Our Future, Our Choice: Thinking Today for Tomorrow: Muhammad Al-Shareef & Munir El-Kassem

Muhammad Al-Shareef

-Allah will not change the future of a person until they make the changes.
-The Prophet (saw) said: Whoever sees a munkar, let him change it with his hand, if not then with his tongue, if not then to hate it in his heart
-You can't make a person make a choice but you can influence it.

1st circle: things you are in control of. Ex: Choice to pray or not to pray
2nd cirlce: things out of your contol. People sulking over things they have no control over.

-KNOW: know your destination. If you aim for nothing. Your destination is nothing.

-your heart will waken if you are not in the rememberance of Allah.Common complaint among the muslims: I pray but I just don't feel it (well who's fault is that?!)

-Be specific in the direction to your destination.
Ex: I want to be a good muslim. HOW?
-It needs to be measureable
-How much Quran do you know, tafseer etc.

Munir El-Kassem

-The nature of Islam is that you are working towards your Ultimate Future- Jannah (Paradise)
-Part of that Ultimate Future Plan: you need to plan for this world as well.
-The GPS for Rasuallah (saw) was a divine GPS
-The Prophet Muhammad (saw) recieved the relevation he had to plan to protect the early muslims. After 3 years they declared Islam publicly.
-Another plan: Migrate to Abyssinia and stay there.

-10th Year planned to reach out of Makkah--> to Taif.
-Another plan: Continue to talk to people who come to the pilgrimge.

-Surah Yunus, Hud & Yusuy all hold the name of messengers. In the end the lessons are summarized.

*Thinking today, for tomorrow*

-Nuh preached Islam for 900 years+. About 85 became muslim and he didn't give up.

1) Be steadfast, direct, don't turn around and say I can't do it.
2) Don't start now to transgress the limit of goodness. Ex: revenge to his enemies.
3) Don't be dependant on the wrong-doers. Ex: I need the enemies to help us. Donations from America to help Palestinians, Iraqis, Because we were dependent on transgressers. This is due failure to plan for the future.

Practical Tips

1) Define our identity.
-Keep Going and strengthn your Iman
-Don't lost Hope in Allah (swt)
- The future is with Islam

2) You need to be independent!
-Stop being dependent on transgressors
-No more fundraising dinners. Instead use the fundraising to have a base and invest.

3) Reach out and stop thinking of "going back home"

4) Become more active on the communial level.
-Ex: enviorment issues, same-sex marriages, CSIS--> security certificates.