The Barakah Effect

Building My Relationship with the Qur'an, Part 2: Tactics & Strategies In an authentic hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ narrated to his companions: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏"‏ إِنَّ لِلَّهِ أَهْلِينَ مِنَ النَّاسِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَنْ هُمْ قَالَ ‏"‏ هُمْ أَهْلُ الْقُرْآنِ أَهْلُ اللَّهِ وَخَاصَّتُهُ ‏"‏ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Allah has His own people among mankind.” They (the companions) said: "O Messenger of Allah, who are they?" He said: "The people of the Qur'an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him." (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hasan) We’ve all perhaps experienced that close relationship with the Quran in Ramadhan whereby it was our close companion; we read it regularly and we derive many lessons and inspirations from it. So now that we are in the first week of Shawwal, how has our relationship with the Quran been? Are we able to sustain the levels during Ramadhan? As a person juggling many roles and responsibilities and hard-pressed for a time as most of us are nowadays, we acknowledge that this is a real challenge, but our hope for the rewards from Allah surely inspires us to overcome these challenges. So just where do we begin in building a sustainable relationship with the Quran and starting our journey towards becoming the people of the Quran? In our previous episode #8, we explored the big WHYs and shared our personal stories in our journey with the Quran to inshaAllah get us motivated and inspired to get back on track and reconnect in our lifetime journey with the book of Allah. In this episode, we continue with the same theme but focusing on the HOWs; what are some practical tips that we can instantly apply as small steps to inshaAllah get us going towards becoming the people of the Quran. 00:00:00 Intro 00:05:11 Quran the basis of all knowledge. Don’t compromise on it 00:06:40 Ibn Taimiyyah’s regrets 00:09:00 Turn guilt into action 00:13:15 Relationship with the Quran is a lifelong journey 00:17:29 Our levels in Jannah depends on our interaction with the Quran 00:21:14 Our journey with the Quran is long & winding yet extremely rewarding 00:27:15 There is sweetness in the struggle 00:31:30 Who are the companions of the Quran 00:33:15 Which knowledge branch of the Quran should we prioritize? 00:34:22 Start with intention 00:37:14 Know the steps to get the knowledge 00:39:09 Get it start! 00:50:00 Steps of learning the Qur’an from the Sunnah 01:07:21 One of the cores of taqwa: gratefulness towards Allah 01:10:28 Make sure your teachers are qualified 01:12:34 Tips on how to choose good teachers 01:18:42 One of the signs of someone having high aspiration 01:19:45 Story sharing: it's okay to seek knowledge when you're much older 01:24:00 Sit in tajwid Halaqahs 01:26:17 Don't underestimate a simple reminder 01:32:55 The Korean revert learning tajweed 01:36:27 Stop looking down at our capabilities! Everyone can memorize the Qur'an. 01:38:00 The best time to memorize the Quran? 01:40:05 Integrate memorization into our daily life 01:42:52 You are a role model to others 01:46:00 A practical memorization tip 01:48:54 Find accountability partners 01:52:30 It is all about understanding the Quran 01:54:08 With the remembrance of Allah, the hearts find rest 01:58:27 The Quran intercedes in the day of judgement 02:01:00 Sins affect your relationship with the Quran 02:05:55 Allah has made the Quran easy for the ones who strive

