Handbook for the Creation of a
Fully and Truly Islamic World Through
" KHALIFAH CIRCLES "
CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE
We can help improve ourselves and others in this world by acting proactively as Khalifah of Allah.
SELF
We can improve ourselves by improving our knowledge, education, skills, and experience. We can also develop a proactive positive attitude to help make this world a much better place to live small step by small step through increasingly right Islamic living.
RELATIVES AND FRIENDS
We can begin by developing the Khalifah Circles Network with our relatives and friends to help achieve our goal of making our local community a better Islamic community.
COUNTRY AND WORLD
We can help to make a better world for all of us by striving to be the best Khalifah of Allah possible. This can be done through setting up enough Khalifah Circles to make this world a much better world. We can help reduce murder, rape, drug addiction, alcoholism, and other dire problems facing humanity today. By striving together we can develop a world of good human beings, eventually making this world a virtual paradise on earth.
HOW TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS AS KHALIFAH ON EARTH
We must take a successive series of small rewarding steps (called the shaping process) to actively improve our lives, our projects, our ideas, and our future.
These small steps must be done consistently, thoroughly, and effectively. Each Khalifah Circle must try to do their task through small rewarding steps and successfully complete the task within a set time frame.
Each Khalifah Circle will need to:
Develop discipline: To strive for success and be on time - being punctual even in executing small projects. Be confident: Since we are all Khalifah of Allah, be confident that whatever good deeds/projects we attempt will be blessed by Allah. With Allah's help all good things are possible! Be cooperative: We must help each other to improve ourselves as we work to make our projects successful. By achieving some positive result we will all get the satisfaction from the success of project. Be in control: We expect all members of Khalifah Circles to be able to develop a simple project control management system to track small projects. A simple format can be as follows.
What
(Project Name) |
Result |
When
(Time Frame) |
|
How
(To do it) |
|
Who
(Has to do it) |
|
Where
(To do it) |
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Be contributors: Each and every one of us can contribute in small ways or large ways. Each and every one of us should think positively about how to make the projects we do be successful. Be sure never to take on an attitude of weakness such as, "I don't know what to do.", or, "I have no power to do this." because this would cause us to think and act negatively, thereby increasing the chance of failure. Be true:
- Be tolerant of other people.
- Do not criticize. Listen to the views of others, and consider alternatives.
- Reduce laziness, sloppiness and unreliability, those are all un-Islamic characteristics.
- Do not take offense easily.
Continue striving all the time. Allah created us to forever strive in our practice of the Islam He gave us as our way of life, so we should:
- Not be passive, but be positively assertive.
- Not be helpless and depending on luck for success.
- Not give up easily if things don't immediately work out the way we hoped.
Be a Muslim who never stops striving, if we never stop striving we must eventually succeed, and by doing so we are participating in positive jihad to make this world a much better place to live.
Be respectful and loving: In Khalifah Circles, we must respect, love, and care about each other. We all are equal in the sight of Allah. We should work together in a kind and respectful manner.
KHALIFAH CIRCLES: BELIEF SYSTEM AND RITUALS
The Khalifah Circles approach is deeply rooted in the traditional beliefs and rituals of Islam. To ensure that this Khalifah approach never becomes a sect or a cult, we have to bear in mind the following.
Belief system: There is to be no additional belief system in the Khalifah Circles apart from the belief system revealed by Allah to his final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We lovingly follow the way or our beloved Prophet through the Qur'an and sunnah. Ritual: There are to be no additional rituals in the Khalifah Circles approach beyond those traditionally practiced in Islam. All the basic rituals of Islam, such as prayer 5 times each day, fasting, zakat and hajj will likely be increasingly practiced by all members of Khalifah Circles. Any additional ritual must follow strictly the practice (sunnah) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
ORGANIZATION: KHALIFAH CIRCLES
The Khalifah Circles are a means of individual positive transformation to be carried out by the Muslim peoples of the world. It has no centralized organization, and there is no formal hierarchy or structure.
We should work like a catalyst, which helps a reaction get started, but is not the basis of the reaction. Just as one final sugar crystal in a saturated sugar solution will immediately cause the whole sugar solution to become crystallized, the khalifah Circles can be spread to every corner the world by individuals acting as a catalyst that changes the ummah to become the very best of Muslims. Every Muslim then has the opportunity to become an exemplary human being in this world. This in turn can then help non-Muslims to appreciate the rightness and beauty of Islam and perhaps desire to become Muslims in the future, Insyallah.
