Heavenly Hues

December 25, 2009 | 08 Muharram, 1431 (AH)

Thematic Tafsir

An interpretation of some the themes of the Qur’an

December 18-20 & 26-27

Fridays: 7pm-10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am-8pm

Qabeelat Tayybah, NY City

http://www.tayybah.com/

The clarity you’ve been searching for.
Is found in the Qur’an. Unlock the blessings.

At the time the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, Arabia was a relatively unknown and desolate place. Yet, within 23 short years, the entire region was transformed – from barren to Blessed; the land of the Arabs became the land of the Qur’an – a fountain of knowledge and light, forming a civilization that would be unmatched in its social, economic and political success. Miraculous.

What was it that sparked this revolution?

“It was the Qur’an”.

But what of us? What place does the Qur’an occupy in our lives and hearts? Has the Qur’an benefited us the way it should?

A Book which We have sent down, full of blessings, so that they may ponder over its verses, and that men of understanding may remember [38:29]

Allah subhanahu wa ta’la describes the Believers as being unique because they ponder over what has been Revealed.

Wouldn’t you love to have this characteristic as well?

Taking a theme-based approach to the Qur’an will allow you to develop a relationship with the Word of Allah that transcends the barriers Shaytan places in your path. You will look at the Qur’an less as a ‘book’, and more as a manual to your life – as a set of guidelines that shapes your actions, and conditions your thoughts. You will find yourself amazed, pondering at the beauty of what you are reading – the Best of Speech, the Word of Allah.

Dear Seeker of Knowledge,

Take a moment to reflect upon the role the Qur’an plays in your life. Compare your priorities with the priorities Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala has set. Do you know what these priorities are? Are you falling short?
There is more to the Qur’an then reading it half-heartedly, or flipping through its pages in Ramadan. The Qur’an was revealed to be understood and lived! Has not the time come for the hearts of the Believers to be affected by this Reminder?

The time has come brothers and sisters, to stop wishing…and start living.

“the purpose of tafseer is to elaborate the principles which the Qur’an came to clarify….”

The time has come for you understand what Allah aza wa jal is telling you…

  • About TAWHEED and the Concept of God.
  • About who determines the LAWS that govern your life
  • About the people of the past and what we can LEARN from them.
  • About ETHICS and Social Responsibility and how the Qur’an has the potential to completely TRANSFORM your community and the entire world!

Understand the Qur’an the way it was meant to be understood. The knowledge is here, are you willing to seize it?

Live theMiracle…

Introducing AlMaghrib Institute’s brand new DOUBLE-WEEKEND-DEGREE Seminar Heavenly Hues: Thematic Tafseer.

We all agree that the Qur’an is a message to Mankind, but what is at the heart of this message? What is Allah telling us? Heavenly Hues: Thematic Tafseer will not only allow you to understand the reason for the Qur’an’s revelation, it will pinpoint the most important aspects of this message by analyzing verses based on their overarching themes. You will come away from this seminar understanding the objective of the Qur’an and the role it plays in defining your life.

Thematic Tafseer is the “Qur’anic science which interprets different issues and themes in view of the Qur’anic objectives through the study of one Surah or more; or through multiple Ayat.”

Finally! Solidify your understanding of the most powerful text in the world, verse by verse, chapter by chapter – and watch as your life and heart are transformed.

What’s at Stake? The cost of not knowing…

This seminar will give you TWO-WEEKENDS of in-depth study on the  major subjects and themes discussed in the Qur’an, the historical development of the science of exegesis (tafseer), and a specific look at what the Qur’an says on issues such as the purpose of life, the economic and political laws that govern a community, the stories of the people of the past, the role of women, and moral and ethical code of the Believers. What better way to increase your knowledge than to study the Word of Allah?

“then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon (their) hearts? [47:24]

Don’t be of those who leave behind the Qur’an!

By Attending this Seminar you will:

  • Finally understandwhy the Qu’ranisthe greatest miracle given to mankind.
  • Understand the evolution of Tafseer and how the scholars of the past have studied the major themes of the Qur’an
  • Have knowledge on the types and the sources of Qur’anic tafseer
  • Learn the major themes of the Qur’an along with an explanation of importance of each theme.
  • Be able to speak to others about the Qur’an with knowledge and confidence.

3 Reasons you CANNOT afford to miss this seminar:

1. Time is not on your side. If you’re busy now, chances are you’ll be busy later. Do not put your Deen on the backburner waiting for a more ‘convenient’ time to learn about Islam. Do not delay because there will come a Day when simply ‘not knowing’ is no longer an option.

