book

20
Feb
2020
The Abundance Mentality: An Islamic Perspective

The Abundance Mentality: An Islamic Perspective

The abundance mentality is the philosophy that there is enough in this world for everybody, and that we can all prosper together. It is the opposite of the scarcity mentality which pervades capitalistic societies. The scarcity mentality is the belief that there are limited resources in the world, and there isn’t enough for everybody.

The Abundance Mentality Defined

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey explains clearly the difference between the scarcity mentality and the abundance mentality. He describes the Scarcity Mentality as follows:

Most people are deeply scripted in what I call the Scarcity Mentality. They see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there. And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else. The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum paradigm of life. People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit—even with those who help in the production. They also have a hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people.

Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, p. 219

He describes the Abundance mentality as follows:

The Abundance Mentality, on the other hand, flows out of a deep inner sense of personal worth or security. It is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. It results in the sharing of prestige, recognition, profits, and decision-making. It opens possibilities, options, alternatives, and creativity.

Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, pp. 219-220

Stephen Covey explained the harms of the scarcity mentality as follows:

People with a Scarcity Mentality have a very difficult time sharing recognition and credit, power or profit…They also have a hard time being genuinely happy for the success of other people. Even, and sometimes, especially, members of their own family or close friends and associates. It’s almost as if something is being taken from them when someone else receives special recognition…

Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, p. 219

God’s Limitless Treasures

The abundance mentality for Muslims is an even deeper issue, it is a matter of theology. Muslims believe that God created the entire universe, provides for all His creation, and that God’s treasures are limitless. Based on these beliefs, a scarcity mentality can lead to defects in one’s understanding of God and His infinite treasures.

The scarcity mentality is based on false notions about this world and God. These false notions lead to a problematic understanding of resources and how they are divided. In reality, there is enough food, wealth, and everything else for all of humanity to live comfortably. Unfortunately, this wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few elite capitalist leaders.

Yet, if it were distributed fairly, world poverty would not exist. This balance and fair distribution actually occurred in ʿUmar bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz’s kingdom during his reign. ʿUmar’s economic reforms, as well as his emphasis on the collection and fair distribution of the Zakat, led to a strong economy. The economy grew so strong under ʿUmar II that there reached a point in which people had difficulty locating eligible Zakat recipients.

In a truly Islamic environment, it is common to find most people engaging in acts of charity well above the minimum. They do so regardless of their economic status and without fear of poverty. This is because Islam cements the abundance mentality into the minds of its believers.

Islam teaches us that God’s treasures are limitless, and even if every creature asked God for whatever they wanted and He gave it to them, it would not decrease His treasures in the least.

Muslims also believe that charity increases wealth and causes Baraka (spiritual blessings) in one’s wealth. With such deep-rooted spiritual beliefs, it is clear why Muslims who understand their religion are often among the most charitable people in the world, without any anxiety about poverty.

Tapping into the Abundance Mindset

The abundance mindset is easily espoused when a person has the correct understanding of God and His Attributes. One of Allah’s Beautiful Names is al-Ghani which translates as “The Independent” or “The Richest” or “The One whose treasures are limitless”.

Based on this belief, Muslims have a firm conviction that there are enough resources on earth for everybody, and the apparent shortage or deficiency is simply a matter of flawed access and distribution. This is why a Muslim trader would not feel threatened if someone purchased an item from a neighboring store. He simply sees it as that person receiving his share of sustenance from God whose own treasures are limitless.

In Islamic theology, the scarcity mindset is considered one of the tricks of the devil. God states in the Quran, “Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and abundance. And Allah is All-Encompassing and All-Knowing.” (Quran 2:268)

In the above verse, the scarcity mentality is listed as a trick of the devil that leads to immorality–much like how Umar’s cousins had him poisoned out of fear of loss of wealth. The scarcity mentality causes jealousy, hatred, anger, pettiness, miserliness, and is sometimes the rod prodding one to commit violence and murder. Therefore, the scarcity mentality is condemned in Islam as a trick of the devil.

This same verse also highlights the abundance mentality as a gift from God. The verse mentions God’s name al-Wāsi (The All-Encompassing) which means that God’s treasures are limitless and abundant. It also means that everything belongs to God and He is the one who distributes his treasures among His Creation. It also means that God’s generosity is limitless. All these meanings engrave in the mind of the believer an abundance mentality. Furthermore, in this same verse, God promises abundance for His servants.

This verse shapes the believer’s mindset regarding wealth and sustenance. Ideas of poverty, competition, jealousy, and pettiness are all tricks of the devil to push us into evil actions. While obedience to God leads to abundance, maybe not in material wealth but in contentment, happiness, inner peace, Baraka, and good character. All of which are more important than material wealth.

