Muslims Singles and Married Media Initiatives

Business Empowerment Session

Muslim’s Empowerment in Business and Leadership

Facilitated by: Alhaji B.T Salau Saturday 23th June 2012

•Surely all praises belong to Allah.•We give praise to Him.•We ask of help and assistance from Him.•We seek His forgiveness.•We seek refuge from Him from the evil prompting of our souls.•Whoever Allah guides none can mislead.•Whoever is led astray by Allah, none can guide

•We bear witness that there is no deity worthy ofworship beside Allah•We bear witness that Prophet Muhammad is servant and messenger of Allah

Al Faatia

Why are we here?

To talk about Muslim’s empowerment in business and leadership

What are your expectations?

Let us generate a short but comprehensive list

Mass Graduate unemployment

The youths have lost hope and have become uncreative

The youths don’t have credible leaders to look up to

How do we reverse this ugly trend?

Part one

What is Empowerment?

A quick review of the world global economic environment

A review of the current world economic order

Parameters of economic growth and development - who do they benefit

What efforts is the world making to improve the economic wellbeing of people

Are we making progress?

If the answer is NO, what is the problem

Part two

THE ONLY SOLUTION

What is empowerment?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social, educational, gender or economic strength (knowledge, know-how) of individuals and communities

The world global environment is characterized by:

HungerPovertyDiseasesCorruptionGreedInsecurity

The question is WHY?

Current world economic order

•The developed economies

•The developing economies

•The under developed economies

Current world economic order

The developed economies extract raw materials from the developing and underdeveloped economies and DETERMINE the price

They convert the raw materials into finished goods, sell to the other economies and DETERMINE the price

They build infrastructure for the other economies, DETERMINE the price, provide the finance and also DETERMINE the cost of funds

They control the minds, political and economic and life of the people in the developing and under developed economies

The richest 1% of adults in the world own 40% of the planet's wealth

Europe, the US and some Asia Pacific nations account for most of the extremely wealthy. More than a third live in the US. Japan accounts for 27% of the total, the UK for 6% and France for 5%.

The report found the richest 10% of adults accounted for 85% of the world total of global assets. Half the world's adult population, however, owned barely 1% of global wealth. Near the bottom of the list were India, with per capita wealth of $1,100, and Indonesia with assets per head of $1,400.

Many African nations as well as North Korea and the poorer Asia Pacific nations were places where the worst off lived.

According to the UN Report in the London Guardian of Wednesday 6 December 2006

And the result?HungerPovertyDiseasesCorruptionGreedInsecurity

Unsustainable level of debt particularly in the developing and under developed economies

Part two

THE ONLY SOLUTION

The only Solution

What is the purpose of our existence according to the Muslims?

The purpose of Man’s existence

And when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I will create on the earth one who shall be My Deputy (a representative)." They said, "Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?" Allah said, "Indeed, I know that which you do not know.“ Q2:30

Man’s Empowerment

And He empowered Adam with the knowledge of all things……….. Q2:31

•A knowledge that is a function of time

•To do what?

Man’s Empowerment

But Satan caused them to slip out of it and removed them from that [condition] in which they had been. And We said, "Go down, as enemies to one another, and you will have upon the earth a place of provision and dwelling for a time." Q2:36

So what did he find on the earth?

Man’s Empowerment

What he found upon coming to the earth

•The Sun•The Mon•The Air•The Stars•The Sky•Water from various sources•The land/soil•The Animal Kingdom•The creatures who live in/under water•The uncountable mineral resources•Other creatures for which we know nothing about (Q36:36)

•HOW DID HE FIND ALL OF THEM?

How did he find them?

He found all of them SUBSERVIENT to me

Why?For What purpose?

What Purpose?

So that he can use them with his knowledge to create:•Wealth•Utilities•Eradicate diseases•Prevent hunger•Eradicate poverty•Make the world a comfortable place for living

By doing what?

Man’s Empowerment cont’d

We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follow My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. 2.38

What Purpose?

So that he can use them with his knowledge to create:•Wealth•Utilities•Eradicate diseases•Prevent hunger•Eradicate poverty•Make the world a comfortable place for living

•By following the guidance of his creator•That being the primary purpose for which he is created

•AND IF HE REFUSES TO FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE?

