The Beginning of guidance

Course Title: The Beginning of Guidance (Bidayatul Hidayah)

Description: This course is a discussion of the book “Bidayah Al-Hidayah” written by the eminent Imam Al-Ghazali. This course is useful for those who wish to understand the finer points of leading an Islamic life, from the time of waking up at dawn until the time of sleep at night. Imam Al-Ghazali defines the beginning of guidance as outward piety, carrying out the commands of Allah and His Messenger and turning away from all that have been prohibited. The course discusses the performance of the acts of obedience to Allah, the avoidance of committing sins, the good manners of association with people and acts of personal conduct.

Commencement Date: Friday 24 April 2009
Time: 8 pm to 9.30 pm
Frequency: Every Friday night
Teacher: Ustaz Mukhtar Habib
Text: Bidayah al-Hidayah by Imam Al-Ghazali
Medium of Instruction: English
No. of Lessons: 15
Fee: $15 notes + $10 monthly course fee
Venue: SimplyIslam.sg (152 Still Road) Madrasah Khairiah

About the Teacher:
Ustaz Mukhtar Habib studied the academic sciences in Singapore and completed the A Levels examinations. Subsequently he studied Islam and Arabic in Indonesia for a year under the guidance of Shaykh KHA Sohibul Wafa Tajul Arifin. He then went on to further his Islamic studies at the renowned Rubat Tarim in Hadramawt in Yemen, under the guidance of eminent scholars like Habib Salim bin Abdullah As-Shatiri, Habib Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Shihab, Habib Abdullah bin Umar bin Sumait and many others. The institution of Rubat Tarim has produced more than 13,000 scholars from all over the world, including Singapore’s famous and eminent scholar, Allahyarham Shaykh Umar Al-Khatib. In Rubat Tarim, Ustaz Mukhtar Habib studied the books of Fiqh (Jurisprudence), Nahu (Arabic Grammar), Tafsir (Exegesis), Hadith (Prophetic Traditions) and Tasawwuf (Islamic Spirituality). After spending 3 years in Rubat Tarim, he is currently in Singapore studying for his Bachelors Degree in Fiqh and Usul Fiqh.

Course Overview

Lesson 1
a. Course introduction
b. The importance of knowledge
c. The benefits of seeking knowledge
d. The different types of seekers of knowledge

Lesson 2
a. Adab (praiseworthy manner) of awaking from sleep
b. Adab of wearing clothes
c. The adab and sunnah (traditions) of entering the bathroom

Lesson 3
a. The steps of making wudhu’ (ablution) (fardh and sunnah)
b. Rules of washing the body – ghusl janabah

Lesson 4
a. Cleanliness with Tayammum (dry ablution)
b. Rules pertaining to tayammum

Lesson 5
a. Adab of going to the Mosque

Lesson 6
a. Adab of preparing for daily ritual prayers
b. Adab of sleeping

Lesson 7
a. Performance of daily solat (ritual prayers)

Lesson 8
a. Adab of leading and following a ritual prayer
b. Adab of Friday congregational prayer

Lesson 9
a. Adab of fasting

Lesson 10
a. Restraining oneself from acts of disobedience
b. Guarding against sins of the eye
c. Guarding against sins of the ear

Lesson 11
a. Guarding against sins of the tongue

Lesson 12
a. Guarding against sins of the stomach

Lesson 13
a. Guarding against sins of the genitals
b. Guarding against sins of the hands
c. Guarding against sins of the feet

Lesson 14
a. Sins of the Heart
b. Remedies

Lesson 15
a. Adab of companionship with Allah
b. Adab of companionship with people
c. Association with students & teachers
d. Association with parents
e. Companionship with unknown common men
f. Association with friends
g. Association with acquaintances

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus talks ...

http://simplyislam.com.sg/new/

SimplyIslam.sg and Darul Arqam is pleased to announce the visit and programs by Shaykh Yahya Rhodus, from 16 to 21 April 2009.

