How a Suicide Attempt Led Me Back to Islam, with Omar Sadik the Poet

I think this is like a central moment in my life that pivoted it is when I tried to commit suicide and I feel like that was a a great moment looking back at it in my life. If anything I thank Allah that it happened cuz it was the only thing that could have like brought me back to him. Sometimes when Allah gives you certain things like whether it be depression, suicidal ideiation, these things on the surface level they can look negative but when you internalize it and see the lessons that are in it I feel like we can get a lot of goodness from it. I don't think it was even the intention of this episode, but subhan Allah, it became the growing and running theme is the danger of the ego. The more you deteriorate to the ego side and to listen to the whispers of the ego, the more you'll be blinded from seeing and actually comprehending this reality which is everything is working as an obedience to Allah subhana wa ta'ala. >> A lot of the youth, they see lifestyle content naturally we're attracted to it. But the problem is they don't have the spiritual substance to back up that lifestyle brand as well. If you was to really put a gun to my head and be like, "How did you do this?" and blah blah blah. It's Allah. There's people that post the same content as me. There's people that post better content than me. But I have been in granted a position only that Allah could have given me and he can take it away at any time as well. >> What is your baraka blueprint? >> Assalamu alaykum. Welcome to the Baraka Blueprint podcast. This is the podcast for you who want to become the best possible Muslim. If you want to excel in your dean, if you want to excel in your material gain, in the quality of your life and achieving your goals with unlocking the secret blueprint to success, you have found your podcast. I'm your host Ibrahim Sharif and Allah subhana wa ta'ala has blessed me with many things in life. Alhamdulillah. I have been blessed with first of all accept being part of the Muslim ummah being part of a nation that believes in Allah subhana wa ta'ala and being part of a nation that believes in memorizes and preaches the Quran. Allah subhana t has blessed me to move to a Muslim country. Allah subhana wa ta'ala has blessed me to live in a Muslim country and to meet highly elevated valuable individuals and which is why I started the Baraka Blueprint podcast to connect with people to learn from people. The Baraka Blueprint podcast is an experiment for myself where I am the test subject and I share the value with people. Now I had the pleasure to have brother Omar Sadik as a guest in the blue podcast. We talked about many things and I think this is one of the more how do you say one of the more eyeopening podcast episodes for the sole reason that something didn't work which is I tried to write a script and prepare for that episode and I think that episode was the paradigm shift for me in how I prepared prepare and present and deliver the Baraka Blueprint podcast. So, I've decided to, you know, ditch the script part more often. I'm I'm still going to go to chat GPT and give my ideas and get a script that I think is very cool and then film some videos like this. Let's Let's be honest. Let's not get ourselves. Uh, but I'll do it much less in the Bakab podcast. I've done it already with so many guests and I felt that it was I felt that it was very um very valuable, very giving. Okay, enough about me. Uh Sadik is a very interesting character. Sadik aka just Omar in Instagram is a poet, a thinker, and I'm honored and blessed to call him a friend. Brother Omar is someone who to me is a reminder of two things. as my friend, he has been reminding me frequently to stay on the habit of as much as I possibly can. And this is something that I will be ever so grateful to this brother, subhan Allah, and I'll always make dua for him, for helping me with this habit. And the second thing is to remind me and remind people that follow him and in his page to not listen to your nephs to your ego and to silence the ego as much as you possibly can. And last but not least, this is going to be a very fun episode. I can guarantee you like this. There's been so much laughter, there's been so much joy, and you know what? I'm not going to say anything else. I'll just let you sit and watch this wonderful production in Baraka style. Hello everyone. Welcome to the Baraka Blueprint podcast. This is the podcast where you tune in to become a better version of yourself as a Muslim. This is the podcast where we talk about balancing between dean and dunya, between faith and focus and to learn how to befriend the Quran. and alhamdulillah together in this studio I have a very special guest and friend our brother Omar a brother Omar from the UK uh a brother who has a career in building his own brand and uh ghost writing services which I'm going to learn about today as well is not only a sharp mind but has a golden tongue with his poetry be it in what he writes and what he says. But even more special than that, Omar is now a guest in the Baraka >> What a pleasure to have you on the podcast. We talked about this and finally it happened and I can't believe it. >> I knew it was going to happen. >> Yeah. Just like I know certain guests I'm going to get on this podcast, not even Bruce Kimchi. Like I knew that was going to I knew he was I was going to get him on this. So it's good. It's definitely >> Let me just call the committee because what is this? No. No. >> Let's see if we can get the whole podcast. >> It's crazy. No, no, but literally it's crazy because all of this I didn't foresee this. Subhan Allah. But as we were talking the the other day, how everything turned out to be planned, >> the location, the people that were there praying together at your place, going to eat a lot of chicken, like we're talking about a lot of chicken >> and like all the people we met, the brothers, may Allah subh bless each and every one of them. What what a gathering. Subhan Allah. and what happened after that and the conversations that happened after that and the recording and like at one podcast and then this podcast, God knows what happens afterwards. Subhan Allah. >> What a beautiful story we're living. >> Mashallah. >> And speaking of which, >> I wanted to ask you something, brother Omar. What's one story from your life that >> you know what in whichever situation whatever it can be about whatever something that you derive lessons from something that gives you a beautiful memory something that is worth sharing for theat for the reward. >> Okay. So what like a be a a story that a story that what like is >> you finish the sentence >> a story? No, cuz the thing, you know, the thing is I'm like, again, if you if you you see me on Instagram, I'm very like depressing and like, do you know what I mean? Like my content is very like low and it doesn't say that. >> Yeah. So, even when you say story, I was like, okay, let me tell him this story. And there's good there's goodness from it, but the story in and of itself isn't good. >> Oh my good god. You choose. But for me, I'm intrigued to hear it now. >> Okay. If you want to share it, go ahead. >> I think it's it's a it's a very big uh I think it's a great it's the start like you know with the personal brand and the content the poetry and everything. I think this is like a center a like a central moment in my life that pivoted it and into this direction cuz obviously I wasn't always practicing. Again, I still like loosely say I'm practicing obviously because I'm just not going to say, "Oh, yeah, I'm here doing all this good stuff." But >> well, who is at the end of the day? >> Exactly. But the So I I think the story that I would mention is the story. It's so deep. I don't even But it's like it's it's the story of like when I was and I still am, but like when I tried to commit suicide or like was going to is it wasn't like the attempt wasn't like fully fully fleshed out, but it was just like there. And I feel like that was a great a great moment looking back at it in my life and it was like if anything I thank Allah that it happened because it was the only thing that could have like brought me back to him. Do you know what I mean? So, and I think and I think sometimes when Allah gives you certain things like whether it be depression or again suicidal ideiation or whatever these things on the surface level they can look negative but when you kind of like internalize it and see the lessons that that are in it I feel like we can get a lot of like goodness from it. For example, all my poetry that's ever benefited benefited anyone, that's my writing that's helped anyone, my videos that have helped anyone, the charity work that I do, >> all of this is a is a pivot from that moment, you know. So, >> I was in I was in a different city. So, I got kicked out of college. Um, we won't go into why, but I got kicked out of college and then I got I got sent to a different city. uh because obviously you have to still finish your college and I was playing basketball at the time and I remember like I was very I was in a I was in a very bad place when I was away from my family. I would say I was like away from Islam because the where I was was just like there was no Muslims around. Do you know what I mean? So I had no reminders and I was just constantly going down this very dark path of things I was doing, haram activities, blah blah blah whatever. And I remember it kind of just built up uh and it was building up over time as well. And I remember it was again I'm bypassing a lot of stuff but there was a time when I was in the bathroom and I was so mad at Allah because he wasn't like showing himself to me and he wasn't like and again you know it's so stupid. I wasn't living a life of Islam yet I wanted this proximity to Allah but I wasn't praying. I wasn't doing thicker. I wasn't doing like it was such a like >> Subhan Allah. So interesting. >> Yeah. So like and I think but I was so mad with Allah that like I felt like he abandoned me but looking back at it was just like he was there the whole time. It was me that was just doing off doing whatever I was doing. Okay. >> And I remember >> you know how they say Allah is as close to you as you juggle vein. >> Bro, I literally went into the bathroom and to this day I don't know why this was there. There was a huge kitchen knife on uh on the side of the sink. Um and I remember I just grabbed it and I put it to my throat and I was going to do it. And that's the thing in my head I was fully like committed to this decision because in my head I was like, "Oh Allah, if you won't show yourself to me, if I do this and kill myself, you'll have to show me yourself." And it was that thing of like wanting to know, wanting certainty that he was real. I don't like unknown. I don't like doubt. I like certainty. So in my head, I was like, you know what? If you don't want to uh show yourself, you don't want to like, again, all on my terms, like this is the this is the naps personified to like the maximum. It's like, oh, if you don't want to show yourself to me, I'll do this and then you'll have to show yourself to me. Obviously looking back at it, it was very very dumb. But um and I remember I was going to do it and at the time I was thinking about my family. At the time I had a girlfriend like but at the time and I I was just thinking oh if I do this she's going to like open the toilet and like to the bathroom and then what is she going to like what would that do to her? >> It would be horrifying. >> You know what I you open up and and the thing is and the thing is with me, I'm very much a person even when I'm going through my very low depressive like kind of moods or when I've got the suicide suicidal ideiation like on my mind, I can still talk to you and make jokes with you like it's the easiest thing ever. So, you'll never actually know. So, she was like completely like oblivious to any of this. Um, and then also just the fact of like my mom, my brother, my sister. It'd be a thing of like, oh yeah, like Umar, we found him in the bathroom. I like I played it all out in my head. And in that moment, it was the only reason why I didn't do it, but it but I still wanted to. So, I remember in the mirror, like proper like dramatic uh scene, you know what I mean? In the mirror looking at myself, uh, knife to my throat, balling, balling, just crying. And I was just thinking I was like oh like how far have I strayed from Allah that this is my reality. And at the time I had a lot of money from haram things but I had I had money I had uh again girlfriend. I had other things. And so in my head it was like and everything that this world that people chase in this world I would argue that I had not to like ridiculous levels but I had enough of it to know that more of it wouldn't give me happiness or peace or contentment. >> Okay. And I think after that it was a thing and I remember I said to Allah in that moment because again I've shown myself yeah this is me. This is where I've led myself to trying to follow my own whims and desires. And I remember I just made a dua to Allah and I said okay cool I'm going to um I'm going to take in my head I was like I'm going to try one more time a lot. I didn't try before. So I said I'll try one more time and I'll try come back to Islam. I left the city, came back to Leicester and it was at the exact time of like