This blog was originally uploaded on the previous version of the www.sajidumar.com website on October 28, 2017.

Assalāmu ʿalaykum everyone,

I pray you are all well. May Allāh reward you abundantly for your engagement and reflections on the earlier post regarding “too much movement but very little progress.”

For those who requested practical case studies for further clarity, I have attempted to compile an article titled “Transformers” may Allāh accept it. Āmīn.

Inspirational vs Transformative Knowledge

This blog, in shāʾ Allāh, focuses on a crucial distinction:
inspirational knowledge acquisition versus transformative knowledge acquisition, particularly in light of modern learning trends that display constant movement, yet, upon observation, often result in minimal transformation.

A Lesson from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Many of us were introduced in school to the timeless classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Charles Dodgson (better known as Lewis Carroll).

While the story is widely known, a profound lesson embedded within it is often overlooked:
Movement does not always equal progress.

Reflect on the famous scene where the Red Queen commands Alice to run faster and faster. Despite her exhausting effort, running until she was out of breath, she ultimately remained in the same place.

The Reality of Modern Knowledge-Seeking

How does this relate to us today?

When observing current trends in seeking knowledge, we often see individuals:

• Jumping from one online reminder to another
• Attending one large conference after the next
• Consuming endless social media content

There is undeniably a lot of movement.
There is certainly a lot of noise.

But what about the progress?

Is this constant activity truly leading to growth and development, or are we simply becoming mentally and spiritually exhausted, only to realise we are still standing where we began?

Rethinking Productivity

The well-known phrase says:
“Work smarter, not harder.”

But I would suggest:
“Work smarter and harder.”

True progress requires not just effort, but intentional effort, effort that leads to real transformation, not just surface-level inspiration.

A Call to Reflect

In shāʾ Allāh, this brief reflection serves as a spark for introspection:

Are you truly growing, or simply moving?

Is your knowledge leading to change, or merely consumption?

Are you building depth, or chasing volume?

More detailed insights can be found in the “Transformers” piece.

P.S. For those eager to travel further along this path, I invite you to read my book, The Journey to Success: The Roadmap of Ikhlās, Iḥsān, and Istiqāmah. In it, I share a framework for nurturing sincerity, striving for excellence, and holding firm with consistency; qualities that define true success in this world and the next.

Your brother

Sajid Umar

Location: 'somewhere en route to the hereafter'

09/03/1439 (AH) - 28/10/2017