Seeking Knowledge, Seeking God: Wisdoms from Imam Ghazali with Shaykh AbdulKarim Yahya

Sadia Qaderi — Tue, 07 May 2013 03:07:58 +0000

“Whoever follows a path to seek knowledge, God will make easy for him a path to Paradise.” –Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)

Are you seeking God? There are many ways to seek Him, and we learn from our tradition that knowledge is
a key means.

But what is beneficial knowledge? How do we go about seeking knowledge? Whatknowledge should we seek first? What are keys to successful pursuit of knowledge?

SeekersHub Toronto is offering this free seminar with Shaykh AbdulKarim Yahya — an internationally-reknowned scholar and student of Habib Umar bin Hafiz and Habib Ali al-Jifri, among others — on Seeking Knowledge, Seeking God.
Shaykh AbdulKarim will cover key parts of Imam Ghazali’s “Book of Knowledge, from his masterpiece, Reviving the Religious Sciences (Ihya’ Ulum al-Din)

So join us, take the first step for it is said that “Knowledge IS a path to God“. You have nothing to lose.

Are My Supplications Answered? Shaykh Faraz Rabbani on Delayed Response to Duas

Sadia Qaderi — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:28:16 +0000

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersHub Global answers a questioner about whether his duas will be answered by Allah, and why there is apparent delay or non-response to his supplications.
Shaykh Faraz highlights the Divine Promise: “And your Lord says, ‘Call on Me, and I will indeed answer.’” [Qur'an]

Allah Most High says:
“If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call Me, so let them respond to Me, and believe in Me, so that they may be guided.” [Qur'an, 2.186]

The Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk) said:

“No one makes supplication except that it is answered. The answer could be hastened in this life; or stored up for them in the hereafter; or sins could be expiated for them to the extent of the supplication, as long as they don’t ask for something sinful; or breaking family ties; or become hasty…” [Tirmidhi]

Ibn Ata’illah writes:

“Let not the delay in the time of the answer despite fervent supplication cause you to lose hope, for He has guaranteed the response–but in the way that He chooses, not in the way that you choose; and at the time He chooses, not at the time you choose.”

“Whenever He inspires your tongue to seek, know well that He wishes to grant you.”

“Don’t be demanding of your Lord regarding the delay of what you seek.
Rather, be demanding of yourself about the delay of your proper manners.”

Support SeekersHub Global/SeekersGuidance as it reaches over 10,000 students each term through its completely free online courses, through Knowledge Without Barriers. Become a monthly donor, today. Every contribution counts, even if small: http://www.SeekersGuidance.org/donate

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Heba Taher — Sun, 05 May 2013 04:08:24 +0000

Shaykh Faraz describes himself as a “global nomad”, as he spent his childhood in Canada, England, Egypt, and Spain, before returning to Canada to complete his high school and university studies. Having come from so many places, when he began to reflect on who he was, he discovered the only clear answer was “a Muslim.”

And so began his journey as a student of knowledge. At university, he became active with the Muslim Students Association at a local and national level. He helped develop MSA National’s MSA Starter’s Guideand founded and ran The Muslim Voice, MSA University of Toronto’s magazine, now in its 17th year. He also founded and ran the first online African news service (Africa-N), and worked as an editor on his college paper, The Strand.

Even while completing his Bachelors in Economics and Commerce at the University of Toronto, Shaykh Faraz developed a deep interest in Islamic learning, studying with local scholars such as Shaykh Talal al-Ahdab and Shaykh Faisal Abdur-Razak. After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1997, he and his wife (Ustadha Shireen Ahmed) travelled to Damascus and then to Amman, where he studied with leading Islamic scholars, including Shaykh Adib Kallas (Allah have mercy upon him), Shaykh Hassaan al-Hindi, Shaykh Muhammad Jumuah, Shaykh Akram Abd al-Wahhab, and Shaykh Nuh Keller. In 2001, Shaykh Faraz began answering questions for his family and friends online; this grew into the Hanafi Fiqh list at Yahoo Groups. On the advice of his teachers, the SunniPath web site was created, which featured both a question/answer service and online Islamic courses.

After ten years overseas, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in the Summer of 2007. In May 2008 he founded SeekersGuidance to deal with the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner.

Shaykh Faraz has been encouraged by his teachers and other leading scholars to work towards establishing a model Islamic seminary that will produce Islamic scholars of the highest caliber, through excellence in teaching, curriculum, spiritual training, and a deep spirit of service–with knowledge of both religion and contemporary social and intellectual realities. This is key to the long-term vision of SeekersGuidance (www.SeekersGuidance.org).

Shaykh Faraz also serves as a partner and legal advisor with StraightWay Ethical Advisory.

He is the author of Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) In 2009, Shaykh Faraz was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.In 2012, Shaykh Faraz has again been selected by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre amongst ‘The 500 Most Influential Muslims’.

His personal interests include reading, both in English and Arabic. He is very interested in management, economics, environmental matters, international development, technology (especially in its social, human, and spiritual impact), law, theology, and spirituality. He loves classical Islamic poetry and singing–but cautions that moderation is needed in listening to even permissible music, as the Qur’an should be given primacy in one’s life over all other interests.

