Productive muslim seminar (2 day presentation kl-2013)

Leading Productive Lives:
Spiritually - Physically- Socially

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

What we‘ll cover...

Topics
Definition 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

Why do you need to be Productive?

Productivity & Happiness

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?

―We take no pleasure in existence except when we are striving after something.‖

How to develop an attitude of
Productivity?

The Four Senses...

•Sense of Purpose

•Sense of Urgency
Productive Attitude
•Sense of Gratitude

•Sense of Service

Our Definition of Productivity

Productivity =
Focus maximising yourx Time
(towards x Energy 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

Misconceptions

•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
11/15

The ProductiveMuslim Framework

ProductiveMuslim Framework

Spiritual
Productivi
ty
Social Physical
Productivi Productivi
ty ty

Being Productive is a Lifestyle, not an Activity
11/15

What you need to Implement the
Framework?

Productivity Triangle

Intention

Action Discipline

―Have sincere Intentions and (consistently) Work Hard‖
11/15

Three Ingredients...

Higher Purpose
+
Practice, Practice, Practice
+
Self-Accountability

11/15

Exercise

What‘s YOUR Slipping Point?

11/15

ProductiveMuslim Framework

Spiritual
Productivi
ty
Social Physical
Productivi Productivi
ty ty

11/15

The Concept of Barakah

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

11/15

Barakah & Productivity

Barakah

Productivity

11/15

18 Sources of Barakah

1. Good 2. Belief and 3. Putting your 4. Reciting 5. Saying 6. Eating with
Intentions Piety in Allah trust in Allah Quran ―Bismillah‖ People

12. Giving
7. Honesty in 9. Halal 10. Following 11. Praying
8. Dua Thanks to
Trade Income/money the Sunnah Istikhara
Allah

14. Tying Ties 15. Waking up
13. Charity 16. Marriage 17. Salah 18. Istighfar
of Kinship early

11/15

Productive Ancestors

11/15

Abu Hanifah Al-No‘man

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!

11/15

Abu Ja‘far al-Munsoor

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. 11/15

Ibn Al-Jawzi
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.‖

11/15

Hafsa bint Seereen

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‖

11/15

Zumurrud bint Jawlee (Part 1)

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.
11/15


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
11/15


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 11/15
lineage.

What removes Barakah?

11/15

Barakah Destroyers

Sins & Bad Deeds
are Barakah Destroyers

The Antidote: Istighfar + Tawbah
11/15

7 Daily Spiritual Habits

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 11/15

Summary

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?
11/15

Body Hacks

Manage Sleep

Manage Nutrition Manage Fitness

Managing Your Body is KEY to managing Your Productivity
11/15

Managing Sleep

11/15

The Importance of Sleep

• 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

1/12

How to Sleep?

Spiritual Solutions

Physical Solutions Social Solutions

1/12

How to Sleep?
(Spiritually)

11/15

Spiritual Significance of Sleep

• Sign of Allah‘s Power (Ayatul Kursi)
• Realization of our Weakness
• Reminder of Death/Resurrection
• Rewards to those who overcome Sleep for Worship

1/12

A Muslim‘s Dilemma

Our bodies need 6-8 hours sleep
each night

vs.
Give up Sleep for
Personal/Spiritual Growth...
1/12

A Muslim‘s Dilemma

Sleeping for Dunya

vs.

Sleeping for Akhira
1/12

Solving the Dilemma

Start with the right Intentions.

Remember Barakah & Productivity.

Don‘t Fight Sleep but Manage Your Sleep.
1/12

Practical Spiritual Solutions

Actions

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

• Constant Remembrance
During Sleep • Dua if you wake up middle of the night
• Dua if you can‘t sleep

• Dua upon waking up
After Sleep
• First actions
1/12

How to Sleep?
(Physically)

11/15

Physical Preps Before Sleep

• 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) 1/12

How to actually Sleep?

