APPENDIX
An Extended Syllabus
and Some Areas of Focus
The following represents an extended syllabus. It also provides lessons and discussion topics.
Lesson 1* Still Working for Allah:
Who Are We – You and Me?
- Introductions – that generally don’t work
Lesson 2* Still Working for Allah:
Creating a New Culture
- Innallaha La Yughaiyyiru Ma Bi-Qawmin…….
Lesson 3* Still Working for Allah:
Sponsors
- Courtesies and Disclaimers
Lesson 4* Still Working for Allah:
Orientation I
- Why are you here? What do you want?
- And why do you want it – whatever it is that you want?
Lesson 5* Still Working for Allah:
Orientation II
- What do you bring to the table?
- What do you have to offer?
- What makes you think you have a right to it?
- How are you willing to pay for it?
- Learning and Teaching
- Attitude and Preparation
Lesson 6* Still Working for Allah:
Learning Outcomes and GIGO
Lesson 7* Still Working for Allah:
Proper vs. Improper Use of Material
- Ijazah, Idhn, Khiyanah, Sariqah, Barakah
- Copyright and Intellectual Property Rights
Lesson 8* Still Working for Allah:
Some Goals and Objectives
Lesson 9* Still Working for Allah:
Some Common Questions
Lesson 10* Still Working for Allah:
Some Prerequisites
- The Positives: Ikhlas, Taubah, Ihsan, Taqwa, Dhikr
Lesson 11* Still Working for Allah:
Some Concomitants
- The Negatives: Amraadul Qalb and
- Tazkiyah-i-Baatin
- Bukhl, Hasad, Kibr, Ghaibah – Nafs
Lesson 12* Still Working for Allah:
Three Levels of Taqwa Plus One
1. Relationship with Allah
2. Accountability and thoroughness (Itqan) in responsibilities
3. Dealings with Khalq of Allah
4. Makarim Akhlaq
Lesson 13* Still Working for Allah:
Working against Nafs –
- Nafs Ammarah The biggest roadblock
- The other Jihad – the bigger Jihad
Lesson 14* Still Working for Allah:
Dealing with a dichotomy that never was
- Confusion about Huququllah vs. Huququl 'Ibad
Lesson 15* Still Working for Allah:
A Minimum Human
- Threshold
- A question of character – before Islam even begins
- Integrity of thought and speech
- Integrity of behavior and conduct
- Sadaqah, Amanah, Qawl Sadeed
Lesson 16* Still Working for Allah:
Interpersonal Relations
- A question of character – once again
- Good vs. Bad people
- Action vs. Abstention; omissions and commissions
- Makarim Akhlaq and Mu’amalaat
- Man Salimal Muslimoona Min …
Lesson 17* Still Working for Allah:
Loving Your Brother and Showing it
- Hatta Yuhibba Li-Akheehi Ma Yuhibbu Linafsih …
Lesson 18* Still Working for Allah:
Helping Your Brother and not showing off
- Qawlun Ma’roofun wa Maghfiratun Khairin Min…
- Ma Daamal 'Abdu Fi 'Auni Akheeh …
Lesson 19* Still Working for Allah:
Neighborliness, Next to Godliness
- Wal Jarul Junub was Sahibu Bil Janb …
- Wallahi La Yu’min, Wallahi La Yu’min …
Lesson 20* Still Working for Allah:
Understanding the Environment
- EQ: the environmental intelligence quotient
- Speaking the Language
- Wa Ma Arsalna Mir Rasulin Illa Bi-Lisani Qawumih!
Lesson 21* Still Working for Allah:
Democracy vs. Dictatorship
Lesson 22* Still Working for Allah:
A Golden Triangle of Islam in the West
Lesson 23* Still Working for Allah:
Nature of Change
- Ta’alawu Ila Kalimatin Sawaa-in Bainana wa Bainakum
- Selecting issues
- Shoulder to the wheel in motion
- Making native dreams come true
- Translating local ideals into realities
- Third-Worldization vs. Westernization
- Indianization, Africanization, Arabization vs.Britishization, Americanization, Europeanization
- Addressing local fears and concerns
Lesson24* Still Working for Allah:
Understanding the Role
- Western Wing of the Muslim Ummah
- Living in the West, thinking East
- Interlopers, cultural refugees, social outcasts vs. ownership
- Helplessness vs. empowerment
- Survival and victimhood vs. ownership, equality and participation
Lesson 25* Still Working for Allah:
Success vs. Failure
- Responsibility and accountability
Lesson 26* Still Working for Allah:
Beyond Time and Space
- Limitations of times
- Boundedness of geography
- Constraints of culture
- Culture of Islam
Lesson 27* Still Working for Allah:
Having the Cake and Eating it too
- Reconciling contradictions of life in Islam
- Totally earthbound
- Totally transcendent
- Totally local
- Totally global
Lesson 28* Still Working for Allah:
Darul What?
