tasbih

Learn the Qur'an

2006-12-28T15:06:00.000+08:00

There is a new blog about learning Qur'an and is also has a lot of imformation and updates about Islamic classes, talks and events. do check it out.

Learn Quran

Blouse at $29.00

2006-12-27T16:01:00.000+08:00

Our friends at OVA are having a sale. Visit them. To busy? They are online

OVA Trendy

Knowledge. Is windows to Truth

2006-12-26T11:51:00.000+08:00

The end of 2006 its almost here, but that does not mean its the end of our learning journey. Didnt the Holy Prophet says "learn from the cradle to the grave". Alhamdulilah there are servents of Allah out there who are still opening doors of knowledge for us. All we have to do is attend and listen. May Allah bless them all. Amin!

A new way to learn, Islamic school for children from 7 till 17 all in english.

Simply Islam

Living knowledge, is not just about understanding knowledge its about living it. Al-Fathhu has their new courses out.

Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre

New Courses from Al-Fathhu 2007

2006-12-21T14:38:00.000+08:00

THE SECRET OF SECRETS
with Sheykh Mohd Ibrahim Mohd Kassim

A series comprehensively explaining the spiritual of our daily devotions. Based on Sheykh Tosun Bayrak’s translation of Sirrul Asrar (‘The Secret of Secrets’) by Sheykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jilani, this course will cover the inner dimensions of remembrance, purification of self,charity, fasting, pilgrimage and being close to Allah.

Mondays, 8:30pm-10pm
($30 per month, starts Jan 15 07)

THE ISLAMIC CREED
with Ustadh Liekat Ali

An extensive explanation of the Islamic creed. Based on ‘The Elementary Teachings of Islam’ by Maulana Abdul Aleem Siddique, this course will cover the principles of the Islamic faith. Fridays, 8:30pm-10pm
($30 per month, starts Jan 12 07)

THE BEGINNING OF GUIDANCE
with Ustadh Ismaeil Al-Khatib

An extensive explanation of the significance and meaning of the great classic of Islamic literature, Bidayatul Hidayah (‘The Beginning of Guidance’) by Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali. This course will examine how one should order his life in each hour to attain Allah’s pleasure as a loyal servant.

Sundays, 12.30pm-2.00pm
($30 per month, starts Jan 21 07)

LEARN TAJWID IN 24 HOURS
with Abdul Shakur Hadi

An introduction to the rules and essentials of Qura’nic recitation. This interactive course will assist the student in the important work of refining their pronunciation and proper recitation of the most perfect speech, the Holy Qur’an.

Prerequisite: Students should know how to read Arabic.
Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm & Saturdays, 5.30-7pm
($120 per month, starts Jan 3 2007 )
~ limited to 15 places ~

For More Information Please e mail info@alfathhu.com
or call Muhsin at 91380014
or visit www.alfathhu.com

Prof. Abdul Hakim Jackson (Talk in Singapore)

2006-12-20T19:11:00.000+08:00

As part of the Contemporary Muslim Thought Series, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and Darul Arqam Singapore have invited Prof Abdul Hakim Sherman Jackson from University of Michigan, USA, to Singapore from 20th to 24th December 2006.

The highlight of his visit itinerary in Singapore is a Public Lecture. The details are as follows:

Public Lecture

Date : Friday, 22nd December 2006
Time : 1945hrs
Topic : Diversity & Tolerance in Islam
Venue : Lee Foundation Theatre, NAFA Campus 3, Bencoolen Street, Singapore.

Free Admission and No Registration required.

The lectures and discussions are designed to highlight issues & focus on the need for Islamic reforms, initiatives and processes while adapting to the changing concept of a multi-religious society.

We hereby invite you to join us in this program and would appreciate if you could disseminate the relevant information to your friends and people within your network. Indeed, the speakers’ knowledge and experience in the academic and religious field promises to make the session an interesting learning venture.
For clarifications, please call us at telephone no 63488344 (ext. 43/34) or email to norzaah@darul-arqam.org.sg or feisal@darul-arqam.org.sg. You may also visit our website for further details. We look forward to your valued participation as we strive together in search of knowledge in this endeavor.

Do-It-Yourself- Islam

2006-12-02T13:06:00.000+08:00

Dr Gibril Fuad Hadad comments on the statement given by Mohd Asri a Mufti from a state in Malaysia.

The function of Saudi-trained clerics is to propagate Do-It-Yourself
Islam. Since irony is terra incognita to them, they may even do so in
the name of reclaiming Islam from the clerics. They also mention
"reform," "renewal," "Qur'an and Sunna" in the same ironic/absurd
vein since we all know that DIY

Islam spells chaos, not reform, not renewal, and certainly not
Qur'an and Sunna. But how appealing to TV viewers, internet
surfers, and DIY Muslims everywhere!

Allah Most High said He had raised the Ulema above the non-ulema in
rank; but Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin, the 35-year old Mufti of the
Malaysian state of Perlis, wants each Muslim to be his or her own mufti.
Our Holy Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said that Allah Most
High reserves the understanding of the Religion to those for whom He
desires the greatest good. But Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin says:
"Religion deserves to be understood by everybody."
Evidently, he finds Allah and His Prophet conservative and in need of
renewal. "Overhaul," as he puts it.

Asri dismisses the Muslim ulema but admires Turkish picturebook author
Harun Yahya. Asri mocks the traditional Malay ustaz for teaching the
jurisprudence of snow in snowless Malaysia rather, he claims, than teach
prayer to new Muslims. Many a professional with poor Arabic are better
read in Islam and "might have memorised more hadith," Asri
suggests, than a traditional scholar of Qur'anic commentary. Asri
has a doctorate, he is a mufti. It must be true. After all, he witnessed
a traditional preacher confuse the aedes mosquito with AIDS once. This
is what Asri, a Malaysian Salafi, would like you to believe is the state
of things in Muslim Malaysia. Then there is all this talk about the need
to "kill off ideas and understanding. "

Asri thinks light of "the scholars of old" but much of
"science today." He actually says: "The Quran speaks
many times of the greatness of God in the signs that we see all around
us. The scholars of old could not grasp such verses thoroughly, but
science can do so now." "They" are reactionary while
"Islam puts forth arguments." The subversion of persons by
abstractions is only one of the many ironies of the grammar of islamism.
A much greater irony, of course, is that islamism is the greatest threat
to Islam today. Machiavelli himself could not dream up worse perversion
than what a mufti in the most ostensibly advanced Muslim society on
earth can stand up before Muslims and teach nowadays.

A few days ago the young "leader" of a group named
"Tawhid and Jihad" shot Syrian border guards as he attempted
to make his way into Lebanon, then, rather than get arrested, blew
himself up with an explosive belt. It does not take an Einstein to
divine the slippery slope that leads from "youngest-ever"
muftis preaching revisionism, to 28-year old "Tawhid and
Jihad" suicides in our times. It is a fact that the Islamic podium
in Southeast Asia is now dominated by the Ikhwan al-Muslimin. If
so-called Progressives want you to do away with your Muslim identity,
so-called Salafis teach you to do away with yourself. The suicide is
spiritual and intellectual as well, since they convince their blind
followers that they are "thinking for themselves" and
according to "Qur'an and Sunna!"

The rule of boys and the podium of the ignorant are among the signs of
the end of times predicted by our Holy Prophet, upon him blessings and
peace. Islamist Islam can be compared to an adolescent Hulk alternately
throwing huge, uncontrollable tantrums and sermonizing incoherently at
his parents, the neighbors, their dog, and everything else in the world.
How can we best treat this confusion and extract it from our midst? Two
steps seem paramount for people of Islamic learning and educated lay
Muslims alike, although respective emphases differ:

1. Acknowledge the odd good point each newfangled movement may forward,
and expose the endless errors and incoherences that dominate their
discourse. This requires greater knowledge and representation of what
they themselves claim to speak for, namely, the main and ancillary (e.g.
logic and language) sciences of the Qur'an and Sunna as taught by
Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama`a.

2. Reconnect our professionals and graduates about their own scholarly
tradition so they can tell gold from plastic and tin. This necessitates
firsthand connection with a traditional, non-Wahhabi teacher as well as
pursuing the reform of the soul. TV muftis, websites and picturebooks
are a delusion. So is party activism.

