be more attractive and pleasing, such as smelling good, wearing nice clothing, giving proper attention, listening, conversing etc. Also, if you wear glasses/contact lenses and are not incredibly vision-impaired, keep them off whenever you can and your spouse will appear more beautiful to you and other people less relevant.

5. Remember Allah

When our parents are around, would we feast our eyes on things we should not see (out of shame and respect for them)? Hopefully we would not. Of course, they are not with us all the time. However, Allah is. We should be more ashamed and more respectful towards Allah than we are towards our parents. Constantly remind yourself that Allah is All-Aware of every gaze, every glimpse, and every peek we take. Making it a habit to constantly remember Allah’s presence will help us be careful about our every move, including the movements of our eyes. Most importantly, the reward for constantly remembering Allah and trying our best to avoid shameful deeds is nothing but Paradise, as Allah says:

“But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge” [Qur’an: Chapter 79, Verses 40-41].

By creating a habit of constant dhikr throughout the day it can help you trigger the thoughts of your Creator, in front of whom you should have utmost humility.

6. Ask Allah for Help

Lowering the gaze is not easy. It is a constant struggle, especially if we are in a society where inappropriate sights are almost everywhere. No matter where we look, it is there. It goes without saying that we will slip up once in a while.

However, know that Allah ’s Mercy is bigger than our sins. Therefore, as long as we are still breathing, we should always be in a state of asking for Allah ’s forgiveness and help. Since lowering the gaze is not an easy thing to do, we need all the help that we can get. What better help to have than Allah ’s Help? Ask Him and ask abundantly!

In an effort to avoid committing the same sin repeatedly, we should pinpoint the source of the sin and cut it at the source. For example, if we find that we are more likely to indulge in corrupting our gaze when we are with certain friends, then it might be a good idea to distance ourselves from those friends.

We are not alone in our struggle and we are in need of help, so we should build a positive and healthy support system for ourselves. Surrounding ourselves with good company and frequenting spiritually rejuvenating gatherings and places like the masjid and iman-building courses and conferences boost our remembrance and awareness of Allah .

I ask Allah to give us the strength to lower our gaze, to protect us from inappropriate sights, and to purify our eyes so that they may be crystal clear when we set our ultimate gaze at the most beautiful sight of all, His Face . Ameen.

What other tips or words of advice can you offer to someone who is struggling with lowering their gaze? Please share your thoughts below!

About the Author:

Aiman Azlan is from Malaysia, a graduate from University of Toronto in Biology and Psychology. He makes videos on Youtube and writes on his blog (www.aimanazlan.com).

The post 6 Tips to Help Lower Your Gaze appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Ummu ‘Abdir-Rahmaan explores ways in which one can prepare for giving birth, reflecting upon her own experiences along the way.

When it comes to preparing for the birth of a new child, we are keen to organise the nursery and prepare meals to freeze before the big day. Yet it seems strange that preparation for the actual event, which is more monumental than any other in the life of a woman, is often forgotten.

Let’s face it, when the word childbirth is mentioned, most expectant mothers are filled with fear. As she draws closer to her due date, her anxiety starts mounting when she considers the “ordeal” she is about to face. Instead of trying to both mentally and physically prepare herself for labour, she attempts to place it in the back of her mind. Comments such as “don’t worry, there are many methods of pain relief” or “it’s something we all have to go through” only accentuate this deep-rooted fear.

No doubt, labour is a marathon; it wasn’t given its name for no reason. Yet with sufficient preparation, it does not have to leave negative imprints on the mind of a mother for years to come. So how exactly can an expectant mother prepare?

It is vital that firstly, mental preparation is done for birth. The mind is a very powerful tool. If a woman’s mind is not prepared, she is not ready for labour, no matter how many physical exercises she has been doing. It is of prime importance that an expectant mother first understands the physical mechanism of labour. If she doesn’t, she will be unable to explain the sensations that she is feeling, which makes them much harder to cope with. Understanding how Allah I has designed the body of the woman to give birth, through learning about the birthing mechanism is the first step to a positive birth experience. By gaining assurance of her own body’s ability, it is then possible for a woman to replace fear by confidence. Reading positive birth stories, rather than listening to the horrors friends or relatives went through, personally aided me to truly overcome the culture of fear surrounding childbirth. I would also highly recommend the book “Childbirth Without Fear” by Grantly Dick-Read and Michel Odent, which left me feeling empowered and excited about giving birth.

