productive muslim presentation slides (2days)

Leading Productive Lives:Spiritually - Physically- Socially

Presented by: Mohammed Faris (aka Abu Productive),Founder & CEO, Productive Muslim Ltd

Welcome

What we’ll cover...

TopicsDefinition of Productivity

The Link between Spirituality and Productivity

Manage your Sleep, Nutrition, and Fitness

How to Develop Your Focus in the age of Distraction

How to Develop Productive Habits

Manage your Time/Tasks/Energy Levels

How to Beat Procrastination

How to Overcome Laziness

...& many more*

What would you like to cover?

Your Topics

How we’ll work together

Your Rules

Let’s Begin!

The Basics

Why do you need to be Productive?

Productivity & Happiness

“We take no pleasure in existence except when we are striving after something.”

Man was created a Slave on this Earth

To Toil the Earth and be Allah’s Vicegerent (Khalifah)

We are happiest when we fulfill our Purpose on this Earth

Question: When do we rest?

How to develop an attitude of Productivity?

The Four Senses...

•Sense of Purpose

•Sense of Urgency

•Sense of Gratitude

•Sense of Service

Productive Attitude

What is Productivity?

Our Definition of Productivity

Productivity = Focus x Energy x Time(towards maximising your reward in Akhira)

In other words...

A Productive Lifestyle is all about making smart choices (continuously) with your energy, focus, and time to maximize your potential in each of your roles

What is NOT Productivity?

Misconceptions

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•Productivity is NOT an Event, it’s a Process

•Productivity is NOT boring, it’s fun!

•Productivity is NOT being busy, it’s being organised

The ProductiveMuslim Framework

ProductiveMuslim Framework

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Spiritual Productivity

Social Productivity

Physical Productivity

Being Productive is a Lifestyle, not an Activity

What you need to Implement the Framework?

Productivity Triangle

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Intention

Action Discipline

“Have sincere Intentions and (consistently) Work Hard”

How to develop Discipline?

Three Ingredients...

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Higher Purpose

Self-Accountability+

+Practice, Practice, Practice

Exercise

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What’s YOUR Slipping Point?

The Basics

Spiritual Productivity

ProductiveMuslim Framework

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Spiritual Productivity

Social Productivity

Physical Productivity

The Concept of Barakah

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“Barakah is the attachment of Divine goodness to a thing, so if it occurs in something little, it increases it. And if it occurs in something much, it benefits. And the greatest fruits of Barakah in all things is to use that barakah in the obedience of Allah (Subahanahu Wa Ta’ala)”

Barakah & Productivity

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Barakah

Productivity

18 Sources of Barakah

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1. Good Intentions

2. Belief and Piety in

Allah

3. Putting your trust in

Allah

4. Reciting Quran

5. Saying “Bismillah”

6. Eating with People

7. Honesty in Trade 8. Dua

9. Halal Income/money

10. Following

the Sunnah

11. Praying Istikhara

12. Giving Thanks to

Allah

13. Charity14. Tying

Ties of Kinship

15. Waking up early

16. Marriage 17. Salah 18. Istighfar

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Productive Ancestors

Abu Hanifah Al-No’man

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He would pray fajar in the Masjid and then, taking his position at the very front of the

masjid, he would turn and sit facing the people and begin to discuss matters of fiqh

with them up until the athan of dhur was given. He then prayed his dhur and faced

the qiblah; remaining like that until asr, and after praying asr he remained sitting,

facing the qiblah until maghrib. After praying maghrib he stayed sitting and facing the

qiblah until isha. After he prayed isha he returned home and had something to eat and

renewed his wudu and returned to the masjid to finish what was left of the Quran!

Abu Ja’far al-Munsoor

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He would pray fajar and then focus himself on going out and tending to the needs of

his citizens, commanding good and forbidding evil, up until it was time for Dhur prayer.

He would return to taking care of his subjects until he had prayed Asr. Then he would

take out time to tend to his family and care for them until maghrib time, after this he

would read from the Quran until was time for Isha and thereafter spent the first third

of the night relaxing with light entertainment or doing some quiet reading from books

that would broaden his horizons. He then slept for the second third of the night and

then awoke to make night prayer before praying fajar. After praying he would recite a

little from the Qur’an and then focus himself on attending to the needs of the people.

This is what he lived for and devoted himself to.