Asri says he believes "two movements will influence the minds of
Malaysians in the future: one is the Salafiyyah movement. The second...
is that of liberal Muslims." Malaysians should beg to differ one
and all. Surely their heritage is richer than to blinker its sons and
daughters into a bankrupt alternative. What do the accomplished elders
and their graduates and communities say? Where is the voice of the
Muslim majority in Malaysia? They are best qualified to silence those
who think contemporary Malaysians must be (how horrible to say!) either
Wahhabi-Salafis or liberal-progressive s.

May we learn and re-learn, calmly and methodically, to differentiate
between authentic voices of Reason and Learning on the one hand, and, on
the other, immature voices promoting rebellion and self-destructive
pseudo-scholarship.

Allahumma! Arina al-haqqa haqqan wa-urzuqna ittiba`ah, wa-arina
al-batila batilan wa-urzuqna ijtinabah.

Was-Salam,

GF Haddad

Learn to Recite The Holy Qur'an

2006-12-02T11:54:00.000+08:00

Recite the Qur’an within 3 months!
Jointly organized with Al-Markaz Arabic Language Centre

This is a helpful twice-weekly class that will guide students from level zero till the basic rules of Tajwid. Students should be able to recite the Qur’an in only 3 months! Register Now! Limited to 15 students per class!

Commencement and Intakes
There are two intakes:
Intake 1 – starts Monday 18th December 2006
Intake 2 – starts Wednesday 20th December 2006

Schedules and Venues
Intake 1 – Mondays & Fridays 8pm – 9.30 pm
@ Al-Markaz Arabic Language Centre, 58 Bussorah Street (above Wardah Books)

Intake 2 – Wednesdays 8pm – 9.30pm, Saturdays 5.30pm – 7pm
@ Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre, 19A Bali Lane

Fee
$15 per session (inclusive of textbook and exercise book)

About the Teacher
Bro. Abdul Shakur Hadi studied Arabic and Islamic studies at Abu Nour Institute and Damascus University in Damascus, Syria for over two years. He has more than 6 years of experience teaching Qur’an reading and Tajwid to those who have little or no knowledge of reciting in both English and Malay.

For Information and Registration
Contact: Zuraimi Naharudin (Al-Markaz): 81127976
Mu’hsin Kalimiyah (Al-Fathhu): 91380014
Abdul Shakur Hadi: 98768083

Email: enquiries@al-markaz.biz
info@alfathhu.com

Website:

Al-Markaz

Al-Fathhu

Blog:

Al-Fathhu's Blog

Blossoming of Sufi Women

2006-11-04T13:52:00.000+08:00

Blossoming of Sufi Women
A Talk with Sister Zaiab Hayden
Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre

What is the Path of Love? How do we feel this Love? What does it mean to be loved by Allah especially our times? In this session Sister Zaynab Hayden will share with us the importance of having spirituality in our daily lives. She will also share her experiences being with Sufi Saint Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. InshaAllah this will motivate us to travel on the Path of Love and blossom into Sufi women.

About Sister Zaynab
Sister Zainab Hayden is a devoted student of the Sufi Sheikh Muhammad Raheem Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral) for the past 35 years, and one of the original students who met the Sheikh upon his initial arrival to the United States in 1971. Sister Zainab is a speaker and teacher for interfaith gatherings hosted at the Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Fellowship, as well as a lecturer on Sufism and Death and Dying classes offered at local Colleges and Universities in the Philadelphia area.Sister Zainab and her husband are the Co-Director’s of the Janaazah Committee at the Mosque of Sheikh M.R.Bawa Muhaiyaddeen.Sister Zainab is married to Muhammad Lateef Hayden, and have three sons. She and her husband are involve in publishing the works of Sheikh Bawa Muhaiyaddeen (Ral).

Venue
Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Center
19a Bali Lane
Monday 13 Nov 8.00 pm
E-mail: info@alfathhu.com Website: www.alfathhu.com
Call: Muhsin 91380014
Ladies only event. Admission is Free

Open Letter to Pope Benedict

2006-10-22T13:48:00.000+08:00

Please read this oepn letter to Pope Benedict. It's sign by 38 Islamic Scholar around the world. This letter is not only for the Pope, but also for Muslims, we should take this as a lesson for us. May Allah guide us all. Eid Mubarak.

Open Letter to The Pope

The Eminence Blog

2006-10-05T11:57:00.000+08:00

Eminence
The name of the blog actually originates from my dream. Many years ago, when I was looking for a solution to my dwindling faith, I dreamt of a group of people, standing in a circle. They said to me "eminence". At that time, I didn't know there's such a word in the English dictionary. I thought to myself, "Is that an Eminem fan club?" (Since I was an Eminem fan). Apparently, it's not...haha. I picked up the dictionary and was surprised there's such a word.

There must be a lot of significance with standing in a circle. Perhaps it's also a symbol of the "circular journey home" as mentioned by Prof Abu Mustaffa. Some of my dreams revolve people standing or sitting in a circle. Many events and study groups are done in a circle.

Taken from The Eminence Blog. Talks about the Spiritual Journey of a modern sufi. Very insightfull and intresting.

The Eminence Blog

Talk at Al-Fathhu

2006-09-12T12:11:00.000+08:00

Blossoming In Ramadan

True fasting is when our heart blossoms. This is the month that we must strive to be the closest we can with our Lord. In this session Sheykh Mohd Ibrahim will plant seeds of wisdoms in our hearts for it to blossom Inshallah. So join us in the garden of Living Knowledge.

Admission is Free all are welcome
Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre 19A Bali Lane
8.30 pm 18 September 2006
Muhsin 91380014

Read the Reed

2006-09-09T23:07:00.000+08:00

How much it will cost to resolve problems in Singapore Muslim community without using spirituality as a tool?
I came to hear that MUIS, which is the state appointed authority to regulate Muslim affairs in Singapore, had recently at the very eleventh hour, pulled out crucial funding that it had all along promised the organizers of the recent 2006 Internationl Islamic Spirituality Conference in Singapore. I also came to hear from a Malay speaking friend that there were two Malay newspaper reports which mentioned that MUIS will not support activities on spirituality. I am not sure how accurate these are but they are prevalently spreading as news amongst the community.

The lack of communication between MUIS and the community have left many to wonder if MUIS had delibrately attempted to thwart the efforts to promote spirituality amongst Singapore Muslims.

Nayreed

Taken from nayreed visit the blog for more.

Freakonomics

2006-08-05T12:16:00.000+08:00

Both my wife and my boss have been reading freakonomics. I found it very very intresting.

Freakonomics

Prof Greg Mankiw

Grary Becker and Richard Posner Blog

Talks and Classes

2006-07-26T14:53:00.000+08:00

Dear Bloggers,

Al-Fathhu is will be having new classes and talks. Visit their website for more information.

Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre

The Heart of A Mujahida

2006-07-21T19:08:00.000+08:00

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatu

Yesterday (Fri 30th June) for the first time I visited the graves. We (my friend, my brother in-law and I) had to walk up a long path as if it was away from civilisation and on another world of its own. The grave yard was not big nor was it fancy. I was shocked and taken by how small and simple some of the graves were. The day was so hot mashallah, yet you couldn’t really feel the heat. As we went to the graves of our loved ones we greeted those that we went by. As it was my first time I didn’t know what to do but my brother in-law told me to pour water on the graves. I sat down at one of the graves to read Quraan while my friend went to pour water on some of the graves, I couldn’t help notice how real everything seemed. My mind was playing that one day it’ll be me buried here and I couldn’t help think “how would I want my home to be”. The realization of death was so strong but honestly, at that moment I wasn’t afraid of dieing.

It’s normal to say “I’m gonna die”, but to believe in the reality behind the words is difficult.

