Hi All,
Ambition to Meaning; finding your life’s purpose is good movie to watch:
It’s available on a YouTube list here:
Having so much thoughts about it, will be writing as I get some time.
Thanks!
– Abdel
Salamo Alikum Everyone,
All my best wishes to my Muslim friends and associates for a happy and blessed Eid ul-Adha – or the celebration of sacrifice.
It reminds us of the core of our religion which is submission to God’s will, when we celebrate we had to remember that the reason we’re celebrating is that prophet Abraham submitted to the will of Allah in sacrificing his son Ismael because it’s god’s will.
We go through different situations when we’re required to either submit to the will of Allah communicated to us through our religious teachings or go with what we want, satisfying our ego or our social circle. When choosing to submit to Allah’s will the consequences will be the best for us, even if it doesn’t seem like it in the short term.
We should repeatedly read that part from the series of Allah’s names by Nabulsi (link: http://www.nabulsi.com/english-nab/ideology/names/names-24.php )
Once again: all of Allah’s Divine Acts are associated with His Absolute Divine Wisdom, which is, in turn, associated with the Absolute Good. This is the golden motto of human happiness.
Everything has its own reality; and no human can ever attain the reality of true faith until he believes that what afflicts him is impossible to miss him, and what misses him is impossible to afflict him. Mistakes and errors are only human qualities; they are by no means possible for the Creator, Allah, the All Wise. The seemingly wrong, unjust or unfair things are not really as such; they are under Allah’s Absolute Divine Wisdom.
That’s why at the beginning of the holy Qur’an in Surat Al-Baqarh, when god described the believers; described them with those who believe in the unseen, that’s what faith is all about.
Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them [Qur’an 02:03]
May Allah’s blessings be upon you all
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/tfaf7z
Hi All,
I had to start a new phase of my online communication or – in other words – get back to the plan in which this blog and other activities started.
Getting connected to online groups for a long time or investing emotional energy within it proved to be the easiest way to waste your time, value, dignity and emotional energy.
I stood in amazement of the reactions and implications had been directed to me within an online community on Twitter after expressing who am I and even after some agrees to what I said. Giving no reactions to offenses directed to their “brother” but involving in it and making fun of him with whatever way possible; could never be an acceptable behavior – at least not for me.
While the internet provides a valuable platform to initiate valuable friendships and build interesting communities, its tools give a wide spectrum of possibilities to cover behind it and stab people from behind in an extremely unethical way and still – no one will know, we’re just having fun!
Seeing how a tiny situation can expose the substance of some people, was extremely clear to me the last few days. I must always remember the talk I had with Adel Nada about classifications of ethics: essential ethics, social ethics and religious ethics and how evaluating our relationships with people should be based on the understanding of the difference between them. Lived it and saw it in absolute details!
Religious ethics is presenting ourselves as religious individuals using some phrases, expressions and models of behavior that’s known within a community to express a religious belief/belonging/habits. Just like using “alhamdulillah”, “God bless you brother”, “Pray for me” and such.
How easily could such patterns of behavior be faked? Or not faked, but not to be a true expression of who that person truly is. While doubting people’s intentions is a red line should never be crossed at any case, we proceed in our relationships with people according to the behavior we see. Religious ethics is not the basis in which you should build your relationships offline or online.
Social ethics is adhering to the standard, acceptable behavior within a community and care about your “persona” or how you look to people, how you position yourself within a community and accordingly adhering to the community’s behavior, if people are talking about football, how much of a football fan you look, will give you more acceptance within that community.
I remember drafting some thoughts about Gomaa preachers and the idea of how hard they attack some people or pray (Make Doa’ ) against others – make them look so righteous to the audience, I remember a simple man I knew – asking me for my opinion about how great the (Khotba) had been today and how great the sheick giving it, I nodded my head and smiled, avoiding a pointless discussion about how great isn’t a matter of how hard I attack people I don’t know about or present ideas and information that I didn’t verify or even double-checked.
The social ethics that makes you acceptable within a community – isn’t what makes you a good friend or a good person. May be sometimes it’s the absolute opposite.
Looking to the life of prophets including prophet Mohamed PBUH, look how they had been regarded as socially unethical in their corrupt communities.
Even look to prophet Lot – when he expressed his refusal to people’s behavior which had been up to gay sex – they doomed him as socially unethical person! And what they said:
And the answer of his people was no other than that they said: Turn them out of your town, surely they are a people who seek to purify (themselves). [07:82 Holy Qur’an]
So, evaluating your relationships based on how socially ethical the person you’re dealing with; will put you on a great error if the acceptable behavior within that community is unacceptable itself.
But when we come down to essential ethics, it’s the true basis in which we should build our relationships, essential ethics is honesty, straightforwardness, keeping promises never to betray, back-bit, back-stab, deceive or manipulate the person you’re communicating with.
