A R C H I V E S
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| gift |
| 04/02/02 at 03:23:01 |
| [slm] Here are some notes from a talk by Imam Anwar al-Awlaki from 31st March 2002. Please remember that these are my notes, may Allah swt forgive me for any mistakes i have made. inshallah i will post notes from the talks of Dr Mekaeel Maknoon, and Imam Suhaib Webb. Imam Anwar al-Awlaki is the Imam of Dar Al-Hijrah Mosque in Falls Church, Virginia. He is involved at the moment in the ongoing study of Shari'ah in Yemen. [center]The Qur’an: The Book of Tolerance Imam Anwar al-Awlaki (US)[/center] Whenever a group of Muslims meet and mention the name of Allah swt in a gathering, they will be mentioned in a better gathering by Allah swt, to an audience of angels. May Allah swt make us of the dhaakireen and dhaakiraat (men and women who are those who remember the name of Allah swt). There are two forms of tolerance (1) among ourselves - i.e. between Muslims and (2) between the Muslim ummah and other communities. We must have both forms of tolerance. An example of Muslims being tolerant towards others is that the prophets of Allah (on them be peace) would focus on the diseases which their people were suffering from, not irrelevant sins. For example Shu’aib (alayhi salaam) was sent to a people who were corrupt in their business dealings. Therefore, he focused on this, i.e. the prophets confronted their people with their specific sins. The party which is in control is asked to be tolerant, when people are being oppressed it is not relevant to ask the question of tolerance. If we look at history we see that prophet Muhammad (SAW) was tolerant. E.g. in relation to the Jews. When the prophet (SAW) migrated to Madina there were 3 Jewish tribes there whom the Prophet (SAW) approached with goodwill. He entered into an agreement with them very early on, by which they would be treated as citizens of Madina. Therefore the Muslims were responsible for protecting the citizens of Madina including the Jews, and the Jews were responsible for protecting the citizens of Madina, including the Muslims. The Prophet’s expectation was that these tribes would eventually embrace Islam. Whenever Muslims would enter into a land where there were Jews, the Muslims would make an agreement with them offering protection and giving them citizenship rights. When Spain was conquered by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, the Jewish people were forced to flee as a result of the Spanish Inquisition. The Jews originally moved to central Africa and from there to Istanbul in the heart of the Islamic caliphate, in order to be near the Muslims who offered them protection. Even though the Prophet (SAW) approached the Jews with goodwill, they attempted to assassinate him on various occasions e.g. the Banu Quraiza at the battle of Ahzab. The Muslim ummah today is experiencing widespread suffering. A truly objective observer would say that this was a result of too much tolerance from Muslims eg hundreds of thousands of Muslims are dead in Iraq - the majority of them children - and the Muslims are silent. Another historic example of tolerance is that of Salahuddin. When he captured an area during the Crusades he would release the captured enemy soldiers. There is a Western historian who says that Salahuddin showed too much tolerance, as it was these very soldiers who were able to regroup and turn the tide of the later Crusades after Salahuddin’s death. However today, we have much intolerance amongst ourselves e.g. intolerance of people who have different views, which causes problems between different sects and groups. This issue needs to be dealt with, it is an emergency. Allah swt has told us that the consequence of such differences is failure. To deal with this problem we need to: (1) study fiqh al-ikhtilaf - the fiqh of how to deal with different points of view. Differences of opinion existed even during the time of the Prophet (SAW) and his sahaabah (radiallahu ‘anhum). E.g. the Prophet’s closest advisers were Abu Bakr and ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiallahu anhuma) who always had differing views, Abu Bakr would say white and ‘Umar would say black. However, this was precisely why they were such good advisers for the Prophet (SAW), and this was the reason for having the concept of shura (forming a consensus). The Prophet (SAW) compared Abu Bakr to Ibrahim and Isa (AS) who were of a gentler and softer character, and he compared ‘Umar to Musa and Nuh (AS) who were of a firmer character. Today we need to study this area of fiqh in order to deal with the existing differences and avoid divisions. (2) We need to study fiqh al-awliyaat - the fiqh of priorities. Areas which we need to concentrate on above others e.g. at the moment we differ on issues which are not even part of the arkaan (pillars or fundamental rules) of Islam. (3) We need to approach each other with clean hearts, free of suspicion. The Imam related a hadith in which the Prophet (SAW) said that a man would be in Jannah, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiallahu anhu) discovered that this was because each night before the man slept, he purified his heart of hatred towards other Muslims. The Prophet (SAW) said that some people are keys of good and locks to evil, while others are keys to evil and locks to good. The Prophet (SAW) was talking about how we should guard our tongues. Mu’adh ibn Jabal (radiallahu anhu) asked the Prophet (SAW) ‘O Prophet of Allah, are we accountable for what we say?’ He (SAW) said ‘May your mother be bereft by your loss! Is there anything more than the harvest of the tongues that throws people on their faces into the Fire?’ (at-Tirmidhi). The Prophet was saying that what when we utter anything that could have an ambiguous meaning, Shaytaan uses this to make others suspicious and create divisions, therefore Allah swt tells us to stay away from bad suspicion because this is evil. ---------------- check back in a few days, inshallah i will post notes from Dr Mekaeel Maknoon's talk on the legal aspects of the Qur'an. [wlm] |
