Sheikhy Notes

Imam Zaid Shakir

2012-01-29T12:43:00.000Z

Be Committed to God

Murder and War

2012-01-28T13:30:00.000Z

Murder and War

Its part of our society isn’t it? Take a cursory glance at media and you will see millions of imagines depicting violence. Have you ever seen a cover of a movie without someone holding a gun on it? Take a look at all the popular games on the consoles that your children are playing. Many involve killing vast array of opponents until you reach the end of a level and where a big boss awaiting. And what do you have to do to win? Kill it. Some games even involve the unconscious justification of killing Muslims.

What is this teaching them? They have to be ruthless and they have to smart to kill or remove all their obstacles that are in their lives. We watch movies with people fighting others and sometimes killing each other but the one who survives has to be ruthless.

Is it any wonder that we see so much violence in our societies now? Is it any wonder that life is cheap now? People are killed by the thousand and we close our eyes pretending that if we keep them shut tight enough we won’t see it actually occur.

We live in times when leaders blame others for violence but who are training their commando’s? Who are those countries of free thinking nations who are teaching torture techniques to brown people? Who are those people who secretly fund two parties against each other whilst they steal all the oil? Yes it’s being stolen because those people get nothing from what they own.

In big gatherings of pretence they claim to do all this good yet that aid that was promised, that made us all look so good, was actually loans with crippling interest. Does it look good now?

Why is it that buying products here is like stealing? Who is making the money? Another fruit revolution keeps the prices down but how many poor people had to pay with their lives for my banana? For that jewel on that ring? For the gold on her hand?

Why has modern life become such a drag? All those things we rely on could be taken away because the earth’s resources are not going to last forever.

J.F. K. Said, ‘Man must put an end to war or war will put an end to man.’ We look like we are on our way out now as wars are being fought over resources as they put the smoke screen of terrorism in front of you to fool you.

‎"A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death." Martin Luther King, Jr. "Beyond Vietnam" Speech--April 4, 1967..

In G. Orwell’s 1984 there is a department that re-writes history to make its country look like a force for good and others as forces of evil. Sound familiar?

We still have a chance to change things but we need people of vision to change our societies for the better. Even though changing the government is impossible because politicians are just puppets and the real people in charge are unknown. How is that democracy when all we have is choice of puppets!

We are in real need of peace makers who negotiate and not peace makers who negotiate behind nuclear bombs.

Written in August 2010.

Hakim Archuletta

2012-01-27T13:00:00.000Z

An Introduction to the Principles of Hikmah - Natural Medicine 1

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2012-01-25T12:46:00.000Z

A gathering of Grace Luton

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

2012-01-22T13:00:00.000Z

The Beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) and our Duty Towards Him

Imam Zaid Shakir

2012-01-19T23:16:00.002Z

Domestic violence

Imam Zaid Shakir

2012-01-18T12:37:00.000Z

Respond with that is best

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2012-01-16T19:41:00.001Z

The Critical Importance of Imam Al-Ghazali

Hamza Yusuf - "The Critical Importance of Al-Ghazali in Our Times" (Fons Vitae Press) from Fons Vitae Press on Vimeo.

Imam Zaid Shakir

2012-01-15T12:46:00.001Z

Ar-Rahman

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2012-01-12T13:28:00.000Z

Love the Basis of Faith

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

2012-01-11T14:31:00.000Z

Dua

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

2012-01-10T21:50:00.001Z

How to Live in remembrance of Allah

Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2012-01-10T12:01:00.000Z

Jummah speech

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2012-01-08T12:43:00.000Z

Ashari and Maturidi

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2012-01-08T01:41:00.002Z

Raising a Good Muslim (30 years of Taqwa)

The Disputations

2012-01-07T14:30:00.000Z

Part six

1. If you have never felt sorrow then you cannot appreciate happiness.

2. It's impossible to achieve the aim without suffering R.Fripp King Crimson.

3. Having hopes in human beings is foolishness of the highest order.

4. Do not wait for things to change that you can do something about.

5. When things do not work out pick yourself up and move on.

6. Use the temporary to prepare for permanence.

7. People can only understand you as much as their own experiences.

8. If you truly want something turn your heart away from it. Then when you reach out for it then it shall be yours.

9. Sometimes the heart’s desire is distraction from the larger goal.

10. Everything has its day and when it is over it does not return. The peak
is reached only once.

11. Grief has a way of holding you tight when every other emotion lets you go.

12. "I think things happen when they are supposed to... or something stupid like that." Charlie Sheen.

13. Do not think Allah has debased you when you lose something worldly

14. Do not think Allah has raised you when you get something worldly

15. Ali ibn Abu Talib said, "Enemies are three types: Your enemy, the friend of your enemy and enemy of your friend."

16. “It is a world of disappointment; often to the hopes we most cherish, and hopes that do our nature the greatest honour.” Charles Dickens Oliver Twist p.403.