Islamically speaking, does our religion gave an extensive care to religious ethics, ignoring social and essential ethics. Absolutely the opposite.
Prophet said the best of among you in Gahiliah – before Islam – are the best among you in Islam. Why because these people do have the essential ethics very clear so as to altering their religious ethics and social ethics would be an easy process after which their goodness as human beings will keep putting them above those who just took care of their religious ethics.
The holy Qur’an put so much emphasis on the essential ethics saying in Surat Al-Hujraat:
6: O you who believe! if an evil-doer comes to you with a report, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you have done.
Meaning: Beautifully saying to verify, ensure and double check the information we get from others to avoid hurting some innocent people and get sorry for believing those who told us afterward.
11: O you who believe! let not (one) people laugh at (another) people perchance they may be better than they, nor let women (laugh) at (other) women, perchance they may be better than they; and do not find fault with your own people nor call one another by nicknames; evil is a bad name after faith, and whoever does not turn, these it is that are the unjust.
12: O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful. [49:12 Holy Qur’an]
In this single chapter of the holy Qur’an emphasis had been put of on behavior within interpersonal relationships, that makes what we labeled as essential ethics in this post.
That had been the logic behind me leaving the online community I was happily sharing with throughout the last 3 months, starting from the #MuslimUnity campaign (Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/unity ) and relying on them as a support group afterward, sharing personal information, worries and goals and supporting anyone might need help.
To be continued …
Sharing: https://www.abdomagdy.com/47smkv
O Lord! Grant me patience and ability to accept what can’t be changed,
Grant me strength and courage to change what could be changed.
O lord and most importantly, grant me wisdom and guidance to distinguish between the two.
Hi Everyone,
Had been a long while since I posted something on my personal blog here, may be I was active more on Twitter but my lifestyle and way of thinking was hindering me from giving sufficient concentration to things that’s supposed to matter to me.
I’m undergoing a major change in responsibilities and goals, that puts me on constant pressure and sometimes leave me with some guilt not giving everyone what he/she might expect either from my personal time or business performance.
I’m from that type who think and plan a lot in a very sharp, practical way and then execute the plan in a sharper more persistent attitude. Also, I’m considerably hard to satisfy as of the quality of things I deliver, clients get satisfied and leave amazing lovely testimonials, while I’m leaving my eye with the details that could be enhanced in some sort..
Since I’m down for business – which completed 3 years last October, I think I was going with that attitude. I think I need to stop and think now; reorganize my priorities and expectations from my own self.
Also, professionally speaking, I had a geeky attitude in business in the last 3 years, I was so much into technicalities and getting attached to my own stuff. I’m currently getting more into making deals and finding what works right for my goals.
I need to take a break, perhaps not a short one to come out with a new attitude, organizing my personal papers/goals and get to my goals with the required persistent.
I’ll be heading to Alex for a few days in a trail to be with myself, thinking and going through my experience in the last 3 years, extracting lessons and deciding on a new attitude and altered lifestyle I’ll continue the next few moths with Insha’ Allah.
Wondering if you can help me with situations from your own experience? Can you relate to that?
Have you tried something similar before?
Were you able to alter your way of thinking, attitude and daily habits and what helped you in doing so?
Will keep you posted .. deep thoughts regarding the issue might be coming, though!
– Abdo
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/txd/16266610/
Hi All,
It would be such a pleasure to have you come along with me,
I accept your gracious offer of kindness and company.
But as we walk along young man and as you help me with my load,
I’ve only one request as we travel down this road,
Don’t talk to me about Muhammad.
Because of him there is no peace and I have trouble in my mind,
so don’t talk to me about Muhammad
and as we walk along together we will get along just fine,
and as we walk along together we will get along.
That man upsets me so, and so much more than you could know,
I hear of his name and reputation everywhere I go.
Though his family and his clan once knew him as an honest man,
he’s dividing everyone with his claim that “God is One”
So don’t talk to me about Muhammad.
Because of him there is no peace and I have trouble in my mind,
so don’t talk to me about Muhammad
and as we walk along together we will get along just fine,
and as we walk along together we will get along.
He’s misled all the weak ones and the poor ones and the slaves,
They think they’ve all found wealth and freedom following his ways.
He’s corrupted all the youth with his twisted brand of truth
convinced them they all are strong, given them somewhere to belong.
So don’t talk to me about Muhammad.
Because of him there is no peace and I have trouble in my mind,
so don’t talk to me about Muhammad
and as we walk along together we will get along just fine,
and as we walk along together we will get along.
Thank you now young man, you’ve really been so kind
Your generosity and smile are very rare to find.
Let me give you some advice, since you’ve been so very nice,
From Muhammad stay away, don’t heed his words or emulate his way.
And don’t talk about Muhammad,
or you will never have true peace and trouble is all you will find.
So don’t talk about Muhammad
and as you travel down life’s road you will get along just fine.