Ibn Al-Jawzi

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He loved immersing himself in reading books and writing his own works, and so he

would strive to spend as much time in solitude as possible. He always began the day

with great determination and aspiration, something he took from reading about the

great figures from Islamic history. 

To conserve his time and help him produce as many writings as possible, he would

keep his meetings with people to a minimum and eat as little as possible to ward off

laziness that comes from overeating.

At the end of his life he stood on the pulpit and said, “I wrote with these two fingers

of mine 2000 volumes.”

Hafsa bint Seereen

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Hafsa bint Seereen RA was a famous jurist and hadith scholar from the second

generation of the early Muslims. She managed to learn a great deal of knowledge from

A’ishah RA, the wife of the Prophet S.A.W and later went on to teach her brother Ibn

Seereen, the prominent Hadith Scholar.

Her daily focus was on meeting Allah in the best state possible and so she would live

her life as though each day was the last. 

Her Advice to the Youth

“O young people, utilize your youthfulness. Indeed I have seen people who have eyes

yet are blind; O young people, employ time in that which may benefit you in the

hereafter” 

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She was born in ash-Shaam and had a royal upbringing as her father was a king. Even

though she grew up in prestigious surroundings, her father  cared immensely about

raising her with knowledge, for she was an intelligent, smart woman.

She memorized the Qur’an during her childhood and soon became an expert in Hanafi

fiqh. She was known for her refined manners and dignity and later got married to the

great King Booree of the Seljuk Turks who  placed her in charge of  education and

public affairs, whilst he fought the enemies of Islam. She excelled at this and quickly

became famous and beloved to her people.

Zumurrud bint Jawlee (Part 1)

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Misfortune struck when both her husband and one of her sons died. Her younger son

Isma'il became king but he was a wretched and corrupt man. He tortured anyone who

objected to his misbehaviour and even killed his own brother for  criticising  him.

Eventually it was his mother, Zumurrud, who had to end his madness by having him

killed as punishment for murdering his brother. 

Her son,  Shihab ad-Deen Mahmood was next  to  take the throne of Damascus.

However, due to his incompetence, it was Zumurrud who was in fact in charge. She

managed to implement sweeping reforms to the country, to the point that Damascus

became a shining beacon at that time. She abolished taxes, started the biggest school

there: al-Khatooniyya, and thus the people tasted prosperity.

Zumurrud bint Jawlee (Part 2)

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Misfortune struck once again when she married  ‘Imaad Ad-deen Zinkee, for this

caused her people to reject her as Zinkee had previously fought them. When this

happened, Zinkee too abandoned her and so she gave up all the royalty and went to

live in Makkah to spend the rest of her life. She ran out of money and took up cooking,

serving, sewing to support herself. Eventually, just before her death, she moved to

Madinah because she knew the Hadith of  the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam

stating that whoever dies in Madinah, he would intercede for that person. There she

passed away without a single person knowing her real status. After her death, and

after people had buried her, her servant told them  that she was the Queen of

Damascus and told them about her lineage. 

Zumurrud bint Jawlee (Part 3)

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What removes Barakah?

Barakah Destroyers

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Sins & Bad Deeds are Barakah Destroyers

The Antidote: Istighfar + Tawbah

7 Daily Spiritual Habits

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1. Sunnah Prayers BEFORE/AFTER Salah

2. Remembrance of Allah after EVERY Salah

3. Morning/Evening Remembrance

4. Night Prayer

5. Duha Prayer

6. Always being in a state of Wudhu

7. Recite 30mins of Quran Each Day

Summary

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1. Why do you need to be Productive?

2. How to develop a Productive Attitude?

3. What is Productivity?

4. What is NOT productivity?

5. What is the ProductiveMuslim Framework?

6. What do you need to implement the Framework?

7. What is Barakah? Sources of Barakah?

8. Daily Spiritual Habits to develop?

Spiritual Productivity

Physical Productivity

ProductiveMuslim Framework

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Spiritual Productivity

Social Productivity

Physical Productivity

Body Hacks

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Manage Sleep

Manage Nutrition Manage Fitness

Managing Your Body is KEY to managing Your Productivity

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Managing Sleep

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• 1/3 of Your Life is Spent Sleeping!

• Cannot be resisted (the gentle tyrant)

• Important for health & well-being

If you can manage sleep,

you can manage your life

The Importance of Sleep

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How to Sleep?

