Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Class #1: Feb 4th Notes

“This is going to be the most exciting class ever!” – MF

“Nur dispels darkness.” - MF

Disclaimer: The quotes are paraphrased because I could not get them word for word; I tried to get the references for them so that you can look up the original quote. Also, names may be misspelled.

Nice long du`a’

Indeed all praise is to Allah. We seek refuge in Allah swt from the evil of our own souls and the evil of our actions. He who Allah guides, there is none that could misguide, and vice versa. I bear witness in Allah and his Messenger Muhammad (s). O you who believe have taqwa, and do not die except in a state of Islam. Fear your Lord who created man and woman. O you who believe have taqwa of Allah and always speak the truth, He will guide you. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has truly achieved a great thing.

Tawq ibn-Habib

“Taqwa is acting in obedience to Allah swt, in hope of His mercy.”

Correct definition of taqwa: You do righteous deeds and you act in an obedient way, hoping in the mercy of Allah, upon a light from Allah swt. Leaving acts of disobedience to Allah, out of fear of Allah, upon a light from Allah swt.

Tawq defines the two conditions for actions to be accepted. In order for an action to be accepted it must be: (a) sincere; (b) must conform to the guidance of Allah swt, sent through the Prophet (s).

Course Info

This is the Course of Light, that focuses on the Chapter of Light: Surat an-Nur, chapter 24. This course will be broken down into two eight-week parts: Feb 4th – March 27th & April 8th – May 27th.

Objectives:

1. Comprehensiveness of the Qur’an
2. Inclusiveness & thoroughness of the Shari’ah
3. Universality & generality of Islam
4. Practicality & acceptability of Islam to our social issues
5. Understand the lessons from each ayah



Our religion has been perfected, as stated in the Qur’an. This is a reminder to us, as we see the Shari’ah and the Qur’an being challenged these days, to look to Islam (specifically the Qur’an) for the answer.

Lessons from the Surah:

1. Understand the severity of committing zina
2. Observe the incident of suspicion surrounding Aisha (ra)
3. Understanding the meaning of seeking permission before entering ones house
4. Observe the rulings of Hijab
5. The command from Allah to get married and how to keep chaste if one is unable to get married



Goals:

By the end of this course, students will be able to…

1. Understand the punishment behind committing zina
2. Understand al-Ifk (the slander) and the punishment for slandering
3. Understand the etiquette of entering one’s home
4. Understanding the implications of Hijab in Islam
5. Understand the importance of marriage in Islam



The Importance of Knowledge

Imam Ajurni (ra) : “The seeker of knowledge should know that Allah has made worship obligatory upon the Muslim, and that this worship is not possible without knowledge. Therefore, seeking knowledge is also obligatory. Ignorance does not befit the Believer, so the Believer should seek knowledge to dispel ignorance. Allah swt sets the terms for ibadah. The seeker of knowledge should strive hard in this quest, be sincere, and not be amazed with himself. Acknowledge this is a favor upon him by Allah – Allah gave him this knowledge, and the ability to pursue it.”

Summary

1. Worship is obligatory upon a believer
2. Worship isn’t possible without knowledge
3. Seeking knowledge is obligatory because you cannot worship without knowledge
4. Ignorance is not befitting a believer
5. Knowledge dispels ignorance
6. A person should continue to seek knowledge their whole life



A seeker of knowledge should…

1. Be very sincere; if you compromise your sincerity in the pursuit of knowledge, then you are no longer pursuing knowledge
1. If you are insincere, knowledge will take you to Hellfire. Knowledge will not come, except for those who come for Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala.
2. Strive hard to seek knowledge – the more you put in, the more you get out
3. Should not become amazed at themselves, avoid arrogance
4. Acknowledge that this is a favor from Allah swt on him



If we’re not interested in learning, it is either a) we don’t really have the truth; b) we are ignorant, happy with this, and do not understand this treasure we have.

“We have to humble ourselves for knowledge, and be very patient.” - MF

“Knowledge is beautified with adab. Talking too much leads a person to losing their haya`. A person should remain reserved and maintain a level of seriousness. The importance of silence; it covers your sins.” - Shaykh X

If you do not thoroughly understand something, and you do not know it well, do not speak of it. `Ilm is not something to be amused by – it is serious. This knowledge is your deen. It rules your life.

The nobility of any science is determined by its subject matter. The knowledge of Tafsir is the most noble of all sciences. The subject matter here is the words of Allah swt. “This is the Book that We have sent down full of blessings…” (Surah Saad, Verse 29) Every minute that you spend in studying it, is blessed.

Sahih Muslim, pg. 2074: “There is not a group of people that come together (in the Houses of Allah*), mentioning Allah, reciting His book and studying on it, that angels surround them and they will be showered with the mercy of Allah swt, and tranquility will descend upon them. And Allah swt mentions them amongst those that are in Heaven….”

*mentioned in some ahadith, not specified in others

“There is not a group of people that come together in a gathering and remember Allah, they will not leave that gathering until it is said to them as they leave, “Get up! Allah has forgiven your sins! And your sins (your faults) have been replaced with good deeds.” (Albani)

The statements and stories of the scholars are some of the most inspirational for students seeking knowledge.

“No man or woman seeks a path of knowledge, that Allah does not make them a path to Paradise.” (status of knowledge, it’s a hadith)

Surat an-Nur – The Light

This surah is all about social issues, decency and chastity, penal laws. Penal laws provide social and moral standards, that helps provide order within the society. Islam has a very unique way of achieving its objectives. It is not all about hudood (laws), but also developing moral excellence within the community.

Why set severe punishments? There must be two things for order to be maintained: a) ilzam – to force and b) iltizam – to commit. You need the enforcement and you need the commitment. If people commit, then you don’t need enforcement. Surat an-Nur helped with establishing this.

It’s Name

It is named “The Light” because…

1. it contains the light of guidance
2. it often mentions & discusses light
3. it talks about Allah swt as the light of the heavens and the earth



The Beautiful Beginning

The link between this surah and the previous surah. In Surat al-Muminoon, the previous surah, Allah swt says “Sucessful are the Believers. They are protective of their chastity.” Then in Surat an-Nur, Allah swt tells the Believers how they can protect their chastity. It teaches you how to achieve this great status in life. Allah swt also talks about creation, and how creation can preserve itself and rise itself to a noble state of existence.

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