Now before we part and go, if it’s alright just the same,
may I ask, my dear young man, who you are? What is your name?
Forgive me – what was that? Your words weren’t very clear,
my ears are getting old – sometimes its difficult to hear.
It is truly rather funny, though I’m sure I must be wrong,
but I thought I heard you said that your name is Muhammad……
Muhammad?
Ash haduallah ilaha il Allah wa Ash hadu ana Muhammad ur-Rasulullah.
Oh talk to me Muhammad!
Upon you I pray for peace for you have eased my troubled mind!
Oh talk to me Muhammad
and as we walk along together we will get along just fine,
and as I travel down life’s road I will get along just fine.
—————
Give your neighbors a chance
We don’t like it when people point fingers at us
So, remember we’re all in this planet together
Let’s work together – Peace be with you (Asalamo Alikum)
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/38ygeb
Hey There,
You know that I’m supposed to be studying Engineering, Mechanical Design and Production specifically. Actually, my focus in the last 3 years had been business-wise and the skill set I was investing in the most had been everything had to do with the web & business.
I think during that time I didn’t focus on my Engineering skills, you might know that studying at FOE Cairo University, doesn’t give a lot of space for “skills” to develop, other than solving equations and memorizing formulas!
So, Engineering-wise I was planning to somehow work/study Mechatronics Engineering and make it my future career, of course while taking care of the business, or more intelligently delegating that to someone while maintaining ownership. I got some books from the Evil Genius series from a while and decided to get closer to Electronics the upcoming year.
Anywayz, There is an annual competition called ABU Robocon, that’s going to be held this year in Cairo, I joined a team in the faculty and meeting daily from a few days to plan on how to sort things out, participating in the competition, I was lucky to join a team with colleges who previously participated in Robocon last year, they practically didn’t achieve anything, but have good experience. All the team members are really awesome! Zizo, Hussein, Ghandor, Islam, Hussein and myself with the mentor TA Eng. Mohamed Omar.
Competition Website: http://roboconegypt2010.com
While my focus is going to be Mechanical-wise in the project, I’ll appreciate the opportunity to get closer to the Electronics and Control part of making robots too and I think that’s going to be my long-awaited introduction to Mechatronics.
The competition itself is illustrated here:
I’m living a life of an Engineering student though, reading books, watching videos from different universities and soon to get down to Electronics Market / Mechanical Workshops to get / manufacture what we need for the robots.
Wish us good luck 🙂
– Abdo
Hey Everyone,
I had been searching for a role model, even unconsciously most of the time. But frankly. I never get impressed by a personality in our modern time enough to motivate and inspire me to be and do better.
Recently, after watching Aljazeera’s “Witness to the age” (Arabic: شاهد علي العصر) I get impressed by that man and found some similarities that might encourage me to make him a real role model.
I’m in the process of reading his book(s) and proud to have such example in our modern Egyptian history!
There is a website http://el-shazly.com includes very interesting information about himself and introduces his books/articles, I get to know him as a person- after some basic information reading about Operation Badr from different sources – through the 10 episodes. I created a Playlist on YouTube includes the 10 videos: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=D9A843498AFDDCD9
Frankly, lately I was getting impressed by Sadat out of his speeches, but understanding the details of his life and Operation Badr made me swing to El-Shazly but still maintain respect to Sadat, no one is perfect but some mistakes is different than others!
– Abdo
Salamo Alikum Everyone,
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2AN3yQ13A4
A lot of Muslim scholars refer to the 27th night of Ramadan as Lailat Al-Qadr.
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition “and it is facilitated for him” is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]
`A’ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say:
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee – O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.” [Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi. Verified to be authentic by Al-Albani]
During this night we should ask Allah all what we want, and wish ourselves blessings in the coming year as our fate what’s going to happen to us will be in earth this night, let’s ask god to make it pleasant to us and him after all.
The Mosque of Amr ibn al-As (Arabic: جامع عمرو بن العاص), also called the Mosque of Amr, was originally built in AD 642, as the center of the newly-founded capital of Egypt, Fustat. The original structure was the first mosque ever built in Egypt, and by extension, the first mosque on the continent of Africa.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque_o…
My intention from that is to connect Muslims all over the world and let them know each other better.
Keep me in your prayers
– Abdelrahman
Hey There,
It had been a while and I’m thinking to troubleshoot some minor problems in the blog, the #MuslimUnity wasn’t supposed to appear as a page and create a second raw in the upper links. I had to dive in the database and get its ID to fix it. It’ll still be reachable via https://www.abdomagdy.com/unity
The second thing is that the comments was duplicated when I installed Disqus that problem appeared, from a web developer point of view its fixed but it’s not quite systematically right. We call that a hack.
I wanted to make an icon to my Muxlim profile among the gang at the header, but never had the time to and I don’t know how while working on a project that require so much concentration and stuff to do for the first time, I found the time to troubleshoot the problems here and design the icon too.