- Home vs. Back Home
- Darul 'Amal
- Darul Hijrah
- Darul anything else?
Lesson 29* Still Working for Allah:
Islam and the Heartstrings
- Emotional attachment to Pakistan, India, Turkey and Egypt
- Emotional attachment to England, Scotland, Europe and America
Lesson 30* Still Working for Allah:
We Are the West!
- I am America! England! France!
- Har Mulk Mulke Maast
- Muslim America
- Islamic West
Lesson 31* Still Working for Allah:
Are Elections Haram?
- How about Fard or Wajib?
- Two ways to put people in power
Lesson 32* Still Working for Allah:
Slaves on a Plantation
- Surah Maryam – the last few Aayaat
Lesson 33* Still Working for Allah:
Need for Literature
- Standards and qualifications
- Issues and concerns
Lesson 34* Still Working for Allah:
Rethinking Some Old Ideas
- Government service
Lesson 35* Still Working for Allah:
Secrecy vs. Openness
- Wa Asrartu Lahum Israra
- Fasda’ Bi-Ma Tu’mar
- Balaagh Mubeen
- Qur’an Mubeen
- Kitaab Mubeen
- Aayaat Mubeen
Lesson 36* Still Working for Allah:
A Question of Accountability
Lesson 37* Still Working for Allah:
A Question of Trust
Lesson 38* Still Working for Allah:
The Bai’ah Question
- Permanent vs. time bound
- General vs. task and situation specific
- Form vs. function and spirit
Lesson 39* Still Working for Allah:
The Mystery of As-Sam’ wat-Taa’ah
- Command vs. advice and request
- Rasul, Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam vs. the rest
- Reasoning, understanding, disagreement, dissent
Lesson 40* Still Working for Allah:
An Ilah called Organization
- Filters
- Commitments and loyalties
- Friends and foes
- Good guys vs. bad guys
- Status and class hierarchy
Lesson 41* Still Working for Allah:
The Leadership Question
- Nature of leadership
- Tasks vs. talents and traits
- Good and bad leaders
- Mechanisms and processes
- Duration vs. transition
Lesson 42* Still Working for Allah:
Questioning Leadership
Lesson 43* Still Working for Allah:
Theory
- Nature and meaning of theory
- Role of theory
- Is there room for theory in Islam?
Lesson 44* Still Working for Allah:
Methodology
- There is no madness without a method
Lesson 45* Still Working for Allah:
Reaching Out
Lesson 46* Still Working for Allah:
Reaching Out to Muslims
Lesson 47* Still Working for Allah:
Reaching Out to Non-Muslims
Lesson 48* Still Working for Allah:
Reaching Out to the World
- Rahmatul Lil-'Aalameen
Lesson 49* Still Working for Allah:
Seeking and Serving Haqq – Truth
Lesson 50* Still Working for Allah:
A Method Named Salaam – Peace
- Mau’idha Hasanah
- Jidal Billati Hiya Ahsan
Lesson 51* Still Working for Allah:
A Concept Called Moderation
- Ummatan Wasata
- Ifrat
- Tafrit
Lesson 52* Still Working for Allah:
Mainstreaming Islam
Lesson 53* Still Working for Allah:
Putting Our Money Where Our Iman is
Lesson 54* Still Working for Allah:
Ideas, Language and Vocabulary
- Tazkiyah vs. Tarbiyah
- Islamic work vs. working for Allah
- The deal with Da’wah
- Movement vs. organization
- Foundations, trusts and such other things
Lesson 55* Still Working for Allah:
Getting it Right
- Fitting in
- Making a difference
- Making it better
- Inna Hadhal Qur’ana Yahdi Lillati Hiya Aqwam …
Lesson 56* Still Working for Allah:
Proper Understanding and Perspective
- Iqamat Deen: Aqeemuddeena wa La Tatafarraqu Feeh
- Izhar Haqq: Liyuzhirahu 'Aladdeeni Kullih
- Itmam Nur: Wallahu Mutimmu Nurih
- Ihqaq Haqq Bi Kalimaatillah: Yuhiqqal Haqqa Bikalimaatih
Lesson 57* Still Working for Allah:
Building a Better World!
- What does it really mean?
- Who knows the answer?
- A working model for future work
Lesson 58* Still Working for Allah:
A Political Party?
