Are you forgetful during prayer because of work-related issues or stress?
Updated July 29, 2012 Often work related issues and stress (e.g. closing the budget year, cutbacks, hiring or firing decisions, etc.) intrude in our concentration during prayer and we may experience forgetfulness. How do you make amends if you missed something in your prayer? Can you make amends? Does your prayer still count. For these […]
This cardiovascular surgeon’s story will shake your iman, Insha Allah
July 26, 2012
Recounted by one of friends: The Husband Who Was Too Shy To Look At His Wife (a moving story) This story was recounted by Prof. Khalid Al-Jubeir, consulting cardiovascular surgeon, in one of his lectures: Once I operated on a two and a half year old child. It was Tuesday, and on Wednesday the child […]
In Defense of American Muslims Working for the US Government
July 25, 2012
Thank you US Senator McCain, US Congressman Keith Ellison for coming to the defense of patriotic American Muslims working for our government. Thank you too Anderson Cooper for uncovering the truth. Thank you to the 42 interfaith groups who have rallied to the defense of American Muslims. Senator McCain Defends Huma Abedin Anderson Cooper Exposes […]
Some Muslim Athletes Banned for Doping at the 2012 Olympics
July 25, 2012
Note from Rafik: I am disappointed by the lack of ethical behavior of some Muslim Olympians at the 2012 Olympics. Allah is very clear in the Qur’an (5:2) about engaging in this type of behavior. “Help you one another in righteousness and piety, but help you not one another in sin and rancor: fear […]
Muslim Olympians wrestle with Ramadan dilemma
July 22, 2012
Note from Rafik Beekun: I don’t see why it is a dilemma for these Olympians. Islam allows people who are working in very harsh conditions to postpone their fasts. As some of the Muslim athletes below indicate, they have received the Islamic opinion from some scholars that they can postpone their fast during the […]
Finding God at Work
July 14, 2012
Many of us who are working throughout Ramadan are likely to be worried about how to keep spirituality at the top of our priority list while coping with a demanding work environment. Getting through the working hours can become a drag. We end up waiting to get home or to a mosque to really ‘find […]
What Employers and Employees Need to Know About Working Muslims During Ramadan–in English, French & Spanish
July 12, 2012
With the number of Muslims increasing in the workplace it is important for employees to know how to approach the month of Ramadan when working for an employer. The aim of this guide is to provide some helpful tips on how to deal with some of the things that come up during the month of Ramadan for employees. A Working Muslim […]
The contribution of Islam and Muslim scholars to Science
July 9, 2012
Source: Scienceislam.com Seeking knowledge is obligatory in Islam for every Muslim, man and woman. The main sources of Islam, the Quran and the Sunnah (Prophet Muhammad’s traditions), encourage Muslims to seek knowledge and be scholars, since this is the best way for people to know Allah (God), to appreciate His wondrous creations and be thankful […]
Islam has the highest regard for women
July 8, 2012
The Talibans are practicing an extremist and puritanical form of Islam and often behave unIslamically–as in the manner they treat their women. Prophet Muhammad (s) said, ” “The most perfect in faith amongst believers is he who is best and kindest to his wife.” and ““Do treat your women well and be kind to them, for […]
The horrible and shameful treatment of foreign workers in Gulf States in the Middle East
May 14, 2012
CNN.com […] Nepal is one of the poorest countries on earth. With little work available, an estimated 1,300 Nepalese citizens go abroad for work every single day. But every day some return in coffins. “On an average per day, two to three coffins are coming back to Nepal mostly from the Gulf countries,” said sociologist […]
Don’t lie on your résumé or CV–it is against Islam
May 7, 2012
In general. lying is forbidden in Islam, is a major sin and is considered of the attributes of a hypocrite. Abu Hurayrah (r) narrated that the Prophet (s) said: “The signs of a hypocrite are three; he lies when talking, he breaks his promises and he deceives when entrusted […] anyone who possesses all such […]
Islam and Extra-Marital Affairs in the Workplace
April 17, 2012
Dr. Rafik Beekun, theislamicworkplace.com Last updated May 21, 2013 Recent studies reveal that 45-55% of married women and 50-60% of married men engage in extramarital sex at some time or another during their relationship (Atwood & Schwartz, 2002 – Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy). According to US statistics, 46% of unfaithful wives and 62% […]
Muslims on Wall Street: Bridging Two Traditions
April 16, 2012
Kevin Roose, New York TImes NAIEL IQBAL’S co-workers couldn’t figure him out. He’d just started at a Midtown Manhattan hedge fund — the kind of elite enclave where overachievers in button-downs go to make a few hundred grand before heading off to Harvard Business School. But Mr. Iqbal, 27, a graduate of the Wharton School, […]