Any suggestion to tweak the look of the blog people?
Thanks
– Abdo
Hey Everyone,
This is just to inform everyone that I started a new phase with Egypreneur – the project that was supposed to be active more than a year ago. And just like everything else you find yourself in need of a long list of requirements to proceed with it.
Egypreneur or (Egyptian Entrepreneur Support Network) was started on Ning http://egypreneur.ning.com with very limited interaction since June, 2008. That was the announcement (here)
The project is supposed to be a social business network for Egyptian young entrepreneurs just like myself, the network itself is still in the development phase, well, it’s just a matter of some free time to get it sorted out. Plus, till then the project is active on the following Social Media facilities + the project blog currently in the home page http://www.egypreneur.com :
Facebook Group: http://groups.to/Egypreneur
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/Egypreneur
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Egypreneur
YouTube: http://youtube.com/Egypreneur
The new phase will include online videos, presented by myself and anyone else interested and have something beneficial to say. The first video had been live yesterday, well, check the last post if you’re wondering about the poor quality of the video!
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IsQ_lhYNc4
So, I’ll be seeking to make videos and get the project known and lead the interaction through these videos. Will be making contacts and some PR work with business professionals who might have something to say or some help to offer.
But as you know me, If I didn’t move no body will, so, I flaw with the pants of my seat as usual and will go for it.
Will keep you posted and you give me some feedback, please!
– Abdo
Hi Everyone,
As you might know I was intending to progress with all projects that I’m running now with online video as the most effective online marketing tool and also I had some awesome ideas including the ‘Lessons In Unity’ series.
As I was considering online video for business too, I went through 12 hours of professional training for Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 from Lynda (Essentials | Beyond) which I used for the production of some videos and theoretically speaking I do have advanced skill level in understanding and utilizing its features.
Recently, I posted the following entry at VideoMaker forum, looking for a solution to the problem hindering me from producing videos in satisfactory quality so far:
http://videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/premiere-interpreting-problem-with-mp4s
——
Hi,
I’m using Samsung SC-MX20 to capture videos for the web, that specific Camcorder does have a known problem with 16:9 videos, you can check the reviews @ amazon.com for details
The problem that the videos that’s supposed to be taken @ 16:9 is being read as 4:3 by every software and had to modify the aspect ratio to get it right.
So practically speaking when I import the video I’ve shot @ 16:9 (better for YouTube .etc) using the camcorder to Premiere it shows as 4:3, to fix that using Premiere I right click and chose interpret footage > modify aspect ratio to 1.2 and the video shows as 16:9 >> Great!
The problem is that If I made any editing to the video the display start behaving very strangely and add some green to the track, that mean for me that it’s not being interpreted correctly. Check the photo link below
Wondering if anyone have some experience with something similar and can help. Video are saved from the cam compressed with H.264 in MP4 format.
Thanks in advance.
– Abdo
——
Well, recording some 4:3 videos this morning I realized that the problem with every video coming from that Camcorder, so till that problem get fixed, I’m using the Cyberlink MediaShow software that came with the camcorder which produce the video in a poor quality and doesn’t have all the features I need to produce my videos in a proper quality!
If anyone has any suggestions, solutions or know any experts. That’s would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/p3d6cr
Hi Everyone,
As a reply to Amanda’s blog on Ecademy “Does disapproving work?”: http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=134390
I wrote the following:
Excellent post Amadan! sums up my own experience with some people too.
One of the most touching movies I’ve ever watched is Good Will Hunting. That concept is clearly shown and sharply obvious in that movie.
Will was a young man with emotional problems from childhood, these problems pushed him to unacceptable social behavior sometimes. When his intelligence was obvious in an academic avenue a professor offered to help him and drove him to some therapists, he laughed at all of them, deceived them and irritated them and refused to be treated.
Notice that the approach is that you’re sick and you need to be treated.
Finally only the one who was able to befriend him and introduce the concept to him as a friend, was able to solve his problems and get him back to normal.
That’s a very clear example that disapproving simply doesn’t work, the attitude of that you’re wrong and I’m fixing you, other than the attitude of that we’re friends learning form each other.
A good example as well was on The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. When Covey referred to his son’s academic and social performance and he and his wife approach of encouraging him as he need to be encouraged and supported which didn’t work as he conceived it as being on the receiving end of ‘treatment’.
On the other hand when they left him a chance to express his true self, they found out that his academic performance improved from itself and he started being a leader in student organizations.
Good food for thought, thanks for sharing Amanda, you’re the best 🙂
– Abdo
Hi All,
Just liked a video on YouTube and thought to bring attention to it. The video is about the Islamic headscarf or Hijab, presenting an inner dialogue for a Muslim woman taking the decision and have plenty of questions.