Ramadan. So like when I came back to Leicester, like Ramadan, I think it was like the first night of Ramadan or like the so or like maybe like a few days before. And I remember I just practiced and I was just starting to pray and starting to and then that was the the journey of like back to Islam. So everything that I've done from that moment, the the poetry, the charity, the the learning, traveling to Moritania, traveling to Sagal, Morocco, meeting Shakes, all of this stuff, it all started from there. So one of the lowest points of my life essentially was the best thing in my life and I like it's weird cuz I like love it. >> How did you find the strength? the the strength where >> the strength in taking this complete overhaul this complete paradigm shift into saying you know what I'll do the exact opposite >> and everything else was you know trying to come close to Allah subhana wa tala be through the action or through the journey >> or taking journeys to emphasize that one journey >> so how like what what strengthened the path that you chose I don't know if it was strength, you know, like I I think it I think if I say it was strength, it would be a very egocentric naps kind of like, go yes, I had the strength and then I did this and then I did really. >> What about being given the strength because it doesn't have to be from you, right? >> Yeah. I mean, Allah definitely has given me the strength to do everything that I do. But I think the main thing would like obviously cuz Allah just like when you make I believe when you make a sincere intention to Allah >> and you take that step and you don't know what the path looks like. >> I think that's what it was. And I think like as I was just stumbling through like again fumbling in the dark and >> like Allah was just bringing people into my life and showing me the way like I would have never went to Morocco and and when I say Morocco I'm talking about old fees. So it's not like Casablanca like you know what I mean or like so it's like old fears that's where like a lot of the scholars are. Um Sagal there's a lot of scholars in Sagal Moritania. I would have never went to these places if it if Allah didn't like open the reality. So for example like I went Morocco with uh do you know Mustapa Briggs? >> Of course. >> So yeah. So like obviously so the fact that even Allah put Briggs in my life is like one of the greatest gifts that I could like ask for. So even when you say strength, it's like it wasn't strength. You give you gave me a friend. you gave me a somebody that I needed in my life spiritually, Islamically, but again, but still is normal enough to like I can just say like I've asked I ask him like w to be even my scholars I ask the most wildest questions like anything you think of I've asked like I'm not I don't like this idea that you know with scholars like not that you don't have adab like you meant to have adab but like I have I still think if you have a question and it's maybe I don't know a bit rude or whatever like you should still ask it because >> agreed >> you have to explore all of your doubts or you have to explore again just those little itches in your head and see where it takes you like I said like again then I'm >> in Moritania surrounded by camels in the desert >> with the bloody like everyone's wrapped up >> the blue one >> yeah so my one was white blue one was you had to be you know what I mean certain level to >> but it's but when I was there and I was just I remember I used to think to myself even like when I went um I used to always think I was like I always I have like a very clear image of who I used to be. I think I still resonate with the person. So I think I've not I've not really like kind of let him go but in my head it's a thing when I again when I was in Moritania when I was in uh Sagal and I'm in these places I'd just be in like a random situation and I'd be like what where did I get to to like to come here? Like I if you would have left it to me, I would have never came here. You know what I mean? And that's when like Allah kind of >> just takes over. That's why like I don't really say strength. I don't really say oh I came up with the solution. It's like no like Allah has just been revealing the way. I never knew that I was going to like become a like a full-time poet. I never knew I was going to get into content creation. All of this I I didn't know. I thought I was going to be a professional basketball player and I don't know like how my life was going to turn out. But that was that was my goal for myself. But Allah has clearly set other plans and I'm just happy to oblige. Allah subhana wa tala says inah the fourth chapter the good that befalls you is from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala at the end of the day. >> Subhan Allah. Uh so you said that at a certain moment or at a certain point in your life you you valued I mean that's something being presented in a tangible way. >> Mhm. >> Okay. You talk about Allah. >> I'm talking for example. So the so so the reasoning that you that you presented >> the the strength and the validation that and again this is this is just a third party observing a conversation >> or an outsider looking in. Would it be fair to assume that the validation that you were looking for was tangible as in I want something that I can observe. I want something that I can see and this this will validate or confirm a certain >> my my how I was. >> Yes. >> I think I think sometimes when you ask for certain things, you don't actually know what it is you're asking for or what it is you're like what what you're truly asking. For example, if you was to say um Umar, like what's like what's wrong with my personal brand or something? Blah blah blah. Okay. >> I'm very much a person that believes like content creation and personal branding is like very I don't even like the term personal branding cuz it seems a little bit like um calculated and I believe the best kind of thing of a personal brand is you being very authentic. So it's not about being calculated on how you want to come across. It's more about just having the willingness to be who you are on camera. Anything >> is calculated and authentic contradictory in the sense of personal branding in this case or so >> I think as long as the calculations that you do so for example if we was to be like calculated about whatever it's a thing where it's like >> we're being calculated in the approach to try and get to who the authentic self is. >> You know what I Cuz like for example therapy is calculated like the questions they ask are very calculated but it's all to get you closer to who you are. >> I understand. Okay. >> So yeah. So I think with personal branding is like for example like you have to find out it's it's just like again you have to know who you are and that's the thing cuz I was helping a lot of people with their personal brands and there were people like and I was again charging quite a bit like to talk to me as well but it's a thing where I realized a lot of people just had problems with who they were and it was actually it was nothing to do with content. It was nothing really to do with how oh like oh how what's this editing style and that's just aesthetics at the end of the day but you've got people like do you know do you know Sam Sulick >> I feel like I've got way off it the gym guy >> man the name is so familiar subhan Allah >> okay so he's a gym guy and he blew he like blew up in the like fitness uh scene and his videos are him with his phone now they're a bit better but like it used it started off with him with his phone and he'd be like in the car driving to the gym and that would be like a 15-minute segment and he'd just be talking. He's like, "No, today's back day." And um you know the thing about the Beck is we have to like contract the and in your head >> so familiar >> and yeah in your head like people would be like this is boring this is this but he was just doing something he loved and he was doing it in a way that was truly himself and people resonate with truth. Whatever form truth comes in people resonate with it. I think that's the the beauty of you know obviously like Allah is like the the truth but like >> any version of the truth is a representation of that now as well. >> I understand. >> So it's like so yeah so people are now drawn to that. For example, if I came on here and I was lying and I was Yeah. And basically I I used to be a multi-millionaire and I used to do this and then it's like because I wasn't. >> It's you weren't a multi. >> Yeah, I know. then your age and lie to me. >> But it's the thing of like that's how you people feel it. And I think even with me, like I think as I've got older, I'm just obsessed with having people around me that are authentically themselves. I don't even mind if it kind of goes against me as long as it's who you are. >> Okay? you know, um I said in my podcast the other day, I was like, I think life is not about becoming something. It's about unbecoming everything this world has made you. And I think once when people like learn to take off the mask that they've been taught to wear and they they step out into the world a bit vulnerable with no armor on with these things. I think that's when you start to experience the true nature of life and inadvertedly Allah cuz I think even when people come to Islam they come to it with so many so much baggage so much baggage so much dunya so much this and I understand >> but it's a thing where it's like before we start anything ascending to Allah talking about marafera and different realities we have to get rid of all this stuff that you've brought. Do you know what I mean? Because if you if we're going to go on this journey to Allah, we need to lighten the load, let's say. And the load is the the stuff we've been carrying our entire lives. Because what happens is when people become Muslim or again, people that are born Muslim and start practicing, they just take all their trauma and package it in an Islamic branding thing. >> For example, you have people that let's say they go prison and they take the sher in prison. Cool. They come out and they've got like a certain like let's say a road man a mandm lifestyle and then they just bring that roadman mandem lifestyle into Islam >> but brand it in Islamic way >> but brand it in Islamic way you know like yeah like shar what what that's not Islam do you know what I mean so even this kind of way that you present the dean and I and and this is why like I think I've it's took it's taken me a while to like really be com not confident but just be to to put myself out there more on social media in my Islamic faith as well because my Islamic faith is such a big part of my life. I know that I still sin and I'm doing a lot of bad things. However, it's like so I didn't even want to put it out there, but >> because I knew I had all this baggage and I didn't I never wanted to distort the message of Islam because I'm a bad representative. So it's like so I think that's why like I try and lead with honesty a lot because it's like >> don't think I'm special or you know what I mean? >> How dare you lead with honesty? >> Shame. >> Shame on you. But yeah, and I think I think I think a lot of people need to do that because even like again racism, you'll have people that come to Islam and you've you've still got that that cancer inside you, that illness, and it's like and then you just spread it into Islam. Then you've got people that want um you you'll have people that never got any validation in life. Um become kind of scholars because they want to kind of use that as a oh they're down here and I'm up here now. Do you know what I mean? So there's so much ego wrapped in Islamic branding on social media and just in day-to-day life. It's hard to siphon through all the mess. You told me I can't swear. I was about to say I thought you can't do the the mess the muddy stuff. >> The muddy stuff is bad, isn't it? >> Yeah. You It's hard to get through the the the messy stuff. And uh it's a thing where it's like I feel like if a lot of people like took that journey inwards before they started presenting online and making like even even da like I remember there was this one thing I watched on speaker corner. This was years ago. One week I saw the guy on online. He took his shahada. This was years ago by the way. He took his shahada. Three weeks later he was in speaker corner preaching like Islam. >> That sounds like a very familiar career path. Yes. >> And it but it but the thing is like you have to realize the ego in that. The ego is that you know the thing is and this is why like I think I the path of like tasawolf is so like appealing to me. Okay. Because the ego will lie. It's so it's so smart. >> Kafar said ego is the enemy. >> Yeah. As well. >> But it's like forget the enemy. Like it's the devil. Do you know what I mean? Like >> elaborate. >> Like it's I I can every single negative thing that has happened in my life >> has been a result of my ego. whether I wanted to again I was trying to prove something or it was always from the ego that the the problem happened and I think people don't understand how smart the ego is it will use anything in order to keep itself alive so with scholars and with shakes and with people in the da scene >> like it's almost like I don't want to say I can see it because it's like it's the or like I've got this bloody you know bas I can like I can I can see