Few thoughts from earlier editions

We are a decade forward since the publication of first Unity Islamic Diary. UID helped many of us to get best results out of limited time available in lifetime. UID is based on divine knowledge. The most precious wealth in the third millennium is knowledge. This is the only or one among the few resources that enhances while giving and sharing. I don’t think if there are many other precious things that we can share without a sacrifice.

 

Ordinary Diaries are plenty in number. UID is unique. It is the one and only Diary in the world set for a perfect and complete life time planning. The Diary gives you proper guidance for your daily life and also governance for your life-time planning.

 

While ordinary diaries are to be filled UID is set to be lived. With UID we know what to do to fulfill our accomplishments in a Day. None of us wanted to achieve anything less than 100%. When perfection becomes our target the perfect should be our planning. Perfect planning is possible only with perfect guidance and it comes only from the Divine light.

 

Five time prayers are the pillars in everyone’s life. This makes our day systematic and focused towards the ultimate. UID adds five types of planning as basic fillers for successful living. They are Daily Planning, Weekly Planning, Yearly Planning, Decade Planning and Lifetime Planning. In which “Daily, weekly and Yearly planner” is for specific planning. Decade Planner and Lifetime Planner are given for broad visualization of our complete earthly life.

 

Development of we the human beings is the transformation process from the state where we are to where we would like to be. It is a journey from the reality towards perfection. Almighty Allah is our Target light. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) is our Role Model. Qur’an is the guidance. Hadiths are the explanations. This is complete in itself and there is nothing more to be added too.

 

We need to plan on the basis of the above guidance. Planning is required when time is a constraint. Proper planning is required when the remaining time is so much precious. Perfect planning is required when the deadline is unknown. We do not know when our action ends. The best action gives the best results for the life hereafter. Let us get the best out of the rest of our time.

 

Thousands are born and thousands die every day. Birth is a phenomenon to continue the human progeny. Death is inevitable for those who are born. Birth and Death are beyond human choices. Life is between birth and death. This is the only area where we have freedom of choice and control.

 

Man struggles for the best in life on earth. He wants comfort and pleasure. He looks for wealth, power and recognition as if everything ends on death. In Islam, death is only a break in life that leads to everlasting life and the earthly life is merely the path to it.

 

UID is based on 11 Principles for Successful Islamic Living authored by me. The 7th Principle; IBADATH; (24 Hours Islamic Living Habit) is expanded in to a Diary. Ordinary diaries focus only on 12 hours day-time starting in the morning. UID covers 24 hours. The day begins at sunset. Planning process that starts at the sunset gives way for the dormant qualities in us to work

 

While others plan their course of action we are already stepped into the mode of action.

 

Mankind is at a zenith of material civilization. We are living in a global world. Travel is easy, living is trendy, options are in plenty, outlets are in variety, and all information on these is instant. The global World has benefits and also problems. The tough among them is not economical, social or political. It is human behavior. Human ethics is the greatest need of the hour.

           

The central theme of Qur'an is human behavior. Thus it directly addresses the humanity. It is the only book which directly addresses mankind. Islam gives importance to us; the whole mankind. It guides us towards a wellbeing state; The Global VillageMahal. Since our behavior results in our being and wellbeing, Islam demands us to behave in the right manner.

 

The Noble Qur'an says: Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves, but when (once) Allah willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back nor will they find, besides Him any to protect. (Qur'an-13:11)

 

Every Muslim is a part of Ummah. To see a change in Ummah, every Muslim has to change oneself first, and change should begin at the heart. Unity Islamic Diary is made for a drastic change in individuals, based on the foundation of Qur'an and Sunnah.The diary has been designed for a definite purpose, incorporating the modern scientific facts, Design- Reading - Writing - Memory - Imagination - Association - Repetition - to develop into strong habits.

 

Islam is an Arabic word. It has two root meanings; Submission and Peace. Together it simply means attainment of peace, during earthly life and the life hereafter, by voluntary submission to the will of Almighty Allah. The whole world is now hungry for peace.

