Planning

A-?th? bill?hi minash shayt?nir raj?m. Bismill?hir Rahm?nir Rah?m!

[Arabic du'?]
We often notice a regrettable phenomenon among Moslem individuals, groups, commu
nities, and countries.

This phenomenon is bad planning or a total lack of planning.

Some Moslems fail to plan their actions, therefore the outcomes of such actions
are different from what they had in mind when they started.

These Moslems work on the basis of the "Baraka syndrome," or "Inshallah, everyth
ing will be fine," or "Allah will be with us."

This new phenomenon, although it is true, is exploited by the defeated Moslems,

who always look west, and the seculars who reject Islam as a way of life.

They attack Islam and accuse it of being the source of backwardness in the Mosle
m world.
Needless to say that this new phenomenon does not represent Islam, because if we
carefully read the Quran and the Sunna, we clearly see that there are Islamic f
oundations for planning.
THE ISLAMIC FOUNDATION OF PLANNING
1. Orientation to the future
The Islamic way of life revolves around our preparation for the future life in t
he hereafter.
The Quran tells us that there are people who ask for what is good in this world
as well as in the hereafter will receive what is due the them in both the worlds
.
It affirms that what is due to them is based on what they earn by their actions.

Some say, Our Lord, give us all the good things here in this world, such people
shall have no share in the hereafter.

Then, there are others who say, Our Lord, give us what is good in this world and
also what is good in the Hereafter and save us from the torment of Fire, Such p
eople shall have their due share (in both the worlds) according to what they ear
n. And ALLAH is swift at settling accounts.
Thus, the Quranic view is two-fold ; We should plan our actions with specific go
als in mind. our reward is dependent on our implementation of that plan.Making a
plane and implementing it are thus two sides of the same coin.
The Prophet urges us to be always oriented to the future , IF the last hour stri
kes and you are carrying a nursling tree to the grove for planting, go ahead and
plant it. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO PLAN.? In other words what are the requirements
or the mechanics of planning? Planning requires four basic elements.
a) Learning from the past, b) use of resources, c) consulting before deciding an
d, d) being fair to others e)
A- Learning from the past.
In planning for the future, we must build on what has been done before , without
being limited by the shortcomings of the past. The Quran urges us to learn from
the experience of others Did they not travel through the earth, and see what wa
s the end of those before them?
B- Using Resources
The art of good planning is the art of identifying potential resources and optim
izing their use to produce the desired results. The Muslim recognizes that ALLAH
has provided all that he needs, if he would only strive to deserve it and to ac
quire it. " Do you not see that ALLAH has subjected
to your use all things in the heavens and on earth, and has made His bounties fl
ow to you in exceeding measure both seen and unseen.
C- Consulting before deciding
The Islamic view of planning is based on, study, advice and consultation. It is
not an authoritarian, totally centralized process of giving orders.
In fact the Muslim planner seeks knowledge to replace his ignorance on the subje
ct at hand, solicits advise to test his assumptions and engages in consultation
to overcome his own limitations Then ask the learned if you do not know,

Consult them in affairs of the moment. The Quran furthers describes the believer
s as.... and who conduct their affairs by consultation.
The prophets tells us that ......Religion is sincere advise.
D- BEING FAIR TO OTHERS
Good planning demands a balances approach in assigning responsibilities to carry
out tasks, in giving authority to discharge responsibilities, in allocating res
ources to accomplish objectives and in putting goals in priority to achieve the
best interests of all involved.

The Quran calls for justice and fairness in all dealings.......Give just measure
and weight, and do not withhold from people the things that are their due... Pl
anning is not putting words and drawings on paper, it is not a theoretical conce
pt only. Planning is based on actions , commitments, implementing decisions and
delegating when necessary.
A. Commitments
Planning is not an academic exercise but a commitment to take a series of action
s to get from where one is to where one wants to be. Without action actions one
can not move and thus can not achieve anything. The Quran clarifies that results
can come only from our actions...The man can have nothing but what he strives f
or.
B. Implementing decisions
Good planning is realistic. It consists of actions that are compatible with the
resources, ability and willingness, not unrealistic promises that can not be kep
t. .....O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do.
A plan is only as good as the decisions that it calls for. The decisions are onl
y as good as their implementation. The Muslim should directs the need human and
financial resources to implementation and seeks ALLAH'S help in bringing his eff
orts to success...Then, when you have taken a decision, put you trust in ALLAH
C. DELEGATING TO OTHERS.
Some times , making a plane or implementing one may require the collective effo
rts of a number of people. In this case, it is important to recognize the need
to involve others and delegate work to them in order to translate the plan into
accomplishments. The Quran clarifies the need for delegation. .....And We rais
e some of them above others in
ranks so that some may command work from others.
QUALITY OF PLANNING
Allah loves your actions to be done thoroughly and perfectly. Striving for perfe
ction should be reflected in all our actions, including planning. Therefore a mu
slim should build exellence into his\her planning.
A. Build Excellence into planning
The Muslim planner builds excellence into his plans by seeking to find ways in
which his resources can generate most desirable results. The Prophet has referr
ed to this by saying.....Allah decreed that for every thing there is a better w
ay.....
When working with others, a muslim planner should build a team and acknowledge t
heir contributions.
B. Build a Team
Planning is a collective activity in the sense that it touches on the lives and
achievements of all affected, be they the family, community or nation.

Success in good planning call for benefiting from the effort of all, exercised
not through disoriented individual action but through concerted effort. The Pro
phet, advises us that " The hand of ALLAH is with the Jama ah..Then whoever sin
gles himself out ( form the Jamm ah ) will be singled out for the hell-fire"
C. Acknowledge other's contribution
Good planning recognizes the value of people and encourages their continued comm
itment by acknowledging their contribution. The Prophet stated:
" He who does not thank people, does not thank ALLAH.
D. Integrate Accountability into Planning
Responsibility must be accompanied by accountability. Those who assume leadershi
p roles in carrying a plan must be more accountable than others because their su
ccess or failure affects everyone involved. The Quran stressed accountability in
this way. " O women of the Prophet, if any of you were guilty of evident unseem
ly conduct, the punishment would be doubled to her, and that is easy for ALLAH.
REMEMBER : IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN , YOU PLAN TO FAIL.