Speech Notes - English
For twenty-four years, we have worked on understanding the challenges faced by our immigrant community and finding solutions to these issues. Individually, everyone tries to contribute within their limited circle, but there are some problems that can only be addressed collectively. When you see people around you struggling and, in the name of worship, pretend to stay busy but do nothing meaningful, it is akin to what is condemned in Surah Al-Ma’un, which clearly states that prayers and worship without caring for orphans and the needy are worthless.
Imam Ali (AS) repeatedly emphasized the importance of caring for orphans. In his Nahjul Balagha, he advised Imam Hasan (AS) and Imam Husayn (AS):
"Fear Allah concerning the orphans. Attend to their hunger, and do not let them be ruined in your presence."
Imam Ali (AS) gave so much importance to orphans that he would say if someone taunts you about being orphaned, reply that you are not orphans because your father is Ali.
The care and support of orphans and the needy are only possible when you generate income beyond your basic needs. The famous saying of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is:
"Nine parts of sustenance are in trade and one part in other means."
When a companion once sought financial help from the Prophet (PBUH), the Prophet asked if he had anything extra in his house. The companion mentioned an old piece of cloth, and the Prophet (PBUH) told him to sell it, then use the money to buy an axe and start chopping wood to sell. This encouraged self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.
When we read verses in the Qur'an like the one about the Sabbath (Sabt), our minds are often trained to think only about the disobedience of the Israelites, which led to their punishment and transformation. However, the real message in these verses is for humanity: to avoid disobedience to divine commands and not to take shortcuts for convenience. The Israelites were punished for catching fish on the Sabbath because it was easier, despite the prohibition.
This lesson applies universally, encouraging people to choose the path of hard work and perseverance. Historical examples show how individuals who embraced this principle achieved greatness and recognition.
Consider the example of a rocket:
When launched, 95% of its fuel is consumed to cover the first 12 kilometers of altitude. Once it reaches its orbit, it requires only 0.16% of its fuel to keep moving. Similarly, leaving old habits and adopting new ones requires significant effort initially, akin to a form of hijrah (migration) or jihad (struggle) in the religious sense. Research shows that 99.9% of people avoid reviewing their habits out of fear that they might need to change, and as a result, they remain stuck in traditional routines.
With the advent of new technologies, it is essential for people to continuously assess their capabilities and adapt to the changing environment. The Japanese, for example, have adopted the philosophy that every individual should aim for 100% efficiency in their work. Their simple formula is that if 100 people work on a product and each one contributes 100%, the product will be flawless.
In Japan, the concept of firing employees is virtually non-existent; they focus on hiring and correcting defects rather than assigning blame. Highlighting mistakes is appreciated as an opportunity to learn and improve. Once an individual becomes skilled enough to perform at 100%, they can teach and support their peers.
However, it's also important to recognize that not everyone has the same aptitude or mindset for business. A business-oriented mindset requires considerable effort initially, but over time, as one gains understanding and experience, it becomes easier.
If someone feels unfit for a task, they can draw inspiration from Abdullah Ibn Umm Maktum (RA), who was blind but found a unique way to contribute. In battles, he offered to hold the flag, arguing that as a blind man, he wouldn't be distracted by victory or defeat. His steadfastness inspired others, and he became a flag-bearer in the Battle of Qadisiyyah, where he ultimately achieved martyrdom.
We propose that no one should consider themselves incapable. With the right guidance and motivation, many of our friends have achieved remarkable success. Specifically, we appeal to the GTA Toronto immigrant community, offering assistance and guidance in business-related matters. If we do not collectively strive to advance, we risk stagnation and self-absorption.
Reflection is one of the greatest abilities granted by the Creator. It helps individuals identify their unique purpose in life. A single moment of deep thought and the decision that follows can change one’s destiny. Proper communication skills are a vital part of this process, as they allow you to effectively share your thoughts and ideas with others. Imam Ali (AS) beautifully highlighted the importance of communication by saying:
"There are times when speaking is necessary and times when silence is safer."
Communication is both an art and a skill that can be developed endlessly. It plays a crucial role in personal development, enabling you to express yourself effectively and receive better responses.
Striving for justice, standing against oppression, and promoting truth through speech or action are all forms of jihad. Even recognizing good and evil in one’s heart is considered a form of jihad. However, proper and positive thinking often comes first, as thoughts shape words, and words reveal character.
