AbdarRahman: Recent Episodes
AbdarRahman
"Struggles in business and life to be on the Straight Path": podcast / spoken word blog covering an eclectic mix of things through the lens of a revert to Islam who is heavily into asset management, investing, business, emerging markets, philanthropy and charity. I've been asked regularly to speak about my experience and if I can't sit with you over coffee then let's try to make this the next best thing, inshaAllah. You can find transcripts here www.AbdarRahman.me
Marketeers rather than.... (you fill in the blank). Following on from the last episode I tackle another 'modern' phenomenon around the free to low-cost price of entry to becoming a self-proclaimed thought-leader, entrepreneur, leader, etc. I share a true story about one of these stars who had played the game so well it got him a high-level meeting and about knowing a number of people that are well on their way to 'pulling the wool over' everyone's eyes. I also use an example from the Islamic tradition and a historical powerhouse to help trigger some thoughts on simple heuristics that we can put in place to tackle this issue with our eye's inshaAllah open.
InshaAllah this is helpful to those who are interested in entrepreneurship (go on, get at it!) and investors. I try to include some of the lessons I have learnt about start-ups / entrepreneurs vs business people. It starts off with a little run down of how I got to the position to have this perspective and see some of the things I mention. It highlights some things to be on the look out for if you are investing or pitching to investors. It calls quite a lot of people out - because that is what I've experienced and it gives a simple and free suggestion that could, if you take it, change your life!
Don't be that criminal ;-)
The original title of this 40 minute podcast was going to be "A revert's thoughts on the rise in Nationalism drawing on the Quran and Sunnah", but "a whole lotta nationalism" is appropriate given the rise of it everywhere and the length, I',m afraid, of this podcast! This is the first of a number of posts tackling an important issue and as always I want to try and tackle this in a way that is helpful to reverts or those rediscovering their Islam as this can be a rather difficult area to navigate as it involves it seems one having to question identities, nationalities, allegiances, religion, etc. Please do let me know if you like the longer form stuff or if short and snappy is your thing. Jazakum Allahu Khayran for listening.
In this episode I try to cover the tragic massacre in the mosques in Christchurch on Friday 15th March 2019. In particular I want to address as a Western Muslim my actual experience of the reactions to this event. The reactions by non-Muslims and Muslims. I think these are rather contrary to what the media often portrays. Our communities default reaction is probably not what most would think and I am heartened by what it actually is. If you would like to find out please listen.
I think this is an incredibly important one for the reverts or those rediscovering their religion. We live in a world where you are going to go online. No doubt. So, I share how I navigated this with what is a simple heuristic I came up with that has served and continues to serve me really well. I also hit on a couple of common-sense points (common-sense as they say however is not always so common!), as well as a little extra that I do when I follow the 'rules' I shared. I also poke fun at comments sections!
I pray this is beneficial.
Everyone is looking for it but so few find it. Here is the formula wherein lies that which eludes you.
Perhaps unusual but who's not going to like a cool surf video and a link to the Sunnah? On not being jaded and the importance of optimism.
The benefits of tackling things with a craftsman mindset introduced through a story of Moroccan master carpenter.
It begins, maybe a little rough around the edges, but you have to start somewhere!
Transcript available here: www.abarrahman.me