When a person adopts an abundance mentality, worries about this world fall away. Without worry, a person is able to be more charitable, generous, caring, happy, and content. This leads to a higher quality of life and better mental health overall.

This article was adapted from chapter seven of my latest book Productivity Principles of Umar II. The book is available at Amazon and Gumroad. (CLICK HERE to get the ebook from Gumroad at a discounted price – limited availability)

Posted by Ismail Kamdar in Books, Positive Thinking
28
Dec
2019
NEW RELEASE: Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II

NEW RELEASE: Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II

Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II is a powerful book for serious individuals who want to Show Up, Take Responsibility for their lives and Take Action in attaining the Best and most Productive version of their true selves.
 
‘Time is money’, as the saying goes. With limited time on this planet, ‘how’ we use this most valuable currency of time is what truly differentiates success from failure – regardless of what we do.
 
This book unveils 15 powerful Productivity principles and lessons derived from the life of ʿUmar bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz (Arabic: عمر بن عبد العزيز) commonly known as ʿUmar II, the 8th Umayyad Caliph.

Who Was ʿUmar II?

Born in Medina in 682, he was the matrilineal great-grandson of Islam’s 2nd Caliph ʿUmar ibn Al-Khaṭṭāb (R.A). His immensely transformational rule as Caliph lasted from 717 until his death in 720.
 
Despite his short reign, ʿUmar II accomplished major milestones and brought about lasting change in the entire Muslim world through his robust manner of governance. He made solid reforms in provincial administration, military strategy, education, taxation, fair dispensation of Zakah, Islamic propagation and public works.
 
The book overviews a summarized history of the first century of Islam while presenting a detailed biography of ʿUmar II, as well as including two sections of discussions on some of the more difficult aspects of Islamic history such as military expansion and slavery.

 Imagine Being Able To..

  • Accomplish more by managing your Time, Attention and Energy
  • Cement Self-Discipline; hacking your daily habits while building unshakable Self-Control
  • Create and enhance laser sharp Focus
  • Eliminate Procrastination and lack of Motivation
  • Compound the effect of short-term tasks for long-term success
  • Do more with less – and get better results
  • Gain extreme and lasting Productivity
  • Reignite the love and passion for Islamic History

….and more!


Dr. Yasir Qadhi – a globally renowned Islamic Scholar, TV personality and highly revered theologian, lecturer and educator on Islam, says this about the book:

“Through a deep analysis of ʿUmar life, the author Shaykh Ismail Kamdar brings to light various life-changing principles that ʿUmar implemented. ʿUmar II is an excellent role model for each of these principles, which Ismail has broken down and discussed in detail throughout the book.”

Discover exactly where to start, what to do, and how to follow up each action you take with life-altering productivity principles that bring in lasting results!

Reclaim the Keys to the Extraordinary

Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II is intricately written to remove the negative flow of energy, emotional and mental blockades, procrastination habits and self-limiting beliefs that have you locked outside the doors of your fullest potential.
The outside space is not fertile ground for change. Being locked out of your mind is a quicksand that swallows you with each passing moment. Nothing can be done in the outside space.

The keys lay on the inside, and while you’re scared to step in, the Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II empowers you to do so – successfully, tangibly and sustainably, while creating the most pristine level of whom you are and what you can be.
From historical, contemporary and Islamic standpoints, the book dissects the important facets of your life and surgically enables you to identify, analyze, work towards and strengthen areas that eventually lead you to the keys within.
The keys to the Extraordinary; a life based on only the most highest, polished, magnificently wondrous and productive version of yourself.

And you accomplish all of this – without feeling like a stranger or without experiencing anything foreign. Everything is naturally and carefully aligned to resonate with your integral values as an individual, as a human being, and most importantly as a Muslim.

Unravel the Productivity gems of ʿUmar II that lead him to govern the Islamic State with great ability and progress until his passing at the young age of just 37!

Through the rich repository of ʿUmar II’s life and legacy of successful governance as Caliph, this book will empower you to achieve the most optimal, efficient and productive version of You.

How?

The book accomplishes this by combining the magnificence of Islamic history with the practicality of modern day productivity techniques. Techniques and approaches you can begin applying in all the critical areas of your personal, professional, social and religious spheres of life – today!

What If You Could Conquer These Obstacles In Your Daily Life?

  • Lack of self-confidence
  • Inability to retain information
  • Irregular consistency
  • Getting started and maintaining progress
  • Losing focus and not following through
  • Lack of accountability and performance measurement
  • No self-discipline
  • Laziness and loss of motivation through routine tasks
  • Feeling lost and discouraged
  • Struggling with procrastination in everything you do

….and more?