Man’s Empowerment cont’d

And those who disbelieve and deny Our signs - those will be companions of the Fire; they will abide therein eternally. Q2:39

Evil/corruption have spread through out the land and sea because of what the hands of men have done……..Q30:41

Management of the Earth Resources – Who owns the resources?

•They were created for MAN to be used withhis knowledge to perform his function as an Ambassador of Allah

•To be managed by leaders who shall be appointed by them from amongst them.

•The Prophet said “once you are more than, appoint a leader from amongst yourself”

The concept of AMAANA

•Amaana means to hold in trust for others

•Leaders are suppose to hold the material resources of a community in trust for the people

•The material resources of any community is not:•A commonwealth of Britain nor•A commonwealth of any family nor•A commonwealth of any tribe nor•A commonwealth of a monarchy nor•A commonwealth of any cabal nor•A commonwealth of a group of individuals nor

Rather it is WEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

Successful are the Believers Q23:1

Those who render proper account of who is entrusted with them, and keep promises Q23:8

The concept of AMAANA

Wealth and children are [but] adornment of the worldly life. But the enduring good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for [one's] hope. Q18:46

The concept of AMAANA

Men are tempted by the love of women and sons, heaped-up sums of gold and silver, fine branded horses, and cattle (means of transportation) and tilled land. That is the enjoyment of worldly life, but Allah has with Him the best return. Q3:14

The concept of AMAANA

Say, "Shall I inform you of [something] better than that? For those who fear Allah will be gardens in the presence of their Lord beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally, and purified spouses and approval from Allah . And Allah is Seeing of [His] servants Q3:15

If we follow these commandments, who are we, and what would happen:

We will be MUSLIMS

•We will be able to create Wealth•We will be able to eradicate diseases•We will prevent hunger•We will eradicate poverty•We will make the world a comfortable place for living •We will eradicate the inequalities in the distribution of wealth

•BUT ARE WILL MUSLIMS?•DO WE FOLLOW THE COMMANDMENTS OF OUR CREATOR?

Are we MUSLIMS?Verily man is in loss

Except those who believe

and do righteous good deeds,

and recommend one another to the truth,

and recommend one another to patience

Al-Asr Q103

LET US EXAMINE WHO BELIEVERS ARE AS STATED BY OUR PROPHET(SAW)

When one fornicates he is NOT a believer, when one steals he is NOT a believer, when one drinks he is NOT a believer, and when one defrauds he is NOT a believer

(Bukhari, Muslim)

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

BELIEVERS AS STATED BY OUR LEADER AND RASUL (SAW) CONTD..

There are three signs of a Hypocrite (Munafiqin), even if he fasts and claims that he is a Muslim(Believer). When he speaks he lies, when he makes a promise he breaks it and when he is trusted he betrays his trust.

( Muslim)

The Hypocrite whenever he quarrels, he behaves in a very imprudent, evil, insulting manner.

(Bukhari)

Are we MUSLIMS?

Are we Muslims : Remember what Allah promised us as Muslims

We said, "Go down from it, all of you. And when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follow My guidance - there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. 2.38

Are we MUSLIMS?

BELIEVERS ARE AS STATED BY OUR LEADER AND RASUL (SAW) CONTD.

He is not a believer(Muslim) who eats his fill while his neighbour is hungry

He does not belong to us who does not show mercy to our young ones and respect our old ones

(Bukhari)

Are we MUSLIMS?What is ISLAM?

Total submission to Allah alone and living your life as directed by him.Relinquishing claims to personal freedom, independence and opinions is ISLAM.Living in peace with your environment by shunning all acts that can cause dislocation to the balance in the society is ISLAM

Believer (MUSLIM ) is one who has agreed to submit all of his life to the directions of Allah as stated in the Quoran and Hadith

Kufr means refusal to obey Allah either totally or partially. Munafiq ( Hypocrisy ) is pretending to obey Allah when in fact you obey your inner desires and wants.

IS IT ISLAM TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIONS OF OUR FIVE DAILY PRAYERS WHILE IMMEDIATELY WE FOLD OUR MATS , WE DISOBEY ALLAH WHO WE PRETEND TO WORSHIP?