2011 Worlds’s Most Ethical Companies–It pays to be ethical
April 5, 2012
Ethisphere.com The World’s Most Ethical Companies designation recognizes companies that truly go beyond making statements about doing business “ethically” and translate those words into action. WME honorees demonstrate real and sustained ethical leadership within their industries, putting into real business practice the Institute’s credo of “Good. Smart. Business. Profit.” There is no set number of […]
Bigotry on the Playing Field against Judaism and Islam
March 12, 2012
Editorial, New York Times, March 11, 2012 Intolerance seems to be part of the message sent to student-athletes on the sporting fields of Texas. Only under legal pressure and public criticism did the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools, which organizes competitions for more than 200 schools, recently agree to accommodate an Orthodox Jewish […]
Bangladeshi Rickshaw Driver Builds Hospital After Saving For 30 Years
February 20, 2012
Most doctors live and work in the cities in Bangladesh. A long distance away for ailing villagers. One villager who works as rickshaw driver and earns only six dollars a day saved for 30 years and has now built a hospital to change this. Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque reports from Tanhashadia, Bangladesh. 300 people visit […]
25 Ways of Dealing with Anxiety and Stress
February 15, 2012
Abdul Malik Mujahid Ask Him. He Listens: Dua Turn each anxiety, each fear and each concern into a Dua (supplication). Look at it as another reason to submit to God and be in Sajdah (prostration), during which you are closest to Allah. God listens and already knows what is in your heart, but He wants […]
Want to improve your test scores? Close your laptops and pay attention to the lecture
February 6, 2012
By Josh Fischman, Chronicle of Higher Education Professors increasingly frustrated by students who use laptops for non-class activities—like updating their Facebook pages—may be heartened by news from the University of Colorado at Boulder. A professor there has found that educating students about the negative effect that frivolous laptop use has on their performance reduces class […]
Islam and Moderation
January 31, 2012
Rashard Jedaar/Cape Town/South Africa Allah SWT enjoins in the Holy Qur’an: “Thus have We made of you an Ummah, Justly balanced, that you might be witnesses over the nations. “Quran (2: 143) A question most frequently asked when Muslims meet, is: Why are we so divided today? […] Common sense tells us that the more […]
Being at peace with yourself: Psychological Approach towards Acceptance and Serenity
January 20, 2012
Posted by Haleh Banani on Muslimmatters.org Imagine what your reaction would be if you saw your Muslim brother or sister verbally and physically abusing another Muslim that was feeling very depressed for making a mistake? What if you heard them yelling, “ YOU STUPID IDIOT…..can’t you do anything right? Then punching him and saying, “YOU’RE […]
Business Ethics from an Islamic Perspective
January 19, 2012
Dr. Jamal Badawi, Fiqh Council of North America I. INTRODUCTION There are nearly 1.3 Billion Muslims worldwide; about one fifth of the total world population. As is the case with any universal religion, a great cultural diversity does exist among them. Similarly, the extent of religious commitment and practice varies considerably between individuals and cultures. […]
Follow the Sunna of the Prophet (s): How Exercise Benefits the Brain and Overall Performance
December 1, 2011
Rafik Beekun Working at sedentary jobs is contributing to a whole list of health problems including obesity. To avoid becoming overweight and falling victim to all the physical issues associated with obesity, Muslim workers need to adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (s) regarding exercise. in addition, exercise has been shown to benefit the […]
Controlling Anger at Work and at Home
November 24, 2011
When angry, forgive–one of the attributes of Muslims seeking to better themselves Nouman Ali Khan explains how reducing anger is tied to surrendering love for this world, refraining from major sins, and guarding against shamelessness. Five Tips from the Mayo Clinic on Anger Management No. 1: Take a timeout Counting to 10 isn’t just for […]
Republican State Rep. Rick Womick says devout Muslims should be removed from US military
November 12, 2011
Source: blogs.tennessean.com State Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, told a pair of liberal bloggers at today’s Shariah law conference that devout Muslims should be removed from the military. In a video posted Friday afternoon on ThinkProgress, Womick expressed doubt that any devout Muslim could be loyal to the U.S. military. “Personally, I don’t trust one Muslim in our military,” he […]
Rankings of Best U.S. Business Schools in 2011
November 10, 2011
Bloomberg Business Week Check out Bloomberg Businessweek‘s latest ranking of the best part-time MBA, executive MBA, and executive education programs by clicking here.
