Muslim Youth and Family
Welcome to Sheikhy Notes, unique website that features, videos, notes given by traditional Muslim scholars. As well my posts/articles on particular subjects. Scroll down for various topics, scholars, links, quotes and monthly archives or use search engine to find posts. Please note that articles are copyright and cannot be copied without express permission. Allah Subhanu wa Ta’ala knows best. Est. 2005, ma sha Allah.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Imam Abu L'Hassan As-Shadhali
Sheikh Abu L'Hassan As-Shadhali was asked,
"Advise me, my beloved."
He said,
"Do not move your feet, except to where you hope for Allah's reward;
do not sit, where you believe that you could become overcome, by disobeying Allah;
and not align yourself, except to he who increases your certainty.
And how few in number they are."
Iyqad al-Himam fi Sharh Al-Hikam by Ibn Ajiba page 114
"Advise me, my beloved."
He said,
"Do not move your feet, except to where you hope for Allah's reward;
do not sit, where you believe that you could become overcome, by disobeying Allah;
and not align yourself, except to he who increases your certainty.
And how few in number they are."
Iyqad al-Himam fi Sharh Al-Hikam by Ibn Ajiba page 114
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf
From his recent visit to Morrocco - sorry guys its an Arabic lesson on Purification and its importance delivered in Ramadan.
This was removed before and has been added by someone else.
This was removed before and has been added by someone else.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Annemarie Schimmel
History of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) Part one and two
Friday, December 12, 2008
Lost history - book review
This is a review of the book called "Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers and Artists" By Michael Hamilton Morgan.
When I saw the title of this book, I was intrigued and I wanted to see what information the book contains. The book reads like a historical narrative, which was something that I did not expect. It trys to explain the current situation or state Muslims find themselves into and then goes back in time to a different age. This did get annoying, after he had done this several times.
Some of the information is new to me, most information is! It's a well written book with one major draw back, there is very little is the way of original sourcing. So it is difficult to quote from a text which cannot back itself up by an original source. Of course, this book does focus on some parts of history and not others. There is a section of the text describing the defeat of the Abdurrahman al-Ghafiqi in France against Charles Martel. He also looks at the loss of Muslim Spain and the final losses of the Ottoman Empire.
There are many personalities mentioned, for example Ibn Firnas, Ahmed Celabi (both poineers in flying), Ibn Sina (his text Al-Qanun used as a medical text for over 900 years), Al-Nafis (builds on Ibn Sinas work and finds how blood cirulates), Zakaria Al-Razi (writes a text on smallpox) and many others.
Here is an interesting quote (which is also unsourced) from David King:
"Virtually all innovations in [astronomical] instrumentation in Europe up to ca. 1550 were either directly or indirectly Islamic in origin or had been conceived previously by some Muslim astronomer somewhere."
The book is worth reading for those interested in the subject and anyone new to the subject.
When I saw the title of this book, I was intrigued and I wanted to see what information the book contains. The book reads like a historical narrative, which was something that I did not expect. It trys to explain the current situation or state Muslims find themselves into and then goes back in time to a different age. This did get annoying, after he had done this several times.
Some of the information is new to me, most information is! It's a well written book with one major draw back, there is very little is the way of original sourcing. So it is difficult to quote from a text which cannot back itself up by an original source. Of course, this book does focus on some parts of history and not others. There is a section of the text describing the defeat of the Abdurrahman al-Ghafiqi in France against Charles Martel. He also looks at the loss of Muslim Spain and the final losses of the Ottoman Empire.
There are many personalities mentioned, for example Ibn Firnas, Ahmed Celabi (both poineers in flying), Ibn Sina (his text Al-Qanun used as a medical text for over 900 years), Al-Nafis (builds on Ibn Sinas work and finds how blood cirulates), Zakaria Al-Razi (writes a text on smallpox) and many others.
