He is `Abd al-Mun`im Salih al-`Ali al-`Izzi popularly known as Abu `Ammar and well-known for his book Al-Muntalaq.  Through this book, many enthusiastic du`at (callers to Islam) learned to be more rational (rather than emotional), mature (rather than childish), proactive (rather than reactive), organised (rather than haphazard), etc. Most of the time, we thought that we are among the mu’mins who contribute to the spread of Islam when sometimes we may do more harm than benefit to Islam with our way of promoting Islam.

Below are books by Muhammad Ahmad al-Rashid that had provided me with some psychological lessons that I don’t learn from modern contemporary psychology particularly Industrial/Organisational Psychology. Read the rest of this entry »

History provides indisputable facts that minority non-Muslim citizens staying under Muslim caliphates were treated in a fair and just manner.  Even today, minority non-Muslims citizens staying under Muslim governments (who still do not implement Islam totally) were still treated in a ‘relatively’ fair and just manner compared to minority Muslim citizens staying in predominantly Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and communist governments. 

However, some bad attitudes and behaviours shown by Muslims do not help in maintaining this positive image of Islam.  This is sad because Islam had shown kindness and consideration to non-Muslims since the beginning of its inception.  This posting is inspired by the writing of Yusuf al-Qaradawi in his book “Non-Muslims in Muslim Society”.  Then, you may want to reflect on the current non-Muslim governments AND current Muslim governments whether they are fair and just compared to what Islam had taught us.  Note: When I write ‘non-Muslims’, what I meant is ahl al-dhimmah, non-Muslims who are citizens under Islamic government.

First, Islam teaches us that, in general, non-Muslims and Muslims have equal right (except for a very few aspects): Read the rest of this entry »

Al-Marhum Dr. Fathi Yakan (February 9, 1933 - Jun 13, 2009) is best remembered for his book “Madha Ya`ni Intima’i li al-Islam” (What is the Meaning of My Affiliation with Islam?).  Through this book, many born and cultural Muslim felt for the first time they had ‘psychologically’ entered/reverted to Islam for real.  Most of the time, we do not realise that we have been reciting our shahadah in our prayers, and even if we do, we do not realise what we are reciting.  Ghafarahu wa Rahimahullah.

Other books by Fathi Yakan had also provided me with some psychological lessons that I don’t learn from modern contemporary psychology. Read the rest of this entry »

How can psychology help solve Muslims’ problems in consumerism, marketing, and/or advertising?

“Islam has the best products but the worst salespersons”

• Identify why consumers (including mad`u or target of da`wah) are loyal to a halal brand (or even religion or ideology)?
• Identify the characteristics consumers/mad`u attribute to various halal brands
• Modify consumers/mad`u attitude toward halal products (including Islam; e.g. to persuade consumers that Islam is the best ideology if they do not want to accept it as a religion)
• Market, in a best way, a halal product (including Islam as a ‘product’)

Do you think Islam has been promoted in an effective way, by Muslims (consciously or unconcsiously)?

Yours Islamically and psychologically,

Alizi Alias