.: Learn whilst you can :.

As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

In his book ‘Al-Tibyan fi Adaab Hamalat al-Qur’aan’, Imam al-Nawawi says when describing the true student of the Qur’an:

“And from the recommended etiquettes is that he (or she ) strives with his studies at all times in which he is able (to study). He should not be satisfied with a little when he is capable of much, and he should not overburden himself in case he becomes bored or loses what he has attained - and this will differ with people and situations.

He should exert effort and make himself work hard (to attain the ‘ilm) during his free time when he is active, has strength of body and sharpness of mind… indeed ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) said “Gain understanding before gaining leadership” meaning strive hard whilst you are followers before you become leaders because truly, once you’ve become leaders who are followed, you’ll be prevented from learning and studying due to your high rank and busyness. And this is also the meaning of Imam al-Shafi’ee’s saying “Gain understanding (of the deen) before becoming a leader for when you become a leader, there will be no path to tafaqquh (gaining understanding of this Deen).”

al-Tibyan fi Adaab Hamalat al-Qur’aan

By Imam al-Nawawi

Published by Maktabat al-Safaa

The Shepherd’s Path!

As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah

Date: 25th, 26th, 27th July and 2nd, 3rd Aug

Instructor: Ustadh Muhammad Alshareef

Venue: To Be Confirmed 

Course fee: Currently at a discounted £87 (price will go up in July)

Course to cover: The epic journey of the greatest man to walk the face of this earth. A story of struggle, deep belief, sincerity, strength and true success. From Makkah to Madinah, we follow the footsteps of the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) & his companions from birth till death.

Join us in this captivating Double Weekend Degree seminar that will insha’Allah make you grow in awe, love and deep recognition of the Final Messenger to Mankind.

Enrol Now! http://www.almaghrib.org/enroll.php#UK

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2 Discount schemes:

* Honouring the Huffaadh: All Huffaadh (who’ve memorised the Qur’aan) can attend the course for free insha’Allah!

* Power of 10: If I can get 10 people together, then each person only needs to pay £77.

I’m currently trying to get 10 people together through this blog - so insha’Allah if you’re reading this and want to get this discount, let me know asap so I can include you!

Please contact me or leave a message in the comments box if you are interested in any of the above.

Places are going fast my brothers and sisters, save yourselves a nice seat!  

Allaah Alone is One

As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah

Reading through Soorat Maryam had me thinking of various points, one of which was the repetitive use of the word فرد as opposed to the word واحد - they both mean ‘one’/single/alone etc but people tend to use them interchangeably. I wondered if there was more to this & then I noticed that throughout the Qur’aan when it speaks of Mankind being raised up and the wrongdoers brought to Allaah for judgement it says that they will come, فرادى (alone) and the word waahid is not mentioned as much.

So why is this the case if they both mean the same thing?!

Well, do they both mean exactly the same thing?

No actually, not if we dig deep enough.

They say that:

الفرد: لا يفيد الانفراد من القرن
والواحد : يفيد الانفراد من القرن في الذات أو الصفة

In other words, the term fard has no special connotation to it, and the one who is described as being fard is one that is alone, with no special value or rank. He is completely alone and carries nothing of material gain or even honour in some cases. This is in contrast to the term waahid which indicates that although the person is one and alone, they have شأن (status), degree and is distinguished from others. They are alone but yet they carry with them much more, like respect, honour and value.

This is remarkable considering how Allaah `azza wa jall always describes Himself in the Qur’aan as being ‘Waahid’ and never ‘Fard’

This is also the reason perhaps, that Allah says:

أَفَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي كَفَرَ بِآيَاتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالاً وَوَلَداً
“Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Verses and says: “I shall certainly be given wealth and children.” [Maryam: 77]

وَنَرِثُهُ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْداً

“…We shall inherit from him all that he talks of (i.e. wealth and children), and he shall come to Us alone (fardan)” [Maryam: 80] - i.e. without all the materialistic gains and honour/position which he had attributed to himself.

Interestingly, it also says in Soorah al-An’aam:

وَلَقَدْ جِئْتُمُونَا فُرَادَى كَمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ
“And truly you have come unto Us alone (furaada) as We created you the first time…”  [al-An'aam: 94]

In tafseer al-Kashaaf, it mentions that this verse actually came down regarding al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah who incredibly was nicknamed ‘al-Waheed’ by the people They say that he was called so due to his leadership, wealth and honour. Subhanallaah, what a powerful message then this ayah sends to him, when Allaah says, ‘You have come to Us alone’ - using the term fard instead of waahid, which corresponds to his nickname!

If you thought that was something, see what He `azza wa jall says in al-Muddathir (in those 16 verses that were revealed about al-Waleed):

ذَرْنِي وَمَنْ خَلَقْتُ وَحِيداً
“Leave Me Alone (to deal) with whom I created Alone (waheed).”

