RABBI ZIDNI ILMA

RADIO RAMADAN... lovin' it!

2007-09-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Ok, this radio show is truly a blessing from Allah during Ramadan, and I pray He accepts their efforts. I’ve been listening to it on and off the past few days and would highly recommend it to others… it actually makes me want to move to Leicester, heh. And a conclusion I reached is that the US or specifically certain cities would be so awesome here if we had well spoken English Hanafi Scholars taking initiative in various community projects. Insh'Allah this starts happening soon!

As for the speakers, aside from Mufti Muhammad and Sh. Riyadh, whom I both love, I’ve come to learn about and appreciate some new British Ulema: Sh Khalil Patel, Sh Umar Ghanji, and Sh Ibrahim Mogra, etc. Sh Ibrahim is actually part of the Muslim Council of Britain and does much good for Islam there Mash'Allah. He recently went to Darfur on behalf of the government with others such as Sister Fareena (Q-News) to find the truth and reach resolutions.

When should you check it out if you’re in the US? I’m 6 hours behind Leicester, so I catch Mufti Muhammad’s show at 12pm CST. Check out their discussion sessions too, yesterday it was about Islamic banking, and the day before they went into a lot of detail about the HMC and halal meat (which originated in Leicester).

http://www.fmo.org.uk/index.html

One million homeless in Pakistan

2007-06-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

[Something you probably won't catch on FOX or CNN except for maybe 15 seconds air time which would promptly be preceded by a Paris Hilton interview or the like. Either way, may Allah give these people ease and open the hearts of the Pakistani people to go help their brothers and sisters.I would also like to note that this is a taaaad bit more important than the British Knighting Rushdie...]

One million homeless in Pakistan

Chiade O'Shea

Friday June 29, 2007

Guardian Unlimited

A Pakistani boy uses an inner tube as a flotation aid to cross a

flooded street in Lahore. Photograph: Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images

Pakistan struggled to provide disaster relief to one million people left homeless by Cyclone Yemyin today, as bad weather continued to ground many military rescue helicopters and aid planes.

Pakistan's normally arid Baluchistan province was the worst affected by the tropical storm, which has killed 500 people across south Asia this week, with some districts receiving four times their annual rainfall in 24 hours.

"It is almost impossible to move around by road and many of our choppers and aircraft can't fly because of the wind and rain," said Major General Waheed Arshad, spokesman for the Pakistani military.

For rest of article CLICK HERE

VIDEO: Sh. Hamza on The Creed of Imam Tahawi

2007-06-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

I watched this last night and was astonished once again at Sh. Hamza’s bountiful insight on Islam. The topic of creed has become very controversial amongst many circles come 2007, to the point where you have the younger generation excommunicating and labeling Muslims as deviants due to their narrow understandings. In order to deter fitnah and unite on common ground, Sh. Hamza has recently released The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi. The talk below is from an interview done on the Islam Channel from a few days ago that EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH. I personally loved it and found it well worth my time.

“The important thing is to not increase your creed, but to increase your faith…”

Part 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lJlZeb_tdnY&mode=related&search=

Part 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6SE4_f7FyIU&mode=related&search=

Part 3: http://youtube.com/watch?v=h8xm9ndF_Yw&mode=related&search=

Part 4: http://youtube.com/watch?v=bWnV0XVoMS8&mode=related&search=

Part 5: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gBQhrxYeNGU&mode=related&search=

Part 6: http://youtube.com/watch?v=y3kyRCwYydo&mode=related&search=

Also, Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf will eventually be releasing Imam Tahawi's creed with commentary by al-Midani. But sooner than later Al-Fiqh Al-Akbar which is related to Imam Abu Hanifa with commentary by Allama al-Maghnisawi should be hitting. So keep an eye out for both of these on www.whitethreadpress.com Insh’Allah.

AUDIO: Zaytuna Mawlid an-Nabi 2007

2007-04-03T12:41:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Zaytuna Mawlid 2007

Not much to say here other than Mash’Allah, Mash’Allah, Mash’Allah. Sh. Hamza Yusuf talks first, followed by Imam Zaid Shakir. A very easy and nice listen. Personally, the best part is when Imam Zaid opens up his speech. :)

AUDIO: School of What? The History of Madhabs In Islam

2007-03-10T15:16:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

DOWNLOAD: School of What? The History of Madhhabs in Islam

by Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf.

I still have the Following A Madhhab Starter Kit PDF available

HERE, but I found the lecture & Q/A above very beneficial as well Mash’Allah. Mufti Sahib even touches on the complications and deficiencies of anti-madhhabism. Personally, I still don’t understand how people “choose” not to follow a madhhab, or how people change from praying Hanafi stylee to the “Albani” way with the logic that the Hanafi salat is based on weak athar. It’s like waving byebye to Usul al-Fiqh and different methodologies the Ulema have worked on over the past 1400 years. Of course, there is no problem if you’re changing your madhhab as a whole or if you take dispensations when need be, but it’s an issue we need to be well learned on as well as careful not to cross the borders of talfiq (valid/invalid mixing). Fiqh is such a beautiful and intricate subject, and it stinks that we cheapen it the way we do. Khair, may Allah reward Mufti sahib and bring about more Mufti Abdur Rahman’s who try their best to educate the masses Insh’Allah.

Some more on what I was referring to above:

Objection to Following Another Madhab Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Wa’Allahu Alim

VIDEO: Loathe Thy Neighbor

2007-02-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

Not much to say other than check out the clip below from The Jon Stewart Show. Insh’Allah the Masjid/Center will be erected. And I do pray that our fellow Ahul Kitab open their arms to the Muslim community in a way that shows love and compassion… and not gettin' some rope. Heck if our religious institutions could coexist throughout the past 1400 years in more rugged areas, why not in Katy? Yes, we have plenty of Masjids in Houston Alhamdolillah, but Katy seems to be growing and this would make it easier for the brothers and sisters in that region.

Allah have mercy on this Ummah.

Jummah, BAM!, and Reflection...

2007-01-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

Daily we go through our usual actions, often neglecting to reflect on the magnificence of the Almighty. We’re all guilty of it, minus the ones who have tawajju ila ‘Llah at all times, but one seldom finds those people in our times let alone on the blogternetz. So started a casual day of Jummah as I drove through slightly rainy weather towards the Masjid. Got there right in time to do some dhikr, catch the first adhan, and get my four rakahs. The English talk was given by Brother Atif, and Shaykh Fayaz whom I believe is Hyderabadi (represent!) did the Khutba and lead Salat. I don’t really know anything about him other than he’s visiting our city, but he seems like a very righteous and noble individual Mash’Allah. As always, I finished up my Sunnah’s Hanafi stylee, and proceeded to my car. Since I was close to Hilcroft, I sat there and debated on whether I should grab something to eat, or get some groceries that I needed from Jerusalem Halal Meats… I battled it out in my head, and figured I’d grab some Pita and Halal Salami, which would come in handy for sammiches and the like through out the week.

The roads were still wet, and Hilcroft is possibly one of the crappiest streets in this town to drive on for various reasons, hence one has to be aware of his surroundings more than usual. As a side note, my mom always tries to bribe me with food so I drive her there. Anyhow, I take a fairly safer detour since I like to be careful (or maybe I’m a wuss), and while on the three-lane road, the car in front of me in the far left is signaling to get through incoming cars on the opposite side. Khair, I slow down thus coming to a complete stop with no cars behind me. I figured I’m in no rush, so why should I try to get into the middle or far right lanes amongst the crazies of Hilcroft on a wet road. While waiting I occasionally check my rearview for these crazies, and notice a car behind me in MY lane about 20+ feet away trying to get in the middle lane so she doesn’t have to stop behind me. I don’t really worry because there’s quite enough space between us for her either to stop or change lanes, and I look away. 5-7 seconds thereafter I hear slamming breaks, skidding, and BAM! After the instant jerk of getting rear ended, the first thing that went through my head was a thought faintly depicting the word “DAMMIT” followed by a “DAMMIT” facial expression. I turned off the car, stepped out, and checked if the car behind me was OK while inspectin’ the damage to my pop’s ride. Shukr Allah, everyone was OK Alhamdolillah. It turned out to be middle-aged Caucasian lady in an Xmas sweater with her son. A surprise for me, being on Hilcroft and all as I was expecting someone a bit more ‘ghetto’. We then pulled in front of Raj Sweets to do the exchanging of the info. My Spy Hunter themed paint job on the right depicts what happened at around 2pm on January 19, 2006.

As you can see in the pictures, the damage straight up sucks, but it could’ve been worse. Her car suffered similar dents/smashing on her front driver side. She felt really really really bad, and kept apologizing to which I kept telling her, “hota hai ama ji, hota hai” in English though. She accepted full responsibility, so there was no need to call the Chachoos, and the Insurance info was exchanged. She was literally the first person whom I was in such a situation with who was honest and sincere. For example, once an Indian lady hit me while in a Desi parking lot, and the hag had the audacity to exclaim, “You hit me!!” to me. Anyhow, this lady even called the Insurance Company and made the claim taking full liability by the time I came home and phoned it in. Subhan’Allah.

The crux of the story: As I was driving away, I started doing some spiritual contemplating on how things could’ve gone, and thanked Allah for everyone being OK. I then remembered something Shaykh Nuh said in a lecture once… that the rank of a believer is expressed by the two sole reasons for what Allah created the entire universe for: Dhikr and Shukr of Allah Subhana wahta’Allah in our hearts. The accident made me realize once again the importance of this Dhikr and Shukr, and that I need to strive more even if I do my 5 prayers and all that. Truly, it only takes a mere second, a different road, the seconds you sit in your deciding where to go, a traffic signal, and anything worse or minute could’ve happened. After all, He is all Knowing, and things come to be through His ultimate Will and Power. Alhamdolillah I had read the Ayatul Kursi as I began my trek to Jummah, and all of us are aware of the virtues of these beautiful and powerful ayats. Lastly, this also once again affirmed to me how horrible women drivers are… JUST KIDDING.