And…
What If You Could REPLACE Those Obstacles With…

  • Gain Immense Clarity                   
  • Harness Your Unique Talents
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  • Actualize Your Full Potential
  • Increase Self-Care and Fun         
  • Attain freedom to Live Life on Your Terms
  • Develop Constructive Mind Shifts 
  • Produce Positive Flow of Energies
  • Become the Gatekeeper of Your Domain 
  • Counter Stress and Hardships
  • Re-Engage Your Inner Connectivity            
  • Ignite Your Passion

                        ….and more?

Discover how you can ELIMINATE barriers keeping you from a productive, wholesome and more successful life. Barriers can only be broken when the actual problems and existing struggles are identified, promptly fixed and successfully built upon.

This comes through the right approach, knowledge and direction.

Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II accomplishes this by laying a solid framework for building a strong, uninterrupted and action-oriented approach to productivity with key principles such as:

  1. Delegation (The power of doing ‘more’ with less)
  2. Prioritization (Why our stop-doing lists need to be bigger than our to-do lists)
  3. Benefiting Society (Living life as a productive & responsible member of society and benefiting everyone in it)
  4. Shura (Consultation) with experts (The value of collective consultation within the light of Islam)
  5. Mentors and Role Models (The importance of selecting the right mentors and emulating legitimate role models)
  6. Abundance Mindset (Focusing on the limitless possibilities that exist in life. Choosing to think in positive terms about everything that happens in life, good or bad)

                                                                                                …..and more!
 
Productivity Principles Of ʿUmar II is your beginning to a journey enriched with clear, effective and results-oriented steps to leading a better and lasting productive life.
The book emphatically guides you with awe-inspiring lessons from Islamic history, while focusing on 15 Key Productivity Principles from the life of Umar II.

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This is your chance to live the highest most in-tune version of yourself – while you still have the valuable ‘currency’ of time left on this planet.

All you need is a beating heart, breathing lungs and the willingness to invest in yourself by taking charge.

Day One or One Day?

You decide, before one-day turns to many days, and many days become many years, and many years result in a life wasted.
Make your today, your day one.

About the Author

Shaykh Ismail Kamdar is a widely renowned and internationally respected author of several best-selling publications that focus on areas such as self-help, self-development, mindset, time management, productivity, organization etc. under the light of Islamic jurisprudence; the Quran and Hadith.

Considered by many in the Muslim space as a ‘go-to authority’ for what he does, his works include: Having Fun the Halal Way: Entertainment in Islam, Getting The Barakah: An Islamic Guide to Time Management, Best Of Creation: An Islamic Guide to Self-Confidence, and Homeschooling 101, among other popular titles.

Starting his study of Islam at the tender age of thirteen, Shaykh Ismail Kamdar has been actively involved in Islamic work since the age of sixteen.

Noticing a severe lack of Islamic literature dedicated to the field of Personal Development & Self-Help, he founded Islamic Self-help in April 2015. It was established as a platform to help Muslims gain knowledge that can assist them in personal development through Self-Help articles, books, and courses.
He completed a seven-year Alim course in 2007 and a BA in Islamic Studies from Islamic Online University in 2014. He is currently a senior lecturer, as well as the Faculty Manager of the Islamic Online University, and is involved in multiple Dawah projects around the world.

Purchase Links:

PDF Edition: https://gumroad.com/l/umar2 (53% DISCOUNT FOR LIMITED TIME ONLY!) alternative link – https://payhip.com/b/O573
Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Productivity-Principles

Paperback Edition Links:

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Posted by Ismail Kamdar in Books
24
Feb
2018

4 Things About Barakah Every Muslim Must Know

About Barakah Definition

4 Things About Barakah Every Muslim Must Know

Barakah is one of those Islamic concepts that many people know of, but don’t know much about. In this short article, I will explain four important things every Muslim must know about Barakah.

1. What is Barakah?

Barakah is often translated as Blessings in English. But that doesn’t tell us much about Barakah and what it actually is.

Barakah can be defined as spiritual blessings in any thing. It is the phenomenon of getting more done with less, in a manner that defies logic.

Three Examples of Barakah:

A) Getting five hours worth of work done in an hour
B) Writing an entire high quality book in a day
C) Money not getting finished despite spending a lot and giving a lot of charity

Barakah can occur in anything: money, time, family, work, results, dawah, writings, effects on others, food, and even life itself. A person who gets more done in a short 35 year lifespan than someone who lived 95 years had Barakah in his life.