Subhanallaah! Indeed, what a humiliation for al-Waleed ibn al-Mugheerah. Truly, Allaah alone is al-Waahid al-Waheed.

Allaahu akbar.

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Differences in terms taken from: سلسة الفروق اللغوية

A Short Break

As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah

Unfortunately, there won’t be any updates for the next couple of months insha’Allaah as I try to sort out some things. You’re more than welcome to leave questions/comments & I’ll try to respond when I can bi’ithnillah.

May Allah ease our affairs. Ameen.

Scenes from Cairo

As-salaamu `alaykum

If anyone is interested in getting a look and ‘feel’ for Cairo before jetting off - these are some random pictures taken (mostly by my room mates) in the heat of summer ‘07 - click the images if you wish to englarge them.

Enjoy!

[Flying over what my sister said were the Alps... but I'm a little skeptical!] - Tabarakallah, I love mountains - a sign indeed for those who reflect.

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[Dar al-Arqam in Cairo]

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[Busy, bustling Cairo! The incidents that happen on the road can be so funny (& dangerous). We once saw a car go past and the boot was open... we looked more and there was a sheep trying to get out! lol, must've been for dinner Another time, this motorcyclist was overtaking people on the already-busy road, when this taxi-driver got really angry and tried to run him down! It was so scary, I stood watching in shock as the driver went around the motorcyclist and try to grab his shirt lol. Alhamdulillah I think although people get angry, nothing much happens in the end other than an exchange of some words. Btw, Mu7aaribah & Bint Islam, I still think the taxis look like the Police Academy cars! ]

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[This picture and the next few pictures are of Islamic Cairo - including the qal3a (fort) of Salaahuddin]

[Now you can see how populated Cairo is!]

[Beautiful... overlooking the city is just incredible masha'Allah]

 

[This is a picture of a notice in Masjid Sultan Hasan where the 4 madh-habs (schools of fiqh) were taught. Each had a seperate entrance and teaching ground. The next picture below shows for example, the entrance for those studying Fiqh al-Malikiyyah]

[Courtyard of the masjid - don't ask what those hanging things are! I think they're lamps]

[These ancient gates are so beautiful masha'Allaah]

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Below are a few pictures of the pyramids - yeah, they are pretty huge. One time these tourists entered one of the tombs, but the only way to enter was to walk in backwards. I saw them try to enter (was trying my hardest not to laugh) and I thought subhanallah, imagine walking into a grave backwards, lol how more ‘backward’ can things get huh?]

[Egyptian guards and patrol are so hilarious subhanallaah. One time we asked these 2 traffic wardens for the exact place a certain bus was due to arrive (there were no signs) and they start to discuss it amongst themselves! I was thinking 'please, just tell us where it usually comes, we're late for something & I know the bus is coming any second now..' So they pointed out a place just a few yards down & told us to wait there as it always stops there. We went along with some other locals, and stood there for a few minutes. Alhamdulillah the bus finally came... but surprise surprise, it sped past us fast and stopped like a good 100m-200m down the busy highway! Lol I couldn't believe it. We all looked at the guards who just laughed and shrugged. Yeah, we had to sprint for the bus - along with all the locals, men women and children (who I can't believe didn't know the bus stop either! This is a bus that comes like every 1/2 hour). Everyone was so mad and shouting, but I was in stiches because it was so hilarious, subhanallaah it must have looked so funny.

[Coming up to Islamic Cairo. This road is sooo scary - that is, when you're in a taxi One day we managed to get a really good fare with this taxi driver alhamdulillah, so we went down here when he suddenly just accelerated. Ok, one thing is I don't drive (other than the one time I drove a go-kart, after which my brother told me to give up after 1 lap lol), so putting me in a car and then pushing on the accelerator is a big No No. This driver then decided to overtake every single car, bus and donkey that were on this motorway in the picture. He was swerving in and out and dodging massive crater holes in the road at God knows what miles-per-hour. I started saying my shahadah because to top it off, there were no seat belts and my friend had just whispered that my door looked broken! lol, I'll never forget that ride, Allahul Musta'aan - I really thought maybe the driver was getting us back for the deal we struck with him haha.

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Beautiful city of Rahab:

 

It's about 25-30mins drive from Madinat al-Nasr. Such a contrast, it's really quiet, clean and somehow the air is very different (there's also existence of plush green grass & trees lol) - an excellent place for families mashaa'Allaah. Only downside is, it's pretty closed off & far from Madinat al-Nasr where all the institutes & classes are happening (but there is a bus that goes back forth - if you can find the bus stops!). As much I love Rahab & could walk from end to the other strolling and enjoying the air, Madinat al-Nasr is the place to be!

[Doesn't it look refreshing?]

Ok, I’m done - I don’t know what happened to the other pictures we took (a note to my room mates: Do you understand the amount of pictures I’ve had to sift through?! What were you guys doing! lol).

Bint Islam, if you’re around maybe you can explain what some of these pictures are (especially Islamic Cairo as you had taken them)?