Shaykh Yahya was born and raised in America, and 19 years he became Muslim and studied with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and other distinguished scholars. He spent a year in Mauritania studying the Islamic sciences.

In 2000, he moved to Tarim, Yemen to further his studies at the prestigious Dar al-Mustafa, guided under the hands of Habib ‘Ali al-Jifry, Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz, and many others. After 5 years, he returned to America to serve as a resident scholar at Zaytuna Institute. Insha’Allah Shaykh Yahya will be in Singapore to deliver the following programs:


Friday 17 April 2009 Lecture
"The Search for Beauty in Islam"
SimplyIslam.sg
152 Still Road
Free Admission. All are welcome.


Sat 18 April 2009 Workshop
"Disciplining the Soul"
Based on the "Ihya Ulumuddin" by Imam Al-Ghazali SimplyIslam.sg
152 Still Road
* Fee (Normal Adult): $40 per person
* Fee (Student): $30 per person
* Fee (Groups of 4 or more): $30 per person

Sat 18 April 2009 Maulid & Talk
"Traditional Values in a Modern World" To be announced
Free Admission. All are welcome.

Sun 19 April 2009 Lecture
"Loving the Prophet - Effective Habits for Muslims" SimplyIslam.sg
152 Still Road Free Admission. All are welcome.

Tue 21 Apr 2009 Lecture
"Testimony of Faith" To be announced Free Admission. All are welcome.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 8:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Darul Arqam Auditorium
The Perfection of Character - A Glimpse of the Prophet

Yesterday'c class...

I do not know why Sura Ar-Rahmaan is a challenge for me but insya-Allah it has its blessing in disguise.

So I came early around asar to squeeze in some ayats that failed to register while reading at home. I like the ambience at the kampung Siglap furthermore, there are many budding huffaz around so I hope that my duas/wishes will be granted. amin.

So somehow I did get to squeeze in half a page of sura Ar-Rahmaan in between the crevices of my tiny brain.

Then night falls, slowly staggered myself with heart beating fast towards class. Today it is full house 16 people! This has got to be one of the most packed adult hifz class ever. I felt the jitters already.

As usual , teacher signal to me cos Im always the first one to trial my hifz but today, Im not so confident but I came forward anyway. To me, the first one to read his/her hifz can get to relax the rest of the time after that. So suffer first, enjoy later..hehe!

Anyway, jitters crawling in from all angles. Suddenly, the first ayat....stuck...disappeared...kept repeating still stuck...teacher ask me to relax then read again. same problem. My mind blanks out! Teacher said take a look at the Holy Quran and read. Sat there for 10mins, tried again...same thing happens. Then I was asked to go back ashamedly but teacher was motivating me with a story.

He said Imam Syafie had this problem before. C'mon we all know how religious Imam Syafie is , right? How can he ever forgets? He has memorized zillions of hadith and the Holy Quran in such an early age. But it did happen, his teacher Imam Malik was surprised and so he asked Imam Syafie to reflect what he did wrong today. Imam Syafie cannot find anything amiss/wrong cos he felt that day is the same as any other day. Imam Malik ask him to think carefully again and reflect...and then Imam Syafie remembered that "He accidentally glanced upon a woman who passed by him"... OMG...accidentally? And u know how the women of Mecca dressed up in that timezone, rite? So modestly covered up. Subhanallah, just by glancing accidentally, he forgets that ..how about us...who actualy immersed ourselves in maksiat/zina mata everyday with TV watching, gossips spreading, magazines.....and other media that actually promotes maksiat...directly or indirectly. Especially maksiat mata (sins of the eyes) wil go directly to the heart cos it is sharp.

hmm...something to ponder about and reflect ourselves....

Anyway, I was stuck..and so I buck up then the isya prayer was heard and we went for congregrational prayer. Somehow I was abe to pray taubat too (Teacher suggested) , and alhamdulillah , I get to recite fluently as usual. I do not know what is my problem with Sura Ar-Rahmaan and it caused my teacher to feel perplexed too cos he knows that I normally will do my hifz well....