the reality but it's a thing of like we see the ego in the work and that's going to always tarnish the world >> seeing through a charade >> yeah it's that it's that why someone's doing something for example okay let's let's let's just speak again a bit more specific when people make videos about other people big people in the scene why are you doing it are you doing it because you're trying to again protect the the um from this this deviant and blah blah blah or whatever or are you doing it because you're trying to get clout and that's the only way that you can boost your name up because I can name you like 10 people now that only have careers and pass now of that your career was built off bringing people down >> you know subhan Allah the uh the dwa circle that I had my dawa training through one thing that they kept warning me from and one thing that they kept advising me from becoming Ibraim You want to create content, not create content. And this was like like nine years back. >> They said, "Whatever you do, creating content, not creating content, street tawa, not street, whatever it is, >> do not become the person that has cancelling people as a brand." >> 100%. >> And this this cancel uh tradition is so cancerous. >> And it's and it's so >> it's you know what? I'm just I feel like you you're bringing it out of me. Like it's so far from Islam. >> Islam. It's like it's the only thing that like gets me like I don't I'm very calm in a lot of situations, but when I think about this and the reality of it, I'm just like >> what would the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam do? And it's like and the way that and and you know the thing is I think what I have to do in order to like bring my temperature down is I have to assume >> the reason you're doing it is because that the cancel the reason you're doing it is because you love Islam and the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam so much >> that you want to protect that honor and as long as I can think like that it doesn't piss me off that much. >> How often do you think like that though? >> I have to do it like daily. It has to be a thing >> because it's becoming difficult for me. >> Yeah. No, it No, you have to because you'll become it. Have you seen what's that uh that famous quote when it says, "Oh, if you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you." >> It's the same thing with like if you >> allow this thing, this anger to consume you, you'll just become the thing. For example, like let's say I'm talking badly on these people. Yes. Sure. >> And they're speaking badly about people. But because they've made me so enraged and feel like I'm defending Islam, I now call them out. It's this now >> you're entering into the circle jerk. >> A circle jerk. There you go. And that's now refuting like even with um I don't know I don't know how like kind of >> I don't know what what kind of media you consume but so for example there's a there's a woman and she very consume >> I have never don't even know what one of those are. >> What is that? >> But it's a thing. So very very very in the past very promiscuous woman. Uh there's two actually that I'm I'm thinking of right now. Very >> one of them that converted. Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And now she's kind of resorted back to her old ways. >> Yes. I've se I've seen the content. Yes. >> And the fact that people are saying that, oh, she just used Islam. Yes. >> And this and I'm said, first of all, >> that's a problem. >> You have no idea why she tried to practice Islam. First of all, I saw all the hate she got. So when she came into this Islam of love and that she didn't find it, do you know what I She definitely didn't find it from the community. And then on top of that, when she has like I always like people I remember someone was mad. They made a video and they were talking about oh we hate how these celebrities and people um run to Islam for like uh protection. >> Their video saved the problem though. And I and I was there and I was like this like what a beautiful thing that when people are lost and when people don't know where to go and when people are looking for people to look after them and protect them from judgment and so that people come to Islam. What a beautiful thing. >> You're right. >> And it's like but but people are mad that people are using Islam as a protection cuz it is a protection. For example, in prison, people take their shahada because they don't to protect themselves. Again, is that conversion acceptable? I don't know. Allah, you know what I mean? >> We're not God. >> I'm not God. I'm not I'm not I'm not there to look into his heart. Maybe he did it for protection and then maybe he goes to study and learn and then becomes a scholar and then become Do you know what I mean? So, cuz I have a cousin, he >> What a beautiful path. >> What a be and like what a beautiful path cuz think about it. Why did you come to Islam? Oh, I wanted protection. And yes, you may you may have you may have imagined it as oh the Muslim men or the Muslim um was protecting you. It was Allah that was protecting you. That's what you was going towards. Protection is >> you know what I mean? So even when you're even when you think you're reaching for something in the dunya, you're reaching for Allah. For example, I've reached down to grab my water bottle like three times now. I'm reaching down to the water bottle. But in reality, I am reaching out to Allah because I'm asking Allah that when I have this drink of water, I want you to sustain and nourish the body. Because it would be very it would be a very easy reality for me to drink that and not quench my thirst at all. But I could have one sip and if Allah puts barak in, it will quench my thirst. Say what? >> Do you know what I mean? Because things in and of themselves do not carry inherent properties. For example, fire does its inherent property is not that it burns. No. >> Because uh Ibrahim >> when he was thrown into the fire, >> was he burnt? >> No. >> No. So >> if fire burnt because that's what it does, it wouldn't have asked permission to Allah to to burn. But Allah said be cool. So something that we believe to burn if Allah wants can be cool. Of course. Do >> you know what I mean? So all of these different things when it's like so when we even think like that's why >> uh when you look at things and it's like even these chairs supporting us. >> Like this the chair is not supporting it. It's the Allah's giving it permission to supporters because everything on a molecular level is just atoms and the same the same atoms on this table are the same atoms of me and the same atoms of fire and the same atom but they're all carrying different properties >> and everything does because Allah says everything is praising Allah subhana wa tala even if you don't understand their appraisal. >> There you go. Exactly. >> Subhan Allah. You're right. Everything leads to that. Subhan Allah. And I'm realizing because a theme that you touched on and touched upon and you continued on it, >> I don't think it was even the intention of this episode, but subhan Allah, it became the growing and running theme >> is the danger of the ego%. >> And I see it returning and coming back and coming back even with the questions that we are inter interchanging between us. And one thing I'm realizing, subhan Allah, if I'm if I'm thinking out loud, the more you deteriorate deteriorate to the ego side and to listen to the whispers of the ego, >> the more you'll be blinded from seeing this reality and actually comprehending this reality, which is everything is working as an obedience to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Like we mentioned from the from from the verse uh and this reminds me subhan Allah about the verse where Allah subhana wa tala says >> have you seen the person that took his own ego as his lord >> and the consequences are so depressing >> and that's the reality we're in today. He doesn't hear because all he hears is his ego >> and his heart becomes enclosed. So also covered >> and his eyesight is covered. Who's going to guide that person if Allah is not going to guide that person? >> And you also mentioned one thing. Subhan Allah. uh and I hope I'm quoting this right that like because all of this can be echoed let's say >> these different whims they can be echoed to make the ego appear stronger and have a stronger influence over you >> over the that one is or the that one is if like with the baggage that you come with >> unless you take a journey inwards. >> What does that look like? >> The journey inwards or when you don't take the journey inwards >> when you you know what? Present us both. >> When you don't take the journey inwards, you look like all the people on YouTube. >> Fair points. >> No, I'm joking. I'm joking. >> I'm actually I'm joking. I don't know. I don't know. People may >> Except for Barak Blueprint. Yeah. >> Except for Except for you. That's why that's why I decided to come here. But even that >> one, >> we got it. No, but uh >> but uh the journey inwards, what does it look like? And I feel like this is a problem though. So this is this is my >> People are obsessed the way something looks. for example and this is why I like >> okay >> so what one reason why really I don't wear thbes I know it's kind of I mean I'll explain more there is a a look when you start pract when you become on dean what do people do >> they go out go to the little Islamic shop get the kufur get the thon maybe get a tasby maybe get a I don't know what else you got to maybe get some books you start to play. I start you start to do cosplay of a Muslim. This you do this and it's not I don't I don't believe this actually comes from a bad place. You do this because you want to signal to the world that I am a Muslim and not only maybe I'm a Muslim. I'm trying to also signal to the world that I'm taking my dean more seriously now. So I actually think at the base level it has good it has a good intention behind it. Again I don't know but again and I think what happens though is we we but then what happens from that start point our whole dean our whole Islam becomes a performance and it's not even a performance for Allah it's a performance to other people I want you to see that I'm on dean I want you to see that I've got my miswork in my throbe and I've got the pens but I don't ever use the pens in my thing they're just there so you know that I study all this stuff it's like again it just becomes performance after performance. The thing with the journey inwards is nobody sees it. You don't see when I'm being humble. You don't see when I'm doing the inner jihad. You don't see when I'm fighting my ego. And I was going to tell that man to suck his mom, but I didn't because I'm trying to be a good Muslim. I'm trying to keep my cool. >> But it's this it's this thing where it's like and that is that people don't see any of that and people don't like that it's not seen because when it's not seen people don't know that if it's you it's like that kind of thing oh if you did if you didn't take a picture of it did it happen? >> Exactly. Yeah. >> And it's that thing of like for example into an Islamic principle well if you didn't pray the night prayer did it happen? Yes. Like but this idea that oh people need to see what I'm doing. Oh, when I'm on Instagram, I post a picture of my feet when I'm about to pray because I want people to know that I'm praying. Again, there again, even on that, there's a flip side. Maybe you're trying to encourage people if you have a big following or whatever. So, again, but all comes down to what? Intention, which is an inner reality, which is what nobody can see. That's why it pisses so many people off that, you know, when they say, "Oh, like only Allah can judge me." Obviously, there's it's two like it's a double-edged sword, but it's also a reality of that is the reality. So, and people don't like that. They can't judge what it is you're doing. I could, for example, this podcast, I could solicit or from this thing of like you're just doing this because you want to get uh big people on the podcast or you want to be next to famous people and grow your following so you can get the benefit and that could be 100%. >> And it's a fine line and it's easy to fall into that. Yes. And it's easy to fall into that. However, from me knowing you, I don't believe that's your intention. >> Again, but I don't know. >> And the thing is, >> but people I don't know why they like speak like they do know. Like, oh yeah, no, we know Ibrahim's only doing this because he wants clout and he wants attention. Who Who told you this? >> God damn it. >> They got me, >> ladies and gentlemen. We got him. >> You know what I mean? So, and it's a thing of like and even with me like I remember like I mean the thing is I don't really get that much hate online but it's a thing of like even me being a poet you could solicit that oh because Umar is writing poetry he's trying to like I don't know like appease women or blah blah blah maybe it's true maybe it's not who knows >> who knows and I think sometimes even you don't know the reasons why you're doing something because you've never taken the time to look inwards of and ask yourself why am I doing this why am I doing this why am I putting up with this why am are going to see I think why is a great question in order to always get the intention of why you're doing something