I was living life and I thought I was doing really well until those things started showing that there was a lot for me to learn. I was divorced. And what that meant was that I had to take a real deep look at myself. But I wouldn't change that for anything because what came out of it were things that really hadn't hit me about life, my family, and myself as a leader. What came up for me at the end of all of my reflections was that I wasn't doing things for Allah. I thought I was, but I didn't really have a way to get any data to measure that intention and application of sacred knowledge. In stories of the great shaykhs we often hear how when they reached a level of intellectual knowledge and even social status, they questioned their sincerity. That's a sign of sincerity, to question your sincerity. There can be no real deep contemplation and true change if one doesn't take authentic inventory of the underlying intentions and purposes that one is doing things for. So I went on a journey, and the first place I landed was in the arms of a shaykh who took me in and helped to support and guide me while I did the difficult work of personal transformation. That experience alone shifted my perspectives and renewed my commitment and how I would approach life from that point out. Anyone ever had a struggle that made them shift?

I'm still trying to figure out this platform, but in the main Skool group you're rewarded for posts and interactions, especially ones that are liked and commented on. I like that and I don't like that in ways. Ultimately I think it's a good thing for Futuwwah 5. Looking forward to the seeing the level EX-Voltron happen. Subhanallah, it already is. Walk to Allah and He'll run to you.

Allah created us to worship Him. To get to know Him ﷻ. Don't miss out on the ability to do salawaat on the Prophet ﷺ daily. At the very least, you should hear or refer to him once in your day so that you send prayers on him when you do ﷺ. This is helpful in this life, but more in the next. Have a daily litany of sending prayers on him, 10x in the morning and 10x at night is a good start. Bismillah

Futuwwah is often translated as Chivalry. As Muslims that really goes back to the source of embodying the Quran and Sunnah in the way of the righteous predecessors and it is a focus on personal transformation. Habib Muhammad al-Aydrus the author of a book on Futuwwah, The Polished Mirror says, Futuwwah is the way that the Prophet ﷺ nurtured and raised the sahabah and its essence is ukhuwwah (brotherhood). It is inside the interactions between people that we often struggle most. Shaytan is at play. But these moments are actually opportunities to heal, grow, and cultivate a brotherhood of connection and love. The essential quality of Futuwwah is to prefer others before yourself. Let's goooooo!

Our entire aim is the bullseye. But what that means to the Muslim has unique meaning connected to human purpose. To begin to understand that we go back to The Blessed Quran... The reason why Allah sent down the Quran was to see What would resonate back up to the heavens from living human hearts. The beginning, middle, and end of the Futuwwah 5 Journey is encompassed in archery. Because archery's sole focus is on the Bullseye. What does this have to do with the Quran? The believer knows with full certainty that All of the answers to everything are in The Blessed Quran. And all of the secrets in Quran are consolidated in the Fatiha. And all of the secrets in the Fatiha are contained in the letter "Ba" and the secret of the "Ba" is in the dot. That dot is the bullseye. Archery is a practice that is analogous to life. And life's purpose is to worship Allah. And the essence of worship is in Prayer. And The goal of prayer is to be present with Allah. Have you shot the Turkish Horse Bow? It is my #1 for Muslim archers. I believe that we should all begin with it. Share you thoughts in the comments.