Takan from The Heart of A Mujahida blog

Takan from The Heart of A Mujahida blog

Be Careful who you call Kafir

2006-07-06T11:19:00.000+08:00

Be Careful who you call a Kafir
by Fareena Alam
"As to those who reject Faith, It is the same to them Whether thou warn them Or do not warn them; They will not believe."
The Holy Quran, 02:06 Al Baqarah

Abdullah Yusuf Ali's commentary: Kufr, Kafara, Kafir, and derivative forms of the word, imply a deliberate rejection of Faith as opposed to a mistaken idea of Allah or faith, which is not consistent with an ernest desire to see the truth. Where there is sch desire, the Grace and Mercy of Allah gives guidance. But that guidance is not efficacious when it is deliberately rejected, and the possibility of rejection follows from the grant of free will. The consequence of the rejection is that spiritual faculties become dead or impervious to better influence.
Be careful who you call Kafir because only Allah knows who is truly a rejector and who is merely a misguided person. It is not up to us to "sentence" a person to the Hellfire. We must always maintain courtesy, diplomacy and a never-dying zeal to convey the message to others no matter how discouraging or useless it may seem - don't give up on a non-muslim because most people are good people who simply need a break from the anti-Islamic propaganda around them.

The Fastest Way to Leave Islam

It is always safest to assume that a non-muslim has been misguided, misinformed and fed lies and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims - don't jump to calling him a Kafir. Remove the name-calling from your articles and websites - wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry - name-calling, especially wrongly branding someone as 'evil', 'kafr' and 'manifestation of satan' - GHEEBOT - could entail dire consequences for us on Judgement Day.

Perhaps there is no faster way to leave Islam than by calling other Muslims "kafir" or "mushrik" without discrimination. About calling other Muslims "kafir," we read the following hadith: It is reported on the authority of Ibn `Umar that the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said: Any person who calls his brother: O Unbeliever! (then the truth of this label) would return to one of them. If it is true, (then it is) as he asserted, (but if it is not true), then it returns to him (and thus the person who made the accusation is an Unbeliever). [Muslim] Therefore, if you call other Muslims "kafir" or "mushrik" without discrimination, you could find that you have left Islam, according to the words of the Prophet (s.a.w.), in less than a second.

Waste no time debating what a good Muslim should be. Be one!

Guiding a Non-Muslim to Islam only possible by the Grace of God. Our job is to help others understand Islam - that is our basic duty. And only then inshallah, will non-muslims move in the direction of becoming one of us. We must remain positive, open-minded and generous in our efforts to convey the true message. You cannot encourage a non-muslim to be understanding and open-minded if you yourself are hot-tempered and hurling accusations at him/her. No non-muslim is going to respect you and it will certainly reflect badly on Islam if a Muslim, a representative of Islam, is narrow-minded. I pray to Allah that we develop patience and sincerity in our efforts to bring about more tolerance in this world. Remember....every human being, regardless of whether he/she is born to Muslim or Non-Muslim parents, is born innocent and pure...it is society that influences him/her to stray from Islam and just as a person can stray, he/she can revert back and YOU can help this process.
We have a very important and sensitive role to play. We are the trusted Ummah of the Rasool, a servant of God...it has been made our duty and our obligation to pass on the pure, unadulterated truth - make honest and full use of this honourable task.

Journey To Ihsan 2

2006-06-20T13:05:00.000+08:00

Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque would be organising a Sufism conference entitled "Journey to Ihsan - 2nd International Conference on Islamic Spirituality" on 2 & 3 September 2006 at Sultan Mosque Auditorium. Speakers at the conference includes Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, Prof Alan Godlas, Sis Aisha Gray, Ustaz Uthman El-Muhammady, Ustaz Mohamed Bin Hj Ali, etc. More details can be found at our website www.aleemsiddique.org.sg

Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque

Habib Umar Bin Hafiz's Talk at UK. Divine Love

2006-05-18T13:03:00.000+08:00

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala Says, 'I have prepared for my righteous servants what no eye has seen, no ear has heard nor has ever...'

The person who receives the gift that come from Divine Love and the love that Allah Ta'ala has for His servants can not really encompass the love that Allah has for him and the gifts that are showered upon him due to this love.

Even in the Garden, when he goes into the place that Allah showers His ennobled servants with His Gifts, in every moment he only knows the gifts he is in at that moment and in the next moment and in the moment after that and the moment after that until eternity.

Even the angels in the Garden do not know how these gifts will be experienced when the garden is open for those who dwell in it. Thus, no creature can actually imagine the gifts or the experiences of those gifts that Allah has prepared for His righteous servants. The Husn of Allah has no end.

Even in the sensory form, the people of the garden will experience beauties and bounties that will be in the increase all the time. If one was to find a fruit that he liked in the garden and he was to pluck this fruit and eat it, Allah Ta'ala will cause another fruit to grow in its place which will be more beautiful than the first one and even if he was to pluck that fruit, there will be one more beautiful than that.

If he was to see a beautiful bird flying in the Garden and he was to want this bird to come on his plate in order for him to eat it roasted, the bird will come down to him roasted. When he tastes this bird, it will be a taste he has never experienced in this world. Once he has finished, the bird will be resurrected again and will fly in the garden again in a more beautiful form. All of this beauty is a reflection of the Prophetic Beauty (Salallahu alayhi wasalam). This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) is the most perfect reflection in creation, the perfect mirror of the Divine Beauty and the Divine Perfection.

If a man in Jannah was to taste the sweetness of a fruit or a bird that he eats in the Garden, he will experience one thousand sweet tastes in his mouth whilst no taste will conflict with another. Every taste will stay in his memory and he will be able to taste it for 70 years and yet the next mouthful will be even better than that. If this person was to walk out into the market places of paradise and then come back home to his palace and mansion in paradise and look at his family, he would say to them, 'you have increased in beauty' and his family will say the same thing back to him.

These people will be in the increase even in terms of the Beautific vision of Allah. When these slaves are given the Beautific vision of Allah and they are shown the Beautific vision again, there is only an increase to what there is no end for all of eternity. The manifestation of Allah's love for His slave is that when Allah loves a slave, He makes the angels of the highest assembly in heaven, the Divine Court; worship Allah through the love of this slave. By loving this slave for the sake of Allah, which is an act of worship, Allah makes these servants in the angelic assembly worship Allah. So He (SWT) Says to Sayidina Jibril AS who is the head of the angelic assembly 'O Jibril I love this servant so tell the inhabitants of the heavens to love him.' Sayidina Jibril loves this servant for the sake of Allah, which is an act of worship, and then he turns to the other angels and tells them that Allah loves this servant so love him. Therefore, this servant who walks upon the earth with all his human fallibilities is beloved in heaven, in the Highest Asssembly of Allah Ta'ala.

When this beloved servant who is loved by the angels due to Allah's love for him enters the grave and into the world of the barzakh, because the angels know that he is one of the beloved of ALLAH Ta'ala, they stand awe struck before the presence of this servant of Allah like attendants would stand before a King. They stand in awe of this servant because they know the place he has with Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. He is one of the beloved of Allah.

When this servant walks across the fire of hell, it says to him, 'Walk O believer, for your light has burnt me.' Although the fire of hell affects things, this servant of Allah is not affected by it due to Allah's love for him, but rather he affects the fire of hell and Allah Ta'ala Says, 'My Mercy precedes My Wrath.' It is only because of Allah's Mercy for this servant that Allah loved him. The one who loves for the sake of Allah, someone loved by Allah could not stay in hell forever because a man is with whomever he loves. One of the effects of Divine Love on the servant is that these servants can even intercede for people that they love. A shaheed can intercede for those he loves and 70 people of his family, a matyr for the sake of Allah.

To really love someone, one loves everything attached to that person that one loves. He loves their children, he loves their family, and loves the house they lived in. He even loves to see an object that they wore. If this is the love that a creation has for another creation, what about the love that The Creator has for His Creation. And what is it that Allah will not give to someone He (SWT) loves.

Allah Ta'ala Says in a Hadith Qudsi,

'I am a Lord, if I am obeyed, I bless, and if I bless, I bless the person and everything attached to Him and my blessing knows no end.'

Ibn Abbas (RA) said when he was commenting on the ayat in Suratul Kahf about the two orphan children who had a treasure buried under the ground... When Sayidina Khidr rebuilt the wall, he said, 'their father was righteous.'

Sayidina ibn Abbas (RA) said that this father was the seventh generation forefather from their mother's side. Because he was a righteous man and Allah Ta'ala loved him, look how far it got. It went to the children.

