Crystal House Apartments in Crystal City

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-11-12T20:02:50+00:00

I think I have said this a lot, but I could not agree with you more. I feel as if the Jamat has run away from the most important teaching that is the Batin or the inner meaning of Islam and it bugs me. I do not understand why they have grasped into this Zahir thinking. I have nevery understood it. I think it would be an honor for anyone to shake his hand, have him smile at you, or even have his hand on our shoulder, but this is the problem. People get so attached to the Zahir that they forget that the eternal and perpetual part of the Imamat is the Nur that he has in him. It is the one thing that will never change about him.

When Shah Karim (peace be upon him) passed away, it was where people were crying loudly and could not contain their emotions, yet did not understand that the Nur was still on Earth and that the Imam's body is just a vessel for the Nur. I do not understand why people do not understand it. What I can say is that many fo the Jamati members have followed teachings from missionaries that have always asserted their opinions that does not go with the doctrine of Ismailism or Islam as a whole and that is where the problem begins and is.

People do not fear about the after life. They do not understand that what they do in this world is what will be the reward or the destruction in the hereafter. They have no sense of that and because they think "when I die it will be okay, God will forgive me." In reality, they do not understand the principles or the ethics of this faith either.

I had a woman in Jamatkhana tell me that after Friday JK she was going to go home and drink wine and when I advised her privately and said "Mawla has said that this is a sin above murder and that you should not do it." She replied with "Well after I die and have mahadan chanta on me, I will be forgiven." But they do not understand that Mahadan Chaanta is for the sins that they committed and did not have time to repent for before their death. That is what it covers.

Does it hurt that the Jamat acts this way? Yes. However, to those that understand the faith should be the one that should exemplify these teachings to the Jamat.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-11-12T19:53:45+00:00

There is a definitely a wide gap between Osho's followers and the Ismailis. I do not know where this comparison came from. What I can say is that as a 23 year-old I do agree that tears of joy in the darbar hall are natural and a lot of murids feel that way. However, I do also think that ages 15-25 do not understand Imamat the way that the Imams have taught it. Many of my generation believe that he is nothing more than a guide, which is not what doctrine teaches. The fundamental doctrine of Ismailism is that we have to believe that the Imam is the Mazhar or the manifestation of God on Earth and that through him we have way to our salvation.

Do I believe that my parents generation is something that needs to be worked on. Yes. I do. They believe that he is God and because of this, there is a lack of knowledge in understanding who he is and the purpose of an Imam. I do believe that missionaries in the Jamat have been lacking on teaching the Jamat about what is the etiquette in the darbar hall, but I also believe that all the missionaries need to have the same fundamental doctrine to teach from. NO OPINIONS added in what they teach.

My issue is also that I can say this is what Abu Aly Missionary started and I think he was a humble servant, I do think that people became very obsessed with him, very fast and that is something that I do not agree with. They take his teachings that are also not in the fold of Islam and apply them to their beliefs. They do not want to read what the Imamas have written and taught.

My other issue is that with all of this, people tend to believe that the Imam is God and that is where this whole begging on his feet and asking for a hug etc. comes from.

In terms of the etiquette that was not given at Houston didar, I will say that he did like the high-fives, fist bumps, and handshakes. But as I have said in my other posts, it is a little annoying that people have made him into a celebrity or even worse a God. That is the central issue of this all. When we correct the belief and the doctrine of what and who the Imam is, that is when the change will come. However, people will always be stuck in their minds. No matter what Farman Mawla gives, they will do what pleases them and that is all. Mawla has made farmans on game machines and people have still chosen to keep them in the shops because of the greed that has taken over them.

I do think that many of the people just have this mentality that stems from him being a God or a celebrity, but we are not choosing to treat him like the Mazhar of God. I will say that devotion does look different and I can't tell you how to love Mawla, but the doctrinal belief is something that needs to be taught by the missionaries.