Here is an interesting quote (which is also unsourced) from David King:
"Virtually all innovations in [astronomical] instrumentation in Europe up to ca. 1550 were either directly or indirectly Islamic in origin or had been conceived previously by some Muslim astronomer somewhere."
The book is worth reading for those interested in the subject and anyone new to the subject.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Students attire
The student should try to wear the best clothes that are available to him. Not that he should have the latest fashion rather he should try to wear clothes that are in good condition.
He should be clean and not wear anything that causes discomfort to anyone. This includes wearing designer labels that are clearly visable or any kind of shirt that could distract others from the lesson.
The clothes need to cover the body as appropriate for each gender.
The student needs to consider the average dress of others. If they are all coming in one type of dress and you choose a different type of dress then you will stand out. This is not a good idea either.
Mobile phone must remain off or on silent unless their is a need for it; like life or death.
Do not show up the teacher by wearing clothes that are the same as them; This is not good manners.
He should be clean and not wear anything that causes discomfort to anyone. This includes wearing designer labels that are clearly visable or any kind of shirt that could distract others from the lesson.
The clothes need to cover the body as appropriate for each gender.
The student needs to consider the average dress of others. If they are all coming in one type of dress and you choose a different type of dress then you will stand out. This is not a good idea either.
Mobile phone must remain off or on silent unless their is a need for it; like life or death.
Do not show up the teacher by wearing clothes that are the same as them; This is not good manners.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Miracles of the Men of Allah
Sheikh Atabek Shukurov delievered the following Arabic text on Miracles of the Men of Allah and the following is a translation.
Sheikh Ahmed Raf’i
Imam Izzudeen Al-Farooqi states in his book, “Conduct of the Muslims;” “I was informed by Abu Al-Hafiz Muhyiudeen Abu Ishaq related from my father Sheikh Umar Al-Farooqi that he said, “I was with our master, our Sheikh Ahmed Al-Kabir Ar-Raf’i Al-Hussaini (may Allah be pleased with him) during the pilgrimage; this was the year five hundred and fifty five. We had entered Medina on the day the caravans entered it; caravans from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco, the Levitate, the lands of the non-Arabs and this was more than nine thousand people. So when we arrived at the enlightened masjid, we dismounted our mount, we walked barefooted into the sacred Muhammadan prescient until we stopped at the aromatic room of Prophethood.
He said, “Peace be upon you dear grandfather.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, “And upon you peace my dear child.” Everyone present in the sacred Masjid heard his blessed words. Their presence for this great gift was a great blessing. He yearned; he whimpered; he wept and then knelt to his knees and said,
“When afar, I would send my soul,
To kiss the Earth for me as my deputy.
This is the realm of souls come to,
So extent to me your hand, to grace my lips.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) extended his illumined, blessed hand from his bright grave, so he kissed it whilst the people looked on.
There was thousands present in the sacred precinct, when his pure hand was extended. Major scholars of the time were present; Hayat ibn Qais Al-Harni, Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, Sheikh A’qeel ibn Al-Mubaji. They grabbed his clothes and in that time they refused to follow a spiritual teacher. There was Sheikh Ahmed Al-Azhari Al-Ansari, Sheikh Sharifudeen ibn Abdussmai’i Al-Hashami Al-Abbasi present. All of creation was blessed and honoured by vision of the Muhammadan hand (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). They all swore allegiance to him, as did every scholar present, and may Allah mercy on those who did.
Sheikh Hakim At-Tirmidhi
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani relates, in the biography of Muhammad ibn Ali At-Tirmidhi, from Al-Manwi that one of his miracles was when he presented his contemporaries with all the books he wrote, they called him a disbeliever; so he threw them all into the sea. A fish swallowed them then spat then out after a few years and even now people benefit from them. He said, “Do not deny the miracles of the men of Allah, those who do not Love other than Allah (the exalted), as it is only a manifestation of truth.”