| 04/03/02 at 10:09:44 |
| gift |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| bhaloo |
| 04/02/02 at 09:40:11 |
| [slm] Jazak Allah khairen, this was nice. |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| Saffiyah |
| 04/02/02 at 10:47:05 |
| [slm] Jazak Allah Khairan sister for the notes.. I was at the conference but I was helping out so was not able to see many of the lectures, apart from the one with Imam Suhaib Webb at the very end. Alhamdullilah i thought it was great and can't wait for the next one, inshallah. *Am waiting for the next set of notes* ;) Take care [wlm] |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| A_Stranger |
| 04/02/02 at 13:44:14 |
| [slm] Hey, jazakallah khairan for them notes sis. I didn't get to go, so the notes are much appreciated :) Wassalaam |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| gift |
| 04/03/02 at 10:06:57 |
| [slm] Again these notes are mine - please remember that any mistakes are also mine, may Allah swt forgive me for them Dr Mekaeel Maknoon was born in Jamaica and has been actively involved in the field of Dawah for the past 25 years. He worked for a relief organisation in East Africa and is a lawyer by profession. This talk was very clever, as this is exactly the way contract law is taught. [center]The Qur’an: Its Legal Aspects Dr Mekaeel Maknoon (UK)[/center] The Qur’an was revealed to give credence to the oral contractual relationship that we make with Allah SWT. Without a proper understanding of this contract relationship we make mistakes. There are 7 aspects to this relationship: (1) Offer: Allah SWT offers us Jannah - an offer which we are free to accept or decline. (2) Acceptance which must be unqualified and unconditional. We perform the exercise of acceptance at least five times a day in 17 rakaats of our salah. To accept Allah SWT’s offer we must necessarily make salat and recite surah al-Fatihah. The acceptance is therefore fixed within an obligatory act. We demonstrate an intention to perform the obligatory act before we even perform it, therefore demonstrating that we are ready to accept Allah SWT’s offer. (3) There must be a clear intention on the part of the believer to create a legal relationship. The believer must intend to perform salah in complete sincerity, being aware that acceptance is binding, and the believer must be aware of the consequences of acceptance. Allah SWT clearly intends this to be a binding contract e.g. “…give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow…” (Surah Baqarah, ayah 25). (4) Consideration: Allah SWT has purchased from the believers their persons and their goods, and in return we are promised eternal paradise. However, Allah SWT is not in need of our persons or goods but He accepts them as consideration for Jannah. On this earth we own absolutely nothing because we have entered into a contractual relationship with Allah SWT, and have dedicated everything to Him. (5) The parties must be capable of entering into such a contract with Allah SWT. This is not an issue in relation to Allah SWT, it is only an issue in relation to man. A minor for example, lacks the ability to form such a contract e.g. the hadith which states that it is not fard for a child under the age of 7 to perform salah, because the acceptance of Allah SWT’s offer takes place in the prayer, and a minor is unable to perform a meaningful salah. Therefore because the acceptance is contained in salah, the person approaching prayer must be of sound mind. (6) The contract must have a proper legal origin. Because it originates from Allah SWT there is no question about this. (7) The contract must be capable of being performed. There is no question of Allah SWT’s ability to perform His side of the contract. Man has the capacity to make a decision. In Surah Rahman Allah SWT says that he created man and gave him articulate speech, therefore man has all the necessary elements to perform an acceptance. The contract is based on mans willingness to give everything to Allah SWT and submit completely. The Qur’an is clearly a book of laws. However, it was recited by the Prophet (SAW) and his Companions (radiallhu anhum), therefore the Qur’an is not only limited to book form. ----------- i still have to type up my notes from imam suhaib webb's talk but inshallah i'll post those notes up before friday. [wlm] |
| 04/03/02 at 10:08:45 |
| gift |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| haaris |
| 04/04/02 at 08:49:38 |