Aim for Excellence, Insha Allah
November 10, 2011
The Prophet (s) said that Allah loves it that when a Muslim does something, he does it in an excellent manner. Aim high Insha Allah.
Calling in sick at work: Some very strange and funny excuses
November 7, 2011
Justin Thompson, careerbuilder.com […] Twenty-nine percent of workers admitted to [faking being sick] this year, citing errands and plans with family or friends among their top reasons for calling in sick. But check out these fifteen weird excuses that people used to miss work. I’m not sure how anyone even pulled these off without busting out […]
In Muslim Organizations and Businesses, Watch Out for Strategy Inflection Points
November 6, 2011
Rafik Beekun An important skill that your Islamic organization may wish to develop is the ability to track strategy inflection points. As indicated by Andrew Grove, CEO of Intel, (Thompson and Strickland, 2002) organizations should monitor the effectiveness of the strategies they are using. “A key warning sign..[of]..a strategic inflection point is when all of […]
One in three female soldiers are raped during their US military service
October 20, 2011
Sarah Lazare “My experience reporting military sexual assault was worse than the actual assault,” says Jessica (a pseudonym for her protection), a former marine officer and Iraq veteran who left the military because of her command’s poor handling of her assault charges. “The command has so much power over a victim of sexual assault. They […]
Unnoticed: The Child Workers in Afghanistan
October 18, 2011
cnn.com Unnoticed: Children of Kabul Unnoticed: Children of Kabul will document the tragedy of a new generation of Afghan children growing up without an education and spending their childhood in poverty and labor. Their families devastated by the war, thousands of children are forced to work in the busy streets of Kabul, selling candy, shining […]
Improving Your Job Interview Skills
October 8, 2011
Rafik Beekun Alhamdolillah. After sending out many letters, you have been invited to a job interview. Now as the date looms closer, you begin to experience stress and may even stay up during the night wondering whether you will make it through. If you are too stressed, please read my blog’s section on stress management. […]
Muslim Woman Is One of Three to Win 2011 Nobel Peace Prize
October 7, 2011
Tawakkul Karman’s Acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize Speech in Oslo One of the most moving speeches I have listened to. This is the complete acceptance speech of Tawakkul Karman from Yemen, the first Arab woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, as well as its youngest winner to date. Karman, a 32-year-old mother of […]
The Islamophobia Network in the USA: Misinformation in Action
October 6, 2011
Center for American Progress This in-depth investigation conducted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund reveals not a vast right-wing conspiracy behind the rise of Islamophobia in our nation but rather a small, tightly networked group of misinformation experts guiding an effort that reaches millions of Americans through effective advocates, media partners, and grassroots […]
Talking points around the Water Cooler: Terrorism and Islam are antithetical
September 12, 2011
Muslims at work are often drawn into a conversation around the water cooler where they have to defend Islam and Muslims against the “Islam is a terroristic religion” or “All Muslims are not terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims” arguments. The following slideshare presentation should give you enough counterarguments both from historical facts and from […]
Some rules for borrowing or lending in Islam
August 21, 2011
Often, an entrepreneur has to borrow money to start a business, or an investor is lending money to someone to start a business. While there are whole books written on the topic of Islamic finance and the multiple financial instruments available for this type of commercial transaction, the Qur’an in one ayat (Surah Baqarah, 282) […]
U.S. State Governor defends nomination of Sohail Mohammed as a Supreme Court Judge
August 7, 2011
LittleGreenFootballs.com PATERSON—A lawyer who defended Muslims detained after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was sworn in as a New Jersey Superior Court judge on Tuesday, as Gov. Chris Christie called those who criticized his nomination ignorant. The appointment of Sohail Mohammed, 47 years old, angered some conservatives, who said they were concerned about the influence […]
Work Ethics for Muslims Fasting During Ramadan
August 3, 2011
