Limited Immortality

2007-01-21T21:27:00.000-05:00

When I started this blog, I started it as an assignment from a teacher and friend of mine, to track my growth. Later on I continued it, for it was a means for me to further define myself, focus on self improvement, and help me get more focused.

This blog has fulfilled its purpose, and now there is no need for it any further. I figured that as a last thing I may post my reflections for hajj, but at this point I don't see the need to post it online.

If you truly wish to know about my hajj experience, contact me in person and inshaAllah I will share with you all the beautiful gems I came across and collected :-)

Everything comes to an end...even death. Until death is slaughtered...we all have limited immortality.

A Heart's Journey | Day 01

2007-01-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

The following posts will be about my trip to Makkah, Medina, and my experience during Hajj. I pray that it will be a benefit to you all...my homies, Muslim brothers and sisters, as well as non-Muslim readers.

I will be posting images as well as gems and the beautiful experiences I had there :)

-- --- --

When you enter the Medina airspace a feeling comes over you. A feeling that humbles you and at the same time makes you anxious...to see Masjid Nabawi. If you don't drop a tear, you will have a lump in your throat.

I wasn't the only one feeling these emotions. You can see the tears in the faces of people to see the light coming from the Prophet's masjid from the air plane. It was almost like the full moon in the night sky. The brightest structure on the ground among the other lit buildings.

--- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- ---

What was special about this moment?

It was a moment that was indescribable. Everyone on the plane was emotional for the same reason...men women, and children. They all wanted to go to the city of the greatest man that ever lived.

--- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- ---

It was a moment that was indescribable. Everyone on the plane was emotional for the same reason...men women, and children. They all wanted to go to the city of the greatest man that ever lived.

We landed and proceeded to the checkpoints. One of the security guards after looking at my passport said, "Asalaamu Alaikum Belal"

I replied, "Walaikum Asalaam"

security said, "Takallama arabiyyah?"

I replied, "Nah"

security guard said, "Welcome to Medina"

I smiled and replied, "Jazakallahu Khairun"

security guard smiles back and says, "Kayfa takallama arabiyyah?"

I'm thinking to myself, "werd...I just learned some arabic" :P

--- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- ---

One of the goals I had made before leaving for hajj was that I want to learn some Arabic. When I said, "nah" it was against my goal mentality...this brother basically reminded me of that.

Hajj is about having a positive attitude. Look at the opportunities in front of you and take em by the horns

--- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- --- -- ---

After we exited the checkpoints, we were greeted by one of the hajj group coordinators...Br. Gamal. When he saw me he said, "Asalaamu Alaikum Belal".

I'm thinking, "I know this man from some where...he looks waaay to familiar, and his persona was just very welcoming."

We got on the bus around 4am, and waited to get all the paper work for the hotels reservations. While waiting I leaned my head on my mom's shoulder and went to sleep...

-- --- --

If any of you wish to learn a little bit about Medina. Check out the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina

"Send us a resume and URL"

2006-12-11T08:35:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I found myself in the company of uncles who went on again talking about politics and 'back home' stuff. I decided to pick up the newspaper and shift through for anything interesting. In the "Money & Careers" section I came across an article:

Send us a resume and URL:
Searching for a job? A positive online identity could be your key to getting hired

I figured its a good idea to outline this article here for I believe its of benefit to all.

A lot of us have go online and fool around, as a result we may have a persona on the internet that is not very suitable in a professional environment. Employers will search the internet for any 'Digital Dirt' you may have.

A good idea is to create a website inlcuding:

your resume
personal bio
photos depicting you as professiona - yet somone who would be fun to work with

Look at your online profile:

Find any and all dirt that may be out there and clean it up.
Look yourself on google, yahoo, youtube, myspace and ask, "how professional does this look?"
Be proactive in developing you own identity or brand online.
Revamp your MySpace, Hi5, Facebook, etc profiles so when a employer looks (they do) you up they see something that is good and likable.

Career Portfolio on the Web:

Portfolio can serve "as your storefront - and you're what's up for sale"
People finding you online many times makes a decision on whether or not to hire you.
Such available information has made the resume less important, but not obsolete.
Resume is one dimensional, while an "efolio" gives a more dynamic impression
recruiters are jumping to online search engines and social networking places to find out who you really are.

Blogs and resumes

Make your profiles and blog such that they are attractive to employers.
If you don't have one, then make one.
Include an "About" page, "Strengths" page, and a "Volunteer Projects"
Have a page with "Testimonials from co-workers"

Best foot forward on your site

In your portfolio highlight your most "stunning work" | don't put old dated stuff which can turn recruiters off.
Entire website much be coherent and professional, not just the page with your work projects.
Consider writing a professional blog first, instead of a web portfolio. Update it regularly.
Setup a Google alert that will notify you each time a name that matches yours is mentioned on the web -- -- -- I don't know how to do that. Someone wanna shed some light on that?
When listing your email address for ".", "@" use "DOT", and "AT" so keep away spammers.
Sift out skills, interests and accomplishments that would not be a good match.

Personal Feedback

For the past couple weeks I had been pondering as to whether or not I should create an efolio which includes all my creative stuff from video (www.empfilms.net), graphic design, and photography.

I'm gonna add this to my actions list once I get back from hajj inshaAllah :-)

Fresh-MAN 15

2006-11-26T11:27:00.000-05:00

When you were 15 years old, were you a man or a kid?

Islamically 15 is the age at which Muslim youth are adults. They are accountable for thier deeds, and thier parents are NOT financially responsible.

In todays socity’s culture, parents are responsible for thier chilren untill they are 30. They are required support them while they go to college, get a job, and get going with thier careers, and sometimes when they get married.

How can you expect a young man to become a leader and productive when they are being pampered or spoiled in this manner? When they are spending thier time and energies on Nintendo Wii?

There is no benefit in it for them. Parents say, “They are still young”. At the age of 5, 6, 7, 10...”They are still young”. Once they get to 14 or 15 years old, they are told that they are young adults and can think for themselves. The children get lost between being too young and being too old.

Where do you want your children to be at 15? Will he/she be a leader or a scrub?

Passion Action

2006-11-21T17:04:00.000-05:00

In my Management Processes class the professor invites many different high level managers to share their experiences with the class regarding corporate America and organizational management. Couple weeks ago a gentleman from Johnson & Johnson was invited to address the class.

In class I asked him a question. “There are many students in this class who are juniors, seniors, ...super seniors. What should we be looking toward when it comes to jobs? What should we look forward to? What is it that we should do?”

He replied with a question, “What do you think you should do?”

I said, “I dont know. That’s why I’m asking the question :p”

He said, “Before you go looking for a job you need to know you passion. With that passion, what do you want to do? How can you bring that passion to the organization that you want to be a part of, and benefit them? Have that mentality”

Something clicked in my mind. Thinks made sense. One of my teachers once said to me, “Find what you would do for free, master it, and people will gladly pay you to do it.” That advice was good, but it was passive advice.

The advice of the J&J executive was of an active nature:

Find your passion. What is it that you love to do? Something that you would do untill death whether you are paid or not.
Whether you want to be part of a masjid, school, club, orgnaization, company, corporation...how can you take your passion and what you absolutely love to do to be of benefit to, them, the people they interact with, the people you interact with, yourself, and ultimately the world?

Answer that, and you will be successful inshaAllah.

Enemies Within

2006-10-14T16:18:00.000-04:00

As people are dying throughout the world and facing the enemies without...during this month we are also facing the enemy within...

Although shaytaan is gone, the nafs is still there. Fasting is there to suppress is, but only to a certain degree.

This internal fight has had its benefits....only when one is truthful wit themselves...can they realize their weaknesses and more forward with their strengths...

like Abu Mehjin...

Abu Mehjin was a drunk. Before the battle of Alqadisiyyah Saad ibn AbiWaqqas tied him up so that he may whip him when they get back after the battle. When the battle erupted, Abu Mahjin pleaded with Saad's wife to let him fight in the battle. If he lived he would come back.

She, having the soft heart that she did, let him go fight with Saad's horse. When the battle concluded, Saad found Abu Mehjid back to where he was tied up awaiting his punishment for drinking. Saad told him that after this day he would never whip him again for drinking...

Abu Mehjin said that he would look forward to the cleansing of his sin. If Saad wont cleanse him for this sin then he will not commit it, and so he gave up drinking.

