Update May 7th, 2008:

Alhamduillah, another successful DateDrive. All praises are due to Allah, then the support of YOU.

Many wondered why we did a shoutout drive for halal business. Many even thought it was a waste of time (Ouch! Isn’t that the mentality of Noah’s people about building the Arc!).

Anyway, for those who participated, from the bottom/top/inside/outside of our hearts, may Allah reward you with tooooooons of rewards. BTW, can you believe that we prayed for you during the last hour of Jumaah, which we hoped that would match the acceptance hour!!! So, if that how we “mean” people show our appreciation to you, can you imagine the generosity of the most generous with those who help his DEEN and halal causes? Wait and see the fruits! May Allah accept your good ones!

Update May 2nd, 2008:

If you don’t know about HalfDate, click about us, or call CNN . Basically, every Hijri month we put together a “DateDrive” where you, a member of the Ummah, work together with other members of the Ummah to achieve a specific DateDrive target. This month is to collect 70 shoutouts for Halal businesses.

In-sha-Allah, next drive will start on May 8th, where you will be helping a charity for Muslim women. If you want to recommend any Muslim women charities, please click contact us and submit your proposal, the charity has to be an officially registered entity, with email/phone and preferably can accept donation online.

Also, for next drive you can contribute by donating money or answering a survey (for each person, the survey sponsor will donate $1 for the charity).

Update April 29, 2008:

So, why are we collecting these shoutouts?

You tell me.

There are 1001 benefits from these shoutouts, the least to show your appreciation, for examples,

“I have never come across a place that is so hospitable and one that would stay open past business hours for a customer. It definitely showed me who there priority was– their CUSTOMER!” -Mariam shouts out for Computers & Laptops, Etc., Inc.

Or to provide insights like this:

“Its sad that brothers can work in American branches of Egyptian companies with a beard, but they are told to shave it off if they want to be accepted to work in the Egyptian branch!!!” -A.S

-end of updates-

Original post begins here

How do you feel when you see a woman with a child begging outside of your masjid?

Most probably, you’d feel sorry for them, and if they were genuinely in need, you’d help them.

But, this DateDrive is not about them.

Okay, here is another question.

How do you feel when you see a Muslim running a halal business trying to earn some halal money?

Most probably…nothing

Yes, Islam commands us to help the weak members of our society, but the goal of this help is so that one day they can be strong. Islam never encourages begging, that’s why we’re suppose to give to needy people before they even ask.

Yes, it’s good to donate in general, and you’re rewarded for that.

But here at HalfDate, you and I got no dates to waste and we want to support growth projects, where you can make a lasting difference, e.g. education, awareness, …

<Okay, enough philosophical big talk>

So… in this DateDrive, YOU are REVIVING the SUNNAH again… Because YOU want to reward those striving Muslims who, in many cases, are needy and struggling with their businesses, yet they ARE following the true teaching of the Prophet (peace and prayer be upon him) when he said

“The best earnings are the halal transactions, and the earnings with one’s hand” -Collected by Sahih Aljamia.

أفضل الكسب بيع مبرور ، وعمل الرجل بيده

So, what’s this DateDrive all about?

In-sha-Allah in this DateDrive, you will give a shout out for any halal businesses that you personally dealt with and LOVED.

Deadline: End of Rabia-l-Thani, 1429 (May 7, 2008)

Goal: HalfDate collects 70 shoutouts for any halal business owned or run by Muslims

Now, what’s in it for you?

A LOT, here are just seven benefits:

1. You are helping a Muslim businessperson
2. You are helping a halal business
3. You are making your brother/sister happy
4. You are encouraging better business practice
5. You are helping the economy of the Muslim community
6. You are following the teachings of enjoining good and forbidding evil (in business practices and customer service)
7. You are reviving the sunnah of your beloved Prophet (peace and prayers be upon him) by doing all of the above

How to post your shoutouts?

List three things in the comment section:

1. Business name (and what they do, if it’s not clear from their name)
2. Why you LOVED their service/product
3. How to contact them

IMPORTANT: Business entities CANNOT praise themselves; they have to ask their customers to do so. HalfDate reserves the right to delete any comments if we receive complaints about the business or if it’s not appropriate for our audience.

So… A R E… Y O U… R E A D Y!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bismillah & SHOUT OUT

CLICK HERE TO POST YOUR SHOUTOUT

May Allah reward you with a palm tree in Jannah

Sometimes, we as consumers can provide so much joy to our service providers.

So…have you recently expressed thanks to the people at the halal restaurant, halal meat shop, bookstore, school, …?

The prophet (peace and prayers be upon him) said: “Whoever doesn’t thank people, doesn’t thank Allah.”

Here is a sample testimonial that a reader of a magazine sent to the editor.