Sleep Cycle:
Your Key to Quality Sleep

1/12

Understanding Sleep Cycles

•We‘re not MachinesEverything in our body Pulses RhythmicallyLaw of Allah
in the Universe

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

1/12

How Sleep Cycles Work

Stage 1:
Falling
Asleep

Stage 5:
Stage 2:
REM:
Light
Dreaming
Sleep
Stage
90-120 minutes

Stage 4: Stage 3:
Deep, Deep,
slow-wave slow-wave
sleep sleep
1/12

How Sleep Cycles Work

11.30pm 1.00am 2.30am 4.00am
10pm 5am
1 sleep 2 sleep 3 sleep 4 sleep
cycle cycles cycles cycles

(Assuming 90m Sleep Cycles)

1/12

Homework
Try 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.

1/12

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

1/12

The Power of Power Naps!
• 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). 1/12

Power Nap Time!

10 MINUTES
1/12

How to Sleep?
(Socially)

11/15

Social Solutions to Sleep

• 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
1/12

Spiritual Solutions


1/12

Action Points

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

1/12

Early Rising

• 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

Group Exercise:
Brainstorm Creative Solutions to Waking Up Early
1/12

The Importance of M.Routines

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

The most successful people use their mornings for these things:
1.Nurturing their careers
2.Nurturing their relationships
•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 1/12

Develop Your NEW Routine

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

5.00
5.30
6.00
6.30
7.00
7.30
8.00
1/12

Managing Nutrition

1/12

How to manage nutrition?

Spiritual Solutions


1/12

Manage Nutrition (Spiritually)

• 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 1/12

Manage Nutrition (Physically)

• 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.
1/12

Manage Nutrition (Socially)

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!

1/12

Managing Fitness

1/12

Why you should exercise?

Don‘t exercise for your Body;
Exercise for your Brain!

1/12

3 Major Excuses

Excuse Excuse Buster!

I don‘t have time!

I can‘t afford it!

I can‘t commit!
1/12

Daily Exercises

•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.

1/12

How much exercise?

150 Minutes/week of Moderate Exercising
(50% - 70% of Maximum Heart Rate)
•Your breathing quickens, but you're not out of breath.
•You develop a light sweat after about 10 minutes of activity. How to calculate your
•You can carry on a conversation, but you can't sing.
Maximum Heart Rate:

75 Minutes of Intense Exercising 220 – age in years = MHR.

(Above 70% of your Maximum Heart Rate)
•Your breathing is deep and rapid.
•You develop a sweat after a few minutes of activity.
•You can't say more than a few words without pausing for breath.
1/12

Summary

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

1/12

Definition of Laziness

―lack of energy and enthusiasm of doing something that you should
not lack energy/enthusiasm for‖ Imam Al-Ragheb

1/12

Laziness in Quran and Sunnah
• 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) 1/12

9 Practical Tips to Overcome
Laziness

1/12

1. Dua

‗O Allaah, I take refuge in You from
anxiety and sorrow, weakness and
laziness, miserliness and
cowardice, the burden of debts and
from being over powered by men.‘

1/12

2. Salah (especially Fajr)

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)

1/12

3. Continuous Remembrance

1/12

4. High Aspirations/Think BIG

You’re here

1/12

5. Read the Seerah

1/12

6. Choose productive friends

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)

1/12

7. Feel Responsible

1/12

8. Plan Your Days

1/12

9. Charge yourself!

1/12

See you tomorrow inshaAllah!

address
Suite B, 29 Harley Street, London, UK

websites
facebook.com/produ http://www.ProductiveMuslim.com
ctivemuslim http://www.ProductiveRamadan.com
http://iTaskinator.com
http://Arabic.ProductiveMuslim.com
twitter.com/abup http://www.MusulmanProductif.com

roductive phone
UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067

youtube.com/ E-mail
productivemuslim contactus@productivemuslim.com
12/12

POP QUIZ!
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)? 11/15

Social Productivity

1/12

Why should you care?

Islam is a community-based religion,
not an individual-based religion

1/12

Wherever Allah Plants you, be fruitful
1/12

Where to Start?

Circle of
Concern

Circle of
Influence

1/12

Where to Start?
Humanity

Ummah

Community
Neighbours/
Colleagues
Relatives

Family

1/12

How to Start

1. Find an area of interest

2. Learn/Develop in that area

3. Share/Teach/Volunteer

1/12

How to Start

Resources you‘ll
Area of Interest Timeline
need

Family

Relatives
Neighbours/
Colleagues

Community

Ummah

Humanity
1/12

Question: How do I prioritize?