Anyway, next week, teacher will tell us more on problems faced by huffaz. Not that huffaz got many problems but due to their goal which is extremely delicate to the heart, body mind and soul both dunia and akhirat, it can be quite challenging sometimes, insya-Allah teacher will tell us next week and he will give us some ayats that can make us confident to recite our hifz especially infront of teacher.


TIP:
1) So do lots of sunnah prayer like taubat prayer to seek forgiveness from God directly

2)Take care of our organs well, prevent it from sins of the eyes, mouth, ears...and take care of our diet/food. Especially when there is a tiny voice telling u that dont eat it those food (even when it is HALAL certified or muslim owned eatery), best to avoid it...

3) When the Iqamat was heard (after azan), read subhanallahwalhamdulillahwalaliahilallahualhuakhbar 3X and Surah An-Nas 1 X, this helps to remove the jitters and boost some confidence..given by a Malaysian imam to teacher when he was supposed to lead terawikh congregational prayer (and he realised the Sultan was one of them!)Subhanallah...

Maulidur Rasul at Tampines stadium on Saturday 11th April 09

By Jamiyah Singapore and other local Islamic organisations.

Whole day event...
Date: Saturday 11th April 2009 (15 Rabiulakhir 1430H)
Venue:Tampines Stadium
Time: 4pm-11pm

There will also be a talk/lecture /forum .
Topic : The Last sermon/will of Rasullullah s.a.w
Panelists: Ustaz Dr M Samsudeen Jamali, Ustaz Prof. Muhd. Riza Dalkilic,Ustaz Azmi A Samad (moderator), Ustaz Dato' Ismail Kamus, Ustaz Hj Badli Shah Alauddin, Ustazah Dra Hjh Farines Asdjar

There will be a mini parade and play showcast "Al-Qamah aka Tanggang in the Prophet 's (s.a.w) era."

Recitation of Al-Quran by little bro Mukhlis Saputra and Hj Ahmadini Hj Amir.

There will be Nasyeed performances by local and Malaysian artistes: Rabbani, Yasin ,Muslee Ramlee (the P.Ramlee musical), Dato' Sharifah Aini. Faridah M Amin, & Elfie R. Ismail.

Check this site out!

This site is done by Bro. Ibrahim .....
(May God reward u for ur efforts ...amin)

http://www.geocities.com/faith_of_ibrahim/

Fish head can be eateN?!! Hmm..YES!

Last week's class, teacher talk about food that is permissible and not especially for those who memorized the Holy Quran.

The popular taboo was "FISH HEAD curry. Teacher said that there is not a reliable source/nas or hadiths that do not allow that. But there is a catch.... Teacher said that u can eat fish head curry but not the brains (Huh?!!) So confused right? Well, then cook it yourself. Or just avoid the brains at all cost but then when they cook it normally, they dont separate the brains, yeah but from what I was told, the fish head was immersed in the boiling gravy for a while so its ok but if in doubts, just avoid it or ..ask ur mama to cook for u (removing the brains first)...

There are many other food great for brains too.... such as raisins, purple grapes, lots of vegetables and fish and white meat, soya bean products, almonds.... to be continued.....

I have lots to write about but still lagging behind cos I had not blog about the previous talks that I went such as in Kg Siglap Mosque with Dr Danial and also Bro. Lemu a Nigerian Speaker invited by Darul Arqam.

hmm....insya-Allah will continue...

Interactive lecture series by Dr Danial Zainal Abidin

He is the author of 10 BESTSELLERS books (in Malaysia) entitled : Scientific Quran, Medicine in Islam, Modern Science, 7 formula for Individual excellence...and lots more..(U can get these books at local bookshops too!)
http://mindasuper.com/


1) "Cun bersama Al-Quran"
For youth and others...
Date: Saturday 4th April
10.30am -12.30pm
Multi-purpose Hall in Sultan msque
Fees: $5 only.

