Sahl ibn Abd Allah al-Tustari said,
“One doesn’t attain unto the reality of faith until one has four traits:
(1) Fulfilling one’s obligations, in accordance with the sunna
(2) Eating the halal, with scrupulousness
(3) Avoiding prohibitions, both outward and inward
(4) Remaining steadfast on this, until one’s death.”

[Ghazali, Ihya `Ulum al-Din, 2.91]

وقال سهل التسترى لا يبلغ
العبد حقيقة الإيمان حتى يكون فيه أربع خصال أداء الفرائض بالسنة وأكل الحلال
بالورع واجتناب النهي من الظاهر و الباطن و الصبر على ذلك إلى الموت

The SunniPath Academy presents:
The Hadith Jibril Explained - The Foundation of Prophetic Guidance
A free mini-course (in three lessons)

Learn how this hadith relates to your life. 
The text of the
hadith, commentary, and related readings will be provided. Lessons will
be live & interactive - you can ask questions at any time.

Course Starts Saturday, June 10th.
View a multimedia presentation about the course, or Download. [Updated]

Ajnabeeyeh: Well, well, well . . .

What a shocker! “Muslim Women Don’t See Themselves as Oppressed,” reads the New York Times headline.

When
asked what they resented most about their own societies, a majority of
Muslim women polled said that a lack of unity among Muslim nations,
violent extremism, and political and economic corruption were their
main concerns. The hijab, or head scarf, and burqa, the garment
covering face and body, seen by some Westerners as tools of oppression,
were never mentioned in the women’s answers to the open-ended
questions, the poll analysts said.

And
don’t you know, the hijab has everything to do with it. The article
even has to mention that the Gallup poll’s strategic analyst wears one.
Thanks for telling us, guys–it certainly makes a world of difference.

Ibnat Battuta: The Complete Hanafi…

The Complete Ablution (Wudu)

The Complete Purificatory Bath (Ghusl)

The Complete Hanafi Prayer

Also of benefit, as a primer on beliefs, worship, and life:

The
Absolute Essentials of Islam

A Basic Hanafi
Primer on Faith, Prayer, & the Path of Salvation. Allah has
commanded us to worship and obey Him, with sincerity, out of reverence [more]

Is (He who knows himself, Knows his Lord) a hadith of the Prophet?
from SunniPath Answers

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf was in Malaysia @ Critical Thoughts

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf
was recently in Malaysia for his current project involving a
documentary on Muslim women in Muslim countries and he is touring some
countries in order to interview them (to counter some negative
perceptions about Muslim women being “oppressed” or “under apartheid”
as claimed by some). I was told that Zainah Anwar, leader of Sisters in
IslamShaitaan (SIS) refused to be interviewed by him, heh. Marina Mahathir, though, accepted the opportunity.

He was hosted by MPF recently. See the pictures here.

Nadwi: Talking of Madinah

Friends have invited me to give a talk on Madinah, describing what I saw there, and I have readily agreed. As a Persian poet has said: “To talk of the beloved is no less pleasant than to meet him.”

Do gyms breed terrorists? By Brendan O’Neill

There have been three major terror attacks in the West over the past five years—9/11, the 2004 train bombings in Madrid, and the 7/7 suicide attacks on the London Underground. For all the talk of a radical Islamist conspiracy to topple Western civilization, there are many differences between the men who executed these attacks. The ringleaders of 9/11 were middle-class students; the organizers of the Madrid bombings were mainly immigrants from North Africa; the 7/7 bombers were British citizens, well-liked and respected in their local communities. And interpretations of Islam also varied wildly from one terror cell to another. Mohamed Atta embraced a mystical (and pretty much made-up) version of Islam. For the Madrid attackers, Islam was a kind of comfort blanket. The men behind 7/7 were into community-based Islam, which emphasized being good and resisting a life of decadence.

The three cells appear to have had at least one thing in common, though—their members’ immersion in gym culture.

NPR : Satellite Imagery Shows a Sinking New Orleans

Parts of New Orleans are sinking faster than anyone previously thought. realized. Satellite imagery is showing sinking that previous ground level measurements missed.

The Oft-Recited Suras with Shaykh Sohail Hanif

Through an in-depth study of Surah Kahf, Yasin, and Waqiah, recognize the beauty and wisdom behind these oft-recited surahs. Become spiritually alive and feel connected with Allah through developing a living relationship with His book.

The Oft-Recited Suras

Akram’s Razor - Svend White’s blog on Islam, Muslims & America: Virtually Islamic

Thought I’d share a very interesting blog that charts the intersection of Islam and the Internet called Virtually Islamic.  It’s by Gary Blunt, the author of a number of cutting books and articles on Muslims and the Internet.

