03.28.07
Darul Hikmah Presents: The Forgotten Traditions
The Forgotten Traditions
Reflecting Upon the Sunnah
March 30th-April 1st, 2007
Islamic Community Center of Des Plaines
480 Potter Road, Des Plaines, IL
Register online at Darulhikmah.com
Featuring:
Two-Night Brothers Stayover
(Accomodation for Brothers in masjid only)
Youth Advisement
Qira’at Sessions
Babysitting is available
Sisters arrangements from ‘Asr to ‘Isha
Topics will include:
Man Between Faith and Reason
Sunnah in the Modern Era – A Universal Solution
Fatima (ra): The Queen of the Women of Jannah
The Noble Features of the Prophet (saw)
A Day in the Life of the Messenger (saw)
and more…
Speakers include:
Maulana Ibrahim Memon (Buffalo, NY)
Mufti Haroon Firdausi
Mufti Minhajuddin Ahmed (St. Louis, MO)
Maulana Nabeel Khan (Columbia, MO)
Maulana Bilal Ali
Maulana Omar Hussaini
Mufti Azeemuddin Ahmed
Maulana Mubeen Kamani
-Taken from at-Talib
03.27.07
What Will They Pour Down From the Mimbar?
An ‘Alim and a speaker should be mindful of their actions. Without practicing themselves, their speeches will have no effect. The author of Qaseedah Burdah actually seeks forgiveness for statements not followed by practice. Once, a person came to a saint with their child. The person complained to the saint that the child eats too many sweets, I have tried to explain to him not to, but he does not listen. The person mentioned how worried they are because of this. This person then requested the saint to speak to the child and to make dua’ for him. The saint requested them to come the next day. The person then brought the child the following day to the saint. The saint then advised the child and made dua’ for him also. As they were leaving, the person asked the saint why he asked them to come a day after when the same advice and dua’ could have been made yesterday. The saint replied that I myself till yesterday used to eat a lot of sweets, so how could I advise someone regarding something that I myself was involved in? Yesterday I decided to reduce the amount of sweets I eat, and then I thought to advise the boy not to eat too many sweets so that it may be effective. I then spoke to the child with full authority. When there is no noor in the heart of a person, then what will they pour down from the mimbar?
-Muzaakaraat-e-Deccan
Malfoozaat of Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib noted by Maulana Rizwan-ul-Qasmi (RA) during Hazrat Hakeem Sahib’s visit to Hyderabad, India.
03.24.07
How to Attain Khushu’
In order to attain khushu’ one must first opt to acquire the effects of khushu’. This is one of the pieces of this puzzle, which is essential. The second piece is to be in the company of those who have attained khushu’. The third piece is to give the khashyah of Allah a place in one’s heart. To develop this khashyah, one should stipulate a time which is appropriate and suitable, and then sit alone and contemplate over one’s sinful condition, the endless bounties of Allah upon one’s self, the punishment of Allah, the aakhirah, Qiyamah, the bridge of siraat, the meezaan, and the horrific scenes of Jahannam. If everyday for ten minutes, a person ponders over the above-mentioned things, then Insha Allah, that person will greatly benefit. The fourth piece is that if a person has spent numerous years in the acquisition of exoteric knowledge, then for the reformation of one’s nafs, a person should spend one month per year for the acquisition of esoteric knowledge as well. That means to spend a good amount of time in the company of a spiritual guide and then to implement whatever he advises. Then it can be hoped from the mercy of Allah that upon the fulfillment of these points, Allah will grant khushu’.
Jawaahir Hakeem-ul-Ummat pg. 131
03.23.07
Deeni Majaalis: Sitting and Listening
There are certain protocols for religious gatherings. When we attend such gatherings, we should feel delighted, cheerful, and jovial. There should not be any unpleasantness or dullness in our hearts. There should not be any overbearing or burdensome thoughts in our minds. We should not display tiredness or drowsiness. If we listen to the speaker keeping in mind the above mentioned points then we will benefit and learn and remember what we heard.
I say that those who keep their eyes closed and listen should not sit in front of me. Those who feel sleepy or tired should also not sit in front of me. Looking at these people causes a disconnection in the thought process of the speaker. We should not speak amongst ourselves while a religious speech is carrying on. This also disturbs the speaker greatly. We should not get up from the gathering as well. There should not be disturbances from telephones, cellular phones, alarms and any other type of electronic device. Those people who can not control the feeling of sleep or tiredness then they should sit towards the back. That way the speaker’s chain of thoughts is not interrupted.
Some other points to keep in mind are that everyone should sit close together without there being any gaps in the gathering. Room should be made for those people who join in later. If someone gets up for some reason, then that spot should be left for him when he comes back. If the speech has started, the person arriving should not make salaam, but rather find a place to sit, and then sit quietly. Those people who have distinction like ‘Ulamaa and others who are well-versed should be made to sit close to the speaker. That way they benefit more, and it is pleasing for the speaker as well. When the audience shows interest and listens attentively, the gates of knowledge open for the speaker and everyone benefits.
Batein Unki Yaad Rahengi pg. 35
03.20.07
How to Visit the Pious
“There are etiquettes of visiting the pious and the servants of the pious. If these manners are kept in tact, then the visit will be full of benefit. For example, come to them with a clean heart and with sincerity. Honor and respect them as they duly deserve. Make taubah or istighfaar become visiting them, that way the heart will be cleansed. Hidayat is attained through the sight of the heart. When the heart is able to see clearly it can then ascertain true guidance.
You see that a person who wears glasses and wants to look at something they like, examine what they do at that moment. First they will take their glasses off and wipe and clean the lenses with a soft cloth. This is done so that the person can see with full clarity, and that whatever dust or dirt may be on the lenses does not interfere. Similarly, when when we want to go to visit the people of Allah and sit in their company, and to reform ourselves through their advice, then firstly we need clean the lenses of our hearts by the soft cloth of taubah and istighfaar. Now when you look at the people of Allah and sit in their gatherings, the anwaar and barakaat of hidayat will descend upon your heart without any interference, and your sick soul shall acquire cure.”
Batein Unki Yaad Rahengi pg. 34
