For a long time, it was believed that personalities cannot change, especially after a certain age. There is certainly an element of truth in this. In early Islam, we see that even though the lives of the first generation changed completely after the concept of relying only on Allah (God) became grafted into their being, their essential characteristics stayed the same, which they used to bring about good after their transformation. Although a lot of youth converted early on, perhaps the first convert was an old man, Waraqa Ibn Naufal, the Christian uncle of the Prophet’s (SWAS) wife who was a scholar.
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In fact, the transformations that took place in the personalities of the Companions (RA) of the Prophet (SWAS), have no precedence in history, for perhaps there can be since that time. That transformation of a whole generation was a turning point for human civilization (without any exaggeration). So what was so special about that period that transformed whole societies into the best version of themselves? What made them passionate about personal reform, that they became ready to work on themselves with full dedication, no matter what the consequences?

The simple answer to these questions is the effect of the statement which they pronounced to enter Islam, i.e. the kalimah, that they will not worship anything/anyone except Allah (God) and take Muhammad (SWAS) as their role model. The key to personality transformation is not to rely on people. Yes, we respect people, and actively listen to everyone, but we rely on only Allah (God) to choose what we implement in our lives or not. When a person becomes completely dependent on Allah (God) and independent of people, they will do everything to change their flaws, since their final status in this world is irrelevant to them anymore. Of course, those around them seldom tell them that. Rather, many may offer help in areas, even when the person might manage perfectly fine.

So one of the key characteristics of transforming personality is learning to be assertive about what we want based on the program of development we set for ourselves and when we communicate with others we can set boundaries in terms of what they do and they are bound to respect them. Even if the most knowledgeable person in the world advises us, we need to listen very carefully and think about it well, but ultimately, we decide what is right for our personal development after taking divine counsel. After Allah (God), we know ourselves and our situation the best, and though people do give good advice and we should pick up our faults from them but we should realize that everyone but Allah has their self-interest at the back of their mind.

So deeply knowing and relating to the names and attributes of Allah (God), makes us reliant on Him completely, rather than being impressed by a lesser version of those attributes in Allah’s creation. Only when we are able to do this can we learn to fly with our personal development. Without this, one “advisor” might advise us something and another might advise us the opposite, so without having Allah (God) as a bedrock to rely on and the touchstone to decide on, we can never develop. We should never let anyone “control” us as they might judge us based on what we wrote 10 years ago.

Although there are more than 100 names and attributes of Allah (God) mentioned in the Quran, some of which the scholars disagree about, we need to think deeply about how they relate to our situation and try to internalize them, so that our dependence on Allah (God) becomes complete in each of the aspects of His Being. When we let many people interfere in our privacy and we become stressed out because we chose to give people our peace of mind, we should realize that Allah (God) is AsSalaam (the Source of Peace). We should not try to seek peace with people instead no matter what they seem to promise us. When we start expecting things from people instead of Al Kareem (the Most Generous), then we risk not being enriched by Him. When we start obeying people blindly instead of Al Malik, then they end up controlling us. When we rely on people to raise our faith that Al Mu’min (the Protector of Faith), then we risk losing it altogether. When we expect praise and honor from our parents and society instead of Al Mu’izz (the Giver of Honor), then we are disgraced…

In the privacy of one’s home, sometimes we want to revise something in depth that is taught in grade 3. Perhaps, in our moment of weakness, we need to. I think we should be able to do that, without global repercussions by those diagnosing us based on the information they project from 10+ years ago.

It is not difficult to relate to all the names and attributes, especially if someone is undergoing transformation. All that is needed is to spend some time to see which of these we need most in terms of priority to brush up on. If we leave our reform in the hands of others, we can never develop. Yes, we learn much from our teachers, spouses, courses, etc. but unless we proactively set boundaries and control our personal development, we will only slide.
When our relationship with Allah (God) is strong, we are not dependent on his creation, so the best way to develop is not to depend on anybody. If we depend on people they would make us what they want us to be, not what we want to be.
 