Abu Mehjid knew his weakness. He was a drunk, but he also knew his strength. Especially in the battlefield in motivating the follow soldiers, and fighting valiantly. He didn’t let his weaknesses hold his strengths down. Focused on his strengths and accepting the consequences of his weaknesses, he moved forward.

Bounce Baby Bounce

2006-10-06T10:29:00.000-04:00

A few months back, I was creating posters for the rules of tajweed. I had almost completed the Qalqalah posters, but somehow...they dissapeared! Some months later...

...I present to you the new and imporved Cover Poster!

-----------------------------

A reminder for us all:

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

When the Muslim or the believing servant performs Wudu' and washes his face, every sin that he looked at with his eyes will depart from his face with the water, or with the last drop of water.
When he washes his hands, every sin that his hands committed will depart from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water.
When he washes his feet, every sin to which his feet took him will depart with the water, or with the last drop of water. Until, he ends up sinless.

- Muslim

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said,

Purity is half of faith and "Alhumdulillah" (all the thanks are due to Allah) fills the the Scale.
And "Subhan Allah" and "Allahu Akbar" (all praise is due to Allah, and Allah is the Most Great) fills what is between the heaven and earth.
As-Sawm (the fast) is a Junnah (a shield), Sabr (patience) is a light, Sadaqah (charity) is evidence (of faith) and the Qur'an is proof for, or against you.
Every person goes out in the morning and ends up selling himself, he either frees his soul or destroys it.

- Muslim

What is left of Ramadan...will you make every attempt to destory your soul...or to save it? the choice is yours.

Power Hour 9-20

2006-09-22T09:52:00.000-04:00

Notes from Power Hour at work:

Ramadan is the month of the Quran. On the night of power if you saw the unseen your heart would jump at the sight of the celebration of the revelation of the Quran.
The angels celebrate with thier worship...why are YOU not?
It is the month of the Quran...intensify your recitation...

Look into the tafseer of a surah...
set a schedule for that surah...and study it.

Dont let other things have propority over the Quran. --> put aside your other projects untill after Ramadan. --> Your schedule:

Work
School
Taraweeh & Quran @ Home...every day.

Ramadan is a priscription for 3 things:

Taqwa: You will develop it through fasting. Everyone wants happiness. It is attained by softening your heart.
Shukr: You realize that importance of something when its taken away. If you are controlled by instinctual desires, you will find a new found control and will feel the humility. The disgust over the instictual desires combined with the new found control brings about shukr.
Yarsh: You will end up pushing up your spiritual side while your material side is pushed down. It will lead you to becoming a rashid...somone who is rightly guided.

Ramadan is to better you heart, mind, way of thinking, and your body. Take advantage of it.

Walk With Me

2006-09-19T10:14:00.000-04:00

The following are notes from Managment Training at work:

Leader Characteristics:

Self Motivated -- Dont need people to push them They are the initiators.

Lead By example -- not only lip service, but followed by limb service

As good as the people that work for them -- Leader is 1st to be fired

Result Oriented -- They get what they are aiming for, "Almost" doesnt count, No execuses...only results

They evaluate themselves and thsoe unde them...improve on short comings. They ask "Is so and so in the right place?"

Open-minded...has the ability to seek shurah and take suggestions

Has Courage...not afraid of accomplishing things and admit mistakes before someone is to blame.

Team Player -- promotes those around them. If they grow then you grow.

Is PRACTICAL -- have an idea of what the people DO.

SYB - Save Your Back, protect yourself by having things in writing.

IMPORTANT -- follow up with your tasks and assignments. You also cannot take every job that comes, you have to be able to say NO.

FINAL NOTE: If you want to be like somone...live like them. -- This can be golden advice to those guys that wanna get married. If you want a wife, prepare yourself and live like a husband. Be a man and stand up as if you are married.

3 2 Thrive

2006-09-09T16:23:00.000-04:00

Visualize, Realize, Materialize...that is the 3 2 Thrive. Ideas are only worth the air that they are passed by, unless it is implemented.

I believe I've found a solution to inconsistant low quality Islamic audio websites. sa7 Audio.

What is different about this website?
Audio is on Google 'video'. Streamable to everyone. Not only that, if people want to download it, they can. InshaAllah this will be the best Islamic audio website on the internet. If you want to help me increase its library...let me know. :-)

This is beyond lip-service...its limb service :-)

Power Plan

2006-09-05T10:08:00.000-04:00

The following are my notes and gems from a planning session we had at work.

If you dont plan for tomorrow...you have no future.

Plan your schedule for Ramadan and start living that life now. Get a rolling start!

Put off things that will take you away from your goals for the month. Don't busy yourself with things that can be push to after Ramadan.

Priority in Ramadan should be as such:

Family is #1. Better your relationship with them by coming closer to Allah (swt) together.
Make the month a month of feeding and not eating. Instead of inviting people and tiring yourself over cooking and preparing for guests, sponser a day or two at the masjid to feed the people there.
Keep your discipline of worship and increase it. Go to taraweeh.
Keep your discipline in exercise
Begin fasting Mondays, Thursdays, and the white days now!

What is your schedule?

4am - 2 rakah + Suhur + 2 rakah fajr
Cold shower
Fajr @ masjid
2 rakah Duha
Quick email check (10 mins)
Memorize Quran for 30-60 mins
Go to work and take advantage of the power hours :)
Go to class - post work / taraweeh on days of no class
Recite: Sajda, Waqiyyah, Mulk
Sleep by 11pm

What is your Ramadan Diet?

Suhur - Oatmeal, Yougurt, Dates
Iftar - Dates, Water
Dinner (Post maghrib) - yougurt and few more dates

What are the things you will kill?

Instant Messenger...permanantly
Forum browsing/'bosting'
'experimental' video editing

Running Destiny

2006-09-04T22:17:00.000-04:00

Everything, small and large, is written down. Verily, those who have Taqwa, will be in the midst of Gardens and Rivers. In a seat of truth, near the Magnificient King.
- Surah AlQamar: 53-55

The Messenger of Allah said:

The strong believer is better and more beloved by Allah The Exalted than the weak believer, and in both there is good.
Be on the guard for what is beneficial for you, get help from Allah to Whom belongs Glory and Power, do not give up,
If something befalls you then don't say: Oh if I had done [so and so] such and such would have resulted; rather, say: Allah has decreed this, and He does as He wills.

- Recorded by Muslim

What happened yesterday was destined to happen. You don't know what will happen tomorrow. Plan, execute, place your trust in Allah, and ebrace your destiny.

Will you be among those whom Allah will make the hellfire haraam for them?

What have you planned for Ramadan?...if you haven't then you know what to do :-). Time is passing by.

Passing Honor

2006-08-25T22:27:00.000-04:00

Perhaps, you would kill yourself in grief, over their footsteps, because they believe not in this narration.
- Surah Kahf: 6

Brother Jawad Ahmad mentioned today in his friday speech about how RasulAllah (saw) was sitting and a funeral procession passed by. The Prophet (saw) stood up. One of the companoins told him that it is a funeral of a jew. RasulAllah (saw) responded, "Is it not a living being?"
- Sahih Bukhari

Lesson:

Leaders must care about people. All people. They must look for justice.

Muslims must sincerely care for the guidance of others, if the Prophet (saw) cared for the makkans when they hated him...should we not care for those who hate on us and pray for thier guidance?

The "Mind Like Water" Simile

2006-08-22T17:50:00.001-04:00

"Your ability to generate power is directly proportional to your ability to relax"
- Dave Allen

What is the difference between a cluttered mind and a clear mind? A cluttered mind bring forth much stress, resulting in less control over your emotions.

One of the basics of martial arts is...be relaxed before making a move. Tension in the mind brings forth weakness. Let your muscles and shoulders relax, you will explode with your punches, resulting you in being more effective.

When going for salah, if you are tense or have worries in your mind, you will not concentrate. Best way to perform your salah is to calm down, do wudu with cold water, and have all your focus and attention toward Allah (swt). Only way you can do that is to have a 'mind like water'.

How?

Regularly sharpen your saw (About once a week)
Put things on paper
plan the day before it comes.

Millionaire

2006-08-21T17:58:00.000-04:00

How does one become a millionaire? We live in a society of imediate satisfaction. "I wan't it now!". Yet according to the research done by the authors of "Millionaire Next Door", America's wealthy dont have that mentality...

...rather they have self discipline, frugal spending habits, avid investors, and they live below thier means...which means they dont care about social status.