IS IT BELIEVE TO RECITE A SURAH FORBIDDING LYING , ILLEGAL SEXUAL ACTS , SELFISHNESS, FRAUD , DURING SALAT AND LEAVE FROM THERE TO MISAPPROPRIATE FUNDS IN OUR CARE , OR GOSSIP NEGATIVELY ABOUT ANOTHER ?

AM I A BELIEVER(MUSLIM ) IF MY LIFE AND BUSINESS ARE FUNDED BY RIBAH ?

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

Recite what has been revealed to you of the book, and perform As- Salat. Verily, As – Salat prevents from Al– Fahsha’ (evil deeds , illegal sexual intercourse , sins) and Al-Munkar and the remembering of Allah is greater indeed and Allah knows what you do. Q29:45

CAN MY SALAT DO THESE FOR ME WHEN I DO NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF WHAT I RECITE , AND DO NOT BOTHER TO KNOW?

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

Shaitan threatens you with POVERTY and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds , illegal sexual intercourse , sins) ; whereas Allah promises you forgiveness from Himself and BOUNTY, and Allah is All – Sufficient for His creatures’ needs , All knower. Q2:268

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

Are we MUSLIMS?Verily man is in loss

Except those who believe

and do righteous good deeds,

and recommend one another to the truth,

and recommend one another to patience

Al-Asr Q103

DOES IT STILL SURPRISE YOU THAT WE ARE IN A POSITION WE HAVE FOUND OURSELVES TODAY?

If you are the Master, will you bless a group of people who profess to be your followers but do all the things you ask them not to?

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

The Muslim Ummah has become a poverty- stricken society with all the ills that poverty brings:

selfishness, adultery, unrighteousness, diseases, backwardness, greed, insecurity, poverty, corruption

Is there a link between enduring poverty of Muslims, and our continued disobedience of Allah?

ARE WE MUSLIMS?

For each one are successive [angels] before and behind him who protect him by the decree of Allah . Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in their hearts. And when Allah intends for a people ill, there is no repelling it. And there is not for them besides Him any patron.

“Had the people of those towns (who were punished for misdeeds) believed and kept from evil, we would have showered upon them the riches of the heaven and earth” Q7:96

if we ( All Nigerians irrespective of Religion) all know and can take it for granted that:

If an Artisan ( mechanic , bricklayer , plumber ) says he is a Muslim, then you can TRUST him.

If once a Lawyer / Doctor is seen as a MUSLIM , you can have confidence in him Once someone approaches you as a potential employee and you confirm he is a Muslim , you can forget about fraud

Imagine what would happen..

Imagine what would happen..

•If you know that every contract you enter into with a Muslim will be respected.

•If every Muslim will not eat his fill when a neighbouring Muslim is starving.

•If acquisition of knowledge as enjoined by Allah(SWT) and Rasul (SAW) become cardinal to every Muslim.

Imagine what would happen..

•If Jaiz bank opens branches in Lagos and every Muslim closes his account with FBN, UBA, UBN and moves to Jaiz bank.

•If ADS establishes a textile factory and every Muslim decides to buy textile from no other source than ADS.

•NASFAT established Tafsan Beverages to produce Malt, and every Muslim decides to buy only Nasmalt for entertainment.

Imagine what would happen..•If the wealth of the Muslim Arabs is moved away from the US and kept within the Kingdom

•If the assets of the Muslim world is denominated in a currency other than the Dollar.

•If wealth of the Arab World is held in trust for the Muslims as ordained by Allah and used for the welfare of the Muslims

•If our Muslim Leaders in Nigeria live their lives according to the dictate of the Quran

Imagine what would happen..

•If every one of us decides to become a MUSLIM and live his life according to the Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet

Let us be MUSLIMS

•Most of us were born into ignorance•Let us decide to Islamise ourselves•Let us decide to understand the message•Let us decide to live the message•Let us decide to spread the message by example

Had the people of those towns (who were punished for misdeeds) believed and kept from evil, we would have showered upon them the riches of the heaven and earth” Q7:96

Let us be MUSLIMS

Had the people of those towns (who were punished for misdeeds) believed and kept from evil, we would have showered upon them the riches of the heaven and earth” Q7:96

The riches of the Arab World did not come by accident, but what are we doing with it?

Let us be MUSLIMS

"Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.“ Q7:23

Thank you for listening