Note from Rafik Beekun During the blessed month of Ramadan, many Muslims (especially in Muslim countries) slack off, showing up late at work (or not showing up at all), sleeping on the job, procrastinating, doing the least possible, and asking employers for shorter working days at the same wage rate. This type of behavior is […]
College degrees that are most sought after in 2011
July 6, 2011
Larry Buhl, Career Builder While the job market can’t be called robust, employers say they plan to hire almost 20 percent more four-year college graduates than they did last year, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. […] 1. Computer science More than 56 percent of computer science majors in the class of […]
CAIR: An Employer’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices
June 23, 2011
http://www.cair.com Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employers from discriminating against individuals because of their religion in hiring, firing and other terms of employment. The act also requires employers to reasonably accommodate the religious practices of the employee, unless doing so would create an “undue hardship” for the employer. CAIR offers […]
Core Principles of Islamic Leadership: Empathy and Compassion Towards All
June 5, 2011
Rafik Beekun, Louay Safi and Iqbal Unus, www.theIslamicworkplace.com Now has come to you a Messenger from among yourselves: it grieves him that you should experience hardship: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Believers is he most kind and merciful. (Tawbah 9:128) We sent you merely as a Mercy for all humanity. (Anbiya 21:107) […]
New book examines Muslims, Jews — and their common ground
May 27, 2011
Emma Silvers, Jweekly.com Last summer, as the debate over the Islamic community center near ground zero reached a fever pitch, longtime friends and former classmates Reza Aslan and Aaron Hahn Tapper were watching, fascinated. “There were some Jewish organizations coming down on the rights of Muslims to build that center, and then some other Jewish […]
Doctors Urgently Required for Saudi Arabia, Dammam.
May 23, 2011
Note from Rafik Beekun: The Islamic Workplace is simply reproducing this posting, and has not deterrmined its validity. Please notify us if this job posting is no longer valid. If you come across similar job postings for Muslim countries, please email to us at beekun@theislamicworkplace.com. For M/s Security Forces Hospital Category Specialty Number Needed CONSULTANTS Anesthesia […]
Why Islamic Leadership must be competent
May 21, 2011
Rafik Beekun, theislamicworkplace.com Many Islamic community organizations, masajids and businesses are often characterized by leadership lacking any vision and the requisite skills for the job. As a result, masajids have been reduced to mere prayer halls, community organizations lack a sense of direction and do nothing really well, and businesses are characterized by nepotism, favoritism […]
New MBAs face difficult job market in the USA
May 21, 2011
Joe Light, The Wall Street Journal The job market for business- school students is better than last year, but still isn’t back to pre-recession levels, says Nicole Hall, president of the MBA Career Services Council, a professional association. Driving the pickup is more robust recruiting by companies in health care, energy and technology, she says. […]
How to build confidence in yourself as a Muslim
May 16, 2011
Rafik Beekun, the Islamicworkplace.com, updated May 22, 2011 Self-confidence plays a critical role in self identity and how we carry ourselves. It can affect our job performance, our involvement in the community, and even our success/failure in finding a spouse, Insha Allah. The cardinal principle of self-confidence in Islam is the concept of Tawakkul, one’s […]
Employment Opportunity: Civil Rights Manager
May 11, 2011
CAIR, the Council on American Islamic Relations, The nation’s largest civil rights and advocacy organization for Muslims seeks a high energy, assertive individual to manage and oversee CAIR’s Civil Rights Department in the position of Civil Rights Manager. Duties: This full-time position involves: * Managing and overseeing of civil rights support staff, including staff attorneys, […]
Follow Muhammad’s (s) Sunnah: Take a Power Nap to Increase Alertness and Productivity
May 1, 2011
Rafik Beekun, theislamicworkplace.com Taking a nap in the afternoon was the practice recommended by the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It appears that the Prophet agreed with this, because scholars of Hadith have been in support of an afternoon nap. In fact, taking an afternoon nap carries a religious dimension. As Adil […]
The Islamic Perspective on Excellent Leadership and Good Governance.