As-Sharani states in “the Answers of the ill” that Sheikh Abu Abdullah Al-Hakim At-Tirmidhi came out of one the valleys of Balkh with two books, one was the seal of the men of Allah. They denied him because of these books. They said to him, “You claim people prefer the men of Allah over the Prophets,” they were harsh because of these words. He gathered his books and put them into a chest and threw it into the Tigris. During the pangs of death, he brought out his hands from the water and brought out the chest. He said, “The owner of the sea told me that they have preserved my books until the hour. As the sacred law was revived and by teaching it.”
Imam Ghazali
One of the miracles of Muhammad ibn Muhammad At-Tusi, Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, which was narrated by Al-Yafa’i from Ibn Al-Milqa from Al-Arshi from Al-Mursi, from As-Shadhali that Sheikh Ibn Hazim came to his companions with a book.
“Do you know it?” He said.
They said, “This is the Revival.” (Revival of religious sciences)
The Sheikh, mentioned, would curse Al-Ghazali and forbid reading this book. He uncovered his body and it showed signs of lashing. He said, “Al-Ghazali came to me in a dream and called me to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When we stopped directly in front of him, he said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, he claims that I said about you, that what I did not say.” I was ordered to be beaten and I was beaten.”
Sheikh Ahmed Raf’i
Imam Izzudeen Al-Farooqi states in his book, “Conduct of the Muslims;” “I was informed by Abu Al-Hafiz Muhyiudeen Abu Ishaq related from my father Sheikh Umar Al-Farooqi that he said, “I was with our master, our Sheikh Ahmed Al-Kabir Ar-Raf’i Al-Hussaini (may Allah be pleased with him) during the pilgrimage; this was the year five hundred and fifty five. We had entered Medina on the day the caravans entered it; caravans from Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Morocco, the Levitate, the lands of the non-Arabs and this was more than nine thousand people. So when we arrived at the enlightened masjid, we dismounted our mount, we walked barefooted into the sacred Muhammadan prescient until we stopped at the aromatic room of Prophethood.
He said, “Peace be upon you dear grandfather.” The Messenger of God (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied, “And upon you peace my dear child.” Everyone present in the sacred Masjid heard his blessed words. Their presence for this great gift was a great blessing. He yearned; he whimpered; he wept and then knelt to his knees and said,
“When afar, I would send my soul,
To kiss the Earth for me as my deputy.
This is the realm of souls come to,
So extent to me your hand, to grace my lips.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) extended his illumined, blessed hand from his bright grave, so he kissed it whilst the people looked on.
There was thousands present in the sacred precinct, when his pure hand was extended. Major scholars of the time were present; Hayat ibn Qais Al-Harni, Sheikh Adi ibn Musafir, Sheikh A’qeel ibn Al-Mubaji. They grabbed his clothes and in that time they refused to follow a spiritual teacher. There was Sheikh Ahmed Al-Azhari Al-Ansari, Sheikh Sharifudeen ibn Abdussmai’i Al-Hashami Al-Abbasi present. All of creation was blessed and honoured by vision of the Muhammadan hand (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). They all swore allegiance to him, as did every scholar present, and may Allah mercy on those who did.
Sheikh Hakim At-Tirmidhi
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Nabahani relates, in the biography of Muhammad ibn Ali At-Tirmidhi, from Al-Manwi that one of his miracles was when he presented his contemporaries with all the books he wrote, they called him a disbeliever; so he threw them all into the sea. A fish swallowed them then spat then out after a few years and even now people benefit from them. He said, “Do not deny the miracles of the men of Allah, those who do not Love other than Allah (the exalted), as it is only a manifestation of truth.”
As-Sharani states in “the Answers of the ill” that Sheikh Abu Abdullah Al-Hakim At-Tirmidhi came out of one the valleys of Balkh with two books, one was the seal of the men of Allah. They denied him because of these books. They said to him, “You claim people prefer the men of Allah over the Prophets,” they were harsh because of these words. He gathered his books and put them into a chest and threw it into the Tigris. During the pangs of death, he brought out his hands from the water and brought out the chest. He said, “The owner of the sea told me that they have preserved my books until the hour. As the sacred law was revived and by teaching it.”