Walaikum Asalam

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: Thoughts on the "Science Delusion"

2007-01-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf: Thoughts on the "Science Delusion"

“Humans are the problem… so Religion is ok, we need to get rid of all the humans [hehe]”

Sh. Hamza Yusuf touches on the topic of Religion vs Science in THIS VERY SHORT PODCAST. Dealing with current books on the market that dissuade people away from religion whilst promoting science, Sh Hamza offers some very beautiful advice on the sole problems in this dilemma. May Allah reward him for all his tremendous efforts.

Walaikum Asalam

Ten Days Allah Swore By: The First Ten Days of Dhu'l Hijjah

2006-12-14T13:24:00.000-08:00

Ten Days Allah Swore By: The First Ten Days of Dhu'l Hijjah
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

The first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah are blessed days: Allah Most High Himself swore by them in the Qur’an:

“By the Dawn,

and the Ten Nights...”

[Qur’an, Surat al-Fajr, 89.1-2]

The commentators generally concur that the ten nights refers, ‘the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah,’ as one may find in Shaykh al-Islam Abu Su`ud’s Irshad al-`Aql al-Salim ila Mazaya al-Qur’an al-Karim [famous as Tafsir Abi al-Su`ud, 9.153] or in Tafsir al-Jalalayn.

Imam Ahmad and Nasa’i report from the Mother of Believers, Sayyida Hafsa (Allah be pleased with her) that, “The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) did not leave four matters: Fasting `Ashura [10th of Muharram], [during] the ten days [of Dhu’l Hijja], and three days of each month.”

1. Fasting the First Nine Days, Especially the Day of `Arafah (9th)

The scholars concur that it is recommended to fast during the first nine days of Dhu’l Hijja. (The tenth day is the day of Eid, and is prohibitively disliked and sinful to fast this day.) [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`; Nawawi,Majmu`; Fatawa Hindiyya; Haskafi, Durr al-Mukhtar; Dardir,al-Sharh al-Saghir]

Of these, it is particularly recommended to fast the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah], even for the one on Hajj in the Hanafi school, if it does not weaken the pilgrim from spending the day busy in worship. [Haskafi, Durr;Kasani, Bada’i`]

As for hadiths in which the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) commanded against fasting this day for the pilgrim at `Arafah, this was understood by the Hanafi imams to refer to those whom it would weaken or tire. [As explained by Imam Tahawi in Sharh Ma`ani al-Athar, 2.82-83]

This is because of the numerous hadiths that have come in praise of this day in particular and fasting in it. Among these is:

Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) related that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) said, “Fasting the Day of `Arafah [9th of Dhu’l Hijjah] expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming. And fasting the Day of `Ashura [10th of Muharram] expiates for the past year.” [Reported by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i, and Ibn Majah]

2. Increasing One’s Spiritual Works During these Ten Days

Similarly, it is recommended to busy oneself these days with worship of Allah. Imam Sharaf al-Din al-Hijjawi, the great Hanbali faqih, states in his primary text, al-Iqna`,:

“It is recommend to exert oneself in good works during the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah, such as remembrance of Allah (dhikr), fasting, charity, and other righteous actions, because they are the best of days.” [Buhuti, Kashshaf al-Qina`, 2.60]

This is confirmed by scholars of all the Sunni madhhabs. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq; Haskafi/Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar; Nawawi, al-Majmu` and others]

Many scholars even stated that daytimes of these ten days are more virtuous than the ten daytimes of the last ten days of Ramadan, because of the strength of the primary texts related to them.

3. Spending the Nights of These Days In Prayer and Worship

It is especially recommended to spend some part of each of the nights of these ten days in prayer and worship. [Nawawi, Majmu`; Ibn Qudama, Mughni; Dardir, al-Sharh al-Saghir; Ibn Nujaym, al-Bahr al-Ra’iq;al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya; Ibn Abidin/Haskafi, Radd al-Muhtar `ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

This was deduced by clear primary texts, such as Prophet’s words (Allah bless him and give him peace) that, “There are no days in which good works are more beloved to Allah than these days – meaning the first ten days of Dhu’l Hijjah.” The Companions asked, ‘Not even jihad in the path of Allah, O Messenger of Allah?’ He said (Allah bless him & give him peace), “Not even jihad in the path of Allah, except for the one who goes forth with his person and wealth and does not return with any of it.” [Bukhari and others]

May Allah give us success in these blessed days and nights, and in every moment of our lives, to follow the path of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), and may He make us of those whom He loves and who love Him.

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani

[Source: http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=751&CATE=105&redirect=yes]

VIDEO DOWNLOAD: Imam Suhaib Webb at The GPU 2006

2006-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

”Once a person asked me, “How can I remember Allah Subhana’wata’Allah in my workplace?”
I told him, “If Yunus (as) could remember Allah Subhana’wata’Allah in the belly of a fish, then indeed you can remember Allah in your workplace.”

Subhan’Allah, I love Imam Suhaib Webb for the sake of Allah. His outlook, views, and character are truly admirable, and this lecture exemplifies all of these. The talk is from the 2nd Annual Global Peace and Unity Conference in the UK, and the topics he addressed include the qualities of the Ummah, being conscious law abiding Western Muslims, Islamic unity, and the youth. YES, all of that in the span of a 20-minute discourse, yet so effective and expressive Mash’Allah.

I got the file via torrent from a brother, but I’ve uploaded it onto Megaupload for an easier download to the blogging community. DOWNLOAD THE VIDEO HERE OR WATCH IT ONLINE HERE and Insh’Allah you get something out of what the man is trying to say.

PS. I understand he’s going for the Azhari look now, but I dug his beard more when it was ragin’ TJ stylee! :)

Walaikum Asalam

VIDEO: Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam - Imam Abu Hanifah (ra) & Hadith

2006-11-20T21:55:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

Here’s a video presented by Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari of Darul Iftaa from the UK during the launch of Al-Hidayah: A Classical Manual of Hanafi Law - Vol 1. It’s a pretty short and sweet look at Imam Abu Hanifah (ra), especially in light of his knowledge in Hadith. Alhamdolillah, by the grace of Allah, I benefit so much from Mufti Muhammad (May Allah accept his efforts), and I'm sure anyone who checks this short speech out will do so as well Insh'Allah. I highly recommend his writings and other audio as well, which should slowly be available at Al-Qurtuba Productions.

Something interesting to note is the quote by Ibn Taymiyah (ra) about Imam Abu Hanifah (ra) that the Mufti mentions in the lecture, so keep an ear out for that. :)

Walaikum Asalam

CLICK HERE IF VIDEO DOES NOT WORK.

The Great Contribution of Women In The Sciences of Hadith

2006-11-13T21:45:00.000-08:00

Asalamualaikum,

Sh. Akram Nadwi - The Great Contribution of Women to the Sciences of Hadith [DOWNLOAD]

This post is dedicated to the women Hadith narrators, as well as women scholars throughout Islamic history. Up until recent, I had barely heard of the immense contributions of women in this field, but after listening to the lecture above by Sh. Akram Nadwi and reading through the links below, it’s apparent how influential women have been in regards to Islamic scholarship, namely Hadith. Granted the lecture cuts off at the end, but the 45 or so minutes of it present were more than enough to leave an awe inspiring affect in the heart for the efforts these women made. Nowadays we find that knowledge is being taken away while ignorance is becoming widespread as foretold in the Hadith of the Prophet (pbuh). This applies to men as well as women, but in our times we scarcely hear of women scholars to begin with unless it’s some kind of Pseudo Modernist ‘we need no hijab’ Feminist Nazi.

It was very refreshing to learn about some of the accomplishments of these women, along with their level of piety still in tact. Sh. Akram made a point that, “Muslim men and women are asked to purify their hearts and protect their bodies from shameful acts, to this end Islamic society does not advocate free mixing of men and women, however this does not prevent women from pursuit of religious knowledge.” Not only did they tend to their families, but they also had vast knowledge of various Islamic Sciences Mash’Allah. I was astonished to learn that Imam Dhahabi, Imam al-Suyuti, Imam Sakhaawi, and Ibn Hajar Asqalani all had female teachers or women from whom they gained Ijazah. Now, anyone who has read anything Hadith related has heard the above-mentioned luminaries, and knows the ranks of such people Mash’Allah.

Sh. Akram is currently working on a series of books that have accumulated to approximately 40 Volumes thus far on women Hadith narrators. He mentions in the lecture that he has up to 8,000 biographies Mash’Allah. I’ve listed the names of a few women in light of Islamic scholarship below, but please pardon my misspelling of Arabic names.

1. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr (ra): Hakim Abu Abdullah al-Nashapuri, mentioned how 1/4th of the Sharia has been narrated by Aisha (ra). Subhan’Allah!

2. As-Sayyeda Sara bint As-Shaykh Umar Ibn Ahmed Ibn Umar al Maqdisi (ra): She excelled in the field of Kalam, and taught the work of Ibn Shaheen in Damascus.

3. Amat ul Wahid Bint Husayn Ibn Ismail al Mahamili (ra): She was a great Shafi jurist, Hafiza of the Quran, was an expert in the law of inheritance and capable of giving fatawas.

4. Fatima Bint Abbas Ibn Abi al-Fatah Baghdadiya al Hanbaliya (ra): Praised by Ibn Taymiyah and Ibn Rajab as a great jurist, had most of al-Mughni by Ibn Qudama memorized by heart.

5. Fatima Bint ul Mundir bin Zubair (ra): She was from the Tabien, and the grand daughter of Asma Bint Abu Bakr (ra). She taught her husband, Hisham Ibn ul Urwa ibn Zubair, who was the teacher of Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik.

6. Imam Malik’s Daughter (ra): Had the Muwatta memorized and would correct teachers of it by knocking on the door when they erred.

7. Zaynub Bint al Kamal (ra): A very well known Muhaddith of her time, one of her students was Imam Dhahabi. Sh. Akram has over 100 pages about her in his book.

8. Umm ul Qayr Fatima Bint Ibrahim al Mahmuhd al Bataihiya (ra): One of her teachers was Abu Abdullah Bariqa Zabidi, from whom the highest Isnad for Bukhari goes through. She taught at the Prophet’s Mosque (pbuh), and was the teacher of Imam Dhahabi as well.