Simply put, Barakah can’t be explained in a single English word. So we should stick to using the Arabic word. It is a type of Karamat (miracle) that Allah can grant to any believer.

2. How to get Barakah?

There is no single method of getting Barakah outlined in the Quran and Sunnah. But there are core Islamic concepts that definitely lead to Barakah for those who do it properly and sincerely. These can be listed as:

A) Earning and eating Halal only
B) Fulfilling the commands of Allah
C) Making dua for Barakah
D) Giving Charity
E) Praying Qiyam Al-Layl (Tahajjud)

The above have led to Barakah for thousands of Muslims throughout history. And when done properly with sincerity can lead to Barakah for you and me too.

3. If you have it, don’t question it

A lesser known aspect about Barakah is what to do when you experience it. Based on authentic Hadiths, we can conclude that if someone experiences Barakah, they shouldn’t tell question it. Doing so may lead to the Barakah disappearing.

The following two Hadiths are evidence of this:

Jabir reported that a person came to Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and asked for food. And he gave him half a load of barley, and the person and his wife and their guests kept on making use of it (as a food) until he weighed it (in order to find out the actual quantity, and it was no more). He came to Allah’s Prophet (ﷺ) (and informed him about it). He said, “Had you not weighed it, you would be eating out of it and it would have remained intact for you.” (Sahih Muslim 2281)

Jabir reported that Umm Malik used to send clarified butter in a small skin to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Her sons would come to her and ask for seasoning when they had nothing with them and she would go to that (skin) in which she offered (clarified butter) to Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ), and she would find in that clarified butter and it kept providing her with seasoning for her household until she had (completely) squeezed it. She came to Allah’s Apostle (ﷺ) and (informed him about it). Thereupon, he (ﷺ) said, “Did you squeeze it?” She said, “Yes.” Thereupon he (ﷺ) said, “If you had left it in that very state, it would have kept on providing you (the clarified butter) without ending.” (Sahih Muslim 2280)

In both of the above hadiths, the Barakah only ended when the individual questioned how it was happening by inspecting it. So if you experience Barakah, don’t question how it is happening. What should you do instead? Read on!

4. Express gratitude to Allah for it

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you are ungrateful, indeed, My punishment is severe.” (Surah Ibraheem 14:7)

The key to successful living is an attitude of gratitude. If you experience Barakah in anything, then express gratitude to Allah for it and don’t dwell on how it is happening. Accept it as a gift from Allah and try your best to use it in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

The most basic way to show gratitude is to say Alhamdulillah (All Praise is for Allah) and to use it to earn Allah’s pleasure. But for really amazing occasions of Barakah, we should make Sajdah Shukr (prostration of gratitude). This is done by immediately going into Sajdah and thanking Allah for His Blessings on you.

So there it is, four key points about Barakah that every Muslim must know. We end by asking Allah to put Barakah in this article, this website, these ebooks and all our efforts. Ameen!

Want to learn more about Barakah?
Read our bestselling ebook: Getting The Barakah!
1000s of readers were transformed by it, now it is your turn!
Click the image below to purchase it!
About Barakah eBook

Posted by Ismail Kamdar in Time Management
05
May
2017

The Self-Publishing Revolution: Doing It Yourself

The Self-Publishing Revolution

“What do you mean by the self-publishing revolution?” You may ask. Is it violent? Is it a war? What’s this all about?

Relax, the self-publishing revolution is as peaceful as it gets. Its a revolution in the field of arts. In writing, producing, designing and content creation.

In the beginning

Once upon a time, if you wanted to succeed at any art you needed a publisher. If you were an author, you would take your draft to publisher after publisher, receiving rejection after rejection. Eventually, if you were lucky, someone might give you a chance and publish your book.

Likewise, if you wanted to produce an education course. Or a nasheed album. Even if it was just publishing an article.

Then the internet happened! And with it came the revolution.

Self-Publishing and Beyond

Today, with the internet you no longer need to face rejection. You don’t need to find a publisher. You can publish your latest article straight to your blog. As soon as your book is ready, it can be up for sale on Amazon. And you can even launch your own online learning academy.

I know.

Because I did all three at Islamic Self Help.

In the past two years, Islamic Self Help has been a platform for publishing dozens of articles, 10 eBooks and 5 online courses.

This feature is about one of those premium online courses. And if you are interested in doing what I am doing, then you have to read this.

How to self-publish your works

At Islamic Self Help, we want to help other artists do what we do. We want to help you self-publish your works. This is why we designed a course to teach you everything you need to know about self-publishing.