During a speech, someone mentioned that the concept of a flea market was introduced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after the migration to Medina. At the time, most major businesses were controlled by Jewish traders. The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged Muslims to start small businesses by selling even modest amounts of goods. Gradually, their honesty and ethics attracted customers, and their businesses flourished.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provided timeless principles for small businesses:
Encouragement of trade:
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"The best income is what one earns through their own hands."
(Musnad Ahmad)
Establishment of fair markets:
In Medina, the Prophet (PBUH) established an open market where everyone could trade freely without barriers.
Avoiding price controls:
When asked to fix prices, he said:
"It is Allah who sets prices, provides sustenance, and determines abundance or scarcity."
(Sunan Abu Dawood)
Prohibition of hoarding:
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Whoever hoards is a sinner."
(Sahih Muslim)
Fair weights and measures:
The Qur'an commands:
"Give full measure and weight, and do not withhold from people what is rightfully theirs."
(Surah Hud: 85)
These principles remain relevant today, offering a roadmap for small-scale traders to establish honest, fair, and successful businesses.
Some members of our immigrant community divide their time between Canada and their home countries. For such individuals, it would be beneficial to develop systems that allow them to maximize their productivity while in Canada. By addressing these challenges collectively, we can create better opportunities for everyone to thrive.
THE STORY OF STONE SOUP
A kindly, old stranger was walking through the land when he came upon a village. As he entered, the villagers moved towards their homes locking doors and windows. The stranger smiled and asked, why are you all so frightened. I am a simple traveler, looking for a soft place to stay for the night and a warm place for a meal. "There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "We are weak and our children are starving. Better keep moving on." "Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his cloak, filled it with water, and began to build a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a silken bag and dropped it into the water. By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come out of their homes or watched from their windows. As the stranger sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their fear. "Ahh," the stranger said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat." Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a small cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Wonderful!!" cried the stranger. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king." The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . And so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for everyone in the village to share. The village elder offered the stranger a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell it and traveled on the next day. As he left, the stranger came upon a group of village children standing near the road. He gave the silken bag containing the stone to the youngest child, whispering to a group, "It was not the stone, but the villagers that had performed the magic."
By working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved.
When the Quran mentions "Sabbath," the mind is often trained to immediately associate it with the Jews—how they disobeyed divine commands, leading to a punishment so severe that their appearances were transformed to resemble monkeys. Whether it’s the verse about the Sabbath or other verses in the Quran, their translations and interpretations are often presented in a way that either portrays them as opposition to another sect or as mere stories from the past. The actual message in these verses—that humans must not violate the commands of Allah, lest their very nature be transformed—often gets overlooked.
Moreover, many narrations (Ahadith) are cited to support this interpretation, including the one where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed that his Ummah’s appearances not be altered. The apparent reason for the violation in the Sabbath story seems to be the preference for ease; it was easier to catch fish on the Sabbath, even though it was prohibited by divine command.
Reflect for a moment on the message here: it discourages the pursuit of convenience and urges adherence to effort and toil.
Isn’t this message relevant to all of humanity? That people must strive, sweat, and not only work hard themselves but also encourage others to embrace labor and effort. When interpreting Quranic verses, focusing on aspects that seem irrelevant to modern life while ignoring those that are deeply relevant—why does this happen, in your opinion?
History has shown us examples of individuals who followed this principle and were rewarded by nature with name and legacy.
There are also nations, such as the Japanese, who have trained their citizens to take 100% responsibility, leading to remarkable success. Japanese individuals first focus on improving themselves and then help others around them succeed.
On an individual level, efforts by people like Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum are inspiring. Despite being blind, he became the flag-bearer of an army and achieved the high honor of martyrdom. Some people have used their living rooms for homeschooling and other productive purposes, but such individuals are rare. The majority of living rooms resemble the royal court of the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar.
Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, a blind companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
When we reflect on the story of Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum, it becomes clear how deeply passionate he was about sacrificing his life for the cause of Islam. His blindness did not become an obstacle in his journey to achieve his goals. Another important point in this story is that when a society or a group decides to commit to a mission, even a person with a disability can perform tasks that may appear difficult or impossible for a fully capable individual. As Imam Ali (AS) famously said: "Keep yourself engaged in great and significant tasks; otherwise, you will find yourself entangled in trivial ones."