Watch on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aYY_xswqK0
You can also subscribe to that YouTube channel, some good work are being done there.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/user/mado9111
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/bpemg3
Asalamo Alikum WB everyone,
In this post we’re going to explore how the Holy Qur’an encouraged Muslims to unite and how the stories in the holy Qur’an built an analogy to the unity between Muslims that we’re all seeking today.
First of all, let’s explore different definitions to unity and which one the Qur’an meant when mentioning unity between Muslims.
Logical definition:
Unity is grouping some units together to form a more solid structure. Let’s see an example from the wise man who while dying, wanted to teach his kids the meaning of unity, so asked everyone of them to take a stick and break it, it’s easily broken, but when we collect those sticks together, it’s much more harder to break.
And told them: That’s why my sons you’re supposed to be always together; not to be easily broken individually by your enemies.
So, according to this definition; unity is being safe by being with those who share the same fate, you unite with them to be safe, so if you can handle it yourself, why might you consider uniting with them?
Strategic definition:
Let’s go across some strategic definition, that definition is much more clear in business and military, achieving an economic benefit or a strategic advantage.
If I as a single unit will be able to achieve a little, while If I united with some other people who share my vision, we’ll together have much more resources and we’ll be able to achieve more profit individually, or defend ourselves against common enemies, with much more “resources”.
So unity is sharing of resources to achieve things that couldn’t be achieved individually. So, there is still something for the “self” that motivate people for unity and when I think about establishing such strategic unity, I should be wondering; what’s in it for me ..
Islamic definition:
So which definition of those would be more close to the idea of Muslim unity, in Islam we have a more solid concept when it comes to unity:
“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.” [Al-Hujurat 49:10]
So, Muslim unity isn’t like the solid structure or the strategic allegiance, it’s sharing of not only destiny but the way that leads to it as well. And this unity is established not upon fear from challenges or profit and strategic advantage, but upon brotherhood!
This is the strongest human relationship, if we look to the issue individually the meaning of being a Muslim is being as close as my brother and sister.
So, why aren’t Muslims united nowadays! Why there is always problems among Muslim countries, Islamic groups and even different schools of thought. Why there is always attacks and hatred sometimes inside the single mosque?
Sharing the goal and destiny of living according to God’s guidance is what bring Muslims as close as brothers and sister. The Qur’an stated that everyone is in a loss except those who unite and join together in Allah’s way.
“By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.” [Qur’an 09:47]
The holy Qur’an calling all those people with different backgrounds, from different nationalities or different groups to unite and not divide themselves because of some minor differences.
“And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah.s favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided.” [Quran 03:103]
But, isn’t unity being used to manipulate communities, by pushing them to either deviate from the authentic teachings of their religion or accept a methodology that will harm them in the long run.
The holy Qur’an opens our eyes to some people among us who might intend harm to the Muslim community, like happened in Ohod from the hypocrites.
So, unity isn’t just a romantic word to group all people together giving absolutely no thought to those who might intend harm to us. The holy Qur’an says about hypocrites in Ohod:
“Had they marched out with you, they would have added to you nothing except disorder, and they would have hurried about in your midst (spreading corruption) and sowing sedition among you – and there are some among you who would have listened to them. And Allah is the All-Knower of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers). “[Quran 103:1~3]
So, as much as the Holy Qur’an encourage us to unite and get over all our differences, also, having a strategy and understanding the motives of some groups that will seek to deviate us from the truth had been presented as well.
As we saw from these verses in the Holy Qur’an the Muslim community is supposed to be solid and united, despite all the differences the one-to-one relationship had to keep as close as “brotherhood” and “sisterhood”.
At the judgment day, all these forms of hatred or dis-unity are going to be removed from our hearts.
“And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).” [Qur’an 15:47]
So, why not to start removing it from now?
– Abdelrahman
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/mbnmc6
Hi Everyone,
We ‘connect’ with a lot of people online. But, the depth of that ‘connection’ varies widely. I personally felt a special connection with ‘Birgit Gerlach‘ as she had been very kind and supportive to me and everyone around her.
Happy Birthday Birgit and wishing all the best in the years to come.
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/9ct2kw
DRAFT QUALITY FOR VIDEO MAKING – This isn’t the final article
Asalamo Alikum Brothers and sisters,
Today, we’re going to start the first episode in lessons in unity: our title today is about the definitions and concepts about unity, and other concepts that goes against unity of Muslims.
First of all, what’s unity?
Finding a specific definition isn’t my ideal way of presenting things, but let’s try to go around some definitions to understand what we’re talking about.
Logical definition:
Unity is grouping some units together to form a more solid structure. Let’s see an example from the wise man who while dying, wanted to teach his kids the meaning of unity, so asked everyone of them to take a stick and break it, it’s easily broken, but when when we collect those sticks together, it’s much more harder to break.
And told them: That’s why my sons you’re supposed to be always together; not to be easily broken individually by your enemies.
So, according to this definition; unity is being safe by being with those who share the same fate, you unite with them to be safe, so if you can handle it yourself, why to unite ..
