Navigating in stormy waters

Lessons from the Seerah

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ه لقد كان لكم في رسول الله من كان يرجو الل أسوة حسنة ل

ه كثيرا واليوم اآلخر وذكر اللAhzab 33: 21. Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah a

great deal.

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“If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and astonishing results are

the three criteria of a human genius, who could dare compare any great man in history with Muhammad?”

~ Alphonse de Lamartine

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Challenges1. Changing people’s belief2. Changing people’s ethics & values3. Changing the social structure & hierarchy4. Changing life goals & priorities5. Changing people’s concept of justice

The most difficult things to change in any society

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Changing belief1. From polytheism to monotheism2. From free will to accountability3. From own will to the Will of Allahهلالج لج

From Sovereign to Vicegerent

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Sovereign Vicegerent

1. Law maker2. Above the law3. Not accountable4. Holds others to

account

1. Implements the law2. Subject to the law3. Accountable to the

Sovereign like everyone

Real meaning of Rule of Law

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ة ماوات واألرض في ست ذي خلق الس هو الام ثم استوى على العرش يعلم ما يلج في أيماء األرض وما يخرج منها وما ينزل من السه وما يعرج فيها وهو معكم أين ما كنتم والل

 بما تعملون بصير

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Accountability, comfort, safety

Hadid 57: 4  He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days and then made Istawa  on the Throne. He knows what goes into the earth and what comes forth from it, what descends from the heaven and what ascends thereto. And He is with you (in a manner that suits His Majesty) wherever you may be. And Allah sees all that you do.

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Changing ethics & values1. From accumulating possessions to

sharing 2. From fulfilling desires to compassion for

others3. From flaunting wealth to charity

Changing what people consider valuable

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إن المبذرين كانوا إخوان ه يطان لرب ياطين وكان الش الش

كفوراIsra 17: 27. Verily, ostentatious spenders are

brothers of  Shayateen, and the Shaytan is ever ungrateful to his Rabb.

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Changing social structure & hierarchy

1. From tribal loyalty to universal brotherhood

2. From gender discrimination to women’s rights

3. From racial discrimination to universal equality

Pleasing Allahهلالج لج the only consideration

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ا خلقناكم من ذكر وأنثى اس إن ها الن يا أيوجعلناكم شعوبا وقبائل لتعارفوا إن

ه عليم خبير ه أتقاكم إن الل أكرمكم عند اللHujuraat 49: 13. O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may

know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is the one who is the most Muttaqi. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.

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Changing life goals & priorities

1. From fulfilling desires to fulfilling responsibility

2. From materialism to pleasing Allahهلالج لج3. From life of this world to the life of Al-

Akhira

Changing the concept of success

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ه وقولوا قوا الل ذين آمنوا ات ها ال يا أيقوال سديدا

يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ه ورسوله فقد ذنوبكم ومن يطع الل

and هلالج لجAhzab 33: 70. O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allahفاز فوزا عظيماspeak the truth. 71.  He will direct you to do righteous deeds and

will forgive your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messengerملسو هيلع هللا ىلص he has indeed achieved the greatest success

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Changing concept of justice1. From rule of man to rule of law2. From punishment according to status to

punishment according to the crime3. From privilege to accountability to

Allahهلالج لج

Rule of Law, not rule of man

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ه ذين آمنوا كونوا قوامين بالقسط شهداء لل ها ال يا أيا ولو على أنفسكم أو الوالدين واألقربين إن يكن غنيبعوا الهوى أن تعدلوا ه أولى بهما فال تت أو فقيرا فالله كان بما تعملون خبيرا وإن تلووا أو تعرضوا فإن الل

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An-Nisa 4:135O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as

witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich

or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest

you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever

Well-Acquainted with what you do.

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What he needed1. Wealth & status2. Personal and political power3. Large number of followers 4. Military power

The usual material means of gaining influence

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What Allahهلالج لج gave him1. Faith and courage2. Consistency and resilience3. Wisdom and forgiveness

Few but high quality followers

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What do we need today?What are we doing to get it?

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What do we need to do?1. Do what Rasoolullahملسو هيلع هللا ىلص did:

1. Connect with Allahهلالج لج2. Be beneficial to all people3. Keep the goal foremost4. Be patient and forgiving5. Work with everyone no matter their history6. Never stop working, no matter how long it takes