Imam Afroz Ali

Heba Taher — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:37:58 +0000

Imam Afroz Ali can clearly remember himself as a child watching his father (may Allah sanctify his soul) pursue his two greatest passions: serving others and teaching. This powerful relationship with a man who was both friend and father, who nurtured him in sometimes surprising ways, inspired in Imam Afroz a deep understanding the power of role models and leaders to nurture excellence in an individual. Inspired to be a part of positive action in his community, Imam Afroz began the journey of a student of knowledge.

Those studies have taken Imam Afroz from university-based academia (the Islamic University in Madina, Saudi Arabia) to more traditional studies in Yemen, the United States and Mauritania. He has received licences to teach from some of the most esteemed Islamic Scholars of our time. He has also travelled to Cairo, Egypt for further studies in Islamic Jurisprudence with Scholars at al-Azhar University and is on the Board of Advisors at Markaz Aleem in Cairo, Egypt.

In addition to teaching for SeekersGuidance, Imam Afroz serves on the SeekersGuidance Management Team as theManaging Director.

He is also the Founder and President of Al-Ghazzali Centre for Islamic Sciences & Human Development(http://alghazzali.org/) based in Sydney, Australia. Imam Afroz conducts corporate training on a range of subjects, including Team building, Personal Leadership, Change Management, Business Strategy Development and Corporate Ethics. He also utilises his corporate training skills to mentor and train community organisations in Community Sustainability Programs, Personal Leadership and Interpersonal Skills, Spiritual Development, Motivation and Goals Setting.

Imam Afroz is a founding member of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change. He is also the recipient of the International Ambassador for Peace award and is an Australian Ambassador for the Charter for Compassion. He has initiated philanthropic as well as sustainable environment projects in Australia and abroad, and continues to advocate for peace, acceptance, justice and interpersonal rights.

In 2012, Imam Afroz Ali has been selected by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre amongst ‘The 500 Most Influential Muslims’.

Imam Afroz’s personal interests include an occasional game of soccer or cricket. He reads widely on environmental science, ethics and practical spirituality and is passionately interested in ecology, well-being and human psychology. In his most private times (often in between airports), he gives Qur’an his utmost attention by reading and reflecting on classical works of Tafsir. He currently resides with his family in Sydney, Australia.

Student Assembly – Stories of the Scholars – Sunday May 5th, 5pm at SeekersHub

Sadia Qaderi — Sat, 04 May 2013 04:16:40 +0000

Join us for part-one of this very special two-part student assembly entitled: Stories of the Scholars: Past & Present on May 5th, 2013 where our teachers will connect our hearts to some of the greatest scholars our tradition has produced.

During this assembly you will:
- Learn about some of the greatest scholars in Islamic history
- Have an opportunity to have your questions answered
- Receive invaluable counsel from SeekersHub Global faculty

Location: Live Online or from SeekersHub Toronto
Or
JOIN ONLINE HERE: http://www.livestream.com/seekersguidance

Speakers:
- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani (Canada) speaking about Imam Abu Hanifa
- Shaykh Rami Nsour (USA) speaking about Imam Malik
- Imam Afroz Ali (Australia) speaking about Imam Ghazali

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus

Heba Taher — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:48:41 +0000

Ustadh Yahya Rhodus was born in Kansas City, Missouri. At the age of 19, he embraced Islam in Santa Clara, California. He began his study of Islam with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and visiting Mauritanian scholars such as Shaykh Khatri wuld Baybba and Shaykh Abdullah wuld Ahmadna. In 1998, Ustadh Yahya traveled to Mauritania to pursue a full-time course of study, where he learned from some of Mauritania’s greatest scholars, including the distinguished, Murabit al-Hajj. He also spent an interim period in Damascus, Syria where he received formal education in the Arabic language, grammar, and Qur’anic recitation.

In 2000, Ustadh Yahya moved to Tarim, Yemen to continue his studies at the prestigious learning institute, Dar al-Mustafa. There, he spent his formative years studying with the renowned scholars, Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz and Habib ‘Ali al-Jifri, along with other local scholars. He studied various sciences including Tafsir, Hadith, theology, jurisprudence, legal theory, the Prophetic biography, and Arabic poetry.

In the latter part of 2005, Ustadh Yahya returned to the U.S. and served as a full-time teacher at Zaytuna Institute. He subsequently returned overseas to further his studies while he also participated in religious programs worldwide, lecturing, teaching, and translating. In 2008, he was the official translator for Habib ‘Ali al-Jifri at the Common Word Conference held at Yale University and he has translated for Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz at speaking engagements internationally.

In 2010, Ustadh Yahya returned to California and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. He travels regularly teaching, lecturing, and conducting weekend seminars with institutes such as the Deen Intensive Foundation. He also offers on-line instruction through SeekersGuidance and teaches locally at Taleef Collective. Currently, Ustadh Yahya is a full-time instructor at Zaytuna College and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He lives in San Ramon with his wife and three children.