Strategic definition:
Let’s go across some strategic definition, that definition is much more clear in business and military, achieving an economic benefit or a strategic advantage.
If I as a single unit will be able to achieve a little, and If I united with some other people who share my vision, we’ll together have much more resources, we’ll be able to achieve more profit individually, or defend ourselves against common enemies, with much more “resources”.
So unity is sharing of resources to achieve things that couldn’t be achieved individually. So, there is still something for the “self” that motivate people for unity and when I think about establishing such strategic unity, I should be wondering; what’s in it for me ..
Islamic definition:
So which definition of those would be more close to the idea of Muslim unity, in Islam we have a more solid concept about unity:
“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood.” [Al-Hujurat 49:10]
So it’s nothing like the solid structure or the strategic allegiance, it’s sharing of not only destiny but the way that leads to it too, not upon fear from challenges or profit and strategic advantage, but upon brotherhood!
This is the strongest human relationship as we’ll see, if we look to the issue individually the meaning of being a Muslim is being as close as my brother and sister.
So, why aren’t Muslims united now a days! Where there is always problems among Muslim countries, and Islamic groups and even different schools of thought, why there is always attacks even hatred sometimes inside the mosque.
In this series we’ll be going through the major incidents in our Islamic history that sharply demonstrate the meaning of unity, starting with unity between individuals up to unity in Ware and strategic unity. These lessons are expected to inspire us towards achieving unity as individuals and communities as well.
Concepts the goes against Muslim unity
So, fundamentally what’s the major points that hinder Muslim unity, these are the easiest to dive through, that’s why we’ll start with these defninitions.
Racism:
Judging people based upon their race and background, prophet moahmed told “let it it’s rotten” when he talk to his brother about his background. In today’s world everybody think racism is for close-minded uneducated people, so the practice of racism is usually not hugely clear, instead it’s covered by gestures, and unclear practices, so that person practicing racism won’t but attacked or identified as a racist.
Islam totally goes against racism and breaking the bound of bounds of brotherhood based upon, race or background. Prophet Mohamed PBUH said: “”
Nationalism:
Nationalism is grouping certain people based upon geographical location, and calling themselves a nation, with a separate destiny, with separate identity and with separate methodologies.
Let’s face it nationalism isn’t a new concept, human nature love belonging to a specific group of people, feeling secured and protected, even prophet Mohamed identified that as one of the most basic human needs.
Some people attack anyone saying where is he coming from, that’s extremism, Khalid ibn El-Waleed, used flags to make people jealous and get better results for the group, is he a nationalist, understanding and common sense is what our religion Is about.
Sectarianism:
I understand that sectarianism is a sensitive issue in the Muslim community, while we’re seeking to unite, we’re not supposed to tolerate altering and changing our religion.
Why Abu Bakr didn’t go easy with whom denied zakat because it’s a part of Islam and denying a part of Islam or changing it shouldn’t be tolerated in a Muslim community.
So the point to eliminate the effect of Sectarianism on the Muslim community is by scholars from different “sects” to reject any practices that goes against the authentic teachings of Islam.
Next Lesson:
In the next episode, we’ll see how unity had been between companions of the prophet, how they blended together to form a solid community, that enlightened the whole world, and got the lowest level of crimes ever, no crimes for 3 whole years, solidarity to an unbelievable level.
Looking forward to meet with you tomorrow, with how Sahaba (RA) lived in unity within the Muslim community.
Asalamo Alikum
NOTE: Campaign moved to https://www.abdomagdy.com/unity This page isn’t updated anymore.
Asalamo Alikum Everyone,
Some of you already know that I presented a plan to go through the topic of unity between Muslims from a while and didn’t continue for personal reasons (Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/2009/05/lessons-in-unity-outlines/ ). Also, some of you know that I started MarwaElSherbiny.com and didn’t continue for similar reasons. Plus, frankly, I got no response from nearly everyone I contacted and wasn’t possible to handle everything myself (Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/2009/07/preparing-for-marwa-el-sherbiny-com/ ).
Thinking about Ramadan this year and chatting with some friends about the topic, I thought about having a business-free Ramadan, that means that I’m going to suspend my business activities during Ramadan and will launch a campaign instead during the whole month that will cover both topics unity and Marwa El-Sherbiny in a one campaign mainly on Twitter and of course using other social media tools.
I didn’t make an effective use of my YouTube channel so far as I didn’t have the time, but during Ramadan; I’m going to get involved more with the Muslim community there and going to finish the unity series I planned to finish, Insha’ Allah.