17. When Allah wants you to rely on him then he takes away what you falsely rely on. So you can call on him with a pure heart. It could be your job, your family or your business. This is His way of drawing you close to Him.

18. One of the most dangerous things in the world that you can do is think.

19. Beauty is not found externally, as that can fool you for eternity.

20. Speak and do not expect to be heard. Hear and do not wait to speak.

21. The reward for patience is so great because it is so hard.

Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2012-01-05T13:58:00.002Z

Taqwa

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Fredricks

2012-01-03T12:40:00.000Z

Book of assistance

Habib Ali Al-Jifri

2012-01-01T13:29:00.000Z

Shammail part one to eight

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-12-30T21:02:00.000Z

Fair trade - time for a Change

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-29T12:26:00.000Z

Sending Salawat upon the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-27T12:09:00.000Z

Arrogance

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-12-26T19:00:00.000Z

Jewels and pearls of the the Quran (new)

Habib Kadhim Al-Saqqaf,

2011-12-25T20:32:00.001Z

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-25T13:23:00.000Z

Having a Good opinion of your brother

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-12-23T12:57:00.000Z

Sowing the seeds (Classic)

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-21T13:21:00.000Z

Sufism and Imam Al-Ghazali

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2011-12-18T13:50:00.000Z

Mawlid

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-12-16T21:05:00.000Z

Mercy: The Distinguishing trait of Islam

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-14T13:19:00.001Z

Tabaruk/taking blessings

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-12T13:13:00.000Z

Visiting the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him)

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-11T13:18:00.000Z

Crying infront of Allah

The Benefits of reciting Surah Al-Mulk/The Dominion 67

2011-12-09T12:44:00.000Z

It was revealed in Mecca, it is thirty passages long, consisting of three hundred and thirty words and one thousand three hundred letters. (Tafsir Al-Khateeb Al-Sharabini Vol .3 P.367.)

Ibn Shihab said that is it known as the disputer as it disputes with those of the grave! (Ibid) Those of the grave meaning the two angels Munkar and Nakir who question the servant after they are buried and their relatives have gone.

All of the Quran is blessed and parts of the Quran we have been informed about their specific blessing and others we have not. One such Surah that we have been informed about its blessing is Surah Mulk.

The second line reads, “He who created death and life to test you; which of you have the best actions.” Life and death are part of our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Someone has died whilst you are reading this and somewhere a child has been born.

Notice that death comes first as this is much harder to deal with its consequences than life. When death comes it takes us out of our comfort zones as it scares us into considering our mortality. Life can be a trail for parents who do not wish to have children. They worry about provision and other unnecessary concerns.

When you ponder these meanings then you begin to think about the ephemeral nature of life and then you begin to contemplate the afterlife.

There are many hadith explaining its qualities and its benefits we shall go through some.

In the heart of every believer

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I wish that “Blessed is the Dominion” would be in the heart of every believer.” (Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak 1/253 and Qurtabi in his commentary 17/205.)

This does not just mean that we memorize it verbatim but are heedless of its meanings. Learn the meanings as well, then when you recite it you go over the meanings thus increasing your attendance in the prayer.

The following will clarify why he wanted in the heart of every believer.

Protection in the grave

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “When the deceased are placed in their grave; it comes in front of his legs and says, “There is no way for you here as he used to perform the Surah Al-Mulk.” Then it would stand before his head and say to his tongue, “There is no way for you because he used to recite Surah Al-Mulk.” Then he said, “It is protector from the punishment of Allah. It is in the Torah that whoever recites the Surah Al-Mulk has increased and become more fragrant.” (Al-Qurtabi 18/205.)

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “It is a protector; a rescuer; saving from the chastisement of the grave.” (At-Tirmidhi and Al-Hakim.)

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Surah Tabaruk protects from the punishment of the grave.” (Ibn Mardawaya.)

The grave is one of the most daunting abodes that someone will enter as it will be as you were, in the world. There is no hiding or pretending in the grave and here, in this place of maggots and worms, it comes to save you. As its recitation will protect us against being punished in the grave as the time in the grave will be longer than the time on earth, it is without comparison.

It intercedes for you

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah in the book of Allah it is but thirty passages which intercedes for a man on the day of judgement so that he taken out of the fire and entered into paradise; it is Surah the Blessed.” (Abu Dawud 1400, At-Tirmidhi 2891 and Ibn Majah 3876.)

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “There is a Surah from the Book of Allah; it is only thirty passages; it intercedes for its reader until he is forgiven. Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku." (Sura Mulk). (Narrated by Imam Ahmed, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nisai, Ibn Majah, Ibn Daris and Al-Hakim, authenticated by Ibn Mardaway and Al-Bayhaqi in Sha’ub Al-Iman.)

