🔥 My takeaways from the Bitcoin MENA Conference in Abu Dhabi Dec 8-9th 2025 This year, the game clearly leveled up 😅 Topics were on a completely different scale compared to last year: institutional adoption, banks, corporates, asset managers, sovereign funds… Some players seem scrambling to catch up, others are accelerating because they finally understand Bitcoin’s strategic importance. The tone was definitely more serious than last year. In my view, the key takeaways messages were : 1. Protect yourself from monetary debasement, now openly acknowledged as inevitable 2. Position yourself on Bitcoin, seen as the most strategic asset that will shape tomorrow’s economy 3. If you’re muslim and committed to fighting riba, Bitcoin is the most effective tool you’ll find There were a few conversations about Bitcoin’s role in the Muslim world — not enough in my view —… but no more debate about whether Bitcoin is important or is halal. This year, no one needed convincing that Bitcoin matters. The real question was: “How to avoid falling behind?” With few students from Dar Al Bitcoin who made the trip, we had the chance to meet Saifedean Ammous and many Muslim Bitcoiners who came from the US, Europe, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and more. Great to connect with like-minded brothers and have dinner together, insha Allah — a moment away from the conference noise to reflect, share, and try to contribute in our own way to building the future. ⚡️

🌙 Leadership, Khilāfa & Bitcoin : Une voix islamique face au désordre global Dans la pensée islamique, le leadership n’est pas un titre. C’est un devoir moral, une responsabilité divine et une épreuve de sincérité. Le Coran ne nous appelle jamais à courir derrière le pouvoir, mais à en être dignes. Pourtant aujourd’hui, la plupart des discussions autour du « leadership dans la Ummah » tournent autour des institutions, des États, des structures politiques ou de l’espoir d’un homme fort qui « nous représentera ». C’est une incompréhension fondamentale de ce qu’est réellement la Khilāfa (la vice-gérance). I. La Khilāfa commence là où s’arrêtent les excuses Allah dit : « Je vais établir sur la terre un Khalifa. » (Coran 2:30) Ni un sultan. Ni un président. Ni un technocrate. Mais un être humain chargé de : • réflexion, • justice, • gestion et responsabilité, • courage, • indépendance morale. Le Khalifa n’est pas nommé : il est façonné par ses actes. Le leadership véritable exige la capacité de : • penser de manière indépendante (tadabbur), • résister à la pression (comme les jeunes de Ahl al-Kahf), • maîtriser son ego (tazkiya), • protéger autrui du tort (amānah), • défendre la justice même contre son propre camp. « Ô vous qui croyez ! Soyez stricts observateurs de la justice, témoins (véridiques) pour Allah, même contre vous-mêmes, vos parents ou vos proches. Qu’il soit riche ou pauvre, Allah a priorité sur eux deux (et Il est plus connaisseur de leur intérêt que vous). Ne suivez donc pas vos passions, de peur de dévier. Et si vous altérez ou refusez de rendre témoignage, Allah est Parfaitement Connaisseur de ce que vous faites. » (Coran 4:135) Combien d’entre nous incarnent réellement ces qualités ? II. L’Ummah aujourd’hui ne manque pas de leaders — elle manque d’hommes et de femmes de qualité « Khalifa » Nous avons des orateurs, des influenceurs, des activistes, des universitaires. Mais le trait qu’Allah met le plus en avant — l’autonomie morale — a presque disparu. Nous déléguons : • notre pensée aux religieux, • notre sécurité aux États, • notre argent aux banques centrales, • notre dignité aux employeurs, • nos valeurs à la culture dominante. Une Ummah dépendante à tous les niveaux ne peut pas produire du leadership. Et une Ummah qui ne peut pas produire du leadership ne peut pas porter la Khilāfa. III. Pourquoi Bitcoin entre dans la discussion Bitcoin n’est pas qu’un outil financier. C’est une épreuve. Une épreuve de : • souveraineté, • discipline, • vision long terme, • responsabilité, • justice économique. Chaque qualité nécessaire pour utiliser Bitcoin correctement est aussi une qualité nécessaire pour la Khilāfa. Si tu ne peux pas sécuriser toi-même ta richesse, comment sécuriseras-tu tes principes ? Si tu ne peux pas différer la gratification, comment planifieras-tu pour les générations futures ? Si tu crains la volatilité, comment feras-tu face à l’oppression ? Si tu dépends d’intermédiaires centralisés, comment te tiendras-tu indépendant devant Allah ? IV. Une Ummah qui adopte Bitcoin n’est pas une Ummah qui “trade des cryptos” C’est une Ummah qui : • construit des systèmes financiers halal et justes, • met fin à la dépendance aux institutions basées sur le riba, • finance des projets productifs réels, • crée des structures parallèles alignées sur l’éthique islamique, • résiste à la corruption par les actes, pas par des slogans. Bitcoin est une mise à niveau civilisationnelle uniquement pour les communautés suffisamment matures pour l’utiliser. Pour l’immature, c’est de la spéculation. Pour le mature, c’est de la libération. V. Le chemin vers un leadership de niveau Khalifa Le Prophète ﷺ a incarné un leadership qui : • affranchissait les esclaves, • renforçait les faibles, • démocratisait le savoir, • démantelait les systèmes injustes, • construisait une société où le pouvoir servait la morale, et non l’inverse. Pour que l’Ummah revive cela, trois transformations sont nécessaires : A. Souveraineté intellectuelle Les musulmans doivent penser. Pas répéter. Pas imiter. Pas déléguer leur réflexion. Le Coran le dit clairement : « Ne réfléchissez-vous donc pas ? » B. Indépendance économique Une communauté enchaînée par le riba ne peut pas diriger le monde. Elle ne peut même pas se diriger elle-même. Bitcoin n’est pas un but. C’est le premier outil permettant aux musulmans de briser les chaînes économiques qui empêchent la gouvernance islamique authentique — à commencer au niveau personnel. C. Courage moral Le leadership exige la capacité de rester seul comme Ibrahim (pbsl), de dire la vérité comme Moussa (pbsl), et de s’extraire de la corruption comme les jeunes de Ahl al-Kahf. Un musulman qui adopte Bitcoin doit incarner ce courage : sécurise tes clés, affronte la volatilité, résiste à la pression, fais confiance à Allah. VI. Le devoir de l’Ummah au siècle à venir Pour la première fois depuis des siècles, les musulmans peuvent participer directement à la structuration du système monétaire mondial. Mais seulement si nous formons : • des leaders qui comprennent la technologie, • des savants qui comprennent l’économie, • des communautés qui comprennent la souveraineté, • des croyants qui comprennent la profondeur morale de la Khilāfa. L’avenir n’appartient pas aux puissants, mais aux disciplinés. Pas aux bruyants, mais à ceux qui ont des principes. Pas aux étatistes, mais aux souverains. L’Ummah peut changer le monde, mais seulement si elle se change d’abord elle-même. L’esprit du Khalifa commence dans le cœur de celui qui refuse de dépendre de structures corrompues. Si l’Ummah adopte : • l’indépendance intellectuelle, • la souveraineté économique, • et le leadership moral, alors l’adoption de Bitcoin devient non seulement logique, mais une obligation civilisationnelle. Et à travers cela, les musulmans peuvent redevenir une miséricorde pour le monde.

