Notes to Go

LoveNotes: Part 12

2007-02-14T20:53:00.000-05:00

Lowering Your Gaze

-Islamically =prohibited to look directly at opposite gender
-->you should lower your gaze
-If you look at everybody, internet, TV, etc = bad consequences
-Ibn Hazm said: Eyes are the gate to your heart (Ibn Qayyim said similar)

Exemptions:
-Court
-Marriage contract
-7 and under: you don’t really need to lower gaze
-But kids nowadays = more mature than before

-->lowering gaze more important for men than women (but fard on both)
-Aisha and Prophet (s) watched Abbyssinians cheek to cheek.Prophet (s) asked her, are you done? She said “No”; he asked again later, are you done, she said “yes”
-Aisha said: “wallahi I didn’t do it for the watching, I did it to be near the Prophet (s)”
-->RasulAllah (s) was so spiritual yet so human

Looking at One’s Prospective Bride:

-Mustahhab to see each other/talk to each other/know each other with the presence of the Wali
-This will make marriage last longer
Reason: obviously, to identify physical attraction and emotional/mental attraction

Conditions?
-You’re allowed to see the person once and then propose-not more
-Seek permission of Wali
-Most important condition: have intention of marriage
-How many times can you meet?
-You can meet however many times but you need a wali

Questionable Ways:
-Webcam OK but make sure it’s in the presence of Mahram
-Wali HAS to be there
-casual situations OK
-Celibate marriages allowed
-engagement period = Promise
-temptation= problem for young people: suitable solution when they’re at school
-physical intimacy = later time

Marital Rights

-Most dangerous areas/part of marriage
-Man and woman come with own baggages and preconceived notions
-When people don’t understand rights = big problem
-Sometimes man overlaps his circle and makes wife’s circle of rights small
-Sometimes men’s circle gets small
-Qur’an: men have a degree of authority and responsibility over women
-Allah created people at different levels
-Contract = partnership
-Islamically, woman keeps her identity (keeps her father’s name, etc)
-Advantage of man = degree of responsibility

Are Men and Women Equal?

-It’s a matter of EQUITY not EQUALITY
-“the female is not like the male”
-Allah created men and women in different ways
-Idea of preferences is equal between men and women
-In some areas, men preferred over women; in some areas women preferred over men
-Women well known in linguistic abilities
-women express themselves through words/nicer
-Men express themselves through physical actions; men = more blunt
-When man confronted with troubling argument, he changes subject or says: stop
-Woman cries but comes with new argument
-woman can cry but still talk, LOL
-Man escapes into his cave
-Men and women overall have even scales even if there are different ROLES
-Men and women are equal in humanity and religion
-Rights of education and property/finance
-“The best of you are the best to their families”
-women first given rights in ISLAM
-Why should a man take double the inheritance?
-based on financial responsibility and obligations
-man MUST take care of family
-based on fairness
-Why men given leadership over home?
-someone needs to take leadership
-matter of distributing responsibility
-Kind treatment to women = sunnah of Prophet (s)

LoveNotes: Part 11

2007-01-30T22:11:00.000-05:00

Why is Dating Haraam?

-Leads to Zina (illegal sexual intercourse; one of the major sins in Islam)
-Allah says in Qur’an: “come not even NEAR to Zina” ; doesn’t say: don’t commit Zina; sets guidelines to not even come close to the sin
-Man and woman are alone and shaitan is the third
-Perfect privacy (khalwa) violated
-People think dating is good because they should know each other before marriage, etc.
-but actually, dating makes their relationship get old.
-Ever wonder why all the Hollywood people get divorced a few months into marriage? They have already been dating for years and years!
-When we say dating is haraam, doesn’t mean we are promoting BLIND Marriages!!! Islam does NOT promote blind marriages; ie. You should KNOW person you are marrying but under HALAL circumstances, in a HALAL environment.

-Woman needs a wali to get married = FARDH (compulsory)
-Wali needs to be over the age of puberty/able to help/good judgment/good knowledge Deen-wise, etc. etc.

-Matrimonial services = OK with the permission of Wali
-Dating industry = huge in the west
-There should be supervision
-Families should come together

Regarding the Engagement Ring:

JOKE: Marriage requires three rings, one of which is obligatory:
-Wedding Ring
-Engagement Ring
-SuffeRing (obligatory, LOL)

-Most scholars say that wedding/engagement rings are imitating the non-believers/customs.
-Wedding ring is haram according to some scholars.
-Even if you do follow opinion that it’s not haram, you should NOT think the ring is something required in the Deen or that you should do it.

************************************************************************************
Role of the Female Family Members in Marriage:

-Females play major role in marriages culturally
-Human culture: because of disintegration of family members they don’t rely on this process too much anymore
-Many men ask female family members, matrimonial services.

Is it allowed for a man to directly propose to a woman? (Islamically). YES.
(depends on the culture)

Vice versa?

-Islamically OK for woman to propose and select husband too
-Culturally = taboo
-Khadija (ra) proposed to RasulAllah (s)

-Islamically it’s ok for family member to propose on their behalf
(but daughter/son has to agree of course)

-Imam Samarkandee: Tuhfatul Fuqaha: Summarization of Abu Hanifa
-had a beautiful daughter
-religious daughter; memorized book Bada’ee was-samaee
-Sharh Tufatul Fuqaha: Imam Kasani
-Imam Kasani married his daughter
-he loved her so much and passionately
-he was so sad when she died; visited her grave

-Even scholars can love!!!

-It’s allowed in Islam for a woman to propose directly to man
-A woman came directly to the Prophet (s)
-Prophet (s) lowered gaze; didn’t accept; another guy married her
-culturally, this is not acceptable but not haram

LoveNotes: Part 10

2007-01-30T22:01:00.000-05:00

Characteristics of Prospective Spouse
FOR BRIDE:

-Go after religion FIRST
-Religious women CAN be beautiful/don’t go after the stereotype.
-Religiousness does not mean ugly/boring
-There’s a lot of emotional constipation in our community!
-Give your daughter to a person who fears Allah, because if he loves her, he will be good to her, honor her, and even if he doesn’t love her, he will not oppress her.
-A true believer should not dislike his wife
-if you hate one thing, you’ll love another

BE BALANCED
Things Desired for Bride:

1) Deen and Character
2) Fertility
3) She is content/marry someone who’ll say “Alhamdulillah”/doesn’t compare standards
4) Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: DON’T set specific standard of beauty
5) Reasonable age difference
6) Inexpensive dowry/simple mahr = good

Things Desired for Groom:

1) Deen
2) Character
3) Evident Disobedience = haram
4) He should DEFINITELY pray

*********************************************************************************
-Family planning is permissible in Islam
-If 2 very young Muslims want to get married but can’t financially do this then = OK if parents help out but don’t rely on this.
-Everything in marriage found in Qur’an and Sunnah.

*********************************************************************************

Prospective Spouse:
A. Marrying Relatives

-People think marrying relatives is haram, some think it’s horrible
-You’re allowed to marry your first cousin in 26 states in America
-It’s a cultural matter: no specific recommendation or prohibition
-One of Prophet (s)’s wives = cousin, others not relatives
-Some people think it puts pressure on people if you marry outside the family
-Sometimes people think diseases are more common in relative marriages, but not really true
-Don’t put preconceived notions: put ‘em away!

B. Arranged Marriages

-In Islam, arranged marriages are not haram where family helps out son/daughter to meet people.
-Pre-arranged marriages forcing = haram
-Imam Abu Hanifa: father and grandfather have choice to force if kids before puberty.

FORCING OF MARRIAGE = HARAM according to majority of scholars

Why do people even have arranged marriages?
-Security
-Some don’t want to go out of the way to look for someone
-Some want to bring together different cultures or stay within same one
-Some don’t want wealth/business to go out of the family if they arrange a marriage with a relative

Engagement by Commissioning:

Saying: “I know of so and so, help me find such and such type of person to marry them”
-this is OK with the permission of the people getting married

-Thus, arranged marriages are not promoted or prohibited in the Deen

LoveNotes: Part 9

2007-01-25T13:21:00.000-05:00

Sooo……Why do people get married?

REASONS:

1) Fulfilling your desires (most important thing is to make halal the conjugal relations)
2) Seeking pleasure of RasulAllah (saws) on Day of Judgment because he wanted his Ummah to be the largest
3) Procreation
a. First child-training/testing ground
b. Second child-you teach the lesson
c. Third child-kid teach you the lesson (LOL)
4) Seeking Intercession of righteous child after they die (not as in shirk; as in, sadaqa Jaria—continuous charity)
5) Protection from Evil/Temptation/Zina
6) Free some time for you—you have another person who can help you
7) Mujahadatan Nas—Self Struggle
a. There are difficulties in marriage too
Prophet (s) said: “The dirham you spend on your family is worth more than dirham you spend on the cause of Allah”

Marriage can have different levels:

-WAJIB: if a person has ability to marry and treat wife properly and there’s a strong chance he’ll commit zina w/o marriage

-MUSTAHHAB: when he has means to marry, no fear of committing zina, can treat wife well

-MUBAH: it’s never Mubah (permissible) (because at the least it’s MUSTAHHAB)

-MAKRUH: if has the means to marry but there’s a strong possibility he won’t treat wife well .

-HARAM: when a person does not have the means to marry and feels certain he will not treat wife properly

MOST MUSLIM SCHOLARS SAY MARRIAGE IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

1) WHEN Allah spoke of Adam, he referred to him as a Khalifa
2) Second=command of RasulAllah (s) of telling youth to marry
3) Prophet (s) said that in the fulfillment of one’s desires with spouse, it is an act of charity/sadaqah

IMAM SHAFI’I SAYS NOT ACT OF WORSHIP
-he said it’s not an act of worship because deals with mu’amalat

LoveNotes: Part 8

2007-01-25T13:16:00.000-05:00

Definitions of Marriage

1) A legal union between 1 man and 1 woman as husband and wife
2) Civil contract between man and woman (common law marriages)
3) Legal and/or social agreement
4) When a man loses his bachelor’s degree and a woman gains her master’s J

1) Adam and Hawwa: considered husband and wife
a. We don’t really know details of relationship
b. Procreation started on earth, not Jannah, Allahu alim

2) Before Islam, ALL marriages = religious practice
a. In mostly all cultures and religions
b. Went to religious figures to approve marriage
c. Marriage = so significant that they want their Lord to be their witness

3) Divorce
a. In Orthodox Judaism = very similar to Muslim way
b. In Catholicism, divorce = wrong/forbidden

There were 4 types of marriage in pre-Islamic Arabia:

1)Barter trade (exchange) w/ dowry and consent
-contract= similar to western culture
2) Group sex; women would have sex with many men and whoever the baby looks like would be husband (astaghfirAllah!)
3) Prostitute
4) Similar to Islam, w/ marriage contract

What is default in marriage: MONOGAMY or POLYGAMY?

-Monogamy is default(some scholars disagree with this, Allah knows best)
-polygamy: a man can have more than one wife
-First practice of homosexuality (man and man) – people of Prophet Lut (as)
-Native American and European cultures had it too
-same-sex marriages getting more common and even allowed in America now

*say NO to homosexuality*

-Regarding polygamy (which is definitely permissible in the religion of Islam):

-Allah says in Qur’an: “marry only one” (if you cannot be just with more than one)
--> Qur’an = ONLY book which says MARRY ONLY ONE, Islam limited number of wives a man could have; other religions don’t do that.

-Marrriage = sunnah of Prophet (s) and if he married, by not marrying, you are NOT better, BUT you are going against his sunnah

The Definition of Legal Marriage

“A contract that results in the man and woman living with each other and supporting each other within the limits of what has been laid down for them in terms of rights and obligations”

LoveNotes: Part 7

2007-01-25T13:09:00.000-05:00

Status of Family in Islam

1) Family is a divinely inspired institution (means that Qur’an and Sunnah talk of this)
2) “meethaqan ghaleedha” (strong covenant)
3) Qur’an and sunnah give us so much info on this
4) Social contract
a. Mu’amalat (societal interaction)
i. Involves relationships between people
5) Faith and Family
a. Family=ideological structure
i. Want jannah
ii. When kids are 4 years old even, their parents bring them to Sunday Islamic school

-Responsibility to your children start before marriage: you need to marry righteous people and have good Islamic knowledge

STRUCTURES and RULES

-Islam organizes structures and role (Surah Nisa, Baqarah, Talaq)
-contract: rights, obligations, conditions
-many couples fight over this: RIGHTS but Islam already organizes this
-Islam forbids temporary unions
-Islam promotes PERMANENT unions
-Mut’ah = haram
-Urfi = marriage of convenience = haram
A. CLOSEST FOLD: husband, wife, children, parents, grandchildren
B. CENTRAL FOLD: close relatives-3 categories
1)- by blood (brothers and sisters)
-maternal and paternal aunts
-nieces and nephews
2) –father/mother-in-law/stepchildren
3) Relatives through Ar-Rada (breastfeeding)
C. OUTER FOLD: brother-in-law, sister-in-law, cousins, cousins’ kids (extended family)

Role of Men in Marriage-according to ISLAM
-in general: SUPERVISOR

-usually in different cultures, eldest man has highest position
-problem solver
-man’s responsibility = outside the home
-internal discipline of family
-usually many women pick up kids after school, get groceries
-if you tell her so much to do, though, she’ll demand more rights
-if you tell husband to do so much, he’ll demand more rights
-Men are protectors and maintainers of women-Qur’an

Role of Women in Marriage-according to ISLAM
-major responsibility: inside the family

FAMILY
-social order
-ideological society
-good Muslims = good citizens
-every individual should commit his life to his faith and deen, carry responsibility to Deen and faith

Culturally…
MAN is the head of the house but WOMAN is the neck!!!
-you can see this in the shopping sprees at Wal-mart
-even strong men can be twisted by women’s cleverness

-in poor countries many times, kids are more mature and exposed to realities-in our country and culture, even a PhD guy doesn’t know how to save money $$$

LoveNotes: Part 6

2007-01-25T13:06:00.000-05:00

Activity: 5 top reasons why women/men delay marriage
Our group’s ideas: Why Women Delay Marriage:

-Unsuitable matches
-Expectations are too high
-Education
-Age-some people think you’re not ready if you’re too young
-Dowry is too big: in UAE and Saudi, for ex.
-cultural expectations too high
-personal flaws-“he’s fat” “he’s short” etc.
-isolation of Muslims in USA/lack of communities causes people to not know about unmarried people/potential spouses
-most men and women make religious spouses a lat priority
-many look for status, money, beauty

-can’t afford it
-some parents want kids to marry same EXACT culture and tribe (LOL)
-when you are older, you are more set in your ways (stubborn) and look for perfect matching spouse
-not enough resources in non-Muslim countries
-lack of matrimonial services
-circumstances such as war-people moving
-if Muslim men marry Ahlul Kitab, more Muslim women are single

REAL RESULTS from all brothers/sisters.
WHY DO Brothers DELAY MARRIAGE?

-Parent delay (generation gap)
-Education/employment
-waiting to find perfect match
-men want “freedom” longer
-societal pressures don’t promote early marriages
-ignorance
-no matrimonial support/resources
-some think their sisters should get married first
-traumatic experiences they’ve heard about
-responsibility/commitment/fear of responsibility
-cultural issues
-peer pressure

(words of advice: If you always tell your parents: EXAMS, EXAMS, EXAMS, they’ll think you are still a kid—ie. You need to show them you are responsible enough to get married)

Why do SISTERS delay marriage?

-high expectations
-bad experiences
-hard to find prospective matches
-parental/social expectations
-education/women want to secure themselves
a. Parents’ idea: our daughter needs to be self-sufficient and not rely on a man because back home, women had to deal with “oppression, etc” but by doing this they are restricting their daughters from getting married before “medical school” or “PhD” –plus, they are not trusting in Allah

-mistrust/suspicion
-makes it easier for you to get out of relationship
-hard to find someone with same Islamic values
-fear of marriage
-lack of halal venues
-SCARY
-lack of understanding about marriage
*Lack of eman makes us unrealistic
-we don’t look at good models of marriage
-DON’T look at Hollywood

Lovenotes: Part 5

2007-01-17T18:44:00.000-05:00

Love = sign of Allah = secret = MYSTERY

-Love varies

IN LOVE CASE:

-many times it’s only based on physical attraction
-physical attraction will NOT last forever
-what will you do when you’re old and bald
togetherness all the time
-both of them are possessive
-obsessiveness/dominance culture
-worst part: “elusive/perfect love”
-people think: “everything will be perfect”

True love begins when the in-love syndrome ends!
-put love to test
-test = marriage
-Welcome to the club =)

You get to see even the bad side of your spouse
-TOP reason for dispute: “she/he is not the way I thought!”
--> decency = real love, not just only dreamy crazy stuff

Things that Harm Love
1) Exploitation of Love: conditional love (I’ll only love you if you do this…), taking the person for granted, etc.
2) Acts of Disrespect: one word could be very sensitive and it’s different to say one thing to a friend and one thing to a wife
3) Slanderer: his job = basically to backbite and gossip
a. Peer pressure
b. Don’t listen to other people
c. Most slander comes from family members, authubillah!
4) Infidelity and betrayal
5) Long and Unnecessary Separation

-If Romeo and Juliet ever got married, they would probably file for divorce ASAP.

Regarding Infedility:
-Newsweek 2004: Why Do People Cheat?
- Bored
- Looking for adventure
- In Western culture they think in marriage they lose money

-most men avoid marriage because of pleasure

#1: problem amongst young people = delaying marriage problem
#2: premarital relationships (b/c of culture, etc)
#3: friend marriages
#4: divorce rates increasing in society: WHY??!
- elusive
- you “have” to know the person
- they keep dating for EVER
- parents want “security” for children

-many parents think that ‘security’ comes from job, money, etc.
-many think their kids = v. immature (what the youth need to disprove)
-in reality, so many conditions on marriage = bad

-Lack of knowledge causes delay in marriage, etc.
-Many think you need a PhD to get married

LoveNotes: Part 4

2007-01-17T18:41:00.000-05:00

Critique of Scholarly Work

-Ring of the Dove by Ibn Hazm al-Andalusee
-Az-Zuha by Muhammad ibn Dawud
-Encyclopedia of Love by Ibn al Qayyim
-Rawdatul Muhibeen (Garden of the Lovers) by Ibn al Qayyim
-from Ihya Uloom ad-deen from Imam Ghazali “marriage chapter”
-Sa’adatu wa Ishat fis seeratil insania “Happiness…” by Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-‘Amilee
-Al-Musoon “The Protected Gem…”
-special critique of Tawq-ul-Hamamah/The Ring of the Dove

-Sheikh saw the book in University of Madinah; was embarrassed to be seen reading it so he hid it :)
-read it in one night
-mesmerized him when he read it; such classic Arabic; such a classic book (now in English too; it’s online for free)

What is this Book?

-many scholars don’t consider this because they said it was written during a chaotic period
-he didn’t mean it to be a separate book
-he wrote the book in response to a letter from a friend
(Zaad al-Ma’ad by Ibn al Qayyimà 5 volumes written on his way to Hajj ON camel—about the guidance of RasulAllah salAllahu alayhi wassalam—many aspects of RasulAllah (s) )
-there was no doubt it was written by Ibn Hazm

-WHY the title? The Ring of the Dove?

Hamama = dove
-there’s a ring that surrounds the neck of dove (sign of beauty)
-necklace: women wear it to beautify themselves
-Tawq al Hamama: ‘weeping of pidgeons’ --> in Arabic makes meaning and connotations in intimacy and beauty

- this book is to the lovers as the ring of the dove is to the dove
-may symbolize how love will enslave you in your life (sign of slavery for love)
-this book = psychological interpretations for human behavior
-luxury
-Baghdad and Cordoba = signs of luxury in Islamic history

-Al Hajj bin Mansur : built a palace called al-Zahra, walls = marble; roof =silver = beauty

-Muslims invented disco lights! (put bowl of mercury (liquid) in the middle of a palace room, sunlight would hit the mercury that was moving, and the light would reflect on all the walls! Sparkly)

-Ibn Hazm mentions Andalusian women
-rich collection of Ibn Hazm’s poetry
-his poetry = hard to understand
-masterpiece in Arabic literature

-At the end of book, dedicates 4 chapters of the book to giving Islamic rulings on love/promotes chastity
-organization of the book = amazing
-both Ibn Hazm and Ibn Qayyim wrote books on love when they had nothing else to do! Ibn Hazm was in exile and Ibn Qayyim was in prison

-means: focus on your goals and then on love
-“Dhamul Hawa”=Ibn al Jawzi (partly in English)
-lived 200 years before al Jawziyyah
-much poetry starts with love

Mugheeth and Barira (hadith)

-husband and wife married and in slavery
-Aisha bought Barira and then freed her
-married women cannot remain married to slave men and Mugheeth still in slavery
-he wants to stay married to her but she doesn’t to him
-he kept chasing her
-Barira even told Prophet that she didn’t want to
-Mugheeth = sad and crying and told Prophet (s) to ask Barira, but she said no
-Prophet sympathized with the lovers esp. because it was in a lawful way
-‘ulema : Ibn Hazm : Prophet did not just agree in this case, he interceded
-Prophet didn’t forbid Mugheeth from loving her

LoveNotes: Part 3

2007-01-17T18:31:00.000-05:00

Qur’an and Sunnah

-liyaskuna ilayha: peace and tranquility
-Surah ‘Araaf: “He created you from a single soul”

*Why did Allah create Hawa from Rib of Adam?

-to be close to his heart
-so she would be under his arm  protection and guardianship

-Surah Yusuf: Zulekha was infatuated with Yusuf.

Sunnah:

1) ‘Ya RasulAllah, I have an orphan girl in my protection. 2 suitors came: poor and rich. We want rich man but she wants poor. What’s your opinion?”