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Recite the Quran as it will intercede on the day of judgement for its companions.” (Muslim)

The Blessed being the word “Tabarak” which is the first word of Surah Al-Mulk. As in the early years of Islam Surah’s were known by their first words.

Do you see now its importance? It intercedes in the grave and on the day of judgement for you, when everything else has left you, it comes to help you.

Anis (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “A Surah in the Quran disputes until its reader is enters Paradise." {Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku}. (Surah Mulk). (At-Tabarani in Al-Awsat, Ibn Mardaway and Al-Diyya.)

Do you see now why the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) wanted us to memorise this Surah? It not only intercedes, it argues, it disputes, it litigates on your behalf. Do we not want this?

Recitation before sleeping

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger if Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “I have found in the book of Allah a Surah thirty passages long; whoever reads it when he sleeps thirty good deeds are written for him; thirty wrong actions are omitted and he is raised thirty degrees. Allah sends an angel to spread his wings over him and protect him from everything until he wakes up. It is the disputer who argues for it reader in the grave and it is Tabarak alldhi biyadihi l-Mulku.” (Sura Mulk) (Ad-Daylami).

It protects you whilst you sleep which is very important as you are unable to defend yourself at that time but because you read it an angel comes to protect you. Also look at the ninety other blessings that you receive for reading it.

Multitude of blessings

There are a multitude of blessings that you can attain for just a few minutes of recitation. Really, it will only take you a few minutes from beginning to end. Look again and then ponder this narration.

Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, “Allah, the Exalted, raises people up by this book and debases others by it.” (Muslim, Ad-Darqutni and Ibn Majah.)

Even if you cannot read it all then read some of this Surah or another one. The last two quls are recommended to be read before sleeping.

Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Whoever recites a letter of the book of Allah has one good deed and one good deed is worth ten similar to it. I do not say Alif, Lam Meem is a letter rather Alif is letter; Lam is letter and Meem is a letter.” (At-Tirmidhi)

It has one thousand and three hundred letters which times ten is thirteen thousand rewards for its recitation. Not bad for five minutes work!

Sheikh Haroon Hanif

2011-12-07T13:15:00.000Z

Seeking Sacred Knowledge

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-12-05T13:00:00.000Z

On Arab TV Idahat

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf witnesses miracle of Dr Umar Farooq Abdullah

2011-12-03T23:58:00.001Z

Sheikh Atabek Shukurov Nasafi

2011-12-03T12:22:00.000Z

http://www.scribd.com/doc/54545058/Sheikh-Atabek-Shukurov-Black-Magic

Course delievered from Nov 2010 onwards. If you have been effected by black magic then seek reliable local scholar for assistance and please chose the right person.

Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2011-12-01T12:46:00.000Z

Please see link for all the Sirah lectures.

http://www.seerah.co.uk/List-All-Seerah-Videos

Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2011-11-30T13:28:00.000Z

Marriage

Habib Umar bin Hafiz

2011-11-27T12:25:00.000Z

Alive In Our Hearts: An Evening of Remembrance

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Fredricks

2011-11-25T13:29:00.000Z

Book of Assistance

Sheikh Idris Watts

2011-11-23T12:49:00.000Z

Good Company

Habib Ali Al-Jifri

2011-11-21T12:48:00.000Z

The Soul, Forgiveness

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-11-20T12:42:00.001Z

Shyness, Shame and Modest Behavior (Haya')

Dr Martin Lings

2011-11-18T13:22:00.000Z

Quranic origins of Sufism

The Effect Of Sins

2011-11-16T12:45:00.003Z

The hundred and first line of the popular work of Islamic belief Jawhar At-Tawheed by Imam Laqqani (may Allah show him mercy) states, “A wrong action is with its like and good actions are multiplied by virtue.”

An evil deed is recorded as a single evil deed in contrast to good deeds which are multiplied depending on the manner in which they were performed. So the first part of this line made me ponder is there an effect of sins? There must be because it’s stated here that the punishment of a wrong an action is another of a similar kind.

This made me want to explore this matter because it was something that I had not previously looked at. We commit sins without realising that there might be recompense beyond the sin itself.

The Quran states, “The recompense of evil is a like evil.” (Sura As-Shura 42:40).

So the person who is doing a sin can fall into repetition due to fact he is repeating the sin. This could also be about those who do evil to others so are repaid evil. Sometimes things happen in our lives to us that we cannot understand but do we ask ourselves, have we done something like this to someone else? It’s a hard question to answer and it’s not easy to be honest with oneself. Mutail states that this about the Islamic penalties. (Tafsir Al-Tabarani)

Who is to blame?

Why does evil come with a like of it and who is to blame?

“Whatever good comes to you is from God; whatever evil visits you is from yourself.” Women 4:79.