- Open boundaries
- Identity question
- Message integrity
- I am still thinking this through
Lesson 59* Still Working for Allah:
Building Skills
- Understanding and awareness
- Empathy and appreciation
- Overcoming shyness and lack of confidence
- Learning social graces through humility
- Assertiveness and self-confidence
Lesson 60* Still Working for Allah:
Evaluation and Retooling
Lesson 61* Still Working for Allah:
Results Orientation
Lesson 62* Still Working for Allah:
Process Orientation
Lesson 63* Still Working for Allah:
Creating Ribaless Financial Institutions
- Ribaless micro-credit
- Ribaless business loans
- Ribaless start-up loans
- Ribaless personal loans
Lesson 64* Still Working for Allah:
Entrepreneurship
- Creating a culture of commerce and enterprise
- Teaching people how to trade
- Profit orientation
Lesson 65* Still Working for Allah:
Building Social Service Structures
- Financial and business guidance, counseling and support
- Family guidance, counseling and support
- Educational guidance, counseling and support
- Personal guidance, counseling and support
- Civic guidance, counseling and support
Lesson 66* Still Working for Allah:
Political Participation
- Voting and elections
- Voter education and candidate identification
- Issue selection
Lesson 67* Still Working for Allah:
Neighborhood and Community
- Localization Hypothesis
Lesson 68* Still Working for Allah:
Opportunities and Resources
- Iqbal’s lament on scarcity of worldly wealth among Muslims
- Muslims never lacked resources
- It is a question of leadership
- One More Time: Don’t Turn Jum'ah into a Hustle for Funds
Lesson 69* Still Working for Allah:
Challenges, Constraints and Impediments
- Internal vs. external
- Personal vs. social and cultural
- Individual vs. institutional and structural
Lesson 70* Still Working for Allah:
Coping
- Approaches, techniques and strategies
- Thinking and philosophy
Lesson 71* Still Working for Allah:
Anticipating Problems
Lesson 72* Still Working for Allah:
Strategizing, Planning and Preparation
Lesson 73* Still Working for Allah:
Simulation and Forecasting
Lesson 74* Still Working for Allah:
Ghettoization of Islam
Lesson 75* Still Working for Allah:
Third-Worldization of Islam
Lesson 76* Still Working for Allah:
Racialization and Ethnicization of Islam
Lesson 77* Still Working for Allah:
Commercialization of Islam
- Corporatization
- Industrialization
- Big business
- Making a buck
- Making a living
Lesson 78* Still Working for Allah:
Servicization of Islam
Lesson 79* Still Working for Allah:
Fetishization of Islam
Lesson 80* Still Working for Allah:
Theologization of Islam
Lesson 81* Still Working for Allah:
Lizardization of Islam
- Judaization
- Scholasticization
Lesson 82* Still Working for Allah:
Lizardization of Islam
- Hinduization
- Other-worldization- Christianization
Lesson 83* Still Working for Allah:
Lizardization of Islam
- Westernization
- Easternization
- La Sharqiyyah
- La Gharbiyyah
Lesson 84* Still Working for Allah:
Sirat Mustaqeem
- Straight path between humans and God
Lesson 85* Still Working for Allah:
Clericization of Islam
- Their Eminences and other sundry counterparts
- From The Book to book-masters
Lesson 86* Still Working for Allah:
Narcissization in the Name of Islam Super-perfectionism
- Trips of the ego or of the soul?
- Insecurities and props
Lesson 87* Still Working for Allah:
Kafirization of Enemies and Undesirables
- A loose-lip approach
- Liberal with Jahannam
- Frugal with Jannah – A-Hum Yaqsimoona Rahmata Rabbik?
Lesson 88* Still Working for Allah:
Materialisation of Islam
- Living for this world
- Islam = material objects
- Obsession with resources
Lesson 89* Still Working for Allah:
Hypocrisization of Islam
- Fostering a culture of hypocrisy
- Double standards
- Islamic and Muslim Schizophrenia
Lesson 90* Still Working for Allah:
A Word on Conspiracy Theory
- Competition and conspiracy
- Paranoia vs. awareness and calculation
- Aggression vs. self-protection and self-defense
- Wa Makaru Makran Kubbara
Lesson 91* Still Working for Allah:
Islam and Muslims Made on Television
- Tawaf around the media
- Episodic Islam
Lesson 92* Still Working for Allah:
Nature of Western Media
Lesson 93* Still Working for Allah:
Media Relations and Management
Lesson 94* Still Working for Allah:
Reality vs. Image
Lesson 95* Still Working for Allah:
Truth vs. Falsehood
- Haqq
- Baatil
- A bit of both
- Wa La Talbisul Haqqa Bil Baatil
Lesson 96* Still Working for Allah:
Reaction vs. Proaction
- Winning vs. Also-Running
Lesson 97* Still Working for Allah:
Not if Shaitan Will Have His Way
Lesson 98* Still Working for Allah:
But Against a Lot of Odds
Lesson 99* Still Working for Allah:
Not if We Won’t Do it Right
Lesson 100* Still Working for Allah:
While Being Watched by Allah
Lesson 101* Still Working for Allah:
With Help from Allah
Lesson 102* Still Working for Allah:
Grace from Above
* All parts of this syllabus are copyrighted material. Don’t copy or use, in part or full, without express permission, authorization, acknowledgment and credit from the author.