If a woman educates herself in not only the physical mechanism of birth but also in other aspects of birth, such as the risks and benefits of pain medication and the common interventions used in hospitals, she will gain confidence and strength. As a result, she will also be in a much better position to have the birth that she desires. Furthermore, if there are unforeseen complications, she and her husband will be able to make appropriate decisions based upon knowledge, not upon emotions, hospital policy or any other factors.

When to go to hospital

By learning about the stages of labour and their signs, such as the changing emotional state a woman is likely to go through, she will be in a much better position to know when to go to the hospital. Due to educating myself beforehand and knowing when I really needed to leave, I was able to arrive at the hospital fully dilated and ready to push, much to the midwife’s surprise! Most women are unsure of this matter, often being sent back home since they have not “progressed enough”, which causes disturbance and unnecessary stress.

Prepare your husband!

Throughout this mental preparation, it goes without saying that the support of the husband is of paramount importance. If possible (and without too much nagging!), a woman can educate her husband on what she herself has learnt, asking him to aid her in her preparation. If the husband fears what his wife is going to go through and does not prepare himself for being her lifeline of support during her labour, he will most likely hinder her, not help her, when the big day comes.

Shaping up for labour

It is quite possible that if an expectant mother prepares well mentally, she will be able to give birth without medication, assuming that there are no major complications such as a birth injury. Yet in order to have a successful natural birth, physical preparation is also vital. It goes without saying that eating healthily strengthens the body in preparation for labour. In terms of physical exercises, these should ideally be started as early on in the pregnancy as possible, in order to increase the stamina and suppleness of the woman in time for labour. There are a variety of specific exercises known to prepare the body for labour, such as kegel exercises and pelvic tilts. I personally found a pregnancy yoga video useful, as it helped me to learn and practise various exercises and deep breathing techniques during the latter stages of my pregnancy.

Techniques of coping with contractions really do have to be learnt and practised beforehand, if a woman is to truly reduce the level of discomfort she feels. From using a birthing pool to deep breathing techniques, there are a plethora of methods that can be used. When the time comes, you will know what methods are best for you; after all, birthing is a completely natural process.

From my own personal experience, breathing and deep relaxation are really the key to coping with the strong sensations. Why? Because the more relaxed a woman is during the contractions, the less she is working against her body and the quicker she will progress. If she tenses up, she is actually fighting the contractions (if you understand the fear-tension-pain cycle and what is happening inside the body, you will know why). Yet it is extremely difficult to just “relax” the other parts of the body when one’s muscles are contracting in such a powerful way to dilate the cervix. Try holding an ice cube tightly; you will notice that as soon as you start feeling the pain of the coldness, everything else in your body will tense up. Yet when you learn to relax each muscle set on cue, you are in a much better position to cope in the face of pain and let the sensation wash over you.

Learning to relax

In the weeks leading up to the birth of my daughter, I would spend time (around 10 to 15 minutes a day) lying down and learning to relax my body by first tensing each body part, then relaxing it. As I gained awareness of when my body was tense, I was able to then relax much easier, whether I was lying down or active. On top of this, I used an ice cube to practise dealing with the sensation of discomfort whilst learning to relax through it.

To the amusement of others, my own preparation went as far as “practice” contractions. I would try and simulate the “wave” of the contraction by using the ice cube or some other method (such as squatting against the wall and holding it for as long as possible), where the level of discomfort increased with time. I then asked my (very patient!) husband to “coach” me through the discomfort by asking me to relax each body part using physical touch to induce relaxation and giving me positive affirmations to instil confidence in me (such as how I was designed to give birth). I also listened to Qur’an and nature sounds to aid me in relaxation.

This preparation undoubtedly helped, since when I was in the final stages of dilation (some of which was in the car!), I was so enraptured in trying to control my breathing and relax my body
that, although at times I thought I couldn’t cope any longer, it never really crossed my mind to ask for pain medication. Staying at home as long as possible also put this option more or less out of my mind; I knew I couldn’t get an epidural as long as I was at home!

Of course, each labour is different and unexpected complications do occur. Yet with effective preparation, regardless of what happens, birth can be an empowering event that truly exemplifies the magnificence of Allah’s creation.

Have these tips worked for you? Comment below and let us know your tips for preparing for this great journey!

