Why/How to create your own economic stimulus program

by 

Brother Mustafaa Muhammad

In the Name of ALLAH, The Beneficent, The Merciful

Today the top topic heard nationwide is the economy and struggles of everyday people to survive this current economic downturn. Even major companies like GM and others struggle in this turmoil. From reading history we learn of the cyclical nature of economies. So, while this economy is down today it could very much bounce back over time with the right leadership. 

However, regardless to what is done or not done in Washington, I want to talk today about the responsibility to create our own economic self improvement program. I want to ask you one question. What is the state of your personal economy? Are you over burdened with debt, living pay check to pay check, fearing unexpected financial setbacks? Thinking about the retirement years? 

Even if the economy rebounds in the near future, I think we must continue to be vigilant about creating our own economic stimulus program. We must not get lazy and continue the same habits which in part contributes to our financial insecurity. 

We need a program that will stimulate and improve our personal financial reality. I suggest we look at our current condition and then create a personal three year economic self improvement program that will touch all areas of our financial life.

The following tips will get you started on your personal economic recovery program.

---Steps to create your plan---

1) Savings-Before we receive our weekly, bi-weekly or monthly salary you notice the government has already deducted money from your paycheck among three areas: federal, medicare and social security. What does this have to do with the idea of saving? As it predetermined by the government that a certain amount of money will be set aside from the gross of your salary, it would be wise for us to set aside a certain amount of money for our savings. The money coming out regularly may seem to be a small amount, however over time you can grow a decent amount of money. Whether you choose to save $10, $50, $100 or whatever amount, the key is to be consistent and do not bother your savings. This would be a smart thing to do with the extra stimulus money from your paycheck.

2) Repairing credit/Debt reduction-Now that we have started saving money for our future it is rime to say goodbye to debt and repair our credit. The Bible teaches the following concerning debt, "The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender."Proverbs 22:7 There are two types of debt positive and negative. Positive debt refers to those expenses which are unavoidable and positively affect your credit ranking like a car note or mortgage. On the other hand, negative debt refers to those expenses that drag our credit rating down. The first thing I advise is to go online to www.annualcreditreport.com and request your credit report from the three credit bureaus. It is your right to receive a free credit report from Experian, Equifax and Transunion each year. Once you know the damage you can come up with a game plan for repair. You do not have to pay any company to repair your credit. Spend one evening at the library or Branes and Nobles reading books on credit repair to learn what you need. You can then negotiate with your collectors from a strong position.

3) Live within your means-I like to say that you can live frugal but rich. Only you and I as individuals know the amount of money that could be saved if we were to live a more financially responsible lifestyle. I am not saying that you have to give up cable, a nice dinner out, turn off the air in the summer or wear old tattered clothes to save money. However, do we have to eat out so often or can we cook our own meals? Do we have to have every new piece of clothes or pair of shoes that come out? Or what about bad habits which not only destroy or health, but drains us financially. There are ways to live within a budget, yet still dress nice, eat well and enjoy this thing called life. The money you do not spend can go towards investments, debt reduction or savings.

4) safe investments-I do not pretend to have knowledge of Wall Street or be a big time investor in advising you regarding this step. Considering the economic downturn I do not know if it is wise or unwise to deal with traditional investments. However, this shouldn't stop you from participating in what I call safe investments. Research at your local bank or online for the current rates for Cd's(certificate of deposit) or MMA(Money Market Accounts). You can set aside a portion of the money you are no longer wasting and are now saving to invest in one of the aforementioned options and start your money working for you.

5) Start a small business/exploit your talents-The famous motivational speaker Les Brown in his book 'Live your dreams' says, "What do you enjoy doing? How can you do what you enjoy and make a living at it?" This by no means is an endorsement for you to quit your job and start chasing get rich quick schemes. However, I believe each human being is capable of doing or learning to do something well that would benefit another person. It is easier to start a business doing something you enjoy and love doing than just focusing on money as the sole objective. Get yourself a piece of paper and write down the things you know how to do really well. Next, research if there is a market locally or on the internet to exploit your talent. Considering the current economic climate and that it is said that blacks are first fired and last hired this might not be a unrealistic option.

