Baseera Institute will be launching on 16-20th Oct, 2009, inshallah. It is a charity dedicated to teaching the quraan to the blind and visually impaired, and is set on a similar model to Madressa Noor in South Africa.

Inshallah we will be holding braille workshops for people who wish to teach quraan to the blind and visually impaired from 16-20th Oct, 9am-5pm.

If you know anyone who is blind or visually impaired who wishes to study the quraan then bring them along, or if you are generally interested in our charity project come down.

I have attached the poster with all the details to this email [see below]. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

We also have a group on facebook ”Baseera Institute”. If you have not already done so please join and I will send you regular updates.

Click poster to enlarge.

“It is much easier to do good deeds in Ramadan because your nafs is weakened by fasting, and the shayateen are locked up. This illustrates that there is something inherently good about humanity, which shines through when worldly temptation is removed.

It’s a lesson for us to seek that [good] out within ourselves and others all year round, insha’Allah.”

An early Ramadan Mubarak to you all!

—

Have You Thanked Allah?
by Imâm Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah

Salmân al-Fârsî radhiyAllahu anhu said:
“There was a man who was given many of the luxuries of this world, and then they were taken away from him. But he continued to praise and thank Allâh until everything had been taken from him, even his bed. And then he still praised and thanked Allâh. Another man, who had also been given many of the luxuries of this world asked him, ‘What are you praising and thanking Allâh for?’ The man said, ‘I am praising and thanking Him for blessings which, if others asked me to give them to them in return for all that they have, I would never give them up.’ ‘What can they be?’ asked the second man. ‘Can’t you see?’ asked the first man. ‘I have my eyesight, my tongue, my hands, my feet…’”

Layth ibn Abî Burdah said:
‘When Allâh gathers people on the Day of Judgement, He will remind them of His blessings. One of His slaves will say: “Remind me of something,” and Allâh will say: “Remember when you faced such-and-such adversity, and you prayed to Me, so I relieved you of it. Remember when you were travelling in such and-such a place, and you asked Me to give you a travelling companion, and I did so… Remember when you asked for the hand of so-and-so the daughter of so-and-so, and others also asked for her hand, so I gave her to you to marry; and kept the others away.” His slave will be standing before his Lord, Who will remind him of His many blessings.’” Then the narrator of this story (Layth) wept and said, “I hope that no one will stand before his Lord in this way, because the one who does so will be punished.” (i.e. if Allâh has to point out that which should be obvious, this is a sign of a person’s ingratitude, and he will be punished.)

A man of knowledge said:
“The blessing of Allâh to us in keeping the luxuries of this world away from us is greater than the blessing of that which he has given us, because Allah did not like His Prophet to have the luxuries of this world. So I prefer to live in the manner which Allâh preferred for His Prophet than to live a life which He disliked for him.”

Ibn Abi’d-Dunyâ said:
“It was narrated to me that some scholars said: ‘The scholar should praise Allâh for having deprived him of the luxuries of this life, in the same way that he should praise Him for what He has bestowed upon him. How can you compare the blessings and luxuries for which he will be accountable to the deprivation of luxuries which is a relief from being tested, and which keeps his mind free to worship and remember Allâh? So he should give thanks to Allâh for all of that.’”

A man said to Abû Hâzim:
“What is the gratitude of the eyes?” He said, “If you see good things, you speak about them, and if you see bad things, you keep quiet about it.” He asked, “What is the gratitude of the ears?” He said, “If you hear something good, you accept it, and if you hear something bad, you reject it.” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of the hands?” He said, “Do not take what which does not belong to you, and do not hold back from paying the dues of Allâh (zakât).” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of the head?” He said: “To have knowledge in it.” Then he asked, “What is the gratitude of one’s private parts?” He quoted: “‘Who guard their private parts, except from those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess – for (in their case) they are free from blame, but those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors’” (al-Mu’minûn 23:5-7).

Ibn Abi’d-Dunyâ mentioned that Dâwûd (peace be upon Him) asked Allâh: “What is the least of Your blessings?” Allâh revealed to him: “O Dâwûd, take a breath.” Dâwûd did so, and Allâh told him: “This is the least of My blessings on you.”