Good is reward for goodness and evil is the punishment of evil. Evil deeds are what you have earned yourself as you cannot be punished for the sins of others. We have the choice whether to do an evil action or to do a good deed. Yet, we are encouraged to do abandon evil deeds and we are encouraged to perform good deeds. Because of this choice we are given more for something good than something evil. Yet ponder for a moment Allah could have evened these scales and make evil and good deeds the same. But Allah did something for us that we are not able to be grateful for.

“Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten the like of it; and whoever commits an evil deed shall only be recompensed the like of it and they shall not be wronged.” (The Cattle 6:160).

We are not wronged for the sins that we have committed because we just get one but ponder the blessing of a good action because we are given a minimum of ten. Don’t you think that that is beyond the understanding of equality of good actions? If things were equal then you would only get one! Hooray for inequality!

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) narrates that his Lord (Blessed and Exalted) said, “Allah has legislated good and evil actions.” Then he clarified, “Whoever aspires to a good action and does not perform it, Allah records one complete good deed for him. If he aspires to it then does it Allah records for him ten to seven hundred fold or an additional number. If he aspires to do an evil action and does not perform it Allah records it as one complete good action. If he aspires to perform and evil action and does it, Allah records it as one evil action.”

Al-Bukhari and Muslim. (Al-Bukhari 6126, 6491, Muslim 131, Imam Ahmed 1/130, Ibn Munda in Al-Iman 380).

Other effects

Sins also stay within you soul and cause you discomfort. Your heart is not tranquil and you endeavour to do well to the person you hurt. If you see an image or you eye catches something or you hear something you may need to struggle with yourself to free yourself from the effects of that sin.

The sin keeps repeating in your head and slowly you desire to see or hear that thing again, even though you know you should not. Some things you hear bounce around in your head and it takes some work to get rid of them. O Allah, prevent us from committing sins and if we commit sins please forgive us.

Rejection of a prophet

Rejecting a prophet is a grave sin that takes one to everlasting punishment. But before they taste that they taste it in this world or in the grave. Look at the people who rejected the prophet of their time and their punishment was to taste grievous punishment in this world and well as everlasting punishment in the next. All those people who rejected prophets were wiped off the face of the earth.

Difference of punishment for sins of the heart and the body

The sins of the heart are not punishable in this world as they are invisible to a large extent. Although the sins of the heart manifest themselves on the day of judgement that is when they are visible. The sins are disobedience, polytheism and disbelief for which the punishment is eternal.

Sinful Muslims are punished in hell for their sins but they will not be there eternally as they shall be freed eventually. These sins are grievous and their effect was not removed in the world.

Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq (may Allah be pleased with him) says, “There is nothing more destructive to the heart than sin. Sin affects the heart and eventually overwhelms it.”

I cannot affirm the source of the above quote but it seems to fit into this subject matter.

"Mischief has appeared on the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have earned; that He may give them a taste of some of (the actions) they have done, in order that they may
return." [Ar-Rum 30:41]

Imam Qushayri says, “الإشارة من البرّ إلى النَّفْسِ، ومن البحر إلى القلب./the land indicates to the soul and the sea is the heart.”

http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=3&tTafsirNo=31&tSoraNo=30&tAyahNo=41&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1

Thus sins have encompassed the being of a man and now he is deserving of punishment.

Do sins have an effect?

Good actions have a lasting effect long after they have been done. The story of Khidr and Musa in Surah Al-Kahf/The Cave shows us how good actions of a great grandfather helped the orphans who benefited from treasure he had buried.

One of punishments for a sin is to perform another like it. This is punishment as people get caught in modes and patterns of behaviour. Repentance is a key out of this pattern but the effect of the sin lingers for a time. Illegal fornication causes great loss in many separate areas of a person’s life. Loss of provision is one of many.

“No, their hearts have been sealed by the sins they have accumulated.” (Al-Mutaffifeen: 14).

Even worse than that the heart can become encrusted by their sins and worse still is that it can become blind.

“Whoever kills a believer intentionally is recompensed with Hell.” Women 4:93

Again here showing the effect of the worldly sin to its recompense in the other world.

A consequence of sinning and hiding disbelief is:

“God has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing.” The Heffer 2:7.

“In their hearts is a sickness, and God has increased their sickness.” The Heffer 2:10.

The sickness of their sins caused their hearts to be sealed. And the reason why their sickness was increased was because they refused to turn back and repent. So the punishment for this was to increase their illness which caused them justify their sins. This is a pitiful state to be in, may Allah save us from this state.

Public and private sins

Penalties for sins outward by hudud

Outward sins that are performed in the public eye are punishable by the sacred law to maintain the fear of Allah in the hearts of the believers and to prevent widespread indecency. These sins are testified to by trustworthy witnesses and credible testimonies, and of course by a Qadi. This is not the mockery that we often see portrayed and perpetrated by the media.