For many cultures, Eid is that special time of the year getting together with our families and spending quality time. Therefore, for this week's episode, The Barakah Effect team would want to spotlight the most important special family members in our lives: Our Parents.  Our parents are the people who play the most important role in every one of our lives - indeed it is through them, that we exist today. Sadly, they are pretty much underappreciated by one too many people in our modern age.  In this episode - by far is the most emotional episode of the Barakah Effect podcast to date - the team discuss the importance of righteousness towards parents, especially as Muslims, why should we even bother to be dutiful towards our parents, stories of righteous people who were dutiful to their parents, and most importantly: - How can we fulfill this right of serving our parents in this contemporary era? Amidst our multiple responsibilities, in our careers, our own families, and our own islamic obligations?  - How can we shift our mindsets and attitudes to be better sons and daughters?  - What actionable, practical things can we do to serve them better, especially in these challenging times of the pandemic and lockdowns in many parts of the world, where we are all faced with the difficult challenge of being prevented from physically meeting them - and hence, serving them - in person? 00:00:00 Intro 00:07:08 Why is it important to fulfill parents' rights? 00:11:02 The meaning of "Ihsan" towards parents 00:13:20 Why being dutiful to mothers is more important 00:15:45 Guys experimenting on the pain of giving birth 00:18:07 Some benefits of being dutiful to parents 00:21:03 We are all guilty of not fulfilling our parents' rights 00:22:30 Being dutiful to parents is a fruit of knowledge 00:24:16 gratitude to parents is gratitude to Allah 00:28:10 They are aging beause of YOU 00:30:50 Uwais Al-Qarni: The one Honored by Allah for serving his mother 00:33:53 What does it truly mean to be dutiful to your parents? 00:37:13 Giving up the opportunity to be a companion of the Prophet 00:39:48 When a Foot massage is of higher priority than Qiyamullayl (Night Prayer) 00:41:28 Loyalty to Parents will never change, no matter what happens in your life. 00:45:40 How can WE fulfill our parents rights in light of our responsibilities? 00:48:15 Simple daily things: Just Communicate & Establish a connection with them 00:51:05 golden advice in dealing with stubborn parents  00:55:58 - consult your parents and share hobbies  00:58:43 mother's day vs. serving her everyday  00:59:40 the waiter, the CEO and the sheikh's son 1:10:50 balance is about how you treat your priorities 1:11:55 every human is unique! Understand them by talking to them  1:14:46 thank them by sharing shar'i knowledge within your own capacity 01:16:28 How to deal with disagreements? 01:21:30 Difficult parent is a test 01:23:10 Being dutiful to non-muslim parents 01:29:25 Taking care of their health 01:39:00 Story of Abdullah ibn Zubayr 01:41:56 Abandoning the parents means destroying your life 01:43:37 An example of how the righteous predecessors looked at the rights of parents  01:48:03 A beautiful du'aa that encapsulates gratefulness to Allah for our parents 01:50:31 Serving our parents comprehensively: the secret and apparent deeds 01:52:25 The pleasure of Allah is tied to the pleasure of our parents 01:57:49 As long as we’re alive, it's never too late to make up for our shortcomings and serve our parents

The End is inevitable; the question is, HOW do we want our ending to be? In this LIVE session with the Barakah Effect podcast team towards the Ending of Ramadhan in (1442H / 2021), the team discuss this important, existential question that every human being should be asking themselves:  How we can live our lives intentionally in such a way that we end on a high: husnul khatimah, a good ending - Husnul Khatimah - in the best possible manner, in flying colors?   Not only Ramadhan, but in other aspects of our lives: Our careers, family life, and most importantly, life in this dunya when the angel of death comes to meet us and we eventually meet Allah. To depart this world smiling, in optimistic hope of Jannah; not in a state of regret and despair! In this episode, the podcast team cover the following: 1. Don't Lose Hope 2. (On the other hand) Don't get Complacent! 3. Begin with the End in Mind: Keeping your eyes on the Prize 4. Seize the day: Having a sense of Urgency 5. Impact of High aspirations vs Short-Term, finite thinking 6. BEWARE Distractions  7. The Power of Du'aa #GoodEnding #FinishingOnAHigh #HusnulKhatimah #TheBarakahEffect #Ramadan

