Why we miss Yasir Qadhi's older and earlier lectures

I miss the old Sh Yasir Qadhi. "How to Speak to your Lord" Digital Mimbar (Journey of Faith Conference)    • Video   ........... JourneyConference | JOF Conference Toronto Original recording date is 2009:    • Shaykh Yasir Qadhi on Journey of Faith 2009   Urdu Version    • How do you speak to your Lord |           ...   ........... I have friends & acquaintances who uses to help organize the Journey of Faith Conference... It can for 4 years and I believe it may have also ran (or still continues to) in Africa. I should probably ask the original organizers what happened and try best to understand the lessons, strengths, and what to focus on in the future. Maybe a podcast? May Allah SWT bless them all. ............ This is just my theory, but I could be mistaken... It felt like Sh Yasir Qadhi inclined more towards humility, principles, and prioritizing the akhirah over the dunya. Back then, it was more about "quality" and less about "quantity." It was also less saturated in terms of social media environment. There wasn't information overload like today, so many corporations competing for our attention. The goal wasn't to reach a wider audience. The goal was to build, develop, mature, and solidify foundations. The goal wasn't to cut corners or explore the limits. It was to set a limit. Again, this is just a theory, but the CVE industry and certain entities have gone after Duaat in the midst of a potential revival (big or small), and used certain tactics here and there to intimidate them. This is documented and I'd be happy to expound on it. In the wake of such pressures (which isn't easy), a Da'ee could take a short temporary retreat or long term one. Some have, some have not. Yes, many have brought up "manhhaj" (which is legitimate, although above my pay grade). But my point here is that Manhaj could be extend to and include areas like humility, not falling to the commercialization of the Deen, and caring more about Baraqah rather than our public speaking skills (although I think everyone should continue to develop their skills including communication and public speaking, etc.). Whatever we think Dr. Yasir Qadhi was upon back then, it certainly felt more "tawakkul orientated." The dawah back then (specifically that kind of dawah, regardless of where you stand), it automatically called for and cultivated more connection towards the Qur'an, Sunnah, Tawheed, and less connection towards people. This isn't to say that other Islamic movements or pockets didn't have this -- they did. But with this particular one, AlMaghrib, etc., commercialization, and an aim for "growth" (almost in a capitalistic way), this just led to a downfall in quality, lowering principles, and other areas. I remember the concept of "ghayrah" emphasized at almost every Almaghrib seminar... Brothers were to lower their gaze when a sister was asking a question. And today? Well, we can see what's happening with AlMaghrib and Yaqeen marketing. Do they do good? Sure, but that "quality" -- it almost feels so short term, to the point they have to keep pumping out new content, new ideas, to feed our corporate dopamine minds. When bringing these types of constructive feedback up, it used to be taken seriously, now it's not a big deal, and not much thought or weight given to it. A reminder to myself: never prioritize material results of spiritual guidance, spiritual principles, Hidayah, etc The alternative, if they had stuck to principles I think, would be that the growth may not have been as fast, but the quality would be there. And in the people and projects they'd build, it would be long term because of the deep roots. But honestly, this is a lesson for all of us and I'm not even saying to look down on anyone. We pray for their guidance and ours. But one reminder I think we need to hear more often, and that these speakers used to remind themselves of perhaps, is that guidance is not connected to people, platforms, organizations. The moment we think this, we've lost something, The point perhaps is really more basic and overlooked which is twofold: Don't get too comfortable. And remember that you are always prone to the ego and lack of sincerity. It's a balance one second guessing oneself and moving forward... wAllahu Alim. May Allah SWT guide me and guide Sh Yasir.