About the Author:

This article originally appeared in SISTERS Magazine, the international magazine for fabulous Muslim women co-founded and edited by Na’ima B. Robert, author of From My Sisters’ Lips. Productive Muslimah readers are entitled to full free copy of the magazine today. Click here to get your free copy of SISTERS Magazine.
Ummu ‘Abdir-Rahmaan is a freelance writer based in the UK. She hopes to give inspiration and encouragement to her sisters in Islam through writing about her personal experiences.

The post [SISTERS] Top Tips for New Mums-to-Be appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

A few weeks ago, ProductiveMuslimah caught up with Sister Maryam Amirebrahimi, a regular author on suhaibwebb.com, a Tae Kwon Do second degree black belt, student of knowledge and hafidha of the Qur’an! In the first part, Sr Maryam told us about how she came to study Arabic, and how she manages her time between so many different activities. This week, she gives us invaluable advice for memorising Qur’an, and how sisters can take an active role within the community.

1) Alhamdulillah you have completed memorisation of the Qur’an, whilst undertaking other academic endeavours. What tools, tips and advice can you give our sisters who may struggle to embark on this monumental journey?

Taking the first step

Recognize that you can definitely do it, In sha Allah, regardless of your life situation! Whether you’re a single, full time student who also works, or a mom who has to take care of your family (and studies or work if you’re also studying or working), or a divorced grandma who is wondering how to spend the next few mature years; the Qur’an is ready for you in every single situation!

Sometimes we are daunted by the opportunity to connect with the Qur’an; we don’t think we can ever approach it because we “aren’t there” in our deen; we aren’t ‘good’ enough, ‘religious’ enough, ‘committed’ enough, and therefore, we don’t think we’re worthy of attempting to memorize the Qur’an.

Others of us sincerely want to begin, but don’t know where to start. We expect to finish in 6 months or a year, and when it takes longer than that, we begin questioning why it’s taking us so long and whether or not we can actually fulfill this commitment.

Some of us are afraid of the responsibility. Does memorizing the Qur’an now mean I can’t watch movies? Does it mean I have to be super Muslim? What if I forget? Won’t Allah punish me? Isn’t it better that I know nothing and therefore have no reason to be held accountable, than memorize and die having forgotten what I’ve learned?

The reality is that these situations and others reflect a general desire to honor the Qur’an; to only approach it if we’re in the best of states and to only attempt to memorize it if we plan to be completely committed. But the best way of honoring the Qur’an is to interact with it; to hold it, to hug it, to long for it, to take walks with it on the beach, to call it your best friend, to read it when you’re crying, to rush to it with great news, to open it and try to connect with it when you’re the midst of the greatest shortcomings or sins you feel you’ve ever committed, to make a plan of action for both memorizing and reviewing it and transforming through being with it.

Being ‘ready’ for the Qur’an

Don’t think you aren’t ready for the Qur’an or that you can’t fulfill the responsibility to it. You, in whatever state you are in and in whatever life situation you’re experiencing, CAN become a memorizer of the Qur’an, with God’s will! And as you connect – either through understanding, reading, contemplating or memorising, you will begin to notice, In sha Allah, that you are slowly leaving some of the things you shouldn’t be involved with, and slowly becoming more committed to everything that will help you live the best life in both worlds! That connection to Allah comes in the sweetest way when you connect to the Qur’an. One of the most incredible experiences is just sitting for hours and memorising the Qur’an in-between schoolwork or work or family responsibilities.

If you are a student of knowledge or an activist and you aren’t actively connecting with the Qur’an, you should check your priorities. If you aren’t yet committed to the cornerstone of knowledge and activism, then to what are you committed? What is helping ground you?

The Qur’an is ready for you – wherever you are and whoever you are and whatever stage of life you’re in! It may take 7 years, like it took me, or it may take 50 years. But what better than saying, “I spent my entire life memorizing the Qur’an. And now, at the age of 95, I am about to complete my memorization.” Subhan Allah. What an honor.

I have authored The Qur’an Series which covers specific tips and tricks for those interested in memorizing, reviewing and understanding, as well as teaching it to kids or simply finding Qur’anic motivation. Follow the steps in the articles and I hope that In sha Allah I’ll soon be reading about your personal Qur’anic transformation story!

2) That is great advice for any sister who wills to memorise Qur’an – it really shows us that it is possible for everyone! So, what practical tips can you give to sisters to encourage them to take an active role within their society?

Figure out what you’re passionate about or what skills you have that you know you can contribute. Whether it’s public speaking or cooking, sports or writing, raising children or medicine, beauty and fashion or therapy, education or physics, politics, law and film making, or a combination of all of those and much more, our community needs women who have skills they are willing to channel towards community activism.