Allah (swt) teaches us that and more:

Successful indeed are the believers:

Those who with their prayer have tranqility and taqwa of Allah.
Those who turn away from vain things.
Those who pay the Zakah.
Those who guard their private parts. Except from their wives or their right hand possessions, for then, they are free from blame, but whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors.
Those who are faithfully true to their trusts, promises, and to their covenants.
Those who strictly guard their prayer.

These are indeed the heirs. Who shall inherit Firdaws. They shall dwell therein forever.
- Surah Mu'minoon: 1-11

LESSONS

It begins and ends with prayer. Something that requires self decipline.
Turning away from vanity, many times requires that we give up social status.
Zakah is an invest for us in the hereafter, and it purifies our wealth.
Guarding our chasity and being honest is a characteristic of somone who has integrity.

If you want wealth do the above. InshaAllah...ima make my 1st million in 5 years :)

Art of Success

2006-08-13T20:54:00.000-04:00

Mission: Replace front rotors on '97 Camry LE

Mission Log 8.09.2006: New Brembo cross drilled rotors arrived in mail.

Mission Log 8.10.2006: Bought C-clap, rubber mallot, and brake degreaser to run the operation.

Mission Log 8.11.2006:

7:30pm -- Proceeded with operation. Took off calipers, pads, and brace. Attempted to take off rotor, but it didnt budge. Applied WD-40, still remained stuck.

8:30pm -- Put everything back as it was.

Mission Log 8.12.2006:

6:30am -- Attempted again. Rotor didnt budge.

7:30am -- Put everything back as it was.

7:00pm -- Attempted again. Implemented advice to use bolts as a lever. Driver side rotor came off in 5 mins. Proceeded to passenger side. Bolt broke and got stuck in rotor. Attempted to hammer it with a mallot, and other tools. Rotor didnt budge. Hammered it with a real hammer. Sparks flew, but rotors didnt budge. Emptied WD-40 bottle on rotor. Used caliper bolt to lever it off. Threads on rotor got messed up.

8:30pm -- Left everything as it was after sunset.

Mission Log 8.13.2006:

9:00am -- Attempted to hammer rotor off with all my force. Hammer lost its head. Rotor has deep dents, but didnt budge. Car is lowered onto cinderblocks. Car jack used to push off rotor, but entire suspension moves as jack is expanded.

10:00am -- Went to AutoZone and Home Depot to call for rienforcements. New hammer with graphite handle, 5 ton jaw clamp, bolt removing drill bits, two 8mm bolts, penetrating oil, WD-40.

11:00am -- 5 ton jaw clamp's diameter is too small to grab rotor. Bolt removing drill bits are used to remove broken stuck bolt. New 8mm bolts are free turning because treads are completely messed up. Penetrating oil is applied.

12:30pm -- Drill is called in to drill slots on side of rotor. jaw clap is attached to rotor. Penetrating oil is applied. Jaw clamp is attacked.

Penetrating oil is applied again. Pressure is put on and left for about 10 mins. More pressure is put on. Rotor cracks from pressure.

2:00pm -- New slots are drilled on opposite ends. 5-ton jaw clap is re attached on new slots. Pressure is put on untill jaw clamp cannot be tightened anymore.

3:00pm -- Rotor's exterior is bending outward, but inner circle is still rusted stuck. More penetrating oil and WD-40 is applied. 18" long flat head screw driver is used to lever rotor off from cracked area. in three levering attempts rotor "POPs" off.

Rotor is surrounded and beaten to submission.

3:15pm -- Brand new Brembo rotor is brought to its rightful place :)

Reflections

I never realized that replacing the rotors on a car would take this much effort. Everytime an idea didnt work frustration came upon me, but I wasn't going to submit to a some metal. I started this mission, I was going to complete it.

When i found out that the 5-ton jaw clamp didnt fit in the beginning, I felt like quiting. I remembered a story my friend told me about when he was in the marines. When they do training in the marines, at one point you have the oppurtunity to become a special forces member. Many soldiers take up the challenge, but many quit. There is a bell that they have to ring if they quit...

...one thing came to mind. quiting is a choice. Real men dont quit. I chose to be patient and push forward. I outlasted the rotor's stubborn attitude and successfully got it off the car. I ended up spending more money in supplies and time than I would have at the mechanics, but the lessons learned were priceless. That challenges overcome were priceless.

Giving up is a choice, keeping patience is a choice. Which one you choose...is up to you.

I have to give a shout out to the guys at ToyotaNation Forums for thier help and support, and my dad for keeping patient with me for breaking some of his tools :p

Thanks guys :)

Leader's Diamond

2006-08-09T15:34:00.000-04:00

If you were to see one of these babies sitting around...how long would you let it rest?

Through the Quran Allah (swt) give us one of these diamonds. A believer is a leader. How is a leader to act? How is a leader to conduct oneself?

The following is the leader's diamond for anyone who wishes success upon themself, wants to increase the influence they have, and grow as a leader in their own right.

So whatever you have been given is but a passing enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting for:

Those who believe and put their trust in their Lord.
Those who shun the greater sins, and Al-Fawahish*
When they are angry, they forgive.
Those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform the prayer
Who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation
Who spend of what We have bestowed on them.
Those who, when an oppressive wrong is done to them, take revenge.

- Surah Shurah: 36-39

How do you do #1? Having patience in letting the pleasures of the world pass and fulfilling the rights that The Creator has upon you.

How do you do #2? Keep away all types of disobedience, opressions, and transgressions whether they be commited openly or in secret.

How do you do #3? Don't take things personally. Don't let vengence for yourself be your nature.

How do you do #4? Establish the prayer. Pray five times a day, every day, one time, every time.

How do you do #5? Seek council of other people. Share ideas in things that concern people other than yourself.

How do you do #6? The rich man gives. Be the rich man. Take care of and be kind to those around you.

How do you do #7? If injustice or opression is commited on you, and you have the full capability and authority to take revenge, perfer to forgive. (Salahudeen style)

Allah (swt) is the MOST forgiving.

Submission vs. Faith

2006-08-07T08:23:00.000-04:00

If an angel were to ask you, "What is Islam?" What would you answer? If it asked you, "What is Ihsan?" What would you say?

If you don't know, dont worry. The last prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) already answered it for us. Gabriel came to him one time as a man dressed in white and asked him, "What is Islam?". He (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) answered, "Islam is that you...

Bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah
Establish the prayer
Give the Zakat
Fast Ramadan
Perform the hajj of the House if you are able to take a way to it

He (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) was then asked, "What is Ihsaan?" He (sal Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) replied, "To worship Allah as though you see him even if you don’t see him because he verily sees you."

What is the difference? The Islam of a person is seen by the people , it is present while Imaan is soemthing that is hidden and in the heart.

What does it mean to us?

As leaders, we MUST have both. We must have the outward features, as well as the internal excellence. The prophet Muhammad (saw) was an example of this, and its an example we MUST follow.

Iblees

2006-08-03T00:50:00.000-04:00

How often have we noticed that a person can go on forever asking for stuff, but once they have to work for something, or if things get hard, they lose hope.

Allah (swt) tells us:
"Man does not get tired of asking for good; but if an evil touches him, then he gives up all hope and is lost in despair"
- Fussilat : 49

The arabic word "ya 'as" means dispair. "Iblees" means someone who has lost hope in the mercy of Allah (swt). Who is Iblees? Our sworn enemy since the beginning of mankind. He has lost any and all hope in the mercy and bounty of Allah (swt)...

...will you?

Burned?

2006-07-31T23:16:00.000-04:00

Ibn Hazm of Andalus was considered to be among the scholars who had the biggest libraries. Like many influential people, there were people in authority that hated him. Perhaps it was because he had ill manners and a sharp tongue. He always spoke against the people.

It is said that the tongue of ibn Hazm and the sword of AlHajjaj are twins. AlHajjaj was a general who killed about 70,000 Muslims in a short period of time.

Because people didn't like ibn Hazm, most of these books were burned by the authorities of his time. After they burned them, he re-wrote them from memory.

...What's the lesson?

Recently I spent a good amount of hours making the next tajweed poster. Recently I learned that is dissapeared. Frustrating at first...

...inshaAllah redoing the poster again :-)

If you mess up. Try again. just get up and do it again.

-----------------

Epi-Storm Conclusion...and the winner is:

A young man's journey to Islam and the challanges he faces between culture and deen.

Epi-storm ideas to implement in the future:

"good idea-bad idea" of dawah
Documentary style show, where random people are asked question and thier responses are posted up -- "Where is Iraq on the map?" and have people point to it or "What does a Muslim believe?" a different question every week.