Spiritual Solutions

Physical Solutions Social Solutions

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How to Sleep? (Spiritually)

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• Sign of Allah’s Power (Ayatul Kursi)

• Realization of our Weakness

• Reminder of Death/Resurrection

• Rewards to those who overcome Sleep for Worship

Spiritual Significance of Sleep

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Our bodies need 6-8 hours sleep each night

Give up Sleep for Personal/Spiritual Growth...

vs.

A Muslim’s Dilemma

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Sleeping for Dunya

Sleeping for Akhira

vs.

A Muslim’s Dilemma

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Start with the right Intentions.

Remember Barakah & Productivity.

Don’t Fight Sleep but Manage Your Sleep.

Solving the Dilemma

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Actions

Before Sleep• Wudhu• Witr Prayer or Night Prayer• Dua before Sleep

During Sleep• Constant Remembrance• Dua if you wake up middle of the night• Dua if you can’t sleep

After Sleep • Dua upon waking up• First actions

Practical Spiritual Solutions

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How to Sleep? (Physically)

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• Exercise to burn off stress

• Do not eat after 8.00pm*

• No caffeine in the evenings

• Stretch before going to bed

• Make the room as cool as possible

• Do light reading before bed/

• Avoid TV (or laptop, Screens..etc)

Physical Preps Before Sleep

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Sleep Cycle:Your Key to Quality Sleep

How to actually Sleep?

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•We’re not Machines

•Everything in our body Pulses Rhythmically

•Law of Allah in the Universe

Manage your sleep by working with your natural pulse and not against it

Understanding Sleep Cycles

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Stage 1: Falling Asleep

Stage 2: Light Sleep

Stage 3: Deep, slow-wave sleep

Stage 4: Deep, slow-wave sleep

Stage 5: REM:

Dreaming Stage 90-120 minutes

How Sleep Cycles Work

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10pm 5am11.30pm 1.00am 2.30am 4.00am

1 sleep cycle

2 sleep cycles

3 sleep cycles

4 sleep cycles

(Assuming 90m Sleep Cycles)

How Sleep Cycles Work

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HomeworkTry to figure our your Sleep Cycle over the next 3 days. Try

sleep cycles of 90 minutes, 100 minutes, and 120 minutes and

see which one works best for you.

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Q. What if I’m still tired?A. Power Naps

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• A Nap of 90mins improves alertness by 10 hrs!

• Naps make you smarter, healthier, & safer.

• Why we need to nap?

•Our bodies are programmed for 2 periods of intense sleep. (2am - 4am, and

1pm - 3pm)

• When’s the best time to Nap?

• 3 Types of Naps:

•Cat Nap (20m), Action Nap (40m), Long Nap (90m).

The Power of Power Naps!

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Power Nap Time!

10 MINUTES

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How to Sleep? (Socially)

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• Having a ‘Clean’ Heart before going to bed by:

• Forgiving those who wronged you

• Resolving Conflicts/Emotional Issues

• Do NOT sleep whilst angry

• If it’s too late to talk to people, write it down!

Imagine you died that night

Social Solutions to Sleep

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Spiritual Solutions

Physical Solutions Social Solutions

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1. Learn the ‘Before Sleep Duas. Practice daily.

2. Measure Your Sleep Cycle (Involve friends/family)

3. Build a Habit of Napping into your routine

Action Points

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Early Rising

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• Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said

“O Allah, make the early morning hours blessed for my nation.”

• Early Rising Starts the Night Before

• Effective Ways to Wake Up

Early Rising

Group Exercise:Brainstorm Creative Solutions to Waking Up Early

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The Importance of M.Routines

Early Mornings is when you have most: 1. Will Power2. Control over your Life/Time

The most successful people use their mornings for these things:1.Nurturing their careers 2.Nurturing their relationships3.Nurturing themselves

“When you make over your mornings, you can make over your life. That is what the most successful people know” - Laura Vanderkam, Author

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Develop Your NEW Routine

Time (AM) What you do now What your new Morning routine will be like?

5.00

5.30

6.00

6.30

7.00

7.30

8.00

Body Hacks

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Manage Sleep

Manage Nutrition Manage Fitness

Managing Your Body is KEY to managing Your Productivity

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Managing Nutrition

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Spiritual Solutions

Physical Solutions Social Solutions

How to manage nutrition?