The organizational system of the Khalifah Circles is made up of individual Muslims acting locally. Each member of a Khalifah Circle will then try to bring about positive changes in themselves first. Each member will then help other members to become good and true Muslims by participating in organizing programs and projects through the Khalifah Circles. Any person can be a member of a Khalifah Circle provided they agree with the goals and will contribute towards the development of a better Islamic world. There is no membership fee, no entry requirements, no certification, no compulsion, and no 'brainwashing'. All members participate voluntarily. By doing something to help make the world a better place you are doing positive jihad and acting rightly as Khalifah of Allah. Khalifah Circles are groups of Muslims committed to good and right action by trying to make every single moment of their lives positive, their neighborhood positive, their country positive and finally making the whole world positive.
DISCUSSION APPROACH TO DEVELOPING ACTION PROJECTS
- There must always be discussion (syura) concerning every Khalifah Circle program and project.
- The discussions must always be positive and constructive.
- There is no place for arguments and disputes over who is right and who is wrong.
- There should be a very clear focus on what is being discussed, and a positive and constructive plan to achieve any goal.
- Every member in Khalifah Circles should ask themselves:
- What can I contribute?
- How can the idea of contribution be turned into action?
THE POWER OF POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH THE KHALIFAH CIRCLES
Islam is the only means of positive transformation of the individual and of society revealed by Allah to humanity.
In the past, conflicts, wars, and revolutions used the power of the guns and bombs to achieve their goals. In this new millennium, the power of positive transformation should be the only power available to win over the hearts and minds of every human being on this planet.
This message of positive change toward a fully and truly Islamic world by Khalifah Circles can definitely be spread rapidly across our planet, Insyallah. To achieve this goal we must ensure that:
We use only positive and constructive methods to affect change. We try to become the best of people who in all ways can be a positive example to other people. We must help develop positive perceptions and mold positive values and attitudes among the world's Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We must do this gently, quietly, respectfully and lovingly so that Islam will be rightfully perceived as a peaceful and practical religion. We must use modern knowledge from all the sciences to make us the most knowledgeable and scientific ummah in the world. We must also master information and communication technology and use it to spread the message of Islam. We must cooperate and coordinate all our efforts to achieve the goal of a fully and truly Islamic world. If every Muslim and member of Khalifah Circles carefully and consistently directs their efforts toward right Islamic belief and practice, this coordinated effort will become very powerful, very quickly. We can become like a magnet (attracting others towards us because of our positive qualities, truthfulness, and meaningful lives).
PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS OF KHALIFAH CIRCLES
Remember, Khalifah Circles are a positive Jihad, implemented to make this world a better world for both Muslims and non-Muslims. As such, Khalifah Circles can take projects into any area that will benefit the spiritual, social, and economic well being of all members of the society. The following sectors can be considered for proactive projects.
Primary priority core programs and projects
- Development of each child's positive potential.
- Improvement in education and school systems.
- Implementation of khalifah parenting methodology.
- Youth transformation projects.
- Projects for women.
Secondary programs and projects
- Social, economic, and educational projects for all sectors of society i.e. adult learning, study groups, life long learning etc.
- Entrepreneurship and small business networking.
- Social improvement programs for reduction of crime, addiction, immorality, corruption and other destructive social issues.
- Environmental improvement programs.
- Other locally relevant projects.
COOPERATION, SYNERGY AND WORKING TOGETHER
In undertaking Khalifah Circles projects/programs, we should network with as many individuals and organizations as possible.
We should network with Muslim individuals and organizations to help one another to achieve the goal of reforming this world into a fully and truly Islamic world.
Even though we may sometimes have differences of opinion with other Muslims, these differences should not be allowed to hinder us from working together.
Khalifah Circles can also work with non-Muslim individuals, organizations, NGOs and societies as long as these organizations can accept and cooperate to achieve the Khalifah Circles' goals, mission and vision.
Our cooperation with non-Muslim organizations should be on mutual respect basis. We can work on common projects such as tackling universal issues of poverty, crime prevention, drugs, alcohol rehabilitation, moral development and other projects which can help bring about the development of a right civil and moral society for all.