“We don’t see anything better for lovers but marriage” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

2) Amr bin Aas = great general, wanted to see who Prophet salAllahu alayhi wassalam loved best.

“Who is the most beloved to you” he asked. Prophet salAllahu alayhi wassalam replied: AISHA. he asked: from amongst men? ABOOHA (her father)" [Sahih BUKHARI, MUSLIM]

Why did Prophet salAllahu alayhi wassalam answer in this way? He was TRUTHFUL so he answered this way

3) Other wives complained because most people brought gifts to him while he’s in the home of Aisha
-Prophet (s) = w/ Aisha under blanket
-Fatima (ra) came in to house and told Prophet (s) that other wives wanted justice
-Prophet (s): “Don’t you love what I love? Then just love her”
-Zainab bint Jahsh = rival of Aisha
-comes in and directly attacks Aisha
- Prophet (s) tells Aisha to finish argument
-Aisha defeated Zainab in this incident; Prophet (s) said: “She is the daughter of her father”
(Wisdom: Let women finish if they are fighting :) )
(SAHIH MUSLIM)

4) Prophet (s) would distribute material to people including wives:

a. “Oh Allah this is the distribution under my control. Do not judge me on what I cannot control”

5) to Umar (Amir al Mu’mineen): someone said “I am in love ya Umar”
Umar: “This is not in your hands”

“If I lived in the time of Umar and Ufra I would help them get married”

6) Zaid bin Thabit: very well known for Qur’an and knowledge
a. People brought someone who died from love
b. Zaid led Salatul Janaza and people asked “Why did you lead Janaza for someone who did in this manner?”
c. Zaid said: “I have mercy for him” (inni rahimtu)

Points:
-Love is in the hands of Allah (swt)
-We are not in control
-Allah can’t make us accountable to what’s in His hands
-The word “love” itself was used many times in Seerah
-There’s nothing to be ashamed of
-Prophet (s) loved Aisha so much that he spoke publicly of it
-It’s not a sign of weakness to say you love someone
-People think if a man says “I love someone” then she’d step on his back but not necessarily true
-Hadith: Jabir (ra): Prophet (saws) said: “Go and see the person you’ll marry” (encouraged in Shariah)

LoveNotes: Part 2

2007-01-10T18:22:00.000-05:00

Love and Images: Why are people so into IMAGES?

-because Allah created the human in perfection
-Surah at-Teen “Verily We created man of the best stature” (ayah 4)
-everything you see beautiful of mankind you will find it in Adam
-most beautiful creation = creation of Adam

* Our originality lies in perfection and beauty so we are always inherently in our very NATURE associated with perfection and beauty*

-that’s why we always associate beauty with perfection and vice versa
-Sheikh Yaser read a bunch of fairy tales before teaching this seminar and found out that seriously about 99% of all fairytales associate happiness with beauty.
-ie. Cinderella: they basically don’t even know each others’ names but fall in love and then get married: “Live happily ever after”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”

-nowadays people make a standard for beauty!
-they have preconceived notions of what “beautiful” is according to their environments, surroundings, TV, etc.

In Ring of the Dove Imam Ibn Hazm points out universal signs about people who are in love

SIGNS YOU ARE IN LOVE:

( these are universal signs and not necessarily from an Islamic point of view or vice versa )

1) Eyes are wide open, they are smiling, looking towards the sky, not paying attention!
2) Talks too much about the beloved
3) When they are in presence of loved one, they give each other full attention
*if they are in a restaurant where there is full commotion, they will not notice!*
4) Lover usually hurries up to the spot where he knows he’ll meet loved one
5) Sudden confusion/excitement at mere sighting of loved one
6) Cheerfulness at finding each other in narrow spaces
7) To engage in a playful tug of war
-Ex: many times newlyweds do this: “honey, I will do the dishes”
-“no let me do them”
-“oh come ON! Let me do them please J “
-(you get the picture)
8) Staying “in touch” –Leaning sideways, staying in the lap/shoulder of the loved one, walking hand in hand, etc.
9) Testing each other
-sometimes opposite personalities of each other attract/are alike
-teasing one another
-testing each other because they want to see the reaction of the other
(random note: in love feeling: “I cannot live without him/her”)
10) people stop sleeping at night and dreaming during the day
11) wasting of the day
12) you will love/spend time with the beloved’s kith and kin (family) more than your own
13) Weeping/crying/getting very emotional

*you don’t have to have all of these signs to be in love, some people only show a few of them, etc. maybe none of these at all, but these are generalities*

All Muslim scholars will say the same thing:

--> Love is NATURAL
--> It is one of Allah’s signs, how would it be haram.
--> Love merely = HALAL

-Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him. (Aali Imran 3:14)

Ibn al Qayyim: for men to love women and for women to love men = no harm
--> it is a sign of Allah’s perfection
--> it is a favor upon mankind
-Surah ar-Room: “and among His signs is this…”

Ibn al Jawzi: Love shows a soft heart; if you don’t have feelings of love, you may be as hard as a rock

Arabic poetry:
-“If you don’t fall in love, go eat hay like a donkey”
-“you are nothing but a solid rock”

(many cultures/countries talk about love through poetry)

Ibn Al Qayyim: Beginning of love happens by choice, consequences of that decision come from force

--> Love starts with the eye: that’s why Allah told us to lower our gaze
-when love hits you it gets out of control

Obsession--> Love --> Test

-If you started it around in a haram way, it will end up haram
- if by force later, if you don’t rationalize love, gets out of control sometimes
- Some people are so desperate that they fall in love with everyone!

LOWER THY GAZE!!!!!

AlMaghrib: Love Notes- Marriage and Family life

2007-01-09T21:31:00.000-05:00

Part 1

Sh. Yaser Birjas is from Palestine, studied in University of Madinah; relief worker in Bosnia (learned language of Bosnia in one year); currently Imam in El Paso, Texas; full-time Al Maghrib instructor. Also a student of Sheikh Uthaimeen (rahimahullah)

-You should prepare for love because one day it will come and hit you and when it does, it will hit you hard!

-Kids are often separated from the parents; culture is way different

-Level of maturity is going down in this culture

-This class is part of bridging gap between parents and kids

-Many people nowadays base “love” off of what Western culture thinks it is

-Marriage is based on two things: “Love and mercy” they are two wings; when one goes down the other goes up higher; most marriages apparently are running solely on mercy

-Love is a LIFE EXPERIENCE

-This is Fiqh of Love’s ‘juice’, just a little bit: “spirit of love”

-When Prophet Muhammad (saw) died, Aisha (RA) was only 18.

-Fiqh means understanding

-‘Ulema = muslim scholars

-Imam Ibn Hazm al Andalusee = well known for “fiqh adh-dhaahiria” (apparent/practical fiqh)
-he was a great scholar of Islam in Spain esp.
-his great grandfather came from East (Persia)
-grew up in royal family/Golden age of Spain
-different roles amongst people in Muslim Spain
-politicians/ministers (Umayyads)
-2 groups mainly fighting for power: Banu Hamood v. Umayyads
-when Banu Hamood were in power, he was in jail, vice versa

*Ibn Hazm, also known as: Encyclopedia of Islamic sciences! (knew so much)
-well known for his poetry
-his school of thought: Adh-Dhahiria (practicality)
-started out following ash-Shafi’i but later stopped following a madhab, wanted to stop blind following, etc.
-revived method of fiqh of Dhahiria

-2 of his books = important
-The Ring of the Dove (Tawq al Hamamah)
-Mudawat an Nufoos (Hearing of the Souls)
-Kitab as Seer wal Akhlaq
(both available in English)

-Ibn Hazm was passionate about issues
-gave his opinions on interactions

-Ibn Hazm had a unique, philosophical theory about love---most scholars disagree(d) with it
1) Hubb Uthri = Noble Love
-romantic (associated with pain/grief, sorrow)
-feelings
-conjunction between two scattered parts of souls mismatched in the upper universe
-he believed love didn’t start in earth but in heaven
-Love is something within the soul itself

-they love each other for certain qualities/some similarities

"And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect. (Ar-Rum 30:21)

-Love and MERCY = 2 fundamental parts of love

-definitions of Love:
-strong positive regards
-passion
-beloved one
-deep feeling of desire
-enjoyment
-intense feeling given freely

*Real love is unconditional* (not “If you loved me, you’d take out the trash!”) Don’t put limits or conditions on love

*Arabic alphabet has certain meanings, subhana Allah*
-makharijal huroof
-take for example the letter “Sheen”
-its definition: al-intishaar: spreading out
-so cool because words with SHEEN give same feeling!
-Shams in Arabic = SUN à sun spreads warmth, light
-Shajarah in Arabic = TREE à tree spreads branches, shade

-Qaaf in Arabic is a powerful letter, comes from throat
-one of most powerful letters of Arabic alphabet
-words with Qaaf imitate its ‘personality’
-Quwa in Arabic means POWER
-Qalam in Arabic means PEN (there is a certain power in writing)

-Daad = explosions of earth
-dufda --> frog
-ard --> earth (explosions happening in it)
(my own example: “Daaleen” from end of Surah fatiha : transgressors)

HUBB in Arabic means LOVE
-starts with letter HAA (thick haa) ; comes from throat, inside
-love usually chokes people
-gives feeling of being overwhelmed
-sighing

-ends with letter BAA : coming from lips/kiss/outside
“Love starts with inside to outside”

-starts with a feeling from inside and then manifests itself in a kiss/physical way
-other Arabic words with HAA and BAA
-HABBA: seed--> a seed grows--> love grows

-HABAB: white --> pure --> love should be pure, having no strains, no restrictions/conditions

-Some people give philosophical, psychological, spiritual, intellectual meanings to love
-for some, love is the same as desire
-sentiments
-Romantic love: most popular: does not end with fulfillment; usually breaks hearts, is tragic, etc.
-Moral and sacrificial love: ex: Love for this Deen, love for Allah and RasulAllah salAllahu alayhi wassalam

-Here we are talking about: Passionate Love
-some people think of love as an intellectual experience
-“you control it” –they think
-they think love (ishq) shouldn’t control man
(but it does: LOL)
-Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah wrote : Garden of the Lovers
-Imam Muhammad ibn Daud adh Dhahiri
-son of founder of literalist school of thought of Dhahiria
-studied one Arab tribe (Banu ‘Uthra)
LOL: they are soo soft and tender hearted, they cannot contain love in their hearts: love is so strong for them that they faint and die!! LOL
--> book: Az Zuhra
-book = about ideals of love

Love = always agreed upon

*Love is there especially when = resemblance/similarities with another person*

--> Best marriage = between similar people/all about natural characteristics

Dr.Tareq Suwaidan on the Description of Prophet Muhammad (saw)

2007-01-06T11:29:00.000-05:00

Friday Dec 22 8:27 pm

Blessed Body;

Height- not tall, not short a little over average
Color- White, a little reddish (arab white lol)
Joints- well built, large joints
Hands- large hands compared to avg person; long fingere but very very soft palms
"touching his hand was softer than silk" and very cold
Head- larger than average
Forehead- wider then average
Round Face- described as the full moon and really beautiful
Large black eyes- whiteness had some reddish color and extremely long eyelashes.
Straight cheeks
Thin nose- raised bone in the middle
Wide mouth- wide smile
Stomach- "as a folded paper" a six pack

-Straight, solid back
-Top back between shoulders towards the left is the seal of the prophets. Raised a little bit, reddish in colour with hair growing out of it and a lot of black dots around it.

Shoulders- large and wide
Leg- Thin and long
Feet- raised at the bottom
Hair- extremely black with only a few gray hairs, could count them. Large Beard and very black, Trimmed From bottom and the side.

-Cut mustache wasn't showed
Tall neck- Color of sliver always mentioned.
Wide chest with very little hair
-Smelled as perfume by those close to him
-Always known as handsome as a full moon

Whoever dreams of the Prophet (SAW) you're actually seen him as the devil can't resemble him. You must have seen him as described.

Dress

Prophet SAW dressed in every dress of Arabia. There's no such dress as an islamic specific dress. As long as it meets the conditions of a modest dress, it is fine.

Headcover- He wore all kinds, turbans wasn't the only thing he wore. Not Mandatory to cover head.

Coat- He wore yemeni covers, kaman, persians, etc. He had special ones for Eid and meeting diplomats.

Stick- a custom of the Quraish. Nothing religous.

Ring- He wore it on the left hand. Hadiths: He wore it on the right are incorrect. Silver with a jewel on the inside of his palm so it doesnt show.Companions started wearing them too; he took them off and threw them away so it doesnt be taken as a sunnah.

Walk- as if pulling his legs out. Difficult to catch up with him SAW.

*No one in history is described in as much detail as RasuAllah SAW"

-If he was thinking, he would scratch his beard. He would never interrupt and would turn his whole body to the one speaking to him (SAW) to give them his entire respect.

-Never shouted when Angry. So how would you know when He (SAW) was angry? *Face would turn red * a small vein between eyebrows would turn red.

Smile: His teeth would show and had small openings between them. He would cover his mouth when he was laughing.

-Never pointed with his finger, only with his full hand.

Wonder: would move his palms up and down

Ethics

Generousity: He never ever refused anybody for anything. he was poor because he kept no money.Khadijah's wealth- Quraysh but he kept after her death. when He had nothing to give; he would borrow to give.

Courage: Never ran away from a battle where Muslims were in trouble.
Khandaq: only 300 men were left and he didnt run away
Muwayn: aty of Taif Surprise attack and injured Khalid bin Waleed. Only 100 muslims left out of 10,000. he led them until they came back.

Ali narrates: greatest fights became really heated, we would make sure we were close to Him (SAW) because we knew he wouldnt run away.

Humbleness: Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah: They would ask which one was the Prophet(SAW)? Meaning He(SAW) was just like them.

Anger: Never shouted. Only got angry when someone would hurt others; even non-muslims or breaks law of Allah (SWT) intentionally. A True believer wouldnt curse or use foul language.

Calm: so calm that most of the time He SAW wasnt talking. He would share though and not keep quiet all the time. Refused for people to stand up for him when he came in.

Shyness: So shy that when someone used foul langauge he would cover his face. Always made sure others ate before him. Made sure he was covered.

-He was with Ayesha (RA) when AbuBakr came to visit. His thigh was exposed. Later Umar joined too. When Uthman came he covered himself. When he was asked by Ayesha why he covered when Uthman came and not when AbuBakr and Umar came, he said "Should I not be shy of whom the angels are shy of?"

Legal principles [Final] - Sh.Abdallah Bin Bayyah

2006-12-31T16:26:00.000-05:00

Session 7 (RIS Retreat)
Final session
-notes by Br.Suleyman

4th principle: Harm should be removed

So anything that harms goes under this principle. In the Quran it either says not to do harm or to remove it.

Ex. not to harm women
- to remove harm from the road

A lot of times when the Prophet or Quran shows something is mubah (permissible) it starts with “there is no harm in….”

Ex. smoking – it is harmful for yourself, and it harms others so you can’t do it.

Shouldn’t harm neighbours i.e loud music.

You shouldn’t harm animals

You shouldn’t harm nature

Shouldn’t harm civilians in war.

And you shouldn’t harm other people’s reputation or your own. So speak well.

You should also not harm the intellect – i.e intoxicants

5th principle: Matters are considered based on their intentions

Islam is not rites and rituals, there’s a spirit, the spirit is the intention, the niyyah.

This gives life to the worship. Allah does not only look at the outward actions but He looks at your intention

Hadith – “actions are nothing without intention”

You can not change the intention after the action is done already.

You can do an action that is pure but the intention can make it impure. Or you can do an action that is impure but the intention can make it pure.

Ex. a bad action can become good if you lie to an army to help save civilians or if the army wants to harm people

In terms of oaths – the validity of the oath depends on the intention

Ex. “Wallah don’t go to him” you said this because that person owes you some money and you don’t want someone to go to him. But once that person pays you back, the intention of the oath was resolved, so the oath is over.

In terms of marriage, some people marry because of the intention of a green card.

Scholars have differed on the validity of such a marriage.

Gems of Light- Yahya Rhodus

2006-12-31T16:19:00.000-05:00

Session 6 (RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Suleyman

Kitabul Arbaeen Al Asad by Imam Al ghazali

Love is one of the best inward qualities of a human being. Rasulullah has been given the title of Habeeballah.

Imam al Ghazali says that loving Allah is the highest station anyone can reach

The other stations that are lower and lead up to the stations of love are Tawbah, Shukr, Sabr and Taqwa. (repentance, gratefulness, patience,fear of Allah)

Many people associate justice with Islam but not really love. Christianity is more known for love than Islam is. It is important to note that Islam has a perfect balance between its spiritual aspect and its judicial aspect.

In a Hadith-ul Qudsi, the Prophet SAW has said “that the people that will drawn near to Me (Allah) will come near to Me (Allah) by performing incumbent acts as well as the nawafil (voluntary acts)”

You don’t have to be a scholar to attain the rank of being beloved to Allah

Chapter of Muhabbah

This chapter will cover:

-Why people love
-The ways of increasing love
-Gaining knowledge of Allah
-Why humans cant have true knowledge of Allah
-What it means for Allah to love a servant
-Signs of when a servant loves his lord

The Quran says “He loves them, and they love him. They are merciful towards the believers and stern in the path of the non-believer”

Allah says that if your fathers, brothers, mothers, wives etc. are more beloved to you then Allah and his messenger then you are among the fasiqeen.

“Love the prophet for the love of Allah”

So when you love the prophet, you love Allah.

To love Allah, is to follow this commands.

There is no way to sense Allah. You can’t rationalize the essence of Allah, Allah is above anything that you imagine of him.

The Prophet SAW said that his love in this dunya was women, musk and the coolness of his eyes was the salaah.

Everything that is pleasurable to humans are beloved to them.

Before Human’s love something they have to have knowledge and understanding of it.

Two types of human perceptions are outward perceptions and inward perceptions

Outward are the 5 senses. For the eye, the pleasure is beautiful forms. Ears like rhythmically balanced sounds, smell and test like things like food and musk. People like to feel soft things. The self inclines towards all of these things

The inward sense is the 6th sense which is through the heart. When the Prophet said that the coolness of his eyes is the prayer, he means through the sense of his heart.

Legal Principles II - Sh. Abdullah bin Bayyah

2006-12-31T16:15:00.000-05:00

Session 4 (RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Suleyman

3rd principle: Custom has legal weight

Sometimes customs are apart of Islam.

Customs are defined as the culture of a society.

Islam encourages following the customs of your society, in the Quran it says “practice your customs with what is good”

There are 3 categories of customs in the shareeah:

1. Islam rejects
- in jahiliyyah, the custom of boasting, idolatry and burying baby daughters alive were customs of the Arabs before the prophet SAW, but Islam rejects them.

2. Accepts it

3. Calibrated the customs

- some were good, some were bad, so Islam purified the bad.

There are 2 types of customs.

1. How people speak:

- different expressions, different ways of indicating different things.

ex. in western custom, when someone says “we’re through” it means that the couple has broken up.

2. How people act:
- how people do things – i.e body language, signs – middle finger = crude.

Many things in Islam depend on the custom of the society that you are in.

Ex. the custom for today is that when you go to the convenient store to buy something, there is little to no words when buying, you just put the gum or whatever on the counter and put the money without talking with the cashier.

Imam Shafi said that this transaction is invalid, and you have to talk to the person in order for the transaction to be valid.

The other Imams said it was okay because it is the custom of the people.

The Tree of Spiritual Knowledge and States- Zaid Shakir

2006-12-29T17:42:00.000-05:00

Session 3
Shajara al-Ma'arif w'al-Ahwal : “The Tree of Spiritual Knowledge and States” by Al-'Izz bin 'Abd as-Salaam- (RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Suleyman

Al Izz passed away on the year 660 Hijri, His life coincided with Imam Nawawi. His life was 1219 to 196 C.E

His students were Ibn Taqeeq and Sharfudeen.

He wrote a book: Shajara al ma’arif wal ahwal.

He was from Egypt, before him, all the shaykhs would give fatwa. When he arrived, no one dared to give fatwa in his presence. so he was a great scholar.

He was originally from Syria, but got banished so he went to Egypt

One time, Salih Ismail, the sultan of Damascus was in a power struggle with his nephew, who was the Egyptian sultan. As a result he allied with the crusaders. Because of this, al Izz gave fatwa against him, so the sultan banished him, and he went to Egypt, where Najumuddin, salih’s nephew was. He was appointed the chief judge.

Al Izz was not afraid of anyone and stood up for justice and against corruption. He told Najmuddin that Allah has given you this dominion and yet you allow alcohol and other transgressions in it. This forced him in to destroying a wine establishment.

Al Izz said, he is not afraid of people because whenever he compares them to Allah, the person is like a pussy cat.

Starting of the Book Reading
Opens with a section dealing with the ettiquettes of the Quran.

1. To adorn oneself with the characteristics of worship to Allah, i.e humility, ikhlaas etc.

2. To adorn oneself with some of the attributes of ruboobiyah, i.e justice and goodness.

The attributes of Allah are of two types:

1. Those which are specific to him (pre-existing nature, eternal)

2. Those which can be adorned by humans.

For example, Allah is beautiful and he loves beauty.

Next Section

-The fruits of Knowledge and its benefits

Knowledge means two things:

1. Knowledge that is acquired
2. Knowledge whose manifestations can be perceived, but it, itself can not be perceived, i.e knowledge of Allah’s essence. no one knows what Allah looks like, it can not be perceived.

The most virtuous acquired knowledge, is the knowledge of Allah.

This knowledge commands every good.

To have knowledge of the quranic rulings and commands, will help to make you obedient to Allah. Knowledge of the quranic references to faith will make you have more Iman.

Knowledge causes elevation of state, lofty speech and pleasing actions.