Sayidina Muhammad SAW said about Uwais Al Qarni that he alone would be given intercession for people as numerous as the tribe of Rabi' in Arabia and Mudhar. These are the two of the big tribes of Arabia. So The Prophet SAW said that Uwais Qarni alone would intercede for people in that number. This is Uwais Qarni who hadn't even seen the Prophet (peace be upon him), so what do you think of the companions of the Prophet SAW who actually saw him? And what do you think of the elect of the companions of the Prophet SAW and the ten who were promised the Garden and the people closest to the Prophet of Allah (SAW).

There was a story told in Egypt of a man that died and people kept seeing him in their dreams in a state of torment in his grave. After days of seeing him in this state, someone saw him in a dream in which he was no longer in torment. He asked him what had happened. The man replied that it was the time of asr and that his grave came under the shadow of the Dome of Imam Shafi's Tomb. 'The moment the shadow of Imam Shafi's Maqaam fell upon my grave, the punishment was lifted'.

Sayidina Abu Bakr Sidiq was walking through a cemetery and one of his hairs fell on the ground of the cemetery. Due to this hair of his, the punishment was lifted from the whole cemetery. Thus, this is the effect of Allah's love for His servant and the way it affects everything else around him. If Allah loves a servant, He even loves things that come from this servant. For the sake of that love, Allah gives to others.

There was a story told about a person who lived during the time of sayidina Abdul Qadir Jelani. This man was heard screaming after he had been entered into his grave. People heard him screaming from the torment of his grave and they could hear him from a distance. The companions of Abdul Qadir Jelani told him about this so he went to this grave. They asked him if he could intercede for him so that Allah lifts this punishment from him. Abdul Qadir Jelani asked them, 'was he one of our companions?', they said no. 'did any of you see him in one of our lessons?' they said no. 'has he ever entered into one of our masjids in order to hear one of our sermons or to pray with us?', they said no. One of them said, 'have we ever seen him?' no. 'has he ever seen us?', no. One of them said, 'but sheikh, I once saw him walking on the road after you and your comapions had just dispersed and he saw your tracks.

So Abdul Qadir Jelani turned to Allah and said, 'O Allah, this man is a man who saw the tracks of our dust after we had dispersed. If you have love for us Allah, we ask you by this love to lift the punishment and torment for this slave.' At that moment, the screaming stopped.

There was a story about a man who was a wrong doer from Bani Israel. One day, on one of his journeys, he chanced upon an abid, a worshipper who was in the dessert. He saw that this worshipper was lying on his side on the ground. So, he looked at him and realised that this man was lying on his side because he was parched, so he thought to himself, 'what do I do?'. 'do I give him water and take a chance? If I am out in the dessert and I am out of water I could die. Do I leave him to his fate?' He thought that if he left this man to his fate Allah will never forgive him because he was a sinner. He came to the man and gave him some of his water thus he preferred him to himself. The man drank the water and straight away his vitality retuned so he sat up. They departed.

On the Day of Judgement, that sinful one will come and the angels of torment will grab him in order to plunge him into hell. As they are dragging him towards hell, he will see the worshipper and he will say to him, 'do you not remember me? I was that man who gave you water that day you were parched in the dessert and about to die.'

The worshipper will turn to Allah Ta'ala and say 'O Allah, this man preferred me to himself so let me intercede for him'. Allah Ta'ala will Say to him, intercede for him so when he intercedes, Allah will Say to him, 'Take him by the hand and take him into the garden with you.' So, this is the effect of Allah's love on one of His servants for someone who did something good for him once in his lifetime.

Habib Umar ibn Hafidh
Notes taken by Sister Khadija (UK)

Thank You Brother Mikael Pittam for Fwording this E-Mail

The Classical Islamic Texts Halaqa Series

2006-04-28T12:19:00.000+08:00

The Classical Islamic Text Halaqa Circle Series Bidayatul Hidayah

Bidayatul Hidayah of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

About the Text to be Studied
In this book, Bidayatul Hidayah (The Beginning of Guidance), Imam Al-Ghazali emphasizes the importance of knowledge and using it correctly at all times . From acts of obedience to relationship between God and Man. Imam Al-Ghazali shares with us how a man should order his life from hour to hour and day to day.

” No one can reach the ending until he has completed the beginning,no one can discover the inward aspect until he has mastered the outward.”

-Imam Al-Ghazali from the introduction of this book

About the Teacher
Sheykh Ismaeil al-Khatib, will guide the students. He graduated from the prestigious traditional Islamic school, Rubat Tarim in Yemen. He studied under renowned scholars and attained ijazah (authority to teach) from them. His teachers include Habib Salim as-Shateri, Sheikh Salim al-Khatib, and Shaykh Sa’ad al-Jithi.

About the Halaqa Class
Venue: Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre 19A Bali Lane
Time: 12.30 p.m till 2.30 p.m,every Sunday
Commencement Date: 14th May 2006, Sunday
Fees: $25 per month

For Information and Registration
Contact:Mu’hsin Kalimiya 91380014
Email: info@alfathhu.com
Web Site: www.alfathhu.com

Sheykh Mohd Ibrahim Class Tree of Islam Module B will start on 15May-5 June
Please visit our website for more information

Ongoing classes
Qur'an Classes (wed 8pm Sat 5.30pm)
Fiqh Classes (fridays 8pm)

www.alfathhu.com

Burdah Classes @ Al-Fathhu

2006-04-02T10:27:00.000+08:00

The Classical Islamic Texts Series
Learning how to recite in Arabic
Qasida Burdah of Imam Al-Busiri


About the Text to be Studied
Qasida Burdah (Poem of The Prophet's Cloak) is one of the most widely recited classical Arabic poems in the traditional Islamic world. The poem was composed by Imam Sharafuddin Muhammad Al-Busiri (608AH-695AH). It is arguably the greatest poem ever written in praise of the Holy Prophet(s.a.w.), eloquently honoring the exalted rank and character of the Beloved Prophet (s.a.w). The verses of The Burdah used to be commonly learned by heart Nevertheless today it is still recited in many parts of the Muslims world to invoke and promote the love that is within oneself for the Holy Prophet (s.a.w) . It is also known to have countless benefits and blessings for the reader. The Burdah is in 10 parts and has 160 verses, all of which end with the Arabic letter Meem.This is an opportunity to learn how to recite the Qasida Burdah.

About the Program
This is a 20 week structured program that teaches beginners how to recite Qasida Burdah in Arabic. The program is catered to English speaking audience, where the teaching in Tamil will be translated into English and materials will be provided in English.
Commencing: 22nd April
Saturday Nights 8 p.m till 9.30 p.m
It is a prerequisite that participants are able to read the Qur’an
All age and gender are welcome.
Venue: Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre
19A Bali Lane (opposite Sultan Mosque)
Fees: $125 for 20 lessons. 10% discount will be given registration in groups of 3 or more.
Payment can also be made monthly.

About the Teacher
Maulavi Jafar Sadhiq Deobandi teaches full time at the Al-Madrasahtul Qadiriya at Masjid Hajjah Fatimah. He has spent 14 years in formal Islamic studies training in India where he gained his accreditions for Aalim and Hafsatul Ulama. He is also a graduate from Deobandi University Maulavi Jafar is proficient in teaching the recitation of Qasida Burda.

For Information and Registration
Contact: Mu’hsin Kalimiyah 91380014
Thameemul Ansari Bin Jainullabudeen 94880448
E-Mail: info@alfathhu.com
Website : www.alfathhu.com Blog
: www.alfathhu.com/blog

Living Knowledge Al-fathhu's new Classes

2006-04-02T10:25:00.000+08:00

Read The Qur'an within 3 Months

This is a helpful bi-weekly class that will guide students from understanding the letters to the basic rules of correct recitation (tajweed) of the Holy Qur'an based on the book Ar-Ruh Al-Amin by (Hj.Muhammad Roihan Hasbullah Nst). The aim of the programme is to guide students to be able to read the Qur'an. Inshallah within 3 months. Limited to only 20 students per class.

The Teacher
Brother Abdul Shakur Hadi, studied Arabic and Islamic Studies in Abu Nour Institute in Damascus, Syria for 2 years. He will guide the students through the 3 month programme.