Now I completely understand that there are some communities that do not provide space for women to take any type of role and others that only provide her the space to fill one specific role (ie: cooking community meals) and do not welcome her presence beyond that.

Regardless of the type of community you reside in, figure out how you could create your own narrative and carve space for the narratives of other women and even men who are frustrated with the status quo in the community and are looking for something which truly mirrors the inclusive Prophetic society.

Let’s look at a mundane, typical and sometimes overused but unfortunately real example: Let’s say your community has a women’s prayer area, but you hate praying in it because you cannot hear the Imam, because it smells, because other women who attend do not always listen to the recitation and instead talk through the prayer or khutbah. You do not feel you are gaining knowledge nor spiritual upliftment. You aren’t meeting people who have similar interests to you because they left the masjid a long time ago, refusing to feel like second class citizens in what is supposed to be the most spiritually enlightening house of worship. You are frustrated. You have spoken to the masjid board (comprised only of men or perhaps includes one woman) and they have done nothing about it. You have nicely, calmly, and then finally angrily, tried to change the women who make it difficult for others to worship in serenity and nothing has changed.

So what do you do? My tips for becoming active in the community:

1. Organize women who support the cause and try to create order and change in the women’s section. Lobby and petition the board. Have women volunteer as monitors, other women who give reminders of the behavior of the masjid. Create a babysitting system so some women pray while others focus on kids and then take turns the following prayers. The goal should be to unify the women towards the general, hopefully attainable goal of creating an electrifyingly organized and peaceful space.

[Although, I will be honest- I have seen years and years of efforts in one particular masjid, and until now, nothing has changed. So this is not always going to work in every masjid and sometimes drastic times call for more drastic measures.]

2. Create something new. Find a new space (your home, that of a friend’s, a coffee shop, a library, a park) and invite local women and men of knowledge to give classes. Get a group of committed individuals together who will teach different skills (a teacher who explains how best to provide affecting learning for different types of learners, a therapist who discusses therapy in the light of the Qur’an, a doctor who provides health tips and suggestions, a journalist who explains how best to write articles or conduct interviews, a mom who talks about how to deal with children through sibling rivalry, a grandma who discusses how to move through life’s stages dealing with change or loss……etc.) and create a support group where you learn and others learn from your new exchanges. .Create a babysitting system with the involvement of the fathers of the children, or other sisters, so women can pray while others focus on training kids and then take turns the following prayers. The goal should be to unify the women towards the general, hopefully attainable goal of creating an electrifyingly organised and peaceful space.

Then, for you, through this new endeavor, the masjid should become a space of prayer and worship without the expectation that it’ll also be where you’ll find your sole venue for spiritual solace or only source for Islamic literacy or valuable life information. Channel your anger and frustration into action that will not only benefit you, but will also become a niche for all the women like you who are so eager for a space of growth and security, but who have realized the masjid will not provide that very space. Change begins with YOU!

3) We wholly agree that Muslimahs can actively begin to change their environment! So, to end, what are your favourite books that you would recommend for a Productive Muslimah?

1. The first would be “Roots” by Alex Haley. Just read it.
2. The first would be “Tahrirul Mar’ah fi ‘Asr alRisalah”, which means “The Liberation of Women During the Time of the Message“. It is published in Arabic only, so if you can read Arabic, try to get your hands on this. (Abd alHalim Muhammad Abu Shuqah)
3. “Al Muhadithaat“, which is a book written in English and is an introduction to the female scholars of Hadith (Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi)
4. Reading Seerah is always enjoyable and productive. One of my favourites is “Muhammad , Man and Messenger” (Adil Salahi)
5. This book, “The Power of Habit“, is great for those seeking to increase their productivity by breaking bad habits. (Charles Duhigg)

It was an honor being interviewed by your esteemed site. Always remember, your legacy begins with the small actions you do persistently, all regular good actions and strategies are simply habits that just need to be built, and In sha Allah your sincere efforts for the sake of God will be remembered long after you are gone. So work on finding yourself and figuring out how best to contribute to the community; we need your unique perspective and voice now, and it’ll still be needed even when you yourself are no longer present physically, but your good intentions and honest, persistent work are still impacting generations to come, In sha Allah.