HOW TO RUN KHALIFAH CIRCLES WORLDWIDE: KHALIFAH CIRCLES HEADQUARTERS
Since Khalifah Circles have no centralized organization, we only provide guidelines, training, resource materials and financial support (when possible) to all Khalifah Circles worldwide.
Our Khalifah Project Headquarters will act as a central registry and directory of Khalifah Circles worldwide. To start a Khalifah Circle all you need to do is to inform us of your existence and we will put you in our directory of Khalifah Circles.
Khalifah Circles are to help one another improve and expand all positive aspects of life by networking, new and exciting ideas on how to achieve this goal are most welcomed.
Khalifah Circles members who are particularly capable should become "Khalifah Circle Trainers" to help create more circles wherever possible.
SUPPORT FOR KHALIFAH CIRCLES HEADQUARTER
We will provide at cost, or free of charge, all materials, training resources, VCDs, books, posters, brochures and other materials. Khalifah Circles worldwide can reprint or reproduce these materials for sale to members.
Since it costs a substantial amount of money to run the Khalifah Circles headquarters we are requesting that 10% of the sale value of our books, VCDs, and other training materials be donated to the Khalifah Circles headquarters.
This way, we will have sufficient funds to continue operating and help create and develop new Khalifah Circles in poorer countries.
WHAT TO DO IN KHALIFAH CIRCLES MEETING
Ritual: Every meeting should follow the rituals of Islam. It is suggested that you start with recitation of Fatihah and doa to get the help and blessing of Allah. Time: Khalifah Circles meetings should be short and meaningful. There must be a specific goal and direction which will be decided by members through brain storming and consensus. Lists of project and programs can be added as and where required. The following format and agenda is suggested:
- Recitation of Fatihah - 3 minutes
- Building relationship (taaruf) - 5 minutes
- Discussion/brainstorming and project identification - 15 minutes
- Progress report of existing programs - 15 minutes
- Overcoming problems and challenges and setting targets for next task/project - 20 minutes
- Closing with Surah Al-As and short doa - 2 minutes
(Total 60 minutes of meeting)
Reporting of progress and achievement: There is no need to report your progress and achievement to anybody except to Allah. However if you wish your project to be adopted by other Khalifah Circles you can post it in our website and promote it to other circles worldwide.
SELF DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR MEMBERS OF KHALIFAH CIRCLES
As Muslims, we should strive to be the most knowledgeable ummah on earth. We should strive to master not only the knowledge of Islam i.e. Qur'an and the Sunnah, but also to master all areas of science and technology.
We strongly encourage all members of Khalifah Circles to make knowledge the central focus of their life. Members should put aside some time every day for self improvement through life long learning opportunities.
Khalifah Circles headquarters will provide learning materials not only on Islam, but also on science, technology, skills development and other training materials to help develop the ummah.
ENSURING SUCCESS OF KHALIFAH CIRCLES PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS
All members of khalifah Circles should strive with dedication to ensure their projects are successful. Apart from hard work, dedication and working together all Khalifah Circles members should be trained in basic project management, control, and implementation skills. We should use basic management tools which have been used successfully in transforming multi-national companies to achieve world class standards.
Khalifah Circles headquarters can provide many types of management training on a seminar basis, on-line or on VCD. Skill areas that should be developed by all Khalifah Circles' members are:
- Basic project management skills.
- Brain storming and creative problem solving skills.
- Group dynamics and team building.
- Other management skills that can ensure successful project implementation and control.
These tools will enable Khalifah Circles to achieve great success in their programs and projects to help bring about a fully and truly Islamic world.
CONCLUSION
This is the first version of our handbook to promote Khalifah Circles worldwide. Please remember to consider all proposals made in this handbook on how to run Khalifah Circles as only suggestions. You may well come up with better ideas and ways to run your Khalifah Circles than we have suggested. We welcome your ideas on how to improve this booklet or to help make this project even more successful.
The Khalifah method, which is based on traditional Islamic belief and practice understood objectively and scientifically, is an idea so powerful that if practiced to its maximum has the potential to solve most of the world's problems in a generation or so, and ultimately bring about a virtual paradise on Earth.
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