SunniPath Academy Course (Registration Open)
Approaching the Sunna with Shaykh Hamza Karamali

Through an introduction to the science of hadith methodology, increase your appreciation of the intricacy, depth, and sophistication of hadith science and our scholarly legacy, as well as understand the claims of orientalists and “Quran-only” proponents.

Further Details

Koonj: Shabana’s blog » Blog Archive » There is no “I” in parenthood

Hazrat Mirza Mazhar Jan-e-Janaan (RA) had a bad-tempered wife who was always scolding him. This same Hz Mirza was extremely sensitive by temperament. Someone asked him why he lived with this badtempered woman. He said that it was because of this same woman and her temper that God had been so generous to him.

(BTW I’d like this to be cited more often when it comes to talk of “rights and responsibilities” and “marriage in Islam”….

NPR : Iran’s President Renews Interest in ‘Hidden Imam’

It is said that in the 10th century, the 12th and last Imam of the Shiite branch of Islam disappeared. He is said to be hidden by God and will reappear at the end of history to lead an era of Islamic justice. But lately, actions by — and rumors about — Iran’s president have renewed interest in the 12th Imam.

Centuries ago, this holy person is said to have disappeared, hidden by God, but kept alive since then, to reappear at the end of history to lead an era of Islamic justice. The belief, which helped to inspire Iran’s Islamic Revolution 27 years ago, diminished in importance over the years.

Now it has found renewed inspiration in Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

my occupied territory: The Hijab: The Pathway to Fame?

I watched with great interest yesterday the weekly program on LBC, الحدث (”The Event“).
The program, hosted by Shada Omar, discusses issues of interest to
Lebanon and the Arab region including those related to politics,
economics, and society at large. Yesterday’s show focused on what the
producers called a “new trend” on the small and big screen in the Arab
world: actresses, singers, presenters, and news anchors donning the
Islamic headdress, the hijab.
The topic of the show was not whether hijab is a requirement for Muslim
women, but whether the decisions of various popular female
personalities to dress this way was driven by a quest for more popularity and fame. Without a doubt, it was a heated discussion between the show’s guests because the issue involves fame, religion, women, and of course: “the veil”.

The Most Beautiful Names of Allah

The Most Beautiful Names of Allah, with quotes from the Qur’an and from the words of Mawlana Rumi

Hadra dhikr with Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Shaghouri - Google Video

Shadhili hadra with the late Shaykh Abd al-Rahman Shaghouri. This video was shot in Damascus in 2002, two years before the shaykh passed away.

Italians fear mosque plans - Islam in Europe - MSNBC.com

Mayor backs Islamic center’s construction, but residents are ‘very afraid’

A Whirling Sufi Revival With Unclear Implications - New York Times

…. This is a zikr, the mystical Sufi dance of the Caucasus and a ritual near the center of Chechen Islam.

Here inside Chechnya, where Russia has spent six years trying to contain the second Chechen war since the Soviet Union collapsed, traditional forms of religious expression are returning to public life. It is a revival laden with meaning, and with implications that are unclear.

BBC NEWS | Middle East | The word in contemporary Islamic art

A new exhibition at the British Museum in London looks at contemporary art of the Islamic World.

Word into Art - Artists of the Modern Middle East, focuses on the way artists are experimenting with different approaches to Arabic script.

SunniPath Academy’s Summer Intensive Program

Are you seeking to spend your summer immersed in the Islamic sciences, but are unable to travel or need a flexible schedule? SunniPath Academy has a solution for you. As part of the Summer 2006 semester, SunniPath is offering an engaging summer intensive program, MoreKnowledge.

Designed especially for university and secondary school students on summer vacation, this intensive is perfect for anyone whose summer does not require the same level of worldly commitment as the rest of the year.

MoreKnowledge seeks to offer a balanced curriculum in four key subject areas, while allowing you the flexibility to choose the specific level or topic. You will be able to select four classes that fit into thefollowing subject areas: Belief, Fiqh, Methodology, and Enrichment. Courses will run from June 24, 2006 through September 24, 2006.

So, why are you waiting? Spend your summer seeking MoreKnowledge.

Full list of SunniPath Academy Summer 2006 Courses

Guardian Unlimited | Guardian daily comment | With Turkey in the club, Europe can forge a fresh engagement with Islam

BBC World Service |  Interview with Amr Khaled — “The Muslim World’s Answer to the American televangelists”

Owen Bennet-Jones meets the Muslim world’s answer to the American televangelists, Amr Khaled

Admirers try to get their photos taken with Amr Khaled; this is not the traditional image of a religious leader.

His television shows are broadcast on Arabic satellite TV all over the world and attract a young, modern, progressive audience. Despite being banned from preaching in his homeland of Egypt, his popularity keeps growing.

Amr Khaled preaches peace and self-advancement, including exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

His muslim critics say he is not religiously trained and is undermining the true religious authorities - but this hasn’t stopped western leaders approaching him as a face of Islam they feel they can do business with.