I do not wish by me writing this article for it to seem that I am a master of finances or am living rich financial life. I live under the same economic reality as most everyday Americans and what I have shared are the things that I attempting to use to make my life a little richer and hopefully yours.

Thank you for reading these few words.

Copyright2009 Mustafaa Muhammad

Http://brothermustafaa.com

What is a friend?

(Editors note: What follows is my answer to a question regarding Muslims in the Nation of Islam having friends who are not Muslims.)

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In the Name of ALLAH, The Beneficent, The Merciful As-Salaam Alaikum! I do not intend to contradict anyone regarding this subject. I will give my perspective regarding this subject. 

First, I make a distinction between who is a friend and who is an associate. I associate with many people black brothers and sisters, Whites, Asians, so-called lost founds, so-called Hispanics, childhood friends and we get along very well at the level of interaction I allow. I believe in the golden rule treat others the way I want to be treated. However, a friend is more sacred and more of an intimate relationship that is built on trust, shared experiences and commonalities. 

I developed this kind of thinking from my life experience before Islam and more so after becoming a student Muslim.

Minister Farrakhan in Closing the Gap Pg. 429 says, "We have to be careful how we use the term as "my friend." If we indetify the coming of the Mahdi as the supreme act of friendship and his raising of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and giving his the example of a friend and Elijah Muhammad sets that example for 44 years among us, and we would do well to limit the use of such a word. You cn't even say that among Muslims that we are friends, because there are too many hypocrites among the believing community. So take ALLAH. ALLAH only and his Messenger. Well, we know these two. They have given us the supreme act of friendship. We know the Qur'an is right, "Only ALLAH and his Messenger is your friend and those who believe." But the question is who are they?"

Earlier on page 322 he says:

"So the believer should not have a disbeliever for a regular company. Because the disbeliever will not conversate on the same level as a believer unless the believer is introducing the disbeliever to the word and they begin to question, debate and talk about that word, then there is lifting. But when the Believer is found having fellowship with the dead and finding comfort in such fellowship, that believer has fallen to the lowest level, because the dead can only bury their dead and bury the living who wants to die "

I work from the above understanding. All my "friends" are believers, but I am friendly and associate with many from all walks of life.

I leave you as I came praying for your peace and success.

Brother Mustafaa Muhammad

Being a vegetarian

In the Name of ALLAH, The Beneficent, The Merciful

By

Brother Mustafaa Muhammad

I wish in the course of this writing to explain my reasons for becoming a vegetarian and the benefits of this lifestyle to myself personally and others who may adopt this lifestyle. Many when the hear of my vegetarian lifestyle think that I am deficient in some ways or missing out on the good things(i.e. meats, steaks etc...). However, I have been a vegetarian since December 1998, which till now makes it nearly 11 years of my practice. 

How/why?

I had no intentions in the world to become a vegetarian nearly 11 years ago. I was committed to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle in general, however I never considered vegetarianism as a means to further that commitment. Well how did I get started? It was during the preparation for Ramadan 1998, Muslim month of fasting, when I received the instructions that Minister Farrakhan asked those under his leadership to practice the vegetarian diet for the 30 days of Ramadan. He specifically said the following, 

"His(The Hon. Elijah Muhammad) presence is to increase our length of life and to stop our rush into the grave...He took us away from the coarse flesh of beef, then, He taught us that no meat or flesh was good for us. Finally, He said to us the best foods for us to eat are fruits and vegetables. Therefore, I am asking all of the followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad under my Leadership, not to eat any land or sea flesh during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We will break our fast with fruits and vegetables. These vegetables should be cooked in the manner prescribed by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad in How to Eat to Live. The followers of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad who are in prison, do not have to observe the strict vegetarian diet this year if you do not desire to. However, we should prepare to observe this diet during the Holy Month of Ramadan next year and gradually begin a vegetarian diet from this day forward. This is part of the process of gradually bringing humanity back to the original diet that allowed human beings to live hundreds of years rather than the three score and ten years (70 years) given in the Bible."