At the level of sharee'ah, the world is something to be enjoyed, within the limits.

The best enjoyment is a virtuous spouse.

The fruit of the knowledge of the lowliness of the dunya is hastness to going to the here after

So there are different fruits for different knowledge, as mentioned before (i.e strong faith, obedience)

One of the purposes of divine knowledge is to realize your true nature which is that you have a spiritual being, as well as a physical being. But the main being is your spiritual one. The physical being is shared with the animals, but we have a spiritual being as well. People who don’t have divine knowledge, do not enjoy the fruit of realizing you have a spiritual state.

History of Islam- Dr. Tareq Suwaidan

2006-12-29T17:40:00.000-05:00

Session 2
RIS Retreat
-notes by Br.Suleyman

Era of the Prophet SAW (571-632) (53 BH (before hijri) – 11 AH)

571 – Prophet Muhammad (saw) is born

576 – Mother died

578 – Given under the care of abdul muttallib

595 – Married to Khadijah (RA)

610 – Received wahi

- The Prophet never worshipped idols, he followed Ibrahim’s religion, he went to Hira to meditate.

613 – Declaration at Mount Safa, inviting all to Islam

615 – Small party migrates to Abyssinia for two reasons:

1. Torture
2. Establishing escape from Arabia – if the Persians would try to take Saudi Arabia over.

617 – Boycott of Hashemites, they settled in a valley

- more Muslims migrate

619 – boycott was liften, abu talib died, and 3 days later khadijah dies

620 – Miraaj

- Went to Taif
- In 13 years there were only 150 Muslims

622 AD – 0 AH – Migration to Madinah

Madinah had 3 groups:

-Jews
-Aws
-Khzaraj

- this is the start of the Islamic calendar. Umar is the one who decided this date as the start

623 – 2 – Battle of Badr

624 – 3 – Battle of Uhud

626 – 5 – Battle of Khandaq

627 – 6 – Treaty of Hudaibiya

- This is when Islam spread a lot, when there was peace

628 – 7 – Battle of khaibar

629 – 8 – Battle of Mutah

- Makkans violate treaty

- Conquest of Makkah

- Battle of Hunayn (Ta’if)

630 – 9 – Battle of Tabook

- Year of delegations

631 – 10 – Muhammad performs hajj
- last verse of the Quran was revealed, Islam was complete.

632 – 11 – Muhammad dies

Era of Khulifah Rashidun (632-661)(11-41)

632 – 634 11 – 13

Abu bakr is chosen as khalifah unanimously. Ali was delayed in giving bayah because when AbuBakr denied Fatima to get the inheritance from the Prophet, Fatimah was upset with AbuBakr and so Ali did not want to upset Fatima by giving bayah to AbuBakr, so he waited till after Fatima passed away to give bayah.

- Battle of apostates
- Battles in Persia and iraq
- Compilation of the Quran
- Battle of Yarmook, Muslims conquer Rome

634 – 13 – Umar became khalifah

- Took Khalid Bin Waleed out of leadership

635 – 14 – Islam conquers Persians.

636 – 732 – 15 – 11

Life of the famous poet, Al Farazdaq who was a poet since the age of 15. He was a shia, so his poems were about the relatives of the Prophet.

His rival was Jareer, they had written poems against each other.

One day, Al Farazdaq looked for Jareer and saw a man from his city. He asked the man for Jareer’s latest poem. The man recited it, but when the man got to the last part of the sentence, Farazdaq would finish it for him, even though he never heard the poem before. that is how well they knew each other.

636 – 15 Muslims take Jerusalem

- The agreement between Umar and Jerusalem

- When umar found Masjid-ul Aqsa, he found that it was used as a garbage dump! Umar and his companions cleaned it out themselves!

641 – 20 – Muslims conquer Egypt and Persia.

642 – 21 – Muslims took Syria and Palestine.

643 – 23 – Umar was assassinated by Abu lu’lu, Uthman was elected for khalifah

644 – 650 24 – 30 – Muslims conquered Cyprus, Iran and Afghanistan

645 – 24 – Death of Al Khansa. She was a famous arab poet. Before she was Muslim, her brother died and she wrote so much grieving poetry – this is known as the best grieving poetry ever. but she mourned sooo much. but once she became Muslim, she stopped grieving because she submitted to Allah’s will.

646 – 25 – Death of Ka’b bin ZOHAIR. He wrote poetry praising the Prophet directly. Meaning he was reciting the poem to the Prophet.

650 – 732 30 - ? – the life of Jarir. He was a great all around poet.

651 – 31 – First naval battle of the Muslims, Constatine was killed

656 – 35 – Uprising against Uthman
The revolution killed Uthman and ruled the Muslims for 3 days. They were the ones who were leading the salaah in the Prophet’s mosque.

Ali became khalifah, but decided not to deal with the revolutionaries just yet for many reasons.

1. There was too much chaos in Madinah, so he needed to fix that first.

2. He did not know who the killer was, so there needed to be a fair trial.

Aeysha and Talha decided to put matters into their own hands since Ali wouldn’t do anything right then. They went to Basrah to get more numbers. They entered Basrah against the leader of Basrah’s permission. Bo the leader didn’t allow Aeysha and Talha in because it was against Ali’s orders. They entered forcefully and some Muslims were killed. Ali tried to make peace so he lead an army to Basrah asking what Aeysha’s army wanted. She said that they won’t give bayah to him until Ali gets the murderer of Uthman. Ali agreed, but the revolutionaries wanted to stop this so they ignited a battle, and so there was the battle between Aeisha’s and Ali’s army.

The battle finally ended later on.

657 – 37 – Battle of Sifeen

Syria was not under Ali, Syria was under Mua'wiah and so Ali went to Syria with an army. Mu’awiah was told by Uthman’s wife to avenge Uthman’s death, so he refused to give bayah to Ali until all of the people involved in the killing of Uthman, would be put to death. Ali said that nothing would happen without a fair trial.

And so the battle of Sifeen started.

Legal principles I - Sh. Abdullah bin Bayyah

2006-12-29T17:37:00.000-05:00

Session 1
(RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Suleyman

There are 5 famous principles of Shariah. These principles are the root of the shariah of our deen.

During the Prophet’s time, the Shariah was not written down, there were oral transmissions. The Quran was written down, and some Hadith were.

During the first century of Islam, ibn shihab collected the Hadith

So from here you had different collections of Hadith. From the principles that were in the Hadith, people derived the shareeah. Even though the shareeah was complete at Rasulullah’s time, different situations occurred so there were different schools of though.

From these constant derivation from Quran and Hadith, there were common principles for these derivations. These were the 5 principles of sharee'ah.

1. Certainty is not removed by doubt

2. Difficulties demand relief

3. Harm must be removed

4. Custom has legal weight

5. Matters are considered, based on their intentions

These qawaid (principles) became written down and they were set principles for deriving shareah.

The first qa’idah (principle): Certainty is not removed by doubt

Doubts are not given consideration in light of certainty.

Allah says in the Quran that kaafirs only follow what they think, they are in doubt and have no foundations.

This means that Muslims should have certainty in their actions.

All of the aqeedah, fiqh, Ibadaah etc. follow this principle.
An example of this principle is if you did wudhu (this is the certainty) and if you don’t know if you kept it or not (this is the doubt). then you go with the certainty, which is that you did the wudhu and remove the doubt, which is whether or not you kept it.

The same applies in Salaah – i.e if you are praying and you are on the 2nd rakaah and you are not sure if it is the 3rd, you go with the certainty which is the 2nd.

for legal issues (dept, stealing etc.) the certainty must have proof. So everyone is innocent until proven guilty. There is a lesson in this, which is not to be suspicious of people unless valid proof is given.

Everything is assumed pure, unless there is a reason why it is impure

Everything is permissible unless proven impermissible.

Second principle: Hardship necessitates facilities

Allah is aware of the weakness of mankind and he says in the Quran many times that He wants to lighten your burden.

A person’s life fluctuates, meaning he is born into weakness (baby/child) then gets older and strong (youth) and then they are back to weak.

For this reason circumstances change for hardship. When you are old, you are not able to do things that you were able to do when you were in your youth.

When one is healthy they can do many things, but if they get sick, there is hardship and they can’t do some of things they could do when they were healthy.

Wealthy people can do things that poor people can’t (i.e give sadaqah etc.)

Allah says “with difficulty becomes easy”

Rasulullah tells people to make things easy

The aim of the shareah is to make things easy for people.

Shaytan makes things difficult

So a person’s obligation is only to the degree of a persons burden.

So if it is time for jihad – that is an obligation, but if you have a severe flu, you won’t be able to fight and so you don’t have to fulfill the obligation because that would be a burden greater than you could bare.

Another example is at the time of Rasulullah (saw) companions were being tortured – much hardship, and so rasulullah permitted them giving into the torturers demand, as long as they didn’t mean it in their heart.

Example with hajj, if you are not financially or physically capable it is not an obligation.

2006-12-20T18:46:00.000-05:00

Day 4
Part 11 of

The Plague of OmWaas

- Many of the alumni shahaba died in this plague. Ex: Abu Ubaydah, Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Yazid ibn Abu Sufyan.
- He was with Abu Ubaydah going towards Shaam when he heard about it and turned back. Abu Ubaydah then said “Are you running away from the destiny of Allah (swt)” Umar (RA) “ only if someone less knowledgeable than you said that” meaning the path you take is the one destined by Allah.
- A story: A thief was being punished. He said it was destiny for me to steal and he said back to him and it is destiny that I punish you.
- If you hear about a plague don’t go towards it. If you’re in it, don’t leave.
- Abu Ubaydah was the Ameer at Shaam where the plague was. Umar wanted him to go to higher grounds. The cause of the plague was due to the bodies not being buried properly in the battles.

Murder of Umar (RA)

- His Khilafa was 10 years.
- He would make dua to die shaheed in Madinah. His dua was said so much that even this children knew it.
- Abu Lu’lu alMajoosee came from a battle as a prisoner and killed Umar.,
- He was a fireworshipper. A blacksmith brought to Madinah. Hermoz and Jufaynah plotted together to murder Umar.

- Day of the murder: Umar would lead the salaah (prayer). He would walk the lines making sure they were straight and if someone was out of line he would hit them. The salaah would be in darkness. He always read long surahs to give people a cance to join and line up the people.

- Abu Lu’lu stabbed Umar and twisted the dagger around. He then had to kill his way out of the congregation. Between 6-12 companions were killed. One of the companions threw a shawl over him like net, trapping him. He ended up killing himself with the dagger.
- Even in the intensity they didn’t forgt to complete their salaah.
- Umar’s wound was so deep that if he were to drink anything it would seep right out. He was told he was going to die.
- When someone is on their deathbed you should remind them of their good deeds to give them hope so they die in a state of hope and sincerity.
- Umar chose 6 companions: Talha, Az-Zubayr, Uthman, Ali, Saad Abi Waqas, AbdurRahman ibn Owf were all promised Paradise. One of them was also to be the next Khalifa after his death. His son Abdallah ibn Umar would decide if no one could get to a conclusion.
- He asked to be buried beside Prophet Muhammad (saw) and AbuBakr. Ayesha (RA) was hoping to keep it for herself but today I prefer Umar over myself.
- He was killed a martyr at 63 years old.

The Legacy: Marketplace

- Umar used his business sense to run the empire.
- He wouldn’t let people who didn’t know answers to fiqh questions to do their business because due to their ignorance they may do haram. Ex: Riba (Interest)
-If they sold haram products, he would burn down their business.
- Kept the alumni sahaba in Madinah and didn’t let those from outside Madinah to come and live here.

1) He didn’t want their honor to be trampled on.
2) He needed them for shura (consultation)
3) Survey people on how he was doing etc.

-jizy’a tax (paid by non-muslims) would fluctuate according to the families situation, some were forgiven.

QUIZ YOURSELF

1) Give 2 examples in which Umar’s Ijtihaad was confirmed by revelation.
2) Umat’s Khalifah was full of energy and compassion for the flock. Give 2 examples.
3) Which tribe was incharge of fighting the elephants in the battle of Al-Qadissiyah? And how was the tribal system used to encourage fighters?

2006-12-20T17:50:00.000-05:00

Day 4
Part 10 of

Conquest: Nahavand

- AnNu'man ibn Al-Muqqarin was the leader
- Advice: Don't lead the Muslims into a sloppy death. Prepare.
- Make sure there aren't any leaks in the strategy
- During these battle Abu Obaidah and Khalid ibn Walid moved on from AsSham to North Africa i.e Egypt

Conquest: Dimishiq & Bait al-Maqdis (Jeureslam)

-Abu Ubaydah leading the army.

- It was a battle against Christians.

- Umar (RA) traveled from Madinah to Jeurselam to recieve the keys of Bait al-Maqdis.

-The Romans just surrendered when the Muslims came. But on one condition, that Umar would recieve the keys to the city because of the holiness of Jerusalem it was only fitting for the khalif of them to recieve the keys.

-He brought his slave with him. But due to his humble character him and his slave would switch equally along the way on and off the camel. While they were approaching Jerusalem it was the slaves turn, the slave wanted to get off because people would think he would be the khalif but Umar refused. He went there and recieved the keys to the city. He prayed right next to a church maghrib salaah. That place is known as Masjid Umar which is still there today.

Conquest: Misr- Egypt

- The main city they were going for was Alexandria.
- The army consisted of 14000 soliders.
- Underseige for 5 months.
- Small army, big faith. Whats the delay? The delay of this conquest is for a deed that have commited- Umar (RA)

The Year of Ramadah

- 18th year of hijrah
- The land dried up and became like coal.
- Umar (RA) was an example of not caring about the dunya’s aspect.

- Umar was thought to die due to his sadness of the conditions. He wouldn’t eat anything the Ummah didn’t have access too. He sent a letter to Mu’waiyah and Abu Ubaydah to send food.

- Umar’s strategy was to to distribute food to the people instead people coming to get the food. He was offered honey, he refused it and said “ I won’t allow that honey to be of that Allah will ask on the Day of Judgement”

- One day his son was eating a watermelon during the time the Muslims were suffering from a drought. He took it away making his son cry. When he was asked about this he said “How can my son eat watermelon when the nation of Muhammad have no food?”

- The woman making food wasn’t cooking it properly so he took it form her and cooked and feed the people.

- Umar and the Muslims would make istighfaar (seek forgiveness) so that Allah will bring them rain. Once the drought came to an end he insisted all the Bedouins to go back because you couldn’t have people who don’t originally live there, stay there. Keep the flow going.

- In order for a leader to go up, they need to go down.

2006-11-21T18:03:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I updated. I've just been soo busy. But Insha'Allah I still plan to finish off what I started. So as I reminder to myself:

Finish uploading History of the Khulafaa notes!!

2006-09-05T17:18:00.000-05:00

Day 3
Part 9 of

Battle of Al-Jisr (Bridge)

- The Muslims held back from Persian battles due to the intensity
- It took place near Kufa
- The General was Bahman Jadhawayh
- They had brough elephants with them. In one charge multiple fighters were killed. This became a huge obstacle to the Muslims since the elephant's loud trumpeting would scare the horses.

Reasons why Khalid Ibn Waleed was brought down.

1) AbuBakr's style of leading let people to manage freely compared to Khalid or Umar who managed more closely.

2) Khalid (RA) was extremely swift in making decisions.

3) Khalid was good and he knew it.

4) Umar (RA) was afraid of the fitnah of the muslimeen. If you wanted to be victorious go with Khalid. Umar wanted them to be victorious with their actions and trust in Allah.

Battle of Al-Bowaib

- Tribe of Bajila
- Took place in Ramadan and encouraged everyone to break their fast
- With statemenets such as “Allahu Akbar!” (God is Great), the leader can kick off the whole battle.
- Muslims began to lose. Al Muthana went to find the weakest link which was Banu Ijl and sent to them: “Indeed the ameer sends his salam and says not to expose the muslims today”
- Banu Ijl was challenged and became the strongest tribe
- Muslims were victorious

Al-Qaadisiyyah
Day 1: Day of Armaath

- One of enormous battle in Persia.
- Umar (RA) wanted to lead the battle by himself so he had to choose a leader.
- He sent Al-Asad (the lion) Saad ibn Abu Waqas.
- Zayid ibn Haritha’s wife became Saad ibn Waqas wife.
- Al Madayn: political capital of Persia.
- Persian King: Yazdajard
- Amongst 12 muslims were selected, each with their own qualities to negotiate with the king.
- In order to enter the King’s palace the Muslims were requested to bow down and enter. Knowing this was against Islam they instead bent down and walked in backwards.
- When they were asked who the most noble was, Asem ibn ‘Amaar raised his hand. Dirt was poured on this head. He laughed and said “They’ve given us a part of their land!” An example of the optimism the had.
- Persians had 120 000 fighters. Total was 36 000 fighters to fight in Al-Qaadissiyah.
- Rib’ee ibn ‘Aamir was known for his rough Bedouin look. The rough clothes, braids, dagger, spear and his pony.
- As he was walking, he used his speakers as a walking stick; cutting into everything since Rostom (Persian leader) wanted to mesmerize him with all the materlisim.
- When he was asked about his mission: We were sent to liberate the creation from worship of other creations to the worship of the creater.
-When he was asked about the success of Muslims, he said: You people glorified food, drink and clothing. To us it’s insignificant.
-Rostom was given three days to come to a decision.
- Tulayha had come back, became muslim and joined the Battle of Qaadissiyah.
- Sa’ad (RA) became extremely sick. He had boils all over and couldn’t even lie on his back.He was accused of being a coward and not wanting to fight in the battle.
- People who previously apostated were in this army that’s why there was an increase in so good etiquettes.
- The Muslim’s army consisted of approx 30 000 fighters and ALL said Allahu Akbar! Before they charged (wow imagine that!)
-As they charged they’re saying “La hawla wa la quwata illa billah”
- Tulayha started knocking down tents and let out their horses.
-The Persians had 33 Elephants.
- How do you kill an elephant? Stand infront of an elephant and wait until it comes close and then shot at its eyes. The elephant dies and you die too.
- Elephants destroyed the muslims that first day.
- The tribe Asad, came forward donating their lives in killing the elephants. So many of them were killed that almost the whole Banu Asad became extinct.

Day 2: Day of Aghwaath

- The second day the elephants were stablized. Al Qa'Qa became the general and joined them on the second day. On the first day the ameer Asadallah (saad ibn waqaah) became extremely ill he was not even able to sit down he had to lie down flat on his back. People started mocking him but he paid no attention. His wife came and started getting mad at Saad and then screamed "YA MUTHANAAAA" which was her husband that was killed shaheed. This sparked a light in Saad and he ran into the battle responding to the challenge by his wife.

- Abu Mihjan AthThaqafee was a person who apostated but later came back to Islam. He was arrested and put in jail for drinking alcohol. He begged Saad's wife to let him out. He started reciting elequoent poetry and how he wanted to bring the Muslims out of the defeat. He promised that if he was alive he would come back and lock himself and if not that means he died in the battle. Saad’s wife eventually let him out. He ran and stole Saad's horse ran into the battle. He immediately started destroying the Persians. Saad saw that man and thought..hmmm.. isn’t that my horse?

Day 3: Day of ‘Imaas

- 20 000 of Muslims were killed shaheed
- 10,000 Persians were killed
- The elephants calmed down and started to back away followed by the fighters.
- Sa’ad advises them to be patient and continue fighting even though they had no physical energy left. They kept fighting though the night and by sunrise the Persians were running away. Victory was to the Muslims!
- Rostom was killed in the water.
- Women acted as nurses. They had nursing materials in one hand to nurse the wounded soliders and a weapon in another hand to finish off whoever was at the verge of death.
- Muslims would wait on the outskirts of the won waiting for news. Eventually all of them went back leaving Umar (RA) waiting by himself. Al-Bashir comes and yells that the Muslims have been victorious. Had has passed by Umar looking for the Khalifah which turned out to be Umar and apologized. He thought the Khalifah would be this high and mighty man.

QUIZ YOURSELF

1) Mention 3 points that AbuBakr mentioned in his inauguration speech?
2) What were the main reason that the Arab tribes left Islam?
3) What characteristics was AbuBakr known for?

2006-08-31T17:21:00.000-05:00

Day 3
Part 8 of

Umar
Al-Farooq: Mountain of Justice

-Umar(RA) was from the family of Banu Adee
-His Kunya was Abu Hafs
-As a youth he worked as a sheperd and a buisness man
-He was 29 years old when the Prophet (saw) recieved the revelation.
-He was tall and had a large body. His legs would drag from a horse.
-Very Eloquent.
-Extremely wise and knowledgeble.
-Had 12 children. Well known were Abdallah, a great scholar and Hafsa who was married to the Prophet.

-Before he became a muslim he would beat his slaves and volunteer to beat other peoples slaves who went into Islam.

-He hated the Prophet (saw) but didn't kill him.
-Umar's conversion (find and read)

-When he became a muslim it was a conquest. Islam went from being private to being public.

-When he gave suggestions, verses would be revealed confirming his opinion, such as:

1) Regarding the Prisoners of Badr [Surah Anfal, Verse 67]
2) The Hijab of the wives of the Prophet (saw).
3) Ayah regarding Alcohol.
4) The location of Makami Ibrahim: Station of Ibrahim by Kabah. "Shall we not take from the station of Ibrahim a place of prayer"

- Even the Shaytan is scared of Umar (RA)

- His characteristic: he loved people to criticize him.

- Closed gate of Fitnah: Whenever one started, he would not allow it. Internal Fitnah.

- A dua he usually made: "O Allah, I'm rough so make me soft. I'm weak so make me strong. I'm stingy so make me generous"

- Muslims were so sow to join Al-Muthana's army since all of them wanted Khalid's army.

- He allowed repented muslims to join armies = huge armies for both.