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Allah has His own special people among mankind." He was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who are they?" He said: "The people of the Qur'an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him." (Ibnu Majah) How can we - in the context of today's world in the 21st century - play our part to obtain this honorable status of being Allah's special people on Earth? Is it even possible? Especially those of us with unforgiving, busy schedules juggling multiple responsibilities of our jobs, family, and oh-so-many distractions constantly pulling us away from the Book of Allah? What are some practical methods we can take actionable steps towards developing this connection & relationship to become amongst the people of the Qur'an? This episode, covering the first part of this discussion, "Building My Relationship with the Qur'an" (which surprisingly mentions quite a lot about the recurring theme of #FOMO "Fear of Missing Out" and Music, how these had a HUGE impact in our journey of the Qur'an), the brothers at the Barakah Effect podcast cover - WHY we should build a relationship with the Qur'an - Our own personal stories of discovery in Qur'an Do share your thoughts with us, and your own personal stories too! 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:40 Why chose this topic? 00:09:00 The story of Ummu Aiman “I cried because revelation has ended” 00:10:50 The enemies of Islam who attentively listened to the Quran in secrecy 00:16:23 Amazing ambience in Masjidil Haram 00:18:12 The bigger perspective: Not limiting Quran to only specific rituals 00:20:52 Hadith from Aisyah on the reward for Quran reciters 00:25:00 Motivation for the unskilled Quran reciters 00:28:06 Your ability to answer the questions in the graves hinges on your interaction with the Quran 00:29:27 Everything that interacts with the Quran becomes the best 00:31:57 Al-Qur'an, the intercession in the Hereafter 00:35:50 Remedy for anxiety and sorrow 00:39:30 Virtues of the Qur'an 00:46:30 Our journey to the Quran 00:58:46 Exposure & Discovery of Different Qira'at: Make us grow fonder of Qur'an 01:02:20 What is "Qiraat"? 01:04:08 Amir's discovery of Qur'an: How practicable & well preserved 01:08:20 Overwhelmed? Always remember your big WHY: to Apply & improve your life 01:10:46 Key to being a student of Qur'an: Be Humble 01:12:00 Faisal's struggling journey froma musician: Qur'an versus Music? 01:17:15 Gameplan: Memorizing in secret, competing with righteous friends #FOMO 01:19:49 Participate in Hifz / memorization competition 01:24:08 Reeza's journey: Evening walks with the Qur'an in Ramadhan 01:29:00 Best Experience: Umrah in Ramadhan #IRL 01:30:46 Struggles and inconsistencies in learning Qur'an 01:32:40 The WHY: Build your love for the Quran 01:38:36 The Litmus test for your relationship with Allah 01:40:28 Act upon what you learnt 01:41:56 The companions' relationship with the Quran 01:43:56 What's preventing us from enjoying Quran 01:47:46 We've all been there before 01:50:03 Keep on persevering with small steps 01:52:23 The more of yourself you give to the Quran, the more the Quran will give back to you

So, how is your Ramadhan so far?  In this episode #007 of the Barakah Effect podcast, in conjunction with the midpoint of Ramadhan, we take a step back and re-evaluate our "Ramadhan Half-Time", as the team perform our mid-term "muhasabah" performance review, breaking down our progress this Ramadhan so far - how is our "actual" progress versus our "planned" targets? Where are we lacking? Where did we fall short? What have we learnt? Where can we readjust, optimize, and re-strategize? Join us, as we exchange our experiences, catchup and recovery plans and strategies towards aspiring to finish off Ramadhan on a high, so that perhaps it may help you apply to your individual circumstances too, in sha Allah! Would love to get in touch and hear from the rest of you too!

