Dorothy Sayer - The Lost Tools of Learning
One of the best introductions to the basics of classical learning. A lot of the wisdom in this relates to traditional Islamic models of education, as well.
Valuable Site on Sidi Ahmad Ibn Mustafa Al Alawi
Shaykh Ahmad al-Alawi was the Shaykh of Shaykh Muhammad al-Hashimi, who the spiritual guide of Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri.
This site has a lot of audio content–qasidas, dhikrs–as well as books and other materials.
Another rewrite for India’s history books - Guardian
Another case of history being written by the victor…
O True Existent, we are enraptured…
“O True Existent, we are enraptured
By You…”
A beautiful expression of absolute love and need for Allah, by a Sudanese group.
Shaykh Adib Saleh and the need to spread knowledge
Allah has blessed Amman with one of the shining lights of Islamic scholarship this summer: Shaykh Adib Saleh, author of Tafsir al-Nusus, widely regarded by the ulema as one of the best works in usul al-fiqh written in the 20th Century. The Shaykh is around 80 years old, but gets to the mosque (Jami` al-Fayha’, where Shaykh Diya’ is the imam) for all five prayers.
In various meetings with the Shaykh, he emphasized the need for the common Muslim to develop a ‘living relationship’ with the Qur’an and Sunna, in order to truly feel that the commands of the Sacred Law are a means of seeking the love and pleasure of Allah.
He also emphasized how important it is to revive and reinvigorate the system of teaching through study circles (halaqas), because one gains not only knowledge but also character, piety, and deen through the humility, manners, and close interaction with living teachers that this learning entails. He said, “This is something you simply cannot get at university.”
The brothers mentioned the Sunni Path Academy project in some detail to him, and he said that it is our duty to spread sound knowledge to people in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and sensitive to the needs and understandings of those addressed. The Shaykh said that such projects are essential in our times, as much of the Muslim community simply doesn’t have the base knowledge and motivation they need to further their relationship with Allah.
The Shaykh emphasized that such projects should focus on spreading sound, beneficial knowledge, and stay away from arguments, debates, and controversy: when people understand the truth, its light would naturally dispel doubts and confusions.
The Shaykh also agreed to do a weekly question and answer session for Sunni Path, and made du`a that Allah grant the project success (tawfiq).
Alhamdulillah.
Shaykh Qasim Hanafi of Baghdad
On Friday, Allah blessed several of us to meet one of the shining lights of traditional Iraqi Sunni scholarship: Shaykh Qasim Hanafi of Baghdad. He taught my good friend Shaykh Salah Abu’l Haaj while the latter was studying in Baghdad.
ٍShaykh Qasim is a young scholar (in his mid-30s) who is a master of the intellectual sciences (logic, fundamentals of belief, fundamentals of fiqh), and a very sharp (and highly regarded) scholar of fiqh. He is also a spiritual guide of the Qadiri way, and a person of evident spiritual depth, noble character, and his behavior reflects the light of one who lives under the lights of Prophetic guidance.
He has continued to teach his circles of students through the turbulence of recent events…
We asked him many questions, over dinner at Sarawat Restaurant here in Amman, and his answers were impressive… (Some of these will be posted soon on the Hanafi Fiqh Q/A on SunniPath, in sha’ Allah.
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Shaghouri died, 8th June 2004
Assalamu alaikum,
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Shaghouri, the Shadhili murshid, knower of Allah, master of the sciences of faith, pious scholar, caller to Allah, and Prophetic inheritor, died on the evening of Tuesday, 8th June 2004, in Damascus.
Please remember the Shaykh, his family, students, and the Muslims in your duas.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
“Allah does not lift knowledge by lifting it from the hearts of people. Rather, He takes the lives of scholars, so knowledge is lifted with them…” [Bukhari and Muslim]
May Allah shower His blessings, mercy, favor, and peace on our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, his family, companions, inheritors, righteous followers, and all believers.
Wassalam.
Faraz Rabbani (faraz@sunnipath.com)
Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri said,
“Dear friend, make the most of your life!”
Saturday 5 June 2004
Sweet Madina - Yearning for the abode of Allah’s Beloved - Very Different
Sweet Madina - Yearning for the abode of Allah’s Beloved - Very Different
This is a passionate song in not quite Shakespearian English. It grows on you. Trust me.
The lyrics: (no, I didn’t type them up)
SWEET MADINA
How is beautiful Madina, very very good Madina,
My choice is Madina, How fine is Madina,
I can tell about Madina, We can tell about Madina
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
Give me a chance to go to Madina,
Give me a chance to go to Madina,
Our heart say to us go to Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
So appealing is Madina, So alluring is Madina,
So enchanting is Madina, So attracting is Madina,
So loving is Madina, So loving is Madina,
So charming is Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
Everyone’s eyes say their place is Madina,
Everyone’s eyes say their place is Madina,
Each and every heart is saying Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
Quite nice is Madina, Quite clear is Madina,
Quite fine is Madina, Quite famous is Madina,
Quite matchless is Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
Connect your heart to love the Madina,
Connect your heart to love the Madina,
Because no city is like Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
Much bright is Madina, Much glean is Madina,
Much clean is Madina, Much prayer is Madina,
Much holy is Madina, Much kind is Madina,
Sweeet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
My wish is Madina, My heart is Madina,
My shelter is Madina, My axis is Madina,
My moon is Madina, My soul is Madina,
My heaven is Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x2)
We will be forgiven by Muhammad,
We will be forgiven by Muhammad,
Kamals wish is to die in Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely (x3)
How is beautiful Madina, Very very good Madina,
My choice is Madina, How fine is Madina,
I can tell about Madina, we can tell about Madina,
Such a beautiful Madina,
Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, Sweet Madina, very lovely,
Very lovely, very lovely, very lovely…
:: Article by Imam Zaid Shakir - “Flight from the Masjid” - at Zaytuna Institute & Academy ::
Imam Zaid, insightful as ever. He begins:
” One of the noblest and most beneficial institutions in the history of humanity has been the Masjid (Mosque). It was in the Masjid that the great scholars of Islam were first shaped: linguists, jurists, theologians, saints, and countless devout worshippers. The Masjid has produced men and women who have left an indelible mark on the world. It was around the Masjid that the great universities, hospitals, observatories, hostels, and the other institutions that became the hallmarks of the great Islamic civilizational enterprise appeared. The Masjid has always been the heart of the Islamic community, serving as a house of worship, an educational center, a center for the dispensing of valuable social services, a meeting place, and a place of solace and refuge.
Unfortunately, today in America, we find many Muslims who have either left, or were never fully involved in the life of the Masjid. There are many reasons for this regrettable situation. The purpose of this article is to examine some of those reasons, and to suggest some measures that may prove beneficial in overcoming them.”
:: Article by Imam Zaid Shakir - “Flight from the Masjid” - at Zaytuna Institute & Academy ::
Tala`a al-Badru `Alayna - Beautiful North African rendition
Like one of the poets said,
“Your beauty is like the full moon ** No! You are far more beautiful.”
May Allah’s best blessings and most perfect of peace be upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad, his family, companions, and followers.
What to do for a hardened heart
Shaykh Muhammad al-Hashimi says,
"If you find your heart hardened by other than Allah
Then make dhikr until nothing remains other than Allah."
Allah Most High tells us in the Qu’ran,
"Say: Lo! Allah sends whom He will astray, and guideth unto Himself all who turn (unto Him),
Who have believed and whose hearts have rest in the remembrance of Allah.
Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!
Those who believe and do right: Joy is for them, and bliss (their) journey’s end." [Qur’an, 13.27-29]