🌙 Leadership, Khilāfa & Bitcoin: An Islamic critique for a world in turmoil In Islamic thought, leadership is not a title. It’s a moral weight, a divine responsibility, and a test of sincerity. The Qur’an never calls us to chase power, but to be worthy of it. Yet today, most discussions about “leadership in the Ummah” revolve around institutions, states, political structures, or the hope of a strongman who will “represent us”. This is a critical misreading of what Khilāfa (vicegerence) truly is. I. Khilāfa begins where excuses end Allah says: “I am placing a Khalifa on Earth.” (Q. 2:30) Not a sultan. Not a president. Not a technocrat. A human being charged with: • reflection, • justice, • stewardship, • courage, • and moral independence. The Khalifa is not appointed by a party. He is formed by his actions. True leadership requires the ability to: • Think independently (tadabbur) • Resist pressure (e.g. Ahl al-Kahf) • Manage one’s own ego (tazkiya) • Protect others from harm (amanah) • Uphold justice even against one’s own group “O you who believe! be maintainers of justice, bearers of witness of Allah's sake, though it may be against your own selves or (your) parents or near relatives; if he be rich or poor, Allah is nearer to them both in compassion; therefore do not follow (your) low desires, lest you deviate; and if you swerve or turn aside, then surely Allah is aware of what you do.” (Q. 4:135) How many of us embody these traits? II. The Ummah today doesn’t lack leaders — it lacks men and women of Khalifa quality We have orators, influencers, activists, politicians, academics. But the trait Allah most emphasizes—moral autonomy—is nearly extinct. We outsource: • our thinking to clerics, • our security to states, • our money to central banks, • our dignity to employers, • our values to culture. An Ummah dependent at every level cannot produce leadership. And an Ummah that cannot produce leadership cannot carry Khilāfa. III. Why Bitcoin enters the discussion Bitcoin is not just a financial tool. It is a test. A test of: • sovereignty, • discipline, • long-term thinking, • responsibility, • and economic justice. Every trait required to properly use Bitcoin is also a trait required for Khilāfa. If you cannot self-custody your wealth, how will you self-custody your principles? If you cannot delay gratification, how will you plan for future generations? If you fear volatility, how will you face oppression? If you rely on centralized intermediaries, how will you stand independently before Allah? IV. A Bitcoin-enabled Ummah is not one that “trades crypto” It is one that: • Builds halal and just financial systems • Ends dependence on riba-based institutions • Removes intermediaries between people and their own wealth • Funds real productive ventures • Creates parallel structures that embody Islamic ethics • Practices economic transparency • Resists corruption by design, not by slogans Bitcoin is a civilizational upgrade only for communities mature enough to wield it. To the immature, it becomes speculation. To the mature, it becomes liberation. V. The path to Khalifa-level leadership The Prophet ﷺ modeled a leadership that: • freed slaves, • empowered the weak, • democratized knowledge, • dismantled unjust systems, • and built a society where power served morality, not the other way around. For the Ummah to reach this again, three transformations are needed: A. Intellectual Sovereignty Muslims must think. Not repeat. Not imitate. Not outsource their reasoning. The Qur’an’s command is explicit: “Will you not reflect?” B. Economic Independence A community enslaved by riba cannot lead the world. It cannot even lead itself. Bitcoin is not the goal. It is the first tool that allows Muslims to break the economic chains that prevent them from practicing genuine Islamic governance, starting at the personal level. C. Moral Courage Leadership requires the ability to stand alone like Ibrahim, speak truth like Musa, and withdraw from corruption like Ahl al-Kahf. A Bitcoin-enabled Muslim must embody the same courage: custody your keys, face volatility, resist pressure, trust Allah. VI https://image.nostr.build/5dbde9729ec44aca8db6bf8cacaea4f422cc6ae2755c99b93fafcc4edcdfcc97.jpg. The Ummah’s duty in the coming century For the first time in centuries, Muslims can participate directly in shaping the global monetary order. But only if we cultivate: • leaders who understand technology, • scholars who understand economics, • communities who understand sovereignty, • and believers who understand Khilāfa’s moral depth. The future belongs not to the powerful, but to the disciplined. Not to the loud, but to the principled. Not to the statist, but to the sovereign. The Ummah can change the world, but only if it changes itself first. The Khalifa mindset begins in the heart of each individual who refuses to depend on structures corrupt to their core. If the Ummah embraces: • intellectual independence, • economic sovereignty, • and moral leadership, then adopting Bitcoin becomes not just logical but a civilizational obligation. And through that, Muslims can again become a mercy to the world.