To view progress of any video stuff, go to the Ephemeral Mind Production website: http://www.empfilms.net

Epi-Storm Finale

2006-07-25T11:32:00.000-04:00

Time to Pick 3 ideas that are good. The ones in Bold are the ones I really like: If you like other than the bold, do share your thoughts.

Series about live, and the funny things that happen from infancy to adulthood.

25 "Good Idea, Bad Idea" Episodes

Series addressing the generation gap between muslim youth and parents.

Documentary style show, where random people are asked question and thier responses are posted up -- "Where is Iraq on the map?" and have people point to it or "What does a Muslim believe?" a different question every week.

"Imagine This" - series about a kid playing with his toys and the adventures he pursues

Story about how toys come to life though jinn. There are good toys and bad toys. The bad toys are out to make life harder for the kid who owns the toys, while to good toys are out to keep the bad from completing thier plan.

A scifi series about 3 alien races colliding with each other. A journey of one race that began as a search for discover lead to conquest and arrogance.

Story about a youth who becomes king, but he must go to an island after 1 year for the rest of his life.

Story of the Boy and the King as told in the Quran and Sunnah.

After the du'aa of a poor man, a family is embodied with 'super' powers

A squirrils daily errands and the mishaps it runs into.

A young man's journey to Islam and the challanges he faces between culture and deen

"Heros of Islam" 5 episodes per hero

Story of playground politics - expanded version of Azhar Usman's Abdullah vs. Jonny Ashcroft joke.

Story about a desi FOB youth trying to fit in to American society.

25 Indian Fables

25 High school moments

A child that grows up without TV and the adventures he faces

"good idea-bad idea" of dawah

A brother SCARED of getting married, so he's in major denile and drives everyone crazy. Girls think he's attractive until he calls them all fat. His journy from learning about marriage to actual rejection

stories from the grave - jinn stories

A guy who was pretty well off living in america who wasnt so religious, was popular, etc. moves to a muslim country, meets someone good who starts to change him. he then loses his good job, and cant find any other job now , so he becomes more religious, while now he's "lower class" and society looks down upon him

Seventh Seal --- An individual running from death and an oncoming destruction.

How far does the dollar go? -- how the money is spent and where it actually ends up and who's hands.

Different fun and crazy stuff youth do together.

A lost Muslim kid who good Muslim people seek out and change him episode by episode. They can meet in some very strange way or something. And they can change one bad characteristic in each episode.

A kid comes from a REAL muslim enviorment from over seas to america, only to find the bad aspects of this culture to be very haram. Slowly the culture envelops him.

Story about a desi youth who smells like salan and other stinky masalas so people avoid him. He grows up isolated and becomes insane in the end. He can be a super villian and can be doing all sorts off crazy plots. And these other people always stop him from doing it.

A lil girl comesA kid comes into her big brothers room and 'accidently' kicks the computer causing it to over react and go BOOM. Result..visuses enter the real world and big brother has to spend the weekend batteling corrupt files and evil virii...while tyring to also fix his computer

A series about Latin Dawah and how some latino bros are spreading Islam in Latino communities.

Last but not Least

2006-07-25T11:27:00.000-04:00

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 10

Story about a desi youth who smells like salan and other stinky masalas so people avoid him. He grows up isolated and becomes insane in the end. He can be a super villian and can be doing all sorts off crazy plots. And these other people always stop him from doing it.

A lil girl comesA kid comes into her big brothers room and 'accidently' kicks the computer causing it to over react and go BOOM. Result..visuses enter the real world and big brother has to spend the weekend batteling corrupt files and evil virii...while tyring to also fix his computer

A series about Latin Dawah and how some latino bros are spreading Islam in Latino communities.

F.E.A.R.

2006-07-22T23:48:00.000-04:00

At work my boss asked us, "what is fear?" Every one gave thier answers, but it wasnt what he was looking for.

He said, "Give me a definition..."

Again everyone gave a different answer.

He responded with, "write this down...

False
Eexperience
Appears
Real

If you think about that which you are afraid of too much, you will have more fear and it will push you into inaction.

Do not hesitate. Face your fear. Over come your challenges :-)

Two Horns

2006-07-21T17:41:00.000-04:00

Then he followed another way until, when he reached between two mountains, he found before them a people who scarcely understood a word. They said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn! Verily, Gog and Magog are doing great mischief in the land. Shall we then pay you a tribute in order that you might erect a barrier between us and them."

He said,"That in which my Lord had established me is better. So help me with strength, I will erect between you and them a barrier."
- Kahf:92-95

Lessons of Leadership:

A leader is a service to society.
Rizq is from Allah
Rightousness is for all

Reflections:

How many powers of the world demand payment from the weak to be "protected", especially when that payment is nothign but to purge the land of its resources. How often do people in power do that which is of benefit to the people rather than themselves?
Duhl-Qarnayn is a good example of how people of power should be.

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 09

Different fun and crazy stuff youth do together.
A lost Muslim kid who good Muslim people seek out and change him episode by episode. They can meet in some very strange way or something. And they can change one bad characteristic in each episode.
A kid comes from a REAL muslim enviorment from over seas to america, only to find the bad aspects of this culture to be very haram. Slowly the culture envelops him.

Walk the Talk

2006-07-19T15:51:00.000-04:00

Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said, "A group of my Ummah, seventy thousand, will enter Paradise with their faces shining like the moon on the night when it is full."

Ukkashah bin Mihsan stood up and said, "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make me one of them."

The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said, "O Allah, make him one of them."

Then one of the Ansar stood up and said, "O Messenger of Allah, pray to Allah to make me one of them."

He sal Allahu alayhi wasallam said, "Ukkashah has beaten you to it."

Many times we always talk about doing things. If we do things, we many times do it late.

If you want to get the full benefit of any action, hasten to do it. Get up early and get a head start. Be number one!

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 07

"good idea-bad idea" of dawah
A brother SCARED of getting married, so he's in major denile and drives everyone crazy. Girls think he's attractive until he calls them all fat. His journy from learning about marriage to actual rejection
stories from the grave - jinn stories

Moving Forward

2006-07-18T18:24:00.000-04:00

My father told me an old Indian fable today...

A long time ago in the villages of India, a father visited a holy man so the holy man can pray for his son who is sick. The holy man says, "perhaps there is some benefit in it.." The man now upset, goes back home.

A week later he now has serious problems that is very difficult for him. He goes back to the holy man and tell him his problems. The holy man says, "perhaps there is some benefit in it..." This time the man is pissed off. He decides to kill him.

The holy man in the morning would talk a walk to the woods and meditate every day. The next the father takes his sword and waits for the holy man. After waiting for much time he decides to go to the holy man.

When he arrives he find that hes laying in bed with a broken leg. The father asks, "what happened to you?". The holy man replied, "This morning as I was leaving, I slipped and broke my leg. Perhaps there is benefit in it..."

Perhaps this fable was a forshadowing of what I would face today. I ended up replaceing this blog template after having worked all day on it...perhaps there is benefit in it :-)

As Umar ibn Khattab once said:
"I do not care in what state I wake up in the morning; whether it's good or bad. Because I do not know what is good for me, nor what is bad."

Lesson: Say Alhumdulillah and move forward :-)

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 06

25 Indian Fables
25 High school moments
A child that grows up without TV and the adventures he faces

Snowball

2006-07-17T19:24:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how one good action can lead to another. Thus the benefit of doing good actions is new good oppurtunities.

I was preparing my first lesson plan for my little sisters to teach them tajweed. I thought of a creative way to teach them. I'm going to make posters for each tajweed rule that they can put up on their wall after they have learned them.

The posters were made in Adobe Illustrator and will inshaAllah be printed on size 11x17 paper. These are the posters I made today:

As I was making this I had a GEM. There is no good tajweed website out there. Imagine a website were people can not only learn the rules, but have a true visual reference to it. Talk abotu "reward strategy" :-)

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 05

"Heros of Islam" 5 episodes per hero
Story of playground politics - expanded version of Azhar Usman's Abdullah vs. Jonny Ashcroft joke.
Story about a desi FOB youth trying to fit in to American society.

Sharpening the Saw

2006-07-17T00:41:00.000-04:00

Imagine yourself as a carpenter. You just got back from the store with a brand new heavy duty saw. You get down to work and begin cutting and making furniture. About 15 tables later you realize that the saw isnt cutting very well. Whats happened...?

What is the solution? Sharpen the saw :-)

Sharpening the saw is a process of self renewal. Emotionally, physically mentally, and most of all spiritually.

