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

-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.

Understanding Quranic Arabic- Safdar Ali

"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

-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.

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

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

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.

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.

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"

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.

"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