9. Asmaa Bint Abdullah (ra): She was a Muhaddithab of the ninth century and according to Imam Sakhawi she had attained permission to relate ahaadith from twenty six teachers.

10. Zaynub Bint Abdullah al-Azhari (ra): She was a Muhaddith in the 10th century; Imam Suyuti was one of her students.

One last and very interesting point Sh. Akram made was that there were 100’s of women who had very strong Isnads due to them starting their Islamic education early, and Allah blessing them with long lives Mash’Allah. One of the standard rules is that if someone narrates ahhadith 50 years after the death of their respective teacher, their Isnad will be regarded as high with a lesser amount of narrators in between. He stated that if you go to an Islamic learning center in our times, the typical scholar would have about 20 people until he reaches Imam Bukhari, but in Syria and some other places where Aisha Maqdasiya is in the chain, it would only be 14-15 people up till Imam Bukhari. Keep in mind that he died in 256 Hijra and right now we’re in 1427…pretty amazing, huh?

Women in the Field of Islamic Knowledge and Islamic Arts

Women Hadith Scholars Part 1

Women Hadith Scholars Part 2

An Article On Women Scholars of Hadith

May Allah grant Jannah to all the people mentioned above, and may He give us the ability to benefit from their works and lives Insh’Allah.

Walaikum Asalam

EID MUBARUK!

2006-10-23T23:03:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

So ends the best of all months. Hopefully we can roll over the righteous acts we performed during Ramadan into our daily lives for the rest of the year, and Insh'Allah we're not of those the Prophet (pbuh) warned us about in a hadith where he stated, "There are those who get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst. There are those who get nothing from their nightly prayers but loss of sleep."

Now,whether I've heard from you recently or not, have a great one Insh'Allah. Khair.

(me and my bro)

Duas Requested
-H

Reflections on Surah Al-'Asr & Surah Ar-Rahman by Imam Zaid & Hamza Yusuf

2006-10-14T23:21:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Zaytuna just posted up this beautiful lecture that was recorded at the Musatafa Center in VA just a few days ago. So make sure you check it out.

Imam Zaid Shakir starts it off with covering some aspects from Surah Al Asr in a befitting and sweet manner. I was very much into the way he presented how Islam is free from ethnic, racial, tribal, and even nationalistic ideals.

At about 45 minutes, Sh. Hamza Yusuf talks about Surah Ar Rahman, and how the Muslim should be more aware of the balance that Allah creates in this world. Both talks are excellent, but I was crackin' up a lot during Sh. Hamza's talk, ie cat food talk, British tea guy talk, etc.

Reflections on Surah Al-'Asr & Surah Ar-Rahman by Imam Zaid and Shaykh Hamza

Wasalam

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting by Imam Al-Ghazali

2006-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Three Grades

It should be known that there are three grades of fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special. Ordinary fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.

Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet -- and all other organs -- free from sin.

Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world.

Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of God, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to God, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than God, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vain discussions.' [al-An'am, 6:91]

Inward Requirements

As for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment.

See Not What Displeases God

A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.'

Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace, said: 'Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.'

Speak Not...

Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.'

The Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, I am Fasting!"'

According to Tradition: 'Two women were Fasting during the time of God's Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst, that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to God's Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: "Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten." One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "These two women have been Fasting from what God made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what God, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sat together and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!"'

Hear Not...

Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why God, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: 'Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain.' [al- Ma'idah, 5:42]

God, Great and Glorious is He, also said: 'Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?' [al-Ma'idah, 5:63]

Silence in the face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. God, Exalted is He, said: 'You are then just like them.' [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin.'

Do Not...

Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast -- to abstain from lawful food - only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful. A man who Fast like this may be compared to one who builds a castle but demolishes a city. Lawful food injurious in quantity not in quality, so Fasting is to reduce the former. A person might well give up excessive use of medicine, from fear of ill effects, but he would be a fool to switch to taking poison. The unlawful is a poison deadly to religion, while the lawful is a medicine, beneficial in small doses but harmful in excess. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!' This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. Others consider it an allusion to those who do not guard their organs from sin.

Avoid Overeating

Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one's belly. There is no receptacle more odious to God, Great and Glorious is He, than a belly stuffed full with lawful food. Of what use is the Fast as a means of conquering God's enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it one not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods? It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together. It is well known that the object of Fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in order to reinforce the soul in piety. If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions.

The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces which are Satan's means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the Fast if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined. Moreover, one of the properties consists in taking little sleep during the daytime, so that one feels the hunger and thirst and becomes conscious of the weakening of one's powers, with the consequent purification of the heart.

One should let a certain degree of weakness carry over into the night, making it easier to perform the (tahajjud) and to recite the praises (awrad). It may then be that Satan will not hover around one's heart, and that one will behold the Kingdom of Heaven. The Night of Destiny represents the night on which something of this Kingdom is revealed. This is what is meant by the words of God, Exalted is He:'We surely revealed it on the Night of Power.' [al-Qadr, 97:1]

Anyone who puts a bag of food between his heart and his breast becomes blind to this revelation. Nor is keeping the stomach empty sufficient to remove the veil, unless one also empties the mind of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. That is the entire matter, and the starting point of it all is cutting down on food.

Look To God With Fear And Hope

After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs.

It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughing merrily. He said: 'God, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors, and failure the wasters. By God, if the veil were lifted off, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds.' In too full of joy to indulge in idle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse.

Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: 'You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you.' But he replied: 'By this I am making ready for a long journey, Obedience to God, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment.'

Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting.

(Source: Tasawwuf.org)

Moon Fighting: Final Post Insh'Allah

2006-09-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Why witnesses in TEXAS were deemed un-credible on 9/22

Two days ago, a friend of mine expressed some cynicism because I wanted to wait for a credible sighting in the US since I wasn’t too sure about the Texas one on Friday night. Soon after in our conversation, I was accused of claiming one of the people whom saw the “supposed’ hilal that day as a liar. Of course I explained myself, and it turned out we were merely discussing, but some of the comments did bug me enough to make another moon fighting post. We go through this every year, and rather than getting better at it, we’ve got more fitnah revolving around this non-issue than ever. Most of my city, and perhaps even this special state started on Saturday, whereas very few Masajids began on Sunday. The split seemed apparent in MOST states, difference lying upon which majority took precedence.

The Masjid I frequent has a radio show on Sundays, and I was under the impression we’d get some clarification in a positive limelight on the confusion of the night before. Rather, they attested to the Shahadas of the witnesses and even had a few of them on the radio show. They also mentioned that whoever did not fast on Saturday have to do a Qada fast in Houston. As compelling as it was, I had a few gripes with some aspects of their argument even though Hafiz Iqbal dropped a few gems in there Mash'Allah. In the end, my heart still didn’t feel comfortable as it did following the Hilal sightings on Saturday Night from the various Hilal committees that have a rigorous tradition of sighting the moon with regards to legitimate reports. I did manage to record the live stream if anyone wants to peep it after they’ve read the article above.

Moon Controversy in Texas [CLICK TO DOWNLOAD] (approx 1.5 hrs)

Anyhow, Alhamdolillah for Ulema and Scholars who follow the moon sighting tradition in a manner that is close and befits our Prophet (saw). I would most definitely include Madarassah Islamiah because they’re very strict on the matter as well, but I’d still like to believe that they were under ‘certain’ pressures. Alhamdolillah for their websites too:

www.chicagohilal.com
www.zaytuna.org
www.hilalcommittee.com
www.ulamaassociation.org/
www.hilalbase.com
www.moonsearch.net

Lastly, I understand the simple laymen need not delve into the matters of the moon, but at the same time we are encouraged each month to go out and look for it. Here’re a few pictures of what I saw right after Maghrib on Sunday 9/24 (my Ramadan DAY 1) at 7:23ish, and took pictures at 7:25pm, 7:27pm, and 7:35pm until some mean looking clouds cast over the area by 7:40pm. Is that a DAY 2 or DAY 3? Hmmmm...if you're a DAY 3, then let me ask:

Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:25pm
Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:27pm
Crescent on 9/24/06 at 7:35pm

AllahuAlim to all of this and RAMADAN MUBARAK to all peoples of the world!
-H

Texas, Ramadan, and moon sightings...

2006-09-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

There’re a ton of thoughts that are running through my mind right now, but the one thing I will say is that TEXAS, and especially Houston is one of the sketchiest places for the Deen in the US of A. Don’t get me wrong, I respect the Ulema regardless of their allegiances, but really bad decisions are a staple here. It's upsetting to see the Masjid whom I usually refer to being hosed on this matter as well, but there's a deeper argument there, which I'm still trying to figure out...

One thing I will never ever understand is… how is it logically possible for the moon to be seen when astronomers and no other states in the US witnessed it? Is there some kind of holy beacon that resonates from the heavens into my state that enables us to see the moon when none of the reliable hilal committees can? Something similar happened before as well.

People say, fast with the majority in your area… but what if you feel the majority is not doing the right thing? What if deep inside you heart you know Saturday was not the first of Ramadan, which would also imply that Shabaan only had 28 days. What if you want your Ramadan to fall on the right days according to an actual moon sighting? We can accept the day difference, but in the end, one has to be right… right?

And other than Saudi Arabia, there are a lot more Islamic countries in the M.E. and ASIA that did not sight anything either. But since Saudi who’s been wrong many times and supposedly relies heavily on calculations says they saw it, and a country right beside them didn’t see jack seriously boggles my mind. Just merely using some Aql proves the inconsistencies of this whole mess. By the way, Paki didn’t see it on Saturday night there either. So a two day difference?

I was really praying for ONE Ramadan ONE Eid, but alas this did not happen. Insh’Allah, I’ll be keeping up with Chicago hilal, Ulema Association, Zaytuna, and so on for an accurate and more proper rendition of the Sunnah of our beloved Rasul (saw).

May Allah Insh'Allah guide this Ummah and grant us tawfiq, especially during this blessed month. Ameen.

