Journey Through the Qur'an - Day 1 & 2

I attended the first weekend of the 2 weekender', 4 days "Journey Through the Qur'an" course, located at the Birbeck College.

The first if its kind in the UK, it was rather an unknown for the students as well as lecturer on how this will be recieved. The course was taught by Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad.

Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad - He was a young man, in his mid to late 30s, who had an impressive CV and most importantly was so modest and humble with it. He was a practicing solicitor, having qualified as a teacher teaching Religious Education and then pursuing an MA in Islamic Studies. He has been studying the Qur'an for over 10 year and taken time to memorise it over the last fours years or so. Mash'Allah. He is very down to earth and approachable and most importantly has great knowledge of society, is not quick to judge on others, very straightforward and says it like it is.

I was very impressed by how much the course and Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad teaching has enlightened and serve to heighten my love for the beautiful Qur'an. It is hard to explain in words how much the Qur'an now has made a real connection to my heart, and is ever increasing Insha'Allah.

Praise goes to Allah (swt) for making this easy for the course providers to set this course up, in the least it is a building block for further courses of this kind and a motivation for others to learn more about the Qur'an Insha'Allah.

I would personally thank Hafiz Abdullah Muhammad (next weekend InshaAllah) for taking his time out to teach this course in a difficult month such as Ramadan, May Allah reward him in abundance.

Over the coming days I will publish more thoughts on the blogg about what I has enlightened me during the first 2 days of the course, the things I learnt and and some Chapters and Verses worth memorising for supplication (dua).

The course had an exceptional turnout, with an estimate of 50-75 people on the course, Alhamdullilah. If it wa not for the month of Ramadan, I think the numbers would have been double or triple that.

Day 1:

Start: 09.30
Finish: 18.30.

Approach to the study of the Qur'an - A few points noted:

• Focus on the words of Allah (swt)
• Approach the Qur'an with an 'open mind'
• Primary purpose of the Qur'an is for guidance (it is not a historical book)
• Dont try to justify your own views with the Qur'an instead surrender your views to that of the Qur'an.
• Understand the 'context' in which the Quran suras and verses were revealed and the Life of out Prophet (pbuh) and the conditions of Arabic 7th Century society
• Try and establish a 1:1 personal relationship with the Qur'an, open your hearts not just your mind to it.

If you want to speak to Allah (swt), perform Salat or/and Dua and if you want Allah to speak to you, read the Qur'an.

Some Muslims are very quick to give up their lives for the Qur'an but are not prepared to lead their lives according to it.

S: Sura V:Verse

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Day 2:

Start: 10:00
Finish: 18.15

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Memorable Chapters and Verses from the Qur'an:
[to enter - watch this space]

Supplication (Dua):

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