"Worship Allah as if you can see Him. And if you cannot, know that He sees you" This is the description of Ihsan by our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when asked by angel Jibreel. "Ihsan" can be translated as "excellence" in English. For Muslims, Ihsan isn't just applicable to acts worship, but in every aspect of our lives - our jobs, our studies, our relationships, as Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Verily, Allah has enjoined excellence (Ihsan) in EVERYTHING." (Muslim) In this discussion, we cover: 1. What is Ihsan? What is Ihsan applicable to? 2. WHY should we act with Ihsan? Isn't "good enough" good enough? 3. HOW we can apply Ihsan in our lives - practical examples in different aspects 4. HOW can we train ourselves to develop Ihsan? إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوا وَّالَّذِينَ هُم مُّحْسِنُونَ "Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him (keep their duty unto Him), and those who are Excellent in their deeds" (An-Nahl 16:128) وَلَا تُفْسِدُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ بَعْدَ إِصْلَاحِهَا وَادْعُوهُ خَوْفًا وَطَمَعًا إِنَّ رَحْمَتَ اللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ مِّنَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ "And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allah's Mercy is ever near to those who act with ihsaan" (Al-Araf 7:56) May Allah make us amongst the Muhsinin - the people who consistently act with ihsan - in all that we do! 00:00:00 Intro 00:03:10 Imagine you are being watched 00:07:22 Why this topic? 00:12:45 Definition of Ihsan 00:14:20 Levels of Ihsan 00:18:50 Ihsan in everything we do 00:23:23 Categories of Ihsan 00:23:53 How do we apply Ihsan in our lives? 00:33:35 "Doing More" is only applicable if it Meets Specification 00:35:40 The 3rd condition of deeds' acceptance: Appropriate context 00:38:16 Ihsan is one of the hardest things to do! 00:39:43 What's the point: WHY should we strive for Ihsan? 00:42:26 The Key to Ihsan: Recognize Allah's Favors to develop Love and Gratitude 00:45:50 Who would you choose to be promoted? The "good enough" or excellent guy? 00:46:45 Delivering Quality work is the best form of networking 00:49:40 Allah will never allow your efforts to go to waste! 00:51:30 Journey, not the destination: Ihsan is continuous improvement 00:53:51 Life is to test who is BEST - not MOST - in deeds 00:55:00 Ihsan in treating mother: The Greatest Honor 00:57:40 The "extra" deeds patch up our weaknesses and shortcomings 00:59:39 We don't have a "bare minimum" attitude for other things 01:01:06 Spending what you love the most 01:03:01 (Yet another) Good-to-Great reference: The Flywheel 01:06:10 Legendary Shafi'ee Fiqh book: known centuries after death! 01:08:20 Champions become champions behind the scenes 01:09:27 How to train ourselves to be Ihsan? 01:11:56 We all have this teacher... 01:16:05 Investment mindset 01:17:15 Nothing will go to waste 01:18:20 Sahabah: The Muslims role models in all aspect of life 01:19:32 Am I a hypocrite? 01:21:20 Importance of positive peer pressure 01:23:31 Am I good enough? 01:25:50 Faisal, "Housemate that changed me." 01:30:36 Conclusion

Scammers, frauds, conman. The prevalent disease in society that you love to hate. Perhaps just the mere mention of the word "scammer", it just evokes a feeling of disgust, anger, and frustration in our hearts and minds – especially if you have been a victim of their plots. What do they want? Why do they do it? How do we protect ourselves from the negative consequences of their schemes? What initially seemed like a simple topic about lies and deception, eventually grew deeper profound psychological study about trust, building relationships, our biases and perceptions on people and society, sincerity and the importance of knowledge. Join us in Episode #005 of The Barakah Effect podcast where we examine the illusive world of scammers. In this episode, we cover:  - What is a "scam"? - Some examples & types of scams - What are the characteristics of a con artist? Common characteristics of a conman. - Why do people fall into scams? - What we should do - How to avoid being scammed? Are there ways to protect or cure people from becoming