Be prepared

We do not know what will happen in the next fifty years.



We do not know the particulars of our own lives nor the major regional and global events that would be discussed in history books(if there is anyone around to write history books)



But we do know what Allah has told us.



We will die.



A day will come when we will be held accountable, and this day is more important than day day of this life.



Our term of life is fixed.



Our rizq is fixed.





Muwatta Book 46, Number 46.2.10:

Yahya related to me from Malik that he heard that this was said "No one will die until his provision is completed for him, so behave correctly in your seeking it."

So the question is how can we be prepared?



Now of course, we should strive to be the best Muslims we can and learn about our deen and teach it



But the subject of this essay will be how do to be prepared with our material possessions and wordly activities.





The good thing is that regardless of whether global civilization collapses and the population of the world descends into a massive war for resources on a scale that is unimaginable or if our energy and resource problems are solved by new innovation that will usher in an era of plenty and prosperity, or anywhere in between, the way we should prepare is exactly the same.





I personally think it will be both,  and that there will be more wealth and more prosperity but also more war and more suffering. (But my prediction is not important)





If our energy issues are not solved and as some predict we ALL(or most of us) undergo a serious reduction in the "quality" or "standard" of living(measured from a materialistic point of view of course) then we should undertake a conservative  standard of living that does not waste or consume resources but manages them so that they are more evenly distributed and available for future generations.





If our energy issues are solved and become cheap to the point of absurdity, then the "modernized" culture of  indecency and devoid of humanity and spirituality will become even more powerful and so we as Muslims should still be conservative and not waste resources nor indulge in the plentiful luxuries that will distract us and will only placate us but not really fulfil us.





So we can see and we should ask ourselves to what exten are we ALREADY indulging in such unneccesary luxuries(while of course our brothers and sisters are suffering around the world) and being wasteful and imitating the indececy and corrupt culture of the modern popular culture.



The following lit is not exhaustive but inclues what I feel are good practices and recommednations for Muslims living in the world today. I am not saying anything about Haram and Halal, I am not qualified  to do that nor do I claim as much. But I am merely giving suggestions that I think would enhance our abilities to have stable lifestyles where we can be better prepared for the next fifty years whatever happens.And of course depending on where youlive, these may or may not apply or be possible.





1. Do not have any televisions in your house



2. Do not enroll your children in public school. Either home school or if available a Muslim private school.



3. Do not work in the "corporate world"



4. Run your own business, especially a business that provides goods or services for the Muslim community.



5. Live near other Muslims



6. Don't live in a big energy consuming house



7. Don't drink soda



8. Dont buy gadgets and toys and products that you dont NEED.



9. If possible, grow your own vegetables



10. Dont eat out all the time, especially at places owned by kufar corporations(even if you only get the "veggie" meal or fish)



11. If possible, use mass transportation instead of a a personal car.



12. Buy property



13. Live close to where you work.



14. Dont spend the majority of your time being "entertained" (i.e. movies, sporting events etc.)



15.Dont spend extra money for "name brands" unless there is a real quality difference which usually there isnt.



16. Avoid processed foods as much as possible.



17. Go to sleep after isha and stay awake after fajr.



18. Try to use as little plastic as possible



19. Look for alternative products that are natural and not as harmful to the environment or people



20. Dont fill yourself every meal all the time.



21.Use "free" time to do good deeds, zikr, dawah  or work for the ummah or anything actually beneficial



22. Dont celebrate birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, etc. in a wasteful and extravagant and useless manner if at all.



23.Dont hold "fundraisers" in fancy, expensive ballrooms



24. Invite the poor and the rich to your walima



25. Dont have a cell phone if you dont need one or keep the same phone and dont upgrade every time a new "feature" comes out



26. Be inventive and enterprising and create or sell products and services   that reduce waste and are not harmful to the environment or people



27. Dont go to theme parks and carnivals, etc.



28. THINK about the effects of what you buy and the activities you engage in.





Feel free to add more or disagree or discuss any of these, they are just suggestions.