like again oh why did I agree to come on this podcast is it because I want to again I want people to see me and be like oh mah he's on a podcast he must be doing big things or is it because I was like no I really like Ibrahim and I want to help support his thing and at the same time we have good conversations and hopefully people can benefit from the conversations and if they don't benefit we might make them laugh like you know what I mean you know I mean win-win. You know what I mean? Or we both get refuted and then there's more content and more people to >> Oh my god. I I I I actually want to see that. I want to see what that's going to look like. >> What the reputations? >> I don't think you I don't think you're refuted. >> No, listen. Listen, listen, listen, listen, listen. Uh >> why did you have this Jill on the podcast? >> I haven't been refuted yet. As in like to to a to a bigger scale. >> Okay. My video is coming out on you tonight. The Akina the Akina check thing >> the check thing is happen shortly it's happening shortly no but but before that I mean it's happened on Tik Tok lives for me that is that is like super micro scale >> because like at the end of the day I'll be okay do you remember clubhouse >> I was never on it I saw it was the when people everyone was talking and it's you show your face >> exactly >> dude clubhouse was apparently something in Sweden >> you mean it was Like it was big. >> It was big. >> Sweden it was big. Um we're talking >> I think it was big in the UK as well. >> Was it as well? >> I think so. >> Bro, we had like uh >> it was in CO, right? >> Yeah. Yeah, it was in CO as well. >> Yeah. I think I remember I think I remember seeing like a lot of um but the idea of it never like appealed to me cuz I was like it was everyone talking and I then you don't even know who's talking because unless there's like a rule you can certain people can talk like there'd be like three speakers but it's like you can't see. I don't I don't I really the the whole display of Clubhouse and how it was presented I hated it. So I would have never even >> it it crumbled quickly. >> Yeah, >> it crumbled quickly like I mean X or now X but then Twitter released their own version Yani which was interesting like the rooms or whatever it was. I I don't know because like like the concept in of itself and I kept telling myself the concept of this is horrible. >> I'll tell you what one time I entered clubhouse >> but listen of course I was there. >> Of course I was. I had I had my uh I had my reminder and I'm coming to this. >> So, it was me and a a friend of mine who apparently has a network there and I had no idea. It's just my buddy, my friend Yanni, and he sent me a an invite code. I entered clubhouse Yani. He said, you know, give us an and stuff. I started talking about da a random person came in. The thing is, habibi, look, I had my phone on the uh like on the side table to the bed and I was walking around because like when I when I when I talk about something a passionate subject, especially when it's about dawa and at least what it appeared to me or what I told myself, I'm defending the >> dean >> because Sweden is a growing Islamophobia and this yian. So at least that's what I told myself and I believe that >> and Allah has appointed you as it savior. >> Not yet. No, no, no, no, not yet. Not yet. But I understand >> my my paid course though is coming out soon. So you better buy it. >> Good. But the thing is I started hearing voices like you know more and more you know I came back there were thousands and thousands and thousands of people in the room all writing stuff and saying who the hell does this guy think he is and like I'm non-Muslims. Oh yeah, I was going to say >> of course Muslims in that brand are also going to be there. Yanni, but like it was it was a vocal Islamophobic presence. >> What what what was their what was their phobia? Like I think sometimes people have Islamophobia, but that's a very broad statement. What are you scared of? Like what? Tell me specifically what you're scared of. not you but like what and what what was the sentiment of their >> because I think what what you're saying and I've thought about that as well >> the thing is the usage of Islamophobia as a terminology for myself or subjectively is uh to describe the concept or to describe what is going on but I think if we are to dissect it >> it's very little fair and very much hatred >> at least when we're looking at the the Swedish demographic. >> What do they hate though? >> So what they hate the thing that is different and the fact that they cannot describe their disappointment and their irritation. For example, my understanding of the Swedish demographic in the educational sphere and all through society >> is that this is an intellectual society. >> Sweden. Yes. Yes. Or so I have been told. >> We are taught from a very young age the importance of source criticism. >> But we don't see it practiced. >> Rarely we do. What's happening, Subhan Allah, is the criticism that so-called personalities and politicians and whatever throw towards the Muslim image or the image of the Muslim man or the image of the Muslim woman. Especially now the the thing is now the the the big the target is women Yanni right now at least how it's looking right like right now with banning the covering or attempting to ban the covering in certain areas like certain institutions university level or whatnot >> um some are adopting it some are not will it be generalized or I mean regulated we don't know there has been talks about banning it in and I'm not talking about the only I'm talking about the hijab right now because it starts somewhere where >> and then like it quickly develops to something else. >> Yeah. And then again it's also about okay but employers do have the right to refuse an employee if they don't want to show their face or their hair and >> okay let's let's forget the intellectual part and the skill set of the person let's focus on the appearance and again where I mean like >> at the end of the day subhan allah just like we mentioned from the verse where Allahh describes the person who who takes ego as their lord >> what's happening is this is something that is widely spread in secular societies because it is as far away from Allahh as possible. It is as far away from the idea of God and God consciousness and everything about naturalism. >> I have to see it to believe it. I have to touch it to understand it. And similarly if something seems wrong it is wrong automatically because fear is saying okay I'm going to take a step back from it you're not necessarily fighting it >> you are observing you're cautious and when something appears to you and is clarified then you work with that either it will confirm your image or it will develop your image. So this is what we're having in Sweden actually and all over Europe from what I'm observing again this Sweden I've lived it. >> Everything else I've I was going to say subhcc four times. I was going to enter that. >> I mean never missed something years old. >> Mining right now. >> I want a mat sing right now. Yeah. I want a mat sing right now. May Allah bless. The thing with the brother by the way and and yes >> because of course look I'm I'm I don't want to enter in a situation where I dissect people >> and everyone subhan Allah they they sin for what they sin and they gain for what they gain. >> But one thing I want to give the the the brother Subhan Allah and I I have to praise this give credit where credit is due. Every single time I see him in a stream, especially with the big time streamers, the man is stressing on salah. >> Whatever we're doing, I don't care. It's time for salah. >> Honestly, I respect that. Everything else I don't consume as content. >> I mean, I mean, again, you take the good. Take the good. That's >> I was about to say the same thing. I said, you know, people have a lot of like opinions on Modí and sometimes I think that he's actually a lot smarter than he goes on just from like the fact of like little things or like how much Quran he knows, he has a beautiful recitation style >> I've I've heard. Um, and even the fact that again like when he gets on all these big streams like you said these big mainstream se like thing what does he do when he just yells and in that but he just he just starts screaming salawat like the praise of the prophet wasallam >> with speeds for example yeah >> and for me like I don't know that like that's if you want to get on my good side just do stuff like just love the prophet Muhammad do you know what I mean so for him and again I I I believe he does and I think even that because it's just so funny like how people react to it but I think it's such a beautiful >> I don't know may Allah bless him man cuz he he has made he has made millions of people hear the praise of the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam and the thing is >> people might go oh like what's the again this is an internal reality it's like oh but what's the what's the benefit in that I said you do not understand the benefit of of a soul hearing the praise of the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam. >> You think that's just someone hears it and they go, "Oh, what was that? Dash it to the thing." Like that's something that like lingers within the soul even if you don't know it. You >> know what I mean? And think about how like spiritually dead a lot of people are. For example, like you said with the Sweden thing, we are >> going in a direction of godlessness, heedlessness, worshiping the self, worshiping money. That's one thing that I think's really has the west in a I think money has always been important in life but to this degree I don't think it's ever been s so w >> it's never been woripped >> but but it's been worshiped now and I the reason why I say that is because you have so many people online making money through let's say only fans and there's one guy again no names there's one guy that he lets men sleep with his wife or his girlfriend and records it for Only Fans and then when he gets pulled up on it, >> his answer is, "Yeah, but I'm making money though." >> And I was like, "That's the justification." Yeah. >> That like that's the thing. It's like cuz obviously like people are trying to say, "Oh, we don't respect you." And he's like, "Yeah, but I'm making bread though, so like respect that." And the thing is you have people that are like, "Yeah." But in my head I'm like oh have do we love money to the degree now that we will just do anything anything and whatever means to get it because that is now the benchmark of what everything and the thing is when you go on social media from both sides you've got the guys we're going everyone's talking about money making more money blah blah blah driving Bugattis all this [ __ ] and then you've got sorry it's wolf and then you've got and then you've got the the the women who are at the from again from an obser motivational uh point of view, they're obsessed with I need a guy that makes six figures. I need a guy that you need a guy that prays salah. You need a guy that puts Allah first. You need a guy that is kind. You need a guy that is and these are the things you need. But you've been because we're in a capitalistic society. You have been made to believe that safety, that stability is in money. Stability and safety is with Allah >> in their appearance. And I know so many women that choose a man for money, blah blah, and he beats them and he's cheating on them. So all of these things, and again, I'm not saying I'm not anti-money. Again, I love money just like the next person. But this idea when we've put it beyond all of our morals. We put it ahead of all of our what it means to be a human, what it means to be a man, what it means to be a woman. Forget all that. Money, whatever we do to get it, that's how we're doing it. And that's the way it kind of rolls. And I feel like that's it's one of the the cancers of modern day society is again we're just going there God's over here we're just going in this direction going in this direction and I think people need to speak out more against it because again if you let kind of and this is where like I even kind of am against obviously you know like Sufiism and stuff obviously like I'm very much affiliated but it's like it's a thing where a lot of Sufis sometimes they have this idea of like you know uh halwa like going off into the mountains and being isolated and being a monk in the and doing thicker all day said no you need to be in the field of life in the battlefield of life shan is doing something that is again let's say a war and he's he's he's putting forward certain ideologies and we need to push back on them >> we need to we need to take control of the conversation and that leads me into like something I've been it would be good to like kind of was What are you doing? You when you play like table tennis with ideas, >> bounce ideas off you. That's >> bounce ideas. >> This is the thing of the Islamification of the red pill movement. I see so many people online, Muslim, young Muslim men. That's the first problem. Young Muslim men telling men how to be men. That's just a problem, >> okay? >> That haven't experience or whatever. But it's a thing where they talk about they take red pill ideologies and package it in Islamic wording and branding. >> Whereas the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam >> sallallahu alaihi wasallam >> was not this reality of red pill. So, but you've you've you're you're using stories from the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam or you're using certain sayings >> decorating it in a certain way so that you can present this mindset or philosophy onto the generation. Yes, men need to be more masculine. Yes, we need to reinstill some was it rajala like you know something some like masculine or manhood in you. Yes, we need to do that. But the way you're doing it and the way that let's say you're talking about women or whatever is what is becoming the downfall from >> the Islamic community in the west from the inside because women are hating men. Men are hating women. Oh, we hate the women how they're doing this and then the the women are like, "Oh, men are not doing this." Blah, blah. We need to heal this rhetoric or this gender war that's going on and we need to build a bridge just like the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam when he looked after women he again even with his how he was with his wives playful all this we need to bring that back this fake pseudo masculinity of everything has to be this blah blah again your I think the main thing of this like kind of topic of this uh conversation is the performance of things. You are performing on how you think >> you think a man is. It's a performance. It's a your masculinity is now a performance. It's not something deeply rooted within you. Do you know what I mean? So for me it's like I can be silly or I can talk about certain things or I can do things that again are quote unquote not masculine because I am a masculine man. Therefore, whatever I do, I will just stand by it because that is what a man does. Do you know what I mean? So, but I think because we have this idea of what a man is. >> And again, usually it's from the movies or again Instagram with certain figures and we're like, "Oh, that's a man." No. The Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam was a man. >> He was. It's the it's the benchmark of masculinity. So, when you say stuff like, "Oh, men don't cry." That is a false statement. The prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam used to cry. So the fact that you take this idea and you pervert it into this again like again the performance of masculinity the when I go to what it means to be a man I go to the prophet Muhammad sallallah wasallam I don't go to anyone else you know nothing again and it's this >> that is it's what you find important in this dunya and the thing is if you gravitate towards spirituality and god you will gravitate to someone like the wasallam and get your masculinity from that. But what we have now is we have a lot of people that make money and because people have made money their god. If somebody has money, we now listen to their opinions on everything. When you make money, you have shown me you have the ability to make money. That is it. You have the skill of making money. That is it. Do not talk to me about women. Do not talk to me about how to be a man. Do not talk to me. But the money gives them this sense of confidence where they start talking about things outside of their pay grade. >> Okay? >> Do you know what I mean? And I think with that kind of it's it's one of like I'm I'm just kind of nitpicking at all the the the the weaknesses or the problems that I'm seeing again in Islam in social not in Islam in the Muslim community in on social media. And I feel like if you can highlight it, talk about it, kind of >> depack it, not pack it, unpack it. >> It's a thing where we can kind of get to the root of what this thing is >> and then we can heal it with >> Quran and Sunnah. >> I'll tell you what I personally think. Mhm. >> I think the state of the ummah is and again from an observer is in the state of and this is just me trying to think of likeness or >> so sorry >> what we dribbled >> I don't know why I just lost my >> well cuz I was dribbling >> yes it's okay I'm going to cut this >> I didn't see It just pissed my mouth. >> Oh my goodness. >> Relax. We're talking about masculinity. We have to be men. >> It's okay. I'm going to edit this part inshallah. >> No. No. Good. No. Keep it. Oh yeah. No. No. No. No. You're not You're not editing anything. Keep all this. >> Really? >> The even the part of dribbling. >> Yeah. I wouldn't believe said I want you to zoom in on it. Okay. Don't do that. But yeah, this is what I'm saying. I think the >> the problem is I'm going to focus so much on that more than the entire podcast. No, but like I think you have to keep these human elements in there. That's what I'm saying. I think people are trying to be too >> perfect online. >> I think you fall into that as well with your with your with your videos as well. >> First of all, have you seen the cut? No, I'm joking. Second of all, >> I didn't even get a trim. That's why that's why I I committed to the the raw authentic. >> You know what? You have now doctorred in the shaming party. Good lal. Fantastic. Okay. message received, dude. No. Okay. Definitely I fall into the image of trying to beautify and perfect the image as much as much as I can. >> Beautify is fine. That's Islamic. >> But to cut out for example like if you make a little blunder and we laugh and blah blah. That's beautiful in itself. >> So >> ah >> again if >> I see what you mean. I see what you mean. >> Yeah. Like so again having a trim and all that stuff. Perfect. that that do all that. Like don't don't listen to me there. But >> I don't listen to you at all. Don't worry. No, >> no, listen. Listen to this. This is this is why you listen to me. >> Okay, fine. >> No, but it's like Yes. Like again, having to trim all that. Do that. I mean, I'm just lazy, I guess. >> I know. I I understand. >> Yeah. But in terms of like Yeah. Like certain things like again mishaps in podcasts or whatever. Keep them all in. It makes it more human. >> That's what we want to see. That's why that's why people I believe that's why people listen to podcasts because they don't want a lecture perfect everything was said right. They want to see >> the elements of two humans interacting and part of that is the not knowing what's going to happen. I could just stand up and just attack you at any point. >> You could. >> But it's but it's like and the thing I'm not saying people are watching for that like but is he going to do it? It's a thing where >> It's a thing where >> that's where the Now the pay-per-view version of this podcast is going to start. >> You got a paper paid version. >> Uh it's about to happen now that now that we don't >> UFC is going to now sponsor this part now. >> That's going to No, no, no. I don't have a paid version. >> Okay, good. Yet. >> Yeah. No, no, future. Yeah, but don't do it yet. Don't monetize. Don't monetize too early. But um but yeah, no, like again, keep the human elements in. It's Okay. You know what? Don't cut it out. >> Out of respect to my guest, >> this this podcast should keep everything. >> Do you edit your other ones? >> Sorry. >> Do you edit your other podcast? >> I edit. But like this one I edit. But listen, I just the the the parts that I cut out like completely cut out is everything that is said before that and now we are starting and everything that is said after the now we're finishing. >> So everything that was said before starting the podcast, of course, I'm not going to have it. >> What are we talking about? I have no idea. No idea what Absolutely not. No, because this is now the part that is not going to be edited out. No. >> Later. >> Text me. >> Are you talking about? Okay. About the And just one last point inshallah regarding this before I want to talk about your ghost writing because this for me is very very very very fascinating. Um, regarding what you mentioned, bro, what what I think the the ummah is is is in a state of a fruit salad. This is just me trying to >> describe it as good as I possibly can and just to visualize it. >> In a fruit salad ais, you need to have a balance. It cannot be too sour. It cannot be too muddy. It cannot be a a super high concentration of banana. Unless you're a big fan of banana. Sure. >> Fruit salad. >> A fruit salad. In Sweden, we have banana in our fruit salad. >> What? Wait. Sorry. I know this is going way off. What? What's in a fruit salad? >> Fruit salad? >> I know. No, I cuz I don't know why I don't know why. When you said fruit salad, I don't know why in my head I've got like cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, like a salad. >> So, you're talking more like a platter, like a fruit. >> This is Shia. We don't do that around here. Well, I'm talking about the proper the men of the fruit salad. Yiani is fruit. It's in the name fruit. >> No, I know that. I know that now. It's when you said fruit salad. Cuz then I realized I was like, "Oh, have I had a fruit salad before?" >> Is it just like a bowl of fruit? >> You know what? That explains why you're buff. Allahabarak. >> Cuz I just eat. >> You just steak. But not But by the way, I had steak the other day. Allahabarak. I thought about you. I made a lot of dua for you. >> Thank you for inviting me. >> I made I thought I I thought about you and I made dua for you. >> You thought about me but didn't make me any steak. That's what I heard. >> Manmade dua. >> I'm talking about this guy is talking about what you can observe and see. >> Okay. I'm playing your game now. >> Got the back deck of cards. But yeah, cuz so the um is a fruit salad. That is what >> You know what? Let's have steak after this episode. >> Let's do it. Mashallah. Amazing. Okay. >> Your brother's pain. >> Of course he is. You're kidding me. Until then, uh why am I why why did I give the example of a fruit salad that we now seem to have a difference of opinion on is because sometimes habibi there is there is fruit that is rotten. >> And this seems to be consumed way too much. >> Mhm. Especially with the development that we are seeing that the image of what is this, what is that, what is a man, what is a woman. You have the >> surrounding uh the human mind and giving the wasawis, giving the whispers >> that distorts the image. >> Mhm. I think personally that these personalities that are coming up, there are certain individuals of course like in any field you're going to have individuals that are not qualified and you're going to have individuals that are >> to talk about manhood >> to talk about masculinity >> to talk about every single topic. >> Every single topic. >> Because you are going to have people that are qualified to talk about finances. M >> the ideal is to deal with your finances. Of course, >> 110%. You're going to have qualified people to talk about mental health. >> The best state of health is following. But that doesn't exclude the fact that there are people that have studied that have acquired that have schooled themselves and gone through an educational pathway >> they have received value and they can give value >> I 110% believe that about every single topic >> including including >> the role each individual plays in society be it related to their age as And how what is the ideal young Muslim? Today in theBA the topic of the is about the youth. >> Who who is the ideal young person? >> So similarly regarding every single constraint of what defines a human being what defines Ibraim and what defines Omar and Khadijah and Fatim and Muhammad and >> each of those there are ideals that we can attain. >> Mhm. Masculinity and femininity is of course two of them >> 110%. And especially when you are dealing with a situation that is volatile >> because you and wi with the access of everything people can consume in social media like for example I made a video the other day about uh just responding to an individual that was calling uh the the covering in calling it misogynistic. part of that just okay this is surface level the statement is is criticizing a a clothing >> if the moment you start digging into the first layer and then into the second layer >> femininity is introduced value is introduced many many concepts are introduced so there are that are giving >> to distort because thean said what as Allahh says in what thean So he will keep influencing until they change the of Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Why? Because everything that goes against the image that God created you in is more satanic but goes against the divine. >> So definitely I think this is a very natural evolution that has been happening. >> Yeah. Of course, like in any topic, and I think you you worded it perfectly when you said that someone acquiring their finances and building a financial empire says nothing. That in of itself says nothing about the value that they are presenting in their content or in their any fields of supposed expertise. >> You're just telling me that you're good with your finances. >> Yes, >> this is a thing and that is a thing. But I definitely think this is a very normal evolution and very un unfortunately that we need to talk about it. Like it's unfortunate that we have ended up in that situation >> 100%. Cuz if we're talking about the youth and the reason why I say it is because my brother called me the other day and he goes, "You need to start making more content or more writing for like young Muslim guys or young young men." And I was like, why? And then he was like, because he was talking to someone in the gym, I think the a