1/12

Define your roles

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?
1/12

Measure your performance
Minimum Performance Level Lin
Performance

Father Son Husband Employee Muslim
Roles

Summary

•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.

1/12

Why are Habits important?

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

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

―40% of Actions People Do each day aren‘t
decisions, but habits‖ - Duke University, 2006
1/12

How Habits Work

1/12

The Habit Loop

For your brain

Trigger

Reason to remember the
habit

Reward Physical
Mental
Routine
Emotional

1/12

Changing Habits

1/12

3 Methods to Changing Habits

1.30-Day Challenge
2.Focus on the loop
3.Replacement Theory

1. 30-Day Challenge Method

• 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

Grab our Habitator!

1/12

2. Focus on Loop Method

• Identify a trigger for your habit
• External (Alarm, Athan, Clothes, Time of Day) Trigger

• Internal (Emotional State, Decision Making)
• Practice a SPECIFIC, CONSISTENT, EXACT,
Reward
Routine

Routine every time you hit the trigger!
• Identify a Reward (Spiritual, physical,
emotional..etc) 1/12

Exercise (Fill in the Blanks)

Habit Trigger Routine Reward

Wake up Fajr on Time Fajr Athan ??? Spiritual/Physical

Reading before Pick up book next to Bed,
Sleeping Getting into Bed ???
Read 5 pages

Grab Gym Bag
Exercise 3-4 Drive to Gym
times/week ??? ???
Sign in to Gym
Get on Treadmill

Choose your Habits... ??? ??? ???

Replacement Theory Method

• 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

How to avoid failing

• Public Commitment
• Investment
• Reward/Punishment
• Make Habits Fun
• Dump Negative People
• Associate with Positive People
• Place Reminders around you

How Islam Builds our Habits?

1/12

Habits in Islam
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-
Saying ―Bismillah‖
days per month)

Reciting Quran Holding oneself to account...

...can you think of more?

Athan

Trigger

Spiritual/Emotional/Ph
ysical/
Mental Salah Habit Loop
Reward Reward
Wudhu
Routine Masjid
Pray

Note:

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

1/12

Which Habits to Develop?

1/12

Habit Time-Buckets

Commuting 1st Hour at Work
Morning Habits After Work Habits Evening Habits
Habits Habits

•Fajr Prayer
•Don‘t Check E- • Shower
•Athkar
mail! • Relax/Read • Wudhu/Witr
•Quran • Listen to
• Read a Book • Catch up with • Athkar
•Exercise AudioBooks
related to work Family • Reading
•Planning • Memorize Quran
• Start on • Get involved in • Journal
•Brainstorm
Important Tasks Community
•Breakfast

1/12

Summary

• 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 1/12

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

1/12

Remember our definition...

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

How many minutes can you focus
on a single task without getting
distracted?

1/12

Why is it so hard to focus these
days?

1/12

RECLAIM YOUR FOCUS!

1/12

Practical Tips to Boost Your
FOCUS!

1/12

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
1/12

Step 2: Identify your MITs

• MITs = Most Important Tasks
• 3-5 MITs Maximum
• Important/Not Urgent
• Arrange by Priority

1/12

Step 3: Apply Focus Equation

Focus = Disconnect + Simplify

1/12

Disconnect

• Unplug
• Disconnect Time
• Solitude Zone
• Get Outside/Change Environment
• Make Yourself Invisible online
• Stop ALL Notifications!
• Internet Blocking Software, e.g. Freedom 1/12

Simplify

• De-clutter your desk
• De-clutter your desktop
• De-clutter your Mind
• De-clutter Your Life
• Avoid Multi-tasking! One task at a time!
1/12

Step 4: Repeat Regularly

• Practice Practice Practice
• Have at least 1 x Focus session per day
• Schedule ―Focus Blocks‖ in your calendar

1/12

4-Step process

• Step 1: Clear Your Mind
• Step 2: Identify M.I.Ts
• Step 3. Apply Focus Equation
• Step 4: Repeat regularly!

1/12

How does Islam boost our focus?

1/12

Salah
Lowering the Gaze
Recitation of Quran
1/12

Salah:
A School of Focus

1/12

Salah & Focus Management

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

1/12

How does Salah boost focus?