2) 4th april
2-4pm at Darul Ghufran Mosque
(Multi-purpose HALL)

3) "Dakwah Zaman Teknologi"
Untuk Pencinta Islam and dakwah
Saturday 4th april 2009
7.45pm-10pm
Sultan Mosque Auditorium
entrance fee :$5 only

3) "Al-Quran the Catalyst of Excellence"
(Bagi mereka yang ingin merapati Al-Quran
Tak kenal maka tak cinta)
Date: 5th April 2009
10.30am-12.30pm
Kampung Siglap mosque
Fees : $10 only

Notes and light refreshments will be provided.

His books will be sold on these dates too.
So make a date with him, jot these dates in your diary!


Seats are limited. Register now...call:
Ustazah Nur Hafizah @ 62437060 or
email : nurhafizah@mks.org.sg

Today is about determination...and time

Went to a new class tonite but same teacher. Kinda sad that my class had to split but everything has to happen for a reason, blessings in disguise.

Teacher was emphasing to us (especially me) to make the best use of our time. If we know how to divide our time wisely, we can succeed in memorizing the Holy Quran eventually, insya-Allah.

Teacher also told us to upgrade our knowledge by going for more classes and to frequent the "khatam" of Al-Quran so that we can get accustomed to the Quran.

Teacher wasnt really happy that we took our time to recite our memorization to him. He wanted us to do our memorization at home and come well-prepared (luckily, I went first, so am I still being zeroed in? Hmm...)

But personally, I think most of the lecture today is about individuals. To me, I felt a big part of it referring to me and my Sura Ar-Rahmaan and my old hifz that has been forgotten (I hope not, insya-Allah). Kinda motivated too since most of my classmates are adults and retired teachers. Felt motivated talking to them and sharing our "Struggling moments" together.

First time , I was in Darul Quran class. Normally I will be at the old mosque for hifz but this is a new change. We need to take off our shoes before entering the state of the art class .The class has a big tv and can access internet).We need to be CLEAN in and out to memorise the holy Quran, shoes are dirty so its a NO-NO! (that reminds me when I travelled to Holland, there were lots of dogs' poo everywhere. They paid some kinda of dog poo tax so they need not pick up after their dog's poo only limited areas like parks, it is compulsory , so I am very vexed when walking on the streets trying to jump, hop or avoid poo at all costs and I embraced raining season well, dancing in the rain in fact...)

Okay back to the topic....
Teacher said something like :" Determination will lead to success but u need great patience too especially when calamities befall u." Hmm..kinda answered some doubts twinkling in my head. Is he some kinda of psychic? Or perhaps he saw my "switch off mode" face...Hmm...

Next week topic supposed to be on food and memorisation and I heard hint2 of FISH HEAD curry..Yum! (err..I think Im supposed to avoid this..well, lets wait n see!)

TIP 1- 2 know whether u are memorising correctly ...

Only spend 20mins for memorizing 10 ayats

for full-time or expert student hifz ,
30mins = 1 page of the Holy Quran.
(hmm, when will I reach that stage? Insya-Allah, don't be dishearten my heart....if there's a will, there's a way...)

Such kindness...

The day, I actually (finally!)go to Hifz Quranic class, I was surprised 2 see 2 male adults joining us. Either they are new or I am...cos

I had been MIA from Hifz class (Quranic) due to schedule clashing but mainly unable to memorize the Sura Ar-Rahmaan.I had been religiously attending mostly HADITH memorization but skip the Quranic one. It felt weird because this Sura is one of the popular ones and even my teacher was stumped when I seeked his help. About 6 months, I was struggling to remember , just the first page of Ar-Rahmaan.

Then I started thinking, is it the method of memorizing is wrong? Should I changed it? I tried reading it 40 times over and over again (supposingly if u read something 40 times, u can remember it automatically) but it did not register in the brains at all. Tried 60 times. Then i relent..I need my teacher advice.

