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

[to enter - watch this space]

Day 2:

Start: 10:00
Finish: 18.15

[to enter - watch this space]

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

Supplication (Dua):

[to enter - watch this space]

The Fight of Our Lives

From Hadhramaut to Sylhet to Whitechapel: Reflecting on the Dawah of Shah Jalal

Globalised before Globalisation

http://www.radicalmiddleway.co.uk/events.php?id=2&art=29

Prophetic Seerah Course

The Prophetic Seerah Course taught by Shaykh Abu Sondes

Traditionally many courses on the Prophetic Seerah have provided a
descriptive account of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). This
course is unique as it provides students the essential 'analysis'
of the Prophetic Seerah by breaking down the life of the Prophet
(pbuh) into stages and looking in detail at the important lessons
that can be derived. Particular emphasis is given to the methods
of delivering the Islamic call (da'wah) to others. The Prophet
Muhammad (saw) is a model of human perfection. It is only through
the study of his life, actions and words that Muslims have hope
of following in his footsteps.

By the end of the course students should feel motivated to emulate
the responses and reactions of the perfect role model by analysing
the Seerah. They will also acquire a higher appreciation of the
events which the Prophet (saw) endured and feel inspired to attain
Allah's pleasure by identifying the most important sources of the
Seerah. The course will cover: The Purpose of Studying the Seerah,
Characteristics of the Seerah, Sources of the Seerah, and Lessons
from the Prophetic Seerah.

Revialism and Change Seminar - Part 3

"Just as the blood revives the mind and circulates through the body and to the heart, the same analogy can be used for those individuals who revive the nations of people, reboosting the society around them by regenerating the minds and intellects." (Shaykh Haytham Tamim)

This one day course will look at the concept of 'revivalism and how certain individuals from the past and present have made a significant change to the society at large. Renewal known as Arabic as Tajdeed is bound by certain conditions and limits.

This course will unravel many revivalists from the past and present who have made a noteworthy contribution to the world we live in today. Revivalism in Islam is to come back to the true spirit of the faith through facing many challenges and obstacles.

Objectives: By the end of the course students will be able to;

Students will feel encouraged to make change and apply what they have learnt practically by looking at the revivalists who have made an impact on our world.

1. To improve their quality in conduct and character.
2. To feel motivated to make change by looking at those in the past and present who are known as revivalists.
3. To understand how to face challenges and obstacles and not be deterred from striving to make change through the spirit of optimism.
4. To connect students to role models of the past and not those role models who can mislead us in the present age.

Contents:

• * How the Prophet (saw) made change through following the rules of this life
• * The conditions followed by the Prophet (saw) when making change
• * Revivalism in context to educational, spiritual and political achievements
• * To learn about the characteristics of the revivalists and understand their reality
• * The conditions of revivalism and change in general
• * Analysis of the circumstances which were around the revivalists'
• * Historical view on the revivalist mujaddidoon and the concept of revivalism Tajdeed
• * Islam and Citizenship
• * Islam in the West today

One Day Intensive Marriage Course -

Marriage and Divorce - A course conducted by Shaykh Michael Mumisa in conjunction with the Salam project.