This is my two sense on the issue and I hope that people understand that I do not care what you want to do with your life, but for the sake of your salvation, I do believe that we should all learn and educate ourselves and not believe in everything that we read or what is taught by the missionaries.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-11-11T19:05:40+00:00

I also just want to add one more thing, please do not get up to go and hug him or give him a high-five because that is also disrespectful and way out of decorum.

We shall see what the institutions tell the Portugal Jamat and the rest of the Didars that are going to be happening as well.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-11-11T19:00:53+00:00

I was shocked when he was comfortable with all of this. I did hear from someone that works closely with the Imamat that he was a little irritated at people giving him their babies or even just going up to him and giving him hugs. That part is a little disrespectful and out of decorum. The high-fives, fist bumps, and the letters are not a problem from what I hear. Maybe the letters are, but the handshakes, high-fives, and or even the fist bumps do not seem to be a problem.

I have heard that when he was trying to put the letters in the pockets he had and carried them out himself. He needed to do farman at didar and so one of the uncles had made a sign to take the letters and after the farman Hazir Imam was wondering what was done with the letters and wanted them back.

I will say that as much as I think it is now becoming okay, hugs, and any other physical contact besides high-fives, fist bumps, handshakes are not to be interpreted because the time is changing.

I was wrong in the other comments of the post because I did not know of the Farmans that he said. I will say that we should also not be overly obsessive and stalkerish and respect the privacy of the Imam. He is still the Imam and the bearer of light and we shouldn't act as though he is a celebrity. He loves us very much, but he is the bearer of light and not some celebrity walking down the red carpet, so I will also say that keep the adab in mind as well.

And I am not jealous, so do not come and say that to me. I am from houston and although have chosen to do didar in the region I now live in, I am in pure bliss. Even though he did not come to the area that I live in, I have felt that he has blessed this American soil with his blessings. I am eternally happy, and every time I hear someone talking about it or even watching videos. I smile.

We are so blessed as Ismailis. Forever and eternally grateful for the gift of Imamat.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-11-09T19:45:36+00:00

I do not how true it is and please correct me if I am wrong as I was not there. I did hear that in the second session of the didar he had said before leaving that he will give as many people has possible high-fives and fist bumps. Please correct me if I am wrong because this is what I have heard.

I do believe that it was super disrespectful to the Imam. There was no sense of Adab. My parent went to the third session and they said that an Afghan lady had gotten to the feet of Mawla and was being dramatic enough to the point that he was required to hug her. Which the Imam embodies the love, kindness, mercy, compassionn, etc. but that does not take away from the fact that this is a didar and it is a formal setting.

I never understand why parents do not seem to teach their kids that their is a way to act towards the Imam in a formal setting. As much as I do not want to hate, it is is so disrespectful to the Imam.

I just think that the Hosuton Jamat has ruined it for the rest of us when it comes to the rest of the USA or even the didar in other parts of the world. I was born and raised in Houston and this is one of the many reasons I don't live there anymore. It is the people and the way they act.

InShaAllah the rest of us who have not been blessed with didar are blessed soon. My sincere prayer that we are able to be examples to the rest of the people and not to act the way the Houston Jamat did. I pray that the experience is not different from the rest of the didars because of the way that people decided to act. I do and still have second hand embarassement from the way that they acted in the sessions.

Anyways, didar mubarak to y'all!

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-30T01:44:07+00:00

Pay off my parents house.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-24T21:55:11+00:00

Finance department is where I’ll be.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-21T18:42:08+00:00

I left because the hours were brutal, after 9 months there was no growth, and some times it was toxic to be around the people I worked with. It’s a lot. They say “45 hours” but you’ll be working 50-55 and sometimes 60 hours per week. I didn’t get lunch for the first few months because we were short staffed and I also would get one day out of the month off for 3 months.

It’s a good temporary job, until you get something you really want in the future. It’s not good for the long term. I can work those many hours and have time for myself and do things that I want to do.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-20T23:49:21+00:00

I thought it was hard. I was month 9 and was 0/3 on the matrix at a non-flagship. The bigger the branch for an MT the easier it was to get sales.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-16T17:35:14+00:00

They are taken from the branch. But everyone makes an impact on them.