Over the past 24 years, we have worked in several fields, and the Creator and Sustainer has blessed us with success and expertise in many of them. Here are a few examples of the areas in which we have gained proficiency:
Custom Home Building
Secondary Suite Construction
Building Contractors
Building Material Supply
Handling Complex Deals in Real Estate and Construction Business
Establishing and Buying/Selling Businesses
Collaborating with Canadian and foreign investors
Working with lawyers, accountants, business consultants, advisors, and bankers
Mortgages (Residential, Business, Commercial)
Automobile Sales (Selling pre-owned cars)
Construction Machinery Sales
Auto Mechanic Workshop Management
Exporting Auto Parts
Encouraging Women to Participate in Business
Academic College ManagementBusiness (7 programs)
Information Technology (5 programs)
Healthcare (2 programs)
Engineering (2 programs)
Film Shooting in Canada and other countries, including India and Pakistan
Franchise Chain Management for Variety Stores
100 families get together
Doing business and helping someone else to do business is a great service.
For a long time, you've been inquiring about a program for small investments. I’d like to share the ideas we've developed so far:
Many of our friends drive trucks, but they don’t own truck. If we can help them purchase a truck, our investment will be registered against the truck, making it secure, and we will earn a reasonable profit. This would also increase the driver’s income.
In some other cases, some young people need help buying a car to drive for Uber.
Please let us know how much you can invest, for how long, and what profit you expect.
Secondly, by renting a property and listing it on Airbnb, a reasonable profit can also be achieved with a modest investment.
Thirdly, purchasing a new vehicle to rent out can also yield a good return on a small investment.
Sometimes it’s also possible that we’re not fully aware of our own potential. But when we become part of a business cooperative network and attend sessions where everyone is mentally focused on business, there is a higher chance that we’ll get a spark to assess our capabilities. This spark can lead us to successfully use our abilities to increase our income.
By working together, we can encourage our youth to establish businesses and become entrepreneurs.
How many members from your family would be able to participate in this program?
When some of our insightful and visionary individuals observed how new immigrants often get entangled with the courts and police and then spend years grinding through the traditional judicial system, they recognized a critical issue. Due to cultural differences and language barriers, these individuals are often unable to effectively communicate their problems, which only serves to further complicate the issues.
To address this, a highly successful initiative was undertaken with the aim of promoting mediation and reconciliation. The result was remarkable—99% of cases were resolved without the need to approach the courts or police. And in situations where seeking help from the system was unavoidable, the approach was clear, calculated, and well-informed. This effort saved people a significant amount of time, peace of mind, and money.
Allama Iqbal’s poignant words and verses are presented here as a reference. During a conversation with his father, Allama Iqbal remarked:
"The influence of foreign (Ajamic) ideas has become so dominant over the people of this nation that they consider poison to be the elixir of life."
Allama Iqbal’s remarks and poetry here address the entire nation, transcending divisions of sects or ethnicities.
At a time when effective communication is at its peak globally, the need for an educated council or body is felt even by the common person. This body would focus on undertaking tasks that are often overlooked, such as encouraging individuals at the community level who demonstrate extraordinary performance.
Here, I present an American research study as a reference. The title of the study was "What is the most precious land in the world?" Various regions were analyzed one by one: the wealthy downtowns of affluent cities, the underground oil reserves of the Middle East, and the precious stone areas of Africa. But the final conclusion was that the graveyard is the most precious land. This is because countless people have taken their brilliant ideas to their graves, unexpressed and unshared—either because they lacked the courage to express them or no one reached out to invite them, inspire them, or listen to their hearts.
Let us collectively pledge that we will not allow anyone to be buried this way again.
When it comes to religious rituals and cultural programs, how satisfied are we with their current form? Over the last hundred years, there has been no significant change in these rituals, even though the world’s needs and demands have transformed drastically. A small segment of society has tied its financial interests to these programs, while the majority is merely exploited. An international network of experts could evaluate these matters and present recommendations.
The Quran clearly commands that when you are blessed with a bounty, you must not become arrogant or boastful, and when a blessing is taken away, you should not be excessively sorrowful. These instructions apply not only at an individual level but also collectively. When these commands are openly violated on a societal scale, isn’t it the responsibility of the faithful to either join the effort to correct the course or work to prevent further harm?
It is also a common observation that when a young person seeks guidance from a scholar, they are often left unsatisfied with the response. Sometimes, scholars prioritize asserting their intellectual superiority over providing meaningful answers, intimidating the youth to the extent that they hesitate to ask questions again.
Often, these scholars simply tell young people, "Focus on your own work. Delving into such matters will not benefit you."
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