- A huge push in battles and armies since repented muslim joined to make up for what was lost.

2006-08-31T15:36:00.000-05:00

Day 3
Part 7 of

Conquest of Yarmook

-Many muslims were killed in this battle.

-A letter arrived that AbuBakr (RA) had died and that Khalid (RA) is to step down from leadership and Abu Ubaydah is to take over.

-The change of leadership and death of AbuBakr was to be announced later as not to disrupt the progress.

-Ikrimah converted and promised to fight twice as much. His way of repentance was in these battles.

-After the battle, the news is announced about the leader change and death of AbuBakr.

AbuBakr's Death

"As you see, sickness has befallen me and I do not think this shall be other then my farewell...so nominate a leader foryourselves whom you wish. For verily if you choose the leader while I am still alive, it shall be more likely that you will not disagree after me." -AbuBakr (RA)

Legacy of AbuBakr: The Compilation of the Quran

-After 50+ Huffaz were killed in the Battle of Yamamah, AbuBakr had the idea to compile the Quran.

Kutab-al Wahi: Writers of the Revelations.

-Zaid Ibn Thabit was a key person in compiling the Quran. He had strict conditions:

1) 2 witnesses who memorized this verse from the Prophet (saw) with the exception of one sahaba, Abu Khuzaymah, who knew the last two verses of Surah-Tawbah but had no other 2 witnesses. His was accepted since the Prophet himself had said that his shahadah is equal to two.

-One of the last things he did was give away all the money he recieved to the Muslimeen.

-Umar (RA) was then nominated and his leadership was accepted.

2006-08-29T18:26:00.000-05:00

Day 3
Part 6 of

Conquest: Iraq

-All conquests AbuBakr did were in Iraq
-He sent two armies Khalid ibn Waleed & Ayad ibn Agathi

-Meeting point: Al Hira. Whoever arrived first would be the ameer of the other army.

Benefits of sending two armies:
-To cut up the persian army
-Provides assistance/backups when trouble strikes
-Seperates two armies so food and drink are easily provided

-The people who were fighting were only those who haven't apostated (only happened during the time of AbuBakr)

Battles

Al-Ubullah: Also known as Battle of the Chains. To keep fighters on the front line, they would be chained to fight. Khalid Ibn Waleed (RA) fought them and they were conquered.

Khadimah: Persian General-Hurmuz. Had a one on one fight with Khalid. Hurmuz was killed by Khalid.

Madar: Persian leader: Qarid ibn Qaryabinis. They had boats ready. As soon as the battle intesified the persian were to escape by boats. But the Muslims conquered.

Walajah: A Christain tribe- Nasra Baqr ibn Waeed. They fought them there, who were teamed with Persians at Ullays after being deafeated. Khalid (RA) was succesful in both.

Al-Hira: They just surrendered to Khalid ibn Waleed. It took him four months to defeat all of them. They chose to give tax and gave gifts to Khalid (RA). They were conquered with no fighting.

Ain Tamr: He was victorious.

-Persians let the Muslims gain in strength so the Roamns brought a huge army to stop them in one force (Battle of Yarmuk)

-Amr ibn 'Aaas was sent to Sham. Khalid (RA) is the ameer of all armies. All of them went there.

AbuBakr's advice:
1) Keep awake against their companions. Go and sit with your fighters and listen to them.
2) Don't be cowardly or else you're poeple will be cowardly as well.

-The Muslim's army numbered at 21,000
-The Roman's army numbered at 100, 000

-Amr Ibn AlAaas fought with the Roman's. They had blocked themselves so they would fight intensely. Either way they were going to lose.

-When one of the men mentioned about the huge size of the Roman's army, Khalid Ibn Waleed said "I wish my horse was handicapped and the Roman army doubles after someone mentions about the size of the army"

*If you ever hear the word try, that mean that person is a loser and won't do their job*

-The armies that would arrive, they would compile and camp in those areas. Battle doesn't begin right away.
-Talks/Speeches (Khatirah) would be given to the fighters before the battle to motivate them. They would talk about the hereafter, the Prophet (saw) etc.

Apply it to conferences:
1) Motivate the people
2) Give them buckets to pour their motivation into with activities, programs etc.

2006-08-29T13:05:00.001-05:00

Day 2

Part 5 of

Huroob Ar-Riddah: The War on Apostasy

Why did the tribes lose their Islam?
1) Recently converted
2) Tribalism
3) Lack of Education

*Leaders can't be wishy-washy*

Why battles had to happen?
If you were non-muslim, your choices were:
1) Become muslim
2) Pay Tax
3) Go to war

If you were muslim, your choices were:
1) Die
2) Go to war

Liwa (White Flag) - Out of 10,000 only one of them has it.
Ruyyah (Black Flag) - Battalions within the army.

Riddah Conflict: Banu Tameem led by Maalik Ibn Nuwayrah

Adiyy ibn Haatim's Plea: In northen Arabia, he spoke to them about paying Zakah. Negogations took place and fighting was the last resort.

Was Maalik Muslim or Not: Maalik ibn Nuwariyah didn't want to pay Zakah. They were all killed at night since difference of opinion whether he was muslim or not.

Riddah Conflict: Northern Arabia led by Tulayha As Asdee

His background with Rasuallah: Tulayha As Asdee from Northern Arabia. After the Prophet's death he turned his back on Islam and claimed Prophethood.

The Battle over Madinah: He brought his people to attack Madinah after noticing there wasn't many fighters around.

The end of his fitnah: Jannah: Khalid (RA) came in between Tulayha and the two other groups fought. Tulayha lost and went off to Sham. During the time of Umar (RA) he converted. Went to Jannah.

Riddah Conflict: Musaylimah in AlYamamah (Northern Arabia)

How he won the hearts of his people: He had many attractive qualities, among them were:
1) He was amongst them, part of his tribe
2) Extremely Eloquent
3) Ability to mesmerize people by his speech
4) Extremely handsome
5) Wealthy

-He was married to Azujah, a female who claimed to be a Prophet.

The beginning on an enormous battle: His army ranged from 20,000-60,000.
-A person came to Rasuallah (saw) learned the Quran and apostated. He then joined Musaliymah. His fitnah was greater because he was scholarly, followed Musaliymah. Since he was a scholar people followed him, into Hell-Fire.

-Musaliymah prayed 3 times a day. He said the Quran was revealed to him and made up verses.
-He was a liar from Hajid (their tribe) better than the one from the Propher and so they followed him.

-The Muslim Army had 11,000. Khaild bin Waleed became a leader and the battle took place.

- The right of the Prophet's sword was it bends due to the amount of heads it hit. One of the men offered to do so. He wore a red bandana and strutted arrogantly. Rasuallah (saw) said had this taken place anywhere else it would be hated but since its on the battlefield, it motivates.

-Reasoning of tribes: During battles they would know which one is a weakling and more attention is gathered there.

*Slogan: Ya Ashab Surah-tul Baqarah (O people of surah baqarah)*

-Army of Musaliymah was double of the muslims.
-The Muslims were losing 5 to 1.
-Abdallah ibn Omar was in the nursing docks. One of the Ansar was critically injured. Someone was trying to motivate them and started yelling "O you Ansar!" the injured Ansar grabs his sword and went back into the battle field.
-All who had the Quran memorized gathered around Ammar Ibn Yaisr. He led them and pushed Musalimyah's army back.

The Garden of Death: Musaliymah ended up gathered in a walled garden and the gates were locked. Al-Bara'ah wanted to be thrown over the wall. When he is thrown over, he runs for the gate. Musaliymah's army is after him since he was to open the gate. The Muslims get in and Wahshi who killed the uncle of the Prophet was after Musaliymah with his spear and was shot by the spear.

The results of the conflict: Over 50 hufaz were martyred in this battle.

Riddah Conflict: Yemen and Bahrain

-AlAswad AlOnsee claimed Prophethood.
-Wouldn't pay Zakah.
-People were stirred up with the Zakah money.
-He was killed and then people returned to Islam.

-Al Munthir Ibn Sawah died shortly after Rasuallah (saw)
-Rasuallah (saw) honored tribes by leaving them incharge.
-AbuBakr chose Al-Ala when sending the army because he had special influence (Bahrain)
-Attacked when they were drunk etc.

AbuBakr: AlFatih Al-Islam: The Islamic Conquest

Carrying Islam to the World

-Within two years he brought people back to Islam.
-When Muslims conquer areas they bring a better system. A higher level of organization.
-Fighters got shares of war spoils and we're trained for battel. Rx: Archery, swimming etc.
-Encouragement to have horses.
-Only people who hadn't apostated were in the Battle of Iraq.
- Once Khulafaa conquered area it wasn't over. There are still places that was apostated, so they had to go back.
-All battles of Fatih Al-Islam took place in Iraq.

2006-08-29T12:30:00.000-05:00

Day 2
Part 4 of

Why the Ansar felt the Khalifah should be from amongst them (Arguements)

1) Medina was their city
2) They housed the Muhajeerun
3) Virtues of the Ansar

AbuBakr's Reply: "O Ansar Indeed all the virtues that you've mentioned you have. But you kow that this group of Quraysh have a position with the arabs that not everyone has and the arabs won't unify unless the Quraish...So IttaquAllah"

They all ended up pledging allegiance to AbuBakr.

-He starts off as a backstyle leader to the front by telling to give Bay'ah (allegience) to him or Ibn Ubaydah. But Ubaydah gave Bay'ah to AbuBakr

-Rasuallah (saw) said "I advise you to treat the people of Egypt with Goodness"
-People of Yemen: If you want to know about real Iman and Fiqh.

Back-Style Leader: Does Shura, Asks his people what they think etc.
Result if you overdo it: Frustrations cause no order, no decisions are being made since you'll constantly be asking what they think instead of asking and taking action.

Front-Style Leader: Tough.

-The Prophet's Last Words: "O Allah, with the supreme communion"

-Last public place Rasuallah (saw) was seen looking at the congregation
-He kissed AbuBakr on his forehead and said "You are blessed in life and in death"
-After the Prophet's death, AbuBakr said: Whoever worships Mohammed, let them know he is head. Whoever worships Allah, let him know he his alive and will be forever"

-Rasuallah was making a Khutbah and mentioned that a slave had chosen the hereafter. AbuBakr started crying. He was the only one who understood that Rasuallah was saying he's going to die.

Criteria when choosing a leader (Khalifah)

1) People with Alumni status, experienced with dawah and what they've done in the path of Allah (swt),
2) Looked for Prophet's position with the leader.
3) Majority of the Ummah agreeing and listening.

-Not all of the Ansaar were in agreement that an Ansar should be a leader.
-Still insisted to do Shura even though they were told to just settle the affair between them. But they insisted to include the Ansar.

*You need a humble driver who can give the position to someone else when he doesn't have the right map. If you don't know your destination, you shouldn't be driving*

2006-08-29T12:27:00.000-05:00

Day 2
Part 3 of

Signs that AbuBakr was to be the next Khalifah

1) When Rasuallah (saw) was sick, he would tell AbuBakr to lead the prayer
2) A woman asked Rasuallah (saw) a question. She was told to come later and if he wasn't found to go to AbuBakr.

Leadership of AbuBakr

1) Person who leads people in their deen should be able to lead in the Dunya as well.
2) Greatest Imam isn;t the one with the best recitation. An Eloquent voice isn't the criteria.
3) Putting future leaders in the public eye at critical times.

*An Imam is the one with most knowledge and wisdom*

- AbuBakr was to lead the prayer but the sisters couldn't hear him so Umar led the prayer instead. Rasuallah (saw) got angry and said that Allah refuses everyone but AbuBakr.

Why study the lives of the Khualafaa Ar-Rashidun?

1) It gives you a map of what the real Islam looks like.
2) Grow in your thankfulness for those who scarificed their lives to make Islam alive.
3) Start to know where you come from.
4) Have guidelines on what to do during a time of fitnah.
5) Learn practical tips and tricks on how to be a leader.
6) Open your eyes and don't get caught up in the labels.
7) Motivitional strategies.

*Follow the Sunnah and the sunnah of the Khulafaa Ar-Rasihdeen*

- AbuBakr's Inauguration speech:

"O Men! Here I have been assigned the job of being a ruler over you while I am not the best among you. If I do well in my job, help me. If I do wrong, redress me. Truthfulness is fidelity, and lying is treason. The weak shall be strong in my eyes until I restore to them their lost rights, and the strong shall be weak in my eye until I have restored the rights of the weak from them. No people give up fighting for the cause of God but God inflicts upon them abject subjection; and no people give themselves to lewdness but God envelops them with misery. Obey me as long as I obey God and His Prophet. But if I disobey God's command or His Prophet's, then no obedience is incumbent upon you. Rise to your prayer, that God may bless you."

1) Him being the Khalifah was baded on the decision of the ummah.
2) Leaders being followed when follwoing the way of Allah (swt)
3) Ummah be mindful of his politics
4) Continous responsibility in Justice, Jihad.

-A condition of the khulafaa is being from the Quraish.

*The farther you delay honesty, the harder you fall*

2006-08-29T12:15:00.000-05:00

Day 1
Part 2 of

Abu Bakr as-Siddique

- best friend of the Prophet
- Name: Abduallah ibn Uthman
- known for his upright character
- known for speed in which he would do things. Ex: following commandments
- Siddique: excessively truthful
- known for his humbleness. If he dropped something h e would get it himself instead of asking someone else.
- known for his gentleness. Ex: you could hear his crying.

"No wealth has benefitted me as much as the wealth of AbuBakr"

-AbuBakr saved his money so he could free Bilal (R.A)
-Surah Al-'Alaa proves AbuBakr's intention in freeing Bilal was for the sake of Allah (swt)
-He is mentioned 6 times in the Quran.
-AbuBakr was chosen as a companion to travel/make hijrah with Rasuallah.
-A scorpion bit AbuBakr while in the cave but he didn't move in fear of waking up Rasuallah (saw) who was sleeping on his lap. Only when his tear fell on him did he wake up.
-The companions always asked what action was most beloved to Allah so they could get the highest reward
-AbuBakr's every aspect of life was balanced.

2006-08-29T12:01:00.000-05:00

AlMaghrib: History of the Khulaafa- Sh.Muhammad Al-Shareef

Day 1- Part 1 of
Intro: Abduallah Ibn Az-Zubayr

-At the battle of Al-Ahzab he saw his father cut a man in two halves. An example of sharpness of the sword.

-Abdallah Ibn Az-Zubayr drank Rasuallah's (saw) blood after cupping since he found it disrepectful to dump it just anywhere. When he was asked my Rasuallah the reasoning behind this action, he explained and was told that Hell-Fire would never touch him.

-When he was 8 years old at the Conquest of Madina. Anyone under 15 weren't allowed to fight so they would try to look older by standing on their toes and such.

-He was a fundamental resource in the Fiqh of Hajj as he was the few left who witnessed the Prophet (saw) make hajj.

-At the Battle of Yarmuk, one of the largest battles against the Romans, Abduallah Ibn Az-Zubayr's father wanted to encourage the men to fight so he went infront of them and yelled "Who will pledge to fight until death?" Only a couple came forth. He asked again 3 times then he told his son to get on the horse and that they would fight the Roman's on their own. They fought through the army and back.

-When he was younger, his mother would leave him by himself in the forest. When he would cry she would beat him so that he may become courageous and have no fear.

Muslim Identity- Khalid Yaseen

2006-08-24T13:56:00.000-05:00

-Definition of Identity according to Websters Dictionary.

-the name of an indiviual is important.
-Rasuallah (saw) changed bad names. Ex: Wahshi (ugly) to Hasan.
-Names is the first sound where you start to build your emotions around.
-The best way to bond with someone is to say their name over and over again. It's a psychological thing. Ex: when you to a job interview, they usually say your name many times when talking to you. They were trained to do so.
-An identity crisis (mental physcosis) is when you hide who you are and pretend to be someone else.
-We as muslims have developed an identity crisis and want to be like the people who oppress them.
-Take your time and study your relationship with Allah. Study the seerah.

Conditions of loving Rasuallah (saw)
-obey him
-follow his sunnah
-be familiar with his seerah

-Muslim students need to be at the top in universities. If not then you have an identity crisis. Muslims don't drink, do drugs or party so WHY NOT?

*Most of us aren't in La illaha illa Land but in La-La land*

-Osama bin Zaid had a whole army of 15,000 under his charge and he was only in his teens.
-Ayesha (RA) narrated hadiths. 2nd best after Abu Huraria.
-53 men and 29 women studied from her and became Ulama

*If you're cool with the homo then you have a bit of homo in you too*

Pioneer Women In Islam- Sh.Ahmed Kutty & Tayyibah Taylor

2006-08-24T12:24:00.000-05:00

-Umm Salamah: 5th wife of Rasuallah (saw)
-She was married to Abduallah and had 4 children
-Umm Salamah and her husband immigrated to Abyssina due to the persecution they suffered.
-She was the first woman to move in the name of Islam.
-They came back and the persecution went on so they decided to go to Madinah.
-The Husband went to Madinah without Umm Salamah and his son.
-After a year she was allowed to go to Madinah with her son.
-After the reunion with her husband, she swore she would never re-marry but the husband said no and to instead make dua that she may get a better husband.
-The husband was later killed in a battle.
-Abu Bakr, Umar Al-Khattab both proposed to her but she refused.
-The Prophet (saw) proposed to her and she said but she was a jealous woman. The Prophet then said he would pray to Allah that he may take away the jealousy. She accepted the proposal.

-A servant girl was brushing Umm Salamah's hair when the Prophet (saw) said "O you people" and she told her to stop brushing. The servant said he was only addressing the men. But Umm Salamah said that she too was included under "people"

-Umm Salamah asked about women in the Quran and how only men were mentioned in the Quran.

-Surah Al-Azhab, Verse 35

"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and women, the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic Monotheism), the men and the women who are obedient (to Allah), the men and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and the women who are patient (in performing all the duties which Allah has ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men and the women who are humble (before their Lord Allah), the men and the women who give Sadaqat (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.), the men and the women who observe Saum (fast) (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the optional Nawafil fasting), the men and the women who guard their chastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the men and the women who remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting, standing, lying, etc. for more than 300 times extra over the remembrance of Allah during the five compulsory congregational prayers) or praying extra additional Nawafil prayers of night in the last part of night, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a great reward (i.e. Paradise)."

-Specfically mentions the women and men for their good deeds. A tribute to Umm Salamah.

-After Ayesha (RA) Umm Salamah had the second number of hadiths recorded.

-Umm Salamah shows that it is not wrong to disagree as long as it falls within our integrity.

Ahmed Kutty

-Women should join men to better help out the ummah.
-Great religions debated if a woman even had a soul.
-If anyone has two daughters, educated them and cared for them then they shall recieve Jannah.
-There are 2500 women scholars, poets etc.
-Khadijah (RA) was a mentor to the Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Ayesha (RA)

- She was brought up in the household of the Prophet.
- A role model for both men and women.
- The revelation from Jibreel came to Rasuallah (saw) only when he was with Ayesha (RA)
- No man has come to women who lied in transmission of hadiths.
- More hadiths are reported by Ayesha then any other woman because she was trained by Rasuallah (saw)
-nature of Ayesha was very rational and had no patience of irrational explanations of the Quran.
-She would take widoes of her brothers to Hajj and umrah.

We may Delay, But Time Won't- Said Rageah

2006-08-23T14:40:00.000-05:00

-Ghareeb is a person who is brought to the masjid and no one knows him.

-Ali ibn Abi Talib went to the grave and said "What news do you have for us? The news that we have for you is you money is no longer yours. Your wives remarried. Your children became orphans. Therefore the best provision is the taqwa of Allah."

-Amr ibn Aaas: I want to know how a person feels when the angel of death comes to take the soul away. Describe death. O my son! I feel as if the mountains are on my chest, breathing through a needle hole, I feel like a bird in a pot of boiling oil" He felt all this pain and he was a sahabi..

Pro's and Con's of Delaying Marriage - Muhammad Al Shareef

2006-08-23T14:25:00.000-05:00

Pro's

- You have time to become financially ready to support a wife and a household.
- Finish school and save money
- They'll grow and be able to mature.
- If they're mature then divorce rates will be less and problems will be solved in a mature way.
- Learn more about Islam

Con's

- If you get married at an old age then your ways of life are set already and its harder to accept different ways.
-Difficulty having children, miscarriages.
-It can create weakness in the heart due to temptations
-If a person has bad habits such as smoking, difficult to avoid.
-Delaying marriage is against the sunnah of Rasuallah (saw)

Permissible & Prohibited acts in Marriage- Muhammad Al-Shareef

- Why is everything in Islam haram? Because people only ask questions of what is haram not what is halal.

-Women will be the majority in Hell-Fire. Reasons being:
1) Cursing: cursing their husbands
2) Forgetting the virtue of their husband. All the good things he has done.

-Men are not allowed too:
1) to abandon his wife. If she isn't wearing hijab or praying, he doesn't care.
2) Curse and swear at his wife
3) To hit and beat his wife

-Be patient with your wife. She is created from a bent rib so don't try to straighten it. Don't try to make her into a man.

-If she she's ironing clothes as way to express her love then do the same. Show love the same way she shows love to you.

Ignorance is the night of the mind without Stars- Muhammad Al-Shareef

2006-08-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

-Friday Khutbah (sermon) is the last place to seek knowledge. If you're not there, then you're freestyling through life.

-There was a great scholar in Baghdad. Students of knowledge wanted to learn from him but had halaqah's all day. The only time they had left is during their sleep. So they decided to shorten their sleeping time to be able to learn from the great scholar.

-For many years these students of knowledge didn't eat sweets because during the time they were seeking knowledge, the sweet store was open.

-Imam As-seewati (sp?) wrote a tafseer for Surah Al-Fatiha at the age of 7.