RESPECTING HEALTHY BOUNDARY
I would like to use this opportunity to assert to everyone who is encroaching on my privacy, to stop doing so, as this is not an ethical boundary for interacting with anyone. Although I appreciate feedback and implement much, there is a possibility that my neutral action/inaction might be judged negatively just because people who chose to observe me illegally in my residence can never understand the full context, just like Khidr and Musa’s (Moses) (AS) story in Surah Al Kahf of the Quran. If we care too much about people’s perceptions of us, we cannot achieve anything as they diminish our strengths and exaggerate our weaknesses.  It has a negative effect on my actions in terms of sincerity and I am not able to do what I want to.
So do remove the spyware from all my devices.
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Thank you.

And now the blog post....

Why Can’t We Muslims Think?

We are often criticized for not contributing intellectually to the modern world. Rather we are avid consumers of ideas (and even stealers of them, in some cases), products and services provided by others. We fail to contribute despite the sheer weight of our numbers. What are the factors that make it difficult for us to innovate holistically for the greater good of humanity while staying true to our own paradigm of reality?

To consider this issue, we need to understand the legacy of a series of Muslim capitulations since the failure of the Siege of Vienna, which eventually relegated us and thus our worldview as the non dominant global paradigm. 

Colonialism and the New World Order consolidated this position. It was not the deficiency in the Islamic worldview which led to our defeat but rather its lack of understanding and hence the laxity in its implementation among Muslims, which weakened them. This fact is evident when we consider that subsequent Islamic revival movements, in different parts of the world, were successful when they adhered to this pristine worldview, even if they were short-lived. The truth is that Muslim groups practicing Islam properly from the sources continue to exist in one part of the world or another till today.

Thus, it is no wonder that today we seem so backwards in terms of education and its practice. Generally, our current education system is based on rote memorization. Our current education system does not teach us how to think rather it develops students to only pass exams. Studying is seldom equated with enlightenment and development of the thought process. Rather it is meant to provide jobs, socio-economic uplift and gender equality. The most prevalent concept we espouse is how to “look” better than others in order to “subjugate/control/manage” others for which we cite the Prophetic model to essentially to follow the global masses into the lizard's hole. I request you to consciously ask yourself now, as you read this, if this is the real reason of loving and adopting the Prophet (SWAS).

Does the Lamborghini we own makes us better than others, or our citizenship, or our clothes, or the neighborhood we live in, or our accents, or our appearances? The truth is that we are still living out our colonial legacy when we use the sayings such as that "the favors of God should be visible on us" to justify the material race which the global masses are unfortunately engaged in blindly without thought. Unfortunately, our approach to deal with others who are not in our "tribe" has not, for the most part, developed essentially any more than that of the marauding hordes of ancient Arabia, it may seem acceptable, If someone like my 17 year old behaves like this out of immaturity, but unfortunately this sickness is a prevalent thought pattern among a majority of very practicing Muslims. Are we not witnesses to mankind calling them to a better life? Then how are we using something as precious as the Prophetic example for something so crass like chasing the world by following them?

Since the Islamic worldview permeates all aspects of our life, the average Muslim is confused. On the one hand they attempt to stay faithful to Islamic values, but on the other hand they realize that the modern world is based on a secular worldview which is in many ways is diametrically opposed to Islamic (natural) way of thinking. Thus the average contemporary Muslim suffers from conflicting juxtaposed personal worldview which makes it impossible to develop any original thoughts as they do not have any sound personal system of intellectual reference to base it on. 

Thus, Muslims, in general, relegate thinking to other civilizations and just focus on personal socio-economic improvement, while trying to “look better” in the eyes of others trying to "subjugate/control/manage" those outside their own "group". Wearing fancy clothes and driving expensive cars does not make us better or worse than anyone if we are sure of ourselves. While they continue this useless struggle "to control each other" thinking that they are following the Prophetic way, the global policies and decisions are made by a part of humanity who are hungry for natural solutions which can only come from the a natural paradigm of reality, i.e. ad deen al fitra.

