I came across this and I was amazed on how Ramadan presented this matter.
Read and then think carefully. Only then will you understand.

Tariq Ramadan:
“This, bipolar vision, is widespread and gives some Muslims a sense of power, might and legitimacy in Otherness. But not only is this bipolar and simplistic vision a decoy (and the claims that justify it are untruths), but the power it bestows is a pure illusion: in practice, the Muslims who maintain these theses only isolate themselves, marginalize themselves, and sometimes, by their excessive emotional, intellectual and social isolation, even strengthen the logic of the dominant system whose power, by contrast, lies in always appearing open, pluralistic, and rational.”

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Keywords:
bipolar - having or related to two poles or extremities
Otherness - the quality or fact of being other or different
simplistic - treating complex issues and problems as if they were much simpler than they really are
marginalize - treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral
pluralistic - a conviction that various religious, ethnic, racial, and political groups should be allowed to thrive in a single society

The people you surround yourself with affects the outlook you have on life. You don’t need many friends; what you really need is people who are positive, driven and possess some sense of purpose. That’s when you come to realise you actually need fewer friends. The sort of people whose conversations flower with positivity and ambition; they are always upbeat, mention only good of others and desire for the betterment of society.

Avoid negativity like plague – because that’s exactly what it is. People who talk ill of others, lack any serious moral conviction and are expert fault finders won’t do you any good. Look around you, people who achieve anything worthwhile don’t sit around idly, complaining and whinging about their sad state of affairs. They put their trust in God, get out there and make something happen. Be a doer, get out on the field and make yourself count. Nothing is going to happen by sitting in your cosy armchair.

All the most successful men and women (whatever your definition of success maybe) got out there and made things happen. Be a realist, be an optimist and most importantly, stay positive. One box you need to tick is to get in the right crowd.

Haroon Sidat Phd.

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه ، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏آية المنافق ثلاث‏:‏ إذا حدث كذب، وإذا وعد أخلف، وإذا اؤتمن خان‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏ ‏.‏ 

زاد في ‏(‏‏(‏رواية لمسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏:‏ ‏"‏وإن صام وصلى وزعم أنه مسلم‏"‏‏.‏


Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust."

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Another narration adds the words: "Even if he observes Saum (fasts), performs Salat (prayer) and claims to be a Muslim."


Book 2, Hadith 689

“Strategy, that’s a very important word” I was reminded by a very sincere friend as we drove through Abu Dhabi today. I couldn’t help but reflect on what it really meant as we returned back to the hotel. It’s the art and science of planning and marshalling resources for their most efficient and effective use, the dictionary informs us.

Whatever we are aiming to achieve in life, there needs to be some sort well considered and thought through process of how we are going to get there. Failure to do this runs the risk of leaving us bitterly disappointed. This being more so pertinent as we seek the ultimate felicity of the life to come.

“We are here (in this world) and the Day of Judgement is where we are heading,” he concluded as we made our way through the chaos of rush hour traffic.


BY: Haroon Sidat Phd.