-Because of knowledge there are two destinations:

1)Highest level of Jannah
2)Lowest pit of hell-fire

-If a person of knowledge commits haram other people precieve it to be ok and follow him.

-A person who may be studying computer science for selfish reasons is no problem BUT a person who is studying Islam for selfish reasons is BIG TROUBLE!

-The more chance of higher return, the higher chance of punishment. If you don't practice what you preach.

-Once a couple of young men heard that the inheritence of the Prophet (saw) was being distributed at the masjid. They thought it was money but when got there found hadith being thought. This is the inheritance of the Prophet. Knowledge.

-People of the past who had less technology had much more knowledge and were much more wiser than people of today.

-In an old book there are no table of contents when you want to find something quickly. Why you ask? The writer is simply telling you to READ THE BOOK.

-Quoting this and that is nothing but fake knowledge if you didn't read the whole book.

-With all the technology the knowledge should be increasing.

-The path of seeking knowledge leads to Jannah.

-Verily Allah and his angels, ants, fish in the sea all make dua to the Muallim, the teacher.

-The person who hears a hadith from us and passes it on is as if he is given a blank check to be checked in his name.

-Umar (RA)- I seek Allah's protection from the strengthened enthusiasm of a Fasiq.
(Reading a Quran for 1/2 hour compared to reading a novel for 6 hours)

-I've never seen a sadder flaw in the community than to see people who can go all the way and don't.

Excuses Shaytan tricks you with:

1) "I want to study Islam BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTT I'll wait until I can go overseas."

-How long will that take? 10 years. If you don't take advantage of knowledge in your own backyard, you won't take advantage of the ones overseas

2) "You know everything already". Everytime you go to a class its just repetition. You need to go somewhere else with advanced knowledge

A Person should make dua to increase in knowledge
"Rabbi Zidni 3ilman"

Marriage- Khalid Yaseen

2006-08-22T14:28:00.000-05:00

-Marriage is half of your faith

-It can be divided into issues of Ibadat and Mu3amalat

-It's a very strong sunnah. Marriage is part of my sunnah, whoever leaves it is not among me.

-To parents: If you don't feel like talking about it to your kids, they'll go to somebody else who might not have the correct information etc.

-Among his signs, he created male and female
-He created among them a social union called marriage with the purpose to dwell and find sakinah and develop passion and Rahma (mercy)

-Allah (swt) placed inside us a natural attraction to each other. Islam simply sets the parameters on what is natural.

-Through marriage Allah is protecting the generation, the society, parents, children, their grandchildren etc.

-The rizq (provision) comes from Allah. Don't worry about feeding them. Infact have lots and lots of children.

-The average muslim family has 5 kids. Allah has blessed the ummah of Muhammad.

-By the year 2010, there will be 20 milliom muslims in North America. While the non-muslims are killing of their children (abortion)

-Marriage is a protection against immorality and sexual perversion.

-STD's among muslims is a very small number. Another blessing from Allah.

-Don't just sit there and desire to get married but prepare for it so that when the time comes you are ready for it.

-It's forbidden to force someone into marriage.

-Mahr: Family demanding expensive dowry is an issue. Due to this many old women are still unmarried.

-Make sure they're witnesses to the marriage and that they aren't getting married in secret. That the community knows about.

-Marry divorcees: they need someone to guide them. A comfort especially if they have children.

*The biggest fool is the one who fools himself*

-Marrying non-muslims:
-Marry people of the book (Jews, Christians) who haven't been sexually active before
-Only men can marry non muslims.
-A common problem: You marry a non-muslim. They later on refuse to convert and become muslim. You end up in a divorce. As usual the custody system in the west the kids go to the mother. The kids are raised with non-muslim family members in a non-muslim enviorment. You have kids who are then confused about their identity. i

-A Muslim woman marrying a non-muslim man
-It is forbidden in Islam
-In most cases the male dominates the female. She'll accept the leadership of the husband who is a non-muslim. When you marry a non-muslim man you also marry his family. If something happens to her or the husband the kids will end up with the father's family.

-Temporary marriage: Mut'aa Marriage
-It's forbidden.
-It was only allowed during Khaibar for a limited time.

-Welfare Wives
-Why marry women if you can't take care of them?
-If you already finding it hard to manage one wife DON'T marry another and put them on welfare.

The Prophetic Model: Ali Shayan

2006-08-22T13:51:00.000-05:00

1) School Newspapers
-Muslims should get mored involved with this.
-Contribute a variety of topics not just Islamic topics.

2) Peer Tutoring
-helping students in your school
-merge it with a Big Brother/Big Sister program

3) Be Aware of International Issues
-fundraise for them
-ex: sponsor students from the overseas
-collect and send medical and learning supplies to needy areas.
-Local issues: food for the homeless.
-If you have excess food for a huge engagment party or an event, don't throw it away. Take it to shelters. They appericate it.

4) Workshops on REAL issues
-Drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, on-going violence
-Don't pretend all this isn't an issue within the muslim community because it is.

-We need to diversify and do, become involved in different things. Ex: Amnesty International.

Are We Violent People? - Yasser Haddara

2006-08-22T13:41:00.000-05:00

-Is the Quran filled with violence? It's usually taken out of context.

-Violence: Unjustifiable violence

-What do you mean by violence?

-If we are on a battlefield and being attacked. Stand steadfast.
-Do not ever wish to meet your enemy but if you do meet them; stand steadfast.

-Violence/fighting is not something thats glorified or celebrated.

-Allah (swt) said: O my servants. I've made injustice forbidden upon you and onto you.

-Where do you think the largest number of suicide bombing take place? Palestine? Iraq? Nope.
The largest number of suicide bombings is the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanks.

-Suggestion: Don't respond without thinking. Ex: There's 1.3 billion of us in the world so don't mess with us!

-During the Genocide in Rwanda, many turned to Muslims for help. Watch it here: http://www.nytimes.com/packages/khtml/2004/04/05/international/20040406_RWAN_AUDIOSS.html

Companions of the Prophet: Muhammad Al-Shareef

2006-08-22T13:35:00.000-05:00

-Indeed you have a blessed example with Ibrahim and those with him.

-The Purpose is not to only tell the story but to LEARN from the story.

-If you are ever afflicted with a problem, look at the Prophet, they had it worse.

-Saad ibn Nusayb. A man complained that his son disobeys him. When asked if he cursed his son, he says yes. The way your son is treating you is the result of that curse.

-By not being in the rememberance of Allah, the heart becomes rusted by default.

-There is no murder that the son of doesn't get a portion of.

1) Take advantage of classes online. Ex: paltalk
2) Be friends with people of good character so that you may absorb it. You can get close to them by finding ways to benefit them.

Ummati, Ummati -Yasser Haddara

2006-08-22T13:25:00.000-05:00

When you say "MY UMMAH" In what sense is it said?

-A sense of pride. "MY ummah"
-A sense of belonging.

-All the tribes and Muhajereen had banners= Belonging is a good thing.

1) Understannd how to put all your identites together

2) In a sense of grief & concern
-contribute to the society. Help out either that homeless person or the MSA.

-One who isn't concerened with matters of a muslim isn't one of them. Ex: Poverty, Politics, Learning of their deen etc.

-There will always be good in my ummah until the Day of Judgement.

-Ex: My ummah is like that rain. You don't know which is better. The first or the last. Allah will never abandon an ummah where I come first and Isa in the end.

3) In sense of responsibility.
-remind people what is good and bad.
-Believe in Allah.

-Allah is Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem. If you expect to disobey him and be rewarded on the Day of Judgement is simply insanity.

Our Future, Our Choice: Thinking Today for Tomorrow: Muhammad Al-Shareef & Munir El-Kassem

2006-08-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

Muhammad Al-Shareef

-Allah will not change the future of a person until they make the changes.
-The Prophet (saw) said: Whoever sees a munkar, let him change it with his hand, if not then with his tongue, if not then to hate it in his heart
-You can't make a person make a choice but you can influence it.

1st circle: things you are in control of. Ex: Choice to pray or not to pray
2nd cirlce: things out of your contol. People sulking over things they have no control over.

-KNOW: know your destination. If you aim for nothing. Your destination is nothing.

-your heart will waken if you are not in the rememberance of Allah.Common complaint among the muslims: I pray but I just don't feel it (well who's fault is that?!)

-Be specific in the direction to your destination.
Ex: I want to be a good muslim. HOW?
-It needs to be measureable
-How much Quran do you know, tafseer etc.

Munir El-Kassem

-The nature of Islam is that you are working towards your Ultimate Future- Jannah (Paradise)
-Part of that Ultimate Future Plan: you need to plan for this world as well.
-The GPS for Rasuallah (saw) was a divine GPS
-The Prophet Muhammad (saw) recieved the relevation he had to plan to protect the early muslims. After 3 years they declared Islam publicly.
-Another plan: Migrate to Abyssinia and stay there.

-10th Year planned to reach out of Makkah--> to Taif.
-Another plan: Continue to talk to people who come to the pilgrimge.

-Surah Yunus, Hud & Yusuy all hold the name of messengers. In the end the lessons are summarized.

*Thinking today, for tomorrow*

-Nuh preached Islam for 900 years+. About 85 became muslim and he didn't give up.

1) Be steadfast, direct, don't turn around and say I can't do it.
2) Don't start now to transgress the limit of goodness. Ex: revenge to his enemies.
3) Don't be dependant on the wrong-doers. Ex: I need the enemies to help us. Donations from America to help Palestinians, Iraqis, Because we were dependent on transgressers. This is due failure to plan for the future.

Practical Tips

1) Define our identity.
-Keep Going and strengthn your Iman
-Don't lost Hope in Allah (swt)
- The future is with Islam

2) You need to be independent!
-Stop being dependent on transgressors
-No more fundraising dinners. Instead use the fundraising to have a base and invest.

3) Reach out and stop thinking of "going back home"

4) Become more active on the communial level.
-Ex: enviorment issues, same-sex marriages, CSIS--> security certificates.

Survey Says...Top 10 Challenges Facing Muslim Youth: Hamzah Moin

2006-08-22T12:46:00.000-05:00

#10 Leadership is corrupted/lacking

-Not always the right people taking leadership in mosques and Islamic centre's who represent the youth well.
-Micro Level: in muslim country
-Micro Level: in our mosques
-Lack of Leadership
-People have forgotten how to follow & lead

#9 Extermism

-Either extremely on the conservative side or extremely on the liberal side.
-Extremely conservative side. Neglects tradition to conform with "bedouin" society
-Extremely libearl side. Neglects tradition to conform with modern society
-The spotlight is on the 2 extremes of Islam.

#8 Alienation of Muslim Youth

-The elders in the community aren't in touch with the needs of the Muslim Youth and their mentality and many times they find themselves alienated and not understood.
-At the same time, a community that doesn't listen to the elders is destined to failure.

#7 Lack of Faith

-Questions to ask regarding the upbringing of the youth:
-Were they brought up by good parents with proper Islamic teaching?
-How was the community they lived in?

#6 Gender Relations

-2 categories:
- General day to day interaction such as people you might have to work with at school, the workplace etc
-and the other category where you simply cross the line. Ex: msn.

#5 Westernization

-How far do you go with acting as a "Canadian"?

#4 Too Cultural...and Racism

-The division among the Muslims due to culture such as the arab mosque or the desi mosque.
-Internal clashing

#3 Bad Image

-Islam has a bad Public Relations campaign. Whenever visiting places on the internet such as the forums you find avatars of a Quran with an AK-47 beside it. What image of Islam does this give a non-muslim who might visit that specific forum?

-The Danish cartoons: The actions of the 100,000 or so muslims out of the 1.2 billion who reacted with burning flags and embassies reflected negatively on the muslims especially when we speak about Muslims not being violent. One community turned the lemons into lemonade by using it as a chance to clear up misconceptions about Rasuallah (saw). They created an outdoor bazaar like structure and each section showed and explained an aspect of Rasuallah's life.

#2 Lack of Knowledge

-If this problem is worked on thene verything else falls into place. -Act upon it so people see that this knowledge truly DOES work.

#1 Unity

-Muslims need to differentiate unity and uniformity (being the same)
-Imagine Islam as a tree. The Quran and Sunnah are the roots. The branches grow in different direction, they're never the same (symbolizing difference of opinion) If people keep cutting out the branches, in the end we'll all have only a dying stump. We need to be able to foster differences of opinion.

When Mountains Crumble (Part 3)

2006-08-21T18:35:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Hamda

Al-Musawwir:
هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

1.The One who gives shape.

Our minds are so limited and finite that we cannot design a shape beyond that which we know.

Ex/1 Aliens are always hominoids: tall skinny men- short fat men: always in the vision of man. Because we cannot envision, much less, design something that we have never seen before, it is beyond our capacity as human beings and is a characteristic that us unique to Allah alone.

Allah is the one who created you and perfected you with the most beautiful shape.

Gem: Allah is worthy of worship because of who He is.

If he had not created us, he would still be worthy of worship by virtue of who He is*

There is not a single thing that is between the heavens and the earth except that it praises Allah- we just do not understand how they praise Allah.

Rasool Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam told us not to kill frogs because they give tasbeeh by croaking (or try to).*

He who loves Allah takes care to acknowledge or accept, learn, and teach to others His perfect names and attributes and beseeches or makes du’a to Allah by them.

Al-Hakeem:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

Many times in Quran Allah pairs the name Al-Hakeem with the name Al-Azeez.

Whenever they are paired, there is always a message. Allah is the one Who acts with Hikmah, He does not do anything in vain.

What does Al-Hikmah (mentioned in over 70 ayaat of Quran) have to do with Al-Azeez?

Because most of mankind when they get power, make mistakes and abuse that power. But Allah is far from submitting to such a thing.

Do not be amongst those who forget Allah

Allah tells us who He is through His names and attributes and if we love Him, then we will study His names and attributes.

Ex/ Consider the case of a man who is away from his family. He will call up the wife or kids and find out what they did during that day. But what does it matter if he knows? But this is a manifestation of that man’s love for his family that He wishes to find out everything he possibly can about that person he loves.

The fundamental building block of eman is by studying His names and attributes and knowing who He is.

Allah has an infinite number of names but there are 99 that were you to:

a.understand
b.act upon them
c.memorize and make du’a with them

that you will enter Jannah.

By knowing Allah ta’ala, you will know yourself

There is a difference between Allah’s names and His attributes.

A name of Allah is a proper name:

a. We invoke Allah with them- these names also have meanings

b. Names of a human being aren’t necessarily a description of that human being: but they are for Allah

Ex/1 Someone is named ‘Eman’ but lacks faith. If Allah says He is Al-Qudoos, than we accept and affirm that Allah is free from any and all imperfections.

c. We do not call out using the attributes of Allah

Ex/2 We do not call out the forgiveness of Allah, rather we invoke the Oft-Forgiving.

d. Every name of Allah has at least one or more meanings.

e. Allah’s attributes are more than the names. Allah has certain attributes from which no names can be derived.

Ex/3 Allah is the One who is angry (or angered) at the appropriate time (gheyr al-maghdoobi). But how will you invoke Allah by this attribute of His?

Every name leads to at least one attribute, but not every attribute leads to a name

The attributes of Allah are not created rather they subsist or exist within Allah

Again by knowing Allah, you know yourself

When Mountains Crumble (Part 2)

2006-08-21T18:24:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Hamda

Al- Malik:
Surat al-Hashr ayah 23:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

-The King
-The one who when He decrees or legislates, He cannot be disobeyed.

The real kingdom belongs to Allah because not even a king of this world can go against His decree nor can his will be superior to that of Allah’s.

Surat al-Fatihah ayah 4:

مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Master of the Day of Judgment.

Of all the days that Allah could have chosen to say that He alone is the Master of- He chooses Youm Al-Qiyamah. But why mention this day?

Because in all the world, more important than life and death- is the question of heaven or hell.

On that day- Allah will resurrect everyone on the same plane (like on ‘Arafah), and every person who ever walked the earth will be made to stand with the others- from the peasant on the fields to the richest and most powerful of all kings. And Allah will ask them all:

“Who is the real King on this day?”- But none from among His slaves shall have the audacity to reply. And Allah ta’ala will answer that He is the King.

There is not a king but that he worries about his kingdom being taken away- but Allah gives and takes kingdoms to those whom He wills, who then is the real king?

Surat al-Hashr ayah 23:
ُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

Al-Salaam:

1. The one who has or shows no evil.

Ex/1 Al-salaamu alaykum is a du’a: ‘May no harm come to you’

2. Granter of Peace

Ex/2 Dar al-salaam: is another name for Jannah

Evil does not come from Allah nor do we ascribe any evil to him*

For those who believe in Al-Salaam- he will bestow His salaam and peace on them.

Al- Mu’min:
ُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

1. The one who has eman.
2. Allah has eman in Himself (i.e. He believes in Himself) that there is no God other than He.
3. The one who grants security.

Al-Muhaymin:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

1.The one who keeps track of each and everything. Nothing is lost by Him.
2.The one who witnesses all that His slaves commit (their actions) whether in public or in private.

For the believers, that nothing is lost by Allah, should increase hope in Him because then, no good deed, no matter how small (i.e. smiling to your Muslim brother) will go unaccounted for. To the sinners should it increase their fear in Allah. Because, the people are only aware of that which you do in their presence but Allah is aware of everything- so no good deed is lost by Him.*

Al-Azeez:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

1. The One who has power.
2. The One others cannot harm.

If Allah blesses us with power then none can remove it from us nor can they harm us in the slightest as all power originates from Him and He is the one who distributes it among His slaves.

3. The One who has ‘Izzah or glory/honour.

Whoever wishes to have ‘izzah then know that all ‘izzah comes from Allah.*

None can honour or humiliate anyone or anything except for Al-Azeez. He is the One who gives ‘izzah and the very One who takes it away.

Al- Jabbar:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

1.Exulted in might, All-Powerful, above His creation.
2.Fulfills the needs of the one who is deficient (i.e. fulfills the needs of His slaves)

Al-Mutakabbir:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلَامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

1.Root: ‘kabura’ which is also the root of Allahu Akbar.

This person refuses to submit to another. In the case of Allah this insult of al-Mutakabbir becomes the highest of praise because none can demand submission from Allah- in which case He can never submit to another (because there is no other being He can submit to), hence, ‘Allahu Akbar’.

Rather no one comes to Allah except as a subservient ‘abid.

Allah is bigger than to show injustice to anyone or anything. He is far greater a being than to do such a thing.

Al-Khaliq:
Surat al-Hashr ayah 24:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

The perfection of Al-Khaliq necessitates 2 things:

1.That you create from nothing.

Starting from nothing is what creation implies- not transformation in the sense that you transform one material or shape into another.

In the case of Allah it is and has always been ‘kun fa ya kun’ or ‘be and it is’

It is then Kufr to believe in the Second Law of Thermodynamics [“The energy available after a chemical reaction is less than that at the beginning of a reaction; energy conversions are not 100% efficient”] which relates that matter can neither be created nor destroyed, rather it is transformed from one form to another.

2.That you create without a prototype, model, diagram, or design of any sort.

In the case of a human, we need blueprints in order to ‘create’ something, however, such is not the case with Allah.

Al-Bari:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاء الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

1.The Sustainer.
2.The One who creates a creation that is self-sufficient, that nourishes itself, whose bodies heal themselves.

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala not only created us from nothing, but He also created a creation that is self-sufficient by His will alone. Meaning we can farm etc. and thereby sustain ourselves, but only because Allah ta’ala decreed that it should be so.

When Mountains Crumble: Sh.Yasir Qadhi (Part 1)

2006-08-21T18:05:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Hamda

Surat al-Hashr ayah 18:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Yea, fear Allah: for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.

Allah azza wa jal refers to death as tomorrow in this verse of Quran (ayah 18). Why? A time will come when death will be tomorrow. (Because for each and every one of us death will come one day and that day will be tomorrow).

Reflect: What comparison can be made between the length of your life to that of the day of judgement (50 000 years)? And the day of judgement to eternity?
Most of what we amass in this world, whether it is clothes, cars, houses, etc., will not go to the next world.

* Have the taqwa of Allah and know that He has the real knowledge of what you do*

Surat al- Hashr ayah 19:

وَلَا تَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ نَسُوا اللَّهَ فَأَنسَاهُمْ أَنفُسَهُمْ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

And be ye not like those who forgot Allah; and He made them forget their own souls! Such are the rebellious transgressors!

In this ayah (19) Allah ta’ala tells us not to be among those who forget Allah. The meaning of forgetting Allah here is to forget the commandments and obligations of Allah.

Gem: When you forget Allah, Allah will cause you to forget yourself, and this is because you forget the reason for which you were created. The irony (or contradiction in a sense) of the situation is apparent when you realize that the reason for which you forget Allah is because you focus too much on yourself (i.e. animalistic instincts).

When your purpose of life is taken away- you will never feel useful.

Hadeeth: The Messenger of Allah sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said: The space of a width of a whip in Jannah is better than all that is in this world (i.e. all that it contains, all that you have ever dreamed to attain etc.)

Hadeeth: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam was once praying when he saw before him Jannah and a fruit therein. He, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said that had he taken the fruit, the people would be eating from it from this day until the Day of Judgement.
Hadeeth: You can smell the fragrance of Jannah from 500 years away.

* Regardless of how success if defined in this world, the real prize if Jannah and its people are the real winners*

Surat al-Hashr ayah 21:
لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“Had We sent down this Quran on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect.”

Gem: Our lips recite Quran, our hearts memorize it, and our minds understand it. Yet hardly a tremble passes through our spines and bodies even though Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala testifies that if this same Quran had been revealed to a mountain, then it would have crumbled for the sheer fear of Allah and the weight of the message contained in Quran.

Same Quran, different reactions.

By saying: ‘and be not like those who forgot Allah’- Allah is telling us to remember Him.