Sins performed in private cannot be punished by sacred law unless there are sufficient witnesses to make a case. So the sins in which no case can be brought are to be repented for in private. These sins are between one and Allah (The Exalted). Repentance for them is the only way out.

“Whatever misfortune afflicts you then it is due to what your hands have earned and He pardons much.” [Ash-Shura 42:30]

Consumption of the unlawful

The consumption of the unlawful causes the believers prayer to be unanswered. If ones profession is unlawful, he feeds and clothes himself from this unlawful wealth then he cannot expect a response to his supplication. How can we accept Allah (The Exalted) to answer our prayer when we are in a state of manifest disobedience?!

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, “Allah is pure and He does not except anything except that which is pure. Allah has commanded the believers with what he commanded the Messengers. He (the Exalted) states, “O Messengers, partake in the pure and perform righteous acts.” (Quran: the Believers 23:51.) He (the Exalted) states, “O those who believe consume the pure things of what we have provided.” (Quran: the Heffer 2:168.) Then mentioned was a man who travelled far, dishevelled and dusty. He extends his hands out to the sky, ‘O Lord; O’ Lord.’ His food is prohibited, his drink is prohibited, his clothes are prohibited and his nourishment is prohibited; how can he (expect to) be responded to?”

(Muslim 1015, At-Tirmidhi 2979 and Imam Ahmed 2/327.)

Avoiding sins

Sidi Ahmed Zarruq (may Allah show him mercy) said to put a hand ones heart and repeat these words when one inclines to a sin:

سبحان مالك الخّلق الفعّال ان يشاء يذنبكم و ياتى بالخلقِ جديد

سبع مررا مع استغفارو صلاة على النبي

أو

اللهم لا حول و لا قوة إلا بحولك وقوتك فاهب لي حولا وقوة أستعينك بهما على طاعتك

Do this frequently and it was given to Imam As-Shadhali (may Allah be pleased with him) from Sheikh Hamza Yusuf’s commentary on Poor man’s abstinence. This also removes bad whisperings.

The Way out

The way out is to turn to Allah with complete devotion and repent. Then leave the sin, the place, and the people who you do the sin around.

“Good deeds wipe out bad deeds.” (Hud: 114).

Your repentance also has an effect in this world by cleaning the heart just as water cleanses the body from filth; repentance cleans the heart from rust. Then you can be like the one mentioned in this passage:

“Save him who repents, and believes, and does righteous work , Allah shall change their evil deeds into good deeds.” Furqan 25: 70

Repenting from the effect of sins can also assist you. As it is sufficient that someone’s title be changed from worshipper to sinner.

Al-Kahf (18) has many stories embedded into the Surah one such story is that of Musa and Khidr (upon them peace). The separation of these great figures when Musa questioned Khidr (upon them peace) upon rebuilding a wall of some orphans who refused to show them any hospitality. Khidr informed Musa that the orphans had righteous grandfather and because of this he rebuilt a wall that covered some treasure. Some say it was the seventh forefather who was righteous. In any case the orphans benefited from the treasure of their righteous forefather. It is something worth pondering on how such an act benefited those who were not even born yet. Helping an orphan is something highly encouraged in Islam, as that child that you support will help others when they grow up. As well as that others are safe from his harm because he could have turned to crime.

So do not see your evil deeds as minor nor see your good deeds as major because if you see your evil deeds as minor then you won’t stop doing them and if you see your good deeds as major then you may become arrogant. The correct balance is to be hopeful and not to lose hope if you commit sins. Turn back, know that you can always turn back; Allah’s door of mercy is open for penitent hearts.

Also do not forget that one good action is worth ten for a Muslim. Do not ever lose hope, ever.

“Do not despair Allah forgives all sins.”

Quran (Az-Zumar 39:53).

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2011-11-13T12:22:00.000Z

Establishing That Special Connection to Allah & His Beloved

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-11-12T15:38:00.001Z

Guiding light clip

Hate and ignorance preaching

2011-11-10T13:30:00.000Z

It seems strange to be talking about this but as usual my pretty bonnet has a bee in it. So it’s time to do something about it and get to the root of the problem.

Increasingly we are witnessing a more radical style of preacher who is almost devoid of actual knowledge. Instead they people who want to enforce cultural norms and thus vindicating the bad aspects of the culture.

We were bemused when we first saw this and were slightly confused because what they were saying was something that seemed plausible.

Yet the more we thought about their words the more holes we found and the cheese started to smell. So let’s be clear to what they were trying to say; they negated the need to seek knowledge and informed the Muslims that their culture was fine.

Now there are positive aspects of culture and there are negative aspects. When culture backs up religion then it is positive when it goes against the religion that's when it is negative. We began to realise that even though he was not preaching hate he was preaching ignorance. It made me wonder if he was a scholar and how he could now negate the point of seeking knowledge. As knowledge is what makes someone a scholar. Was he threatened that someone would take his place or was it because he did not understand the situation that he was in? Islam is a religion of spreading knowledge so how could he sit in the seat of the minbar and be so comfortable preaching ignorance?