Jazakillah khayr Sister Maryam for the wonderful advice and practical tips. There you have it sisters! Let us know your thoughts and comment below, and don’t forget to look out for our next instalment of ‘Secrets of a Productive Muslimah’!

Read Part 1 of this interview.

About the Author:

Maryam Amirebrahimi received her master’s in Social Justice Education from UCLA, where her research focused on the effects of mentorship rooted in Critical Race Theory for urban high school students of color. She holds a bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University, where she served as the President of the Muslim Student Association for two consecutive years. Currently, she is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies through Al Azhar University’s distance learning program. Maryam spent a year studying the Arabic language and Qur’an in Cairo, Egypt, and has memorized the Qur’an. She has been presented the Student of the Year award by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Maryam frequently travels to speak and work with different communities to address a variety of spiritual topics and social issues. She writes about topics related to social realities, women’s studies and spiritual connections on the popular online blog, www.suhaibwebb.com. Maryam is a dynamic and outspoken proponent for social justice and women’s rights.

The post [Interview] Secrets of a Productive Muslimah – Maryam Amirebrahimi (Part 2) appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Most people who have been to Hajj can attest to the fact that it is one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime! And provided that they have the means to perform Hajj again, they would undoubtedly do so.

If you are fortunate to be honored with the opportunity of performing Hajj, it is important to make the most out of this blessed experience. Here are some tips on how you can take your Hajj experience to the next level, In sha Allah.

1. ‘Taqwa’ is the most important thing to bring on your trip

If there is one thing you can bank on during your trip, it is that you will be tested, over and over. It doesn’t matter if you have a 5-star package and access to amenities that most others don’t, you cannot escape the tests that Allah will place before you.

You may experience long delays in getting from point A to point B. You may get ill. You may get stuck with a fellow Muslim in your group that annoys you. You may lose your luggage or your passport. You may get lost from your group. Something may happen that throws your whole Hajj in jeopardy. The bottom line is: you will face challenges along the way. This has always been the case, right from when Hajj was first instituted until now.

Our Master and Creator has provided us with some advice in the Qur’an on how we can respond to the tests that He will send.

“… And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O people of understanding” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 197].

Allah teaches us how we can prepare for those tests. It is taqwa that you should carry with you every step of the way because it will give you the strength to bear the tests that Allah will place upon you to test your faith and strengthen your imaan and maybe even, raise your status with Him .

Taqwa here means to have an elevated consciousness of Allah , to be constantly aware that He is watching over you at every moment. With this awareness comes a desire to please Allah even in moments of distress. When your buttons are pushed, you control your emotions and act rationally with patience.

2. Internalize your dua

Many people who plan on going for Hajj spend a lot of time focusing on what belongings they should take with them on the trip. They try to prepare themselves for the situations they expect to face.

What gets neglected often, however, is preparing for the moments in which you have the opportunity to make lots of dua and adhkar. There will be no shortage of these situations, because they will present themselves throughout the trip. For example, tawaf and sa’ee are times of making lots of dua and lots of dhikr of Allah . There will be idle moments you have in between the fardh (obligatory) prayers. Even while traveling between locations, sitting on a bus or waiting at the airport, there are idle times that can be utilized.

As part of your Hajj preparations, factor in these precious moments that you will have. Try to memorize as much of the dua you want to recite as possible and thoroughly understand its meaning. So, when you are in front of the Ka’bah doing tawaf, or performing sa’ee or even in your nawafil prayer, the dua will come from the heart. The words you recite will reflect the emotions in your heart. When you are calling upon your Master, your heart calls out too. You won’t get this level of spiritual connection by reading from a book of adhkar that you don’t know the meaning of. However, it’s certainly recommended to repeat the supplications which the Prophet taught us.

Practice and rehearse your dua in the weeks leading up to your trip. So when it’s time to perform on the big stage, you are able to maximize the opportunity In sha Allah.

3. Make a master dua list for the day of Arafat

Arafat is Hajj. This is the pinnacle of your pilgrimage. This is why you spent thousands of dollars on this trip and exhausted your vacation days for the year. This is the day in which you come to Allah humbled in the simplest of dress, standing in a barren desert, disheveled, with your hands outstretched, pleading with all your emotions hanging out.

Between Dhuhr/Asr (because you will combine these prayers) and Maghrib, is time for you and Allah . Find your own comfortable spot, away from any distractions that might disrupt your dua. This is where you want to make dua for all the things you desire for yourself and your loved ones, both in this dunya and in the akhirah. This is the time where you want to make istighfar, like you’ve never done so before. And this is the time where you want to feel connected to Allah .