April 30, 2011
Professor Muhammad Abdallah Al Buraey, King Fadh University, presentation in Sydney, Australia (and commented upon by Professor Rafik Beekun), theIslamicworkplace.com In choosing excellent leaders and making appointment of public officials, only merit matters, nothing else. [Note from Rafik Beekun: clearly as indicated by the Qur’anic quotations and ahadiths cited by Professor Buraey below, “merit” is […]
The Problem with Business Schools (and Business School Students)
April 30, 2011
David Glenn, Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. […] Business [school] majors spend less time preparing for class than do students in any other broad field, according to the most recent National Survey of Student Engagement: Nearly half of seniors majoring in business say they spend fewer than 11 hours a week studying outside class. In […]
Peace be upon you
"Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things." - (The Qur’an, Al-Baqarah, 2: 256)
"Be tolerant to be tolerated." Prophet Muhammad (s) as narrated in Ahmad B. Hanbal, Musnad 1/248.
"No mercy would be shown to him who does not show mercy." Prophet Muhammad (s) in Sahih Bukhari 18 and in Sahih Muslim 85.
"Every soul is held in pledge for its deeds." - (The Qur'an, Al-Muddathir, 74:38)
God’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked what type of earning was best and replied, ”A man’s work with his hand and every business transaction which is approved." Rafi‘ ibn Khadij, Mishkat al Masabih, hadith no. 2783.
"Woe to those who give short measure, who demand of other people full measure for themselves, but give less than they should when it is they who weigh or measure for others! Do these people not realize that they will be raised up on a mighty Day, a Day when everyone will stand before the Lord of the Worlds? " (The Qur'an, Al-Mutaffifin, 83:1-4)
"O you who believe! Fulfill your obligations" (The Qur'an, Al-Ma'idah, 5:1)
"If the debtor is in difficulty, then delay things until matters become easier for him; still, if you were to write it off as an act of charity, that would be better for you if you only knew."(The Qur'an, Al-Baqara, 2: 280)
On the Day of Judgment, the Prophet (saaw) will be a witness against “one who employs a laborer and gets the full work done by him, but does not pay him his wages." Abu Hurayrah, Sahih al Bukhari, hadith no. 3.430.
"O you who believe! Give of the good things which you have (honorably) earned. And of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you, and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad, in order that out of it you may give away something, when you yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes.(The Qur'an, Al-Baqarah, 2: 267)
"He who buys the stolen property, with the knowledge that it was stolen, shares in the sin and shame of stealing.“ Prophet Muhammad (s) in a hadith reported by al Bayhaqi and cited in al Qaradawi.
"God commands you [people] to return things entrusted to you to their rightful owners, and if you judge between people, to do so with justice." (The Qur'an, An-Nisa, 4:58)
"And spend of your substance in the cause of God. And make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; But do good; for God loves those who do good."(The Qur'an, Al-Baqarah, 2: 195)
"None of you truly believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself "(Hadith #13 in An Nawawi and related by Bukhari and Muslim)
"When someone helps the good deeds to be practiced, it is as if he performed those good deeds indeed," Prophet Muhammad (s) in Tirmizi, 14.
"The blessed of mankind is the one who is the most beneficial for mankind." Prophet Muhammad (s) in Beyhaki 6/112.
"I am to my servant as he expects of Me, I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me in his heart, I remember him to Myself, and if he remembers Me in assembly, I mention him in an assembly better than his, and if he draws nearer to Me a hand's span, I draw nearer to him an arm's length, and if he draws nearer to Me an arm's length, I draw nearer to him a fathom length, and if he comes to me walking, I rush to him at [great] speed" (Bukhari and Muslim).
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as its.” (Tirmidhi)
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July 28, 2012
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