But how do we be among those who remember Allah?

1. By knowing who He is: through His names and attributes: and that’s why- when Allah ends off Surat al-Hashr with His names and attributes (Allah gives us the solution to the problem)

Q. And which name of Allah is the primary and ultimate of them all?

A. Allah

a. Allah, the other names begin with this one name.

Ex/1 Eloh= Allah and Elohim= Allahu: As mentioned in the Torah and Bible

Root of Allah: Al-Illah

Meaning: The only deity of being that is worthy of worship and that one can love, put one’s trust in, that one will make du’a to, that one will fear etc.

Why is Allah the primary name?

Because He who is worthy of worship must be characterized by the most perfect characterizations, the most beautiful names, and the most majestic attributes.

Gem: This one name (i.e. Allah) implies and necessitates all the other names because He who is worthy of worship would have to be Al-Aleem, Al-Ghafoor, Al-Rahman, Al-Razzaq etc.

All the other names of Allah are a tafseer or explanation of this one name- Allah.

Surat Al-An’am ayah 59:

وَعِندَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ لاَ يَعْلَمُهَا إِلاَّ هُوَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِن وَرَقَةٍ إِلاَّ يَعْلَمُهَا وَلاَ حَبَّةٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الأَرْضِ وَلاَ رَطْبٍ وَلاَ يَابِسٍ إِلاَّ فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ

"With Him are the keys of the unknown (Mafatih al-Ghaib), none but He knows them. He knows what is in the land and the sea; not a leaf falls but He knows it; not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is recorded) in a clear record."

Gem: Imagine the quantity of tress on the earth. And then the number of leaves on those trees and finally- which of those leaves fall to the ground and which of them remain when the wind blows etc. Such is the all-encompassing nature of Allah’s knowledge.

We all acknowledge that Allah knows the:

Past: Allah recounts in Quran incidents of which Rasool Allah sal Allah alayhi wa sallam had no knowledge of prior to Allah’s revelation.

Present: Surat Al-Room

Future: What will happen on the Day of Judgement, those who will be admitted to hell and heaven etc.

However, Allah’s knowledge is not limited to those 3 aspects- rather it is far more extensive.

Take for example the Decree of Allah:

1. No one is permitted to return to this earth once they have departed (i.e. have died)

Is it then possible that someone can return to the earth once they are put into their grave? No. But such is Allah’s knowledge that He knows the outcome of the impossible were it to become possible.

Ex/1 Were Allah to allow the wrong-doers to come back to the earth when they plead with Allah in the hereafter (to give them a second chance in order to redeem themselves), Allah knows that they would return to that which they used to do (i.e. disobey Allah).

2. Allah has decrees on that which is possible and yet does not allow it.

Ex/2 Is it possible for there to be another God? No.

And yet Allah ta’ala knows what would happen if there were because His knowledge is so complete, that if the possible were to become possible, He would know the result. The heavens and the earth would collapse one another (i.e. if there were 2 Gods).

Surat al-Hashr ayah 22:

هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ

Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god; - Who knows (all things) both secret and open; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Allah is Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem: And both names are derived from the same root.

Gem: ‘Your Lord has decreed that He shall be merciful’: No one can put a condition on Allah, and yet Allah has put this condition on Himself.

Surat al-Araaf ayah 156:

وَاكْتُبْ لَنَا فِي هَـذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الآخِرَةِ إِنَّا هُدْنَـا إِلَيْكَ قَالَ عَذَابِي أُصِيبُ بِهِ مَنْ أَشَاء وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَسَأَكْتُبُهَا لِلَّذِينَ يَتَّقُونَ وَيُؤْتُونَ الزَّكَـاةَ وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِآيَاتِنَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

"And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in Our signs.”

In the above ayah (156) Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala testifies that His rahma encompasses everything. Thus we could not exist had it not been for this manifestation of Allah’s rahma.

Na’la: removal of Allah’s mercy

Because of this rahma, we know the purpose of this life!

Surat Ibrahim ayah 34:

وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ لاَ تُحْصُوهَا إِنَّ الإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ

And He giveth you of all that ye ask for. But if ye count the favours of Allah, never will ye be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude.
Allah ta’ala tells us in the above ayah (34) that we cannot even count the favours which he has bestowed upon us.

Al-Rahman describes the nature of Allah.

Ex/1 Because of this merciful nature of Allah, He provides even for those who disbelieve in him.

As for Al-Raheem, it is a description of Allah’s actions

Ex/2 Allah chooses those to whom He shall be merciful (i.e. the believers) and this is selective rahma- reserved for those who are mu’mineen (wa kaana bil mu’mineena raheema) - this action is extended to the believers alone.

Ex/3 Surat al-Ahzab ayah 43:

هُوَ الَّذِي يُصَلِّي عَلَيْكُمْ وَمَلَائِكَتُهُ لِيُخْرِجَكُم مِّنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ وَكَانَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَحِيمًا

He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers.

Rise and Fall of the Islamic Civilization-Sh.Zaid Shakir

2006-08-21T16:19:00.002-05:00

(RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Firas

As Muslims we should always be positive and optimistic, having رجاء, having smart optimism.

Imam Nawawi says in his commentary about Saheeh Al Bokhari, that Qadi 'Iyad (Morocco) mentions
That Ibn Abd Al Barr says there might be from these who come after the companions some people who
Are better than them (regarding the Hadeeth of "my brothers to come").

Allah promises these who work for Him that He will establish them on earth as He established these who preceded them.

The Hadeeth of the every 100 years reviver.

"What Went Wrong" by Bernard Lewis (a much quoted and relied on by American policy makers).

American are 5% of the world's population and they use 1/3 of the earth's resources.

Before 1968, because Cleveland river was so polluted, it caught fire!

It wasn’t until 1919 until women had their suffrage.

Allah has brought us to these Western lands and we should make use and learn from it intellects in the service of our Ummah.

We are blessed to have so much equally varied backgrounds in our community that never existed in anywhere else on earth at a time!

A lot of Muslims in NA do not see their presence as a legitimate presence in "The West", with no sense of belonging.

Islam was in America before America was America!

20% and some area 50% of the slaves like in some parts of Virginia are Muslim.

There has to be legitimacy in the eyes of others and that has to be earned.

Its our problem if they don’t see us as we really are, we need to work on that as they control us here.

Power revolves around intangibles.

A lot of the intangibles that one can change revolve around him himself.

The Sahabah didn’t have a lot of numbers but they had great intangibles and the greatest intangible is being in touch with Allah.

Another one is Will coupled with Ability.

In order for Islam to be viewed as legitimate for the universe it has to be viewed as legitimate in the eyes of others and in order for that we cant be a self-serving nation we have to serve others.

There has to be an agenda to define us as servants of others سيد القوم خادمهم

Building a youth centre is phase one before building a mosque and a school, as in a generation or two people (who didn’t have a youth center) will not send their children to Islamic schools and may not go to mosques, or maybe their sons wont.

Difference of Opinions-Sh.Hamza Yusuf

2006-08-21T16:19:00.001-05:00

(RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Firas

The Craft of Fatwa - Bin Bayyah

Many of these things in this religion come from the work of scholars.

To know that you do not know is a knowledge.

Compounded ignorance is to not know that you don’t know.

If you have more numbers of intellectuals to acknowledge something they become stronger than the elite group.

Inclusive has to include exclusivists.

Fiqh is a human enterprise (from man)

Shari'ah is from Allah.

Calamities are to clean all the draws of man.

The majority of people are considered to be in the hell fire, except that there are so many reasons for them not to enter it, such as Allah's mercy.

Marriage in the West- Sh.Bin Bayyah

2006-08-21T16:17:00.000-05:00

(RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Firas

Do I have the financial capacity to get married?
Where will we live?
The mate?

The compatibility is very important, however, the compatibility of religion is the most consideration, in the West, supporting a family comes to importance as well.
Green Card is not an excuse for temporary marriage, not only is it not how Muslims act but also it gives a bad impression about Muslims and Islam, in fact the European Assembly declares that as a false marriage.

No harm in getting married for the sake of residence, yet, he should have in mind other causes.

Muslims in the West should have babysitting facilities (nurseries) supervised by good sisters.

Muslims in the West should have problem-solvers to maintain relationships between mates.

Renew your marriage by affinity, physical beauty do not last whilst spiritual and character beauty last.

A Vision for NA Muslims- Dr.Abdul Hakim Jackson

2006-08-21T16:15:00.000-05:00

(RIS Retreat)
-notes by Br.Firas

Our vision has to be concrete and pluralistic.

We have to study our case of NA separately than any other parts of the world (unlike what the شافعي says).

We have to be specific about what we talk about, Canada is not the US.

We need a central articulation of Islam that unites all of the ethnicities of Muslims in NA.

We can not keep looking to the Muslim world for answers, we need to be an independent authenticated community.

We have to get out of the "little brother" state.

We can not mistake uniformity for unity!

Uniformity (different parts)
Unit (same parts)

In a state one law can exist and all efforts should be directed to understanding this law.

How we see pluralism is: you have the right to do it my ways.

We should not only accept other opinions in the levels of our minds, but we should practice them from time to time so that we gain acceptance in our hearts.

We have to engage in what is called "Build it and they will come."

If we want to bring change to NA, we have to build something for the fruits to come in the future.

We do not make use of our intellectuals because we have failed to produce a religious system that provides an environment for them to evolve.

A convert speaks differently because he knows the power of his religion.

There is no other community than the Muslims that are trying to approach their problems through their religion.

Once Muslims could go to Hajj in Mecca, Islam was being recognized as an Arabian religion.

Giving non-Muslims a sense of ownership (indigenizing them) pushes them to defend Islam as a religion of their own.

Indigenization is not assimilation.

Assimilation: (society treats you as an subject)
Indigenization: (society treats you as an object)

As Muslims we should avoid becoming a domesticated community and we have to prudent about it.

We give up the category "The West" too quickly, to the extent that when we become "Western" we become "Less Muslim".

If we don’t get rid of our Utopias we will become prisoners of these Utopias.

We have some hard days ahead of us and they will require courage and civility.

If we believe in something we will find a way to make it work out.

We as Muslims need to know what piety means, we do not question what Allah oblige us to do and so should we not question how Allah wants us to be with our brothers, sister and fellow Muslims.

One of the things that we need to work on is the literacy of Muslims.

Many Muslims do not read Quran because they are afraid of it, either because they are afraid not to understand it or getting lost in it.

We need to read Quran not to be big Sheikhs, but as an exercise of opening myself up to the values and meaning that we face the society with.

We have to understand that Quran is not only about information but its also about transformation, that’s why we need to constantly expose ourselves to Allah.

To read Quran we need to know Seerah.

Many of the differences that exist are plausible.

What Sufism has produced in regards of intellect is still incomparable to any other traditions.

We need to take the literacy Sufism in with discrimination in a positive way.

Sometimes we misinterpret just because we forget that Allah is in charge.

When we forget that Allah is in charge we get horrified and lost, we forget the source of our energy and purpose in life.

Validation <> Lack of Identity

We need to know when do we care about the image of Islam for the sake of Allah and when do we care about Islam for our own validation.

We have to be much more engaged in the enterprise of knowing the history's social, communal,…. Of the countries so that we understand how to engage.

Where can we position ourselves and how can we affect the country that we live in.

We are people of mission and we need to have self-understanding and why have we come to Canada.

We have to be constantly aware of who we are and be intelligent and literate.

BEING IN THIS CAMP MEANS THAT ATTENDEES ARE THE CREAM OF THE CROP, MEANING THAT GIVEN THE KNOWLEDGES OF IT SHOULD COME OUT WITH DRASTIC CHANGES ON A ROUND OF TIME.

One of the reasons why the prophet was successful with his people is because he cared about his people and if you care about people you agonize about their problems and if you don’t care about some people you cant guide them.

Muhammad was born in Mecca and died in Medina, Muhajireen got sick when they came to Medina!

There can be no success for us unless we follow our model.

The Literacy Project

ابن كثير - السيرة النبوية

Montgomery Watt (Muhammad of Mecca / Muhammad of Medina)

One Major lesson from the life of the prophet that Allah's promise is true and if I fulfill my mission I am going to win inshaAllah.

Division in Religion By Riyadh Al-Haq

2006-08-21T16:12:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Hanin

-the word civilization is about being civilized. Civilization of the heart, and the spirit are what’s important for Muslims

-today we are being affected by the material civilization and are being driven away from the civilization of Islam, a spiritual one

-one of the main problems of Muslims today is although we believe and observe Islam we don’t follow all the obstacles. We are muslims partially-the ones before us were Muslims completely-the prophets, companions, and their families. They established an Islamic civiliazation that isn’t divided

-Allah says in the Quran “ Do you believe in parts of the book and disbelieve in the rest. Those who do deserve humiliation and negligence. The punishment is humiliation and disgrace In this life and worse in the hereafter”

-we should embrace Islam completely-we shouldn’t follow the footsteps of the shaitan
-we only partial islam is followed, the shaitan will lead the people to disillusion and wrong thinking
-what does is mean to embrace Islam completely?
-we reduced islam only to prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, and zakat. Beyond these, everything else is forgotten. But these are all rights of Allah, so by observing onle these, we believe we are pious-this is wrong

-Allah has given us tremendous laws on how to live- covers all aspects of life
-there are sins of the mind, heart, and tongue
-there are duties of the mind, tongue, heart and people not just prayer, pilgrimage, fasting, and zakat.
-Islam has been reduced to a meter ritual with no spiritualness in it.
-Allah warns against this to all Muslims, Jews, and Christians
-righteousness is not praying in the right qiblah only, but includes many other rights and actions
-righteousness includes observing all these things together
-patience, perceverance, rights of our neighbours, rights of pur collegues, rights of our parents, etc.
-we are concenrned about our Muslim brothers and sisters’ physical homes and being in other parts of the world. We forget about those who live around us in mischief, our families, our fulfilling of promises

-Allah warns against 3 consequences of not fulfilling a promise

1. a foot will slip from the path of Allah
2. you have prevented others from the path of Allah-lead to great punishment
3.punishment in the hereafter

-Islam includes rights that are Allah’s and individual rights. Religion is also about avoiding the sins of the mind, heart and tongue-we need to make our religion a thriving and thrilling one. Not just a mere ritual-keep away from such sins are cheating, gossip, and stealing-Prophet was asked what was responsible for admiting people to paradise

-he said “taqwa and good manners”
-he was then asked “what was responsible for admitting people to hell fire?”
-he said “mouth and the private parts”

-we need to think, speak, and feel as Muslims

Islamic Civilization Part 1- Sheikh Tariq Suwaidan

2006-08-21T16:02:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Hanin

There are different types of laws that govern us Muslims

1. Quran Laws
-we have to read the Quran to discover the laws that govern us

-these include:
-civilization laws
-sunnah-laws that govern the universe
-laws that govern human interaction
-laws that govern the heart-laws that govern the tongue
-There’s never an end to civilization because civilization is governed by laws
-Quran says “look for the laws and history” (missing the verse and chapter)
-if it was not for the struggle, the people on earth would be spoiled
-Law: “surely Allah does not change the status of the people until they change themselves”

2. Historical Laws

a. Civilizaiton fall and rise according to laws not coincidently
-there are always laws that govern them

b. Great products don’t make great civilizations-ex. Dubai- nice, beautiful, and with amazing architecture, but doesn’t bring any civilization

-its products won’t bring great civilizations

-compare Umar’s products vs. Andalus- Andalus had much greater products, but Umar’s civilization was much greater

-we can’t looks at products as civilization- if we do, it will cause failure

c. Civilizations can become sick. If not treated they will die

-muslim civilization today is sick, but not dead. We need to treat it with the right medicine for it to become better

-the western civilization has great products but it is still sick. We need to treat it, but first we need to treat ourselves

-we to have mana3ah- immunity

-muslims today don’t have immunity. This is causing us to dissolve into the western society. This happening by only following their products, not civilization since both the West and the Muslims don’t have it.

-We can increase Immunity by two sources:

1. the quality of the intellectual system you bring into the world

-ex. Moguls didn’t have a great intellectual system, so they adopted the religion of Islam to gain more.

2. the percentage of people who inderstand it, and adhere to it

-through all the events and tapes we listen to we should gain intellectualization and apply it and spread it

-its not products that change the world, it’s words

-ex. During the years of the Khulafaa “Al-7arb Tabda2 be Al-Kalam”- War begins with words

-we need to bring words and intellectual systems

Principles of Islamic Civilization

1. Harmony between faith and logic-there’s no contradiction between Islam and logic. They both work together and are always together.

2. Harmony between worship and Life

-There’s no separation between life and worship. Worship is everywhere

-If someone, took food and put it in the mouth of his wife, he will be rewarded- Prophet (PBUH)

-Christianity created a system in which life is separated from worship

-secularization- church is separated from everything else

3. Our faith pushes us to produce

-if you are truly faithful, then you produce and build

-Umar (Radia Allahu Anhu) saw a man praying in the masjid all the time. This is a man who spends all his life in the mosque. Umar once asked “who brings food for him?” His companions answered “his brother”. Umar said “His brother is better than him”

4. Harmony between this life and hereafter

-you goal shouldn’t be just to DO for the sake of Allah, but we should also LIVE for the sake of Allah. We should first live and build for the sake of Allah. Dying for the sake of Allah comes second

5. Harmony between science and faith

-you can’t separate science from faith, but that what the Western civilization did. It separated education from church-thought they could build a civilization that way.

The Prophet's Leader- Muhammad Al Shareef

2006-08-21T16:00:00.000-05:00

-If you apply 20% of what the Khulafaah did, you'll get an 80% result.

-Imagine this: take out your toy box and ever notice babies love to play with simple things more like string rather than other high tech toys

1) String of shura
2) String of lending a hand
3) String of buisness mind

-Rasuallah (saw) made the most shura and he's the last person the needs to make shura. Which is a lesson to the Ummah.

-Those who don't do shura, don't want to hear feedback

-Shura body should come together based on who the issue is on. Ex: Women

-Umar did shura with the youth.

-Before you ask for a hand, you have to lend a hand.

-Umar at one time during a famine. His son had bought a watermelon with his own money and was eating it. When he saw this he grabbed it away from his son and said how would he let his son eat when the Ummat of Muhammad had nothing to eat.

-Money is magnifier of who we really are inside. If you are an evil person, then the money will be used for evil purposes. If you are a generous person then the money will be used for good.

-Rasuallah (saw), Umar and many others were all business men with a buisness mind.

-2 things left behind for us is the Book of Allah and the Sunnah.

-The major ingredient of ALL ingredients: IMAN, Iman in Allah (Swt), Iman in the Prophets etc.

Islam the Solution not the Problem for Humanity- Zakir Naik

2006-08-21T15:54:00.000-05:00

-Nelson Mandela was called a terrorist... given Nobel prize later on

-Whoever is in power... labels people with whatever they want

-There are many strategies use by

e.g quote things about Islam which are not true: Islam is illogical. Also, quote verses in Qur'an out of context,

e.g. "wherever you find a kaafir, kill him" (9:5)

-Verses before this aayah speak about a peace treat broken by Mushriks in Makkah. Therefore, in battlefields, Muslims are told to not be scared and kill the enemy wherever they find them

-After quoting verse 5, they jump to verse 7, but skip verse 6 that talks about 'if they seek sanctuary'

-Even Surah Anfal, 8:16, whenever Qur'an speaks about war, it talks about peace right after it

-Another strategy: pick up the black sheep of community and portray them as examplary Muslims

-If you want to analyze a car, put a lousy driver at front. If the driver is bad, you can't blame the car

-Therefore, in order to know the car, you have to put the best driver behind it. And the best 'driver' of Islam is Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon Him)

-Twist the teachings of Islam, e.g. Muslims are terrorists/fundamentalists

-Qur'an is very different from what the media portrays it to be. For example, if any Muslim kills another human being, it's as though you have killed the whole humanity, and if a Muslim saved another human being, it's as if he saved the entire humanity!

-After 9/11 and 7th of July, we find that many Muslim organizations condemn the actions on both these days. We accept that these acts are wrong, but we have to also condemn the 1000s killed in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq, etc, killing any human being is wrong.

-The media portrays Islam is intolerant. Yes! we are intolerant towards injustice, corruption and discrimination

-To all evils of society, Islam is intolerant to it

-Islam shows solutions to any problems

-The system of Zakat- if every rich human being gives zakat, there will be no poverty in this world!

-Thief- chop off his/her hands. So, people say Islam is a barbaric religion. Comparing to U.S.A., that has the highest robbery rate, if Islamic Shariah law were to be implemented, the robbery rate would have decreased

-Another example, rape. We all know it's wrong. Laws of most countries say so. But, Islam shows way to achieve the state where women won't be raped. Surah Nur, verse 13 [Men lower gaze]

-Once a boy was looking at a girl, and he kept staring at her. When asked, he said that it's told not to look at them for the second time. What is really meant by the aayah is that if you have unintentionally looked at a woman, do not look at her again to feast on her body

Criteria of Hijab:
1) Men = navel to knee.
Women= all but face and hands
2) Not tight
3) Not transparent4
4) Does not resemble the opposite sex
5) Does not resemble the non-Muslims

Reviving the Spirit of Al-Andalus- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf

2006-08-21T15:50:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Affifa

Muslims ruled over Spain for 900 years. The Northern Spaniards were not from the South, but they eventually over took the Muslims. The Ummayids controlled Spain from 711-156.

Intolerant Islamic dynasties don’t last long. They either eventually disappear or they learn to become more tolerant. The Ottomans were the longest lived and were very tolerant.

The Persian were into wine making, and that is where today’s “Cherry” (a high quality wine) came from.