Very interesting take, thanks for sharing Muslim Bitcoiner. To me, individual sovereignty and autonomy from the state are essential components of the leadership qualities that we miss in the Ummah and needed to become a khalifa. But they are only part of the picture. Other key elements also stand out, for example: - Independent thinking: The Qur’an constantly calls people to reflect, ponder, and use their intellect rather than follow blindly. True leadership starts with the ability to think clearly and stand by the truth, even when it is unpopular. - Courage to dissent from an un unjust system: Figures like the Ahl al-Kahf are praised precisely because they distanced themselves from an oppressive ruler or society. Their story embodies moral courage, integrity, and the willingness to take risks for what is right. - Vision and initiative: The ability to anticipate change, take action, and guide others rather than simply react to circumstances. وَالَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ أَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيَّاتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِينَ إِمَامًا Quran 25 v.74 And those who pray, "Our Lord! Grant unto us wives and offspring who will be the comfort of our eyes, and give us (the grace) to lead the righteous." View article →

🎙️Uganda’s Bitcoin Orphanage 🌎 To help understand that Bitcoin is more than just speculation, I’m excited to interview Ismail from the Orphans of Uganda 🇺🇬 tomorrow at 7 PM FR time 🗓️ He’ll share his journey with Bitcoin, how the orphanage operates on a Bitcoin standard, and how it has transformed his life and the lives of the children under his care. Feel free to share, repost, and join the live session! We need more inspiring stories like his for our community, insha’Allah. @OrphansOfUgandaChildrenCenter https://www.youtube.com/live/ZpYHGO2vSOU

Natural evolution toward Bitcoin maximalism

🧐 Why do so many brilliant people miss Bitcoin?