Walaikum Asalam

Just a brother deeply annoyed by a NON ISSUE issue
-H

ZABIHA Meat Madness

2006-08-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

The Scenario:

You’re at an Islamic conference, and the Shaykh, Imam, or whoever was speaking has ended his lecture and the time comes in for asking questions. You get a few questions here and there that are relevant to the topic, but then out of nowhere someone will ask, “Can we eat meat purchased from the supermarket?” Upon this more than half the crowd along with the questioner and Imam will get a good laugh, and then the Imam will proceed to make a funny remark and put the question aside. Now I understand it’s a hefty topic, but this sort of attitude somewhat demeans the whole concept of Zabiha and eating if you ask a simple laymen such as myself.

The Rant:

The fact of the matter is that rather than Muslims demanding better quality, and pushing for a change in the Halal meat industry, we’re taking laxity and convenience into accord and putting aside the beautiful tradition of our Prophet (saw). It’s also upsetting when you get hassled for being cautions or using scrupulousness around brothers who deem everything other than pork and alcohol permissible. As for these people who eat mechanically slaughtered chickens and meat from ‘supposed’ people of the book, I can vouch without a shadow of a doubt that 99% of the time when you’re purchasing meat from Kroger, biting into your Whataburger & chicken quesadilla, or even munching down at a restaurant, that the meat has been contaminated by something Haram or it just simply wont meet the Shariah requirements. This isn’t a big claim that needs scientific research to back one up, but one just needs a little bit of CS and Ilm. Not only would you be putting yourself into the risk of eating from rizq that is not allowed, but this will have major spiritual effects on ones Imaan as well.

Unfortunately, the term Halal is one of the most abused words in this day and age, so Insh’Allah take the time to read the PDF below and get some of your questions answered. For the future, I envision a Utopia with Muslims using and eating only Zabiha meat and hand slaughtered chickens, so I don’t have to play Sherlock Holmes for even Muslim owned restaurants. Now that would be the life. AllahuAlim.

The Ilm:

ZABIHA Meat Madness by Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf

-------------------------------------------------------------

And always remember... to think of the chickens:

FOLLOWING A MADHHAB STARTER KIT

2006-07-13T03:20:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Insh’Allah this will be of benefit to those interested, as well as those who are walking the fence on this tremendously important facet of our deen. In the past, it might have not been an issue, but in our times, many people tend to believe that they understand the religion better than the Fuqaha and the Shayouk who have long been gone (peace and blessings upon them). This detrimental logic is what has lead us to the state we are in, thus ultimately downplaying the importance of proper understanding of matters related to Fiqh. May Allah grant us tawfeeq and give us the right guidance in obeying Him, Insh’Allah.

Being as there is an overwhelming amount of material on this topic, I’ve included 8 various sources that I personally found very beneficial, whether it be in the form of book, audios, articles, or Q/A. All of these can be found within the links of this PDF file. Please check it out, read, listen, ponder, gain some insight Insh’Allah, and pass it on to others.

FOLLOWING A MADHHAB STARTER KIT
[right click save as]

Walaikum Asalam

Heavenly Cookies

2006-07-10T21:58:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Just imagine, in Jannah, for all of eternity, other than what the unseen holds, one will have the ability to eat an unlimited amount of Rainbow Layered Cookies… Subhan’Allah. Just pondering on the limitless bounties of Allah literally sets me in a state of awe. Seriously, if Rainbow Layered Cookies are the greatest desert item to me in this dunya, then think of what we will be consuming in Jannah Insh’Allah.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (May Allah's peace and blessing be upon him) said, "Allah, the Exalted, has said: `I have prepared for my righteous slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and the mind of no man has conceived.' If you wish, recite:

`No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.' " (32:17) [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Recently, my sister visited some family in NY, and brought back our favorite bakery item (Rainbow Layered cookies) with her. This was probably the first time I ever insisted against the cookies, but this was due to my recent pursuit in leading a healthier life, thus cutting back on sweets. Luckily, my younger sister did the dirty work, and requested the cookies. Either way, we had some from Alpine Pastry Shoppe, and they were very very very tasty. In the past, we usually purchased them from Dortoni Bakery, and so I’ve always had a soft spot for theirs. She also brought back some Pignoli cookies, which were really delicious as well.

Since Rainbow Layered Cookies are somewhat of a mystery in Texas, my sister and I once decided to try out some recipes to see if we could concoct this splendid sweet. Finding the ingredients was pretty simple, and the only pricey things we needed were Marzipan, and semi sweet chocolates. Mash’Allah, we’ve made them about 4-5 times now, and Alhamdolillah they’ve turned out very similar if not exactly like those we’ve had from classy NY bakeries. To end it, before my brain makes me want to make them and devour 10+ pieces, here’s an image of the very first time we made them:

(we didn't have any green food coloring the first time around)

Walaikum Asalam

What a Bad Servant Is He!

2006-06-09T00:55:00.000-07:00

Al-Hasan Al-Basri
[From Ghunyat-ut-Talibeen of Shaikh 'Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani (rahimahullaah)]

Al-Hasan al-Basri (may Allah bestow His mercy upon him)] said:

"What a bad servant [of the Lord] is he! I am speaking of a servant who fits the following description:

He asks for forgiveness (maghfirah), while he is actively engaged in sinful disobedience (ma'siya).
He behaves in a humbly submissive manner, so that he may be credited with loyalty (amana), but he is only pretending, to hide his disloyalty (khiyanah).
He forbids what is wrong, but does not refrain from it himself.
He enjoins what is right, but does not act upon his own instructions.
If he gives, he does so very stingily, and if he withholds, he offers no apology.
If he is in the best of health, he feels secure, but if he falls sick, he becomes remorseful.
If he is impoverished, he feels sad, and if he gets rich, he is subject to temptation.
He hopes for salvation, but does not act accordingly.
He is afraid of punishment, but takes no precautions against it.
He wishes to receive more benefit, but he does not give thanks [for what he has received].
He likes the idea of spiritual reward, but he does not practice patience.
He expedites sleep and postpones fasting"

REVIEW: ICNA-MAS South Central Regional Conference

2006-05-31T18:59:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

The event was nothing to brag about, but it was still a nice effort Mash’Allah. So, here’s a short review of the occasion that took place on 5-29-06 at University of Houston on a muggy yet cloudy day.

THE MEET…

My brother and I hooked up with Chachoo around 9:30am and we headed towards UH to check out what this ICNA-MAS Conference was about. Unfortunately, the persons I initially wanted to attend this event for (Imam Siraj Wahaj, Chaplin Yusuf Yee, and Junaid Jamshed) were never confirmed, but were advertised more often than not until less than 2 weeks ago. I was a bit bummed upon finding out about this rather upsetting news and even debated on attending the conference… but you know how this story goes.

THE CONFERENCE…

We arrived a little after the designated time of the beginning of the event, but since Desi’s ran the operation for the most part, I figured everything would be accustomed to DST, so I had no worries about missing Qari Hashim of Madrasah Islamiah doing Qirat. And surprisingly I was right, they ended up having some Mic probs, but once it was resolved the event began with a beautiful recitation by the Qari Mash’Allah. Then Br. Hanif Harris (President of ICNA South) gave a warmhearted welcome and explained the significance of Unity and of the Ummah working together with events such as this. Then came on Sh. Abdool Rahman Khan, who gave a basic talk on the Islamic Society. Sh. Yusuf Estes (whom I’d consider a Da’ee more than anything) talked next about “Muslim Buts” which was a pretty funny (had to be there kind of joke). After him Dr. Muhammad Yunus gave a talk about the responsibility of a Muslim, and this was nice as he brought up many beneficial verses from the Quran on the PowerPoint screen. After all this, it was break time, and that meant doughnuts, though mindlessly I’d eaten way more than I should’ve for one day, and that definitely didn’t help my stomach as the day proceeded.

On my journey back to the conference from the car with my bro, I observed something very uncomforting. As I made my way to the Main hall, I realized the plethora of Hijabis (the real deals and one dayers) everywhere. It was to the point where people were bumping into other people and walking through crowds of the opposite gender. Now, I understand the place was small, but the dividing of brothers and sisters inside the lecture hall seemed rather insignificant once you stepped outside or went to the bazaar. That was my biggest complaint about the whole event. It’s kind of like going to the mall, but rather than hoochie mamas, there were Hijabis on cells and so on everywhere. Anyhow, we got back to the lecture hall and the Ameer of ICNA was giving a talk on one of my favorite subjects, Tazkiyah. Though unfortunately, it was the worst speech I witnessed that day as far as presentation and content went. I’m not knockin’ on the Dr., but I’m just calling it as how I saw it. Houston’s Sh. Zoubair spoke next on a speech he claimed would be a realistic view of society and ways or rebuilding it. Compared to the other speakers there, the Sh. seemed to have a better grasp of keeping the crowd captivated while making various important points ranging from education to areas in which the Muslims need to be employed in other than the Engineering or Medical fields, heh.

The next segment was a real interesting one as well, and it contained a panel of reverts along with some of the Shayouk/Leaders present at the event. The topic revolved around ethnic issues that reverts encounter during their acceptance of Islam. Brother Isa Galloway (of CAIR) and Mujahad talked real well on these topics Mash’Allah. It was real interesting to catch a glimpse of how they saw things when trying to figure out where and who to take Islam from, since they were starting off with a clean slate. One of the concerns seemed to be that of the community neglecting brothers or sisters who revert after they take their Shahadas, as well as the cultural divide when someone of a completely different background enters the picture and sees people of the same ethnicity clinging together. I can’t say I agreed with some things that were said about the Islam vs Culture topic, but I will say that culture is only second to ISLAM. The Shayouk/Leaders didn’t mention anything worthwhile other than that they do try to focus on these issues, along with mentioning how they felt awful that these individuals go through this, etc. However, the most intriguing point from the talk that I can recall was made from Brother Isa, when he mentioned how in public talks to non-Muslims, we tend to find a poster boy of some sort who will ultimately be similar in looks/background to the other party. Basically he summed it up and said we need people who speak proper English from a different variety of groups (that exist within the Islamic communities) to represent, and that we shouldn’t be timid of having the brother with the big beard talk about Islam, because that’s the person who the media is labeling as a terrorist or extreme in the first place, Subhan’Allah.

