Stronger together: embracing unity as our collective power
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As members of the Ummah, our collective strength and unity are paramount, yet we often find ourselves divided by minor differences in practice and interpretation. Reflecting on the Quranic verse, "Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided" (Quran 3:103), we are reminded of the importance of unity. Yet, we allow trivial distinctions, whether in madhab, fiqh, sect, or culture—while sometimes significant, can overshadow the larger challenges we face together and create rifts among us. Honestly, doesn’t it feel kind of fruitless to hate each other over the way one performs sujood, with feet crossed or toes folded, or over the definition of zabiha, such as machine slaughtered versus hand slaughtered, while our people are being LITERALLY SLAUGHTERED by oppressors?
Yup. These differences pale in comparison to the larger challenges facing our community, including the heartbreaking genocides happening all over the world or our very own sectarian violence, like the Sunni-Shia conflicts in Pakistan, which have devastating consequences for our brothers and sisters. These events should be a stark reminder of the urgency to transcend our differences. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "The believers, in their love, mercy, and compassion for each other, are like a body: if one part feels pain, the whole body suffers in sleeplessness and fever" (Sahih Muslim 2586). This hadith reminds us that the suffering of one is the suffering of all, compelling us to work together towards relief and support, transcending our differences for a greater cause. When you joined this group, you committed to making an effort to change things (it was in our code of conduct and application process).How, then, can we, as Muslim professionals, contribute to change, starting at the micro-level?
For Job-Seekers and Students:
1. Take Initiative
Organize meetups or chat in discussion groups (muslimprofessionals cough cough) around your professional interests. This shows your proactive approach and builds valuable connections.
2. Volunteer and Learn
If you can't find experience... work for free. Gain experience by volunteering your skills, which can add significant value to your career over sitting idle.
3. Start Posting Content and Build Your Brand
Share your insights and expertise on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to increase your visibility to recruiters and hiring managers
4. Build Connections First
Don't be surprised if no one is referring you. They don't know you, they won't care about you. Become friends - get to know one another, and then make a request. Bullet One is a great way to get to know people
5. Watch What You Post or Say
What you say online and how you conduct yourself during the job process can either help or hurt you. Complaining about how no one is helping you /that you can't find a job (self-pity) on open forums may lower your chances because it's declaring that you are undesirable.
6. Don't Just Apply and Wait
Twiddling your thumbs while waiting for a LinkedIn quick apply job listing to reach back works 0.1% of the time. And if they do reply, more often than not, it's a scam job. Do the above steps; talk to people, it will work... just be patient.
7. Change Your Perspective
Becoming a doctor takes at least 10 years of hard work. Put that into perspective when applying for jobs. Putting in an extra 30-60 minutes of effort before applying for a job is the least you can do :).
For Professionals Excelling in Their Fields:
1. Share Knowledge
Create content that helps others learn from your experiences, guiding aspiring professionals on their path.
2. Community Teaching
Offer educational sessions at local mosques or community centers to share your knowledge with those who need it most.
For Business Owners and Entrepreneurs:
1. Community Hiring
Seek out talent within the Muslim community, supporting each other's professional growth.
2. Mentorship Opportunities
Provide learning opportunities for young entrepreneurs to help them grow and succeed.
3. Co-Marketing Partnerships
Collaborate with other Muslim-owned businesses to enhance your reach without significant advertising costs.
For Those with Financial Resources (Investors):
1. Invest in the Community
Support Muslim startups and businesses that show promise for growth and impact.
Within our group we have startups that have viable products/are thriving like:
Qariyb.com - Muslim Events App
Dyur.co - Halal Home Financing/Crowd Investing
Makanihomes.com - Muslim Home Swapping
123babybox.com - Baby Subscription Service
Thekithabproject.com - Islamic Coloring Books
And so many more… (maybe I should make a directory soon)
For Everyone In General:
Support Muslim Businesses
Make a conscious effort to buy from Muslim-owned businesses, contributing to the sustainability of the Muslim economy.As we navigate these trying times, let’s focus on what unites us—the Shahadah, our shared faith, and our commitment to justice and compassion.
We need to begin moving forward with humility and unity, discarding our egos and focusing on what truly matters. These should be the cornerstones of our interaction, guiding us to look beyond our differences. With Allah's guidance and a shared commitment to our faith and each other, we can overcome the trivial differences that divide us and address the significant challenges we face as a community. Insha'Allah, we will achieve greatness together by concentrating on our collective goals rather than our personal goals and the minor distinctions that have too long diverted our attention from the pressing issues at hand. Check out this lecture by Yasir Qadhi, it inspired a lot of this content.
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