Islamic Prophetic Persuasion – Abdur-Rahman Syed

Living Our Beliefs

Episode 53.
Abdur-Rahman, a Muslim raised in Karachi Pakistan, he currently lives in three countries, carrying the richness of his interreligious extended family and early experience of adjusting to various cultural environments. Fortified by these formative years and his years in marketing, Abdur-Rahman is creating a book called Prophetic Persuasion. Using words of four prophets from the Abrahamic faiths, he stresses the value of common messages through which people can influence others and establish a moral compass. In conversation, we explore the challenges of bringing such sources into the workplace and how to balance uniqueness of vision and need to find common ground among other things.

A note from my guest, Abdur-Rahman: “Meli and I approached our conversation with caution given the backdrop of the escalating Israel-Palestine war. I fear I was too cautious in distancing myself from the conflict. While some things are complex, others are simple. We must continue to seek dialogue while also speaking for justice and for peace.”
Highlights:

· Prophetic Persuasion elements derived from biblical and Quranic prophets: Moses, Jesus, Joseph, and Mohammed

· Framework: listen, give, connect, imagine, invite, love.

· Enriching lives and providing a moral compass in the business world

· Challenges of discussing faith in the workplace

· Business application of the ‘Listen before you speak’ principle.

· Risk of selectively interpreting scriptures and traditions

· Different interpretations based on proximity to the source

Social Media links for Abdur-Rahman Syed:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdurrahmansyed
Website – www.propheticpersuasion.org

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271
Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13937937

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The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.
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The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Chapters

1. Islamic Prophetic Persuasion – Abdur-Rahman Syed (00:00:00)

2. Introduction (00:00:05)

3. Abdur-Rahman's Muslim path and identity (00:02:34)

4. Prophetic Persuasion (00:11:06)

5. Four prophets - Moses, Jesus, Joseph, Mohammed (00:13:41)

6. Framework of Prophetic Persuasion (00:18:30)

7. Business and religion (00:25:17)

8. Meaning of book for Abdul-Rahman (00:32:02)

9. Six Rules (00:37:21)