Thoughts 2023

[Haji 2003]

I think the key takeaway from the definition of passive income that chatgpt provides is that to derive a passive income you need:

1. an asset
2. some means of monetising it.

So to take the example of property, you need to own one (not cheap) and then you need some means of letting it out (the monetising bit). Having been in this business for decades - can say that while passive income is defined as 'minimal effort', the more you do managing the property, the better the return.

So for example, if you can find your own tenants the return increases vastly. 

The stuff about stock photography - the photos are the asset and online sites where you can sell them is the monetisation bit.

In reality, for most people, you are the asset and the only way to monetise yourself is to sell your time e.g. on tuition sites and/or activities where you are paid by the task or hour. But that's no longer passive income.

[Haji 2003]

2 minutes ago, rkazmi33 said:

data entry or filling out surveys

My post above overlapped with this. NOte that surveys etc. is not passive income, because you are getting paid by the survey. For that type of income you'd need to check out Amazon Turk or the UK equivalent Prolific.

[hamz786]

I hardly use my Twitter account, but I've recently been following more Islamic personalities nowadays. So the feed sends me a lot of stuff from Muslims etc. SubhanAllah sometimes there will be academics who share their research and ideas etc., and then there's the rest of my feed which is filled with non-stop Shia Sunni stuff.

Some of the stuff you read is just so disheartening and rage inducing. For example, why do people use bad language in the same sentence where they refer to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى), Rasullulah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) or the Ahlul Bayt(عليه السلام)!??

Don't they think about what they're typing!? Then there's the name calling and CONSTANT sarcasm and smugness from Muslims towards each other. It's like every side is just trying to embarass themselves even further.

Like I said I hardly use Twitter but what I've read through has scarred me, as bad as the Youtube comments section, on any Islamic video, scarred me when I was younger.

[Ashvazdanghe]

On 4/6/2023 at 11:25 AM, Quran313 said:

every year in Ramazan they bring people with that experience and talk about what they saw. T

Salam another personal channel which uploads "Life after life" series from kawthar tv.

https://youtu.be/_R19cbZQ7io

[Ashvazdanghe]

New series of "life after life" for this month of Ramadhan1402

https://youtu.be/JSXzkTaU5VU

[Quran313]

Fre days left from Ramazan. There's a simple easy dua, دعا مجیر, recommended to read in Ramazan. It takes 5 to 10 mins.

https://erfan.ir/mafatih46amp/دعای-مجیر-کلیات-مفاتیح-الجنان-با-ترجمه-استاد-حسین-انصاریان

[AbdusSibtayn]

So Sayyid Mahdi Modarresi was in my country for Ramadan and I didn't even know.  *facepalm* ‍

[Quran313]

Ramazan ending soon. I don't even know what God planned for me for the next year. How do you feel these last moments?

[Quran313]

Recently I listened the story of Moses and his people passing the sea. There are some details that we haven't heard of and they make this story more interesting.

First of all, بنی اسرائیل were thousands of people and they took all their belongings and left the city. They were not allowed to do so by Faroh order. Faroh used to prison and torture them, make them work hard. بنی اسرائیل took everything they had and left the city at night with prophet Moses leading them. Of course, there are old people among them, women and children and it takes time to go from one place to another. Around morning Faroh realized بنی اسرائیل left the city. He became outraged and searched for them. Of course he had army equipment, best and fastest of horses, etc. His army found them near the sea. بنی اسرائیل saw Faroh army and Quran says that بنی اسرائیل said:" انا لمدرکون". Faroh army will get us definitely. The fact is that PROPHET MOSES DID NOT KNOW THAT ALLAH WANTS TO PART THE SEA FOR THEM TO PASS. Allah didn't order him to build a ship just like prophet Noah, but prophet Moses didn't question Allah. There was turmoil among بنی اسرائیل after seeing Faroh army. Faroh army getting closer they will get us. If Faroh army get them, بنی اسرائیل blame prophet Moses and Faroh will torture them in the worst possible way. Moses said why don't you people trust Allah? Allah is with me and he will guide me(ان معی ربی سیهدین). (Prophet Moses took thousands of people with all their belongings to a sea with no ship and Faroh army is seen behind them. He didn't know Allah plan). At this time Allah told Moses to tap the water with your staff. What a great example of توکل prophet Moses had. The story doesn't end here. Prophet Moses and his people pass through the sea, but Allah told Moses to keep it open. Prophet Moses didn't question Allah by saying oh Allah they will get us. They are close with best horses, sword, and equipment. Prophet Moses did what Allah said and kept it open. The moment Allah told prophet Moses to close the sea, the last soldier of Faroh army entered from the other side of the sea. Allah wanted all of them to be drowned at once. 

What a difficult test for prophet Moses and great example of trust and توکل in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى).

Edited April 23 by Quran313

[ShiaChat Mod]

On 4/8/2023 at 1:03 AM, PureExistence1 said:

And i wish someone would put english subs for the Life After Life series...it would be so worth it!

That would be excellent. Life After Life is such a beautiful show but my Farsi is not that great.  