Unfortunately, we have to admit that we have the hallmark of an enslaved mentality which can only instinctively do what it is habituated in doing and incapable of intellectual breakthroughs. Even when such people become professors or other intellectuals professionally, often they may only do it as a means to earn a paycheck, seeking to be engaged in the apparent process of innovation based on established theories in their fields - never actually making an intellectual breakthrough themselves, writing one useless research paper after another just fulfilling their job obligation.

Many of us just use our professional prestige, social status, and accumulated/grown wealth to want to "subjugate/control/manage" others and they believe that this is the essentially what it means to "follow Prophet Muhammad (SWAS)". Thus, the owner of many gas stations, for example,  who might have "made it" in terms of being successful in the worldly sense feels they have the right to set policies for the development of the Muslim community because they are "seen" to be a leader following Muhammad (SWAS)'s legacy. Of course there are many exceptions to this generalization.  

On one end of the spectrum of Muslim society are people who are only entrenched in the traditional worldview. Among them, there are some whose sources and methodologies are not Islamic but perhaps cultural.  Also among them are many who do not understand how the modern world functions. This leaves a very few practicing Muslim intellectuals who have a pure and monolithic mental frame of thought to impact global thought. On the other end of the spectrum of Muslim society are the secularist who have all but completely discarded the Islamic worldview. They have freed themselves of the mental confusion and can make progress in intellectual endeavors completely immersed in secular values and not shackled by contradicting the  Islamic paradigm. Thus, to innovate, such individuals from Muslims societies are forced to leave the realm of Islam.

In order for Muslims to really think and contribute to solve global issues using their own paradigm of thought, they need to simultaneously and continuously seek Islamic and worldly education with the right intentions. These include holistic learning, deep contemplation, self-reform, doing legacy building projects and teaching others. Those who are trying to do this sincerely should mutually support each other or at least try not to deliberately break / pull each other down unethically for what might appear as selfish reasons, because they think that this is part of Prophetic practice . It we are driven to do good, we can try to exert our knowledge and skills to solve global problems which we are best capable of without maligning/preying on the weaknesses of those who are trying to do this, just because they are not within our "group". To me, it seems that this can be a better way to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad (SWAS).

And Allah knows better.

Our daily routine defines who we are, what we think and what we will do in the future. Often we grow up with a societal narrative as to what we are supposed to accomplish in our lives. For most of us, it is what our parents, media, friends, community, school, university, workplace and country has ingrained in our thinking. As we progress in life the stereotypical societal expectations are enhanced and reinforced, without us ever taking time out to think why we are doing what we are doing in our lives. 

Some consider this a modern phenomenon, but the truth of the matter is that it has been going on throughout history.  Many great men came to a point in their lives where they questioned the prevalent mores, values, beliefs and customs of their societies. The Prophet (SWAS) took time out to meditate in the wilderness before divine revelation descended upon him. Even those who have been trained into the religious sciences and have accomplished great stature, come to a point where they seek to understand basic assumptions in life. 

This happened to Algazel (Imam Al Ghazzali) as well. As the Principal of the top center of learning of his time – the Nizamiyya of Baghdad -- he had reached the pinnacle of his professional career. He had mastered, at least externally, what was known of the religious sciences. He was an eloquent orator and an articulate debater of religious doctrine.

Nevertheless, he experienced a time when he was dumbfounded at the essential meaning and purpose of his life. He did not understand why he was doing what he was doing. After extended periods of confusion and internal turmoil he took the bold decision to give up all he had – his career, position, wealth, reputation, family, city, etc. He set out to live a life of a wandering ascetic. He spent years in ignominy undergoing deep contemplation, remembrance (of God), spiritual exercises, etc. This experience transformed him. He used the spiritual experiences he underwent to document the inner insights from the meaning of the external Islamic Law that he was trained in his youth.

After years of solitude, he emerged into society to teach the kernels of truths he had discovered -- some of which he documented in his Magnum Opum, Ihyaa Uloom Uddeen (The Revival of the Religious Sciences). His explanation of Islam transformed it from rituals of external fossilized customs to a meaningful transformative internal agent for positive change.

Modern professors take a sabbatical from their daily research and teaching. This has shown to add essential depth and meaning in their vision. Modern day Muslims are eager to excel in their education and career. Have they considered taking a sabbatical from their daily routine to enhance their perspective of Reality?