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• Understanding the Source of our Food

• How to make food a Spiritual Exercise:

• Saying Bismillah/Al-Hamdulillah

• Eating with the right hand

• Eating what you need

• Incorporate habit of Fasting

Practical Tip:

Choose a meal and consciously contemplate

Manage Nutrition (Spiritually)

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• You are what you eat

• Appetite vs. Hunger

• Avoid Skipping Meals: Keep consistent energy level

• Plan your meals for the week

• Incorporate Habit of Fasting

Practical Tip:

Keep a food diary for 1-2 days, study & adjust your diet.

Manage Nutrition (Physically)

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The Prophet said: “The food of two people is enough for three, and the food of three people is enough for four.” (Sahîh Bukhârî, Sahîh Muslim)

Practical Tip:Invite someone new to dinner tonight!

BONUS: Invite a Stranger!

Manage Nutrition (Socially)

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Managing Fitness

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Don’t exercise for your Body; Exercise for your Brain!

Why you should exercise?

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3 Major Excuses

Excuse Excuse Buster!

I don’t have time!

I can’t afford it!

I can’t commit!

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•Park further away from your destination.

•Take the stairs instead of the elevator.

•Break up your day by taking three 10-minute walks—morning, lunch, and afternoon.

•Play with your children/siblings for at least an hour each evening.

Daily Exercises

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150 Minutes/week of Moderate Exercising

(50% - 70% of Maximum Heart Rate)1Your breathing quickens, but you're not out of breath.2You develop a light sweat after about 10 minutes of activity.3You can carry on a conversation, but you can't sing.

75 Minutes of Intense Exercising

(Above 70% of your Maximum Heart Rate)1Your breathing is deep and rapid.2You develop a sweat after a few minutes of activity.3You can't say more than a few words without pausing for breath.

How much exercise?

How to calculate your Maximum Heart Rate:

220 – age in years = MHR.

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Spiritual Solutions

Physical Solutions Social Solutions

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3 x Essential Body Hacks

3 x Ways to Manage Sleep

3 x Ways to Manage Nutrition

3 x Major Excuses for Lack of Fitness

3 x Ways to Manage Emotions

Summary

Physical Productivity

BONUS:Overcome Laziness

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“lack of energy and enthusiasm of doing something that you

should not lack energy/enthusiasm for” Imam Al-Ragheb

Definition of Laziness

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• Mentioned in the Quran twice describing Hypocrites & their relationship with Salah

(Al-Nisa - V.142, Al-Tawbah, V.54)

• In the Sunnah:

Narrated Abu Huraira Allah’s Apostle said, “Satan puts three knots at the back of the

head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and exhales the

following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and

remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second

knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up

energetic with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a

mischievous heart.” (Bukhari, Book #21, Hadith #243)

Laziness in Quran and Sunnah

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9 Practical Tips to Overcome Laziness

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‘O Allaah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and l a z i n e s s , m i s e r l i n e s s a n d cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.’

1. Dua

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Narrated Abu Huraira Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, “Satan puts three

knots at the back of the head of any of you if he is asleep. On every knot he reads and

exhales the following words, ‘The night is long, so stay asleep.’ When one wakes up and

remembers Allah, one knot is undone; and when one performs ablution, the second

knot is undone, and when one prays the third knot is undone and one gets up energetic

with a good heart in the morning; otherwise one gets up lazy and with a mischievous

heart.” (Bukhari, Book #21, Hadith #243)

2. Salah (especially Fajr)

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3. Continuous Remembrance

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You’re here

4. High Aspirations/Think BIG

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5. Read the Seerah

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Narrated Abu Musa: Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, "The example of a

good companion (who sits with you) in comparison with a bad one, is I like that of the

musk seller and the blacksmith's bellows (or furnace); from the first you would either

buy musk or enjoy its good smell while the bellows would either burn your clothes or

your house, or you get a bad nasty smell thereof."  (Book #34, Hadith #314)

6. Choose productive friends

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7. Feel Responsible

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8. Plan Your Days

Total TimeTask description. Indent for subtasks

ISLAM

NOTES

TASKINATORWrite down your most important tasks for today for each of the following areas - Islam, Family, Work and Personal life. Estimate the total time per task. Fill in the scheduler with the hours you're planning to work for. Write the tasks you'll do at each hour. Review at end of day and carry over incomplete tasks to a new taskinator.

2010

01

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DAT

E

FAMILY

WORK

PERSONAL

STARTINGHOUR

REVIEW

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9. Charge yourself!