Akram’s Razor - Svend White’s blog on Islam, Muslims & America: Yoginder Sikand: ‘Progressive Islam’ in Pakistan

Some interesting observations about the tragic irrelevance of secularized Pakistani intellectuals and the tools available for socially progressive activism within Pakistan’s indigenous Sufi tradition.

copenhagen interpretation: Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca

Previously unseen photographs reveal how religious zealots obsessed with idolatory have colluded with developers to destroy Islam’s diverse heritage.

The Team Weblog » “He’s not Heavy, he’s my Brother”

Imam Zaid Shakir’s most recent essay on the Danish Cartoon fiasco strengthens my long-held sense that he is the one who could lead us to our own fully American Islam. For me, American Islam is rooted in the Qur’an and the Sunna of the Prophet, and is nourished by the waters of both the broader Islamic intellectual, spiritual, and social tradition, and our own tradition that is particular to our American experience. I believe that Imam Zaid is capable of unifying American Muslims from all perspectives such that we can all stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder, with our continuing struggles and questions, and remain calling each other sister and brother.

I say this even though I know he and I will continue to struggle on opposite sides of any number of issues, such as woman-led prayer.

Why?

Imam Zaid is a brilliant man, he is a committed man, he has a heart that turns toward God and the prophet Muhammad (s), and he has mastered the traditional authoritative sources. But those qualities alone do not make a man or a woman worthy to lead us.

Ibnat Battuta: The Principles of the Spiritual Path - part I

Sheikh Ahmad ibn Ahmad Zarruq (Allah be well pleased with him) said: In the name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate: All praise be to Allah;

The basic principles of our order consist in five things: having godfearingness privately and publicly, following the sunna in word and deed, indifference to whether others accept or reject one, satisfaction with Allah in scarcity and plenty, and turning to Allah in happiness or affliction.

Godfearingness is attained by scrupulousness and uprightness.

Following the sunna is attained by caution and good character.

Indifference to others’ acceptance or rejection is attained by patience and trust in Allah.

Satisfaction in Allah is attained by contentment with what one has and submission to the will of Allah.

And turning to Allah Most High is attained by praise and thanks to Him in happiness and taking refuge with Him in affliction.

The foundations of all these consist of five things: high aspiration, maintaining due respect, giving goodly service, carrying out one’s spiritual resolutions, and venerating Allah’s blessings.

Whoever’s aspiration is high, his rank rises. Whoever maintains respect for what Allah honors, his own respect is upheld. Whoever gives goodly service is necessarily shown generousity. Whoever carries out his spiritual resolutions continues to have guidance. Whoever sees Allah’s blessings as great gives thanks for them, and whoever gives thanks for them has necessitated their increase by the Bestower of Blessings, by virtue of His true promise.

[Source: Invocations of the Shadhili Order, Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller)

Under fire: US’s misguided defense budget - Asia Times

With Congress on the verge of approving yet another record Pentagon budget, a task force of nearly two dozen progressive policy analysts is calling for major changes in the way the United States allocates money for its common defense.

Noting that Washington currently spends $6 on its military for every dollar it spends on homeland security, diplomacy, foreign aid and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the group argues that a three-to-one ratio is more reasonable and well within reach.

South African Muslims - Is Apartheid’s Spirit Alive? - IslamOnline - Views Section

Imam Busiri wrote in his Hamziyya, addressing the Best of Creation, our Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him):

Save me! Save me! For my heart has become

Bereft of understanding from its sinfulness

I am holding on to my love of you,

It is the rope those seeking intercession hold on to.

Allah surely won’t let harm befall me if

It is you that I indeed turn to.

Ya Rasul Allah!

(Allah bless him and give him peace)

Technorati : fiqh, islam, knowledge, shariah

“Slander, backbiting, holding one’s tongue and leaving that which does not concern one”

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=3208&CATE=37

“Importance of holding one’s tongue”

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=3587&CATE=17

“Fiqh for the Righteousness: The prohibition against backbiting…”

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=781&CATE=3

“The Rules of Backbiting”

http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=212&CATE=13

Riyad as-Salihin

Book on Things which are Forbidden

• 254. The prohibition against backbiting and the command to guard the tongue
• 255. On the prohibition against listening to backbiting
• 256. On what is permitted in talking about people
• 257. On the prohibition against slander, which is carrying tales between people
• 258.
  On the prohibition against carrying tales and things that people have
  said to those in authority if there is no need for that
• 259. On the censure of being two-faced
• 260. On the prohibition against lying
• 261. On the clarification of what lying is permitted
• 262. On the encouragement to verify what one says and relates
• 263. On the clarification of the severe prohibition against giving false witness
• 264. On the prohibition against cursing a man or an animal

Akbar Ahmed - Dispatches from the Muslim World — Beliefnet.com

In East Asia, ‘Arab Islam’ and moderate Islam are clashing. In India, orthodox thinking is flourishing–and that’s a good thing, says Professor Akbar Ahmed

copenhagen interpretation: pattern recognition

The abstract is made concrete by precise definition. This, the case with terms, is also true of art: form, rhythm and pattern.

hahmed.com » Blog Archive » Mawlid Celebration @ The Zaytuna Institute

Subhanallah! An audio recording of the Mawlid Celebration at the Zaytuna Institute featuring Shaykh Hamza, Imam Zaid, and Dr. Umar Faruq Abdallah.