I heard Khalid Yasin mention how Shaykh Bin Baaz would sharpen his saw constantly. Shaykh Bin Baaz was known as one of the top five Islamic scholars in the world. Not only that. Hes BLIND. -- How then can he keep up?

Every day he would have other scholars read to hom a few hours on different rulings, and books. Allah (swt) had taken his sight, but blessed his memory. He used that memory to the best of his ability.

If a blind man can do it, why can't you? -- What are you doing to sharpen the saw?

Result to achieve: Learn the fundamentals of Flash 8 animation in 7 days...InshaAllah.

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 04

After the du'aa of a poor man, a family is embodied with 'super' powers
A squirrils daily errands and the mishaps it runs into.
A young man's journey to Islam and the challanges he faces between culture and deen.

"Hatha Dikhr" - Saad:49

2006-07-15T12:13:00.000-04:00

Imagine standing on the day of ressurection, being asked, "Why did you judge injustly between people?"

This is advice from Allah (swt) to those who are in positions of authority.

O Dawud! Verily, We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth and justice and follow not your desire -- for it will mislead you from the path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the path of Allah shall have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.
- Surah Saad:29

What does a GREAT leader strive for? What does he DO?

This (the quran) is a reminder for those who can remember. In Ayat 30-45 of surah Saad Allah mentions the best of the best and ends it with "Ulil-Aydi walAbsar" which is...

Righteous deeds
beneficial knowledge
strength in worship and insight.

Let us not waste time and be the best inshaAllah.

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 03

A scifi series about 3 alien races colliding with each other. A journey of one race that began as a search for discover lead to conquest and arrogance.
Story about a youth who becomes king, but he must go to an island after 1 year for the rest of his life.
Story of the Boy and the King as told in the Quran and Sunnah.

Bankrupt?

2006-07-15T00:29:00.000-04:00

"You will not attain righteousness till you spend in charity of the things you love"
- AleImran:93

What do you love? Is it money? Time? Toys? Food? Find out what you love and give it for the sake of Allah (swt)...

...Anas bin Malik narrated:
Abu Talha was the richest man in Medina amongst the Ansar and Beeruha' (garden) was the most beloved of his property, and it was situated opposite the mosque (of the Prophet.). Allah's Apostle used to enter it and drink from its sweet water. When the following Divine Verse were revealed: 'you will not attain righteousness till you spend in charity of the things you love',

Abu Talha got up in front of Allah's Apostle and said,
"O Allah's Apostle! Allah says in His Book, 'You will not attain righteousness unless you spend (in charity) that which you love,' and verily, the most beloved to me of my property is Beeruha (garden), so I give it in charity and hope for its reward from Allah. O Allah's Apostle! Spend it wherever you like."

Allah's Apostle appreciated that and said,
"That is perishable wealth, that is perishable wealth. I have heard what you have said; I suggest you to distribute it among your relatives."

Abu Talha said,
"I will do so, O Allah's Apostle."

So, Abu Talha distributed it among his relatives and cousins.

The sub-narrator (Malik) said: The Prophet said: "That is a profitable wealth," instead of "perishable wealth".
- (Volume 3, Book 38, Number 511)

-----------------

3x10 Epi-storm -- Day 02

Documentary style show, where random people are asked question and thier responses are posted up -- "Where is Iraq on the map?" and have people point to it or "What does a Muslim believe?" a different question every week.
"Imagine This" - series about a kid playing with his toys and the adventures he pursues
Story about how toys come to life though jinn. There are good toys and bad toys. The bad toys are out to make life harder for the kid who owns the toys, while to good toys are out to keep the bad from completing thier plan.

Where We At?

2006-07-13T10:28:00.000-04:00

Yesterday completed The Strangers website. Fully functional with gallery, trailer, and a purchase page for anyone that wants to buy a copy of the DVD insaAllah.

Any and all feedback is welcome :-)

http://thestrangers.empfilms.net

What's Next?

Make an EMP Films account on google video and YouTube
Seek out business sales assoiciate and setup commission breakdown
Setup EMPFilm.net Website
Start a 3x10 brainstorm on the episodes series I want to do.

-----------------

3x10 Epi-Storm -- Day 01

Series about live, and the funny things that happen from infancy to adulthood.
25 "Good Idea, Bad Idea" Episodes
Series addressing the generation gap between muslim youth and parents.

Deep Bearing

2006-07-13T10:12:00.000-04:00

Whosoever has Taqwa of Allah, He will make a way for him to get out. And He will provide him from where he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allah has set a measure for all things.
- Surah Talaq: 2-3

I did some further research on the ayah and found the following hadith:

Imam Ahmad recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that he rode the Prophet's camel while sitting behind the Prophet , and the Messenger of Allah said to him:

"O boy! I will teach you words [so learn them].

Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you,
be mindful of Allah and He will be on your side.
If you ask, ask Allah, and if you seek help, seek it from Allah.
Know that if the Ummah gather their strength to bring you benefit, they will never bring you benefit, except that which Allah has decreed for you.
Know that if they gather their strength to harm you, they will never harm you, except with that which Allah has decreed against you.
The pens have been raised and the pages are dry.

As it is said, The pen has been lifted, the ink has dried, your fate is sealed. Cowardice will not extend your life, bravery will not shorten it. Woe to the cowards.

Baby Steps

2006-07-11T12:51:00.000-04:00

As they say, "chew before you swallow"

I got a new template for this blog site. I think its pretty cool. If you want a cool template too visit: http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com/

Registed www.empfilms.net today. Expect to see a website up very soon inshaAllah. I'm thinking I'll make a website for The Strangers dvd first so that way, any of those people that wish to buy the DVD either in bulk or single can do so online :-)

What's next?

Schedule 3 hrs ever week to edit high-pocracy script.
Brainstorm 2 minute 25 episode series idea for empfilms.net

Benefits

2006-07-10T20:36:00.000-04:00

Recently joined a weekly mailer from DiscoverU (DiscoverU.mfbiz.com) that gives a hadith and advice coupled with it. Its free to joing: successinislam@getresponse.com

Send an email on it and you will be on the list. my first email was the following:

On the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, sal Allahu alayhi wa salla, said: "Seek out that which benefits you, seek help only from Allah and never say you can't do it.

"If any adversity comes to you, do not say: 'If I had only acted in such-and-such a way, it would have been such-and-such;' but instead, say: 'Allah has decreed (it) and what He willed, He has done,' for verily, (the word) (if) opens the way for the work of Satan." - Saheeh Muslim

[Lessons from this hadith] If there is something that will benefit you, make every effort and go after it! Seek it out. - There is no failure, only lessons.

-------------

What is the benfit I itend to seek?

Register ad make website for EMP (Ephemeral Mind Productions)
25 episode series on EMP (possibley cartoon)
Setup marketing system for EMP

If you guys have any suggestions, by all means share :-)

What's Been Happening?

2006-07-08T11:45:00.000-04:00

About a month ago I had decided not to update anymore, but I realized that seeing my progress help me progress further. One of the ways was via this 'blog'.

So what have I done so far?

Finish the 1st draft of my script for "High-pocrasy"

Made a logo for my production company -- The company name is "Ephemeral Mind Productions" The logo is two people holding hands and thinking together.

Produced "The Strangers" DVD. Why? Figured it would be good marketing for YM (www.ymsite.com) and thier efforts, as well as a means of funding for the movie im writing.

Here is a trailer that was played at ICNA...

I talked to a brother who works with Bridges TV and he said that he will do his best to get it played on thier network. This would be great if it happenes inshaAllah.

So whats next...?

Still have to complete the 2nd Draft of my script. Deadline for that is August 15. In the mean time I might get some help to make another film or product :-)

D-Day

2006-07-08T11:18:00.000-04:00

Imagine youself in the hospital and the doctor tells you, "The diagnosis reveals that you have cancer."

You say, "How bad is it?"

Doctor responds, "Its in the advanced stages. There is nothing we can do. You have 6 months max."

What would you do? For many this would be devestating, but in actuality its a blessing in disguise. How great of a blessing if you knew when you were going to die...

What to do?

Start preparing...
Put up a wall calendar and mark "D-Day" (Death Date) 6 months from today.
Make a list of 100 things you must do before you die...and do them.

New Plan

2006-05-14T23:02:00.000-04:00

Over the course of the past couple weeks I finally learned something...

...If one is sincere about solving thier problems then Allah (swt) shows the way. You dont have to beat yourself up over your fault. We all fall. Be sincere when getting up, and Allah (swt) will show you to the right path.