Imam Ghazali
One of the miracles of Muhammad ibn Muhammad At-Tusi, Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali, which was narrated by Al-Yafa’i from Ibn Al-Milqa from Al-Arshi from Al-Mursi, from As-Shadhali that Sheikh Ibn Hazim came to his companions with a book.
“Do you know it?” He said.
They said, “This is the Revival.” (Revival of religious sciences)
The Sheikh, mentioned, would curse Al-Ghazali and forbid reading this book. He uncovered his body and it showed signs of lashing. He said, “Al-Ghazali came to me in a dream and called me to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). When we stopped directly in front of him, he said, “O’ Messenger of Allah, he claims that I said about you, that what I did not say.” I was ordered to be beaten and I was beaten.”
Friday, December 05, 2008
Teachers pet
Everyone wants to have the teacher think that they are the best student and that they are the most important student in the lesson. I would even go so far as say even outside the lesson. You may also wish to distingush yourself in your teachers lessons. You want the teacher to look at you and you alone; You want to answer all the questions; You want to get all the answers right; you want to be the focus of the class.
This is an obsticle to your learning and you have to be careful because this can cause real harm. You see now you are searching for the pleasure of the teacher not the pleasure of Allah subhanu wa ta'ala. There is nothing wrong with trying to earn the teachers respect and supplications but the whole point of learning is to do it soley for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not so your teacher thinks he is a good student. If you are after this aim then you are going astray and your intention has to be renewed.
Distance yourself from this and do not let your heart accept this. Whenever you get an answer right do not think that you are a good student because you may not get next question right!
We are not saying disrespect your teacher no, we are saying have your intention clear and try not to let yourself be distracted. As this is a major distraction for any student, the line is very fine and it is necessary to be careful.
Focus on the lesson and ignore the fact that you may be the teachers pet or you may not be. Sometimes a student will want the teacher to look at him - avoid this. Do not move excessively or use any other way to attract the teachers attention. Just study in the lesson and do not let this effect you.
Do not even think about becoming the teachers pet - focus on the lesson and do not let anything distract you from understanding the lesson.
This is an obsticle to your learning and you have to be careful because this can cause real harm. You see now you are searching for the pleasure of the teacher not the pleasure of Allah subhanu wa ta'ala. There is nothing wrong with trying to earn the teachers respect and supplications but the whole point of learning is to do it soley for Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and not so your teacher thinks he is a good student. If you are after this aim then you are going astray and your intention has to be renewed.
Distance yourself from this and do not let your heart accept this. Whenever you get an answer right do not think that you are a good student because you may not get next question right!
We are not saying disrespect your teacher no, we are saying have your intention clear and try not to let yourself be distracted. As this is a major distraction for any student, the line is very fine and it is necessary to be careful.
Focus on the lesson and ignore the fact that you may be the teachers pet or you may not be. Sometimes a student will want the teacher to look at him - avoid this. Do not move excessively or use any other way to attract the teachers attention. Just study in the lesson and do not let this effect you.
Do not even think about becoming the teachers pet - focus on the lesson and do not let anything distract you from understanding the lesson.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sheikh Atabek Shukurov Nasafi
This is a glimpse of the Sira lessons that Sheikh Atabek Shukurov once held.
In the events leading to the Battle of Badr.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was given news that an army from Mecca was coming. He gathered the Muslims and all the leaders of the tribes. The Ansar had an agreement to defend the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Medina but not outside. Instead of commanding them to fight and leading them into battle like a dictator would he held a meeting to ask the leaders what to do. The emigrants confirmed that they would fight. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, "O' people advise me."