The advice he gave me :He said that though the time that I chose to memorize is of peace and tranquility (before subuh prayer and during maghrib isya) Perhaps, I should choose a different timing. He said that there must be a reading time and memorizing time separately. When u read that does not mean, u should memorize. So perhaps, should try afternoon or whenever cos He said that memorizing can be done any time, anywhere.

So after I get to memorized 28 ayats (its nothing great cos by right , 6 months I should memorized few juzuks, hmm...) and reluctantly meet my teacher, kinda skeptical on his reactions and a bit of fear seeps in cos the last date of hifz (in my report book) was dated 2008. My worry was unfounded, he was great and very motivating. But still I made silly mistakes which is a GREAT blunder cos even a single stroke that is wrong will give that ayat a different meaning.So demoted from A student to Z student. But at least, I took the courage to come and face my fear...

Then upon my exit to go home, I heard someone called me "Cikgu" (Err my nickname that my teacher gave me) I did not want to turn around cos I knew only Teacher called me by that and that tone of voice is different. But after repeated calls, I did turn somehow.

I turn around, one of the so-called new male adult student came to me. He hand over a small piece of hard thick cardboard with supplication paper pasted on it which I believe he made it himself. He asked me "U r memorizing the Surah Ar-Rahmaan, right? May this help u... "something like that...

I was surprised at the sudden gesture of kindness from this stranger (which I only meet today) and that someone did listen when I was actually pouring out my hifz woes to Teacher. People might think that it is nothing. It meant a great deal to me. It motivates me to push harder to strive for excellence and not to slack. The main thing is I felt sudden faith renewed "God listens"....

May God bless that person and help him and the rest in their HIFZ and get to khatam our Quranic hifz too. May all of us end up as Huffaz dunia & akhirat .amin.

The irony is that...that particular day was probably my last class there cos the class had been move over from As-Syafaah mosque to Kg Siglap mosque. And all of us will be separated into various classes. Hmm...

Okay Teacher's word of wisdom todays is "Al-Quran itu akan hadir dalam hati yang bersih, yang ikhlas kerana Al-Quran itu mudah "(from my teacher's teacher)

"The Holy Quran will enter the heart which is cleanse and sincere, because the Holy Quran is easy." something like that...if there is error, please forgive me.I'm only Human.

Darul Quran Opening Ceremony & khatamul Quran

These 3 days :27-29th March, in conjunction with the official opening ceremony of the Darul Quran, there will be Quranic recitation (mass) and Khatamul Quran held in Kampung Siglap mosque (near East coast).

Address:
Masjid Kampung Siglap,
451 Marine Parade Road
Singapore 449283


The programs are as follows:

27th March 2009 (Friday)

8.30-11.00am
1st Khatam (old mosque Hall)

11-2pm
Official opening ceremony of Darul Quran (main prayer hall)

3pm
Discussion with Qurra' regarding Al-Quran and education in Singapore
(Level 2, Darul Quran building Class 3 & 4)

4.20pm
Asar azan by Ustaz Wan Fakhurazi

5pm
2nd Khatam(Old mosque Hall)
Qasidah performance (main prayer Hall)

28th March 2009 (Saturday)

8.30 am
3rd Khatam -5th (Old Mosque Hall)

9am
Forum: To discover the secrets the Holy Quran and its knowledge (Main Prayer Hall)

9.30am
Al-Quran Clinic (Sura Al-Fateha and one short sura)
Level 2, Darul Quran Building Class 3 & 4

2pm
Froum: Discussion about Tajwid of the Holy Quran
(Level 1 ,Mosque Auditorium )

3.35pm
Certificate presentation of Sijil Tajwid and the art of Azan (kursus seni Lagu Azan)
Level 1, Mosque Auditorium

4.15pm
Azan Asar by Ustaz Husny

5pm
Various versions of Azan (Level 1,Mosque Auditorium)

7.30pm
Tarannum Al-Quran for Qari and Qariah (Main prayer Hall)

29th March 2009 (Sunday)

2pm
The journey of a Qari, sharing the life experiences of a life of a Qurra, the ups and downs of Qurra life/sweetness and bitter life experiences (level 1, Mosque Auditorium )

Asar prayer-The end

Note: The above are translated from Malay language to english. Thus please forgive me, if there are errors.