The next set of lectures consisted of one of the few (or only) speakers whom I was interested to hear, Dr. Yusuf Kavacki from Dallas. He spoke after Sh. Abdool Rahman Khan’s talk about the Sahhabas, and Ridwan Saleh (ISGH President), whom talked about the importance of building and maintaining Masajids. I noticed Dr. Kavacki went off a tangent in his love for the Prophet (saw) talk, due to some concerns of his I presume. In my opinion, I believe what happened was that during the lectures the Dr. heard people using the infamous “Quran and Sunnah” phrase, and he felt the need to attach a little more to that by mentioning the importance of properly understanding Fiqh and following Quran and Sunnah according to the Fuqaha, and he tried to tie that into the love speech by saying it is through these writings of the Fuqaha that we understand how to love the Prophet (saw). Something else I got from him was that a problem with Masjids (from Ridwan Saleh’s talk) is to preserve unity, but not to advocate uniformity, since Muslim communities contain a variety of different backgrounds. He was real entrancing, as well as energetic Mash’Allah, and I was glad to have caught his talk, even though he had a lot more he wanted to cover but the lack of time didn’t allow it. During these talks I missed Sh. Zia ul-Haqq, also from Dallas, who gave a talk to the youth with Sh Zoubair entitled “Cool Shaykh,” so that kinda stunk.

LETS CALL IT A DAY…

Well, it was around 6ish when we decided to leave. I wouldn’t have minded staying longer, but the consensus (yes all three of us) was to bust before Asr because there was nothing notable going on afterwards. Overall, the event had a pretty good turnout Mash’Allah, but there was too much crazy implicit gender interaction present. And as for speakers, the focus should’ve been on quality not quantity. It was apparent there’d be more people in the food area than in the hall at certain times, plus there’s not a whole lot a speaker can get across in 25 minute talks. On a more positive note, they did provide congruent programs for the Youth and Sisters, but I didn’t attend those for obvious reasons. The best thing about the event was the little flyer they made that presented Islam’s view of Isa (as) in refutation to this The Da Vinci Code phenomenon that is going on. Insh’Allah, if I make it through another year, I’d go to the 2nd installment of this conference if it happens.

Walaikum Asalam

EVENT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MUSLIM UNITY

2006-05-20T11:39:00.000-07:00

ZAYTUNA INSTITUTE PRESENTS
In Partnership with the Islamic Association of North Texas

Zaytuna Minara Program: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MUSLIM UNITY

A day-long intensive workshop taught by:
Imam Zaid Shakir
Ustadh Yahya Rhodus

Saturday, June 17th, 2006
Dallas Central Mosque, Richardson, Texas

A practical look at the dynamics of creating healthy, empowering, and enriching brotherhood, sisterhood, and communities according to the highest ethical and social principles of Islam. Addressing a topic about which so many Muslims sloganize but few present useful solutions, this program will provide insight on what divides us and implementable guidance on how to genuinely bring the hearts of the Muslims together.

Sessions will cover:
The Social Contract of Islam (Duties of Brotherhood/Sisterhood)
The Etiquettes of Disagreement
Anti-Sectarian Thinking
The Prophetic Ethic of Tolerance

The program will also include also special exercises, extensive Q&A, and much more.

LOCATION Multipurpose Hall
840 Abrams Road
Dallas Central Mosque
Richardson, TX 75081
(972) 231-5698

TUITION AND TERMS
- Saturday, June 17th, 10:00am to 8:00pm (with breaks)
- $30 for pre-registration until June 13th, $40 after and day-of
- Supplementary course materials/handouts provided
- Meals, accommodations, and transportation not included
- No children under age 10. Free childcare provided.

A portion of the proceeds from this program will benefit the Islamic Association of North Texas (IANT).

REGISTRATION NOW: click here.
For more information:
Email: minara@zaytuna
Phone: (510) 582-1979 (972) 231-5698
Web: http://www.iant.com/

Ghazali: Exposition of the Way in which Young Children should be Disciplined, and the Manner of their Upbringing

2006-05-16T11:04:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Here is an answer taken off of SunniPath in regards to raising children. A very very very critical and important issue that parents should take heed of. The excerpt itself is taken from the Ihya Ulum al-Deen by Imam al-Ghazali (ra).

Q.

Do you have any guidance from our ulema on how to raise children?

A.

The following is from Imam Ghazali's: Disciplining the Soul (Kitab Riyadat al-Nafs), being Book XXI of Ihya' `Ulum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) translated by T.J. Winter (Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad)

NOW that the way in which young children are disciplined is one of the most important of all matters. A child is a trust in the care of his parents, for his pure heart is a precious uncut jewel devoid of any form or carving, which will accept being cut into any shape, and will be disposed according to the guidance it receives from others. If it is habituated to and instructed in goodness then this will be its practice when it grows up, and it will attain to felicity in this world and the next; its parents too, and all its teachers and preceptors, will share in its reward. Similarly, should it be habituated to evil and neglected as though it were an animal, then misery and perdition will be its lot, and the responsibility for this will be borne by its guardian and supervisor. For God (Exalted is He!) has said, Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire. A father may strive to protect his son from fire in this world, but yet it is of far greater urgency that he protect him from the fires which exist in the Afterlife. This he should do by giving him discipline, teaching him and refining his character, and by preserving him from bad company, and by not suffering him to acquire the custom of self-indulgence, or to love finery and luxury, in the quest for which he might well squander his life when older and thus perish forever. Rather should he watch over him diligently from his earliest days, and permit none but a woman of virtue and religion to nurse and raise him; her diet should be of permitted things, for there is no blessing [baraka] in milk which originates in forbidden food, which, should a child be nourished on it, will knead his native disposition in such a way as to incline his temperament to wrongdoing.

When the signs of discretion appear in him he should again be watched over carefully. The first of these is the rudiments of shame, for when he begins to feel diffident and is ashamed of certain things so that he abandons them, the light of the intellect has dawned in him, whereby he sees that certain things are ugly, and different from others, and begins to be ashamed of some things and not others. [1]This is a gift to him from God (Exalted is He!), and a good foretoken that his traits will be balanced, his heart pure, and his intellect sound when he enters upon adulthood.

The child who has developed the capacity for shame should never be neglected; rather this and his discretion should be used as aids in his education. The first trait to take control of him will be greed for food; he is to be disciplined in this regard, so that, for instance, he picks up food only with his right hand, says 'In the name of God' when raising it, eats from that which is nearest to him, and does not start eating before others. [2] He should not stare at his food or at the other people present, neither should he bolt it, but should chew properly; he should not eat one mouthful after another without pause, he should not get food on his hand or his clothes, and he should acquire the habit of sometimes eating nothing but bread so that he does not think that the presence of other kinds of food is inevitable. He should be made to dislike eating large quantities by being told that this is the practice of animals, and by seeing other children reproached for overeating or praised for being well-mannered and moderate. He should be made to enjoy giving the best food to others, and encouraged to pay little heed to what he eats and to be contented with its coarser varieties.

He should be encouraged to like white rather than coloured or silk garments, and made firmly to believe that these latter are proper to women and to effeminate men, and that [true] men disdain them. This should be repeatedly emphasised to him so that he dislikes and criticises the wearing by any child he sees of silken or coloured clothes. He should be protected from children who are accustomed to luxury and comfort, and to wearing expensive garments, and from mixing with all who would speak to him of such things and thereby make them fine in his eyes. For the child who is neglected in the early years of his growth will usually grow up to be ill-natured, dishonest, envious, obstinate, inclined to theft, backbiting, and excessive chatter and laughter, and slyness and immorality, from all of which things he can be protected through a sound upbringing.

Next he should be busy at school learning the Qur'ân, the Traditions, and tales of devout men, so that love for the righteous may take root is his heart. He should be preserved from those varieties of poetry which treat of lovers and passion [3], and from the company of such men of letters as claim that these things are part of an elegant and sophisticated nature, for this would implant the seeds of corruption in his heart. Whenever a good trait or action manifests itself in the child he should be admired and rewarded with something which gives him joy, and should be praised in front of others; likewise, when once in a while he does something bad it is best to pretend not to notice and not to bring it to the attention of others (but never to reveal to him that it is something which others might be bold enough to do), particularly if the child himself has diligently endeavoured to hide his action, for the exposure of such deeds may cause him to grow emboldened, until he no longer cares when they are made public. Should he repeat the action, he should be privately reproached and made to feel that it was a very serious thing, and be told, 'Beware of doing anything like this again, or I shall tell others and you will be disgraced in front of them!'. He should not be spoken to at length every time, for this would accustom him to being blamed for his misdeeds, and destroy the effectiveness such words have upon his heart. A father should rather preserve the awe in which the child holds his speech by reproaching him only sometimes: similarly the mother, when reproving him should frighten him by [threatening to mention the matter to] his father. He should not be permitted to sleep by day, for this conduces to laziness, and should always be allowed to sleep at night, but not on a soft bed, which would prevent his members from growing tough. His body should not be allowed to grow fat, for this would make it hard for him to renounce self-indulgence; instead he should be habituated to rough bedding, clothing and food.

He should also be prevented from doing anything secretly, for he will conceal things only when he believes them to be ugly, and if he is left to continue these practices will grow used to doing ugly things. He should acquire the habit of walking, moving about and taking exercise for part of the day so the he is not overcome by idleness, and should be taught not to uncover his limbs or walk fast, and not to dangle his arms but to keep them close to his trunk. He must be forbidden to boast to his fellows about any of his parents' possessions, whether these be money or property, or about anything he eats or wears, or about his tablet and pencase, and should become used to being modest, generous and mild in speech to all with whom he associates. He should be prevented from accepting anything from other boys, if he is from a wealthy and powerful family, and be taught that it is honourable to give, and base and blameworthy to take; while if his parents are poor he should be taught that greed and taking from others is a disgraceful and humiliating practice fit only for dogs, which wag their tails hoping for a morsel.

Children should always be made to deem the love of gold and silver an unsightly thing, and should be warned in this regard even more vigorously than they are warned about snakes and scorpions, for the vice which consists in such a love is more dangerous to them (and to adults also) than poison.