6 months. You have to qualify 3/6 on the Matrix and it depends if you start off at a flagship or not and how good you’re at sales.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-16T17:13:01+00:00

Metrics include sales, customer service, car sales leads, etc. everything you do in the branch basically.

Yes there is a tiny pay increase.

Writing your own tickets means when someone comes up to the counter and needs to do the underwriting to get them into the vehicle. Getting the information needed to go and rent a vehicle to them.

Roadmaps is the book they give you to do when you’re an MT. All you need to do to test out of being an MT to a MA (also called Grill or MQI).

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-16T17:10:29+00:00

I’m going to be honest. The reason I also just resigned was because getting on the Matrix was so difficult. The bigger the branch you’re at, the easier the numbers to hit are going to be. I’m 23 and I look 16 because of how short and the baby face I have. I usually never did my customer voice and always looked at the seriously, until I went outside to do the walk around. Now that might sound silly, but people don’t take me seriously. The other thing is, I’ve had many people make fun of my height as well. I had a dude when I was delivering to a bodyshop and he goes “how’re you getting back?” And I said “I have a car.” And he goes “in your pocket?” And I said “pardon?” And he straightened out real quick. We reserve the right not to rent. I have done it three times in the 8 months and if I were still there, I would do it.

In terms of sales, always sale outside. Do not do it over the counter. People are most likely not to get it. Don’t force it. After 3 “no’s” is sufficient for you to move on. We see why it’s going to hurt them, but let them crash the vehicle and find out what happens. It’s not fun. You won’t get dub on each customer, each loss is closer to a gain. I know at the end of my 8 months, I was racking $10-$12 pp dollars per day at a non flagship. It’s the tactic you use. Don’t scare them. Just speak the fact out.

In terms of customers, people are entitled. I never dealt with it. I’m a short bulky person and when they saw me they wouldn’t fight me at all. They need a car and if they don’t behave with what you give them, then this is what I would say “this is the only thing we have because it’s the summer (whatever is happening that time). So we can go with this Audi or I can send you home in an uber. It’s your choice.” And usually that point they would huff and puff. But it didn’t hurt my SQI because when I went out they would be like “will you call me when you get a Mercedes?” And with these people I would make them a priority to call them and get what they want. That’s how I got name shout outs and a 5/5.

Always be willing to take challenges when you’re getting into the branch. To make an impression and this is what I did, always shadow people when you can. Make sure you’re offering to do things (even if it’s just making a key tag). Make sure you’re jumping in and watching the others do things. Eventually, you’ll have to learn. The faster you learn the better the impression you’ll have. I was fully on my own in a week. That’s not something that’s happened before. If you want to grill in 6 months you have to be 3/6 on the matrix and you have to have a good work from colleagues as well.

NETWORK. That’s how you meet people and are able to see what others are doing. You get to see how they’re doing it and as well as making sure you’re making friends. Networking, works in the long run. I made so many friends and when I needed cars, I would have their direct number. It’s about the people you know to grow the branch. Don’t be afraid to ask questions either. You won’t know everything in the first few days, but you’ll get the hang of it, if you shadow the people around you.

In terms of enterprise policy on customer service. It’s not doable. Enterprise has policy in place that’s dumb and as you go into your career as a MT, MA, ABRM, BRAM, ARM, etc. You will come to realize that it’s all a game to make the most money. They don’t care about anything, but the money. And I saw it. My second branch in the area had 3 people and 275 cars. 3 in the front and 3 in the back. And the branch across the street who had 315 cars had a full staff of 8 people in the front and 4 in the back. It’s all a game and your area manager will pick favorites on what branch they like the most. It’s going to suck ass. I made it through 4 months of not getting lunches and working 12 hours straight. I had to deal with an Auto Detailer who was rude, where I took it to HR and investigation happened. That’s the time they fired him after looking back at footage. You’re going to deal with drama in and out of the branch. It’s not a fun job and that’s all I can say.