In being obedient to the aforementioned instructions, I began the process of being vegetarian for a month. I went out and read/purchased books on the veggie lifestyle. I began to experiment with the meatless products(burgers, hotdogs, bacon, sausages etc...). I began to feel better, have more energy and feel more connected to nature. So, after the 30 days of Ramadan, I just kept the good habits I had developed in being a vegetarian.  

Have you eaten any meat since? What do you eat?

The biggest question I get is: How do you go with out meat? Secondly, what do you eat? Some people assume that I eat salads all day every day when I mention I practice vegetarianism. For the first 8 years I strictly observed the lifestyle of a vegetarian. During the year of 2006 and going forward, I began to implement what I called "meat week" where I would allow myself to indulge in the eating of meat. I did this due to personal choice and to see how my body would react to meat. I tried this for a while and I can tell you from experience there is a difference of living a pure diet of fruits and vegetables and one of eating meat. I have since gotten back to my pure no meat diet and I feel so much better. Now what do I eat? I eat many things bean soup, casseroles, veggie spaghetti/lasagna, enchiladas, cheese pizza with veggies, veggie burgers, veggie egg rolls, veggie stir fry,  salads and many other veggie based dishes. As you can see I have a varied amount of things to eat. So, in truth I am not missing out on anything. I can eat the meatless products if I have a taste for something similar to meat like vegetarian bacon. 

How do I?/Vegetarian is not just a diet, but a lifestyle

Many adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for many reasons including environment, diet, health, concern for animals or for experimentation. Whatever the reason, I want you to know this is a great lifestyle to practice and is absolutely good for you. There are several levels/types of vegetarians including Vegans, Lacto-ovo, raw vegans. I wont be delving into the reasons or benefits of each level. You can look them up and make your individual decision as to what works for you. I personally do not like to label myself on any level, because I do not like being put in a box or get involved in extremism. 

Vegetarianism is not just a diet, but a lifestyle. So while you are giving up meat do not forget the other things that make life wholesome like prayer, meditation, affirmations, exercise, positive people/friends, drinking plenty of clean water, communing with nature, learning new things, self improvement, avoiding toxic people/things and having fun in this thing called life. 

If you are interested you may ask how do I become a vegetarian. I will close this writing with a few steps to making the transition.

1) Study this lifestyle from books in the library or articles on the internet, so that you may make an informed decision. Do not make this move based upon emotionalism.

2) Understand that this is a process towards the ideal. If you have been eating meat all of your life it may be unrealistic for you in one day to, all of a sudden, stop eating meat. Practice gradualism to your ideal. Maybe you can start by practicing vegetarianism on a week, two week or weekend trial basis until you feel ready to totally accept. Keep focused on your goal striving towards the ideal.

3) Visit a vegetarian restaurant, if available in your area, to learn of the various dishes available. You will be amazed at what an experienced vegetarian chef can whip up.

4) Read or subscribe to The Vegetarian Times magazine.

5) Take advantage of meatless food products. There are many meatless alternatives available. Maybe you would like a decent breakfast, but don't want to eat meat. Ok! How about try this: Meatless bacon, eggs(real or vegetarian), some fruit and juice. Or how about a veggie hamburger and fries. Or even a nice veggie italian hotdog with all the fixings. You wont miss out on much if you look around and you will be adding better health to your body.

  For more info visit 

Http://blackvegetarians.com

Http://vegetariantimes.com

Thank you for reading these few words

Http://brothermustafaa.com

Copyright2009Mustafaa Muhammad

Brother Rasul H. Muhammad speaks on black women, community and self

The light of Islam in the black community today