Hate

This is something that happens a lot and it really is causing a lot of damage to those serious students of knowledge who want to learn their religion.

As they cannot study with a teacher who continually attacks groups for their beliefs. I do think there are times when things need to be said but do we need to have bbc style repeats every time we switch on? It is really abhorrent and disgusting.

As the one preaching this is wasting time as the student needs to study not be indoctrinated. Because that is what the teacher is doing. Students are fed up of this approach to studying because it implies that the student does not know what he is talking about.

This is another way that the village mentality lives on. Do you think that I do not have a brain so you have to keep repeating the same refutation against the same group more than once a lesson? That’s what it sounds like and that is what it feels like. In reality the teacher or whoever is preaching hate. Whether he is right or wrong is another matter. The teacher is preaching hate not religion or knowledge. This seems to be plague that is running afresh in our time.

Who loses?

Everyone who hears the speaker loses as the method of hate preaching means exclusivity. In other words only him and those who follow him are the true bastions of Islam and everyone else are lairs or cheats. He loses out as he will be accountable for sins that he is unaware that he is committing.

Those people who are blindly following out of misplaced religious zeal are zealots who have lost control as they sprout racist comments because that’s what exclusive Islam brings.

It’s only you and your tribe who are right and everyone else are wrong. Racism is against so many Islamic principles but despite this, hate preachers propagate this ignorance.You see they act like Islam is their property and that only they belong to Islam. Instead of serving they are the served, instead of belonging to Islam they say Islam belongs to them, as it is only them who are the true Muslims.Is it because they feel threatened as the opposite group are spreading at increasing rate? Something that their group is not! So in order to check this they are attacking with the only way they know how by refutation.

The cure is balance

The correct balance is seen by the majority of the scholars that I have placed on this blog. The reason being that they are balanced and fair in their approach which is something we do not always see in other people.

We instead see a type siege mentality in which only those who agree with their scholar is the correct Muslims and all the rest are not true Muslims. The Islam that attracts me is the Islam that is inclusive and not the Islam that is exclusive. It is only exclusive because of their definitions.

We are not saying that all groups are correct some are clearly incorrect and need to be avoided. We do not accept those who go against the sound opinions of the four Sunni schools of Islam and those who correct Sunni beliefs. We do reject those who try to add things to the deen that are not part of it as well propagating the incorrect beliefs of their deceased ‘scholars.’

Now we disagree with certain groups and we refute them but we do not make it our lives work to incite people to attack and fight them, in some sort of misconstrued act of defence of Islam, instead it comes out as something ugly and disgusting. I would really like to see a balanced Islam emerge from the remnants of the religion that has been passed down to us. There are many sunnahs that our parents practice that have been left by other communities. So it behoves us to take the flag from them and hold it high or else we could fall where they did not.

This is meant to make people think about their actions because I do not hate anything more than a hate or ignorance preacher. The Muslims in the UK really have a lot to do if we are to be successful and you cannot preach Islam to people you hate and that’s why dawah, in this country, has not even begun.

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2011-11-09T12:20:00.000Z

Making Dua

The Disputations

2011-11-06T12:17:00.001Z

Part five

1. Reading is essential for opening the mind.

2. Visiting is essential for the opening the eyes.

3. Witnessing is essential for opening the heart

4. If you hang on long enough everything perishes.

5. Religious leaders should plant hope.

6. Little victories means the war will be won one day.

7. Never outstay your welcome.

8. You came from the realm of spirits a temporary abode to the womb then world to a temporary abode, then to the grave a temporary abode then to the day of judgement and finally to Paradise or hell your final abode.

9. Words that contain darkness and light affect the heart. The words with truth contain light that gives the heart ease. Words that contain darkness causes distress. So if you are affected by falsehood know he carries more darkness that you have light and vice versa.

10. Regret can be closer to obedience.

11. Reflect over each instance in your life to uncover meanings.

12. Often blessings are given without being worthy of them.

13. Anticipation of gratitude from people because of what you have done to them is foolishness.

14. Tears come from up on high and those around can feel the emotions flow from those who cry.

15. The difference the west and the east are that the west places invisible chains upon its people and the east put visible chains upon its people. The east has dictators that are visible and the west has dictators that are invisible, and every so often the west has a puppet change. This change distracts us from doing anything.

16. ‘He who makes the law knows better than anyone else how it should be executed and interpreted.” (P.54 Jean Jacques Rousseau the Social contract) Is this not Islam? We look to the scared law for our basis in the world.