2. Enter the EMANRUSH Zone. Take active steps to increase your knowledge of Allah by understanding His Book. There is no greater EmanRush. “And We have sent down the Book to you as an explanation for everything, a guidance, a mercy and glad tidings for Muslims” [16:89]

3. Unparalleled Islamic knowledge, in ENGLISH! Nowhere else will you find high quality, engaging instructors who have the knowledge and ability to transmit traditional Islamic works to an English-speaking audience without the loss of depth or impact.

What is Allah telling you?
Empower yourself. Know the Answer.

Click Here to Enroll Now

Posted in AlMaghrib Related, Events, HH: Heavenly Hues, My AlMaghrib.org, My Classrooms | 1 Comment »

Fiqh of Pregnancy

December 25, 2009 | 08 Muharram, 1431 (AH)

What have you always wanted to know about pregnancy and birth?

Are you confused about Islamic rulings regarding contraception?

What about the fiqh behind fertility?

Should a pregnant woman fast?

What happens to a child that is miscarried?

Questions, Questions, Questions!

From burden to blessing… ‘Aaishah, mother of the believers, radi Allaahu anha said: Blessed are the women of the Ansar. Shyness did not stand in their way of seeking knowledge about their religion!” (Agreed upon). Sisters, this one’s for you! Finally! Have your fiqh questions about conception, infertility, pregnancy and motherhood answered by a qualified source!

Seize the opportunity:

MUM LOVES ME PRESENTS…

For the first time ever…

Online Q & A Session

On the Fiqh of Pregnancy with Shaykh Yaser Birjas, Instructor, AlMaghrib Institute
January 14, 2010 | 8:30 PM EST (NY TIME)

This free, online session is for all sisters, whether single, married, or expecting to answer all your questions related to pregnancy, birthing, and post-pregnancy. Expand your horizons by seizing the opportunity to ask your most pressing questions in a convenient, semi-private, online setting.

Confirm your spot @ www.mumlovesme.com

Posted in Events | 8 Comments »

Da’wah to Non-Muslims

November 30, 2009 | 12 Dhul-Hijjah, 1430 (AH)

*The Audio of the event is linked at the bottom of this post*

I started writing this piece in the last few days of October, so it relates to events from just over a month ago.

Two days ago, I was invited to give a talk on “Prophets of Islam” at the Moraine Valley Community College in Chicago Land. It was hosted by the MSA via the public educational program at the campus’s library. I liked the idea of hosting these events at the library since it was open and readily accessible to the general public.

The hosts, both the MSA and the library administration, were gracious and welcoming. Oddly enough, I was given a friendly heads-up that some people in the audience might not necessarily be there to listen, but rather to argue and debate, so that I was fully aware and prepared for such a turn of events. I politely answered jokingly with a smile, “I just moved here from Texas, so don’t worry about it. I always carry my guns on me.” Seriously though, I am used to discussions and debates like these, alhamdulillah.

In my career as an Imam and religious leader, most of my work has been in the dawah arena. It is in this area that I have had the opportunity to deal and interact with people of different faiths and at different levels of education and devotion. I have spoken in churches and temples, colleges and universities, schools and libraries and an assortment of other places. I have discussed matters of faith and religion with priests and pastors, with laymen and missionaries, and all those who are in between. I always find these discussions interesting and engaging.

Not all these discussion conclude with someone’s conversion to Islam, but for sure many people have left more enlightened than when they came first. Many have even expressed their appreciation for new insights into faith and religion that they acquired from my presentation or discussions. In my talks I encourage people to ask the most pressing questions that they have about Islam. I let them know my own limits but at the same time giving them what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to discuss the topic of Islam with someone who claims to be an adherent to it, even in a position of leadership. There have been some incidents in which people have come after a long time, on one occasion after 3 years, to give their Shahada and become Muslim. These people took their time to conduct their own research, which was triggered by a casual discussion on Islam and faith.

Back to the Moraine Valley event then, many people showed up: Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Many were there to listen to the subject of “The Prophets of Islam”, while many others just gathered there out of curiosity. The presentation went smooth, but to my surprise no one wanted to ask any questions after it. I started wondering where the hostile crowd went, but sure enough after some encouragement, people started asking few questions here and there.

There was one group that remained silent while diligently taking notes– a group of middle-aged men and women. I felt that they were church members and were attending to listen and learn. But none from the group asked any question and I was eager to engage them. After I was done talking to the people, I headed towards them and I was addressed immediately by a seemingly well-educated and eloquent lady, who asked,

“You said you believed in the original book of Jesus.”

I replied, “Yes, Ma’am.”

“Where is it then? I want read it”

To this I replied, “You tell me, where is it? I want to read it too.”

Then we delved into a discussion over the origins of the bible and the difference between versions and the original text, and many other relevant topics. At the end, I could feel that the discussion shook the lady a little bit, and her eyes were filled with tears tears.

She said,”Why has no one ever told us this before?” I didn’t really have much to say at this point except inviting her to study Islam more.