Launched January 1st 2017, our premium course ‘How to Self-Publish Your Book in 90 days‘ has helped over 50 students learn the ins and outs of self-publishing.

Through a series of 86 video lessons, we take you from the very beginning (idea generation, draft writing) to the higher levels (email marketing, sales).

The good news that this course isn’t just for authors!

If you have anything you want to self-publish, an eBook, articles, poetry, even videos, then this course is for you!

What would you get out of this course?

Imagine being able to turn your passion into a source of side income. Imagine being able to make money from the sale of your product in your sleep!

If you are serious about publishing your art, you owe it to yourself to learn self-publishing.

Self Publishing will:

1- Grant you autonomy

2- Keep you in control of the sales and distribution of your products

3- Help you publish faster

4- Increase percentage of income per sale

5- Protect your copyright over your writings

Can you handle it?

Warning: This course is long and comprehensive. Featuring over 100 lessons (including notes, tests and videos). But it is just the beginning.

Practicing what you learn, and self-publishing your own eBooks and products will be the real challenge.

If you are up to the challenge, then we are offering you a special discount for our Self-Publishing course.

Utilize this link to access the course at an 80% discount!

Do so and not only will you save $400, but you will gain instant access to all 80 videos today!

What are you waiting for?

Your journey towards self-publishing begins now!

Self-Publishing Revolution

Click the picture to grab the 80% discount today!

Posted by Ismail Kamdar in Books, Business
03
Dec
2016

The Test of the Beauty of this world

The Test of the Beauty of this world

There are many places in the Qur’an in which Allah uses the word beauty to describe this world, and it truly is beautiful. There are many types of beauty in this world, including pure beauty, deceptive beauty and tempting beauty. In this section, we will look at the different ways in which beauty is a test.

Pure beauty refers to the Halal and beneficial things of this world like Halal wealth, children, a beautiful spouse, a beautiful home or nature in general. These are things which Allah created and made beautiful for the believers to enjoy. The test in these cases is to thank Allah for these gifts and not allow them to distract us from obeying Him.

Regarding this, Allah warns us:

Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard in His Cause , then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah does not guide a rebellious people.[1]

All of the things listed in this verse are Halal and good things. Yet, loving any of them more than Allah and His Messenger is problematic as it corrupts our intentions and goals, and it diverts us from the purpose of life. In this way, the good things in our life are a test.

Deceptive beauty refers to the evils of this world that are disguised as beautiful. The modern marketing industry is famous for this. It packages all forms of sin as good and beautiful and this leads many people down the wrong path towards self-harm and destruction. The test here is to recognize the evil hidden underneath the layers of beautiful wrapping and to avoid it as much as possible. Do not fall for the devil’s deception, as it will lead you down a part to darkness.

Allah warns us about this and says:

And I have appointed for them companions (from among the devils) who made their past and future sins seem attractive.[2]

The beautified deception

The worldly life has been beautified for those who disbelieve, and they mock the believers. But those who believe will rise above them on the Day of Resurrection, and Allah provides for whom He wills without restrictions.[3]

Tempting beauty are things of this world which are indeed beautiful, but their beauty might be so overpowering that people are willing to violate the laws of Allah to have it. The two most common scenarios are women and wealth. Men are tempted to have beautiful women, and many do not have the confidence to do it the right way by marrying them and treating them equally, so they go down the path of evil to get what they want.

Likewise, people desire wealth and many don’t have the patience and trust in Allah to earn it the Halal way, so they take Haram shortcuts like dealing with Riba[4]; and they end up with cursed wealth devoid of any blessings.

Yes, this world is beautiful but in this is a test for mankind. We are to enjoy the pure beauty of this world moderately, and to be patient with the prohibited. This patience will lead to even greater and more beautiful things in Paradise.

Allah says about this:

For mankind, (Allah has) beautified a strong love and desire for women, children, heaps of gold and silver, fine branded horses[5], cattle and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of the worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return.

Say: Shall I inform you of something better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord, beneath which rivers flow. They will dwell therein forever, and have purified spouses and Allah’s pleasure. And Allah is All-Seeing over His Servants.[6]

Extract from Best Of Creation: An Islamic Guide to Self-Confidence. Purchase the full eBook here.

test

[1] Surah At-Tawba 9:24

[2] Surah Al-Fussilat 41:25

[3] Surah Al-Baqarah 2:212

[4] Interest-based transactions

[5] In modern terms, this would include expensive cars, instead of horses, and stock and businesses in place of farms and cattle

[6] Surah Aal-Imraan 3:14-15

Posted by Ismail Kamdar in Books, Self Confidence