To make the most out of Arafat, start planning for it while you are making your other preparations for Hajj. Sit down and brainstorm an exhaustive master list of all the dua you want to make. If there are Prophetic duas or Qur’anic duas related to what you’re asking for, include those on the list. Categorize and group your master list so that it flows following the etiquette of dua. Review and revise this list until you’re satisfied.

If you can memorize all of these duas, all the better. If not, having a list to prompt and guide you will certainly be helpful in this situation.

4. Relive the stories of Prophet Ibrahim

Performing Hajj and Umrah is a commemoration and remembrance of the great sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim and his family. These sacrifices were so important, that Allah chose to preserve them until the Day of Judgment through the Qur’an and through these rites of worship. When performing your Hajj and Umrah obligations, try to develop a deep connection to Prophet Ibrahim’s story. It will give greater purpose to the ritual actions.

For example, when you are doing sa’ee, reflect upon when Prophet Ibrahim left his wife Hajar and son Isma’il alone in a barren, uninhabited desert without sufficient food. Isma’il began crying out of hunger, forcing Hajar to seek out water in the desert. She ran frantically back and forth between Mount Safa and Marwa desperately in search of water. And then suddenly by the will of Allah , the water of the Zam Zam well sprouted out from the ground, and an abundance of water became available. Eventually, the city of Makkah was gradually established around this water source.

As you are performing sa’ee, try to recreate the desperation that Hajar had when she was moving between Safa and Marwa. Call out to Allah with the sincerity, humility and desperation that Hajar showed.

When you are performing tawaf, remember the great efforts Ibrahim and his son Isma’il went through in raising the foundations and building the Ka’bah. When they had completed building this house of worship for Allah , Prophet Ibrahim didn’t have any complacency. He turned and called out in dua:

“Oh my Lord, accept this effort from us. Most certainly, You Hear everything and You Know everything” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 127].

Just like Prophet Ibrahim did, we should ask Allah to accept the efforts we are putting in for our Hajj and Umrah.

During the days of Mina, ponder over the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s dream where Allah instructed him of the mighty task of slaughtering his son Isma’il as a sacrifice. Without any hesitation, he proceeded to honor the command of Allah . On his way, shaytan tried his utmost best to influence him to not carry out the command.

When you proceed to perform the stoning rituals during Hajj, reflect upon Prophet Ibrahim’s situation as he was about to slaughter his son, and how he fought off the influence of shaytan.

Reflecting upon these incidents and what it might have been like for Prophet Ibrahim and his family during those times, will bring an added sweetness to performing these rituals.

5. Days of Tashreeq are days for remembrance

The days following Eid-ul Adha are known as the Days of Tashreeq (the 11th, 12th and 13th days of Dhul Hijjah).

Allah says “And remember Allah during the [specific] numbered days” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 203].

According to many interpretations of this ayah, the days referenced here are the Days of Tashreeq. These are days designated for celebration and worship, days in which we can enjoy eating, drinking, and relaxing. However, don’t lose sight of the instruction in the ayah: to remember Allah .

When coming out of the state of ihram for Hajj, it is a joyous occasion. The preceding days were strenuous and tiring, so it’s a relief to come out of the state of ihram and be in your comfortable clothes again. It’s key to balance the time during your remaining days in Mina with the remembrance of Allah . The people around you may get caught up in a lot of relaxation and merriment. Remain patient and have taqwa of Allah during these days, and try to dedicate long periods of the day for remembering Allah .

May Allah bless your Hajj journey and may you have an accepted Hajj (Hajj Mabroor). Ameen!

Now please share with us your tips, reflections and/or your thoughts on the best way to prepare for the blessed hajj journey.

About the Author:

Nabeel is an active member of the Muslim community in Toronto. www.twitter.com/ilmaddict

The post How To Make the Most Out of Hajj appeared first on ProductiveMuslim.com.

Wake up, Fajr salah. Get the kids up, breakfast, uniforms, school bags. Check. Rush to school. Back home, do the dishes, vacuum the living room, prepare lunch and dinner, Dhuhr salah. Check. 3:30pm, pick up the kids, fix a snack, finish making dinner, ‘Asr salah. Help with homework, teach Qur’an, Maghrib salah. Dinner. Get the kids to bed. Isha salah.

Your eyes drift as soon as your head hits the pillow. You promised yourself that you would recite some words in remembrance of Allah , but your slumber overtakes you.