About The Class
Commencing:26 April Wednesday
Every Wednesdays 8p.m -9.30 p.m and Saturdays 5.30pm - 7 p.m
Venue: Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre 19 A Bali Lane
Fees: $240 for 24 Lessons, fees can also be made in two payments.

For Registration

Call Mu'hsin Kalimiyah: 91380014
E-mail: info@alfathhu.com
Web Site: www.alfathhu.com
Blog: www.alfathhu.com/blog

In House Lecture @ Darul By Sheykh Mohd Ibrahim

2006-03-23T06:37:00.000+08:00

In-House Lecture - Ust Shaykh Mohd Ibrahim

The Da'wah Division of Darul Arqam Singapore invites you to a Lecture by
renowned local scholar Ust Shaykh Mohd Ibrahim. Indeed, the speakers'
knowledge and experience in the academic and religious field promises to
make the session an interesting learning venture.

The details of the event are as follows:

25th March '06/ 1530 hrs

In-HouseLecture

'AKHLAQ ~The Measure of Man'

Ust Shaykh Mohd Ibrahim

Darul Arqam Auditorium

(32, Onan Rd, S'pore)

Al-Fathhu's Tree Of Islam

2006-03-13T22:34:00.000+08:00

Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre

The Tree of Islam: Nurturing Living Islam

The tree represents wisdom and strength. This comprehensive programme, The Tree of Islam, seeks to help little seedlings fulfill themselves into wise and fruitful Muslims. Starting with the roots, the origin of Islam, and culminating with the leaf in the sun and rain, symbolising the Muslim’s daily struggle, this course is designed to uplift the young and old. Join us in the garden of living knowledge.

Module A: From Seedling to Blossom
Islam: Its Origins and Significance
4 April – 25 April (Tuesdays)
Week 1: History of Islam
Week 2: The Message of Islam
Week 3: Embracing Mankind, The Religion of Love
Week 4: Why Is Islam Relevant Today?

Module B: From Blossom to Fruit
Traditional Theology & The Future of Islam
15 May – 5 June (Mondays)
Week 1: Why ‘Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah’?
Week 2: Who is ‘Ahlul Sunnah’?
Week 3: What is the ‘Moderate Community’?
Week 4: The Best Community

Module C: The Leaf in the Sun and Rain
Sacrifices in Our Daily Lives
3 July – 24 July (Mondays)
Week 1: Jihad Within You
Week 2: Jihad Within the Family
Week 3: Jihad at Work
Week 4: Jihad Within a Cosmopolitan Community

About The Teacher
Sheykh Mohd. Ibrahim Mohd. Kassim, is a recognised Islamic religious teacher, fluent in English, Malay, Arabic, Tamil and Urdu. He
teaches Fiqh, Tasawuf, Tafsir and Hajj courses at various institutions and mosques in Singapore. He is a MUIS-accredited Imam and Khatib
. He is also an Arbitrator at the Shariah Court of Singapore and Naib Qadi or Assistant Registrar of Muslim Marriages.
He is the founder and principal of Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre (Singapore).

Information
Venue: Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre, 19a Bali Lane

Registration

Fees: $40 per Module.

10% discount will be given for registrations in groups of three or more, or if you register for all three modules.

Contact
Mu’hsin: 91380014
E Mail: info@alfathhu.com

Please spread this Mail around, Or even post it in your blogs and news groups.

Why I reject the anarchists who claim to speak for Islam

2006-02-24T19:21:00.000+08:00

Violence in the name of Islam has done more to damage the Prophet than any Danish cartoon, argues writer Fareena Alam

Sunday February 12, 2006
The Observer

As a young British Muslim woman, watching the events of the past two weeks has been a depressing experience. One minute, we were subject to outrageously insulting caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad, a man who is beloved and central to the core of my faith; the next, the hooliganism of a small minority of Muslim protesters took centre stage. These anarchists have walked right into the hands of those who believe Muslims have nothing to offer. They have burnt down embassies, pillaged public property and threatened social order - all in the name of a prophet who, they claim, is a mercy to mankind, the same man who was known to welcome and respect ambassadors.
As a result, the standard-bearers for Western civilisation are now a bunch of untalented, ignorant and previously unknown Danish cartoonists. The editors at Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten did what they did simply because they could. Little attention was paid to the value of these images or the impact their publication would have. It was the worst kind of arrogance. The revelation that the same newspaper rejected cartoons lampooning Jesus three years ago on the grounds that they would offend their readers made their protestations of free speech seem cynical.

Freedom of speech is not absolute. It has to be in service of something, like peace or social justice. How have these cartoons, and the hypocritical defence of them, served these ideals?

Very good have a read. Written By Fareena Alam Taken from Q news Q News

Habib Umar Bin Hafiz

2006-02-17T11:41:00.000+08:00

Habib Umar Bin Hafiz will be visiting Singapore from the 27th till 28 Feb below are the details:

Monday 27 Feb 2006

Ratib & Lecture: Kesyukuran
6 pm
Masjib Abdul Aleem Siddique (90 Lorong K Telok Kurau) (lecture will be translated in to Malay)

Lecture : Mengawal Nafs
8.30 pm
Masjid Ba'alawi (5 lewis road) (lecture will be translated in to Malay)

Tuesday 28 Feb 2006

Lecture : Perjalanan Menuju Allah
1.30 pm
Masjid Hj Mohd Salleh (Makam Habib Nuh) (lecture will be translated in to Malay)

Lecture: Cinta Kepada Rasulullah (saw)
6 pm
Masjid Al-Ansar (155 Bedok North Ave 1) (lecture will be translated in to Malay)

Lecture: Rasulullah (saw) Pemimpin Masyarakat Harmoni
8.30 pm
Masjid An Nahdhah (9A Bishan St 14) (lecture will be translated in to Malay)

For more information please contact Mohamed Nassir 63460153 or 90703200

New Blogs

2006-01-28T12:48:00.000+08:00

There are two new blogs worth the visit

Courtesy of Sacred Secret
and Super Dervish

Muharram Event At Al-Fathhu

2006-01-21T10:58:00.000+08:00

On welcoming the Muharram Sheikh Mohd Ibrahim will be at Al-fathhu traditional learning center below is the schedule.

30 January 2006 Monday

6.00 pm: Short zikir and istigfar and doa for the end of the year.

7.14 pm: Maghrib Prayers and Doa for the begining of the year.

7.30 pm: Talk by the Sheikh himself

8.30 pm: Event ends with Doa.

the address is at 19a Bali Lane

For more information please contact

Mu’hsin
info@alfathhu.com

Taken from Al-Fathhu TraditionaCentre's Blog

Reading Islam

2006-01-19T14:05:00.000+08:00

Some reading list that are worth looking at.

Courtesy of Wardah Books
and Al-Fathhu TraditionaCentre

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani in Singapore

2006-01-12T23:14:00.000+08:00

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani will be in Singapore, inshaAllah. He shall be giving the following talks:

Lecture 1
From Makkah to Yathrib: Seclusion, Plurality and Understanding
Date: Friday 20 January 2006, 8.30 pm
Venue: Al-Istighfar Mosque, 2 Pasir Ris Walk

Lecture 2
Hijrah: Rejuvenating the Soul
(Followed by Dhikrullah led by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani)
Date: Saturday 21 January 2006, 8.30 pm
Venue: Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque, 90 Lorong K Telok Kurau

The Classical Islamic Texts Halaqa Circle Series

2005-12-30T15:17:00.000+08:00

al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre
The Classical Islamic Texts Halaqa Circle Series
Ya Ayyuhal Walad
of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali

About the Text to be Studied
Ya Ayyuhal Walad (Dear Beloved Son) is a book of timeless advice. It is the Imam’s reply to one of his students who wanted to know what knowledge was most beneficial. The Imam, in his reply, outlines how one should prioritise one’s life.

About the Teacher
Sheykh Ismaeil al-Khatib, will guide the students through this program. He graduated from the prestigious traditional Islamic school, Rubat Tarim in Yemen. He studied under renowned scholars and attained ijazah (authority to teach) from them. His teachers include Habib Salim as-Shateri, Sheikh Salim al-Khatib, and Shaykh Sa’ad al-Jithi.