This is just to let you know that, I’m going through a #muslimunity campaign via Twitter and I already started inviting people, people already involved are:
@MarwaElSherbiny, @HichamMG, @slashnews, @skinny_legs, @rockinrose, @egGooner, @ReemAlashry, @habzm, @AyubiSalahin, @IslamicInsights, @abdo_me, @DeveloperMan, @EgyptDesigners, @Egypreneur, @aladham, @Helwaan, @SineMuslim, @rildenia, @ibrahimsuheyl, @786Khadija2, @reeem, @MhdBadi, @Sunset87, @AyubiSalahin, @LoveHopeFear, @yazzie_me, @reihab, @DrDheenaSadik, @Amir_HealthGuru, @HijabiApprentic, @rinimaru, @skyhakim, @shukr
The campaign is going to be led anonymously through @MarwaElSherbiny Twitter account and will be centered by MarwaElSherbiny.com, the gesture is that Marwa El-Sherbiny who died for her Hijab and persistence to defend her rights is leading Muslims to unity during Ramadan.
The goal of the campaign is to bring the HashTag #MuslimUnity to the top of the HashTags of the month of Ramadan. HashTags is the term used on Twitter.com for campaigns. Check the last month’s top tags: http://hashtags.org/trends/month We want #MuslimUnity on the top during Ramadan! Can we?? Why not?? Why is that important? will reply to that ASAP.
More information about Twitter HashTag campaigns could be found here: http://twitter.pbworks.com/Hashtags Details to be out soon Insha’ Allah.
Outcome from the campaign:
What to practically do??? assuming that you’re already using Twitter, if not, easily crate a Twitter account (Video tutorials illustrating everything to be released soon).
Tawakalto Alaa Allah.
UPDATE: content will be moved from here to MarwaElSherbiny.com as the campaign get to a more solid state and I find sometime too!!
– Abdelrahman
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/ppwtws
Hi,
This is a comment I posted on a blog on Ecademy and thought to share it on my blog too, the comment is a reply to a topic about torture
Check it out here: http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=132933#c645421
Hi John, Yes, I understanding what you mean and I’m not personally offended or anything, the point is just, when referring to torture and wrong doing in warfare in the last 100 years, how much of that wrong was coming from those you’re referring to as your people. Taking war on Iraq as an example?
In the video from 6:00 to 8:00 :
“We created a great lie to live with, the lie was, we’re the good ones, we’re the idol, we’re the ones who help others, But that’s not the case. I think we in the west didn’t control the world because of our great way of thinking, or for our great values, or for our great religion. But, because we used merciless violence more than others.
If I can be more serious. Muslims weren’t who slaughtered 4 million people during the crusade. Muslims weren’t the people who slaughtered 50 million people during imperialism. Also, Muslims weren’t the people who killed 70 million people during WWI & WWII. Muslims weren’t the people who killed 6 million Jews either.
But, that had been the result of western invasion, and when we talk about the victims of Al-Qaeda, and here I repeat that Al-Qaeda to me are murderers, then we need to talk about the victims of the western policies in Iraq & Afghanistan”
By the way, I’m pretty open minded and while I proudly belong to Egyptian, Arabs and Muslims. I had been in close personal relationships with westerners, including a Jew, and quite sense that they’re my people too, as long as they don’t do or wish any harm to anyone.
And I’m being religious and following my religious teachings while doing that:
8 Allah does not forbid you respecting those who have not made war against you on account of (your) religion, and have not driven you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly; surely Allah loves the doers of justice
9 Allah only forbids you respecting those who made war upon you on account of (your) religion, and drove you forth from your homes and backed up (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends with them, and whoever makes friends with them, these are the unjust.
English Translation of the Holy Qur’an [60:8 ~ 9]
– Abdo
Hey There,
I just went through a typing test after years with no serious testing, I remember, during high school I was happy getting to 50 word per minute with 98% accuracy (touch typing) and during final year’s exams I get around 55 (That was 5 years ago). And yes, I was practicing till even a few hours before the exam, may be thought about learning something beneficial!
Wikipedia Says:
In one study of average computer users, the average rate for transcription was 33 words per minute, and only 19 words per minute for composition.[1] In the same study, when the group was divided into “fast”, “moderate” and “slow” groups, the average speeds were 40 wpm, 35 wpm, and 23 wpm respectively.
An average professional typist reaches 50 to 70 wpm, while some positions can require 80 to 95 (usually the minimum required for dispatch positions and other typing jobs), and some advanced typists work at speeds above 120.
A few days ago, I went through a typing test and got the results:
Cool typing speed, but not so good accuracy, I can say that taking the exams isn’t the normal state to evaluate touch typing speed, as you’ll be going naturally for the highest speed, so, normally when you’re typing you don’t actually type in this speed.
Can also say that in the test you type from the text you see in the screen, so that take some time to proceed in your mind other than writing directly from your mind.
Anyway, I’ll be refining my typing skills, especially for DeveloperMan‘s upcoming video tutorials.
Remember that you can have a free typing test from here: http://www.typingtest.com/
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/vsakqy
Hi Everyone, Just on the run, sharing a very interesting video from UmmahFilms:
What points you’ve got about that video??