One thing i would forget to do is everytime i stepped on the new path...i would forget to make du'aa to Allah to help me with this alternate way (as opposed to the way i was going about my problem before)

The funny thing is...I got this reminder from a non-muslim :P

Reward yourself for the good, but if you stuble...get up and keep movings. If you stumble too often, take a new path. Regardless...be sincere.

Strangled

2006-05-04T11:19:00.000-04:00

When was the last time you gave up on something? When was the last time you lost hope? If you find yourslef in that position again, Allah (swt) gives some advice:

Whoever thinks that Allah will not help him in this world and in the Hereafter, let him stretch out a rope to the ceiling and let him strangle himself. Then let him see whether his plan will remove that whereat he rages!
- Surat AlHajj : 15

Allah promises success for those who are sincere. Do you believe in Allah's promise?

Alignment

2006-05-03T09:07:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks, hardnes envelops on a particular soul...
A couple weeks, weakening of salah...
A sincere prayer, a hard hitting realization...

O mankind! Have Taqwa of your Lord! Verily, the earthquake of the Hour is a terrible thing.
The Day you shall see it, every nursing mother will forget her nursling, and every pregnant one will drop her load, and you shall see mankind as in a drunken state, yet they will not be drunk, but Allah's torment is severe. - Surat AlHajj

If you dont die shaheed, what will you face? The pains of death, the torment of the grave, the horror of the hour, the test of the siraat...

...Are you ready?

Progress Lag

2006-04-29T21:29:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it takes a major routine blitz to get in the zone.

What did breaking my routine do for me? -- I finished my story outline and have started writing my script. :-)

Many people make it routine to look at the tops of sky scrapers, when they sould try to focus on the stairs that lead to the top.

Neo Revelation

2006-04-19T23:03:00.000-04:00

What was the reason for my frustration with script writing? Why wasn't able to write out a whole story/plot for the past few days? I didn't know the difference between story and plot.

story: the sequence of events in a peice writing, in the order they occur
plot: The sequence of events as the author arranges them

For the past week I have been trying to arrange a sequence of events without having a real story, which inturn has lead to my frustration...bleh!

Alhumdulillah, now to move forward.

I identified my problem today, have you identified yours?

No Callus

2006-04-18T18:23:00.000-04:00

As i get further into this whole movie development thing, one thing I begin to realize is how much I DON'T know. One I learned today is...I don't know how to write a story. I guess once I finish up leanring the basics scripting I'm gonna move onto story writing.

As a wise man once said, "A learned man is one who knows that he doesn't know" :-)

Planned

2006-04-17T18:24:00.000-04:00

In January I started off with a direction, purpose, and goal. It is now April, and I see that what I am doing now is not entirely what I had planned. Circumstances caused me to "adjust" to the current.

I noticed that those things that I set out to do purly for the sake of Allah (swt), I am still sticking to it, and I dont see myself letting go. -- At the same time, Allah (swt) replaced my not so properly intended plans with purer ones...

...but not without trials.

I planned, and Allah planned. Surly Allah is the best of planners. To whome will you leave your trust in?

Desires

2006-04-15T01:10:00.000-04:00

"Jannah...How badly do you want it?"

Back in Action

2006-04-13T23:01:00.000-04:00

Your arms burn, your ribs are in pain, sweat is dripping your face onto the mat. "Comon! YOU HAVE 30 MORE SECONDS! KEEP IT BURNING!" are the words of your sensei. Your arms are about to give in, you feel the piercing pain in your ribs. Sensei's yelling become a background muffle as you image the pain of an arrow in your side.

Sweat splatters on the floor from your chin. "Is this the pain of the mujahid? Take me to Jannah!" down....up. "SubhanAllah" down....up. "Alhumdulillah" down....................up "Allahu Akbar"

When you thought your arms were going to give, you pumped out 15 more.

What puts you in the zone?

Shaken Heart

2006-04-11T23:03:00.000-04:00

What causes one to be intimidated? When standing infront of somone of great influence, dean of the college, president of the company, or a celebrity...what causes one to feel small infront of them?

Remember a situation when you were intimidated by a higher official. Ask yourself "Why were you intimidated?" In the future when you are intimidated, look at the greatness of Allah (swt) and realize the insignificance of the other.

Yes or No?

2006-04-10T19:36:00.000-04:00

"People often fail because they trade what they want most for what they want now."
- Phil Martell (St. Josephs University Basketball Coach)

Failure is not the end. It just means you have to get up and try again. Refocus yourself onto what you want most, and dont trade that for anythign else. The question is...

...What do you want most?

Realization

2006-04-10T00:08:00.000-04:00

Allah (swt) put people in your path for a reason. Alhumdulillah with the help of individuals I now have a movie idea that I will go though with inshaAllah.

Following ideas will be implemented inshaAllah:

Story about a youth who was a good kid, He is one of 3 siblings. He has a bossy older sister, and a younger sister who looks up to him and whom he loves very much. He is the middle child sandwhiched between the two, not getting much attention from the parents.

After coming to high school he begines to go astray. Facing the difference of cultures, change of hormones, and peer preasure he wants to fit in. He gets caught up with the wrong guys who lead him into small things which leads to getting involved with marijuana. His little sister does her best to talk to him to bring him out of it, but to no avail.

This leads to attain haraam rizq, and drug dealing. Soon he pulls away from Islam. When this happens his younger sister begins to be afraid of him and his actions. I want to encorporate a thing where...a guy witnesses a crime and he begins to run. the astray kid goes after him only to find out that hes one of the muslim kids just nosing around.

The tragic incident - the astray muslim kid...makes a choice, which is to go against his bad way of life, which ends him up shot b/c the ones hes with wont take that.

When the tragic incident happenes some of the muslim kids that were 'so-so' on the path....get straight...When this happens it makes the Muslims around him realize that path they are treading is no good..death is right there...

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Alhumdulillah...

...Movie idea is selected :-)

Prisoner

2006-04-08T22:34:00.000-04:00

"I can't help it" are the words of those who are addicts. "I get tempted" are words of others. When you are lost in the whispers of shaytaan, and you are blinded to what is right and what is wrong. When emotion takes hold of your senses, know one thing...

...You have a choice.

Prove It

2006-04-07T19:35:00.000-04:00

Many times we get things right and we get on a roll. When we get comfortable with that shaytaan distracts us, and as a result we fall...very hard. When you fall down...get up, but dont expect getting up to be so easy. Allah (swt) wants you to struggle, so endure the pain and suffering for him alone.

Exercise your soul, feel the burn, and savor it.

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Alhumdulillah...

...I have two parents who love and care about me
...My car still works

Expiation

2006-04-06T21:46:00.000-04:00

ex·pi·a·tion (ksp-shn)
n.

atonement: compensation for a wrong;
the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)

I am now recovering from my week long flu, a flu I didn't enjoy much. Today a brother said, "Imagine how many sins you lost in that time :)" That is when it hit me!

Abu Sa`id and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No fatigue, nor disease, nor anxiety, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that”
(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 10

A guy comes from a Muslim family, slowly he strays from the deen, tragic incident happens that makes him realize the path hes treading and death is right there. Allah can guide and disallow guidance as he wills. (Adhan in child's ear)
Following the life of a child in Afghanistan (or any other nation). Show how democracy kills children and families in other nations when its forced upon them.
Following 3 families from 3 different cultures and ethnicities and religions. See how the communication gap is similar between the children in all three.

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Alhumdulillah...

...I have friends that remind me of Allah (swt)
...I'm not part of the Arab Student Association (or the paki one for that matter)

Hilltop

2006-04-06T00:51:00.000-04:00

What happenes when you get to the hilltop? You see what is around you and where you have to go. Some weeks back I was requested to take the position of MSA Ameer. I made istikharaah and made a decision. I said i would accept. Word comes back, that I cannot be ameer b/c I'm currently not an active student on campus. Alhumdulillah :D

How much trust did you put in Allah?

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 09

Remake of the classic movie "The Seventh Seal" with Islamic message.
Find and interview the supposed 9-11 "hijackers"
Movie about a guy making a movie.

... .. ...... .. ...... .. ...

Alhumdulillah...

...I got my antibiotics for my bronkital infection.
...I was able to explain Arab-Israeli history to a fellow Jew.

Unblurred

2006-04-05T00:11:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it takes the pain of watching your brother or sister being burned to wake you up. Many times it takes the pain of truth to make you move. So much have I been polluted by the lies of propaganda.