• Disconnect from this life/Connect to Afterlife
• A complex/simple Ritual
• ‗Tuma‘nina‘ vs. Khushoo

1/12

How to improve focus in Salah

• The ‗fan‘ example
• Stop at Athan
• Going to Masjid
• Recite new Surahs
• The 3 spits
• Dua
1/12

Lowering The Gaze:
Help Your Heart Focus

1/12

Reduces Distraction

―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 1/12

Gives insights...

―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

1/12

Strengthens Discipline

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

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Recitation of Quran
Develop Mindful Focus

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Losing Touch w/Quran

Quran in 7 Days

Quran in 30 Days

Quran in 60 days

5 pages per day

1 page per day

1 Ayah per day

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Rebuild Your Relationship

Quran in 7 Days

Quran in 30 Days

Quran in 60 days

5 pages per day

1 page per day

1 Ayah per day

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How to improve focus w/Quran

• Make an appointment with the Quran
• Read to understand/teach
• Ask Questions/Make dua as you read
• Embark on Memorization Journey

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Summary

• Focus is a Muscle that needs to be trained
• 4 Steps to Develop Focus Muscle
• Islam helps us develop our Focus Muscle

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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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7 Practical Tips

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
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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

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Step 4: Plan Your Week

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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
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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 ―

1/12

What is ONE thing you learnt in
this seminar?

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What‘s Next?

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What you‘ll get by e-mail...

1. Presentation Slides
2. Recommended Reading
3. Worksheets

12/12

Join your local Chapter!

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

12/12

Who we are?

What is Productive Muslim? The Company
Productive Muslim is a social enterprise dedicated Productive Muslim Ltd is a private limited
to boosting Productivity in the Muslim World. It company registered in England & Wales
was formed on the belief that Islam as a religion (Company No. 7693990) with a registered
and way of life can help the modern Muslim office in London, UK.
worker/student/citizen lead a productive lifestyle:
spiritually, physically, and socially. The company operates as a virtual
operation with a global workforce working
Drawing inspirations from the Holy Quran, from from various countries including US,
biography and sayings of Prophet Muhammad UK, Canada, Singapore, UAE, Saudi
(Peace be upon him) as well as Islamic History, Arabia, Egypt, France, Turkey & Morocco.
Productive Muslim fuses traditional Islamic
knowledge with modern productivity
understanding to bring together unique
productivity solutions for the Muslim Ummah. 1/12

What we do

Websites Training Consulting Tools
Online Platforms for Online/Offline Productivity Consulting Productivity Tools
Sharing Productivity Productivity Training to to Corporates, NGOs, and including Apps,
Knowledge to Muslims Individuals, Companies, Government Agencies Software, worksheets
Worldwide Government Agencies for the Modern Muslim
Worker

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Websites

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)

3/12

ProductiveMuslim Animations

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!

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Training (Online & Offline)

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

Over 2000 attendees at Productive
Muslim seminars to date!

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

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Productivity Consulting

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

Onsite & virtual consulting available

Tailored consulting for organisations
based on unique needs

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Productivity Tools

Worksheets/wallpapers/infographics
freely available on the website

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

Android Version..coming out soon!

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How can we help you?

Deliver productivity workshops for your Provide online productivity training for
organisation your organization

Provide productivity consulting for your Advise your management on policies to
organisation. improve employee/team productivity

Develop marketing campaign to
Develop productivity tools for your
enhance productivity in your
organisation to boost Individual
organization.
productivity

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For more queries...

address

websites
facebook.com/produ http://www.ProductiveMuslim.com
ctivemuslim http://www.ProductiveRamadan.com
twitter.com/abup http://www.MusulmanProductif.com

roductive phone
UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067

youtube.com/ E-mail
productivemuslim contactus@productivemuslim.com
12/12

Stay in Touch!

address

websites
http://www.ProductiveMuslim.com
http://www.ProductiveRamadan.com
facebook.com/pro twitter.com/abup youtube.com/ http://www.MusulmanProductif.com
ductivemuslim roductive productivemuslim
phone
UK: (+44) 0203 286 8067
KSA: (+966) 537 000 505

E-mail
contactus@productivemuslim.com

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