conmen? - If we DO become victims of scammers, what is our attitude as Muslims? What can we learn from that? And how to avoid the trap of taking the WRONG lessons if we have been ripped off.   00:00:00 - Intro 00:06:27 - A shoemaker leads German Soldier on Robbery 00:10:22 - Definitions 00:11:22 - Origin of the word Conmen 00:16:22 - Characteristics of a Scammers 00:20:05 - Scammer tactics 00:23:40 - Verses from the Quran about scammers 00:27:00 - Frauds in Islamic History 00:31:51 - Don't derive the wrong lessons 00:34:10 - Victims of scams are often unfairly stereotyped 00:35:48 - The often recurring claim of the Mahdi 00:36:26 - Get it while it's hot! 00:38:53 - Bending reality: cognitive dissonance 00:41:28 - Isnad: the authenticity of our deen 00:46:02 - The Sahabah went to great lengths blocking the avenues of scammers in our deen 00:47:49 - Knowledge is key 00:48:44 - 'Get-there-itis’ 00:49:58 - Prevalent paranoia 00:50:47 - Tool #1: How to win friends and influence people 00:52:45 - Tool #2: Role-playing  00:56:37 - Serial killing conman 00:58:08 - What do scammers really want? 00:59:34 - The slippery slope of frauds - once you pop, it's difficult to stop! 01:01:00 - Lying and scamming purely for thrills 01:03:35 - To what extent do you give Husnu Dzon (good thoughts) to a proven liar? 01:05:40 - Fake Charity: Do you get rewarded for your charity? 01:08:45 - Don't get "Traumatized" to the point where you stop giving charity  01:10:40 - How do we protect ourselves from scams? 01:14:00 - Allah curses those who cheat the scales 01:15:12 - Seek knowledge, especially the foundations to filter out truth from fake 01:16:48 - Simply practicing basic religion protects you from a large portion of scams 01:19:05 - Motivation scam -  01:20:23 - Surround ourselves with good company 01:22:32 - Straight Talk: Don't exaggerate or beat around the bush 01:25:36 - Cheating in exams: Haram rizq? 01:26:58 - Upgrade our practical knowledge, e.g. Cybersecurity 01:29:50 - Limit what you share on social media 01:30:00 - Limit the information you share online 01:30:43 - Acknowledge that scammers do exist. 01:31:38 - Understand that scams CAN happen to you! 01:33:20 - Know our own week points - understand our triggers. 01:33:55 - Report scams to authorities - don't let your ego get in the way! 01:36:44 - "Humans like what's familiar to them" 01:38:00 - Scammers in the Grand Mosque in Makkah! 01:38:44 - Don't be deceived by quick wins! 01:39:47 - Don't go around accusing people of scamming others. 01:43:50 - Wilhem Voigt 01:45:30 - Conclusions 01:47:24 - The believer does not fall into the same hole twice 01:49:07 - Seek protection from Allah Ta'ala 01:50:20 - Substance over form 01:51:25 - "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!"

Your WHY serves as a compass; it shapes your intention, links your values to purpose, lifts you up from the lowest pits, drives you beyond your comfort zone and aspire you to greater heights. A positive and comprehensive WHY will not just benefit individuals but will also be a catalyst that propels communities and nations by leaps and bounds. This is how our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, within a short span of 23 years, inspired a few unlettered people in the desert to eventually established themselves as a sprawling empire, taking the world by storm, continuing to leave a mark for humanity. Islam is the perfect religion that captures the ultimate essence of WHY: by providing a true sense of purpose that transcends human limits, providing an inexhaustible source of motivation in the form of infinite rewards proportional to our efforts, taking advantage of your own unique strengths and talents, and providing a comprehensive refuge from all types of harm: in this world and the next. Join us in Episode #004 of The Barakah Effect Podcast, as we pause, dive deep and ponder in search of that WHY & unearthing your true purpose and calling. 00:00:00 - Intro 00:08:38 - The Muslim’s purpose in life 00:11:50 - The Barakah Effect’s vision 00:15:18 - Benefits of having a WHY 00:22:10 - The human's search for meaning 00:23:21 - The bottomless pit of desires 00:26:44 - Having a purpose will make you efficient 00:28:10 - The vision of the people on your team matters 00:38:38 - What happens if you don't have a clear purpose. 