BONUS:Overcome Laziness

Questions?

See you tomorrow inshaAllah!

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address

websites

phone

Suite B, 29 Harley Street, London, UK

http://www.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.ProductiveRamadan.comhttp://iTaskinator.comhttp://Arabic.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.MusulmanProductif.com

UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067

facebook.com/productivemuslim

twitter.com/abuproductive

youtube.com/productivemuslim

E-mailcontactus@productivemuslim.com

Social Productivity

POP QUIZ!

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1. What is the definition of Productivity?

2. What are the 3 types of Productivity?

3. What do you need to develop discipline?

4. What is Barakah? Mention 3 sources of Barakah?

5. If I have a 90 minute sleep cycle and I sleep at midnight and I need to wake up at

6.00am, how many sleep cycles can I fit in?

6. What 3 things do successful people nurture every morning?

7. How do you calculate Maximum Heart Rate (MHR)?

Social Productivity

ProductiveMuslim Framework

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Spiritual Productivity

Social Productivity

Physical Productivity

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Social Productivity

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Why should you care?

Islam is a community-based religion,

not an individual-based religion

1/12Wherever Allah Plants you, be fruitful

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Circle of Influence

Circle of Concern

Where to Start?

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Family

Relatives

Where to Start?

Neighbours/ Colleagues

Community

Ummah

Humanity

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1. Find an area of interest

2. Learn/Develop in that area

3. Share/Teach/Volunteer

How to Start

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Area of Interest Resources you’ll need Timeline

Family

Relatives

Neighbours/ Colleagues

Community

Ummah

Humanity

How to Start

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Question: How do I prioritize?

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Mandated Roles Elective Roles

Muslim Employee

Father/Mother Friend

Son/Daughter Boss

Brother/Sister Student

...etc ...etc

Exercise: What are your mandatory roles/elective roles?

Define your roles

Performance

RolesFather Son Husband Employee Muslim

Minimum Performance Level Line

Measure your performance

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•Islam puts heavy influence on being Socially Productive

• Focus on Your Circle of Influence and Expand it to include

your circle of concern as you grow

• Balance Your Roles by maintaining at least a Minimum

Performance Level at each role.

Summary

Social Productivity

Developing Productive Habits

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“We are what we repeatedly do; Excellence then is not an act, but a habit” - Aristotle

“40% of Actions People Do each day aren’t decisions, but habits” - Duke University, 2006

“All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits” - William James

Why are Habits important?

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How Habits Work

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Trigger

RoutineReward

For your brain

Physical

Mental

Emotional

Reason to remember the habit

The Habit Loop

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Changing Habits

1.30-Day Challenge

2.Focus on the loop

3.Replacement Theory

3 Methods to Changing Habits

•Daily Focus on NEW habit for 30 days

•Write it down, make it clear

•Reasons you’ll quit:

•Loss of interest,

•Forgetfulness,

•Unclear Guidelines,

•Unforeseen obstacles

1. 30-Day Challenge Method

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The ProductiveMuslim HabitatorDevelop good habits or destroy bad ones with ProductiveMuslim's Habitator! Write down up to 5 habits you want to develop (or destroy) under the relevant headings and give yourself a tick for each day that you've stuck (or abandoned) the habit. Each tick = 1 point. The higher the total number of points, the more likely you'll continue (or discontinue) with the good (bad) habit. Aim to get over 20 points each month for each habit. Ideally, you should aim for over 25 points!

Number of Days

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Total Points

Spiritual

Physical

Social

Grab our Habitator!

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•Identify a trigger for your habit

•External (Alarm, Athan, Clothes, Time of Day)

•Internal (Emotional State, Decision Making)

•Practice a SPECIFIC, CONSISTENT, EXACT,

Routine every time you hit the trigger!

•Identify a Reward (Spiritual, physical,

emotional..etc)

Trigger

RoutineReward

2. Focus on Loop Method

Habit Trigger Routine Reward

Wake up Fajr on Time

Reading before Sleeping

Exercise 3-4 times/week

Choose your Habits...

Fajr Athan ??? Spiritual/Physical

Getting into BedPick up book next to Bed,

Read 5 pages???

???

Grab Gym BagDrive to Gym

Sign in to GymGet on Treadmill

???

??? ??? ???