Ustadha Shireen Ahmed

Heba Taher — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:55:32 +0000

Ustadha Shireen Ahmed (Umm Umar) inspires her students as a living example example of what is possible when one is committed to gaining sacred knowledge. Teacher, student, activist, mother, wife — Umm Umar shows that it is possible to balance worldly responsibilities with the pursuit of knowledge.

Umm Umar was born and raised in Canada, where she graduated from the University of Toronto with a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology. During her university studies, she was actively involved in MSA work at the local and national levels. After graduation, she set out to formally pursue sacred knowledge, studying Arabic at the University of Damascus and Islamic studies at Jamia Abi Nour and taking private classes in Qur’anic recitation, Prophetic traditions,, Islamic Law (Hanafi) and the Prophetic biography.

While living in Jordan, Umm Umar helped establish SunniPath’s online courses. At SeekersGuidance, she is the Course Development Manager, bringing years of and insight to facilitate meaningful Islamic learning online. After ten years abroad she returned to Toronto, Canada, she resides in Toronto, Canada, with her husband and three children. Between continuing her studies of the sacred sciences and homeschooling her children, Ustadha Shireen is working on her first publication, a translation and commentary on a classical Islamic text on parenting, Simt al-‘Uqyan (Thread of Pure Gold).

Habib Umar bin Hafiz

Heba Taher — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:07:14 +0000

Habib Umar bin Hafiz is the Director of Dar Al Mustafa, a seminary in Tarim, Yemen which is regarded as one of the foremost contemporary centres of Islamic education in the world. Habib Umar bin Hafiz is well known for his Prophetic lineage and status as one of the most important scholars alive today. His scholarship and preaching is highly regarded by Muslim communities from Indonesia to East Africa to Muslim communities in Europe and North America. Habib Umar also exerts global influence through his leadership of the Ba’Alawi spiritual and social movement with its roots in Yemen’s Hadhramaut valley. Habib Umar was ranked 33rd in this year’s list of the 500 Most Influential Muslims published by an international group of experts lead under the auspices of the Royal Institute for Strategic Studies in Amman, Jordan.

Habib Umar founded and runs Dar al Mustafa, a center for traditional Islamic scholarship that currently hosts an array of international students. The work of the seminary was featured in a major New York Times profile in 2009. He has joined the ranks of the world’s leading Muslim academics and scholars as a signatory of ‘A Common Word Between Us and You’, a document that builds bridges between Muslims and Christians. He recently spoke at Cambridge University on the need to continue such dialogues.

Habib Umar is noted for his outreach and education efforts and over the past year has made significant visits to South East Asia, Australia, Spain, Morocco and now the United State and Canada.
In July 2008, Habib Umar partnered with Muslim Aid Australia as founder of Yemen-based NGO Al Rafah Charitable Society to address issues of poverty and hunger and lack of sufficient health care in rural Yemen, particularly the Hadhramaut region. In December he convened a groundbreaking meeting of Arabic-speaking ulama from Yemen and the region to address the rise of theological extremism, calling on influential scholars to return to and promote theological moderation which characterizes the Yemeni tradition.

Surat al-Masad Explained: Religion and Reverence and the Dangers of Anger and Arrogance – Faraz Rabbani

Heba Taher — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:11:11 +0000

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains Surat al-Masad from the Qur’an, highlighting the central themes of reverence (ta`dhim) for the symbols of Allah–such as the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), Qur’an, and Guidance; and the dangers of arrogance, anger, and haste.

Using classical commentaries on the Qur’an–including Ibn Ajiba, Qurtubi, and Abu’s Su`ud–Shaykh Faraz explains the context of this Sura; its place in the life of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk); and, uniquely, central lessons we can learn from this Divine rebuke for our own lives.

SURAT AL-MASAD

(1) May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined! May he be ruined too!
(2) Neither his wealth nor his gains will help him:
(3) he will burn in the Flaming Fire ––
(4) and so will his wife, the firewood-carrier,
(5) with a palm-fibre rope around her neck.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

He is the Executive Director and Senior Instructor at SeekersHub Global / SeekersGuidance, and teaches at SeekersHub Toronto.
Click here for Shaykh Faraz’s biography.

SeekersHub Classes

All SeekersHub Global courses and educational services are offered *completely free*, as part of the Knowledge Without Barriers initiative.
For a schedule of classes at SeekersHub Toronto click here.
For a schedule of classes at SeekersGuidance click here.

SeekersHub Podcast

You can subscribe to the SeekersHub free Islamic podcast from the SeekersHub (www.SeekersHub.org) page; by searching for SeekersHub in iTunes; or from http://seekershub.podomatic.com

Watering Our Souls | Moez Masoud

Heba Taher — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:32:49 +0000

Moez Masoud explores SeekersHub’s revolutionary concept of Knowledge Without Barriers, a concept determined to remove ALL barriers between Seekers and Guidance.

He identifies the need for Muslims today to be firmly rooted in their tradition through seeking knowledge.

SeekersHub, a RARE (Reliable, Accessible, Relevant and Engaging) online and physical Islamic education facility provides traditional Islamic Knowledge from some of today’s most prominent scholars.

Help us continue to inspire and serve all seekers of knowledge across the world by becoming a monthly donor today of only $50/month or more at www.seekershub.org/donate.