Quixlam

In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said:

If you guarantee me six things on your part I shall guarantee you Paradise. Speak the truth when you talk, keep a promise when you make it, when you are trusted with something fulfill your trust, avoid sexual immorality, lower your guise, and restrain your hands from injustice." [Ubadah Ibn al Samit, Ahmad, Bayhaqi]

As you might've guess, I am Muslim. I was in an organization in Quixtar where few people above me were also Muslim. I always find it extremely wrong when religion, any religion is used as a way to make money. And not just that, as a way to fool other people. Well, it’s our, human beings’ history that people are always manipulated by their religious beliefs, I’ll stick to the topic of my blog i.e. Quixtar.

Inspired by quixtarBlog’s Quixtianity.

Here are following things done on the name of religion:

Understanding Islam:

My sponsor and upline are Muslim. They promoted a tape of another crossline Muslim Understanding Islam. The content of the tape is superb. No question. It was a very good deed. May Allah S.W.T bless you (for the content).

BUT, was that tape distributed free among all Muslim IBOs, or even given at the production cost? Who am I kidding here! Its cost was same as every other tape, i.e. $10 CAD. My upline pushed 4, 5 copies on me, while I was heavily under debt, at the verge of bankruptcy. And kept mentioning that I should’ve bought more. I don’t know how much he pushed it on his other legs. He knew my financial situation very well. Yet he pushed me a tape which had no business use for me. Neither was I at risk of quitting Islam. I wonder if he has ever listened to the tape as apparently he need to “Understand Islam”. What do you think?

By the way, equal and even better Islamic teachings are available FREE on the internet. Search Google and you got it. If you are going to mosque regularly, which we all should, you must be getting them FREE any way.

Q-Business gives you a chance to meet non Muslims and thus preach Islam

Oh really! How many IBOs have converted non-Muslims into Muslims? Was Islam not spreading before Quixtar? History tells us it was, since 1400 years. Yes, Muslim met many people because of business, (not just this business) but it was not the “Business” that converted people to Islam. It was the “character”, some thing king pins don’t have.

Tell me, how many non-Muslims are converted by IBOs? I’ll be amazed to see a double digit number.

Tell me, do you ever talk about Islam to your business associates / prospects? I never did. I was never told by my upline to do that. I and my associates didn’t have the time and interest for non business activities.

Tell me, non-IBOs don’t meet non-Muslims? News for you buddy, we all live in North America. We interact with non-Muslims on a daily basis. At work, at gym, at play grounds, in school, in malls, every where. I had been in the houses of my friends and colleagues. Some times I went there for fun. Some time I was asked to help in house moving or computer etc. It’s not a big deal to meet non-Muslims in North America. Like it or hate it, they are every where here, in majority. And quite accessible as well.

Religious scholars need donation from people like us
(A Muslim IBO said this to me)

Now that’s insulting to all preachers, of every religion. Read history, moron, before opening your mouth about any religion. When Islam started, those people sacrificed every thing to spread Islam. EVERY thing, their lives, money, relationships and property. So does the religious preachers of other religions did. If they hadn’t done it, religions will be out of our lives. Did any body specially rich and powerful people help them? It was other way around wasn’t it? Yet people were attracted to them by their message. Hey it was not BWW conference that one would need money to attend. And there were no IBOs back then.

Sure, it’s good to help preachers. But don’t EVER be mistaken that without your money they can’t do anything.

And an important question: How many IBOs are able to Donate from their Quixtar income? Don’t get me wrong here; many Muslim IBOs may be donating. If they are, may Allah bless them. If they are not, may Allah still bless them. My point is, are they donating from Quixtar money or some other source of income? As majority failed to make any profit after expenses. You can’t donate from $750 Loss / month can you?

How much donation Muslim IBOs have given to Preachers from their Quixtar income?

Ramadan

Every one living in present connected world knows about Ramadan. In Ramadan, we Muslims fast and open it at sunset. I asked my upline how I can build this business in Ramadan since after opening fast, one has to go to mosque for a long prayer called Taraweeh, and it’s impossible to build this business then.

Guess what the "Understanding Islam" person e-mailed me,

Eagle Imran

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As for Taraweeh prayer, well you can't do anything. We build the business in this order:

1. God
2. Family
3. Business.

God does not mean that you just spend all the time in the mosque. There is nothing wrong in that, if somebody chooses to. It’s just that, then, one can't build the business. Islam requires us to have a balance between Deen (Religion) and Duniya (World). Some ppl go to Taraweeh because its imp in their lives to the extent that even if they had a job at the time, they would not go to work. On the other hand, you find ppl who use it as an excuse to miss the meeting and suddenly every Tues, they have to go to Taraweeh.... Best is, ask.... do you attend Taraweeh every day... And if the answer is yes, then so be it. But for you and me, we can always and should always say Taraweeh at least at home in the eve. I am sure Allah will reward us for the sacrifices that we make to build our business which is also Ibaadat (Meditation). Through this business, we help people lead better lives, earn better livelihood, better up bringing of their kids, better husband wife relationship, no TV and of course better relationship with our Creator. Amen.

But, every Muslim knows very well, day is not tough in Ramadan. It’s the evening that is important to offer Taraweeh prayer. IBO work hours! And business taking priority over Religion?

Holy Quran says:

"If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that you have gained; the commerce in which you fear a decline; or the dwellings in which you delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause -then wait until Allah brings about His Decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious." [Al Qur'an 9:24]