This can be the day to day routine for mothers, with hardly a minute to stop for some ‘me’ time. Many sisters and mothers suffer from stress, increased by the guilt that we don’t manage to do as many extra acts of worship as we would like to do.

Allah explains to us that:

“And whoever turns away from My remembrance, indeed, he will have a depressed life” [Qur’an: Chapter 20, Verse 124] and Allah says, “Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest” [Quran: Chapter 13, Verse 28].

It is clear that remembering Allah and doing adhkaar, can have a profound effect on the busyness of our lives, giving a sense of peace and serenity in midst of a hectic and tiring schedule. The irony of the situation is that in today’s busy life, being a ‘mum on the run’, trying to juggle between different roles, while multi-tasking, we are unable to find an empty slot to dedicate to the remembrance of the Giver of this time.

In this article, we will remind ourselves of the objective of dhikr, types of dhikr and how busy mums can incorporate more dhikr into their daily lives.

Purpose of Dhikr: Soul’s Nutrition

Allah has created us in a combination of body and soul; that is, we are a blend of the physiological and psychological needs. That’s why Allah has provided rizq (provision) for both.

We tend to focus on nurturing the body by catering to its needs while neglecting the requirements of the soul. We allow it to crave and weaken to the extent that our healthy body, aided and nourished by the desires of the nafs (lowly self, prone to sin) tramples the soul and takes over.

The purpose of dhikr is to purify hearts and souls and awaken the human conscience. When the heart is at rest or is composed, we tend to function well. We feel proactive and productive. We also feel satisfied with our internal state of being.

Types of Dhikr and Virtues of Remembrance of Allah :

There are two types of dhikr:

1. Qalbi dhikr (Remembrance with the heart)
2. Lisani dhikr (Verbal Remembrance)

Out of the many virtues of dhikr mentioned by Ibn al Qayyim in his book Al-Waabilus As Sayyib, here are a few:

• Dhikr keeps away Shaitan and weakens his strength, which makes it easier for one to inculcate positive habits.
• Dhikr relieves the mind from anxieties and worries; as a result one is able to channel him/her towards more beneficial and productive tasks.
• Dhikr produces joy and happiness in the heart resulting in a more energetic and proactive attitude towards life. The desire to aspire for substantial objectives in the given time helps one focus on bigger and lasting goals.
• Dhikr strengthens the body and mind. This serves as an integral part of productivity without a sound and strong body and mind one cannot hope to be productive.

The main reason for a believer to be productive in life is to be able to acquire most khair (goodness) out of this temporary life in order to attain the perpetual bliss. Therefore, dhikr serves as a strong pillar in this respect. It induces love for Allah ; which, in fact, is the spirit of Islam, the pivotal point of deen (religion), and the source of success and salvation in the Hereafter. For mothers, it is important that dhikr is a routine part of the day, as this will enable the children to love and cherish the smalls words of remembrance.

6 Steps to Make Dhikr Part of Your Life – The Ultimate Dhikr List

Here are a few ways of incorporating dhikr in to our busy routine:

1. Make Du’a and Remember Allah’s Favours

Make lots of du’a, especially after every fardh salah to be blessed with barakah in your time. Beseech Allah to help you remember Him at all times, especially in pleasant times. If we prioritize Him during the times of ease He will certainly prioritize us in our times of distress inshaAllah. This can be mental du’a while you are on the run, or reciting du’as from the Qur’an and Sunnah.

Additionally, designate at least fifteen minutes out of 24 hours every day, to contemplate and to consciously remind yourself of His favors upon you. Try to be deeply thankful and grateful in your heart. The best time for this would be around any salah, as one is already tuned into the spiritual mode. Recognize your dependence upon Him and your need to turn to Him every moment of your life, which ultimately leaves a loyal servant with no choice but to evoke His master. This way you would have practiced qalbi dhikr (remembrance with the heart).

2. Salah and Reciting Qur’an

One of best forms of lisani dhikr (verbal remembrance) is salah. Try to be punctual and strict about establishing salah at its prescribed time and with khushoo (humility). You can do this by planning your routine chores around the five salah by dividing your day into chunks of hours assigned for completing various tasks. For example, you can plan to finish cooking and cleaning 15 minutes before Dhuhr Salah so that you are mentally and physically prepared for your prayer before the adhan is called. Salah is one of the most effective ways to get rid of anxiety and depression as by doing so you are conditioning yourself to rely only on the Creator.