There are specific challenges facing mankind today. Uncertainty in the financial markets made everyone alert. It made so called advanced countries to look for advancements from others. Violence and destruction from all sides are now diminished. It is no more considered as a means to solution. Climate change has emerged as a new fear. No one knows how nature reacts.

 

Wealth and Finance are less important than knowledge and knowhow. Proper utilization of this new economic resource rules the world today and further. Thus Planning is important. Most important has become time planning. Knowledge multiplied with Time decides the pace of your action.

 

Everyone looks forward to attain knowledge or obtain people of knowledge. The highest investment has turned from tangible assets to the transforming aspects. The future is in the hands of our future generations. No amount of wealth will be sufficient to make them rich enough to reach their target. They themselves have become the most precious wealth which can also be turned to be a liability and burden. It is the time invested on them makes them effective. Wrong investment choices will be as destructive as the fall of stock markets. No one can safeguard a falling tower. We should have built them in a strong foundation.

 

11 principles for successful islamic living  are the most important foundation for us and our future generations. It is complete and total in nature. The more you practice the perfect you become. The early you start the quicker you grow. The more you grow the highest you can reach. Target the stars and let us become higher stars glittering for the world. Unity Islamic Diary is the one and only diary of its kind. It is an invaluable gift that you can give to those whom you would like to see as shining stars.

 

Mind is important, It is a super instrument. Through mind we perceive anything and everything. Inquisitive and curious minds are behind every achievement. Ability to think and act is our advantage. Positive and creative thoughts bring great benefits to mankind. A misguided mind can bring destruction too. Islam demands that the mind is always connected to Almighty Allah, in a submissive state.

 

A powerful and effective mind always dwells in moment now. Others’ minds go away from here and now. Past is a memory. Future is an anxiety. Both do not exist now. Nothing works in past or in future. The present moment right now demands performance picture-perfect. Everyone who works well is now will enjoy its fruits. This is the key to our success. What you are today is the result of your thoughts and actions of yesterday. What you will be in future is decided by your thoughts, plans and actions of today. Yesterday was an experience and a memory. Tomorrow is an anxiety and hope. Today is the day. Now, the present moment, is all that we should relish and cherish. It reflects beyond time. Our day starts from Salath. It is to be performed in a submissive state of mind. Free from all other thoughts except what we recites and pronounces. The mind should always be alert. It should be in an enlightened state. Five times regular prayers Salath in a day is a unique benefit God has bestowed on mankind. This will build our relationship with God.

 

Modern knowledge gives us different types of management programs to improve performance and increase productivity. Every day we find new books and programs on management. But surprisingly, nothing equals the five timed regular prayers Salathprescribed in Islam 14 centuries ago for time management. This remains still unchallenged. When one goes into deep thinking and reflections, one realizes the benefit of five time obligatory Salath that enables human beings to live in fine tune with God and laws of the nature. The primary requirement in Islam is a strong conviction and belief in Almighty Allah. Five compulsory Salaths regulates 24 hours living meaningful and fruitful. UID is a practical guide to do this proper. It has converged Islam and Modern development (I+MD). There are many methods involved in the diary which automatically leads you in the straight and only path. Regular usage of this diary brings major changes in your life and eventually leads you to the ultimate bliss.

 

In Islam, today is the day of action for results of tomorrow. Past is well recorded.Thouba or repentance with the determination not to repeat is an option to recover from the misdeeds of the past. Dedicated action with a focus on Akhira is a hope and inspiration for the everlasting tomorrow. UID is intended for this purpose. Planning and Periodic Review for lifetime in general and for the decade in particular, planning for the year, planning for a week and planning for 24 hours followed by action will automatically lead us to the destination of absolute felicity and bliss. To obtain this we should act and practice what is guided in this diary. Those who had done it in the past have been benefited from it. They are fascinated on its creativity and insight. It is for you to opt for a better change now and forever, Alhamdulillah.

 

Hope UID is your companion for a better Islamic living. We request your prayers for us as the best acknowledgement.  Jazakallah. May Almighty Allah's blessing and mercy be showered on all of us.

 

Dr. C. P. Habeeb Rahman                                                                    1 January 2011

                                                                                                                  Dhul Hijjah 1432