There were 600,000 people, over 92,000 and several hundred shops, over 50 hospitals, one university with 27,000 students attending, 300 colleges, 300 public baths, and 72 libraries. The lights of the city of Qurtaba were seen from far distances. They even had running water with faucets.

Kuwait is forced to spend tens of billions of dollars to America for protection. Muslims were much cheaper, for example the Syrians could not pay so they did not have to. If the Muslims did not fulfill their duty of protection, they would return their wealth; this was documented. The minorities had to pay allegiance to the Muslims. When the Muslims took over vast amounts of land, people did not become Muslims right away, it took years. It took 50 years for 50% of the population to become Muslims, in Syria it took 500 years.

Martyrs of Qurtaba were fanatic Christians. They would go to mosques to give insulting remarks so that they could be martyred.

The Islamic society was in contradiction to the hostile feudal society in the Christian world. The Jewish people in Qurtabah were middle and in high classes of society, there were NOT ghettoized because they were a minority!

There was a magician who wore fancy clothes, a funky hairstyle, and was in charge of the Conservatory of Music. He played the Moorish Guitar and used music to treat illnesses which comes from a Greek theory of Pythagoras. Music has a sound effect on the body and the soul, just as the Quran does when it is read by an excellent reciter. To this day, they use music therapy to heal in Turkey. The Sicilians of Southern Italy had gotten their vision of classical music from the Muslims.

The Troubadours (One of a class of 12th-century and 13th-century lyric poets in Southern France, northern Italy, and northern Spain, who composed songs in langue d'oc often about courtly love) derived their Celtic music from the Moroccans. The African blues sang by the underground African slaves has the same rhythm as the Athan! Rock and Roll should be called Moroccan Roll!

In Spain, the city Qurtaba was a place of learning and the city Seville was a place for partying, sort of like the United States of America, where some states are known to be prestigious and other states to be the complete opposite. To this day, the city of Qurtabah is known to be the place of learning and the city Seville a place for “partying”.

The Arabic numerals came up by the Muslims. The secret of Western Civilization is to measure everything! It the Weapons of Math Instruction for the Weapons of Mass Destruction! The math, Calculus, was directly from the Pope who got it from the Muslims to bring to the western civilization. Muslims introduced pomegranates to Spain; this fruit has several benefits for health.

Muslims invented the crystals and there were movements of western music that came directly from the Muslims. The piano and the violin is the highest form of instruments for classical music. It came from the east, ie. The kanoon is the modern day percussion that is to be struck by the finger.

There was a man who spoke 70 languages and he played an instrument called the “ood”. When he played the ood, he was able to make his audience laugh, cry, or even fall asleep.

There are two Hallmarks of Civilization in the United States:
1)Law and Jurisprudence (look at what most of their TV shows are based on)
2)(NASA) because it spends on astronomy, that is what the American flag represents “stars” and “bars”, bars because if they do not like you they put you in jail.

Spain was a testimony of the great Islamic civilization that flourished. Christianity failed for society and knowledge was only shared by the elite Priests. They actually believed that taking baths were “ungodly”.

The West learned how to be tolerant by the Ottomans and by the Muslim rule in Spain. Hobbs (European philosopher) was troubled by religious wars and John Locke made a treatise of toleranism; Edward Pocoke was influenced by him.

Condruin society was based on politics, science, and technology.

What Would Malcolm Say?- Zaid Shakir

2006-08-21T15:46:00.000-05:00

-notes by Sr.Affifa

Malcolm spoke the truth
He advocated for self-defence

The first generation of Europeans did not even master the English language, but they are considered better than the Africans whose ancestors are Muslims?

Malcolm lived the chastity and the truth.
For 12 years he never touched a woman.

He lived exactly as he talked ie. He had very good family values and he talked about it as well.

Nation of Islam was built by Malcolm X, yes it was founded by Elijah Mohammad etc. but he built it. In the beginning there were only like 400 people part of the Nation of Islam, that though they were scattered everywhere. By the time Malcolm X left, the Nation of Islam became internationally recognized and very popular across the United States of America.

This was the effort of ONE sincere man. He started an African newspaper that has now become widely read and there are several intellectuals who write for the paper.

When Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam, he had built institutions and teachers for the people to learn. Advice from Zaid Shakir: “BUILD your own media”, this was exactly what Malcolm X did, when the mainstream media was hostile against them.

Don’t let circumstances define you. Malcolm X had gotten into thuggery because he was living in foster care and his parents had died, etc. Malcolm X did not allow his situation to define him, he defined himself.

Tap into your potential. The post 9/11 world was man-made! Malcolm forced America to come into grips. He put the MIRROR in front of America. The United States are pointing at real and imagined terrorists; let us put the mirror in front of them!

Understanding Quranic Arabic- Safdar Ali

2006-08-21T15:43:00.000-05:00

"The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it"

1) Importance of Understanding the Quran

"(This is) a Book (the Quran) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember" (38:29)

"Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)?" (47:24)

To leave the Quran is not to do any of these:
-Believe in it
-Read it
-Understand it
-Ponder on its verses
-Act upon it
-Spread it

All of these are the Rights of the Quran.

-If you don't fulfill these rights, we will be held accountable. The main key is to try.

Our Responses
Quran--> Best of books
Our Attitude--> Is the worst towards the best book
-We are busy, no time to recite or to understand it.

MEANING: I'm doing something more important yet we have time for everything else

-Practically speaking--> I don't think its worth of giving my time. If it was of value to me I would have spared some time to recite it.

For those who say I read it everyday:

-As an english reader I can read French too since french does have the same alphabet. You could read it but would you understand it?

-Encyclopedia Britannica (11th Edition)- Quran is most widely read book in existence. But is it understood?

2)Learning Arabic-- Key to Understanding

-A good translation touches your heart
-Quran--> direct words of ALlah (swt) translations are not.
-We learn other languages and become masters. Why? to benefit us in this world.
-Dhikr of the Quran is Hifz and Understanding

3)Innovative Approach
-Quran contain approx. 85000 words 910 words/line x 13 lines x 650 words)
-Actual words are approx. 3000 ( if you take out the repititions and derived words)
-A typical muslim memorizes 50-100 sentences in Arabic (Ex: Assalamu Alaikum)
-You spend a day daily in an Arabic Enviorment--> 5 daily prayers and duas.
-Muslims know 300-500 words. Only 2500 new words to learn.
-10 new words a day--> 250 days to learn. Less than a whole year

For more info on Learning Quranic Arabic visit: http://www.understandquran.com/

Islam: The Difference Between Information, Knowledge and Wisdom- Munir Al- Kassem

2006-08-21T15:40:00.000-05:00

-What kind of knowledge?

-Allah taught Adam (AS) and then he asked the angels "give me the information" the angels said "no knowledge from us"
-Adam (AS) informed the knowledge to the angels, not teach them.
-When we aquire knowledge, you won't end up on the the same level.
- Story in Surah Al Khaf
-Luqman (AS) started to teach his son things that can be turned into wisdom.

-Among the signs of the Day of Judgment is people will acquire knowledge for purposes besides the deen. Not using the guidance of Ilm and help the ummah.

-If we learn, we can't put a lid on what we learn.

-Is it wisdom to be a doctor and abort lives?
-The west is trying to export the knowledge to muslim countires.
-They say we have wisdom but its outdated

Information: Just knowing the facts
Knowledge: A deep understanding of a specific issue
Wisdom: Knowing how to implement, apply.

-Go share the wisdom of Allah (swt). There's no point of attending a conference, saying takbeer and doing nothing.

-Unless we go back to the source of wisdom we will end up slipping in the bottom.

-Acquire knowledge and transform it into wisdom.

Ex: Pork is haram: Information
Bi-products are also haram: Knowledge

Knowledge: a deep understanding of specific issues.
Wisdom: the know "how", how to implement, apply etc.

-Those who have knowledge and don't know how to use it is like a donkey carrying things on his back and not knowing what it is.

-You learn wisdom from life and experinces.

Wisdom: Do the right thing, at the right time, at the right place, by the right way

-When the Prophet (saw) had a choice between an easy and a hard one, he would choose the easy way as long as its not a sin.

-A man had a injury on his head and needed to take ghusl so he can pray. But it would hurt his head if he poured water on it. He consulted his friends and they said he had to ghusl or else he would miss his prayers. And so he did and the next day he was found dead. The Prophet (saw) then said near the the fact that we were killers. This is an example of using knowledge but not wisdom.

-You may have knowledge but don't know how to relate it.
-The Sahabas (companions) were never called a knowledgeable person.
-The boldest one who give fatwas (without knowledge), the closer he is to hell-fire.
-Wisdom is when you weigh the pro's and con's.

-The Prophet (saw) had said the Knowledge will be plenty. But where is the wisdom?

We've got the Power- "How Youth Can Effect Change" By:Kamran Bhatti, Sharon Hussein and Ali Shayhan.

2006-08-21T15:32:00.000-05:00

3 things that effect change
1)Muslim Identity
2)Canadian Identity
3)Keeping the right company.

Ex:--> If you walk in to a perfume store you would leave smelling like perfume. If you walk into a blacksmith store you will leave with soot.

What is Unique About Youth hood
-Free time
-Lack of responsibility
-Health-
Abilities

What Can Youth Offer
-Fresh Outlook
-Energy
-Enthusiasm
-Unbaised

"The best way to serve Allah(swt) is to serve mankind"

Affecting Change
-Strengthen Muslim Community
-Surround yourself with inspiring people

Rufaida Al-Aslamiya (a.k.a--> Ku'ayba bint Sa'ad)
-First nurse (first doctor? since she was taught by doctors but known as nurse since she is a woman)
-First hospital
-Had the favour of Rasuallah (saw)
-Referred Sa'ad Ibn Mu'adh to be treated by her.
-Share of booty
-Trained other women including Nusaybah, Umm Salamah

Ali Shayhan

1) Change yourselves first
-You can never change the people around you until you change yourself first.
-Everything negative has to go. Either it be bad attitude, music etc.
-Learn your deen properly
-You can change members of your family who aren't practicing by being a role model for them
-When you change for the better, your friends witll either leave you or change
-With Blessings come responsibility
-Think & Reflect-Nothing is stopping us but us
-When you get off the family structure (Mom, dad, kids...) everything falls apart. Almost every problem leads back to the family. Wether it be suicide, rebellion etc.

2) Pick a profession that will instill change

Kamran Khan

-In any war the first people to suffer are the youth.
-Allah (swt) chose us to be muslims
-The Gov't encourages us to be muslims.

We are:
-Muslims
-Safe
-Supported by the land we live in

1) Start up an MSA
2) Support each other--> Attending events, helping out by volunteering etc.

What do we have that non-muslims don't?
-We have a purpose--> to serve Allah (Swt)

4 connections we need to make:
1) With Allah (swt)
2) With the Prophet (saw)-He sent a youth to yemen to teach people to Islam.-Sent cousin Jafar to Abbsinya-Ali was 9 when he accepted Islam and he welcomed him with open arms.-He honoured the decision of the youth.
3) With other muslims around you-Your company is very important
4)With the society around-you can't be blind with the people who are craving this deen

"Change doesn't happen overnight but intention does"

3 things Br. Kamran told us to do
-Do something for yourself
-buy something that will increase your knowledge and change you
-something to connect you back to Allah (swt)
-Connect with other muslims
-Find 3 random people and introduce yourself to them and exchange emails (brothers plz stick to brothers and sisters to sisters)
-Get to know non-muslims
-be part of an organization.

*DON'T WAIT TO MAKE A CHANGE. YOU CAN DIE ANYDAY*

Leadership of the Prophets- Muhammad Al Shareef & Yasser Haddara

2006-08-21T15:21:00.000-05:00

Yasser Haddara

What does it mean?
-Trust
-Responsibility

Leadership to what?
-Taking a group of peole and pointing them towards a certain direction
-Maybe good or evil
-Fight the leaders of disbelief; of rejection
-Evil--> Pharaoh--> lead his people to Hell-fire
-Prophets--> make them our role models-bringer of good news, warner, and caller of ALlah (swt)

Leadership-->Everyone is a shepherd and everyone is responsible of their flock.

-View it as an Amanah (A Trust)
- You will be accountable to Allah (swt)
- You will accountable to your fellow Muslims.

Not a status symbol
-When did you turn people into slaves that mothers gave birth to the free!
-If you lead a prayer and the congregation is used to reading loudly, he should agree as avoid fitnah.

Not always visible
-taking a group of people from point A to point B with motivation

What is needed, not what is desired

Leadership Role Models

1) Prophet (saw) "Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad SAW) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much." (33:21)

2)Prophets of Allah (swt)-those are the ones God has guided.

3) Followers of the Prophet

Sabr (Patience and Perseverance)
-They had patience-Faith in action
-Musa (AS) was constantly tested by his people

-Noah (AS)"My lord, I have called to my people by your night and by your day but my calls have only increased them in fleeing"

-Yusuf (AS)--> He was put in prison and when he was let free he refused and said "You put me here under false accusation, go investigate and clear my name"

Guarding the Covenant

-Prophet Ismail (AS) described by this key quality
-Prophet Ibrahim (AS) given covenant. Does not extend to those that do injustice.
-Key quality of messengers and followers--> being truthful

Firm belief and submission

-Ibrahim (AS) was devoutly obedient to Allah (swt)

"Verily, Ibrahim (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good righteous qualities), or a nation, obedient to Allah, Hanifa (i.e. to worship none but Allah), and he was not one of those who were Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, and those who joined partners with Allah)." (16:120)

-Maryam (AS)
And Mary the daughter of `Imran who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into her (body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations and was one of the devout (Servants)

Sacrifice
"Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." (2:156)

-Allah (swt) will test you against your blessings
-Leadership of Islam--> Trust
-Leadership of Kufr--> "It's all mine" thinking goes on.

Ibrahim (AS)--> leaving his wife Hajar in the desert
Yusuf (AS)--> being put in prison

Humbleness & Seeking Forgivness
-Surah Hud
-Commandment to seek forgiveness represented consistently

5 Qualities
-->Patience
-->Truth
-->Submisson
-->Sacrifice
-->Seeking Forgivness

REQUIRED for all believers and especially leaders

Characteristics of a leader

Optimisim
-be optimistic and lift the spirits of members who look at you
-Battle of the Trench

Vision
-Prophets always understood where they were going. They all had a vision.

Muhammad Al-Shareef

-When the Prophet (saw) died at his funeral, his companions were already thinking about the next leader. They didn't wait a day, a week or whatever time.

When you were younger and your parents let you drive the car and they sat in the back. What would happen? You would have gotten into a crash, serious injuries. Same thing with a muslim community with no leader. It'll crash.

-How does the muslim ummah go back to the Quran and Sunnah? By Having a leader.

-Before you have a vision, you need a leader

1) You need a model of what to do
2) ProximityPeople you can call on. You can support them and they can support you
3) See things that other people dont

-When Muhammad Al-Shareef started Al-Maghrib, he was told he couldn't do it. But he thought ahead and had a vison. And now he has 3000 students.

4)Leader from the back and front
--> from the back- Shura (consultation). When a person is overthrown it is usually because the don't consult.
-->from the front. Be firm on your decisions and lead!

*Advice from Muhammad Al-Shareef: Be part of a Dawah Organization and take on a fundamental activist part*

ABC's of Dawah- Muhammad Al-Shareef

2006-08-21T15:05:00.000-05:00

Misconceptions within 99% of Muslims

1)Who's Responsible?
-Everybody is Responsible when it comes to giving dawa.
-Whoever sees evil let him change it with his hand, if not his hand, let him change it with his tongue, if not the tongue then his heart.

2) I can't guide because I'm not knowledgeble
-Seeking knowledge is compulsary upon every muslim.
-There is no excuse. You need to acquire the basics because that what they need to know. Ex: Why we fast in Ramadan, Why we pray 5 times a day...

3)Should dawa be done alone or together as in a part of an organization?
-Both ways are fine
-It doesn't matter what orgainzation you are with.

4)As long as I'm a good muslim no harm will come
-being the best of example if just a pre-requsite
-its not good enough to be a good muslim.
-If one doesn't stop tryanny, Allah (swt) will bring punishment upon ALL.

Analogy: The good people are on top of the ship and the bad people at the bottom of the ship. The bad people at the bottom keep knocking up on the top of the boat the get water but they don't want to disturb the good people because they are too busy having conferences. So they decided to make a hole in the bottom of that boat to get water resulting in ALL of them drowning.

-That is why the righteous are commanded to hold back the hands of the non-righteous and they'll all be saved.

5) Who has the time for dawa?
-Time Management --> Refer to Time Managment post and make time!
-You won't get to Jannah with distraction like watching TV all day.
-The excitment, adventure of TV is all in Dawa.

6)Can't I just be good and stay home?
Salih: Righteous
Muslim: Changes society towards righteousness

The Angels were sent to destory a town but they said to Allah (swt) how can they do so when a Salih was among them. Allah (swt) said that he should be among the first ones to be destroyed since he never bothered to spread the message.

-It was the Prophet's (saw) way to give gladtidings and warnings
-Allowing Kufr and Shirk to go unchallenged will grow and cause harm.
-To protect our muslim community from destruction.

When Allah (swt) sends Fitnah it doesn't matter who is righteous.

7)Do I have to go out to the street to give Dawah?
-When Yusuf (AS) was in prison, he still gave dawa
-Ask yourself:
Who do I fell comfortable giving dawa too? and target that group of people. Wether it be muslim teens, or non-muslims etc.

8)Don't Bother, no one will bother to become muslim eh?
-For those who were maybe invited to christianty or other religion, don't you remember that? Same thing will happen if try to give dawa to a non-muslim, they'll remember.

-It's not our problem if they don't answer our call. We'll be asked on the Day of Judgment why we DIDN'T give the call not why they didn't answer the call to Islam.

-If you start giving dawa there will be people who will be annoyed since they don't find a point. So be prepared.

2006-08-21T14:59:00.000-05:00

Signs of the Day of Judgment- Sh.Saeed

-Al Sirat--> the bridge when crossing to Jannah.
-It is very important for a muslim to know the attributes of Allah (swt). That's how we will know him on the Day of Judgement
-Under the bridge of Al-Sirat is Jahannam.

Al-Sirat
1) The Prophet (saw) "It is thinner than the hair"
2)It is sharper than the sword
3)It is very hot
4)It's very dark
5)On the sides of the bridge will be hooks that will grab the sinners to be cast in the hell fire.
6)The believers will have the lights of their good deeds leading them and they'll pass like lightning.
7)Another group of people will pass like a strong wind. You won't see them.
8)Another group will pass like a strong horse running.
9)Some will be jogging across since their deeds isn't much.
10) Others will be crawling who will be the last ones to enter Jannah.

After crossing the bridge, they'll have to dring from two fountains.
First fountain:It will take everything out of their hearts--> envy, hatred...
Second fountain:The delight will be on their faces

Jannah=100 levels

Everyone will wish that they did more deeds so they can be on the higher level.

Major Signs
1)Appearence of Al-Mahdi
--> hes age will be after 40.
--> he'll appear during the time of hajj between the black stone and the recitationof quran.
-->314 people will follow him

2)Appearence of the Dajjal (Anit-Christ)

3)Something about an animal who will be walking around saying this people never followed..the speaker went to fast so I didn't quite get it.

4)Returning of Isa
-He will kill the pig
-break and destroy the cross
-he will kill the dajjal
-there will be no choice but Islam and Kufr. So either you are with Islam or Kufr.

5)Yajoj & Majoj

6)Appearence of sun from the west.
-The doors of repentance to Allah (swt) will be closed

After that sign everything will happen like when a pearl necklace breaks and the pearls fall off.

-smoke, earthqueakes, wind that will take away the sould of the believers
-Israfel will then blow the first trumpet and everything will be destroyed except the angels.

-The angel of death will then be told by Allah (saw) to take the soul of the remaining angels. Jibril, Israfel etc. And then take away this own soul. Then Allah (swt) will say 3 times "Who does this kingdom belong too?" amd he himself will reply "To Almight Allah (swt)"

-He will then bring Israfel back to life and will blow the 2nd trumpet and the Day of Reckoning will begin.

2006-08-21T14:53:00.000-05:00

The Seerah: An Example to Live By- Ismael Mukhtar, Yasser Ibrahim

Ismael Mukhtar

-The seerah stay in the books rather than action within ourselves

Leadership
-He was a leader loved by his followers
-One of his companions said " The person who saw him the first time will respect him, be overhelmed with his personality. A person who knows him closely will love him."
-Abu Sufyan said "I have met many leaders, I have never met a leader who was loved by his followers"
-"Had I been harsh to them, they would have depareted and left"- Prophet (saw)

Charateristics of Prophet (saw) as a leader
-A leader who consulted his followers
-"I have not seen anyone more consulting than Rasuallah "
-Any person who practices shura, they will be guided to the best in their affairs.

-In the Battle of the Trench, an army of 10,000 was heading to destory Islam. When the news reached the prophet (saw) the first thing he did was consult his companions for suggestions. And a wonderdul suggestion was given by an ex-slave to build a trench around so they couldn't cross. When the army arrived and found no way to cross over because of the trench they left.

A man who put the right person in the right place
-When the Prophet (saw) was calling people to Islam in Makkah. Many people rejected except 6 who accepted and went to Madinah and brought more people who accepted the message. In hajj they asked the Prophet (saw) to bring them a teacher. He sent Musab. A young man who understood the message and was a persuasive speaker. In a year he brought HUGE transformations.

-A man (or king) eas angry people weren't idol worshipping so he sent his cousin to Musab but instead be became a muslim. So he himself decided to go with a sword and and told him "To leave this place or face the consequences" Musab said "Oh Sab please get off the horse and listen to what I have to say" He ended up getting of the horse and listened to him. He found the message so true that became a muslim. This job was done in the best manner.