[ShiaChat Mod]

On 4/8/2023 at 1:03 AM, PureExistence1 said:

And i wish someone would put english subs for the Life After Life series...it would be so worth it!

That would be excellent. Life After Life is such a beautiful show but my Farsi is not that great.  

[PureExistence1]

1 hour ago, ShiaChat Mod said:

That would be excellent. Life After Life is such a beautiful show but my Farsi is not that great.  

Mine either despite being married to an iranian, going to iran 3x and becoming familiar with the language for 18 years. I have no excuses, lol... I probably know like 250 to 300 words but I have no idea how to communicate in sentences!

Its sad and embarrasing

But mostly its disappointing, especially when I go into bookstores in iran and I see some of the amazing books i have but I can understand any of it because it's all written on Farsi:(

[Haji 2003]

The meaning of community spirit

[Haji 2003]

U.S. causes of death vs. media coverage

Noteworthy that the leading causes of death (heart disease & cancer) are due to the lifestyles of Americans themselves (though encouraged by media and culture).

Profiting from this are products made by American corporations.

Terrorism hardly kills anyone, but is easily blamed on someone else.

[notme]

16 hours ago, Haji 2003 said:

Noteworthy that the leading causes of death

Ok but what is Lower Respiratory Disease? My first thought was pneumonia, but that's on the list too.  

Also, lifestyle is not necessarily a choice.  About 6% of the US population lives in a food desert, and about 10-15% of households (varies by state and locality) are food insecure. If the only thing available or the only thing you can afford is highly processed garbage, it's going to impact your health.  Fresh food is expensive.  

Edited May 2 by notme

[Hameedeh]

1 hour ago, notme said:

Fresh food is expensive.  

True, but nutritionists say frozen vegetables are just as healthy as fresh. Perhaps they say that because they know that everyone cannot afford fresh.

[AbdusSibtayn]

A Salafi bookseller I once bought stuff from has been trying to proselytize me. He regularly keeps sending me Salafi content over WhatsApp. 

I sometimes wonder who's gonna tell him.... 

[Hameedeh]

I used to think: Isn't it funny that British news outlets break news from the US that we haven't even heard about yet.

Now I think: US news outlets are hanging back because they don't want to be breaking news that makes the US look bad. 

[Haji 2003]

All previous world civilisations had a pre-occupation with the afterlife.

We are fascinated by pronouns.

Edited August 10 by ShiaChat Mod
title change

[matrix]

Share something short and meaningful with me. An idea, or a sudden shower thought, a quote, a fact about life (or about yourself), or anything else that has been on your mind lately. 

[Guest Psychological Warfare]

وَالْعَصْرِ {1}

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ {2}

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ {3}

[Hameedeh]

14 hours ago, matrix said:

Share something short and meaningful with me. An idea, or a sudden shower thought, a quote, a fact about life (or about yourself), or anything else that has been on your mind lately. 

I know that everyone has problems, but I love this life! ALHAMDULILLAH! 

[matrix]

32 minutes ago, Hameedeh said:

I know that everyone has problems, but I love this life! ALHAMDULILLAH! 

"That's one of the remarkable things about life. It's never so bad that it can't get worse." - Bill Watterson

[ShiaChat Mod]

15 hours ago, matrix said:

Share something short and meaningful with me. An idea, or a sudden shower thought, a quote, a fact about life (or about yourself), or anything else that has been on your mind lately. 

 

15 hours ago, Guest Psychological Warfare said:

وَالْعَصْرِ {1}

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ {2}

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ {3}

This one replied to you. 

[Irfani313]

15 hours ago, Guest Psychological Warfare said:

وَالْعَصْرِ {1}

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ {2}

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ {3}

 

My +ve bit is, all of you are absolute صابرین and صالحین in this magnificent Sura Al-Asr when you:

1. Turn the phone screen off before the mind takes you to see something gross

2. Won’t don hijab the way some odd influencer does

3. Say no to impulse buying

4. Last minute delete that Instagram post before sending

5. Don’t show up for that late night chat

6. Alone in shower and come out only with shower

7. Alone but get out because that may cause something Haram

8. Stop at a sentence before it might breed a seed of temptation in someone’s heart

9. Remove themselves from the gossip group

 

SO PAT YOURSELF ON YOUR BACK, Say Alhamdolillah and move on to the next fight. 

[matrix]

3 hours ago, ShiaChat Mod said:

This one replied to you. 

Yes, I meant to send them a 'thank you' reaction, but it doesn't allow me to do it for a guest account.

18 hours ago, Guest Psychological Warfare said:

وَالْعَصْرِ {1}

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ {2}

إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ {3}

It is a beautiful chapter.

[Ethics]

why are there so many old users hiding behind guest accounts or making new accounts lately (unless they genuinely lost their old account). Sad they have become like this. I enjoyed early shiachat 2000's when people were not scared to say their beliefs openly under an actual account..

Edited May 12 by Ethics

[Haji 2003]

[Ethics]

subhanallah i was watching an islamic lecture and this verse came up. It reminded me a few months ago some people on here were trying to argue how the prophets and imams have condemned this world and the things in it. I was trying to tell them there is a difference between using them as a means to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and them being your entire purpose in life.. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) has clearly created these things as a mercy.