A child should be put in the practice of not spitting, yawning or wiping his nose in the presence of others, and taught not to turn his back to anyone, or to cross his legs, or lean his chin and support his head on his hand, for these practices indicate the presence of sloth. He should be taught how to sit, and be forbidden to speak excessively, it being explained to him that this is a sign of impudence and the custom of children from low families. Making oaths of any sort, whether true or false, should be forbidden to him, so that he never acquires this habit as a child. He should be put in the habit of never speaking before anyone else, and of speaking only in response to questions and in proportion to them, and of listening properly whenever an older person is speaking, and rising [when he enters], and making a place for him and sitting facing him. He should be forbidden to speak loosely, or to curse or insult anyone, or to mingle with those who do such things, for these habits will inevitably be acquired should he fall in with bad company, the preservation from which is the very root and foundation of the education of children. If his teacher strikes him he should not cry out and sob, or seek anyone's intercession, but should rather bear his punishment, and be told that to do so is a mark of courage and manhood, while to cry is the practice of slaves and women.

After school, he should be allowed to play in a fashion which gives him some rest after his hard work in class, although he should not be allowed to grow exhausted. To prevent a child from playing, and to fatigue him with constant lessons, will cause his heart to die and harm his intelligence, and make life so hateful to him that he will cast around for some means of escape.

He should be taught to obey his parents and his teacher, and all people who are older than himself, whether relations or not, and to look upon them with respect and admiration and not to play in their presence. As he reaches the age of discretion he should not be excused the ritual ablutions and the Prayer, and should be told to fast for a few days during Ramadan, and should be prevented from wearing gold, silk or embroidered clothes. He should be taught about the limits [4] laid down by the Law, and put in fear of theft and unlawful gain, and also of lying, treachery, deceit, and all the other traits which tend to predominate among children. If he is brought up in this way, then as he approaches adulthood he will come to understand the reasons which underlie these things, and will be told that food is a means of maintaining health, and that its sole purpose is to enable man to gain strength for the worship of God (Great and Glorious is He!), and that this world is without reality, since it will not endure, and that death must bring its pleasures to an end, and that it is a place through which we pass but in which we cannot abide, unlike the Afterlife, in which we must abide and through which we cannot pass, for death awaits us at every moment, and that therefore the intelligent and insightful man will lay up provisions in this world for his journey into the next so as to gain a high degree in the sight of God and abundant bliss in the Gardens of Heaven. If his upbringing was sound, then when he attains to maturity these ideas will have a powerful and wholesome effect which will leave an impress on his heart like an inscription on stone; had it been otherwise, so that the child had grown accustomed to play, boastfulness, rudeness and insolence, and greed for food, clothes and finery, his heart will shrink from accepting truth in the manner of a field where crops wither because of its dry soil.

It is the beginning which should be supervised carefully, for a child is a creature whose essence is receptive to both good and evil: it is only its parents who cause it to be disposed to one or the other. As the Prophet said, 'Every child is born with the sound natural disposition [fitra]: it is only his parents who make of him a Jew, a Christian or a Zoroastrian'.

Sahl ibn 'Abd Allâh al-Tustarî said, 'When I was [only] three years old I used to say the midnight prayer, having watched my maternal uncle Muhammad ibn Suwâr doing this. One day he said to me 'Do you not remember God, your Creator?' and I asked, 'How should I remember Him?' 'When you put on your bedclothes, say in your heart three times, without moving your tongue, "God is with me. God beholds me. God watches over me". This I did for several nights, telling him what I had done. Then he instructed me to say the same words seven times each night, which I did, and then eleven times, upon which I felt a sweetness growing in my heart. When a year had passed, my uncle said to me, "Keep doing what I have told you until you enter your grave, for it will help you in this world and the next". I continued to do it for several years, finding a sweetness within myself, until my uncle said, "Sahl! If God is with somebody, and beholds him and watches over him, can he then disobey Him? You should never do so".

'Now, it was a habit of mine to keep my own company, and when they sent me to school I said, "I am afraid that my concentration will be lost". But they made it a condition upon the schoolmaster that I should be with him and study for a certain period each day, and would then come back home. And so I went to school, where I memorised the Qur'ân by the time I was six or seven years old. It was my practice to fast every day, my only nourishment for twelve years being from barley-bread. When I was thirteen I came across a question [which I could not answer], and asked my family to send me to Basra to search for the answer to it there [5]. When I arrived, I asked the scholars of that city regarding it, but not one of them was able to provide me with a satisfactory response. I journeyed therefore to 'Abbâdân [6], where I met a man named Abû Habîb Hamza ibn Abî 'Abd Allâh al-'Abbâdânî, who was able to answer my question. I then stayed with him for while, benefiting from his discourse and taking on some of his good manners, and then went back to Tustar [7]. Now I restricted myself in the matter of food to buying for one dirham a measure [8] of barley, which I would cause to be ground and baked, and of which I would eat one ounce [ûqiya] before dawn, without any salt or other food, so that that one dirham sufficed me for a whole year. Then I resolved to fast for three days at a stretch, and then break my fast, and then for five days, and then seven, and at last twenty-five days. This I did for twenty years. Then I went out, and wandered in the earth for several more years, and then returned to Tustar, where I prayed all night for as long as God willed.' Said Ahmad, 'I never saw him eat salt until he went to meet his Lord'.

Transcribed by Sr. Nosheen Mian.

Reproduced with written permission of translator

Notes:
1. According to Galen, the expressions of shame appear in the third year of life. (Rosenthal, Classical Heritage, 89.)
2. These practices being in conformity with the Prophetic Sunna.
3. Tusi (tr. Wickens, Nasirean Ethics, 168) names the poetry of Abu Nuwas and Imru'l-Qays as prime examples.
4. Ar. hudud, which may equally be rendered 'canonical punishment'.
5. The question, according to Ibn al-`Arabi (cited in Bowering, Mystical Vision, 48, and Chittick, Sufi Path of Knowledge, 407), was whether the heart itself could prostrate. Qushayri interprets the story as an indication that mysticism solves the problems that theology is unable to answer. (Bowering, loc. Cit.)
6. [`Abbadan, then situated on an island between the estuaries of the Tigris and the Dugail (=Qarun) River, was the site of a retreat (ribat) which was founded by the disciples of al-Hasan al-Basri (d. 110/728)' (Bowering, 47). It was frequented by important figures of both exoteric and esoteric Islam.
7. The home town of Sahl was located in Khuzestan in south-western Iran. Cf. J. H. Kramers, art. 'Tustar', in EI, IV. 393-5.
8. Ar. faraq, a large measure of grain, variously defined. (Cf. Lane, 2385.)

Salah al Din Abu'l-Muzaffer Yusuf ibn Ayyub ibn Shadi

2006-05-11T12:29:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Easily one of the most revered persons in Islamic history, be it for his courage, piety, or even mercy. All, Muslims and Christians alike, loved Salahuddin Ayyubi (rahmatullahi alai) who was well known towards the latter end of the 12th century and onwards. Upsettingly, it is due to our current condition that we don’t study such great personalities and take example from them. Rather we have slowly become victims of media and tabloid life, and if not that, then obsessing over sports, music, or video games, as materialism takes over our very souls. Allah has blessed us with so many eminent Muslims in our Ummah, but we neglect their works, and sometimes when we do recollect on them, we don’t initiate our youth to be like these individuals. Of course, this serves to remind myself of the importance of knowing where we came from as well, so I’ve decided to dedicate this post to the “father of the Victorious”, Salahuddin Ayyubi (rahmatullahi alai).

DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE

Here’s an excellent lecture given by Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf about Salahuddin (rahmatullahi alai). I know 80 minutes will not do much justice, but it will give you an idea of who he was, and what he did for the Deen, Insh’Allah. Plus, it’s by Mufti Abdur Rahman, so there is no reason NOT to check it out.

Saladin: a Benevolent Man, Respected by both Muslims and Christians

Please take the time to read from the above link, as it’s a very comprehensive and interesting bio that I found which covers many of the details of his life in brief.

Five Real Interesting Tid-Bits

After Salahuddin (rahmatullahi alai) overthrew the Fatamid dynasty in Egypt, he changed the creed of Al-Azhar University in Cairo from Shia to Sunni. It’s stayed this way up to our current times Mash’Allah, being one of the top notch Islamic universities in the world.
During the battle that took place over Bait ul-Maqdis in Jerusalem, Salahuddin (rahmatullahi alai) sent his very own doctor, along with fruits and ice to treat Richard The Lionheart’s sickness. Talk about compassion; something like that happening right now is inconceivable from a Muslim or non-Muslim.
Salahuddin (rahmatullahi alai) was of the Shafi Madhab in matters of Fiqh. He was also very keen on Ihsan, as from some sources it’s mentioned that Imam al-Ghazali’s writings were an influence on him too. This becomes somewhat clear when we learn how devout he was in his level of Zuhd, offering his prayers, as well as the fact that he set up Khanqas in many of the places he traveled to.
Moustafa al-Akkad had a script ready, and was planning to do an English film on Salahuddin prior to his death. If you’re not familiar with that name, perhaps you’ve heard of two films he produced, The Message, and Lion of The Desert. At well over the age of 70, he had intentions of making other Islamic historical movies, such as one for Muhammad Shamil (Chechen Mujahideen who fought against the Russians) and another about the Bosnian War. Sadly, Moustafa al-Akkad was a victim of a suicide bomber at a hotel in Jordan, along with his daughter. The film would’ve been real beneficial for the masses, since it’s easier for us to watch a movie than open a book.
Salahuddin in CGI!?

Here’s a list of a few books that might be of interest to someone wanting to learn more about Salahuddin Ayyubi (rahmatullahi alai). The first one written is by a non-Muslim, but it’s supposed to be one of the best books based on his life.

Saladin: Sultan and Uniter of Islam (National Book Network) – By Stanley Lane-Poole

The Life of Saladin (Adam Publishers) by Beha Ed-Din

Salahuddin Ayyubi (Ferozsons Pvt. Ltd) – Translated by Sarwat Sharif

Muslim Heroes of the Crusades (Ta-Ha Publishers) - By Shahnaz Husain

Subhan’Allah, if only the Ummah produced such amazing individuals with the correct teachings of Islam in all its beautiful aspects in our times. AllahuAlim, but the name of our deen might not be under such immense scrutiny 24/7. May Allah free Jerusalem and give ease to all the brothers and sisters holding it down in Palestine, and protect Muslims all over the world. Ameen, Ya Rabb'il Alameen!