Mosque’s curtain rises again | Chicago Tribune

After much debate, sexes pray apart

Sunni Sister: Blahg Blahg Blahg » Blog Archive » Priceless

Ask any Muslim you know what is the most valuable thing we have to give one an other as an Ummah, and insha’Allah, she or he will say “Sacred Knowledge.” Sacred Knowledge gives us the deeper meanings of the Qur’an. It aids us in our study of the Sunnah and the Sirah. Sacred Knowledge teaches us how to make wudhu and salat, and tells us why we need to choose one particular methodology and stick with it. Sacred Knowledge lets us in on the deeper meanings of dhikr, on the best way to eliminate the ego. Studying Sacred Knowledge with a qualified scholar gives us two gifts: the knowledge itself, as well as the fact that we’re recognizing and honoring chains of transmission that sometimes go back to the Prophet himself (aleyhi salatu wa salaam). All of this to say that Sacred Knowledge is the means that allows us to become better servants of Allah ta’ala and better implementers of the Sunnah of His Beloved (sallalahu aleyhi wa salaam).

So how much would you pay for such a gift?

copenhagen interpretation: a minor on tradition and modernity

The question of tradition and its place in this “modern world” is one that vexes a minor number of Muslims in a major way. Not only in the West. But it is here, in the West, that the battle seems to rage at its fiercest. Especially since each of us is taught to believe that all tradition is evil, backward, oppressive: that success lies in ditching the “dead weight” of tradition whether by means of Protestant reform, Marxist revision, or fundamentalist recreation. Merely coming to grips with tradition and applying it seems far too dull. It is as if staircases, built pretty much the same old way for ages, have become an object of undergraduate philosophical debate.

Correcting others correctly: I had a fight with a Muslim girl in my class
Answered by Wajihah Gregor

The Value of Knowledge

Introduction

We must value
‘ilm

An Incident

Advice of a Saint

The
Method of Appreciating Knowledge

From the Cradle
to the Grave

On the Death-Bed

A True Student

Convey the
Acquired ‘ilm to others

A Jurist

Solution

MALFOOZAT

Rumi on Heaven, Hell, and Allah

“Without You
even Heaven is Hell

If You are near
Then Hell becomes Heaven

O Beloved!”

MoorishGirl: The European Street - Mosques burned down in Spain

The Guardian reports that a Moroccan mosque in Ceuta was burned down, one of apparently several incidents of this nature on Spanish territory:

El
País newspaper yesterday listed a number of mosques and other
Muslim targets that have been ransacked, burned or had copies of the
Qur’an set alight by intruders.

Police said that extreme rightwingers and skinhead groups were responsible for almost all the attacks.

“They want Spain to have the same sort of violent reaction that the
Netherlands had after the murder of film director Theo van Gogh,” one
police expert told El País. “Little by little they are creating
an atmosphere for this to grow.”

Spain’s 800,000 Muslims, many of them immigrants from neighbouring Morocco, have some 600 mosques around the country.

If you think that violence against Moroccans or their institutions are
isolated occurrences in Europe, then you probably should make yourself watch this, courtesy of the Italian carabinieri.

Rihla

August 1-24, 2006 (not including travel time)

The Rihla Program for the summer of 2006 will insha’Allah again be held in the blessed city of our Prophet Muhammad (salla’Llahu ‘alayhi wa salam), that is Madina al-Munawarrah. The Deen Intensive Foundation welcomes prospective students to apply to this special enhanced program.

The program will have a comprehensive schedule in which times for intensive study, tours, and worship are carefully integrated, for example, seerah-centric visits to various historical sites in the two holy cities. This provides students with the unique opportunity to experience the very places they are learning about in their classes.

Confirmed teachers are:
Shaykh Abdullah al-Kadi
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
Imam Zaid Shakir
Ustadh Yahya Rhodus
Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah (tentative)
Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi (tentative)

The application process will be open to all eligible students until May 6th, 2006 , which is the deadline for application submission. Because of the high demand for the program, applications are reviewed on a first-come first-serve basis, so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible .

www.deenintensive.com
for more detailed information and to submit your application.