As witnesses onto humanity, Muslims have higher goals than to just earn a living. To play their part out sincerely, they need a deeper understanding of the world and this life than the common people of other faiths. 

Ideal periods to achieve this is at key crossroads in life: after graduating from high school or university, after establishing ourselves in our career, after marriage, etc. It is important that one tries to broaden our understanding at a stage in life which would allow us to contribute in life later on. Most people undergo such changes after retirement only to prepare for death.

Freeing oneself of the luxuries of life makes one independent of many needs which chains many people into inaction and a compromised life. Have we tried living without our smart phone, the internet, a soft bed, rich food, television, support from family and friends? Someone who undergoes such experiences does not fear deprivation. Their eyes are always fixed on more meaningful goals and they are able to sustain almost all circumstances in life. The only thing that should not be compromised is their ability to practice the natural way of life, a simple but clean environment and access to quality Islamic education. 

We need a generation of insightful Muslims, like Algazel (Imam Al Ghazzali), who are completely in tune with their religion and also capable of providing insightful solutions to the deficiencies of our modern world.

.The world has committed that by 2050 it will be carbon-free while by 2030 it will be half-way there. It is great to have ambitions global goals, but we cannot realise them unless we have a solid strategy, policy, and a fool-proof system of measuring progress. Can we walk the walk?
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As a Canadian federal non-profit social enterprise startup, Lucid Eloquence envisions meeting this goal, God willingly. Government bodies, think tanks, and research institutions do not have the nimbleness and motivation that Lucid Eloquence can leverage to help restore our Earth back to its natural state, through targeted proselytisation.

At this point in history, we have all the means to achieve this global commitment. What we lack is the ability to convince key decision makers in 20 most industrial carbon producing nations to use the means of decarbonising the 4 main sectors of their economies that release most carbon in the environment.

The environment gets most carbon from burning fossil fuel through which electricity is produced for industrial and domestic consumption. It is also released as by products of industrial activity, transportation, and from buildings. If these 20 policy makers are convinced or proselytised to accept the importance and priority of restoring themselves and their environment to the natural way of life, they can adopt new technologies like green hydrogen that can achieve the global zero-carbon dream.

Is it fair that the misunderstanding of 20 individuals is resulting in global climate disruptions the like of which we have never experienced in history. Why should non polluting nations suffer from the follies of a few, when all we need to do is just convince them to do what is good for them as well as the whole planet?

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The example of the person abiding by God’s orders and limits (or the one who abides by the limits and regulations prescribed by God) in comparison to the one who do wrong and violate God’s limits and orders is like the example of people drawing lots for seats in a boat. Some of them got seats in the upper part while the others in the lower part ; those in the, lower part have to pass by those in the upper one to get water, and that troubled the latter. One of them (i.e. the people in the lower part) took an axe and started making a hole in the bottom of the boat. The people of the upper part came and asked him, (saying), 'What is wrong with you?' He replied, "You have been troubled much by my (coming up to you), and I have to get water.' Now if they prevent him from doing that they will save him and themselves, but if they leave him (to do what he wants), they will destroy him and themselves."

By leveraging the most advanced content marketing techniques targeted at the exact personas of these decision makers, Lucid Eloquence is divinely inspired to surgically address the problem of decarbonisation of our Earth to achieve our stated goals within the deadline, God willingly.

Lucid Eloquence intends to make concrete measurable plans with milestones to achieve this mission, God willingly, to execute it with best project management practices. We intend to galvanise the global population who are passionate about leaving a legacy by reversing climate change for future generations, God willingly.

We are a global non-profit startup, in the sense that we do not identify with any particular group of people but we represent humanity as a whole, who strive to live by the natural laws of the One True God, adopting the best of behaviour as taught by the prophets and messengers He sent to guide mankind — the last one sent to all of humanity, ie Prophet Muhammad (SWAS).

We do what we do only for the pleasure of God. Lucid Eloquence invites the global fraternity of man to join hands to restore balance within ourselves and in our environment.