young guy, when I say young, he's like 21, 22. And he asked Khalif for a photo. And then he they were speaking about um Iman Gadi. >> And he said that. So Iman Gadi, I don't I don't know, but this is what he told me. He said I am Gazi now apparently is talking about how he's accumulated all this wealth >> but he still feels like empty and he still feels like it's not it's not the answer and it's still not all this thing >> and then I was just like well yeah because you're following people that that's not their brand like for example follow Iman Gadi follow these people follow Alex or if you want to learn how to make money that is a very it's something that men need to do it. But when you make your whole personality around following this person, lifestyle, what they do, how they do it, blah it. Now we're we're we're getting into the problematic state, >> know what to take from people and when they talk about other things, >> again, you don't have to tell them shut up, but just >> respectfully look the other way. I again and it's like and because a lot of the youth they see again lifestyle content naturally we're attracted to it the watches the this that the blah blah blah we're attracted to these things but the problem is they don't have the spiritual substance to back up that lifestyle brand as well cuz I don't mind if somebody has a lifestyle brand and like if for example if I ever reach millions of pounds inshallah >> on the journey. But if I do >> the way I will talk about it probably it might even annoy people because it it's through Allah >> like when people say oh even alhamdulillah I make decent amount of money now but it's a thing where when if you was to really put a gun to my head and be like how did you do this and blah blah blah it's Allah there's people that post the same content as me there's people that post better content than me there's people that are better looking than me there's people that talk better than me. There's people that do everything I do better than me, but I have been in granted a position only that Allah could have given me to put me in a a position of success and he can take it away at any time as well. >> Yes. But this idea of and and I and and the thing is with me cuz I've even done the the money route in terms of like for example I paid £20,000 uh dollars uh to get a business coach cuz I I wanted to teach myself more about business and how to make money online and blah blah blah. I wanted to do that. Yes, he did teach me certain things, but at the same time, a lot of the money that I got was still from avenues that kind of didn't have me my actions involved. >> Meaning >> like so imagine so imagine if like okay so for an example I'm starting I have a service or I started a business or I did some something over here. Okay, I'll give you a prime example. Obviously, I have my services. I have an opportunity now to make a lot of money somewhere else because I was in a car crash. What I mean by that is I was in a car with one of my friends. We crashed it in downtown Dubai cuz we it wasn't us. They someone crashed into us and it was a new friend that I met uh called Mahad and this is the first time me and him have met and you should get him on the podcast. this is a good good person to talk to. Um, first time we met and we're going to the desert with our friends. So, Mahad was like, obviously it's the first time me and him have met and we were crashing around on the side of the road. He says, "No, no, no. Go uh go to like the desert thing and I I'll catch up cuz I need to sort out this cuz it's a rental, blah, blah, blah." And I was like, "No, like I got in the car with you. Like, we'll stay together. We'll go together. So, whatever whatever happens, we're locked in." >> Yes, sir. And I and I and obviously I think he liked that like, oh, okay, cool. That's that's very like again just a little thing. Somebody calls him when he had the car crash. And I'm pretty sure he must have just told the person I'm with this Umar person blah blah blah blah blah blah. The person who he called on the phone is somebody called Jamal, a Muslim is someone called Jamal. Jamal has a very very very very very very successful ecom business. Jamal also teaches people how to do ecom. Jamal follows me on Instagram because Mahad says, "Oh, I'm with this person again. It's cool. Cool brother blah blah blah." >> And that's the thing. >> And now me and Jamal are potentially he's helping me run my ecom store and start it and launch it and scale it and sell it inshallah for millions of dollars down in the future. Inshallah. >> May Allah may Allah may Allah bless that person. job. But I'm saying if that all comes into f fruition, it might not might fail and blah blah blah. But if I become a millionaire through selling that business, >> the first d >> all of this stuff that I was doing, the paying the 20,000 investing, cold outreach, blah blah, it doesn't mean anything. I was in a car crash and that's what led me to me meeting Jamal. >> And Allah wrote all of that. >> And Allah wrote all of that. And I didn't plan and I didn't plan any of it. But what people will do is and this is what I hate about people and maybe it's something I hate within myself. Let's say I do that and let's say I become a millionaire and blah blah blah mashallah sold my business and let's say now I'm doing that and then I come online and I'm talking like yeah I did this and this in my head I'm like how do you how do you sleep at night knowing you can do that for me I'm like again that's what I'm just saying everything I have even like when you say oh um mah you're kind of big I don't go to the gym that often even that I attribute to Allah That one is pending a fact check by the way. Just just putting it out there. >> Just put it on there. But it's like I don't go to the gym often. I I make dua a lot to uh oh Allah give me strength and make me big like like that. That's like a dua I made when I was like younger as well. So all of these things and even just the genetics of it. It's like even my brother my brother's gone absolutely wham right now. People and he used to be super skinny. >> Genetics. We didn't choose this. >> Do you know what I mean? And and there's so many things in your life that you didn't choose. I'm sure when you was 15, 20, you didn't choose to be a podcaster, but here we are on a podcast talking and who knows where it's going to go and who knows what's going to you don't know. And everyone's playing this game like we know what's going on. But when you peel behind the curtain, everybody's lost to some degree. And I feel like the only people that aren't lost that I've uh seen are people that have dedicated them li their lives to some degree to Allah. And I'm in a very weird crossroads right now because even though I'm alhamdulillah doing all right, I know again I don't mind making more money. It's fine. But it's a thing of I'm wrestling with the fact that I really want to like leave all of this and study Islam because obviously telling you about the depression and the suicide thing. The only time I don't have those thoughts is when I was in Medina Mecca when I was on Omra but Mecca I only go like just do it and then I go then I go straight to Medina. uh when I was in Medina when I'm in Sagal in Kawak in the village where the Quran schools are everything in Moritania and I always think what is the the linking well Morocco as well uh Fez what are the what is the linking factors between all these places is the fact that one I've traveled for Allah the sake of Allah two I'm around scholars all the time and people learning and people people of Allah and that has it's the only time I find peace and it's the only time I find true fulfillment. Like life suddenly doesn't seem as hard as oh like we're just all doing just BS. It's the only time where I'm like oh this life thing is very enjoyable and I can I feel like I can do more of this. And the thing is I I don't again so I think my plan at the moment actually is make money online uh in a way where it's again very like controllable. there's nothing controllable again or I can take it all away but at the same time so make it in a way or again build a business sell a sell a business and then once I've done that dedicate my life to some degree to uh teaching learning and teaching cuz I do believe I have a a gift of eloquence whether it be because of the poetry or whatever. So that that's the goal. And maybe even teach Quran one day cuz >> I need to well I need to learn Arabic first. But yeah, you know, every time you've been quoting the Quran and you go off in mad, I'm just looking like I'm like, "Yeah, that verse." That's so that's the truth. >> But yeah, mah. So I think I think that's that's uh again like money is important, but it just use it for a means to do something >> and it's never the ends. >> Yeah. It's it's never the it's never the end. It's you get the money, but have a have a reason why you want the money. Don't just chase the money. That's pointless. Money because oh, for for me, I like to live a life of freedom, live where I want, travel when I want, bring do whatever I want, but in the realm of Islam and bringing people to that reality because it's the only truth that I've found worth talking about. I ask Allahh to bless your path to success, bless your wealth and bless your health. >> I see people in life as as characters and life is a story. >> For me, it's just a way I love looking at life. >> And this understanding and world view made me love people even more and love talking to people. >> That's good. And each and every one of us is a character in their story. Be be it an individual story and also a separate collective story. >> And the thing is subhan Allah subhana wa ta'ala writes our stories. >> Allahh is the author of the best stories. He says in Ysef, we surely tell you the best stories. We tell unto you the best stories. Allah writes stories. Yes. This is in the Quran. >> Power of stories. >> The power of stories. The passages in the Quran that many people are drawn to, >> especially those that don't speak Arabic. >> I felt that little dig there. That really really hurt my >> It's not supposed to hurt you. >> It did. Do you know why? >> Because you looked at me. He was like, "Those kufur that don't say what you said." That's what that's what that's what you wanted to say. That's what that's how you looked at me. He was like, "These kufars that have tattoos and think they're intelligent." >> Go. Carry on. Sorry. Yeah. The non the the stupid non-Arab speakers. Go on. Yeah. >> If I forgot to say something, the fact that you don't understand the Quran. Yeah. You're dumb. You're not supposed to be dumb. >> You're dumb. Listen to me cuz I'm going to quote Arabic whilst >> I'm wearing a th So you better sit there and shut up. >> Go. >> Good. Address me by my proper >> by my proper title. >> My my pronouns are she and then he >> But the reason why I looked at you Aziz is because the thing is you mentioned something. It's not often I sit across from people that have the learning path in front of them saying I actually want to acquire >> knowledge in my dean. >> The hadith of the prophet sallallahu the seeking of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. >> And you have to do it and and then whichever capacity you're able to you have to you have no choice. And I hear people, every single person that I have spoken to that have dreams of taking that path or even are taking that path. >> I hear every single domain of knowledge and they're all beautiful. M >> there are some of us that are a little bit more fascinated with the sciences of hadith >> some with others >> definitely not me >> but you're the only person from everyone that I have spoken to that have specifically mentioned Quran >> no surely not >> you'd be disappointed I think the reason why prophets had their miracles uh in the time of Issa it was medicinal um miracles that's why his miracles were all medical let's say uh Musa was in the time of magic that's why his things were the magic thing and I still believe that we are in the time every everything oral I don't know if that's actually the word for it but I've just made it up right now and we're going with Amazing. >> So, so it's a thing where >> it's a thing where we love people that speak well. >> We love people. We love books. >> We love podcasts. We love music. We love poetry. All of these things revolve around speech. >> Subhan Allah. >> The we are still in the miracle time of the prophet. >> The miracle >> of of that speech. So that's why these things that we're doing that for me that's why I feel like I gravitate towards the Quran because it's like it's the best of what we're talking about. For example, >> oh I like philosophy. What better philosophy than in the Quran? Oh, we like stories. What better stories than the Quran? It's a thing where it's like >> you can't run from it. It is Allah is trying to talk to you and you can't understand him and you wonder why there is a little bit of a disconnect. Yes, Allah can transcend language and you can still have an affinity and a closeness with vikar and prayer 1 million%. However, let's not skip over the fact that the book of the the Quran is a book of guidance. You need to know what you are saying and reading and listening to to be guided and and if you don't do that, you're always at the mercy of somebody's translation uh to you. And one thing I've kind of