Walaikum Asalam

Imam Zaid Shakir - Spirituality In A Time of Crisis

2006-05-02T00:34:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE [Manchester 2006]

DOWNLOAD THE NOTES [Taken by yours truly]

I found this lecture on the internet very recently, and was motivated to take a few notes on the talk for the blog. Imam Zaid Shakir always has something beneficial and uplifting to say, especially in the context of issues that deal with socio-political arguments and spiritual progress. I'd recommend people to check out THE RISE & FALL OF THE UMMAH by Imam Zaid Shakir as well (I still need to finish listening to this Insh'Allah), as it is a very beneficial series within itself, Alhamdolilah.

Let me know what you guys think, whether about the lecture or idea with the notes, etc. I may need motivation for me to continue doing this... you know, to prevent a lethargic 'tude.

Walaikum Asalam

Shaykh Rafiq Ismail Week 4/14 – 4/21: “It’s time, it’s time to change!”

2006-04-24T19:13:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Alhamdolilah, our city was blessed this month of Rabbi Awwal with the visiting of Sh. Rafiq Ismail from England. The respected Shaykh visits one of the Madrasahs in my town occasionally, where I believe he has some family and friends. And this time around, they decided to set up a series of lectures given by the Shaykh across the Masajids in our area. It was the first time I witnessed a live lecture of his, and let me tell you, he is a phenomenal speaker, Suhban’Allah. Of course I had heard some of his talks before via Mp3, and in my head I had pictured an older fellow with a whitening beard at least, but my thinking was quite incorrect. Upon further inquiring, I found out that he was a graduate of Darul Uloom Bury, like some of my other much loved current Scholars, Mufti Muhammad Ibn Adam, Mufti Abdur Rahman Ibn Yusuf, and Sh. Riyadh ul-Haqq. I believe he graduated the same year as Sh. Riyadh ul-Haqq as well, so he wasn’t old at all in age, but rather very extensive in his wisdom, Mash’Allah.

His style of speech is one that I usually would not be fond of since he is what I would typically have termed as a “yeller”, but the way he made his points and kept up with himself differentiated his approach from the average “yeller”. The lectures were moving, and while he mentioned countless examples of the past, he always managed to connect them to modern day experiences to which the crowd at hand would easily be able to relate to. The major focus of the talks was related to why we love the Prophet (saw) and implementing this through practicing the Sunnah of our beloved Rasul (saw). Not only did the talks serve to amplify my Imaan, but also Insh’Allah putting into practice what was taught should actually be the ultimate goal. On a side note, my favorite expression used by the Shaykh is his coined term of, “Ajeeb’Ullah!” in addition to his harmonizing styled Arabic discourse, and him saying “hey man” in a casual British accent. You’ll see exactly what I mean if you download the lectures provided below.

It’s also illustrious to mention that through out the lectures there was a group of 10 or so individuals, young and not so young (I don’t want to get in trouble calling anyone old, heh) who followed the Shaykh around the various Masajids for the lectures. This alone should be a sign of the barakah at these gatherings, and his character Suhban’Allah. May Allah accept all the efforts from the Shaykh, as well as granting all those who benefited from his talks the tawfeeq to act upon everything that necessitates our faith, and for the infinite bounty of Allah Most High and Almighty to grant us Jannah Insh’Allah. Ameen, Ya Rabb'il Alameen!

I caught quite a few his talks, so I’ve listed a few lines about some of them below. I’m not 100% sure, but many of these lectures should be available for purchase at http://www.mihouston.org/ or through Madrasah Islamiah eventually as well.

[4-14-06] Jumuah Khutba at Madrasah Islamiah

The pre-Jumuah English Khutba revolved around the concept of Easter and its pagan origins. He also mentioned how in Islam the Muslim should uphold their character in a manner that was taught to us by the Prophet (saw) as opposed to our current condition of being accused of deceit, lying, cheating, etc.
The second Arabic Khutba he gave was great Suhban’Allah. I haven’t heard anything too similar to it in quite some while to be honest. The whole speech was recited in a harmonizing manner, leading all the way up to the dua. Any person with even a hint of Imaan or love of Allah and His Messenger (saw) felt it, as there were some people tearing at the eyes.

[4-15-06] Lecture at Madrasah Islamiah

I arrived at the Masjid fairly early, and noticed the crowd thickening as Maghrib Salat time drew near. But, from the start of the program up until the end, the place was reasonably packed with a good mix of people Mash’Allah.
Qari Ahmed, who is a recent addition to the Madrasah roster, was superb Mash’Allah. Nothing beats a good Qari, other than maybe good Nihari. Next came the Shaykh, and he talked for a good hour and some odd minutes.
The essential topic of the day was aspects of why we love the Prophet (saw), and he split this up into three categories: Beauty, Excellence, and Ihsan.
In the context of the speech, he focused a lot on the poetry that esteemed our beloved Prophet (saw), such as the poem written by Hasan Ibn Thabit (ra). He also spoke about the poem by Shaykh Jahma, as he went through many verses explaining the significance of them. I found this part of the speech very appealing, especially in our day and age, where love of the Prophet (saw) is something that seems to be only external. And when people praise the status of the Prophet (saw), they’re accused of exaggerating that very status that even Allah himself has ordained. Suhban’Allah, this is the state we’re in.
This might have been my personal favorite speech by the respected Shaykh. So many different aspects were covered that I can’t sum up everything in a few lines.
After Isha, two individuals completed Al-Quran, upon this there was a Khatam dua. Then dinner was served; it was a light biryani type rice with gosht & potato, along with a quite oily Gosht ka Shorba. I tasted a little, but wasn’t feelin’ it, but Shukr Allah.

[4-16-06] Lecture on Houston Radio Show

DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE [4-16-06] (on Seerat-e-Mustaqeem Radio show)

I labeled the lecture, Leading by the example of the Prophet (saw): The ideal role model. The title speaks for itself, and since I recorded the stream, you guys can check it out yourselves and benefit from it Insh’Allah. Keep me in your duas!

[4-16-06] Lecture at Mission Bend Masjid

I got to the Masjid and saw Chachoo and Asif, and my pops showed up not too long after that. A few minutes later I saw the Shaykh come in, and boy did his face reek of exertion. [Editors note: driving all over the city, sleep deprivation, lecture here and then there, etc]
Today, Qari Hashim opened up the evening, and his Qirat power was very nice Mash’Allah.
The topic revolved around implementing Islam and Imaan, and their exclusive differences.

Islam is total submission to the will of Allah, and then to act upon it.

Imaan is to know, believe, and accept. It primarily consists of conviction.

One of the best points he made was how people follow their whims and desires whilst following the easiest fatwas by the most lax of Muftis, thus generally lacking total submission to the will of Allah. People let the nafs control themselves and mold everything according their own conveniences. Suhban’Allah, how many times do we see ourselves or others doing this?

We learn that hurting another Muslims feelings is Haram, we believe in it, but one too many times we find ourselves not acting upon it.

But the Shaykh of course had plenty of other points worthy to note such as:

Story of Abraha and Abdul Mutalib with relation to Surah Al-Fil, and how a non-believer is different from a unbeliever. The unbeliever knows Islam is haqq, but is not ready to accept it (ie. Abdul Mutalib).

How a Masjid should not be used for worldly talk, but solely for dhikr of Allah. He also made a point of how one should be quiet during the Adhan and repeat the adkhar after the Mu’adhan for worldly talk will lead their hearts to harden. For people who say, “its only sunnah,” the Shaykh loosely replied, “What kind of an attitude do we have towards the sunnah of the Prophet (saw)? Who do you think you are? Do you think what you’re doing is more important? Saying, it’s only Sunnah, it’s not wajib or fard. La Hawla Quata Illah Bilah.” HARD.

He dedicated the latter portion of the talk to people who have problems raising children but don’t take a look at themselves, and a hadith with advice on child rearing from Umar bin Khatab (ra) that puts into stages how you should act with the child.

Islam consists of five branches: Aqaid, Ibaadah, Muamalat, Muasharat, Akhlaq.

No din din served, Boooo.

We got to talk to the Shaykh for a little bit afterwards, and Mash’Allah, he is humble and reciprocates dialogue very well in person. I asked him about the basis of the lectures, and he mentioned that he was trying to revolve all them around the Seerah of the Prophet (saw) since it’s the month of Rabbi Awwal; so that each lecture somewhat ties into the other one. I wanted to talk to him further on a few matters through out the rest of the lectures, but due to him constantly being smothered by “uncles” or always being on the move, sadly derailed my initiative.

[4-18-06] Lecture at Masjid Maryum

It was my first time embarking on a journey to this Masjid, and what better company to have than my bro. We found the place without any difficulty, but we did end up by some farm looking house that reminded me of something straight out of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre… DUN DUN DUN!

Granted this place isn’t a complete Masjid as of yet, but more of a mid sized shack (a nice one), the community there was very congenial, Mash’Allah. I saw Brother Hasan after a very long time as he used to come to our Masjid prior to Masjid Maryum’s inception, as well as another individual or two who I thought were MIA, but turns out they go there.

Sadly, there was no Qari today, so the lecture commenced after the Sunnah of Maghrib. The main issue that was dealt with on this day was not to ridicule the Sunnah or make light of it. The crux of the discourse was related to the eating manners of the Prophet (saw), but he also talked about learning from authentic sources from qualified Alims, since every street corner Moulana nowadays wants to give a “bhatwa ka fatwa” in other words “fatwa from their pockets”.

He told us a funny story about three saints being punched by an individual who was testing their initial responses to see what kind of people are found in Masjids. The first one completely ignored it as inquiring about it would take him away from dhikr, the second one turned around and made sure the individuals fist was ok and that the one who punched him wasn’t hurt, and the third one struck the individual back with the same strength, no more, no less. Each of them showed a different reaction or personality, and the point was that last one did strike back, BUT he did it so the person would be punished for it in the dunya and would not be held accountable for it in the hereafter by Allah. This ultimately related to the instance of the Prophet (saw) cursing at the individual who was eating with his left hand rather arrogantly. The Prophet (saw) being the ultimate mercy would not have cursed at anyone, but he did so to this individual to save him from the punishment of Allah in the Akhira, Allah Akhbar.