Thanks
– Abdo
Hi All,
I wrote that comment as a reply to an Ecademy blog entitled: “A Question of Faith, Philosophically Speaking” and as keeping my content in one place is what that blog is all about, had to publish it here too.
Link: http://www.ecademy.com/node.php?id=132840
As a Muslim, we do have a reply to that question. Simply, God or Allah or whatever you call it, will never subject people to punishment and reward without giving them a physical evidence to make them believe both in his existence and the way he wants them to lead their lives.
So, for people to follow God’s guidance, prophets had been sent with visual miracles that convince everyone watching it that, this is something extraordinary and the person presenting it and claiming that he’s a messenger of god, had to be right, accordingly. So, in this case as you saw yourself Jesus returning the dead back to life (by god’s will) and telling people what they’re keeping in their homes, without visiting it.
If you or me had been personally in that situation, we’d find it easy to follow Jesus (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him), or if we attended miracles of Moses (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him), we’d definitely believe him, because that’s something extraordinary, and we saw it with our eyes.
So, for our situation currently, if there were a God shouldn’t he give us a miracle that should drive us to believe in his existence and guidance?? Is it fair to be judged the same way, the followers of Jesus, Moses and Mohamed attended such VISUAL miracles?? And we didn’t saw it with our own eyes?? So, Is god or Allah fair, to put us in such doubtful situation and others before us attended miracles visually and lived it??
As Muslims we believe that God is fair and he did send an ever remaining miracle to the end of the world with prophet Mohamed, which wasn’t only VISUAL, for the attendees of the miracle to believe and then tell the others what they’ve saw and they believe.
No, God sent via the final messenger PBUH, a miracle that will remain to the end of the world, which is the holy Qur’an. Oh! Ya! So you believe that it’s a miracle so should everyone just believe that is a miracle like you do.
Absolutely not, the Qur’an hold scientific facts that had been revealed 14 centuries by a man who can’t read or write and still till today, scientific research is coming with these facts and finding it in a book from more than 1400 years! So, isn’t that an evidence that make people believe in that book, that the person told these facts is the messenger of God?
Not only scientific facts, while it might be the sharpest for a non-Arabic speaker, the words itself and the combination of verses is a miracle in itself, that no one was ever able to come with a writing that approach it, either in style or content. The concept of miracles is presented here in that video from minute 4:00 to 13:00 after that they continue their talk about how the Qur’an is the miracle of our age.
So, as a simple reply to your question, there is is a miracle that’s not visual and still miraculous, from every angle it’s approached from and sincere study from someone trying to find the truth, will drive to the believe in God and his messengers peace be up on him, including the final messenger Prophet Mohamed PBUH.
Regardless, of all the propaganda from haters and envious to the truth, Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, especially the USA, where millions of dollars are invested in anti-Islam propaganda.
Feel free to ask about anything ambiguous in my post and the concept itself, these are one of the subjects that interest me.
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/5npqhy
Hi Everyone,
I had been preparing some YouTube videos and I’m from the type that seek perfection and hard to get satisfied, especially with something I personally do, as I control the majority of variables involved and can make it better.
That was apparent for me while making videos, as I record the video multiple times, some of the videos I published before, I just published them as they got done, edit it with Premiere Pro, and publish it with some negative points I know could be improved, but found it okay to be published like that.
While making the Ice-breaker for DeveloperMan, which is supposed to be more professional, well, it was kind of testing to the light and configuration for Chroma key and I didn’t actually had a script, but I found more than 10 videos both in Arabic and English, some of which ended with, well, Shit!
Didn’t really feel good about any of them, in terms of script and presentation.
Thought about it and came to the conclusion of optimizing things other than either launching it with a quality that I don’t like or waiting for so long till getting things close to perfect and decided in making it as complete as possible and taking it from there, then optimizing its presentation style with software.
So, prepare a script, adjust the video quality as of the current skill level and available tools, optimize it with software, filters, editing and you’re good to go.
Stay tuned, will be posting when things get satisfactory!
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/3cfe5e
Hi There,
Today, sharing an interesting video from UmmahFilms, about how Muslims or middle-eastern looking is being treated while flying!
Do you think that it’s really random??
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/t6syys
Hello Everyone,
It was very interesting, being Cairo club ToastMaster for the first time last meeting, I had been a member since last March and delivered 4 speeches in the competent communicator track. I would like to utilize this opportunity to introduce my audience to ToastMasters, and encourage everyone to become a member or get involved in a similar activity.
ToastMaster is the leader of the session: introducing speakers, commenting on speeches and engaging attendees with the session while keeping track of the time.
You can check for more information about ToastMasters at the official website: http://www.toastmasters.com
ToastMasters cairo club: http://www.cairotoastmasters.com
Best of luck 🙂
– Abdo
Sharing Link: https://www.abdomagdy.com/sqmwx7
Tech Entrepreneur, engineer, teacher and researcher.