Taken from “Uddat as-Sâbireen wa Dhâkirat ash-Shâkireen”

It’s not actually an innovation to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salam. It just depends on the manner in which you do it:

Abu Qatada Ansari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: “It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.” [Sahih Muslim]

Thus, according to the sheikh, the Prophet actually ‘celebrated’ his own birthday every week – by fasting Mondays!

So, if you’re looking to mark the blessed occasion, that’s the Sunnah way to do it. And Allah knows best.

Amazing!

—

Update (11/03/2009): The sheikh has posted an article regarding the Mawlid on MuslimMatters.org.

But what happens when your stomach doesn’t fill?

And your brain refuses to switch off?

And friends don’t pick up the phone?

So, I climbed the two and a bit flights of stairs to my room. I stood listless for a moment, in the space behind the door.

My eyes began to slowly scroll across the bookshelf, hoping that something would jump out at me. Running out of space to wander, they finally came to rest on the last book, on the uppermost shelf. My hand moved slightly, a reflex reaction, but was stopped in its tracks after my heart whispered:

“I am not clean”.

“It doesn’t matter,” my brain instantly responds, offering the relevant fiqh ruling on cue; as if it had just consulted Sheikh Google to check.

Thus, my hand followed through with its original inclination.

I opened up the book, not knowing where I would land. I threw my gaze out like a net into the open waters of the smooth pages in front of me – and this was my catch:

That is (the Bounty) whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to His Servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say: “No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin.” And if any one earns any good, We shall give him an increase of good in respect thereof: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (service).

What! Do they say, “He has forged a falsehood against Allah”? But if Allah willed, He could seal up thy heart. And Allah blots out Vanity, and proves the Truth by His Words. For He knows well the secrets of all hearts.

He is the One that accepts repentance from His Servants and forgives sins: and He knows all that ye do.

And He listens to those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, and gives them increase of His Bounty: but for the Unbelievers their is a terrible Penalty.

If Allah were to enlarge the provision for His Servants, they would indeed transgress beyond all bounds through the earth; but he sends (it) down in due measure as He pleases. For He is with His Servants Well-acquainted, Watchful.

He is the One that sends down rain (even) after (men) have given up all hope, and scatters His Mercy (far and wide). And He is the Protector, Worthy of all Praise.

And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills.

Whatever misfortune happens to you, is because on the things your hands have wrought, and for many (of them) He grants forgiveness.

Nor can ye frustrate (aught), (fleeing) through the earth; nor have ye, besides Allah, any one to protect or to help.

And among His Signs are the ships, smooth-running through the ocean, (tall) as mountains.

If it be His Will He can still the Wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the (ocean). Verily in this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful.

Or He can cause them to perish because of the (evil) which (the men) have earned; but much doth He forgive.

But let those know, who dispute about Our Signs, that there is for them no way of escape.

Whatever ye are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this life: but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting: (it is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord:

Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive;

Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;

And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.

The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah; for (Allah) loveth not those who do wrong.

But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.

The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous.

But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.

Holy Qur’an, Ash-Shura, 23-43. Translation of the meaning by Yusuf Ali.

It could have been an ayah about permissible foods. It could have been a verse on paradise and the hell fire. It could have been a section about the names and attributes of God.

Rather, it was a randomly selected set of verses that perfectly described my present situation.

And yet, I did not exclaim, “Subhanallah”. My eyes did not widen in amazement. My knees did not buckle – not even slightly.

Because I knew that would happen. I knew, before I drew the Qur’an out from its exalted position, that these are Allah’s words, and that, of course, He would show me what I needed to see.

It was no surprise to me.

When faced with a problem, I used one of two ‘extreme’ paths in my search for a solution.

Where I suspected that I knew enough to fix the problem myself, I was very secretive, independent, and head strong. Even if someone offered me advice (though it would not have been requested), I’d politely listen to them, but in my head I was thinking:

“Yeah, yeah, I already knew that.

“No, that won’t work.

“Please, just let me get on with it!”.

I think it had something to do with trying to ‘prove’ myself; either to my supervisors, or just as an ego rush. This behaviour lead to me wasting six months on an experiment, that never yielded any results. I kept repeating and repeating the assay, and I would report my work regularly, but I never actually thought to sit down and talk to someone about why I was failing so consistently; I was that determined to solve the problem myself.