Exercise (Fill in the Blanks)

•Replace Habits to avoid “Now What?” Situation

•Choose ONE alternative for every habit you want to change

•Identify the Needs of your Old Habits & Make sure your new habit fulfills these needs

Replacement Theory Method

•Public Commitment

•Investment

•Reward/Punishment

•Make Habits Fun

•Dump Negative People

•Associate with Positive People

•Place Reminders around you

How to avoid failing

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How Islam Builds our Habits?

Islam uses the Power of Habits to build an Exemplary Personality

Worship Habits Lifestyle Habits

Daily Prayers Eating with Right Hand

Extra Prayers (Duha, Witr, Tahajjud) Staying in a state of Cleanliness

Fasting Regularly(Mondays/Thursday, 3-days per month)

Saying “Bismillah”

Reciting Quran Holding oneself to account...

...can you think of more?...can you think of more?

Habits in Islam

Trigger

Routine

Reward

Athan

Wudhu

Masjid

Pray

Spiritual/Emotional/Physical/

Mental Reward

Salah Habit Loop

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Islam Discourages “Mindless” habits

Use the Power of Habits to Build the Islamic Lifestyle aspired BUT Use Mindfulness in all your actions to maximize your reward with them

Note:

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Which Habits to Develop?

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Morning Habits Commuting Habits

1st Hour at Work Habits

After Work Habits Evening Habits

•Fajr Prayer•Athkar•Quran•Exercise•Planning•Brainstorm•Breakfast

• Listen to AudioBooks• Memorize Quran

•Don’t Check E-mail!• Read a Book related to work• Start on Important Tasks

• Shower• Relax/Read• Catch up with Family• Get involved in Community

• Wudhu/Witr• Athkar• Reading• Journal

Habit Time-Buckets

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•Try to Change ONE Habit at-a-time

•Use Any of the THREE techniques on Habit Changes

•Developing Habits is a PROCESS... not a ONE-TIME event! & It never stops!

•Be conscious of what habits you have now (good, bad, indifferent) & constantly review your habits

•Develop Habits with your spouse, parents, children, community, friends...

•A Productive Lifestyle is simply a set of Good Habits

Summary

Focus Management

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Start focussing NOW!Please turn off these apps/devices for the next 90 minutes

Remember our definition...

Productivity = Focus x Energy x Time(towards maximising your reward in Akhira)

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How many minutes can you focus on a single task without

getting distracted?

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Why is it so hard to focus these days?

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RECLAIM YOUR FOCUS!

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Practical Tips to Boost Your FOCUS!

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Step 1: Clear Your Mind

• Perform a brain dump!

• Record your brain dump in a ‘trusted’ place

-Trusted place = Searchable, Retrievable, Accessible

• Examples of Softwares/apps for Brain dumps:

-Google Docs (FREE)

-Evernote (FREE) (Try with TheSecretWeapon.org)

-Mindjet Manager ($200-$300)

-The Humble Notepad/Text Edit

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• MITs = Most Important Tasks

• 3-5 MITs Maximum

• Important/Not Urgent

• Arrange by Priority

Step 2: Identify your MITs

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Focus = Disconnect + Simplify

Step 3: Apply Focus Equation

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• Unplug

• Disconnect Time

• Solitude Zone

• Get Outside/Change Environment

• Make Yourself Invisible online

• Stop ALL Notifications!

• Internet Blocking Software, e.g. Freedom

Disconnect

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• De-clutter your desk

• De-clutter your desktop

• De-clutter your Mind

• De-clutter Your Life

• Avoid Multi-tasking! One task at a time!

Simplify

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• Practice Practice Practice

• Have at least 1 x Focus session per day

• Schedule “Focus Blocks” in your calendar

Step 4: Repeat Regularly

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• Step 1: Clear Your Mind

• Step 2: Identify M.I.Ts

• Step 3. Apply Focus Equation

• Step 4: Repeat regularly!

4-Step process

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How does Islam boost our focus?

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Salah

Lowering the Gaze

Recitation of Quran

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Salah: A School of Focus

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[23:1]Successful indeed are the believers. [23:2]Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full

submissiveness

Salah & Focus Management

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• Disconnect from this life/Connect to Afterlife

• A complex/simple Ritual

• ‘Tuma’nina’ vs. Khushoo

How does Salah boost focus?