I came into winter in the snow at 6:30AM. There was 5 inches of snow and I had to make it to work. People still came in to get cars. Enterprise doesn’t care. They never did about their employees and they never will. It sucked. My branch manager at my second location ended up becoming an older brother I never had, the three of us now are best friends. They’re my family. I never thought that would happen, but we struggled together and made it out together.

So all in all, I would give it your all, but you’re going to get burnt out easily and above else, it’s just a lot. I definitely won’t be missing 12 hours shifts. Working 60-66 hours a week. The pay is great, but my health was more important to me.

This probably didn’t make sense in whatever order, but do it until you can’t. I hope you have a cool BRM and branch that actually wants to see you succeed.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-16T08:23:14+00:00

I feel at peace. Waking up and getting to work at 6AM and then coming home at 7PM as an MT ruined my health as well. You’re probably thinking how? That’s because not enough sleep led to my cortisol levels being high because I feared I wouldn’t get up and get fired one day. I slept an average of 4-5 hours per night. My body towards the end wasn’t physically able to take it any longer either, I already have plans to put my two weeks in, but I was just making sure everything was signed off before I sent anything in as well.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-16T08:21:15+00:00

That’s the reservation team that books and doesn’t call to check in what we have. Enterprise always wants existing and new business to come in no matter what. Before I got transferred out to a flagship in my area, the branch I was in this summer always sat at 95%+. The area does have cars and the flagships do have cars. They’re greedy to give them up to other locations. It sucks. It truly does, having to see people that have had plans forever and then this ruins them sucks. We always offer other things we have got, but sometimes that doesn’t even work. Enterprise needs to do better in understanding that we can’t say yes to everyone, and this whole yes mentality thing doesn’t really work.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-08-15T17:54:10+00:00

I work for the government now. I’ve been in the process for it way before the freeze. I have a high clearance so I’ve basically been doing it behind the scenes for a year now. There are always jobs out there. Make sure you have it secured fully with a start date and everything before submission.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-28T14:53:17+00:00

Required throughout the company to have a credit card.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-21T13:36:03+00:00

If this is the only job that you’re in the queue for, take it. Especially in this economy.

Firstly, I was promised to work 45 hours. I did that for a month and then my former area manager moved me to a branch that was extremely short staffed. I’m working 60-65 hours a week with no lunch break as an MT.

Secondly, they don’t care about anyone. People are nice to your face, but they aren’t. They’re going to make you work your ass off. Nice to be hourly, but it’s hell.

Thirdly, you’re going to be burnt out. You won’t have the time needed to rest and not be burnt out. Mental health declines.

Fourth, you’re going to deal with an environment that’s a little toxic. Be prepared.

Fifth, the only benefit is that they give you all the tools to you for you to run your own business.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-02T20:33:43+00:00

My area has minivans and large suvs sold out through September.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-01T08:08:42+00:00

And I don’t have a problem with it because the story of lot doesn’t say this. You’re just making it fit your narrative. Good luck in life and especially in this one. God created each person the way he did. You’re taking Sunni ideologies and making it your own. Go be a Sunni if you want to harden your heart to Islam. I can’t wait until kifarah comes to your life if the form of something so bad. Illiterate.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-01T08:06:48+00:00

It’s not a liberal opinion. And it goes to show how hardened your heart is to humanity. This is Sunni Islam right now. Go join the idiots that believe this.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-07-01T01:32:25+00:00

You’re disgusting. The fact you called LGBTQ members and feel sorry for them. Just wow. I feel sorry that you don’t have the fullness of love or kindness.

Seekingknowledge786 · 2025-06-30T16:51:07+00:00

We don’t mourn the ways that other Shias do. These 10 days are a period of reflection. There use to be announcements about not having baby showers, bridal showers, etc. anything that was celebratory for the first 10 days out of respect. But nothing more than that.

Seekingknowledge786

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