17. Nothing is safe. All that you have can be lost in a single moment.

18. The greatest homage paid to hypocrisy is to think one is free from it.

19. Worrying about the future wastes the present.

20. I have come to the conclusion that most men cannot clean anything!

21. “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”- El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (aka Malcolm X).

Habib Umar Ibn Hafiz

2011-11-04T12:30:00.000Z

Dr Umar Farooq Abdullah

2011-11-02T13:00:00.000Z

2011 CAIR-Philadelphia banquet

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-11-01T13:18:00.000Z

On radicalization of Islam in US

Habib Muhammad As-Saqqaf and Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2011-10-30T21:14:00.000Z

Dawah without damage

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

2011-10-27T12:12:00.000+01:00

The Quran, Timothy J. Winter 17/2/11

Sheikh Nuh ha mim Keller

2011-10-26T12:57:00.000+01:00

Advice on food and health

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-10-24T12:07:00.000+01:00

10 reasons why our prayers and duas are not answered

Dr Martin Lings

2011-10-22T12:19:00.000+01:00

Quranic Concept of Afterlife

Habib Umar Ibn Hafiz

2011-10-21T12:17:00.000+01:00

In Canada

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-10-19T13:31:00.000+01:00

Western Ailment

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-10-17T12:05:00.000+01:00

Tikkun Award

Sheikh Atabek Shukurov Nasafi

2011-10-16T12:27:00.000+01:00

Taqleed

General Fiqh - Madhabs - Taqleed from Afiyah on Vimeo.

Habib Umar Ibn Hafiz

2011-10-14T12:33:00.000+01:00

The Role of the 'Ulama in Times of Crisis

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

2011-10-12T23:37:00.000+01:00

Tasawwaf ( Arabic)

Sheikh Muhammad Al -Yaqoubi

2011-10-11T12:25:00.000+01:00

Wembley Mawlid 2005

Habib Umar Ibn Hafiz

2011-10-09T12:29:00.000+01:00

Victory, Unity, Dawah

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Fredricks

2011-10-07T13:20:00.000+01:00

Slavery from Imam Bayhaqi Shu'ab Al-Iman

Video streaming by Ustream

40 Hadith of Imam An-Nawawi

2011-10-05T11:18:00.002+01:00

In the name of Allah the most merciful most compassionateEndless waves of salutations upon his most honoured Messenger Islamic Information Society

Present:40 hadith of Imam An-Nawawi with commentary by Ibn Daqiq Al-‘Id

with Sayyad Shaykh Arfan Shah Bukhari

This is a unique and unprecedented opportunity to study the well known compilation of hadith by Imam An-Nawawi through the insight of the outstanding scholar Ibn Daqiq Al-‘Id. Both brothers and sisters are welcome to attend what promises to be a course of great benefit. The course is suitable for all Muslims who desire to increase their knowledge. A vast range of topics are covered in these ahadith which should give the student a sound grounding in Islamic knowledge.

Please register your interest at www.isinsoc.org so we can prepare course materials for you.

Date: Starts Saturday 15th October 2011 until the completion of the text.

Time: Every Saturday morning at 11:30am - 12:30pm (Facilities for brothers and sisters)

Cost: This is a free course and course materials will be provided.

Venue: Islamic Information Society,(next to Sanam takeaway) 292-294 Queens Road, Halifax,West Yorkshire, HX1 4NS

Further information: Email isinsoc@gmail.com

www.isinsoc.org

Tel: 07530 463129

Sheikh Muhammad Al -Yaqoubi

2011-10-03T13:03:00.000+01:00

Mawlid SA

Shaykh Yaqoubi Moulid Speech Capetown from Zaahid Asmal on Vimeo.

Dr Umar Farooq Abdullah

2011-10-02T12:47:00.000+01:00

Proities of Islamic Law

Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah - Priorities of Islamic Law - Part1 from Greensville Trust on Vimeo.

Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah - Priorities of Islamic Law - Part2 from Greensville Trust on Vimeo.

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-09-30T13:05:00.000+01:00

Muslims in the West

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-09-27T22:30:00.000+01:00

'Id Khutba

Consideration

2011-09-25T12:48:00.001+01:00

Hey, which hadith talks about consideration?

Is it mentioned in Quran?

Where is your proof brother?

Well, brother there are things that you do not need to ask the proof for like the heat of sun. Just go outside on a sunny day and experience it.

This was something that was bothering me of late, consideration. It seems that I am frequently accused of lacking consideration in my interactions with other people. I rail road over the feelings of others without stopping to ask the question, do my actions affect them?

We are not talking about positive ways we are talking about negative ones. How many times have we seen people put shop assistants into uncomfortable positions by making absurd demands? Why is it that some people are so bad that we prepare ourselves for the worst? Why is it that so few of us are polite? Why do we push past others to get what we want? Why do we take what we want and not stop to consider our fellow man? Why do we make it difficult for others by putting family members into positions that cause problems?