So Al-Miqdad Ibn Amar said, "O' Messenger of Allah, perform the command of Allah and you have our full support. I swear by Allah, we will not say what the tribe of Isreal said to their Prophet. "You and Lord go and fight; we are here, sitting." Rather we say you and your Lord fight and we are fighting with you. We swear by the one who sent you with the Truth; if you were to take us to Barrk Al-Ghamad (it is a city behind Mecca near Yemen) we would go with you. He thanked him and prayed good for him.
Abdullah ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said after the passing away of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he wished to exchange all his works for the words of Al-Miqdad.
Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Advise me,
O' people." Saad ibn Mu'adh said, "I reply for Al-Ansar; its is as if you mean us, O' Messenger of Allah." He replied, "I do." He said, "You truly came out for a reason and you were divinely inspired to something else. We truly believe you, trust you and testify that all you come with is the truth. We have given you our agreement and pact to hear and obey you. So go, O' Prophet of Allah, I swear by the one who sent you with the truth, if you were to immerse yourself into this sea and enter it we would go into it and no man would remain behind. Join what you will; cut off who you will; take from our wealth what you will; what you have taken is dearer to us than what you have left. I swear by the one who possesses my soul, I did not traverse this path before; nor do I have knowledge of it. We do not dislike to meet our enemies tomorrow; we are patient during war and truthful during its encounter, perhaps Allah will show that which gives you delight from us."
Source Tabaqat Ibn Sa'ad and Ibn Hisham.
Most of the Companions had little provisions and little in terms of equipment, some were without shoes.
In the events leading to the Battle of Badr.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was given news that an army from Mecca was coming. He gathered the Muslims and all the leaders of the tribes. The Ansar had an agreement to defend the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in Medina but not outside. Instead of commanding them to fight and leading them into battle like a dictator would he held a meeting to ask the leaders what to do. The emigrants confirmed that they would fight. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) asked, "O' people advise me."
So Al-Miqdad Ibn Amar said, "O' Messenger of Allah, perform the command of Allah and you have our full support. I swear by Allah, we will not say what the tribe of Isreal said to their Prophet. "You and Lord go and fight; we are here, sitting." Rather we say you and your Lord fight and we are fighting with you. We swear by the one who sent you with the Truth; if you were to take us to Barrk Al-Ghamad (it is a city behind Mecca near Yemen) we would go with you. He thanked him and prayed good for him.
Abdullah ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased with him) said after the passing away of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that he wished to exchange all his works for the words of Al-Miqdad.
Then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Advise me,
O' people." Saad ibn Mu'adh said, "I reply for Al-Ansar; its is as if you mean us, O' Messenger of Allah." He replied, "I do." He said, "You truly came out for a reason and you were divinely inspired to something else. We truly believe you, trust you and testify that all you come with is the truth. We have given you our agreement and pact to hear and obey you. So go, O' Prophet of Allah, I swear by the one who sent you with the truth, if you were to immerse yourself into this sea and enter it we would go into it and no man would remain behind. Join what you will; cut off who you will; take from our wealth what you will; what you have taken is dearer to us than what you have left. I swear by the one who possesses my soul, I did not traverse this path before; nor do I have knowledge of it. We do not dislike to meet our enemies tomorrow; we are patient during war and truthful during its encounter, perhaps Allah will show that which gives you delight from us."
Source Tabaqat Ibn Sa'ad and Ibn Hisham.
Most of the Companions had little provisions and little in terms of equipment, some were without shoes.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sheikh Hamza Yusuf
Knowledge and action parts one to six (This one works! Sorry about yesterdays post.)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Life is better...
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Wisdom is the lost property of the believer. So let them take it wherever they find it." At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.
The believer has a right to wisdom because it's his lost item and he has a rightful claim to it.
This narration springs to mind:
"I know that which you do not." Sura Baqarah 2:29
It was knowledge that raised the status of Adam (upon him peace) above the angels, "He was taught all the names." 2: 30
(Please forgive the writer for any mistakes. I hate proofreading!)