Regular Qur’an recitation with understanding and contemplation is yet another virtuous form of lisani dhikr. Allocate a specific time, e.g. before or after Fajr Salah and/or after ‘Asr Salah and/or after ‘Isha Salah are the times that are recommended by most scholars. Begin with reciting an ayah from a Qur’an app from your phone or a small mushaf, after every prayer so that reading Qur’an, however small the amount, becomes a routine part of your day. It is absolutely acceptable to start with keeping your sessions short; once you inculcate a habit of regular Qur’an recitations, increase your sessions to a relatively longer duration.

3. Perform Dhikr While Doing Routine Work

Allow yourself time slots when you are performing chores that do not require your mental presence (e.g. washing dishes, cooking) to perform conscious lisani dhikr that implies absorbing the gravity that these words (adhkaar) hold.

You may choose a specific dhikr to be said while doing a particular chore every day. For instance, you can write “subhanAllahi wa bihamdihi” on a post-it note and paste it on your kitchen cabinet as a reminder to recite it while cooking. Try to avoid monotony and use the different times of day for various adhkaar (plural for dhikr) as prescribed in the Qur’an and Sunnah.

4. Listen to Dhikr Regularly with Your Children and Make Use of Technology

As for qalbi dhikr, you might want to listen to Islamic lectures or tune in to the Qur’an recitations while spending time with your children or while driving or cleaning. There are thousands of beneficial lectures on YouTube that can be downloaded onto CDs, allowing the children to get involved by choosing the lecture for that day.

Make it interesting by listing all the lectures and recitations you have downloaded on a post-it note so you can easily navigate between the different resources depending on your spiritual need at that time, and you can see the progress you have made in listening to them.

Make use of technology by downloading various apps with morning and evening adhkaar and other colorful adhkaar apps for children, on your phone, iPad etc. This way you will be able to recite them with your children on the move or just before going to sleep.

5. Remember Allah in your discussions – have “Coffee Mornings”

Arrange productive coffee mornings with other mothers on a school day when the kids aren’t around and organise halaqaat dhikr. These coffee mornings can be scheduled once every month to serve as short and sweet reminders.Try as much as you can to initiate or participate in a positive discussion about Allah and everything related to Him, which will in sha Allah transform your ordinary chatting into a rewarding, fruitful and productive interaction. The mothers can also exchange tips on managing hectic schedules and can give you some productive time with your friends. As, He says that those who remember Him secretly, He remembers them privately and those who mention Him in a gathering, He makes a mention of them to a much more respectable gathering, which is of the angels [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

6. Collective Dhikr with the Family

Decide a day of the week when you can indulge your family in an interesting way of collective dhikr. You might want to introduce brief explanation of small surah from the Qur’an or stories of the Prophets and Sahaba to your children. One of these ways could be by doing arts and crafts. You can make small greeting cards for Eid, or make small books out of paper with short adhkaar such as “Alhamdulillah, SubhanAllah, Allahu Akbar” written on them. This will help your children associate dhikr with something fun and verbal recitation will help them memorize the adhkaar.

Being a ‘mum on the run’, you cannot hope to be progressive, proactive and dynamic unless you nurture positivity within yourself by nourishing your soul and responding to its needs. This can only be achieved when you consciously make an effort to take a step further towards self purification which in turn will help you become a better Muslimah and a productive Mommy in sha Allah!

Moreover, what we need to understand is that the excuse of not finding time to amplify and gratify Him will neither help our situation in this life nor will it intercede for us in our afterlife. Therefore, let’s prioritize the remembrance of our Creator in our lives, to have a blessed existence in this life and to acquire perpetual bliss in the akhirah, ameen!

About the Author:

Maria Karim is the founder and Managing Editor of Muslimaat Magazine, a digital magazine for Muslim women across the globe. She is an artist by degree, a freelance writer, a poetess and a teacher by profession. Maria has been teaching Art and Design to teenagers for almost eight years before embarking upon her journey on the path of Allah. She has been studying deen for almost six years now and aspires to remain a student of knowledge for as long as she lives. She has been involved in various dawah activities for quite some time now. Besides her personal blog called My Journal, she regularly writes for the section Almost Adults on Gems of Islam. Her articles have been published in Aailaa Magazine, Muslim Matters, Suhaib Webb and Hiba Magazine. She aspires to keep on writing for as long as she lives, inshaAllah.

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