The time has come for us to mature and consider our fellow human being. Have we considered that if we mock a brother he might go home and take it out on his family? Or if we are good then he might spread that goodness to others? There are many proofs for consideration that need to be considered but I am not going to do all the work for you, think deeply and you'll see them.

We really have to wonder if that frown or tinge or sadness is our fault and if it is then we must do something about it. How is it that someone will not think twice about cheating you but will not miss praying in the first line?

Don’t feel ashamed to speak in a language that others do not understand? Just so you can swear at them?

When someone is ill do you visit them?

When people are in tribulations do you ring them to see how they are? Do we allow others to struggle when we could help them? Why is it we do not say sorry when we bump into each other? Why is it that we do not see it as a problem when we strike our neighbour when we are sat listening to a religious lecture? One such person struck me in the face when we sat in a lecture once. Another time someone scratched my foot when I was sat next to him. Yet, did he see this as rude or inconsiderate? Nope to him it did not matter!

There are so many questions that we have to ask ourselves and really take a hard look at ourselves and try to think about one important question.

How does what I do effect others in a negative or positive way?

Sheikh Muhammad Al -Yaqoubi

2011-09-23T13:01:00.000+01:00

Jummah Khutba South Africa

Shaykh Yaqoubi Jumma Cape Town from Zaahid Asmal on Vimeo.

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-09-21T13:00:00.000+01:00

School life in the Usa

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

2011-09-18T13:29:00.000+01:00

Contentment

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

2011-09-16T15:33:00.000+01:00

The Power of Monetheism

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

2011-09-16T12:57:00.000+01:00

Unity walk911

Sheikh Saad Al-Attas

2011-09-14T13:30:00.000+01:00

Argumentation in Islam

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-09-13T12:54:00.001+01:00

Women's rights in Islam

Dr. Marcia Hermansen

2011-09-11T12:43:00.000+01:00

Turkey Study Workshop 2011, Women, Gender, and Society in Turkey

Prof. Marcia K. Hermansen

2011-09-09T12:39:00.000+01:00

Shah Wali Allah

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-09-07T15:40:00.000+01:00

Friday Khutbah 11/2/11

Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad

2011-09-04T15:35:00.000+01:00

Living wiht our selves

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-09-02T15:39:00.000+01:00

Respond with that is better

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-08-30T12:57:00.001+01:00

Brotherhood and Positive Action

Sheikh Tanwir Hussain

2011-08-28T13:50:00.000+01:00

Prophet of Mercy

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

2011-08-27T12:40:00.000+01:00

Mawlid South Africa

Shekh Abdul Hakim Murad

2011-08-26T13:28:00.000+01:00

Can Liberalism Tolerate Islam?

Sheikh Muhammad Al -Yaqoubi

2011-08-24T13:04:00.000+01:00

On Mawlid

Sheikh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

2011-08-22T15:52:00.002+01:00

Martyrs funeral

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2011-08-21T13:16:00.001+01:00

Adhkar of the morning

قرب الحبيب/ In the proximity of the Beloved

2011-08-20T12:45:00.002+01:00

قرب الحبيب

نزف دم من القلب

بسيف الحُب

نزع الدماء

بسيف الحزن

نزل جسدا

بسيف الألم

قد جرى الغم

كان الدنيا شجنا

بلا حدود

لو كنتُ مع الحبيب

ذهب كل شيء

خرجتُ من كل شجن

هذة مدينة وطني

إمام الحجرة الشريفة

انا سَلِم من كل كرب

قرب الحبيب

In the proximity of the Beloved

Blood poured from the heart

By the sword of love

Tears flowed

By the sword of sadness

Body fell

By the sword of pain

Grief flows

The world is a prison

Without boundaries

If only I was with the Beloved

All of it would go

I would leave the prison

This is Medinah my homeland

Before the noble grave

I am free from all anxiety

In the proximity of the Beloved

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

2011-08-18T13:11:00.001+01:00

Fajr lesson

Habib Umar Ibn Hafiz

2011-08-16T13:08:00.000+01:00

In Melbourne

Sheikh Yahya Rhodus

2011-08-14T13:03:00.000+01:00

Loving the family Part one and two

Loving the Family of the Prophet part 1 from Risala Foundation on Vimeo.

Loving the Family of the Prophet Part 2 from Risala Foundation on Vimeo.

Sheikh Atabek Shukurov

2011-08-12T12:33:00.002+01:00

Wisdom of the Quran

Wisdom from the Quran - Lesson 1A from Afiyah on Vimeo.

Wisdom from the Quran - Lesson 1B from Afiyah on Vimeo.

Sheikh Abdul hakim murad

2011-08-10T13:09:00.000+01:00

Contentment - Rida

Imam Zaid Shakir

2011-08-09T13:01:00.001+01:00

Ramadan Preparation