Agent of Change
Takes on personal responsibility to pursue self-development on a personal and professional level
Demonstrates commitment to the Muslim family
Demonstrates commitment to contribute positively to local community development
Phase I
a) Believe that you can control or direct your life (don't be directed by others when you don't like where they are taking you - as a person, professionally, etc.). Also understand the concept that everyone is ultimately responsible for their own actions.
b) Setting priorities for self via a personal strategic plan.
c) Regular self-evaluation, muhasabah (weekly at least)
d) Learn about and practice time management tools
e) Set a reading goal to develop the habit of regular reading
f) Focus on readings related to your specialization or profession
g) Is in the habit of reading (e.g. once a month).
h) Understand that our body is a (trust) amana from Allah. Get a physical exam and begin treating any physical illnesses.
i) Understand importance of fasting and learn examples from the life of Prophet Muhammad and the Sahaba. Fast once a month.
j) Sets a plan for improving health: healthy diet, moderate portions, and regular exercise (at least 2 times a week). Discontinue any unhealthy habits or addictions (quit smoking, binge eating, sugar or caffeine addiction). Limit soda and junk food consumption
k) Learns about importance of cleanliness from Islamic and health perspectives.
l) Evaluate self: personal manners & akhlaq, identify what 3 manners to improve on
m) Understands the importance and nuances of interpersonal skills and etiquette.
n) Evaluate spirituality and personal Tazkiya and identify 3 ways to improve it o) Seek to be financially independent
p) Purify money and assets by paying Zakah, avoiding usury, etc. Begin saving, no matter how small the amount.
q) Pursue professional development (classes, certifications, etc.)
Phase 1
a) Evaluates relationship with family members and identifies how to improve it
b) Ensures good relationship with parents (if living):
c) Married couples: Learn about the Prophet's mercy and compassion with his wives. Practice mercy, compassion, and patience with one another
d) Singles: Evaluate what you are looking for in a prospective spouse - highlight importance of "deen" in a woman and "manners and deen" in a man. Evaluate self: would I marry myself if I were someone else? Set a self-improvement plan and make lots of du’aa. Read book on marriage.
e) Parents: Evaluate relationship with children. Are we creating a healthy environment for them spiritually? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally? Highlight importance of instilling Islamic values in children and embodying them ourselves. Read book on Positive Discipline and attend workshops.
f) Learn about domestic abuse, its causes into domestic abuse
g) Men: works to provide for family in a halal manner. Understands his Islamic duty to provide.
h) Men and Women: Learn about importance of living within one's means, not being wasteful, not engaging in israf.
i) Study Islamic family law (esp. Marriage and divorce, inheritance)
j) Study Tafsir of Surat Al-Hujuraat (49), Al Mujaadilah, Al-Hashr, Al-Mumtahinah (58
Phase I
a) Attends and participates in beneficial community programs and supports them financially and with time
b) Lowest level of Iman is to remove something harmful from the road. Is positively engaged in local Muslim community and greater community
Core Values:1. Godliness (Rabbaniyyah) 2. Just Balance (Wasatiyyah) 3. Comprehensiveness (Shumooliyyah) 4. Positive Citizenship 5. Justice 6. Development 7. Cooperation 8. Diversity 9. Commitment
Personal responsibility to pursue change; believe in doing what is right; stands up for the rights of others (National and International Issues)
Phase II
a) Educate and inform community about local injustices through a presentation or workshop.
b) Learn about current national and international issues.
c) Meet with or get involved with a national organization that educates, lobbies for or addresses issue of focus
d) Stay positive in the face of challenges.
Phase I
a) Learn about current, local and international social and economic injustices - as a first step to stand up for the rights of others. Focus on learning about local issues.
b) Prepare material to present about a particular justice issue and present to Usra
c) Meet with members of the local community who address the issue of focus
d) Register to vote (if a US citizen)
e) Learn about the Prophet's example of staying positive and continuing to work towards making a change, even if we don't see results. Ask Allah for reward and trust Him with the results.
Phase II
a) Evaluate areas of negative influence from others and work to shield oneself from it.
b) Review priorities for self
c) Regular self-evaluation, muhasabah (daily) and overall picture muhasabah monthly
d) Practice time management to fulfill personalgoals. Be timely in all activities.
e) Read regularly: Qur’an (with understanding), news & analysis, Islamic education, material outside of your professional scope or specialization
f) Thoroughly read material related to profession / specialization
g) Is in the habit of reading (e.g. once a month). h) Educated about general health topics and how our lifestyle affects our health.
j) Continue health regimen: healthy diet, moderate portions, and regular exercise. Limit soda and junk food consumption. Take up a new sport or physical activity (especially swimming, horseback riding, and archery).
k) Practice cleanliness in everything
n) Evaluate spirituality and personal Tazkiya and identify 3 ways to improve it. Focus on proper gender relations, lowering the gaze, and avoiding activities that instigate sexual desires outside of halal means
o) Learn about entrepreneurship and running personal business
p) Plan for a personal project q) Pursue professional development and develop professional network. Make business cards and always keep-up a current professional resume.
i) Try to fast 3 days of every month
l) Identify three new manners to practice / improve on
m) Identify weakness in interpersonal skills and works to improve them.
Phase II
a) Regularly calls/visits immediate family to check on them - at least once a week
b) Embody the hadith: Being best friend and company to parents, especially mother.
d) Work on self-improvement goals. Attend marriage seminars. Have a small "resume" ready as well as a good photograph of yourself. Actively seek marriage potentials via trusted individuals/sources.
e) Ensure children are learning how to read the Qur'an and the five pillars of Islam, with a focus on implementing what they learn. Prioritizes children's Islamic education: aqeedah, manners, history, and relationship with Qur'an, Sunnah & Prophet's Seerah. Set aside quality time with children on a daily basis, no matter how short.
f) Practice good communication skills and curb any habits or traits that may lead to domestic abuse. Promote awareness about domestic violence by planning workshops.
g) Attends workshop on how to develop a sound financial plan. Sets a family financial plan.
h) Study parts of Surat Al-Baqarah, Aale-Imran and An-Noor.
i) Study Tafsir of Surat Al-Hujuraat (49), Al Mujaadilah, Al-Hashr, Al-Mumtahinah (58 60). Continues to work on etiquette learned from these surah’s.
c) Married couples: dedicate a daily time to check-in with each other. Attend a workshop on marriage together and set aside time to address issues.
Phase II
a) Volunteers time with community organizations or institutions to enhance education, health, and good morals
b) Avoids participating in divisive politics as much as possible. Learns to cooperate with and respect other groups (especially other Islamic movements)