One supervisor openly chastised me for this, and I think the embarrassment from that experience, combined with the frustration of having clearly wasted so much time, caused me to swing the other way completely. Thus, ‘the Leech’ was born.

Now, every time I had a problem, even a tiny one, I would seek human intervention. It didn’t matter whether there were manuals written on the subject, or in-depth how-tos posted online; I still needed reassurance from someone more experienced in that field, to make sure that I didn’t mess up to that extent again. I am surprised no-one ran away from me in the hall ways, screaming:

“Noooo… I have given all I have to give! You have sucked my brain dryyyy!”.

It was understandable in a way. I was a student after all, and for most of human history, knowledge has traditionally been passed from human to human. Even now, with books, libraries, and wikis, full of information, we still plan to send our children to school to learn from real teachers, not from Google; at least for the forseeable future.

Perhaps the Creator geared our brains towards speech-based learning for a reason; the Qur’an may be written down, but it has always been considered a recitation, not a book. And how often are we criticized, as Muslim students in the West, for taking sacred knowledge directly from the texts, and not from teachers? The main reason being, that you cannot appreciate context from a string of words alone. Nor can you learn manners and wisdom, except by being witness to it in person, by spending time in the best of company, for prolonged, regular periods.

The burden on the one being questioned is great. To be hassled, often at times of great personal inconvenience; to have your brains picked at, and your opinions analysed beyond your own comprehension. And then not even to get a thank you afterwards! It is tiring work being a good teacher, for sure. But who is more admired, than a great teacher?

The incentive should not be admiration, of course. Every useful word uttered, every grain of wisdom shared, every hair that turns grey, is an investment. Knowledge that benefits is an ongoing charity, that remains with the believer, even after the vessel for that knowledge has long become dust in the grave.

And as far as I am aware, the knowledge referred to above, is not just of the sacred variety; though I imagine that it has a much greater ‘price tag’ than that of the regular kind. But by helping others to function in this life, one is easing the path towards goodness, because as Muslims, we seek to worship Allah with everything that we do. In addition, by saving others time in the dunya, we grant them more time to spend on the akhirah… at least, in theory.

So, cooking a nice meal, that brings a smile to the face of those who partake in it; especially family and neighbours – surely that recipe could be a source of reward for the one who shares it?

Or posting an entry about how to write a killer CV. If the reader takes your advice, and gets a job because of it, and then goes on to spend their earnings on their family, and community – well, shouldn’t the author get a cut of all that reward, insha’Allah?

Allah is most generous that way.

Why am I writing all this? Well, as much as I do not miss academia – that is, having to attend lectures, write reports, etc – it turns out that I have a lot of learning left to do; yes, with my deen, but also with the new directions I seem to be taking in life, such as editorship of a magazine.

A sister wrote something to me today, about professionalism. I agreed with her sentiments, that if we wish to be called professionals, then we should act like professionals, and not be expected to be molly-coddled when we are learning. I guess I have been in disconnect mode for all this time. I want the magazine to be a professional publication, but I am still working like it is a voluntary, part-time shindig, like all my other initiatives. It’s time to take this to the next level – what that means exactly, I’m not sure – but her email was a big wake up call.

Does that mean The Leech is dead? Umm, no. The Leech will continue to leech all that she can from the people she believes that she can benefit from, insha’Allah. For that, I offer both advanced warnings, and sincere apologies.

But I pray that the investment so kindly provided (voluntarily or otherwise) will result in great returns for whomsoever has become prey to my blood-sucking tendencies; both in this life, and the next. Ameen.

Now, back to work for me… {replaces her Leech cap, with her Editor cap}

{Wonders what a Leech cap would look like?}

Yeck…

AE: She Was Asleep. I Kissed Her. She Awoke.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The Understand Qur’an course has been around for a while… but now level 1 is available in a easily-accessible, browser-based, flash version, masha’Allah.

Summary of objectives:

• Learn 100 Arabic words that are repeated around 40,000 times in the Qur’an.
• The Qur’an consists of approximately 78,000 words.
• Thus you are learning 50% of the Qur’an!

I’ve been meaning to take this FREE course for so long, and now I really have no excuse! I pray that you join me in this learning journey. Maybe we can travel together?