About the Halaqa Class

Venue: Al-Fathhu Traditional Learning Centre
19A Bali Lane

Time: 12.00 p.m till 1.30 p.m, every Sunday

Commencement Date: 8th January 2006, Sunday

For Information and Registration

Contact: Mu’hsin 91380014

Email:info@alfathhu.com

Web Site: www.alfathhu.com

Importance of Islamic Education

2005-12-28T19:53:00.000+08:00

I came across this great website about traditional Islamic Education. The Directors are Kabir Helminski and Aisha Grey Henry.
The Book Foundation

Being Good

2005-12-22T12:14:00.000+08:00

The good man seeks neither a full belly nor a comfortable home.He is quick in action but cautious in speech. He goes to men possessed of the Way to be put right. - Analects of Confucius

A Seminar on Islamic Spirituality

2005-12-21T12:19:00.000+08:00

Speakers
Prof Malik Badri
Dato Aidit Ghazali
Shaykh Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Kassim
Ustaz Nazirudin Nasir
Ustaz Mohamed Ali

Topics to be covered
• My Mercy Prevails
• Mawaddah — Love and Compassion
• Love and Sacrifice
• Prayers Upon the Beloved (s)

Registration
Fee: $30.00
Lunch and notes provided. Nowseeheart CD given to all participants.
Pre-register online at www.aleemsiddique.org.sg or in person at Wardah Books.

Venue
Saturday, 31 December, 2005
9am to 4pm
Abdul Aleem Siddique Mosque (90 Lorong K Telok Kurau, Singapore)

Haul of Khawaja Habeebullah Shah

2005-11-22T15:26:00.000+08:00

The Fellowship Of The Beloved (Majlis Habeebiyah) will be having the Urs or Haul of Khawaja Habeebullah Shah. Details as follows:

Date: 26th November 2005

Venue: Kubur Kassim 426 Siglap Road (the urs will be at the open space before the Makam)

Time: 8.00am-12.30pm

8.00 a.m- Maulid/Tilawah Al-Quran

9.00 a.m- Majlis Zikir

10.15 a.m Syarahan

11.15 a.m Visiting the Makam of Khawaja Habeebullah Shah

12.00 p.m Lunch followed by Zuhur Prayer

More information about Hazart Khawaja Habeebullah Shah (qs) Click Here

The World Is Beautiful

2005-11-14T10:34:00.000+08:00

The link below is an interview with Shakyh Tosun Bayrak Al-Jerrahi. Enjoy

Enlightement Magazine

Chishti

2005-11-05T10:21:00.000+08:00

Hazart Khawaja Moinuddin Hassan Chishti (qs) Dargahajmer

A very imformative website about the famous Saint Of India (qs)

The Whirling Dervishes

2005-10-22T13:47:00.000+08:00

The Whirling Dervish are here in Singapore.

Jointly organize by ACM & Turkish Cultural Centre

There will be two performance at the ACM
23 Oct 8 p.m.
24 Oct 4 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale at the museum front desk, located at the lobby.
Asian Civilization Museum 1 Empress Place
For more information call 63323284
or e-mail them at nhb_acm@ndb.gov.sg

Click here for more information about Whirling Dervishes

Quad & Qatar??

2005-10-20T12:59:00.000+08:00

Title: Islamic Thinkers
Author: Mixed
Publisher: Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), 2005

This book should have been properly edited before it was printed.

Some puzzling quotes from the above-mentioned book:

page 5, Preface
“The Kingdom of Islam became weaker in the 17th century with the arrival of colonisers like Britain, Dutch [sic.] and Italy.”
Comment: Kingdom? Islam became weaker?

page 5, Preface
“The rise of Islam began at the end of the 18th till the 20th century.”
Comment: Amazing statement.

page 5, Preface
“Some of the earliest movers and intellectuals are Shah Wali Allah, Muhammad Abdul Wahab ...”
Comment: I dont think Muhammad Abdul Wahab would have liked being called an intellectual.

page 14, Introduction
“The majority of Britain’s Muslims are good and law-abiding citizens. Once again, the ingenuity of Muslims is challenged.”
Comment: Is the writer implying that if you’re a good citizen, you cannot be very clever? Or perhaps the writer meant ‘sincerity’ not ‘ingenuity’.

page 25, Islam and Universalism
“Today we have indeed benefited from his [Prophet’s s.a.w] teachings when UNESCO came up with the concept of life long learning in the 1970’s.”
Comment: So we benefit from Prophet’s s.a.w teaching as a result of UNESCO’s concept?

page 26, Islam and Universalism
“Many learned scholars can only front theories but fails [sic.] to execute them. However, Imam Al Ghazali taught, wrote and spread knowledge that he can execute.”
Comment: First, what does ‘front theories’ mean? Secondly, you don’t ‘execute’ knowledge, you apply it.

page 27, Islam and Universalism
“Imam Al Ghazali proved to be an icon of [sic.] learned leaders who wrote more than 400 books. One of them was Ihya Ulum Ad Din (The Rise of Knowledge). According to An-Nawawi, a writer in the thirteenth century, if all the writing materials in the world were to vanish from this world, we would still be able to survive with Ihya Ulum Ad Din only.”
Comment: 1. Imam An-Nawawi was so much more than a writer. 2. ‘Writing materials’ usually refer to pens and pencils.

page 27, Islam and Universalism
“Because of Imam Al Ghazali’s influence, the handicapped can walk fast and those who cannot appreciate melody can now be a [sic.] singer!”
Comment: MashaAllah!

page 31, Islam and Universalism
“Profile of Thinkers: Muhammad bin Abdullah ...”
Comment: Most people I have spoken to find the placing of the Prophet (s.a.w) under the heading, Profile of Thinkers, offensive and lacks in proper adaab to the Best of Creation (s.a.w).

page 52, Sufism, Arts and Nature
“The concept of a lover that is meant by Maulana Rumi was his Creator, Allah. This concept at the same time makes us realise that Maulana Rumi’s life on earth was very distant from Allah.”
Comment: How can you say that Maulana Rumi was distant from Allah?

page 52, Sufism, Arts and Nature
“During his short life, Rumi did not write books. Instead his prose and poetry, such as those in his book, Matsnawi [sic.] ...”
Comment: So did he write books or not?

page 78, Islam and Reformism
“This caused Muslims to surrender to fate, to the extent of misconstruing the concept of Quad and Qatar.”
Comment: An unfortunate misspelling of Qadha and Qadar

Islamic thinkers, very thought-provoking - Ahmad

Fall of Adam - William Chittick

2005-10-11T12:53:00.000+08:00

Several years ago William Chittick gave a lecture at our local university on Ahmad Sam'ani's view of Adam's fall as elaborated in Sam'ani's work, "The Ease of Spirits in Explaining the Names of the All-Conquering King" ("Rawh al-arwah fi sharh asma' al-malik al-fattah").

It's a fascinating and beautiful lecture (reflective of the excellence of Chittick's work in general) and I have wanted for some time to make it available online but did not feel right doing so without first obtaining Chittick's permission. I was recently put in contact with him and he has very graciously, granted permission. The lecture is now available as a podcast.

Taken from Islam From Inside

What Salad Are You?

2005-10-10T12:37:00.000+08:00

Are you an "ill-equipped traditional-minded" Muslim or a "modern-leaning, anti-traditionalist" Muslim? Between these two poles is the 'resulting salad' as Shaykh Gibril puts it.

Well, traditional or modern, all should agree that the path ahead should be the path of re-discovering the Science of Hadith: a path of learning from specialists that have been given permission to teach by their own teachers.

This book is made up of two parts. The first part is made up of essays by Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad who has devoted his life to studying Hadith from authorised traditional Ulema. The second part is a translation by Musa Furber of Shaykh ibn Hajar al-Asqalani's Nukhbat al-Fikar (Chosen Thoughts on the Nomenclature of Hadith Specialists)

Taken from Reading Santuary

Wirid of Imam Nawawi

2005-10-06T11:12:00.000+08:00

Ramadhan Mubarak!! The link below is a wirid from Imam Nawawi. It comes with both text and audio. Great website. Worth the visit.-Ahmad

Taken from Dhikr.Org Dhikir.org

The Quran and Me

2005-09-30T17:24:00.000+08:00

Etiquette with the Quran

Reviewed by: Ismail Ray

This is a translation of a text by one of the great scholars of the Islamic tradition, Imam al-Nawawi, whose other famous works include ‘Riyadh al-Salihin’ (Gardens of the Righteous) and the ‘al-Arbain’ (Forty Hadith) collection. This particular text deals with the manners of dealing with the most important book to Muslims, the Quran, and as such must be given its due if one wishes to seriously study and benefit from the Book of Allah.