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• The ‘fan’ example

• Stop at Athan

• Going to Masjid

• Recite new Surahs

• The 3 spits

• Dua

How to improve focus in Salah

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Lowering The Gaze:Help Your Heart Focus

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“The soul is a temptress and loves to look at beautiful forms and the eye is the guide of the heart. The heart commissions its guide to go and look to see what is there and when the eye informs it of a beautiful image it shudders out of love and desire for it. Frequently such inter-relations tire and wear down both the heart and the eye. Therefore when the sight is prevented from looking and investigating the heart finds relief from having to go through the arduous task of (vainly) seeking and desiring.”

Ibn Al-Qayyim

Reduces Distraction

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“Whosoever builds his outward form upon following the Sunnah, his internal form upon perpetual contemplation and awareness of Allaah, he restrains his soul from following desires, he lowers his gaze from the forbidden things and he always eats the lawful things then his perception and insight shall never be wrong.” - Ibn Shujaa’ Al-Kirmaanee

Gives insights...

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“the people seek nobility and power at the door of the Kings and they will not find it except through the obedience of Allah.”

Strengthens Discipline

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Recitation of QuranDevelop Mindful Focus

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Quran in 30 Days

Quran in 60 days

5 pages per day

1 page per day

1 Ayah per day

Quran in 7 Days

Losing Touch w/Quran

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Quran in 30 Days

Quran in 60 days

5 pages per day

1 page per day

1 Ayah per day

Quran in 7 Days

Rebuild Your Relationship

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• Make an appointment with the Quran

• Read to understand/teach

• Ask Questions/Make dua as you read

• Embark on Memorization Journey

How to improve focus w/Quran

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• Focus is a Muscle that needs to be trained

• 4 Steps to Develop Focus Muscle

• Islam helps us develop our Focus Muscle

Summary

Beating Procrastination

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Nor say of anything, "I shall be sure to do so and so tomorrow"

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The Prophet said, "There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good."

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7 Practical Tips to Beat Procrastination

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1. Find out why you procrastinate + Take action!

2. Approach the task as a Professional

3. Apply the Pomodoro Technique

4. Remove ALL Distractions (Disconnect)

5. Public Pledge

6. Tackle your work early in the morning

7. Dua Dua Dua

7 Practical Tips

Managing Time

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Where does our Time go?

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Homework: Know Thy Time

• Record what you do each day every hour for 1-3 days (or 1 week!)

• Use softwares such as RescueTime to record what you do on your

computer

• Ask a Friend/Spouse to record what you do every hour

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Can we manage time?

• Time is irreversible

• Time cannot be compensated

• We don’t know when it’ll end for us.

We can’t manage Time, but we can manage Ourselves/Tasks/Priorities and Goals to make the most of it!

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Making most of your day

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) Said: “Not a single dawn breaks out without two angels calling out: “O! Son of Adam, I am a new day and I witness your actions, so make the best out of me because I will never come back till the

day of Judgement””

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Practical Tips to Make Most of Your Day!

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Step 1: Measure Your Energy

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Step 2: Set Priorities

• Start with Your Goals

•Decide on your MITs (Most Important Tasks) the day before

• Ensure that your MITs have at least 1 important/non-urgent Task

• Be akhira focussed!

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Step 3: Allocate Your Tasks

Total TimeTask description. Indent for subtasks

ISLAM

NOTES

TASKINATORWrite down your most important tasks for today for each of the following areas - Islam, Family, Work and Personal life. Estimate the total time per task. Fill in the scheduler with the hours you're planning to work for. Write the tasks you'll do at each hour. Review at end of day and carry over incomplete tasks to a new taskinator.

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STARTINGHOUR

REVIEW

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Step 4: Plan Your Week

WEEKLY TASKINATORWeek Beginning

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Projectof theday

3 xImportantTasksrelated tothe Project

What resources do you need to get the above tasks done? Example of resources� money, books, websites, people, equipments..etc

AllocatedTime

Feed into daily taskinator

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Time Tips

1. Identify time wasters/cut them out!

2. Group similar tasks together and tackle them together

3. Understand the task before executing it

4. Allow Time for Unexpected Events

5. Always be ready for Idle Time

6. Delegate, Delegate, Delegate

7. Don’t forget Family, Personal and Spiritual Time

Managing Time

Productivity After Death

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Time Tips

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said “Actions of the son Adam ceased by death, except for three:- A righteous son - Continuous charity- Useful knowledge “

Productivity After Death

Closing Session

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What is ONE thing you learnt in this seminar?