-After delibration of Makkah, a group of tribes felt threatened and decided to attack. Rasuallah (saw) left makkah with 2000 men and arrived at the valley of Hunaim. Muslims were being attacked from every direction to the point where Rasuallah was only left with a few men. He then turned to Al Abaas, call the people of the tree and attacked the enemy. Al Abaas was chosen because he had a strong voice.

Dealing with Crisis effectively and fearly
-Don't pass judgement until you hear directly from the person
-don't judge people by one mistake they did in their life.

Sensitivity to all segements of the community
-he related to all people of the community--> women, youth...
-he would be leadinga prayer and her hears a baby crying. He would shorten the the prayer by reading smaller surah's as not to cause inconvince to the mother.

Yasser Ibrahim

-You can't confine the seerah into just events that happened in the past.
-We have limited the Prophet (saw) to the masjid. Ex: the way he made sujood, the way he put his arms on his chest.
-We are selective to the Prophet (saw). We pick and choose to our convience."Do not be like those who have taken their religion as a joke or play"

1) Make the seerah into a map and reference point
-The Prophet (saw) didn't tell people to do something until he did it and was a role model of it.
-Rasicsm in Makkah--> A black woman came to the Prophet (saw). Upon seeing her he got up, took of h is turban and laid it down ofr her so she can sit on it. The people asked "Who is this?" he replied" It's Umm Aymen. My mother of mothers"

2) You must love the Messenger of Allah (swt)
-We need to know alot about him as that we can genuinely love him
-Love has to first be conditional then genuine.

-Thauban doesn't show up to the masjid for prayers. The Prophet (saw) asks about him and a man tells him that he is sick. The Prophet (Saw) pays a visit and Thauban says "O Rasuallah! I miss you even though I'm in the same gathering as you" I became sick because I was thinking that Ig Allah (swt) puts me in Jannah, I wno't see you as much as you would be in a higher level. If Allah (swt) were to put me in Jahannam/Hell I won't be able to see you at all. The Prophet (saw) the said "We will resurrcected with among those who we love"

2006-08-21T14:46:00.000-05:00

Disease/Purification of the heart: Gossip and Arrogance- Ismael Mukhtar and Ali Shayhan

Ismael Mukhtar

Two Potential: A Potential to be
Person of Fujoor--> A walking devil
Person of Taqwa--> A walking angel

Two Paths
Path of purification--> Tazkiyah--> Al Falah/Success
Corruption (das)--> Failure (khaibe)

"Indeed Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad SAW) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Quran), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Quran) and Al*Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW (i.e. his legal ways, statements, acts of worship, etc.)], while before that they had been in manifest error" (3:164)

Three main elements: The mission of the Prophet (saw)
-Teach them the quran
-Teach them wisdom (sunnah)
-Purify themselves

-Our salvation depends on our self purification

Two undermining forces
1) Shubuhat (misconception) corrupts the mind
2) Shahwat(desires) corrupts the heart

"Allah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allah is All*Knower, All*Wise." (4:27)

Types of Shahwat (desires)
-Sexual desires
-Materialism
-Fame
-Power & Authority

Arrogance (Kibr)
-lust for power, wealth, knowledge and mind

Two Traits

1) rejecting the truth
2) belittling--> to seem less than another or little

-We all have mini-pharaohs in us waiting to come out
-They don't listen or consult anyone
-They say "never question me"

Outcome of Kibr
-Failure to see reality
-Self deception, starting to feel invicible
-Kibr is not an indiviual thing-Kibr is also a nation. Ex: The Romans
-The most dangerous of threat is Kibr (Arrogance)
-The way of the righteous is the humble themselves and fear that they haven't fulfilled their deeds

-An act of sin that brings that brings fear in your heart is better than an act od good that brings kibr

Outcome of those who feel above of everyone else-->Imam Al-Ghazali
-No obligation to consult anyone
-Feels not acceptable for him to ask other people. Ex:Knowledge
-Won't listen for reminders
-Will feel they are not in need of acting righteously. "I have enought hasant"
-Preoccuption of weakness of othes and neglecting your own self

Way to Purification
-Self critique and examination
-Self Discipline--> weaning yourself and constant evaluation

Ali Shayhan

-Brotherhood is sewn into the five pillars

What is backbitting?
-To mention something about your brother/sister in his/her absence that he will hate
-You harm not yourself but the whole community.
-The discomfort you feel when someone youe love has talked about feels like your flest is being eaten.

Shahada
-The love through the shahada is much stronger than through culture, race etc. Anywhere you go and a muslim brother meets another muslim brother there is already a love of brotherhood just because he is a brother in islam

Salaah
-Going to fajr prayer with your brother. Standing shoulder to shoulder.
-In the the prayer we recite surah al faitha "...Ihdina Sirat-ul Mustaqim" meaning guide US to the straight path not guide me.

Zakat
-Instead of using your wealth to have kibr, you use it to help out your brothers and sisters in islam.

Fasting
-Use it as a tool to teach people.
-The love you feel when a brother you don't even know invites you for iftar.

Hajj
-A man had hate for white people. He then went to hajj and said I drank from a cup from a man of color whitest of white, hair blondest of blonde and eyes bluest of blues.

-We should busy oursevles with doing Ibadah with the brothers and sisters.
-To get to Jannah, we need to to purify our hearts-
-It causes huge community issues

Umar Ibn Khattab followed a man since the Prophet (saw) said he was a man of Jannah to find out what he does. He was with him for a few days and noticed nothing special he then asked the man what he did. The man said before I go to sleep I erase my heart of any grudges against anyone.

2006-08-21T14:36:00.000-05:00

"Dude You Are A Mess" Time Managment- Kamran Khan,Yasser Haddara & Usama Khan

Kamran Khan

Time Management: setting goals and achieveing them

-Muslim are supposed to be balanced
-If you are praying your all your five salahs on time daily then you should already be managing your time.
"You need to study smart, not hard"

1)Make Class time the best study time
-Be prepared
-Ask Questions

2)Make a daily list
-Set small specific goals

3)Use time between classes

4)Use weekly/monthly calender

List all the things you do in a day and prioritze them from most important to least important and create an action plan.

If you want to change ALlah (swt) will help you. If you don't want to change, Allah (swt) doesn't help those who can't help themselves.

Usama Khan

-Find someone to look up to. Someone to go to halaqas with.
-We humans love money and manage it well
-We don't value our blessing until we lost it

Does losing time hurt as much as losing money?

-One of the questions we will be asked on the Day Of Judgement is how we spent our time

-How much of your day is spent for Allah (swt)
-Look at family life
-Look at a Global Level-->Poverty
-What is our purpose in life?
-How are we going to contribute?

LIST
1)Worship--> how much can you do in 24 hours?
Academic--> how much can you do in 24 hours?
Islamic Knowledge--> how much can you learn in 24 hours?
Friends--> how much can you spend with them in 24 hours?

PLAN
-for tomorrow, plan tonight
-have the exact timings
-you get rewards and blessings for making good intentions and when you actually carry it out you get more rewards.

EXECUTE
-When the day comes, put it into action!
-Convert plan to what you actually did. Ex: if you slept in, record it

Accountability
-At the end of the day, look at plan and calculate what you did in reality
-Jot down what you did good so you can feel good about yourself ex: I woke up for fajr
-Jot down what needs improvement so you can work on it.

Yasser Haddara

"Hold down knowledge by writing it down"- Prophet (saw)

1) " If you find one person and their two days are equal, they have lost" -Prophet (saw)
-You should be improving yourself everyday
-Best way to measure yourself:
Am I better today than I was yesterday?
Did I Improve?

2)Wird--> ورد -->singular --> An assignment you put on yourself (Ex:waking up for fajr)
Awrad--> اورد -->plural

-turn your whole life to Awrad
-flexibility has to be for a good reason.
-out of all the things I want to do today number them.

3)You have to know your capacity
-Push yourself until you can't anymore

4)Muhasaba--> Hold yourselves accountable before you are held accountable. Weigh your deeds before they are weighed against you.

5)Buy 2 small notebooks:

-The first notebook keep at home to do your accounting/muhasaba
-The second notebook take everywhere to jot down a new thought or if you something amazing to reflect.

A man who did this eventually had enough for a book and got it published called
Book: Hunting down fleeting thoughts
Author: Said ul-Khattar

2006-08-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

Activism- Worrying For Society: Yasser Ibrahim

1)Wake up
2)Clean up (Meaning your Iman)
3)Stand up

Jobs of Believers- to facilitate for everyone

Find yourself a place to goodness. Examples:
-Homeless Shelters- Are the homeless not people too??
-Soup Kitchens
-Big Brother/Big Sister

Sharpen Your Mind-The first verse to be revealed was "Iqra" (Read)
Soften Your Heart- Care for others. The Prophet (saw) said "Don't laugh excessively, for it hardens your heart and kills your dignity"
Strengthen Your Body- Even exercising is sadaqah. Your body will speak either for you or against you on the Day of Judgement.
Moral Consistency- Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is doing it.Right is right even if only one person is doing it.It's not a big deal to be right when everyone is right

It's a big deal to be right when everyone is wrong

-The only time you should look down on a person is when you are helping them up
-Our job is to bring understanding not to convince

How to maintain motivation
-Motivation has to come from within
-needs to be fed or it will fade away

Ihsan: Doing the right thing
At the right time
At the right manner

2006-08-21T14:30:00.000-05:00

The Pen Is Mighter Than The Sword- Dr. Yasser Haddara

What type of knowledge should we go after?
-Both the deen and dunya
-That what is needed in the Muslim Ummah

Choosing A Career
1)look at school; the subjects you like
2)Be honest to yourself
3)Talk to others about it who are in the same field; or get other opinions and inputs
4)Look at the community; what it needs
5)Make a plan-->make your decision early-->define your goals early.

How to choose a career
-Find a useful career
-What you are good at; what you can excel in

2006-08-21T14:24:00.000-05:00

Leadership Propelled By Faith-Ahmed Shehab

Characteristics of a Leader
-Fears Allah (swt)
-Implements the Quran
-Is content with the little things Allah (swt) has given
-Prepares for the long journey to meet Allah- DEATH

"Blend in, Bleed Within"

-All of us must aim to be leaders
-Our Role Model: Rasuallah (saw)
-Rasuallah (saw) became the leaders of all leaders due to following the Quran
-Rasuallah (saw) was not a harsh-hearted person-Islam Defended by the sword
-The sword is mentioned 200+ in the Bible
-Islam spread because of the great leaders

-A man wanted to kill the Prophet (saw). Umar (RA) tied him up and threw him in the masjid. The Prophet (saw) came and said, 1st to untie the man. Umar (RA) was very angry at this but did it anyway. Then the Prophet (saw) then asked to go to his house and bring milk for the man and then told him to drink. The man drank the milk. Then the Prophet told him to say "La illaha illa allah". The man said "no" so then the Prophet (saw) said "Ok, go away you are a free man" The man started walking away but then walked back and took the shahada. The Prophet (saw) asked the man how come he didn't take the shahada when he asked him. The man replied "I didn't want people to think that I did it under fear" he also added "I came to Madinah hating you. But now I love you the most"

-The difference between you and a leader is the leader got a chance

2 questions to ask yourself to bring the leader out of you
-How can I help the Muslim Ummah?
-What can I do to bring me closer to Allah?

-The Sahabas were great leaders because they were so close to Allah (swt)
-Islam is like a delicious dish that looks good, tastes good, and smells good. Until someone puts a roach on it. Our job is to take the roach off.
-When the Prophet Yusuf (AS) was imprisoned he was never negative. Infact when the was told to interpert the dream, he did which helped out the nation.
-As a leader our job is to invite and Allah (swt) does the rest.
-A leader should know what is right. Not do what is right but KNOW what is right
-You have to bring the best among you.
-As a leader imagine that you are on top.
-The greatest weapon for a leader is REPENTANCE

"A listener is much greater than a speaker"

Humbleness in Being A Leader
-Think that everyone is better than you.
-Anything good goes to Allah (swt). Say it is because of Allah (swt)

How to control anger with irresponsible people and those who are astray
-Copy the ways of the Prophet (saw)
-Deal it with wisdom & beautiful preaching.

2006-08-21T14:22:00.000-05:00

Youth Role Model- Sh.AbdulQani

-This religion will start as something strange and will end as something strange (Rasuallah saw) -Follow the path of guidance and do not be bothered of the very little people walking this path
-The youth of this ummah should dislike the way of the kufar instead you see them sporting baskteball jersey's with the name of the players on them.

3 characteristics of people who will taste sweet Iman:
-Should love Allah (swt) and the Messenger
-Love the person for the sake of Allah
-Hate/dislike going back into the way of the kufar like with the fear of being thrown into hell-fire

2006-08-21T14:21:00.000-05:00

Ettiqutes of Differing-Sh.AbdulBary

-1st obey Allah(swt)
-2nd obey your mother
- If you have differences between you and your mother ALWAYS obey them unless if it is haram.

Juraij was a respectable and righteous man. He was accused of commiting zina with a prostitute and getting her pregnant. When in reality the baby was of a sheperd all planned to look like it was Juraij to give him a bad name. The villagers on hearing this went over and destroyed Juraij's house. He asked to see the baby and the baby was brought forth and he asked the baby "Who is you father?" and the baby spoke and said "The sheperd". The villagers offered to build back his house with gold but all he said was build it back the way it was.All this had happened due to an event that happened in the past. Juraij was praying when his mother was calling him and he didn't know either to break his prayer and go to his mother or continue praying. He continued to pray and the mother kept calling him over and over until she was angry and his mother made dua that his son doesn't die until he is met with a prostitute. Juraij was praying sunnah not fard and should have stopped his prayer and see what his mother wanted. This is how much right your mother has over you.

2006-08-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

The Prophetic Methodology in Correcting Mistakes- Sh.Faqih

-never rejoice anybodys mistake or misfortune
-correct mistakes with gentleness
-after the mistake has taken place deal with with gently.No yelling.
-correcting a mistake with harshness isn't the way

1)No crying over spilled milk (after a mistake happens it happens you can't reverse it)
2)Be kind
3)the person is more important than the point. No point losing a friend trying to make a point

A Hadith was narrated:A man urinated inside a masjid and the people wanted to beat him but the prophet (saw) told them and leave him be until he is done. Then he approached him and explained to him with gentleness and kindess that what he is doing is not appropriate in a masjid. The man upon seeing how gentle Rasulallah (saw) was in correcting him made a dua that he and the prophet (saw) be together in jannah and NOT the others who wanted to beat him.

2006-08-21T14:17:00.000-05:00

Islam is a curtailment of Freedom-Sh.AbdulBary

-Islam frees humanity from debts, oppression

You buy things you don't need,With money you don't have (credit cards),To impress people you don't like!

-Islam prohibts interest (riba) to avoid debts"Destroyed are the worshippers of money"

-Women don't have the responsiblity of having to support a household. Ex: paying the rent, bills etc.

-Women have all right to the money she makes and it is her decision if she wants to contribute some to help out

-If a woman is rich and her husband is poor she can give him zakat since she isn't financially responsible for him.

-Behind every great scholars is a great mother

-Reasons why divorce rates are so high is people don't know their roles anymore

-Freedom to marry whomever you want regardless of color, country of origin etc.

-Hijab: protects the women from the gaze of men and not to be looked as a piece of meat instead as a person with mind, intellect

"The best among you are the ones best to their wives""

If you put your trust in Allah, then Allah will give you rizq(provision) just like how he gives provision to the birds"

2006-08-21T14:14:00.000-05:00

Boyfriend/Girlfriend- What is the solution? Sh.Bilal Philips

-In 1920's and 1950's after World War I & II women went out of their homes to work due to shortage of mean; gaining "independence" postponing marriage, childbirth. Being a mother and wife was seen as exploitation and oppression
-Punishment for fornication: 100 lashes...IN PUBLIC. It's not about the pain. It's about the shame.

CONSEQUENCES
-Hellfire: people who commited zina will naked and burning in an oven
-STD's
-illigitemate kids-single parent families/Broken homes
-Abortions (1990's stats: 3 million abortions were taking place in the U.S alone)
-One of the 7 people who will be shaded on the day of judgement is the one who stopped himself from commiting zina and said "I fear Allah"
-Parents should train their kids from young age not mix freely
-Females should talk in a buisness like manner to males
-teaching you children to dress modestly

HOW TO DEAL AS PARENTS
-Do not explode--> leads to rebellion
-Deal with the situation realistly
-Find out why it took place
-Don't be judgmental, accustive
-LISTEN

MAIN CAUSES
-peer pressure
-boredom
-desiring attention
-low self esteem
-the need to feel loved

SOLUTIONS
-most fundamental factor that leads to it this insecurity
-give proper love and attention-assign challenging tasks and be more involved into other things
-make new friends (if the cause is peer pressure and so on)
-early marriage "Any of you who are able should get married"

2006-08-21T14:09:00.000-05:00

Combating Sexual Desires-Sh.AdiQani
Beware of the deception of the eyes

-the body parts will testify against you on the Day of Judgement. Your feet would say we were in haram places; nightclubs. Your eyes would say I saw such and such haram. The tongue would say I gossiped and slandered.
-Accidental look: the first look is permissble, the second is not. That doesn't mean you can prolong your first glance to see everything.

Fight Evil Thoughts
-It destroys your Iman
-You can easily be disgraced in the eyes of Allah (swt)

Get Married Young
-For those who are not capable of getting married they should fast.

People who Allah (swt) has guarnteed to provide:
-the one who gets married to guard their chasity
-the one who is poor & gets married
-(missing third point)

-The worship of a young person doesn't become complete until he marries

2006-08-21T14:06:00.000-05:00

BLIND HEART- Sh.Bilal Philips

-"It is not the eyes that become blind; it is the hear and chests that become blind"
-"If I test my slave by taking away his sight, if he's patient. He is promised with paradise to replace the sight"
-Whoever is blind in this life will be more blind and astray in the next
-Allah (swt) says "Whoever turns from remembering me, their life will be wretched"
-Be concerned about your hearts
-When the heart is blind, the soul can never be satisfied
-Satisfaction is looked for in materlistic things resulting in no lasting satisfaction

Signs of the Blind Heart
-Negligence of Allah (swt). A heart full of doubt
-Admonition or advice had no effect. You dislike the truth
-No shame of sin
-discomfort in good/pure things, and good people

Cures of Blind Heart
1) Remembrance of Allah
2) Righteous deeds
3) Tawbah (repentance) and remorse
4) Seek good friends/company and leave bad friends/company

2006-08-21T14:01:00.000-05:00

MISUNDERSTANDING OF WOMEN IN ISLAM- Sh.Bilal Philips

-Non-muslim women are looking at Muslim Women @ the prespective of the 20th century, society and culture

1)Objection to muslim women having a guardian when it comes to marriage

-Prior to the 20th century non-muslim women had no say on who they marry and they too had to have guardians.Purpose of a guardian is to check out the man thoroughly to make sure he is suitable for her. To protect her interests.

2)Women not being able to marry non-muslim men.

-The man dominates. Ex: If a muslim husband were to tell his non-muslim wife that he doesn't want her to wear a short skirt, Is it against the woman's religion? No, and so she will follow. Same thing applies if he doesn't alcohol or pork in the house. He would insist to take the children to islamic school or quran classes.

-If a muslim woman had a christian husband she could be put into situations that would put her deen into danger and her childrens. What if she were sent to buy alcohol or asked to cook porkchops for dinner? The children are also in danger of losing their religion.

3)Divorce: Muslim men having the right to pronounce divorce

-Muslim women are more emotional than men.
-Muslim women have the right to divorce except they have to seek khula.
-As a basic rule a woman can't pronounce divorce unless its put in the marriage contract then its permissible.

4)Inheritance: Muslim men getting double the portion of the women

- Men are the maintainers and protectors of women and they would need more because they are the ones that have to take care of them; support them.

5) Witness- 2 female witness= 1 male witness

-The Norm: The man works and the woman is at home taking care of the kids and household

-The man is more involved in buisness resulting in a greater memory and so 2 females witnesses are required to remind the other incase she forgot.Sh. Bilal Philips used an example of how an a survey was taken when the person would ask female after female to estimate the height of a building and she would for example: 800 ft. and the person doing the survey would try to pursue her to say it was 400 ft. He would say "dont you think it's more like 750 ft??" and would keep doing this till she would agree on 400 ft. Proving how easily our minds can be changed but when they did the survey on the men the wouldn't change their minds even though if it was wrong so if it was 1000 ft even thought he was way off he wouldnt change his mind no matter how much you persuaded him

BUT!

If a man and women were married and a woman comes and says that she breastfed both of them when they were younger. No wintesses would be needed and the marriage would be annuled because a woman knows who she breastfed.

6) Polygamy

-Islam restriced it to four women while the rest of the world (back in the day) had no limit
-Quran is the only Holy Book that restricts the number of wives you are allowed to have
-Polygamy comes with it's responsibilities-More than half of non-muslim men have admitted in a survey to having affairs etc.

2006-08-21T13:56:00.000-05:00

SICKNESS OF JEALOUSY- Sh.Faqih

POSITIVE TYPE:
- a wealthy person who spends his money in a good cause
- someone that was given knowledge, living by that knowledge, judging with that knowledge, and teaching with that knowledge.

CAUSES OF JEALOUSY
-Love of Dunya
-Low Self Esteem
-Arrogance
-Not satisfied with Allah(swt) desicion
-Weakness in their faith

2 TYPES OF JEALOUSY
-Someone who has been blessed with something and you wish to have it that taking it away from them (Gheebtah)
-Wishing you had something and the other person didn't (Hasad)

-Cure to this diease is to strengthn your relationship with Allah (swt)
-When it comes to the matter of knowledge & wealth you should envy them to motivate yourself to do the same.
-The hardest thing to do is to purify you heart of any hatred or grudge held against your fellow muslim.