The believer has a right to wisdom because it's his lost item and he has a rightful claim to it.
I remember reading a comic, in my childhood, where there was a crime fighter who was pursing some criminals. They lead him to a garbage dump, where he found something that confused him and sent him into deep wonderment. He found a rose, a red rose, bright and clean, amongst all the rubbish; growing in the garbage dump. I still wonder about this now, even in the worst of places, there maybe something good growing. Even amongst all the rubbish, something wonderful is growing; this is almost like a person. Who may have one good trait amid many bad ones but that good trait may overcome the remainder.
I was wandering home the other day, as most of do, tired and dragging my feet. The day was officially over, at least the working day was! When a caption on a billboard caught my eye, this does not normally happen, but it seemed to draw my attention. It was an advert for a credit card, which of course none of us have! I did not notice this at first, as it was the words that make me think. The picture was of a man painting on an imaginary wall, almost. The picture made little sense but the caption make me ponder.
It read, "Life is better, when you know what’s coming." That’s it, I know I built it up a bit but it was a simple, small caption.
Life is better when you know what’s coming. This to me made perfect sense. I began thinking about how the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) had spoke, at length, in hundreds of different narrations, about the events that would come after his passing away, events leading us the Day of Judgement, the day itself, Paradise and Hellfire.
This narration springs to mind:
Abu Hurairah said, I heard the Prophet saying to Thawban, "O Thawban, what will you do when the nations call one another to invade you as people call one another to come and eat from one bowl?" Thawban said, "May my father and my mother be sacrificed for you. O Messenger of Allah! Is it because we are few?" The Prophet said, "No, on that day you (Muslims) will be many, but Allah will put weakness (wahn) in your hearts." The people asked, "What is that weakness, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "It is love for this world and dislike of death." Imam Ahmad
It has been all recorded in various books of prophetic narration. We know for instance, that Al-Mahdi will come and we know that the Dajjal then Jesus (upon him peace) will appear. There is even a narration stating that if the Day of Judgement comes and you are planting a tree, finish planting it. It is really extra-ordinary that this information has been given to us and we fail to take full advantage of it.
The main advantage of having this information is that you can prepare for events that will occur because of the knowledge given to us. It's like some who knows the stock market is going to crash and he takes his money out of the market, just before the crash. Why? because when you know what’s coming you are ready and prepare yourself. It is not a shock, it is just confirmation of what you already know.
We know that one day we will all die and we know, from the information given to us, what the questions will be and who will ask them. Life really is better for the believer in Allah because he knows what’s coming. He/she is calm and there no shock or panic, all there is, is calm. This is one of the meanings of Islam, to submit to the will of the creator. Admit that he knows what is better for you than you do. When you enter into this process, rebellion becomes submission. This goes right back to the angels protesting about the Humans placed on Earth as a vice-gerent. What was the answer that Allah (mighty and majestic) gave to the Angels?
"I know that which you do not." Sura Baqarah 2:29
Please do not misunderstand me, Allah (mighty and majestic) possesses knowledge without limit, without bounds, beyond the understanding of anything, ever, this is just an example.
It was knowledge that raised the status of Adam (upon him peace) above the angels, "He was taught all the names." 2: 30
Without knowledge events can make people say what they do not mean and do what they will regret. Knowledge can turn even the least of people into an important person. It can lift people out of the places of sin that they used to be in. Life is better with knowledge because with knowledge you'll see what is coming and it will not surprise you; when you hear the news or read a headline. You know the ways of the world and you know the rewards of the afterlife. Know that in all the nations before, believers in Allah suffered hardship from disbelievers; this is fact. So do not be surprised by what you hear, this has already happened to every nation.
We know what's coming and life is better, when you are a Muslim. You know, so what are you worried about? It is all being taken care of, better than you could ever imagine! So relax and prepare by performing your obligations and any good works. There is no need to worry, it is all going to be alright.
(Please forgive the writer for any mistakes. I hate proofreading!)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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