00:44:50 - The Barakah Effect's 'why'. 00:47:55 - Aziz's experience of working with a company without a why 00:49:45 - Importance of why: The example from the Prophet's ﷺ companions 00:56:40 - The first command in the Quran 00:57:45 - To You alone only we worship and seek help 00:59:38 - Look after your flock 01:07:01 - Chronic unease on what we have prepared to meet Allah 01:08:53 - People of taqwa are the successful person 01:12:30 - Allah’s mercy for all His creation on earth 01:14:00 - "What have I done TODAY to prepare for tomorrow?" 01:15:00 - The END in mind: What is TRUE Success? 01:22:44 - How can we DISCOVER our WHY? #FindYourWhy 01:24:48 - Link your mundane day-to-day with your big WHY 01:29:22 - Prioritize & cascade tasks to measurable and tangible goals 01:30:40 - The Hedgehog Rule: Discover your signature strengths 01:34:21 - Coca-Cola Hydrates the world: "Anytime. Anywhere. Always Coca Cola" 01:36:35 - Your Vision can be a "good WHY" or a "bad WHY": Set the right one! 01:39:34 - Audacious vision during the brink of extinction: Treasures of Rome and Persia 01:40:58 - Find partners who will work with you to achieve your WHY 01:42:25 - Be in a flock, lest the wolf attacks when you are alone 01:44:30 - To have a clear WHY, start with knowledge 01:46:58 - Knowledge is a lantern that guides us towards achieving our WHY 01:49:43 - Du'a - Asking Allah to guide you to the straight path 01:54:40 - Take care of your personal health - life is limited! 01:56:13 - Conclusion starts - We are not passengers in the vehicle of life - we are the driver! 01:57:47 - Never limit or over compromise your aspiration - Islam allows us to be successful in this life and the hereafter. 01:59:07 - the powerful story of Rib'ie bin Amir (Islam liberates people from the slavery of the creation, to the slavery of the Creator) 02:00:38 - Having a WHY and NOT having a why is like night and day. 02:02:17 - the Hadith:Have Taqwa/God-consciousness wherever you are 02:05:27 - Why you need a WHY and realign yourself with your WHY. 02:07:50 - Walk towards Allah and Allah will come running to you.

Ramadhan is coming!  So, HOW? Are you prepared?  Join us in Episode #3 of The Barakah Effect podcast as we discuss some tactics, strategies and mindsets of HOW we should prepare for this blessed month, reap maximum rewards and get the best out of Ramadhan. Taking a step back, we also discuss: WHY should we even prepare in the first place?  It may be your last shot to make this your Best Ramadhan ever. It's time to seize the day!  So, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to buckle up, fasten your seatbelts, and keep your eyes on the prize, as we gear up for this grand event to fire all cylinders and hit the ground running! Bismillah! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:07:00 - Why prepare for Ramadhan? 00:08:26 - Ramadhan is a worship race track 00:13:10 - Ramadhan is a big deal! 00:14:16 - Virtues of Ramadhan 00:21:20 - Ramadhan preparation strategy 00:22:09 - How should we prepare? 00:24:40 - Goals of fasting 00:28:55 - Taqwa isn't just for Ramadhan - it's for LIFE! 00:32:00 - What is Taqwa? 00:36:38 - Why is Taqwa so important? 00:40:16 - The missing link: What is the REAL cause of disobedience and sins in the ummah today? 00:42:30 - The Litmus test if you have taqwa or traits of hypocrisy / nifaq 00:44:46 - Even SHAITAN plans and prepares us for Ramadhan - Beware! 00:50:08 - HOW we should prepare for Ramadhan - Start with sincere intention 00:53:05 - Reconciling "Sincerity" vs "Hoping for reward in Allah"? 00:55:30 - Spread the news that Ramadhan is coming! 00:56:10 - Make Ramadhan itself a celebration & set the mood for excitement 00:59:00 - Use the calendar to create anticipation & motivation for the kids 01:00:10 - Get rid of bad habits & unproductive addictions 01:02:37 - How to be awesome at self-reflection 01:04:40 - Utilise your idle time 01:10:02 - Ramadhan is an opportunity to reset 01:10:41 - Rising above distractions 01:14:48 - Adorn yourself with knowledge before Ramadhan 01:21:33 - What actions should we prioritize in Ramadhan? 