The book begins in true traditional style with a certificate of authorisation or ijaza from the translator’s teacher, including the chain of transmission back to Imam al-Nawawi himself. Following this is a foreword by Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller, and an introduction by translator Musa Furber. The last two sections of the introduction include a valuable biography of Imam al-Nawawi, and a translation of Imam al-Nawawi’s own introduction to the text.

The title may lead one to believe that the book would address issues such as the necessity of ritual purity when handling the Quran and the merits of reciting certain chapters and verses. In fact, it contains not only this, but a wealth of additional information. For example, chapter titles include ‘Honoring the Folk of the Quran’ which deals with the respect that is due to the memorisers and scholars of the Quran; ‘The Etiquette of Recitation’ which addresses topics as diverse as reciting the Quran in a group to the verses of prostration; and ‘Writing the Quran and Respecting the Mushaf’ which covers the history behind the compilation of the Quran as well as the rulings on how the Quran should be handled by non-Muslims. More significant to modern times perhaps is a chapter entitled ‘The Etiquette of All People with the Quran’, the reference to people who use verses from the Quran to support their opinions without the prerequisite qualifications.

Apart from the manners pertaining to dealing with the Quran, knowledge that without a doubt is beneficial to all Muslims, there are a fair amount of legal rulings present in the book specific to the Shafi’i school of thought. Of course, this is not surprising since Imam al-Nawawi was definitely one of the foremost figures of that school. Having said that, the opinions of the other three Sunni schools are often quoted and as Musa Furber correctly states in his introduction:

“While individual rulings are important to Shafi’is, there are still vital lessons for us all. Imam al-Nawawi does not promote his madhhab, the Shafi’i school, at the expense of others.”

The book is tremendously well written, and in usual Starlatch Press fashion, it is well presented and the quality is befitting of such an important text. The text itself is superbly referenced for those who wish to study the proofs and origins of the rulings. In addition, the appendix contains a valuable set of brief biographies of all the luminaries mentioned throughout the book. Surely this is an invaluable addition to the increasing number of classical texts that are available in English, and credit is due to Musa Furber for an excellent choice. Some readers may not find the fiqh particularly useful, however it is by no means a significant proportion of the book and should not deter anyone from reading and benefiting from it. Highly recommended.

Taken from Deenport Deenport
Book available at Wardah Books

A seeker is not a seeker until he is able to find in the Quran everything that he desires- Sidi Abu Madyan

Jewels for Ramadhan

2005-09-29T18:29:00.000+08:00

Assalamu alaikum wr. wb.

Greetings To All again,

Al-Fath founder and teacher, Shaykh Ibrahim recently gave an informative and in-depth talk on the virtues of Ramadhan recently at the centre last Monday, Sept 22nd. The shaykh brought up many important points, but underlying the whole lecture were two main aspects he felt we needed to be aware of:

1. Fasting as a means of acquiring taqwa
2. The revelation of the Quran, and emphasis on reading and completing it during this month of fasting.

Taken From Al-Fathhu's Students Blog

Defending the Transgressed By Censuring the Reckless Against the Killing of Civilians

2005-09-29T17:42:00.000+08:00

A Fatwa According to the Madhhab of Imam Shafi'e by the Oxford-based Malaysian jurist, Shaykh Muhammad Afifi Al-Akiti

This fatwa was written in response to the strife and troubles afflicting the Community of Muslims, and humanity at large, in our age, day in and day out. Stress and confusion have been created by Muslims who, intentionally or not, have misinterpreted the legal discussions on warfare in Islamic Law. They set them outside their proper contexts and abuse them, turning them into justifications for their hate-inspired crimes.

Book available at Wardah Books

Do your part.Tell your friends -Ahmad

The Deeper Meaning Behind the Pillars of Islam

2005-09-25T22:59:00.000+08:00

"Next we draw attention to what required of the murid when, at the very beginning of the prayer, he desires to enter to Allah. It is neccessary for him to raise his hand as he pronounces Allahu Akhbar, for this is when he is standing with Allah; and what he needs now , by the raising of his hands, is to reach Allah, and that he should not conceal his belonging to the Path, nor, once he has entered into it, should he be neglectful of it. He should raise his hand as an expression of his bearing witness to having turned his face towards Allah,until he comes to know Him, both in particular and in the universal sense; and thus to show that he is not ashamed of belonging to those of the Path of Allah, and that he is not cut off from his Lord. Then, in the beginning of his order, he should set out with everything of which he is capable, and therefore the Order for him is to announce this publicly by saying "ALLAHU AKBAR," as he enters into the state of holiness. This is his affirmation in words, and at the same time, he is ordered to raise his hands so that action becomes manifestation of his affirmation; and this, both words and action are brought together."

Taken from "The Deeper Meaning Behind the Pillars of Islam" by Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal ar-Rifai as-Shadili.

Every chapeter, every sentence has treasures in it. A must read for every one. May Allah bless him and forgive us.-Ahmad

Book available at Wardah Books

Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad in Singapore

2005-09-24T17:06:00.000+08:00

Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad will be giving two talks in Singapore, in conjunction with the re-opening of Masjid Abdul Aleem Siddique at Telok Kurau after it was closed for restoration works.

Talk 1: The Attributes of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
Time: Friday, 30th September 2005, 8.30 pm
Venue: Masjid Abdul Aleem Siddique, 90 Lorong K Telok Kurau

Talk 2: Ramadhan — A Divine Gift
Time: Saturday, 1 October 2005, 8.30 pm
Venue: Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu, 200 Bedok Reservoir Road

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

Pick Of The Month

2005-09-21T16:50:00.000+08:00

This book is a development of Gray’s thoughts about Al Qaeda and modernity that he voiced in a previous book ‘Straw Dogs : Thoughts on humans and other animals’ in which he analyses and critiques aspects of liberal humanism. It is a book that covers a wide range of topics and will be particularly interesting for those who have an interest in current affairs, but seek a deeper understanding of the recent political events.

His central premise is that ‘Modernity’ as we in the west like to conceptualise it (being a uniform, global good in which ‘our’ values are realised) is in fact a delusion. He further suggests that the idea that there is a single way of being modern is rooted in Enlightenment ideals, even though there are differing manifestations of this as alternatively exemplified by Karl Marx and Francis Fukuyama.

But what does Al Qaeda have to do with modernity? Gray asserts that Al Qaeda and Modernity are inextricably linked. Gray makes the case for a relationship between these two seemingly unlikely bedfellows with the following: “…the belief that a new world can be hastened by spectacular acts of destruction is nowhere found in medieval times. Al Qaeda’s closest precursors are the revolutionary anarchists of late nineteenth-century Europe.” [1] He points out that there are differences between Al Qaeda
and European revolutionary anarchism in that the latter targeted public officials as opposed to civilians.

Taken from DeenPort

Book available at Wardah Books

A must read - Ahmad

What Kind Of World Do You Live In?

2005-09-18T13:23:00.000+08:00

Whatever world you live in, there is no denying that the deluge of information and opinion has ushered in a strange relativism. Information can be obtained from the ether and the only criteria to decide on its usefulness is expediency, not veracity. Opinions, be they from trained jurists or from the ubiquitous man-in-the-street, now seem to be equally valid.

The Islamica team is really doing a very good job may Allah Bless them-Ahmad

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

Talks In Singapore

2005-09-14T21:54:00.000+08:00

Some important talks held in Singapore. By Ustaz Mohd Ibrahim.
Please visit the link below to see details

Al-Fathhu's Blog

What Kind Of World Do You Live In?

2005-09-10T15:40:00.000+08:00

Click on the link below to see a 30-second video commercial by the world's leading Islamic magazine, ISLAMICA.

By the way, Issue No. 14 will arrive within a week or so.

