Introduction
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. All praise is due to Allah. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. May Allah’s peace be upon all those who follow the Prophet’s path and invite to his message.
This book is the first in a series addressing the spiritual challenges facing Islamic workers. Roadblocks is unique in that it is not a general guide on Islamic spirituality and self-improvement—it is written for individuals who are already committed to working for the sake of God.
Whether you call yourself an activist, an Islamic worker, a community volunteer, or a caller to Allah, you understand that Islam is more than just an individual’s faith—it is a life mission to call to the way of Allah and to work for the betterment of humanity. An Islamic worker adopts the call to Islam as their life’s work, taking the practice of religion beyond the individual dimension, sharing it with families and communities, dedicating their time, money, and personal comfort for the sake of Allah, and joining hands with a mission-driven community to promote good and tide evil.
Travelers upon a road must prepare for their journey, equipping themselves and learning about the roadblocks they will encounter along the way. Working for Islam is the most blessed occupation we can take up in this life, but it is also a difficult road with forces scheming to drive us off course. Many roadblocks lie in wait, some the result of devilish schemes and others contrived by our own misdeeds. These roadblocks force weak and ill-prepared travelers to the wayside, sometimes causing them to abandon Islamic work entirely.
Roadblocks is an in-depth exploration of the spiritual diseases most commonly afflicting Islamic workers in their journey, road blocks from without and within. Each chapter dissects the causes and symptoms of a specific spiritual disease, the effects on both the individual and the trajectory of Islamic work, and finally, equips the reader with a series of solutions and preventative measures.
Use this book to diagnose, understand, prevent, and treat. Use this book to help you remain steadfast on this path you chose, journeying behind the most blessed of footsteps, in the wisest of company, toward the greatest destination.
May Allah help you trek this path for the duration of your life, granting you guidance and the provisions of success: God-consciousness, patience, good company and foresight.
MAS Publishing
August 2021