01:26:12 - Your other obligations do not stop during Ramadhan 01:27:00 - Don’t shortchange working hours 01:27:37 - Make early plans of your deliverables 01:29:44 - Kitchen on a mission 01:33:57 - Plan your ideal day in Ramadhan 01:35:23 - What you can do vs What you should do 01:36:27 - Individual benefits vs Communal benefits 01:37:18 - Power nap to the rescue 01:38:51 - Ramadhemic (Ramadhan during a pandemic) 01:41:00 - Contemplate the Quran during prayer 01:42:54 - Eat, Sleep and Pray 01:52:58 - Filter your environment 01:54:35 - Time for a vacation? 01:55:00 - Plan for a leave for the last 10 days of Ramadan 01:57:00 - Solat Taraweeh 01:59:55 - Build your relationship with the Quran 02:00:25 - why is it difficult to memorize the Quran? 02:02:40 - Finding sweetness in Quran - standing for hours in prayer 02:04:30 - Abide by the local authority 02:05:40 - Memorize prophetic Du'as - short and concise 02:06:39 - the Companions' du'a regarding Ramadan 02:10:20 - Tips on making du'a 02:12:10 - Closing remarks (Syahmi) 02:14:23 - Reeza 02:16:03 - Amir (a beautiful quote from Abu Bakr al-Balkhi about Ramadan) 02:18:05 - Aziz 02:19:23 - Faisal 02:24:40 - Outro 📱 Subscribe to The Barakah Effect Podcast

Have you ever gone through those phases when, after flying high on steady performance, somehow, you just lost it? Performance goes down. Morale and Motivation takes a tumble. We enter this spiral of sluggishness. And because we are demotivated, it's even more difficult to find our footing and get back on track! It happens all the time in our lives... In our careers, our parenting experience. And definitely in our spiritual journey as Muslims: such as those moments when Ramadhan is over, or when we return from umrah. Things just go downhill 😫. This is the Slump. In episode #2 of the Barakah Effect podcast, we collectively search for practical solutions to tackle this very real issue that happens even to the best of us. Because the great news is - surprise! - Even the most righteous of people, the companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, also went through periods of the slump! What did they do? How did they recover? How can we take ourselves out from this slump and get back on our feet? Love to hear from you as well! Did we miss anything out? Share with us your thoughts and insights, and your own awesome lifehacks on how you handle and cope with these challenges! 00:00:00 - Intro 00:05:50 - Ibadah, work and life burnout experiences 00:11:10 - What is the slump? 00:14:25 - The slump according to the saying of the Prophet ﷺ 00:18:00 - Ensuring the BASICS are not compromised during your slump 00:19:00 - What matters: Your REACTION to the Slump! 00:20:48 - The key to consistency: Intrinsic motivation 00:22:10 - Defining the "Slump" & its Arabic cousin, "Futur" 00:25:10 - Hanzhalah: The sahabah who experienced the Slump 00:29:30 - Practical Lessons from the Hanzhalah's slump 00:33:50 - Self-Awareness: Understanding your vulnerabilities & Acting accordingly 00:35:30 - The "halal" trap: Excess in mubah are doorways to the Slump 00:37:25 - Understanding the Dopamine effect: It's a trap! 00:40:29 - Beware the Mobile Phone: Weapon of Mass Distraction! 00:42:33 - Excessiveness leads to burnout 00:46:38 - Life happens 00:50:30 - Ask Allah to renew your Iman 00:52:16 - Shaytan is determined to break you 00:56:40 - The effect of Sins 00:59:28 - Emotional awareness and personal health 01:00:22 - Neglecting personal health 01:02:28 - Our bodies, Amanah from Allah 01:02:50 - "How to Overcome the Slump" 01:05:44 - Du'a to protect oneself from laziness and inability 01:07:41 - Proper planning 01:10:01 - Look for substitutes for your routine 01:11:33 - Importance of self-awareness 01:15:18 - The Hadith "consult your heart" 01:16:52 - Find an accountability partner 01:19:01 - Continuous deeds even if they are small 01:20:00 - How our role model overcome the slump 01:20:40 - Closing remarks 01:20:52 - Discipline vs Motivation 01:23:37 - Three reminders from the Hadith that a strong believer is more beloved to Allah than a weak believer.   01:26:22 - Slump opens up opportunities for good deeds 01:27:49 - React soonest once you observe red flags for slumps 01:32:008 - Self-introspection 01:36:43 - Outro