💡 Values come before economic prosperity It’s not wealth that creates values… It’s the strength of values that makes a society prosperous. When a civilization loses its principles, economic decline naturally follows 📉 🔁 This ancient cycle keeps repeating: ⛓️ Hard times create strong men 💪 Strong men create good times 😌 Good times create weak men 🧍 Weak men bring hard times… And at the heart of this cycle lies money 🪙 Why? Because money is the matrix of a civilization. It shapes our behavior, our decisions, our priorities. A sound currency encourages saving, responsibility, and long-term thinking. It rewards effort and prudence. 💼 In contrast, a corrupt currency fuels recklessness, debt, speculation, and the loss of ethical foundations. 🏦💳 ➡️ This is why talking about monetary reform is not just an economic issue. It’s a matter of values — and therefore, of civilization 🧭

What fascinates me the most about Bitcoin is how counterintuitive it is! 💡 It’s immaterial, yet holds more value than physical money. 🔐 It has no leader, yet works better than all central banks combined. 📉 Its supply is limited, yet it fuels sustainable growth. ⚖️ It may seem elitist at first glance, but is actually accessible to all, without discrimination. ⚡️ It consumes energy, yet accelerates the energy transition. Yes, all of this can be confusing, frightening, or even off-putting. But Allah ﷻ teaches us, many times in the Qur’an, not to judge by appearances, to reflect, to observe the signs, and to seek knowledge before drawing conclusions. And sometimes… truth feels strange simply because we’ve lived too long in falsehood. 🕌 The Prophet ﷺ said: “Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange as it began. So blessed are the strangers.” 💚 (Reported by Muslim, hadith no. 145) Bitcoin may seem strange, misunderstood, or even rejected by some today. But it might just be, in our time, one of the keys to escaping global financial injustice.

“There are decades where nothing happens… and there are weeks where decades happen.” ⏳⚡ This quote perfectly captures what’s happening with #Bitcoin. For years: silence, denial, ridicule… But in just a few weeks: 🌍 Countries adopt it 🏦 Institutions rush in 📈 Markets explode ⚖️ Regulators scramble 🧠 Millions wake up This isn’t just a currency — it’s a monetary revolution. And it’s only getting started… Get ready. The next few weeks might be worth decades. #Bitcoin #FinancialHijra #DarAlBitcoin #DecadesInWeeks

One common trap for #Bitcoin beginners is getting distracted by news 🗞️ or FUDs (e.g., “So-and-so is buying, someone else is selling, or an event will crash the price—or make it skyrocket”) or trying to play the role of traders. In my view, the TOP priorities for muslims looking to engage with Bitcoin are: 1. Understanding Bitcoin and its unique value, especially for Muslims: reducing one’s Riba footprint, protecting against inflation, individual sovereignty, reduction of inequalities, etc. This means investing in your own education! 📖 2. Clarifying your intentions (Niya) and adopting a long-term vision, prioritizing patience (Sabr!!) and reducing time preference. 3. Learning how to use and secure Bitcoin, ensuring a smooth and sustainable adoption 🔐. 4. Undertaking a gradual financial Hijra, by practically and widely adopting Bitcoin within the Ummah and beyond: receiving and making payments in Bitcoin, paying Zakat and Sadaqah in Bitcoin to reach regions where access to money is difficult, etc. ⚡️ 5. Innovating with Bitcoin, which enables new use cases that are unimaginable with flawed fiat currencies and the traditional banking system 😎. Bitcoin is not just an investment; it’s an opportunity for economic and ethical transformation. #Bitcoin #HalalMoney #Anti-Riba #FinancialHijra

This is my first post on Nostr. I consider bitcoin not only as a technical progress, but also as an economic and political advancement and hopefully as a peaceful solution to problems of our modern time. Based in Dubai. Would be glad to meet-up with Bitcoiners around. #introductions #Bitcoin4All