experienced in my life is I've seen people's versions of the Quran, let's say their translations, and it wasn't the reality of what was being said. >> It was skewed >> and I and I felt very much lied to as well. Brother Harun said something similar in our recording actually. Subhan Allah. Something similar about you being at the mercy of someone else. >> Yeah. Yes. Yes. Yes. >> He may be valid and his translation may be valid or he could take you on a wild forest run >> And both of you can be lost. Like it's crazy. >> And then it's like again even the the books again I love reading poetry. I love reading in general and all these things. And I'm just like I just really like deep down I just and I say I want to learn the Quran and really like embed it in my life and my soul and again inshallah I'll go on to teach it after I've like mastered the Arabic language but I know that's like a 10 year journey in and of itself but it's a thing where I say I want to do it but obviously I don't because I've not made the progress that I have in other things. Like if you just look at my day-to-day life, it's okay. Well, how much time are you dedicating to the Quran or learning the Arabic and excelling your Arabic? It's like, okay, yeah, I'm not really doing that much. So maybe it's a false claim to even say it, but the desire, the himma is there the inshallah, brother. >> Brother, brother. >> But yeah, >> but I the hima is important. Having the HIMA, having the the the willpower for it and the motivation is a very important driving force. >> Himma is something I have observed firsthand in non-Arabspeaking 50y olds memorizing the Quran within the span of a month. >> Oh, what? >> Memorizing in a month? >> Yes. The best I've seen is is six months. And I thought that person was a genius. >> I have lived it. I have seen it with my own eyes. >> Somebody wait. So somebody went from a non-Arab speaker >> in a month memorized the Quran cover to cover >> in a month. >> In a month. I've seen it with my own eyes. I have seen the process. I have lived the process. >> What was the What was What was the Okay, let's back up. What was the person's routine and how did they accomplish this other than with the permission and the barera of Allahhana wa tala in that thing cuz yeah what was he just woke up 24 hours didn't sleep >> ultimately and you prefaced it >> the thing is I prop propping what >> nothing >> it's a joke >> you know I'm going to go and listen to this again if there is something I'm going to call you and say whatever Oh, no. Bobby is >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Hi. This is from >> the wrong drug from from my home country. You know, in UK this is terminology, huh? >> No, no, no. >> The thing is, habibi, his routine was my routine, but his was much better. Ultimately what you prefaced any anything that happens that is possible that is of value and power >> is all from Allah subhana wa ta'ala. Allah is the creator of value and power. He he is the creator of everything and he he is the one who is able to do the routine of the brother was that of 39 others myself included. We were a bunch of 40 people in the Netherlands. >> Good number. tiny yacht, you know, >> and we were there for 40 or so days. 46 I think it was in total if we were to discount the Fridays because Fridays were off days technically. >> But this old guy didn't take no off days off cuz he's doing it in a month. There's no there's no way you're about to tell me he took off days and stuff. Of course he took the off days. >> He did not. That's what he told you. But he was in the room just banging. We were playing football together. >> That's what you think. >> That was the gin he summoned. So to play football I said in a month with rest days. Go on this. >> Yeah. Yeah. No in 40 days time. He finished actually earlier than 40 days but he started from the very beginning and I remember he said I have three goals from this retreat. Goal number one is to see the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam in my dream. >> Goal number two is to finish memorizing the Quran. And goal number three is after it go to Hajj. Allah subhanahu wa'ta'ala granted him every single Is he still with us? >> He's still with us. >> Instagram number feel like I want to meet him. >> The brother is a bus driver in Sweden. >> Of course. soon to retire >> of course >> but he had what he had >> himma >> he was motivated oh he wanted this he wanted this so badly so badly and there I was I had started the the retreat and I had 23 in my the bag in the in my repository I had the 23 they were done I was going to start with and I was going to finish with surah surah was the final surah that I memorized before I finished if >> and that took me roughly a little bit more than a week >> okay for for a quick second I thought you meant you became a half in a week I was about to say well I'm coming Sweden cuz what's in the water >> no we we have some good stuff >> I do you very good >> we have some very good stuff >> I bet you do >> mix that with karani You know, mix that with kurana. There you go, man. >> Off to the races, mate. >> That's it, mate. Ramadan all the way, man. >> So, okay. So, okay. So, okay. Yes. What's the routine? What's the day? >> The day is this. We wake up for f. We after after after jama prayer we memorize and recite and memorize and revise and recite and memorize and revise and present to our designated mentor. Everyone has a designated mentor. >> Every mentor has a list of students. We I think they were a total of five or six mentors. Some even some students became mentors as well to assist >> with the with the load. Some of the 40 were doing Quran and hadith. >> The hadith that they were doing that it was a compilation certain authentic hadith from the collection of Bkari and Muslim. So not the entire collection but a compilation a mahas a summary >> of the strongest uh and it it was in the thousands >> right >> people people finished it was a total of six students all of them finished it all of them memorized it all of them got it approved >> not from zero though >> from zero >> not from zero >> they knew the fat that's not zero they knew something they knew they knew loved it, >> mate. That was checkmate, mate. I mean, come on. That's it. >> But seriously, >> did they speak Arabic? >> Um, the the vast majority. Yes. >> Okay. But the brother, >> forget everyone. The old bus driver. >> He didn't even speak Arabic. >> He didn't speak Arabic. >> So, no. No. No. No. No. >> I'm sorry. Just hold on. How much Arabic do you speak? How much Arabic can you communicate in? >> Zero. That's as far as it goes. Okay. Not zero, but like Yeah. >> Okay. He had >> like you'll say words and then I'll know what the words mean, but like no structure. >> I'll tell you one thing. In terms of proficiency level, he was a little more little more than you. A little more. So look, here's what I'm trying to say. Here's what I'm trying to say. What I'm trying to say is Allah subhana t says in the Quran we have made the Quran easy for so who's going to take this who's going to take the challenge who's going to take this who who's going to answer the call Allah subhana wa ta'ala made the Quran easy for >> remembrance recitation >> reading reflection. >> Allah subhana wa ta'ala made the Quran easy period. The thing though and this is subhan Allah when I asked ah who was actually and holding me accountable for something and he was basically scolding me in the the masjid after it was after I moved here he said Ibrahim I'm not seeing you in there has been some time well I haven't seen you >> how do you even look at yourself in the mirror >> mate I'm trying mate okay is >> that off only God can judge me mate >> this is true this is true >> good you better believe it. Yeah. >> And I just told him I was giving him the oh, you know, there's the the the and all that, man. You know, look at me. You know what he said? Wallah, he was so because look, I come from I come from a family of Quran. My in-laws are are the definition of the family of Quran. >> The >> my father-in-law, >> the buzz. >> Uh yes. So he's Algerian. living in Bosni. Yeah, Algerian. >> Shout out to the Algerians. >> Subhan Allah. No, Algerians are amazing. Hearts of gold. My heart is Algerian. Subhan Allah. >> Even though my blood is Iraqi in it. >> No, but it's a family of Quran. Everyone is is half of Allah. He is half of >> my wife is half. >> Yes, she is. >> Blood [ __ ] the jackpot. Go on. Sorry. Carry on. >> Maybe I did. I did. I did. No wonder you haven't found me a wife cuz you're you're dealing with he's dealing with the creme de la creme looking at me he's like this m I'm not recommending anything to you I understand it's fine my little jah self will just go I'll go find something in Miami but yeah go on so carry on so again family of Quran mashallah that again this this magical >> Hogwarts academy that you went to that people are memorizing Quran in one Amazing. >> Tell me more. Tell me more. I'm feel like this is this has gone from a podcast to like a a recruitment video. I'm like, and it still goes on. >> When you said recruitment video, bro. >> Yeah, I know. You was thinking of >> I was like, I had the flashback and a certain soundtrack. Yeah. Literally is playing. What I'm trying to say is that ultimately there is no must. There is no you have >> there is no this is the there's only one thing honestly uh what I'm trying to say subhan Allah also is like just to to finish the the story with the with with like everyone every lecturer every person who's giving they're investing themselves in the story because look I'll be honest this is this this is the paradigm that I have I want to convince you to join my I want to convince you to solve Amazing. Good. That's the right answer. I want to convince you to pick up the pace in a certain thing. You are going to tell me something that makes perfect sense. Let's let's suppose Ibraim, I have my brand. I'm working on this. >> This is my priority. Or Ibraim, I am struggling with this. Ibrahim, I want to, but this is this is a problem for me. >> I'm going to be invested and I'm going to think about like I need to bring him over >> because I perceive this as love. >> That she did. And like the thing is also when people do that to me, I say like, "Oh yeah, yeah, I'll try. I'll try." And then like the conversation dies out. >> It's like with the vicar thing. >> Actually, it didn't. I actually picked it up. >> What? Wait, what? >> With the conversation that we had >> about you doing more like Tusby. >> Oh yeah. Okay. That's what I was talking about. >> Yeah. So So there's there's another dimension here because you were telling me this and I was saying, you know what? Yeah. Inshallah, I'll try and Okay, that's perfect. But the you know what he told me well he just went like h maybe God doesn't want you here anyway and then he goes on bro like it played with my heart like what do you mean what do you mean he's like but seriously Allah subhana t chooses who attends prayer and who reads Quran and who is top of the game >> you know this is a very interesting starting 11 this is this is the world cup final like not everybody's called up for the world cup final >> not everybody in the call up. >> Nobody gets it. You didn't get the call up. Maybe maybe that's it. >> If I was you, I would look inside myself. Maybe there is something that I need to stop. Maybe there's a habit I need to stop doing. >> Bro, the guy sent me on a on an like internal journey. >> On a goose chase, subh literally. >> And this was the healthiest conversation that I have had. >> And relating it back to Quran, >> Allah subhana wa ta'ala chooses people. But one thing you mentioned subhan Allah that was very powerful easily Allah subh can take it away from how many I have seen and I have lived with and I have like I gone the the the Quran school with and stuff >> and I see them they look at me and say I also used to be a hav like they start the sentence with I also used to be a >> oh yeah that's yeah that's I don't know what's the what's what's a worse >> imagine having it and losing it >> yeah having it losing it or just never having it because it's the thing of and and and you can you can maybe speak on this as a herist. It's like what is that like? Like like am I like you don't know that you're missing out on something unless you have experienced it. It's like me when I go days without doing like my vicker and my sending salawat. Now that I've tasted the sweetness of a vikar in that capacity, when it comes to other things, I feel like it's like, oh, I'm I'm I'm starving for this thing now. And I think what is that reality to be a her and then to forget the words of God? I remember once I think I was memorizing parts of that beginning of J 27 and onwards I attended salah once and I realized >> I forgot a chapter. I forgot Mujad. I actually forgot it. Like altogether I forgot it >> because the sheh was reciting it in salah and I didn't recall. I was like which surah was that? And when they told me madal I was shocked. I was like wait I'm supposed to have memorized this. M. So I remember going back like switching the program. Okay, now it's now it's time to get this back. I can't lose it. I memorized all in all I think it was two days. Surah Mujad is a chapter of three and a half page. Memorizing it back was roughly a month. >> It was so much more difficult to memorize it back >> then to