Today I saw Farenheit 9/11 for the first time. It brought tears to my eyes. Seeing the emotions of my brothers and sisters and hearing thier words is like nothing ever before. How does one get over the weakness in the ummah is about? Discover and eliminate the weakness within.

How long will you stay in the comfort of lies?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 08

A man witnesses a crime, and is on the run from the criminal.
The analogy of the mountian pass in a movie, a father teaching his son to be tough...training him in martial arts, taching him to stand up forhimself at school...one day they go hiking together...father falls and dies..kid from then on...as a fear....of gettin over the mountian pass
Documentary of a revert and his experience as a Muslim for 1 year.

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Alhumdulillah...

...I leared the cause of my weakeness within.
...My eyes are beginning to open and the fire is rekindling.

Surfacing

2006-04-03T22:11:00.000-04:00

When the body becomes sick, it becomes weak. How does one get thier strength back? By giving it food. Similarly when the heart is sick, it becomes weak. How does one strenthen thier heart?

What have you done to strengthen your heart?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 07

A bunch of kids decide to go on an adventure. They jump onto a freight train and see where it goes. Life lessons learned on this adventure.
A man finds himself on an islam after a shipwreck. Realizes that he is a hunted game.
Bunch of guys go camping in the woods. one by one they start disappearing.

Underwater

2006-04-03T02:07:00.000-04:00

Being sick for the past couple of days has run a question in my mind. How do the mujahideen deal with being sick in the battlefield? How do they man up to it?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 06

Youth going astry and begins to deal drugs. Gets caught up in with the wrong people, untill he finds a few Muslim youth to pull him back to Islam.
Sstory of 3 friends, 1 is a revert, bond of brotherhood - arab, white, desi or black, arab, desi -- although cultures are worlds apart, Islam keeps them together.
An international students, come to study here, pays lots of money for the sake of this secular education, but struggles with language, ppl making fun of him, not fitting in, then he gets isolated from society, alientated -- then turns scuicidal maybe?

Bearing

2006-04-02T03:29:00.000-04:00

The difference between the Sahaba and the Romans and Persians in battle was that the Sahaba were able to endure longer.

The words of Saad ibn Abi Waqqas to the soldiers in the battle of AlQadisyyah was "isbiru"

How long can you endure?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 05

Story of a daee, him vs christians, da'ee gets beat up by muslims b/c they think hes trying to cause trouble.
MSA....bro and sis like each other and wanna get married...one is desi and the other is arab. both parents are traditionalist cultural oriented people...they dont want thier son/daughter marryin outside of culture
Parent trying to raise a child muslim in the west. Child has a dissability.

Piece of the Rock

2006-03-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

"Muslim" nations are humilated today. The ethics of business are greater in the west than in the east or the mid-east. There was once a time when chinese would declare their faith because of the example of the companions in thier business transactions.

How many are willing to risk thier success, fortune, or even their life to keep thier integrity? How many will strive to follow the sunnah of RasulAllah (saw)?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 04

High school kids get involved in attain haram rizq. They start with bootleg games, music and movies, which leads to counterfiet money, drugs and more.
Story of a janitor in a university. His life and him dealing with different students.
Single father (maybe not single) trying to raise children in America. Little daughter girl goes to public school. A certain individual doesnt like 'arab looking' people due to family member dieing in WTC 9-11 attack. He kidnaps the daughter...then story plays out from there...the father does what he can to get his daughter back...

Scattered Mind

2006-03-30T18:52:00.000-05:00

Sickness is truly a releif from this world and a blessing from Allah (swt). Alhumdulillah.

A fever causing the mind to be scattered. Dreams to be chaotic. Only then are amazing images of the mind released.

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks, I will give you more; but if you are thankless, verily, My punishment is indeed severe."
- Ibrahim : 7

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 03

A young man living in poverty gets involved in street fighting in order to survive and provide for his younger sister
Two little sisters blessed with super powers as a result of a du'aa of a poor man (Angel)
An older brother races against time to get home to lay eyes upon his little sister upon learning that she is about to die of sickness. Brother himself is sick and struggles to get home.

Elastic

2006-03-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

Building a discipline is one thing. Keeping it is another. More patience is needed to maintain that discipline, and even more determination is needed to build on it while being pushed.

I started off with reciting Rahman and Waqiyyah before sleeping. I got pushed so I added to it. I began reciting Rahman, Waqiyyah, and Mulk. I kept that up, untill I was pushed again.

Today will be the second day of building the new discipline of reciting:
- Fatihah (du'aa)
- Last two ayat of Baqarah (du'aa)
- Sajdah (Forgiveness)
- Rahman (Most beautified surah)
- Waqiyyah (Protection from poverty)
- Mulk (Death in sleep = Shahada)

Objective: Keep up this discipline for entire month of April, then add Surah Yaseen

How far are you willing to be pushed untill you let the discipline of ibadah break?

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Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 02

A child struggles with the existance of jinn disturbing her home
New converty struggling to distinguish between the culture of Muslims and the Deen of Islam.
A young man's struggle to get married with pressures of the west around him.

Blunt

2006-03-28T23:46:00.000-05:00

"Who are Muslims to call us mushriks"

"Allah calls you mushriks in the Quran. You believe in the one creator, but you don't worship Him alone."

"Prove to me the Quran is the truth" (Then walks out of the room, because individual realizes they are late for class)

Later that day reading the Quran...

Say: "Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth"
Say: "It is Allah."
Say: "Have you then taken protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for benefit or for harm to themselves"
- ArRa'd : 16

Allah (swt) has already answered the questions of those who ask.
What answer did you find?

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Cashdea Winner: Event showings of produced videos around different places in USA

Movie Idea 3x10 - Day 01

Documentary on how much non-Muslim students understand or know about Islam
Journey of a man running from death, and another seeking it
Documentary on what Surat AlFatiha is, its relavance to Muslims and, what it means

Amnesia

2006-03-27T23:15:00.000-05:00

Sensei once said, "Allah's mercy on children is that they forget the pain they feel when bumping thier head when trying to walk."

When sparring today, I remembered to forget the pain of the punches :)

What pains are worth forgetting in order to progress?

Solid Stairwell

2006-03-24T22:23:00.000-05:00

Pull away from the world around you and confine yourself to a solid stairwell, where you hear nothing but the echo of your heart and the rythem of the Quran.

What have you felt when you came out of your period of solitude?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 10
- Membership based basketball league
- Food serving service at events
- Market and sell fancy craft safty-pin bracelets

Alhumdulillah...For all that exists around me and all that I can experience.

Hidden Enemy

2006-03-24T02:02:00.000-05:00

Shaytaan works in mysterious ways. He can make the good guys seem like bad guys, and your friends look like enemies. When the fitnah happenes the ties are broken...what is left to do? Crisis doesnt make character, but it surly reveals it. Especially your own.

Once the dust settles...look for benefit. What did you learn? How can you take this oppurtunity to grow?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 09
- Buy electronics in bulk and sell them seperate on ebay.
- Become a reseller for Muslim Gear.
- Import Indian clothing and sell them in the west

Alhumdulillah...
- Allah uses me to guide others
- My car is still running
- sleep is a blessing

Chain Reaction

2006-03-23T00:06:00.000-05:00

One by one a dominoe falls. Leading to a waterfall of blocks falling.

Two decisions can lead to two different realities. Once good decision followed with action will lead to a good action. Choose to go for Isha in the masjid. What will you gain?

Reward for every step taken to the masjid
Cleansing of sins in greeting people
Reward for jamah
Reward for every step taken to go back home

What would be the sins committed if decided to make a bad decision?
What oppurtunities would you miss?
When will you walk towards Allah (swt)?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 08
- Market and sell honey-water as a sport drink.
- Record Quran with each ayah on seperate audio CD track, sell to distributor.
- Organize sports tournament.

Alhumdulillah...
- I can influence people
- I can talk to my parents freely
- I don't watch TV at home

Paths

2006-03-21T22:56:00.000-05:00

"If only I gave him dawah, If only I studied harder, If only I was there...if only..."

What has happened has happened. You cannot change it. It is how Allah (swt) planned it to happen. What is going to happen will happen, you cannot do anythign to prevent it.

Allah (swt) has promised victory. Islam will emerge victorious. There is no denying it. The question is...

...What part will you take in it?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 07
- Onsite feild reporting of mujahideen posted online
- Start a basketball league
- Offer leadership services to organizations as a consultant

Alhumdulillah...
- I have a mother that cooks awsome food
- I have internet almost where ever I go
- I have emotions

Ready or Not...

