One of my uncles was a Shaykh in Lebanon, Shaykh Abdullatif Haddad (may Allah have mercy on him) he was also a judge in the islamic courts and a very strong khateeb

Growing up, I would hear about him. One thing in particular that stood out was he was nicknamed Shaykh As-Shabab,

‘THE SHAYKH OF THE YOUTH’

I used to ask why, and was told that he wasn’t your typical “shaykh”, he didn’t conform to the ‘standard shaykh image’ that many try to form today,

He spoke, dressed and mingled with the youth. He was like the cool shaykh, the peoples champion.

From what i was told, he was very direct, to the point, and would not hold back speaking up against individuals that could cause him harm

I mention this for a couple of reasons: I think this rubbed off on me, I refuse to conform to the standard ‘shaykh’ image, putting on an act walking, dressing, with my nose up high….

I’m me, alhumdulilah, happy in my skin. Happy being me without the act, so if you see me and you think “that doesn’t fit” I don’t care because I dont want to fit in your box, so me being a  practising Muslim, religious, a preacher, teacher, with all my shortcomings, is me…

NO ACT / NO FILTER / NO APOLOGY

If this is too much for you or not what you’re accustomed to, then get used to it because I’m not changing for anyone. #unapologetic or, as I was taught recently, #based

Pleasing Allah (swt) is enough for me. #alhumdulilah