start from zero. >> I don't know why. So at the at one point I was saying maybe I'm not meant to memorize it. >> That was so like it that was playing mind games with me. >> And after that I promised myself okay but I will as much as I am trying to I need to try even harder to keep it together. So consistency at the end of the day the thing is like and consistency is not dependent on a number. There's no one that tells you you need to memorize x amount of verses, pages, whatever every single day. >> The more you can do, the more Allah allowed you to have. >> And you want to have more. >> You want to like the thing is like, bro, the only satisfaction you get from one level of is is seeing, oh, this is what the next level looks like. Okay, let me go and chase it. >> And let me chase even more baraka in my life and more baraka in my more baraka in my acquisition of knowledge. M >> so consistency doesn't have a fixed number. Nobody tells you you need to memorize a certain set amount but bro you need to do it every day. You have to like maybe maybe your bandwidth doesn't allow memorization. >> And that's the worst thing. I think my reality is like no cuz every like verse I've tried to memorize I I get it roughly quite fast and I I don't know why like even that the fact that and again even when you said oh you forgot it and then you you you struggle to memorize it for me it's just the thing of I that's the category I fall into and it's like Allah chooses certain people. >> And at this moment in my life I have not been chosen. I can talk about the himma and the desire and all this but Allah has not said umar you are the person of a person of Quran at the this at this point in my journey and the thing is I think even when the fact that you said you've done all this memorization and you've you've memorized the Quran but the fact that Allah took it away is the way I would like look at it is Allah is showing you that his words are a gift and to memorize them isn't something it's Like it's not even something you've done. Like again again it's the ego thing. It wants to take its part. I memorize. >> Yeah. Of course. Of course >> I am. Again you you ask me about the >> I can say it. But Allah just go no you can't. >> You forgot something. I I didn't even let you remember that you forgot it. >> Look listen. It's not just that. Subhan Allah. It's on top of that and very very true. On top of that, Subhan Allah, bro. It's such an ego bait. M >> I'll tell you what honestly and I have like to be completely perfectly candid with you taking that journey such an ego >> bait >> because it's so easy it's so easy to fake a position of authority >> If I was a half you wouldn't even hear me speak English. I'd just be like oh this be quoting I wouldn't even speak to you in English anymore. >> Listen don't expose me in front of the camera. Okay. We got it. We got it. Okay, you are a top guest. Call us. Stop exposing me, man. >> Okay, >> speaking of which, and by the way, one thing that this episode has taught me, subhan Allah, is I need to have another episode with you. >> Well, must have must have 110%. So, before I let you go, uh, we're going to do the following. >> Okay, cool. >> Before I let you go, I want to ask you a couple of questions. >> quickfire questions. way you I used to say before quick questions but not maybe not quick answers depending on >> I was going to say I I have a problem with yapping but carry on now I'll try I'll try and be concise with it >> okay besides the uh Quran and the the words of God and the words of the prophet >> which book must every Muslim >> consume Hickham the hikum by >> barik. Okay. Uh >> I'm just like let I feel like I'm saying it fast. >> I'm saying it fast and I and I don't want people to just go oh yeah but that book ah man that book that book that book game changer for me anyway. I feel like that is I would and this sounds so bad. I would probably give that book to somebody because if if a new Muslim came and they said, "Oh, I'll give them the Quran because it's like you might find something. It might that that's a journey in and of itself, but in order for like comprehension, philosophy, how to understand certain things, how to interact with certain thing, like for me, I I that I've bought so many people that book." >> Amazing. >> Have you got it? No. >> Oh, have you got it? Oh, there's two. There's two more I'm getting. >> Subhan Allah. Look, look at the rewards we're reaping. >> Yeah. No, 100%. It's the It's the greatest book. It's the greatest book. What's one piece of advice you would give to someone listening to this episode and they want to build their business but at the same time >> they don't want to end up in a situation where they chase the dunya and forget the what is beyond that. How do I set up a path to success? And how do I balance that with remembering the core and remembering the center which is that everything is not around me and that I am not the center. >> I would say again establish yourself in prayer. Pray five times a day in the mosque if you can. Um, and just know that all of your clients, all of your baraka, all of your work, all the money, it comes from Allah. And there's nothing that you can kind of do to like influence that. And cuz what I and what and why I say that is because I've done like the cold outreach approach. I still do it now when I'm if I'm trying to get new clients or whatever. And I'll re outreach people and I'll send them a message and whatever. They they may ignore it. They may not. I may have to follow up. They may ignore that. But and I could send 2,000 of those and maybe Allah says no to all 2,000 because I'm not praying. But let's say I'm praying faj and I'm praying all my prayers in the mosque. I could send five and I could get three clients from that >> because now we've incorporated Allah in the mix and that's where the barrack is. For example, I'll tell you a quick story. I was trying to get certain clients when I was in Qatar and I was there for 6 months and I remember I was struggling a bit because it was like Qatar is very like kind of closed off. Not closed off in the business sense. The Qataris work with Qataris and they've got their people and for me to come in and just be like hey I'm the new guy on the block. >> It's kind of difficult. I remember I went to so I remember I was like and I wasn't praying at the mosque as much. I was just praying at home and I remember I was like you know what this is just going to be difficult man let me go to the mosque and let me just pray I went to the mosque was praying finished and I'm just chilling there and I just heard Umar bear in mind I don't know anyone in Qatar so like anybody knowing my name is a weird reality and it was the one of the head heads of the mosque and basically he like he knew me and blah blah blah. And basically that almost went into me bringing them on as a client for a content creation of the the mosque or the institute and it was just a great reality of like oh I was trying to get clients this whole time but because I went to the mosque literally like the client came to me. So that whole reality there, it kind of just shows me and Allah does it a lot for me where it's like I put so much effort in this and then Allah just gives it that easy there. It's like even with uh like getting married or whatever. >> You might be on the apps, you might be doing the things, going to the events, going this and you might and the second you go, you know, Allah, I'm giving up on this man. Maybe you don't want me to be maybe I'm one of the people you don't want to be married, bro. and suddenly the next door neighbor the the person that moves in next door is your you know what I mean it's like these things are not difficult for Allah and I think we should stop having such a small opinion of Allah Allah can't help me make 10 grand a month what is 10 grand to Allah I mean it's like Allah and and the thing is that this dy is just such a a play thing for Allah he could gives it that's why he gives it to whoever he wants Elon Musk is not Muslim yet He has everything in the dunya. Is he successful in the grander scheme of life? We don't know yet. We don't know how his story is going to turn out. Do you know what I mean? So all of these things. So it's like again, it's just trying to again make sure you've got the main success first before you go over into uh the business. And if you're going in with the business, have the intention because you want it to support your uh Islamic pursuits. Amar >> Jonathan, [Laughter] >> I remember when you told me the Cheesecake Factory, by the way, what the things that you're doing. I'm seeing it right now. I love it. >> What did I say? >> Sometimes I will say stuff like completely at random just to throw people off man. Man, checkmate. Literally. >> Alhamdulillah. >> Bartholomew. Is it I always use that name when I'm That's one of the names I use to throw people off. >> I can see I'm rubbing off on your paws. >> I feel like I did really well with like no rude jokes, no swearing. I think I swore once. >> Once only. >> Once. >> Actually, no. You did you did amazing. >> I did. >> Seriously, you did really good. is but now this is >> what the the best of actions are those at the end. >> There you go mate. Yahib, what is your baraka blueprint? >> Salawat on the prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wasallam. >> That's it. Again, you're looking for something else. You're looking for a deeper answer. Oh, no. Give me more. Shut up. Do that everything and just wa just watch everything in your life form. there's a there's a salawat called a salat fati and I remember my friend said riggs he said do a hundred of these every day and he said just just just whatever you're doing just do a hundred of those a day and I remember I was like all right you know cuz everyone everyone's sure whatever >> you know the thing is that's another thing and it's something I'm still dealing you know Muslims say oh if you do this you get this or you do this I don't like to look at Allah like that with like, oh, I'll recite this to get this. But all he said was, recite this 100 times a day. Um, and yeah, just and he didn't want to tell me anything after. He just said and just just see what happens. And literally my life from then has just been physically anyway, like the external reality, you know what I mean, it's just been a thing. And only when I abandon the salawat and when I abandon the when I abandon the praying in the mosque is when I usually fall back into my own despair. I mean it's there already but yeah kind of things. Yeahham brother Omar it has been such a pleasure to have you. May Allah subhana wa ta'ala bless you and your household and I'm already looking forward to the next conversation >> inshallah. Call me whenever you need. Of course, man, for the amazing episode, for the wonderful conversation, for the reminder, for the possibility of gaining value and sharing value and I pray that you, my dear listener, have found this episode tremendously valuable, such just as I have found it tremendously valuable. And before I let you guys go, I want to share something with you. The Baraka Blueprint podcast started with the intention of only being a podcast, but it became so much more than a It became a movement. It became an ecosystem. honestly, what I want to do and my goal with the Bodica Blooper podcast is to share as much value as I possibly can and to have this message reach every single person that I can get my hands on. The message is very simple. The message is that Allahh has given us a divine blueprint, a blueprint for success. And if you follow that blueprint, you are guaranteed success. first and foremost the ultimate success which is success in the hereafter but secondly your success in dunya. So I've done a couple of things. First things first, I started and I created a free education course called the hijra blueprint and I have it at startyoura.com and I am sharing a fiveday blueprint to everyone who subscribes free of charge as an email education course and together with that you're subscribing to my weekly newsletter where I every single Thursday share valuable insights from what I have learned during that week in my career And in my dean and I share it with you so that you inshallah can gain some benefits. I have weekly assignments. I have simple actionable steps and I and I write very clearly in the beginning of the email how many minutes I think this will take you to go through and to go through the action. This is at startyouhra.com. The link is in the show notes. I also have my free school community where I have many courses such as build a brand with me or set up your 90day roadmap with notion where I show students how they can take actionable steps, simple steps to introduce complete paradigm shifts in their lives and to reach new heights in their careers. They are taught actionable skills free of charge. And of course, I have a monthly community meeting. All you have to do is go to my school community. Uh you can find the link in the show notes. Just send a request and for now it is free of charge. So take advantage of the take advantage of this chance and join the Hedra hackers community. And with that being said, thank you so much for tuning in to this episode. I'm looking forward to see you on the next one. Until next time, remember your mission. Remember your core. Stay focused on that and do so in Baraka style.