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What’s Next?

What you’ll get by e-mail...

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1. Presentation Slides

2. Recommended Reading

3. Worksheets

Join your local Chapter!

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http://www.facebook.com/groups/

productivemuslimmalaysia

About Us

Who we are?

What is Productive Muslim?

Productive Muslim is a social enterprise dedicated to boosting Productivity in the Muslim World. It was formed on the belief that Islam as a religion and way of life can help the modern Muslim worker/student/citizen lead a productive lifestyle: spiritually, physically, and socially.

Drawing inspirations from the Holy Quran, biography and sayings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as well as Islamic History, Productive Muslim fuses traditional Islamic k n o w l e d g e w i t h m o d e r n p r o d u c t i v i t y understanding to bring together unique productivity solutions for the Muslim Ummah. 1/12

The Company

Productive Muslim Ltd is a private limited company registered in England & Wales (Company No. 7693990) with a registered office in London, UK.

The company operates as a virtual operation with a global workforce working from from various countries including US, UK, Canada, Singapore, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France, Turkey & Morocco.

What we do

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TrainingOnline/Offline

Productivity Training to Individuals, Companies, Government Agencies

Productivity Consulting to Corporates, NGOs,

and Government Agencies

ConsultingWebsitesOnline Platforms for Sharing Productivity

Knowledge to Muslims Worldwide

Productivity Tools including Apps,

Software, worksheets for the Modern Muslim

Worker

Tools

Websites

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Over 50,000 unique/visitors per month

Over 140,000 fans on Facebook & over 20,000 Followers on Twitter

Awarded Brass-Crescent Award for Best Blog (2011) and Best Group Blog (2011/2012)

ProductiveMuslim Animations

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45s Animations to inspire Productivity in young & old

Over 2,000,000 views on YouTube

Featured on 10 Channels Worldwide including: Al-Majd, Iqraa TV, Islam Channel UK, Al-Resala..and many others!

Training (Online & Offline)

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International seminars held in London, Cairo, Kuala Lampur & Jeddah

Productive Ramadan online training course held during Ramadan 2011/2012 with over 150 subscribers

Over 2000 attendees at Productive Muslim seminars to date!

Productivity Consulting

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Advisory, consulting & research services provided to corporates & non Governmental Organisations

Onsite & virtual consulting available

Tailored consulting for organisations based on unique needs

Productivity Tools

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Worksheets/wallpapers/infographics freely available on the website

iTaskinator iPhone App launched...over 1,000 Downloads to date

Android Version..coming out soon!

Total TimeTask description. Indent for subtasks

ISLAM

NOTES

TASKINATORWrite down your most important tasks for today for each of the following areas - Islam, Family, Work and Personal life. Estimate the total time per task. Fill in the scheduler with the hours you're planning to work for. Write the tasks you'll do at each hour. Review at end of day and carry over incomplete tasks to a new taskinator.

2010

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

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DAT

E

FAMILY

WORK

PERSONAL

STARTINGHOUR

REVIEW

WEEKLY TASKINATORWeek Beginning

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Projectof theday

3 xImportantTasksrelated tothe Project

What resources do you need to get the above tasks done? Example of resources� money, books, websites, people, equipments..etc

AllocatedTime

Feed into daily taskinator

How can we help you?

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Provide online productivity training for your organization

Advise your management on policies to improve employee/team productivity

Develop productivity tools for your organisation to boost Individual productivity

Deliver productivity workshops for your organisation

Provide productivity consulting for your organisation.

Develop marketing campaign to enhance productivity in your organization.

For more queries...

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address

websites

phone

Suite B, 29 Harley Street, London, UK

http://www.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.ProductiveRamadan.comhttp://iTaskinator.comhttp://Arabic.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.MusulmanProductif.com

UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067

facebook.com/productivemuslim

twitter.com/abuproductive

youtube.com/productivemuslim

E-mailcontactus@productivemuslim.com

Closing Session

Stay in Touch!

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address

websites

phone

Suite B, 29 Harley Street, London, UK

http://www.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.ProductiveRamadan.comhttp://iTaskinator.comhttp://Arabic.ProductiveMuslim.comhttp://www.MusulmanProductif.com

UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067KSA: (+966) 537 000 505

facebook.com/productivemuslim

twitter.com/abuproductive

youtube.com/productivemuslim

E-mailcontactus@productivemuslim.com