Subscribe now so that you do not miss any issues. (Note: Wardah Books handles ISLAMICA subscription for Singapore residents only)

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

The Jihad Lecture Series

2005-09-08T15:36:00.000+08:00

"Jihad: The Struggle for Peace

No word has been so abused as the word ‘Jihad’. Jihad
has been misunderstood by the media and more
worryingly by Muslims themselves. Sadly, the gross
distortion of the concept of Jihad has led to the
senseless killing of innocent human beings. With the
rise of Global Terrorism, there is an urgent need for
Muslim Scholars to stand up and to bring to light the
correct understanding of Jihad in the Islamic
Tradition.

This series of talks has been developed to explain the
reality of Jihad; thus opening the door towards peace."

Taken From Al-Fathhu's Blog

Singapore's Intellectual and Spiritual Heritage

2005-09-07T15:37:00.000+08:00

Remember our heritage, inspire our young

Taken from Reading Sanctuary
Also seeBiographies of Singapore’s Past Ulama

If there is no past, there won't be a future- Ahmad

Conference Of The Books

2005-09-05T09:18:00.000+08:00

Terror paralyses the senses and numbs the intellect. The reflexes of the body cringe and the intellect races to understand. Like disease, terror is a state of chaos. Like health, peace is vibrant order.

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

A much needed work, a must read-Ahmad

Daily Routine

2005-09-03T20:03:00.000+08:00

Hakeemul Ummat Hazrat Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi ra used to repeatedly emphasize that one must complete his daily ma’moolat (wird) regularly. In case of a genuine excuse this may be even without wudhu’ (ablution) or while doing the daily chores . This is because that being absent after fixing a ma’mool (wird) causes loss of barakah (Divinely blessings) excessively.

Taken from Ashrafiya

Books By Moulana Shah Ashraf Ali Thanvi Wardah Books

A Must BookMark

2005-09-03T19:53:00.000+08:00

Below is a must bookmark web page- Ahmad

A Must BookMark

The Higher Criticism

2005-08-29T23:19:00.000+08:00

Orwellian drama in Saudi society

On the one hand, Saudi Arabia's religious authorities condemn Christians as cross-worshippers, on the other hand, the House of Saud is intimately intertwined with one of the most fundamentalist Christian nations in the world; America. George Bush, who swears off alcohol, condemns the teaching of evolution in state schools and believes God plays an active role in foreign policy, has all the hallmarks of a fundamentalist. In America, of course, his 'sacred' calling is tempered by Congress.

Taken from Higher Criticism

Nice,Informative and very well written-Ahmad

Words Of Wisdom

2005-08-25T18:11:00.000+08:00

Assalaamu alaikum wr. wb.

Greetings To All,

Ok, I know this is probably not a cool thing to do but I couldn't help it, I cut and paste the below quotes from another blog cos I found the sayings too irresistable and decided to copy'em instead of putting a link. Its run by a sister, and is a very informative blog (worth reading - May Allah reward her for her efforts.)
The quotes are by Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller(May Allah Bless him much) in a recent suhba he gave, they are very spiritual in nature, the quotes are contributed by those who attended the suhba, may Allah(swt) reward them for their efforts. :grin:
Alhamdulillah Ya Rabbil Alameen.
Wasalaam
Sulaiman

Taken from Salikah
Quotes:

'love is not an easy matter...' (Shaykh Abd ar-Rahman Shagouri)

"The only escape from Allah, is to Allah"- Shaykh Nuh, in response to a question that ended with: "...so theres no escape from Allah?"

'man sumut najaa' Hadith of our Beloved (saw). With the rough meaning of, 'he who keeps quiet is saved'. In relation to the topic of keeping ones speech in check.

...that darknesses and tribulations upon the heart were from the wisdom of Allah and were to teach us to appreciate the blessings we have...he used the example that love after having being rejected is more sweeter than recieving love without any effort...so the lights that come to us after the darknesses of tribulation are sweeter than just receiving blessings without having suffered for them...

...that the key to the universe is la ilaha ilAllah...that all actions are but the action of Allah...true tawheed...

...that dhikr is the reason for existence...that we should take a moment to ready ourselves for the Divine Presence before beginning our dhikr...

...that the Divine Presence is a gift...so we have to show gratitude for it...

...that dhikr without the heart connecting to Allah is not dhikr at all...

...that dhikr is the greatest joy any of us can achieve...

...that dhikr burns off the shaitaan...

...that iman, complete tawakkul and genuineness in one's slavehood defeats shaitaan..

Thank You Brother Sulaiman

Taken from Salikah
Quotes:

The Path Is Here

2005-08-25T16:31:00.000+08:00

The Path a locally produced (Singapore) magazine is finally out now.
Some articles in the magazine

Alienation & Faith
Kabir Helminski

Can Islamic Intellectual Heritage Be Recovred
William C. Chittick

How Would You Respond To The Claim That Sufism Is Bid’a
Sheykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller

I Need A Guide
Sheykh Hisham Kabbani

Pearls of the Divine Oceans
Mawlana Sheykh Nazim Adil Haqqani

Reliance On Allah
Sheykh Abdal Hakim Murad

Peace And Tranquility In The Family
Sr Ruqaiyyah Waris Maqsood

Naqshabandi Sufi Order: Way of the Siddiq
Abdul Shakur Bin Abdul Hadi

Available Now at Wardah Books
58 Bussorah St
Tel: 65 67415903

Taken from WaridPress
Wardah Books
Al-Fathhu

The Path team has done a good job. A must read!- Ahmad

Conversational Modern Standard Arabic (level1)

2005-08-24T18:45:00.000+08:00

12 week course aims to provide participants with the basic linguistic foundation in modern standard Arabic. This is a highly interactive course that engages students in Arabic conversational activities to enrich their vocabulary and understanding of the use of the language. At the end of the course, the participants will be equipped with the ability to speak basic conversational Arabic fluently.

Teacher
Zuraimi Bin Naharudin
He hold a diploma in Arabic language and a Certificate in teaching Arabic from Cairo University. He also received his education from Damascus, Syria and Cairo, Egypt.

Course Duration/ Time
Every Saturday
10am-12pm
Beginning10th Sep 05

Pre-requisite
Able to read simple Arabic

Course Fees
$65 monthly payment for 3 months
One time registration and book fee of $20

Al-Markaz LLP
58 Bussorah St
2nd Level above Wardah Books

Contact
Zuraimi 811297976

zuraimi@al-markaz.biz

When the candle goes out, all goes dark

2005-08-24T00:41:00.000+08:00

When the candle goes out, all goes dark...

"Upon visiting the Prophet’s grave the Quranic statement that kept returning to my mind was: “Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah.” (The Holy Quran, 3:144) I realized how the Sahabah must have felt on the day of Uhud when this ayah was revealed after the spread of the rumor of the Prophet being killed. Imagine, the state of these people, in the heat of battle, defending their beloved Prophet, hearing news that he is killed. Not having anything to live for, many turned back, stopped fighting, struck deeply by this statement. Some simply put down their weapons and sat down, loosing all drive to continue the struggle."

Taken from Rihla

Very well written and informative blog, a must bookmark- Ahmad

Stephen Schwartz

2005-08-23T19:49:00.000+08:00

The author of The Two Faces of Islam, Stephen Schwartz, will be in Singapore in September for a couple of talks.

Click here to go to the NUS website for more information on his talk, "The Future of the Wahhabi World Offensive" on 1 September 2005.

Click here to go to the ISEAS website for more information on his other talk, "Global Wahhabism and its Consequences" on 6 September 2005

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

A Must Read

2005-08-23T18:20:00.000+08:00

“I am the slave of the Quran while I still have life,
I am dust on the path of Muhammad, The Chosen One,
If anyone interprets my words in any other way,
I deplore that person and I deplore his words.” — Rumi

"It was as if Maulana Rumi knew that his words would be misunderstood and mistranslated, especially by those unfamiliar with Islam. As can be seen from the translation of one of his quatrains shown above, no one should interpret Rumi's speech and poetry as having meanings that do not conform to the revelation and to the practice of Islam. "

Taken from Reading Sanctuary

A must read! - Ahmad

What is Jihad?

2005-08-23T18:10:00.000+08:00