Suddenly, a man from the group told her, “So what do you want? If you’re ready, why don’t you become a Muslim?”

She said: “All what I want is peace.”

“And that is Islam,” I said.

Then I turned to the man who called out to her to become a Muslim and said to him: “What about you? Why don’t YOU become a Muslim?”

To this he raised his hands and said: “I submit to the will of God.”

I said: “Well, that is Islam too.”

We exchanged phone numbers and emails, and I wished them the best in their pursuit for the truth.

Couple of weeks later I received an email. The lady gave her shahada. Alhamdulillah.

Yaser Birjas

AUDIO

[audio:http://muslimmatters.org/audio/prophetsofislam_oct2709.mp3]

Download
Prophets of Islam, Yaser Birjas

Image courtesy http://www.morainevalley.edu/

Posted in Chicago Area, Da'wah Corner, My Journal, Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

The Fiqh ruling on Jumu’ah Salat if Eid falls on Friday

November 27, 2009 | 09 Dhul-Hijjah, 1430 (AH)

Muslim jurists differed on this issue and have four opinions:

The first opinion: Jumu’ah salat is still obligatory and has to be performed on time, whether one performs Eid salat or not. And this applies for both the Imam and the congregation.

This is the position of the Hanafi, Maliki and Dhahiri schools. Ibn Qudamah in his book al-Mughni attributed this opinion to the majority of the Fuqhaa’ and Muslim Jurists.

Their evidence, according to Ibn Rushd in “Bidayatul Mujtahid” is the default ruling of Jumu’ah salat as was derived from the ayah in surat al-Jumu’ah:

“O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew…” 62:9

The binding ruling of Jumu’ah salat was also clearly established by the many ahadith in Bukhari, Muslim and other collections of hadith, and this cannot be out ruled even if Eid falls on Friday.

Jumu’ah salat is also as obligatory as Eid salat, and performing one of them does not substitute for the other. Imam Ibn Hazam rahimahullah in his book al-Muhallaa said: “And if Eid and Falls on Friday, one should pray Eid first and then Jumu’ah. This is a must, and there is no reliable evidence to prove otherwise”. He then said: “Jumu’ah is Fard and Eid is supererogatory, and the supererogatory act does not override the Fard.”

Moreover, the scenario of Eid and Jumu’ah is similar to Eid and Dhuhr salat in any other day besides Friday. Therefore, if dhuhr is required on Eid day, then Jumu’ah which is the Fard of Friday is also required and remains obligatory.

The second opinion: Jumu’ah is still obligatory on the residents of towns and cities and those who live near (a reasonable distance) from the Masjid. As for the commuters and people who reside far from the Masjid, they are then, if attended Eid salat, exempt from coming back for Jumu’ah salat. The Imam, however, is still obligated to perform Jumu’ah.

This is the opinion of Imam ash-Shafi’ ee rahimahullah, and Imam an-Nawawi in his Majmou’ attributed it to the majority of Muslim scholars.

His evidence is the narration of Abi Ubaid, as reported in Muwatta’ Imam Malik, who said: I prayed Eid salat with Uthman ibn Affan one time. He first started with salat, and then delivered the khutbah in which he said: “This day you have two Eids coming in one day, so for the people who came form al-Awaali -the suburbs and outskirts of Madinah- whoever wishes to stay for Jumu’ah, let them stay. And whoever wishes to return home, they can leave. They have my permission.” Imam an-Nawawi rahimahullah attributed it to Bukhari.

Imam ash-Shirazi rahimahullah said: “and the people are excused from attending Jumu’ah salat in general due to extreme hardship, and requiring people (of the suburbs) to return back for Jumu’ah after they have attended Eid salat would inflict a great hardship on them.”

The third opinion: Whoever attends Eid salat is pardoned from attending Jumu’ah regardless of his place of residence, for both the Imam and the congregation. The Imam however, should still offer Jumu’ah for those who wish to attend it and perform it for those who missed Eid salat.

Dhuhr salat, in this case, should still be performed in place of Jumu’ah. This opinion, due to its clear textual evidences, is the strongest opinion of all.

It is the opinion of Imam Ahamd rahimahullah, and is the preference of shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah who attributed it to a group of the companions such as Omar, Uthman, Ibn Masoud, Ibn Abbas and others, and then said: “and there is no knowledge of any disagreement among them on this.” It is also the opinion of many of the scholars of hadith.

The evidence for this is hadith Zaid ibn Arqam who said: The Prophet prayed the Eid salat on a Friday and granted a permission regarding the praying of Jumu’ah salat and said: “If anyone wants to pray it, he may pray.” Reported by Imam Ahmad and in the books of Sunan except for at-Tirmidhi. And was ruled Sahih by Ibn Khuzayma.