2006-03-20T23:52:00.000-05:00

Many of us don't do things untill we think we are "ready". What is ready? How do you know you are ready? Ready for what? What if the unexpected happen? Then you are not ready. So when will you be ready?

Today I was requested to fight in a sparring and grappling tournament. Am I ready? I don't know. I guess I'll find out when I'm facing my opponent...

...Bismillah, let go! :-)

In reality you will never be "ready". Take things when the oppurtunities arise. Real oppurtunities appear in the manner death does. Unexpected. When you are not "ready".

Are you ready?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 06
- Record training videos and sell them.
- Breed birds and sell off spring.
- Setup graphic design firm, makes posters for different organizations.

Alhumdulillah...
- I have eyes that can see
- I have friends who pay for my food
- I have the ability to heal

Succor

2006-03-19T23:09:00.000-05:00

Doing things for people, even if there is no benefit in it for you, especially if it is your student, can be quite heart warming. The gratitude that is displayed after wards is humbling.

Do something for the people around you and note the feelings afterwards...

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 05
- Record Islamic books as audio books and sell them
- Babysitting service
- Online Islamicbook library service

Alhumdulillah...
- I have a "super" computer at home
- I have food throughout the year in my fridge
- I have two little sisters who love me

Headless

2006-03-18T21:01:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen the human body function without a head?
Have you ever seen an organization funtion without an ameer?

Without the head the body lays on the floor, dead. An organization without an ameer goes no where. The leader knows where to go. He charts the course and follows the path set. Every believer is a leader.

What course have you charted today?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 04
- Import Indian floor mats in bulk and sell them in the west.
- Make digital art, partner with charity organization, auction it for a cut
- Help people get married for a fee

Alhumdulillah...
- I have a multi-disk CD player in my car
- I have parents who pay for my gasoline
- I have a cell phone that works

Ego

2006-03-17T20:05:00.000-05:00

Ego definition:

In psychoanalysis, the division of the psyche that is conscious, most immediately controls thought and behavior, and is most in touch with external reality.
An exaggerated sense of self-importance; conceit.

When you are in a face off, one-on-one, mano-mano, and your adversary has you in an arm bar with your face to the ground, what decision do you think your ego will lead you to?

My ego led me to keep tyring to over power him, causing my elbow to bend in the wrong direction with a semi-sickening noise.

Lesson: its okay to lose to friends in a wrestling match. Its not okay to keep struggling when you know you have lost.

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 03
- Drive people around for cash
- enter street fights for cash prize
- Ask people for junk they dont want and post it on ebay

Alhumdulillah
- I can feel pain to remind me of my mistakes
- I have a car to drive
- I have an ice pack at home

Sugar Low

2006-03-16T19:22:00.000-05:00

2 slices of cheese cake and 3 chocolate chip cookies...

...don't ever eat that during the weekday if you wish to keep your energy level up where it belongs. From this day forth I will not each un-needed food during the week...InshaAllah. Keep you diet to dates and whole wheat bread with occational fruits on the side. You will fly thorugh your day.

How do you get through your day when you are drained of energy? Discipline.

What brings about discipline in your life?

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 02
- Teach tajweed as a paid service
- Teach martial arts as a paid service
- Buy distressed properties and sell them to rehabers

Alhumdulillah...
- I have dates to bring me back up to level
- I am a social person
- I am tech savy

Cross Road

2006-03-15T18:36:00.000-05:00

Life is a test of choices. What we decisions we make and the intentions we have is an example of our free will. When we are faced with temptation in the end its our decision and the intention behind that decision that will be judged once the hour has past.

I ended yesterday with the wrong foot. I started the day off with the wrong foot. InshaAllah let me end it with the right foot. I shall stick to my discipline.

Cashdeas 3x10 - Day 01
- Video workshops in Islamic schools
- Website and promotions stuff for an NJ Islamic school
- Event showings of produced videos around different places in USA

Alhumdulillah...
- I have technology at my reach
- I have contact with faculty
- I carry a mushaf with me to work every day

Challenges

2006-03-14T19:24:00.000-05:00

What challenges lay ahead in these unmarked waters, only Allah knows best. One thing I can look forward to is the enjoyment of pain. It is the most vibrant feeling in this life. A sensation that truly builds you. Whether it be the muscles burning, jalapeno juices on your tongue, or the pain of a bruised rib. All remind you that you have something to be thankful for towards Allah (swt).

Alhumdulillah...
- I have a sane mind
- I have oppurtunities in front of me
- All my limbs are in working order...

Coup

2006-03-12T20:44:00.000-05:00

When facing fears will you cower or will you triumph?

I tried my first option to attain $3000 in 3 weeks. It didn't work out. Alhumdulillah. Lets move on to plan B. If that don't work out then plan C. If that don't work...then we'll have to come up with a plan D then...eh?

Rizq is from Allah. How much does he have instore for me? Only time will tell...

Time to Walk

2006-03-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

Ding Dong...SUPRISE! I got you a gift!

Would you decline it?...yes?! What if you told me that you wanted it and i got it for you...would you still decline it? If you do then that would be an insult...

For the past year I have made du'aa to Allah (swt) to grant me some things. Now I realize that He (swt) has presented the oppurtunity for me to attain what I have asked for in the du'aa, will I decline it?

There are many fears and uncertianties associated with taking up these oppurtunities...only if I dont rely in Allah (swt). -- At this point all I can do is thank Allah and put my trust in him...so I now take the step.

How long will you take to realize Allah (swt) fulfills your du'aa?
Will you thank Him upon makeing that realization?

Consumed

2006-03-10T18:16:00.000-05:00

Laziness is a disease that consumes you. It begins with your mind. Then it consumes your body. In the end it eats away your heart. What then do you do when you dont want to do anything?

Discipline is what brings forth the strength get through:

Seek protection from Allah...Aoodubillahi minal ajzi minal kasl
Be truthful with yourself. Make no execuse, because there will be none on the day of reckoning.
Do what you have to do...

The hour is near...When will you push past yourself?

Justice

2006-03-07T17:59:00.000-05:00

For the past year I have made du'aa to Allah (swt) to increase my influence upon others. It has happened...more than I thought. As the days pass I realize more and more how this influence is an emmense trust...

...the decision remains with me. "Will you do this influence justice?" A true leader serves the people he leads. A just leader is that while fearing Allah.

How many rights of your followers have you fulfilled?
How many have you been just to?

Sudden Halt

2006-03-06T23:32:00.000-05:00

After going through the past 4 days, my emotions have come to a sudden and complete halt. The polygraph has flat lined. Two path ways in two different directions. A decision must be made, but not before I can figure out the alternatives.

1 - Consult Allah first...
2 - Seek shurah with the people...
3 - Weigh the options...
4 - Make the decision...

5 - Leave the rest to Allah...

When will you consult the All-Wise Knower?

Rising Dust

2006-03-05T20:13:00.000-05:00

This rollercoaster has more emotional and mental loops than I realized. The further I go the more i feel like I am about to fly. In the past 3 days this mentality of thinking is carrying on into my other activities. Some may consider it foolish or hasty...the fact is I took action.

I am up to 4 ideas. Implementation begins now. No more waiting. Time for action.

Islam is a deen of action! -- Islam is submission. A verb. Don't sit around and wait for things to happen. Make them happen. Have a vision, see yourself there, and take action.

When will you rise up above yourself?

Do you really want it?

2006-03-04T12:57:00.000-05:00

$100! I'm holding it up right now...
Do you want it...?
Yea...?
Why are you still sitting there then? come take it!

Wanting something isn't the same as doing something to get it.

I want $3000 in less than 3 weeks. Never have I thought in the way I have in the past 2 days. Yesterday I had 1 idea in hand. Today have 3. Monday I will put those ideas in action. One after another, trial and error.

Let us see where this roller coaster loop ends! :)

Everyone wants paradise...are you willing to seize it?

Throne of Thorns

2006-03-03T09:19:00.000-05:00

"What do i do when im afriad of taking a position of leadership?" --- Become a leader.

Waja'alna mutaq'eena imaama

Those who have fear of Allah (swt) are leaders. -- We are conquerors. A conqueror fears nothing, except Allah (swt). Step up and take your bull by the horns.

1st Step

2006-03-02T12:33:00.000-05:00

Everything comes to an end...even death. Until death is slaughtered...we all have limited immortality.