Wealth and children are an ornament of the life of the world. But the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better in respect of hope. 18:46

 

I just love the holy quran. Literally, what proof  is not in it. There is proof for every single thing. It has never let me down whether I was debating with wahabis, shia salafis, christians, atheists you name it

Edited May 14 by Ethics

[Ethics]

subhanallah it makes me smile everytime I read comments like BE CAREFUL HE IS A SHIA, on Hassanain Rajabali lecture videos. Be careful because  ? it is the truth and you cannot go against the innate desire towards the truth that is inside you..

[rkazmi33]

On 5/14/2023 at 9:41 PM, Ethics said:

subhanallah it makes me smile everytime I read comments like BE CAREFUL HE IS A SHIA, on Hassanain Rajabali lecture videos. Be careful because  ? it is the truth and you cannot go against the innate desire towards the truth that is inside you..

Before 2015, I used to watch lots of Hasnain Rajabali's lectures and I really liked them. I feel in recent years, his content has changed very much. He has also opened a school and he needs funding for that. I feel many scholars are honest and very pious when they are young. Around the age of 50, they start changing. Their content is aimed at pleasing the donors and powerful people of community. I don't even listen to Hasnain Rajabali's old lectures now. If he himself doesn't believe the messages he used to give, then what's the point? 

Separate issue: My parents have always told me I am not allowed to work in night shift. Now I live separate, I was thinking I should consider working in overnight shift. There are many companies which offer 12 hour shifts. I don't think it's unsafe. In a bad company, even a morning shift will be unsafe and in good company, any shift is fine. Should I consider working in overnight shift? 

Edited May 27 by rkazmi33

[Ashvazdanghe]

2 hours ago, rkazmi33 said:

. I don't think it's unsafe. In a bad company, even a morning shift will be unsafe and in good company, any shift is fine. Should I consider working in overnight shift? 

Salam generally nights consider as time for elevating your spiritual life which if you are not in dire economic situation so then it's better that you spend your night time for increasing your knowledge & dedicating to prayers than working for having income.

[Ethics]

9 hours ago, rkazmi33 said:

Before 2015, I used to watch lots of Hasnain Rajabali's lectures and I really liked them. I feel in recent years, his content has changed very much.

I have been watching his recent years lectures. I do not see any change at all. Is it bad? Can you link me one of those lectures?

 

9 hours ago, rkazmi33 said:

He has also opened a school and he needs funding for that.

Yes alhamduillah he has been doing soooooooo much for the muslim youth in the west. Our young generations will get lost and led astray if they do not have outlets and places that can teach, train, and enjoy. Everything in this world needs to be done with people to support you, no one can do it alone and that includes finding INSANE school/camp projects.. The first muslim camp in the western world. Why had no muslim ever thought of such infrastructures for our youth? If they do not have such places to go they will end up in clubs and other haram institutions with indecent friends and influences.

 

9 hours ago, rkazmi33 said:

I feel many scholars are honest and very pious when they are young. Around the age of 50, they start changing. Their content is aimed at pleasing the donors and powerful people of community. I don't even listen to Hasnain Rajabali's old lectures now. If he himself doesn't believe the messages he used to give, then what's the point? 

I am sorry but that is quite irrational. Knowledge is knowledge and truth is truth, regardless of personality or how the personality changes. Accept the good, forbid the bad. Simple as that. But I disagree with your statement.

[rkazmi33]

1 hour ago, Ethics said:

I have been watching his recent years lectures. I do not see any change at all. Is it bad? Can you link me one of those lectures

 

I am sorry but that is quite irrational. Knowledge is knowledge and truth is truth, regardless of personality or how the personality changes. Accept the good, forbid the bad. Simple as that. But I disagree with your statement.

It was during Trump era. I don't have a specific lecture, in general scholars started sounding like motivational speakers like Jordon Peterson or there's a sunni scholar Tariq Masood. I don't understand the appeal of these people. They don't motivate me at all. But Trump did influence the messages given from the mimbar. Even scholars at my local centers changed so much. 

For your second point, I feel that western scholars present a very westernized version of Islam to lure young people. They have often hinted that real Islam is very different and hard to digest by western people. That's why I stopped listening to all these scholars. 

[Ethics]

37 minutes ago, rkazmi33 said:

I don't have a specific lecture, in general scholars started sounding like motivational speakers lI don't understand the appeal of these people. They don't motivate me at all.

With due respect there is a difference between you falsely attacking someones character and accusing them of unislamic things and you not being interested. I would be careful of such things unless there is evidence. Also motivation in lectures in speeches, have you read any of our prophet or imams speechs? It is full of power motivational intellectual wisdom. It is not haram. It is intertwined with the love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and His Messenger and the Ahlulbayt what better combo is there? That cannot be compared to the likes of pterson or tariq or anyone else.

 

39 minutes ago, rkazmi33 said:

westernized version of Islam

What did Brother Hassanain Rajabali say or promote that is "western" version of Islam? Islam is for the world, not for one specific country, race, or culture. It is universal.

Wa Salaam