SELF-LEADERSHIP

• As a fourth strategy and instead of saying walk the talk I would say, it is safer to say Talk the walk. Do the right thing and be a role model then talk about it to motivate people around you as examples to follow.

According to main religious teaching of the major world religions, the same basic universal principles as: “you can’t have trust without being trustworthy”, “actions are more important than words”, and “righteousness is about having good character” (Prophet pbuh), “How despicable it is in the sight of Allah that you say what you do not do”, (Qur’an 61:3).

“Allah does not change the condition of people unless they change what is in themselves” (Qur’an 13:11).

With its emphasis on changing character first, these verses of the Qur’an provide a powerful tool for a positive paradigm shift. It is a new level of thinking, it’s a principle-based approach that stems from an “inside-out” approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness. It means to start first with self: if you want to be trusted, be trustworthy. The is inside-out approach according to Covey is “the lasting solutions to problems and lasting happiness and success.” On the contrary, the outside-in paradigm is unhappy people who always feel victimised and focus on the weaknesses of other people and the circumstances they feel are responsible for their sluggish situation.

• The fifth strategy is holding the bar and establishing your standard of performance. It is about holding yourself accountable to the set standards.

Most of us have long-term goals and visions that we want to work toward but struggle in the daily habits that can get us there. The second step to do after implementing the above strategies is to find an accountability buddy – a good friend or colleague – who cares about you. You can share your goals with this buddy and call on them when you are struggling. The bottom line is, no matter how many goals you have set for yourself, you have to do the work. You have to hold yourself accountable for the choices you make and the consequences they bring.

Accordingly, the above compass that I am talking about is the one through which we are able to distinguish between right and wrong and is the one that is based on universal principles such as integrity, honesty, fairness, dignity, kindness, quality of service, and patience.

As the fasting month returns each year, we must deepen our understanding of what these important characteristics of the Prophet (pbuh) teach us to be. It is about serving people and showing honesty and integrity to others.

Also, the month of Ramadan requires us to come closer to ourselves and to recognise our limits: we must, throughout this journey contemplate, reflect on the meaning of fasting and purify our hearts. Seen in this light, the fast calls into rethinking the quality of our relationships with our fellow human beings and serving all those imprisoned by poverty, injustice, or ignorance.

In calling upon us to master our desires and to think about others, the fast calls into questions that we should answer: Can we focus on our strengths and serve others? Can we show respect with honesty and truthfulness sentiment to others? How are we to find our way to a deeper humanitarian journey, and to move beyond selfishness? What does it mean to serve others with love?

Truly to fast is to worship; to worship is to love.

Ramadan Moubarak

MESSAGE FROM HON MARK McGOWAN MLA

PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

I extend my best wishes for the fasting month of Ramadan to readers of Al Wasat Magazine and all members of the Australian Muslim communities. Australia is fortunate to be home to Muslims who have come here from all parts of the world, as well as many others who were born here. Every one of them has brought their skills, energy and strength for the benefit of this nation.

The Western Australian Government recognises Western Australia’s cultural, linguistic, and religious diversity as one of our greatest strengths and appreciates the extensive contributions made by our Muslim communities to the advancement of our State.

I wish you, your families and communities a peaceful and serene month of Ramadan.

Ramadan Kareem!

Mark McGowan MLA PREMIER

Taraweeh

This nightly congregational salah (prayer) is performed after the ‘Isha salah. Traditionally, a Hafiz of the Qur’an, a person who has memorized the whole Qur’an (in Arabic), leads the prayer. He recites the Qur’an in small portions, in proper sequence, every night and completes the recitation of the whole Qur’an before the end of the month of Ramadan. Every Muslim who attends such prayers regularly gets the opportunity of listening to the whole Qur’an in a month. If a Hafiz of the en.islamway.net

Qur’an is not available, the Muslim who has memorized the most in a group leads the prayer and recites according to his ability. In the absence of a Hafiz some Muslims hold the Qur’an in the hand during their salah and read from it. Many Islamic scholars cite the sunnah (way) of the Prophet(S) that he always prayed during the night alone in his apartment whether it was Ramadan or not and same was the habit of many of his great companions.