In sum, predestination and pantheism form the basis or foundation for an Eastern cosmological outlook, ontological state, and weltanschauung which in turn shape an Eastern view of reality that is obviously distinct from the Western view of reality, with reality being the totality of all things which exist. In turn, the resurrection of this particular cosmological outlook, ontological state, and weltanschauung has led to an economic, political, and social resurrection of sorts amongst Eastern communities and nations throughout the globe.
I mentioned halal food carts in New York City as an anecdote or sample of a broader context and situation. Also, I recall an encounter I had with Corey Stewart, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate during the 2018 midterm elections here in Virginia. Stewart came to campaign at a local mosque which I attend occasionally here in Virginia. After the prayer, Stewart was outside handing out pamphlets by the door, and I stopped to say hello. We had a brief and friendly conversation, and through the course of the conversation, one topic led to another. He finally paused and said “it’s quite remarkable how the Muslim community has done so well for itself throughout these years.” Stewart ended up losing his election bid to the Democrat incumbent, Tim Kaine.
Barack Obama once made a comment about entrepreneurship during an interview that is worth mentioning. Obama once said that if you are meeting all your goals, it means that you are not setting your goals high enough. Aside from the advice on modern entrepreneurship given by Napoleon Hill, I found this particular piece of advice on entrepreneurship from Obama to be quite good.
Also, entrepreneurship entails assuming a certain level of danger, risk, and even promiscuity for the achievement of an extraordinary goal. As Nietzsche said: “The true man wants two things: danger and play. For that reason he wants woman, as the most dangerous plaything.” But there is also a caveat. As one Japanese proverb states: “Between a wife and a mistress, a man chooses freedom.”
Although the system stacks the deck against entrepreneurial persons of color to a certain extent, the deck is stacked even more against Muslim businesses and entrepreneurs. As Edward Snowden once said during an interview with the Cato Institute, American government agencies and Israeli intelligence are most vigilant when it comes to tracking virtually every single dollar that goes in and out of the accounts and pocketbooks of Muslim businesses and entrepreneurs.
But despite the odds and the concerted effort on the part of the neocons to defame Muslims and Islam over the course of the last two decades, the Muslim community in the United States has surprisingly been able to carve out its place in American society as one of the most educated and affluent communities in America. And in the end, it is all written. The Medieval Islamic philosopher Alfarabi wrote that “prophecy is happiness.” And as stated in Psalms 37:11-15:
“But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken.”
Adam A. Azim 