In the Sunan of Abu Dawood, Abu Hurayrah narrated, the Messenger of Allah said: “In this day you have two Eids, and for whomever wishes (Eid salat) will suffice him (form attending Jumu’ah) and we shall still be prying Jumu’ah.”

Shaykhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah adds: “Moreover, if someone attends Eid salat, he had already obtained the objective of the congregation (on Friday), so he prays Dhuhr if he did not attend Jumu’ah salat, dhuhr salat will remain on time and Eid salat achieves for him the purpose of Jumu’ah congregation. Keeping the obligation of Jumu’ah (binding)on people will definitely cause hardship for them, and would ruin the purpose of Eid, and the reason it was prescribed for to show joy and happiness. Hence, if people were held back from enjoying their time ( in order to attend Jumu’ah salat) Eid will cause an adverse result and negates its purpose.”

The fourth opinion: Whoever attends Eid salat is pardoned and does not have to attend any salat after that until Asr salat, i.e. both Jumu’ah and Dhuhr will no longer be required.

This is the opinion of Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah and from the companions Ibn az-Zubair. It was also reported as one opinion of Imam Ahmad.

Abdullah ibn az-Zubair radiyallahu anahu once said: “Two Eids (Eid Day and Friday)came on one Day, so he prayed two Rak’ah early in the morning and did not add anything to after that until Asr.” Ata’ reported this to Ibn Abbas when he was in Taif, and to this he replied: “The followed the Sunnah” Reported by Abu Dawood.

In refuting this final opinion, Imam al-Khattabi rahimahullah said: “This -the act of Ibn az-Zubair- could not be understood except in the context of the opinion of those who permit performing Jumu’ah prior to the time of zawal (the beginning of the time of dhuhr when the sun starts moving out of the zenith), hence Ibn az-Zubair would have prayed Jumu’ah in place of Eid and dhuhr.”

In addition to that, Ata’ who reported the incident of ibn az-Zubair also said: “On Jumu’ah time we gathered for salat but he (Ibn az-Zubair) did not come out (to lead us)so we prayed individually.” This means that they prayed dhuhr, and there is a possibility that Ibn az-Zubair did pray dhuhr in his house as well.

And Allah knows best.

Posted in Divine Link: Fiqh of Salat, Imam and Khateeb's Corner, Miscellaneous | 2 Comments »

The Literary Gems of the Qur’an at NIU

November 23, 2009 | 05 Dhul-Hijjah, 1430 (AH)
Published on Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Muslim lecturer discusses importance of Quran and unique use of language
By KATIE PETERS
For Shaykh Yaser Birjas, the Quran features some of the world’s most unique language.

The world-renowned Muslim lecturer and teacher delivered a speech titled “Quran: Book of Guidance” to the Muslim Student Association Monday night.

Muslims’ love of the Quran is similar to the way most people dote on a letter from a loved one they rarely see, Birjas said. He added that a letter will be continually reread because it embodies the person who sent it. The words of the Quran embody God.

Birjas encouraged the audience to lead an upright life and follow God’s guidance evident in religious texts like the Quran.

“If you don’t follow the instructions, blame no one but yourself,” Birjas said.

The unique linguistic style of the Arabic language used in the Quran was also discussed.

“The Quran has wonderful, wonderful style,” Birjas said. “The Arabic language is so unique because Arabs were isolated in the desert.”

Birjas said the Arabic people had limited outside influences and didn’t have written records. He added that because all communication was done orally between the same group of people.
Over time, a unique language was developed.

Arabic is the only language where one single letter can be an entire sentence, Birjas said. He added that discourse became compressed and musical for easy memorization.

“The Arabic language became perfect in a sense,” Birjas said. “If you get the message in few words, it’s a very, very powerful message.”

Learning to read and understand the Quran takes a lot of devotion.

“If you’re going to learn the Arabic language, good luck,” Birjas said. It’s going to take some time.”

Birjas said that in Arabic, the way individual letters are stressed and the scale they are spoken in are as important as the way words are pronounced.

“If you use the wrong letter, it won’t sound right and will send the wrong message,” Birjas said.
A person doesn’t have to speak Arabic to feel the impact of the Quran.

“Even if you don’t understand the Arabic language, just listening to it will bring you peace,” Birjas said.

Audience members found the speech to be beneficial.

“I think it was really informative because some of the things said here tonight were unique and unheard of,” said graduate student Ishak Shaik. “There were questions about how the Quran was revealed, and these things are not talked about generally.”

Others from the audience complemented Birjas’ speaking abilities.

“I think it was very elaborate the way he spoke,” said junior biology major Lalarukh Mukhtar. “Personally, I’d love to have him again.”

Source: http://www.northernstar.info/article.php?id=9205

Posted in Chicago Area, Events | No Comments

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