| [slm] Jazaka Allah khair for the notes, very useful. [quote]This talk was very clever, as this is exactly the way contract law is taught[/quote] Subhana Allah, do we have another lawyer on the board???? First I find another Spurs fan and now another lawyer!! If you are a lawyer, where are you geographicaly (Brum presumably?) and in terms of career? To carry the analogy on further: we can breach our contract with Allah (swt) in two ways: a minor breach that does not invalidate the contract but earns us a penalty (Allah forgives and punishes who He wills) or a major breach that goes to the fundamental root of the contract, in which case the contract is terminated (we leave the fold of Islam, a'udubillah) AND earn the penalty. And don't forget: on the Day of Judgement, there will be no smooth talking lawyers to come to our defence!! ;) [wlm] |
| 04/04/02 at 08:54:37 |
| haaris |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| gift |
| 04/05/02 at 08:12:28 |
| [slm] i'm actually studying law and arabic at the moment - in london [wlm] |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| gift |
| 04/05/02 at 08:13:58 |
| [slm] Here are my last set of notes, may Allah swt forgive me for any mistakes I have made. Inshallah these notes have benefited you. Also please remember to make du'a for our shuyukh and 'ulama. At the conference we were told that Imam Anwar al-Awlaki was being prevented from returning to the US because of his failure to cooperate with the US Justice Department, and he has had to leave his wife and children behind. We were also told during the conference that Imam Siraj Wahaj has also had his passport taken away. May Allah swt make our eeman strong enough to past the test when our time comes. Imam Suhaib Webb was born in Oklahoma city (1972). He completed his degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He is currently pursuing a Masters Degree. In addition to this he is studying Hifz of Quran, Arabic grammar as well as other sciences of the Usuul. [center]The Qur'an: The Book of Action Imam Suhaib Webb (US)[/center] Allah swt promised jannah to a certain type of people - those who work for it. Allah swt warned us of those who don't act on the Qur'an, they are like cattle, or worse than this. Do we know the Qur'an? How well do we know it? The Qur'an is proof for you, or against you. We treat the Qur'an as 'aadil - habit. We read it when someone dies, or when someone gets married, or we want to get an A in a test. Instead of reading the Qur'an we listen to Bollywood music, play X-box etc, all of these things are perceived as more 'normal' than reading the Qur'an. The Imam mentioned an example of when he was in Malaysia, he was sitting at the front of his house reading the Qur'an, and his neighbour phoned to check that everything was okay because he saw someone sitting and reading the Qur'an!! If mountains had 'aql and could understand the Qur'an they would crumble. Why do we not crumble when we are able to read it and understand the Qur'an? The Qur'an has been sent to 2 'heavy' peoples thaqlaan. These 2 peoples are mankind and Jinn. Sahih Bukhari, Aisha (RA) narrated from the Prophet (SAW) that on a day that was extremely cold and the revelation was being sent upon him, wallahi his forehead was dripping with sweat. This shows how much the Prophet (SAW) was affected by the power of the Qur'an. Aisha radiallahu 'anha was one of the greatest 'aalima's in certain areas, she was a greater scholar than many men. It has been narrated in several hadiths, that the Prophet (SAW) said whenever the revelation came upon him he would feel that he might die. Aisha radiallah 'anha narrates that one day while the Prophet (SAW) was riding his camel, he received the revelation and the camel shook from the 'weight' of the Qur'an. Ibn al-Qayyim: whoever is quick to give fatwas will go to the hellfire. E.g. Malik ibn Anas admitted when he didn't know something, otherwise he would be answerable on the Day of Judgement. Malik ibn Anas said that to say 'I don't know' is the shield of the scholar. We must be careful of speaking about the Qur'an without knowledge. Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tafsir, Surah Nisa, the Prophet (SAW) shed tears at the verse of this surah in which Allah swt says that he will call Prophet Muhammad as a witness against us or for us. He will be asked whether we did the job? The Qur'an is a book of action. Umar radiallahu 'anhu said that the muslims will lose their religion through those who are born to muslim parents. Those who are born muslim who have never experienced kufr, therefore they will not appreciate the value of eeman. The greatest gift Allah swt will give to a man or a woman (after being a muslim) is fahm - understanding. Ibn al-Qayyim said that someone who is given ikhlas from Allah swt will be saved from the path of those who earn Allah swt's anger. Those with fahm will be saved from being of those who go astray. The Qur'an is a handbook on how to be an 'abd - servant. Ibn Taymiyyah relates that people would faint on hearing the Qur'an, Asma bint Abu Bakr radiallahu 'anha would say that this is wrong because the sahaba did not do so while listening to the Qur'an. The Qur'an will act as a witness for those who act on it, not those who sit doing nothing. |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| A_Stranger |
| 04/05/02 at 17:59:18 |
| [slm] :) Once again, jazakallah khair for these notes Is there more..? :) |
| Re: Notes from Qur'an Expo |
|---|
| Anis |
| 04/23/02 at 07:10:33 |
| Great Learning...May Allah (sawt) help us to improve. Jazak Allah khair |
Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board |