“Man, Houston loves asking questions,” the Shaykh said. Some of the questions people have asked him in the past were rather humorous, such as “which way does one face and pray if they’re on the moon?” or “how do I pray in the south pole since it receives variant sunlight or darkness throughout the year?” Basically it came down to asking questions that pertain to situations you will act upon.

The night ended with dinner, there was a type of mutton biryani for the elders and Papa Johns pizza for the kiddos, not shabby.

[4-19-06] Lecture at Synott Masjid

I’m not digging this no Qari trend… today’s focus was on the dealings of the Prophet (saw) with others, and how we should ascribe to this particular Sunnah due to its importance.

He talked about how the word religious is often misconstrued with serious. People come to the Masjid with mean faces or seclude themselves from everyone, when in actuality the Prophet (saw) used to always smile and stayed within the people Mash’Allah.

Shammail Tirmidhi: Hadith #229

One of the Hadith he referred to was from Shammail Tirmidhi about the how our beloved Prophet (saw) used to joke with people. The story related to Zaahir (ra) also shows us the importance of the remembrance of Allah, and more subtly that color is not of importance, but it is taqwa that Allah looks for.

At one point, the narrative that he was illustrating involved a karamaat, even though the point of the story was the depiction of a husband and wife in more of a witty approach. It was attention grabbing since the Imams of our Masjids for some odd reason usually divert such talk, even though it’s part of our Aqeedah to believe in the karamaats of the righteous awliyah. Just something I noticed.

As I mentioned, a lot of the focus was on Muamalat, the way we deal with others. In a hadith, it’s roughly mentioned that the Prophet (saw) said that when someone detaches himself or herself away from you, one should then go towards them and one step more in order to bridge that gap and do ihsan.

As Muslims we need to have mercy on others, and not discontentment in our hearts. The Shaykh mentioned it’s difficult sometimes, and I agree with him because it really is, but we have to overcome our nafs al-Amara.

I don’t want to say it was cheesy, but he ended the talk with a poem he found on the wall while he was at the Dentist’s office. It was about how we should smile, and it struck him as a Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) so he asked for a copy. He then recited it to us… ok ok, the poem was actually funny.

Dinner you ask? Some kinda biryaani, the better of what I’ve had outside wise at these talks, and there was that yellow sweet rice for dessert, Shukr Alhamdolilah.

[4-20-06] Lecture at South Zone Masjid

DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE [4-20-06] (courtesy of Chachoos Mp3 recorder...that i might have messed up)

No Qari today either unfortunately, a huge bummer since this was the last complete lecture the Shaykh had scheduled for his trip to the US. There was a solid crowd in effect though, Mash’Allah. It was nice to see our Masjid full on a non-Ramadan day, heh.

The Shaykh began with a recap of the lecture he did at MI with why do the Muslims love the Prophet (saw), and went into the three aspects of this issue which Allamah Einy categorized as: 1. Beauty. 2. Excellence. 3. Ihsan. He went through some of the poems again as well.

He then talked about the many rights the Prophet (saw) gave to different entities, whether it be Muslims, Non-Muslims, Jinns, Animals, and even inanimate objects, while delving into each issue to an extent. In regards to the inanimate objects, the Shaykh related the hadith of the stone that said Salaam to the Prophet (saw), and the branch of a tree that wept for the Prophet (saw). Once again, basically the type of stories that are not often mentioned in our Masajids here for some odd reason. I know some of these are for a fact related in Qari Iyad’s Al-Shifa, and more than likely in some of the main Ahadith books as well.

A very beautiful narration that exemplified the merciful trait of the Prophet (saw) was of the Jewish woman who poisoned the goat to kill the Prophet (saw). In the end, He (saw), the Muhsinun Alameen forgave her with no due punishment, Allah Akhbar.

In he end he suggested the need for an intellectual dialogue with the west about the Seerah of the Prophet (saw) and how it’s time for us to change and value the Sunnah.

Of course I’m not going to forget to mention dinner, since it was provided. What we had today was bhagaray rice with gosht ka shourba, and a piece of oily fried chicken (better have been Zabiha because I saw some sketchy boxes after I ate it!).

And let me leave you with a few lines by Shaykh Isamail that he ended many of his lectures with:
I feel proud being from the Ummah of Muhammad (saw)
I don’t care what people say, I’ll follow Muhammad (saw) in every way
There’s nothing in this world that will keep me from
Following the holy and blessed ways of Muhammad Mustafa (saw)
Only if the world was to stop and ponder
Then they will realize there was nobody greater than the man, Muhammad (saw)
I don’t care what people say, I’ll follow Muhammad (saw) in every way
I’ll follow Muhammad (saw) for in the brilliance of his life
Is the way to the Garden of Paradise
I don’t care what people say, I’ll follow Muhammad (saw) in every way
Ridicule me if you care, call me crazy, and I’ll love him (saw) anyway
I feel proud of saying I love Muhammad Mustafa (saw)
I don’t care what people say, I’ll follow Muhammad (saw) in every way

[4-21-06] Jumuah Khutba at Madrasah Islamiah

Suhban’Allah, such a beneficial pre-Jumuah English Khutba. He ended up talking a lot longer than he had intended to and basically went into the scheduled time of the Jumuah Salat, but who cares, he was leaving for the UK right after that! In one line, the gist of the talk was about how nominal Academic education is compared to Islamic education, for the latter benefits the whole community more than the prior will. His balance was very well laid out, and I agreed with it for the most part, because he did put a lot of emphasis on the Academic spectrum, since we all well know how some Scholars totally disregard it in their talks when they get all fired up about the deen.

Now, I loved what he said, but let me allude to a more personal matter that correlates with his talk. Now, he mentioned “what” we should do, but as far as Houston is concerned, there isn’t a plausible “how” if you ask me. I’d get more into it right now, but it’d make for a better blog if I pute my mind on pause for now.

Once again the Shaykh got people tearin’ up during his Arabic Khutba Mash’Allah. Seriously, such a blessed and touching style.

Well, this ended a brilliant week of my Imaan rushing up and motivating me to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (saw). Can’t wait for more Ulema of this nature to come to Houston, Insh’Allah.

BONUS

DOWNLOAD THE LECTURE [UK 2006]: Shaykh Rafiq Ismail – Sacrifice in Islam (courtesy of Brother “Baminbo” on Sunni Torrents)

Walaikum Asalam
-H.A.

2006-04-24T19:10:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Written below is advice that Imam Abu Hanifa gave to one of his students, Yusuf Ibn Khalid as-Samit for his leave to Basra. The views depicted are that of deep insight and wisdom if we all take a few minutes to reflect on them, as well as being particularly important counsel for ones who disseminate knowledge of the deen to others. I was literally left with a smile on my face at the respected Imam’s great level of understanding, Suhban’Allah. Sometimes we all fall short of such acts even though we know Muslims should act with the best of Akhlaq, and I do not exempt myself from this either, for the advice below is that what a true believer should possess at all times:

Know that if you harm ten people, you will have enemies, even if they are your mothers and fathers, but if you do good to ten people who are not your relatives, they will become like mothers and fathers to you. If you enter Basra and oppose its people, elevate yourself over them, vaunt your knowledge among them, and hold yourself aloof from their company, you will shun them and they will shun you; you will curse them and they will curse you; you will consider them misguided and they will think you misguided and an innovator. Ignominy will attach itself to you and us, and you will have to flee from them. This is not an option. It is not an intelligent person who is unsociable to the one who is unsociable until Allah shows him a way out.

When you go to Basra, the people will receive you, visit you, and acknowledge your due, so put each person in his proper position. Honor the people of honor, esteem the people of knowledge and respect the shaykhs. Be kind to the young and draw near to the common people. Be courteous to the impious but keep the company of the good. Do not disregard the authorities or demean anyone. Do not fall short in your chivalry and do not disclose your secrets to anyone or trust them until you have tested them. Do not socialize with the base or the weak. Do not accustom yourself to what you disapprove of outwardly. Beware of speaking freely with fools.

You must have courtesy, patience, endurance, good character and forbearance. Renew your clothing regularly, have a good mount and use a lot of what is good. … Offer your good to people: a miser never prevails. You should have your confidants those you know to be the best of people. When you discern corruption, you should immediately rectify it. When you discern righteousness, you should increase your attention to it.

Act on behalf of those who visit you and those who do not. Be good to those who are good to you and those who are bad to you. Adopt pardon and command the correct. Ignore what does not concern you. Leave all that will harm you. Hasten to establish people’s rights. If any of your brethren is ill, visit him yourself and send you messengers. Inquire after those who are absent. If any of them holds from you do not hold back from him.

Show affection to people as much as possible and greet even blameworthy people… When you meet others in a gathering or join them in a mosque and questions are discussed in a way different to your position, do not rush to disagree. If you are asked, tell the people what you know and then say, “There is another position on it which is such and such, and the evidence is such and such.” If they listen to you, they will recognize your worth and the worth of what you have. If they ask, “Whose position is that?” reply, “One of the fuqaha”….

Give everyone who frequents you some of the knowledge they are expecting. Be friendly with them and joke with them sometimes and chat with them. Love encourages people to persevere knowledge. Feed them sometimes and fulfill their needs. Acknowledge their worth and overlook their faults. Be kind to them and tolerant of them. Do not show them annoyance or vexation. Be like one of them. …Do not burden people with what they cannot do.

Abu Zahra, Muhammad. The Four Imams: Their Lives, Works and their Schools of thought. London: Dar Al Taqwa Ltd., 2001.

2006-04-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Asalamualaikum,

Lately I've had much time on my hands due to certain extenuating circumstances in my life. And while "surfin" the nerd, I came across some really beneficial blogs and was somewhat motivated to write one myself. I never thought I'd be making my own… but here it is. The aim of this particular blog has already been provided in the "about" section, so check that out if you'd like. Other than that, leave some input or suggestions if you've got any once the blogging commences.

Wasalam
-H.A.