I can see the rainbow emerging....

Dark clouds parading in my life
Slowly moving away as they
began to emit rays of lights
from the warm gorgeous sun

The sky is clearing
The peace is heard
The war of the jungles are slowly ..
hush..hush..quieten down

I need this...
I need a break

I need to get crazy
I need to let my hair down

I need to be me
Let me be me
And let me be me
please.....dont be anything else but me...

Today I learnt HADITH 19 and 20!

It's been a long time since I updated what I was learning.
And without me realising, we are reaching half of the HADITH compilation. WOW! SO fast?!?!!
Will upload the images soon, insya-Allah...

Okay HADITH 19 is...

----------------------------------------------
ADAB WHEN JESTING
(adab bergurau)

From Ibn Umar, Nabi s.a.w said: "I will not speak except the truth even while jesting"
(At-Tabrani) (SAHIH)

Lessons learnt:
1)Jesting is natural and is permissible in Islam
2) When jesting, ensure that all adabs are met
3)Stay away from lying, slandering and insulting when jesting
4) Adding humour when preaching is among the sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh)

Ustaz said:
-It's normal to joke about. But dont joke about between man and woman and anything that can go beyond boundaries of Islam e.g hugging , holding hands while joking or jesting....

-Dont joke about others weakness or physical outlook such as black skin or race , soft ladylike walk or handicap, fat physical outlook ..or anything that could hurt ...

HADITH 20: Benefit of SAYING SELAWAT UPON PROPHET (pbuh)

From Anas bin Malik, Nabi s.a.w said:
"Whosoever say the selawat upon me, Allah will reward him with 10 blessings, 10 of his sins will be forgiven and he will be exalted by 10 degrees." (al-Bukhari) (SAHIH)

Lessons learnt:
1)Muslims are encouraged to constantly say the selawat upon the Prophet s.a.w.
2)Allah's selawat for his servants is in the form of blessings and goodness for mankind.
3) Saying the selawat upon Prophet Muhammad s.a.w is an ibadah and a remedy for problems faced by mankind.

Ustaz said:
-The sins meant here are little2 sins e.g come late for class,... not those BIG SINS like out of ISLAM, disobedient towards parents, adultery...
-Other umat (before us like Umat Adam a.s -alaihissalam and not like Nabi s.a.w (sallahualaihisalam) did not get the same benefits like us...


BONUS tips:
-Every drop of our Wudhu/ablution water will erase our little sins
-Kafir people or those who commit suicide will not get judgement but will go straight to hell
-Crazy/Mad people will be free from hell-fire
-"MAHA" word cannot be used on humans but it denotes the HIGHEST level which can only be use for GOD.
-Who say the SELAWAT upon the Prophet often >act as a PENAWAR kehidupan (cure of all life ailments/problems)

That's all for today...
(actually I lost my little notebook where I kept my notes, hmm..)

Okay, Im happy that there is a long break of holidays. I need to PUSH myself to finish the Ar-Rahmaan and As-Sajdah....

Suddenly after weeks ..err months actually of not attending the classes, I saw new students. But I think they are old HIFZ students that transfer. I have a new competitor because I heard this young student (perhaps in pre-teens) practising the AR-Rahmaan...suddenly, I felt that I need to press on the gas to accelerate!

Er, I suddenly remembered that Ustaz said last year that , this year, all of us will join the HIFZ competition (cos I saw the Musabaqah tilawah competition poster)..........YIKES!!!

And dont forget before you sleep or anytime of the day, do it NOW!!

"Say the Selawat...." NOW!! Dont wait..say it 10 X then God will do it 100X upon u by bestowing more good things for you...insya-Allah amin.

Perhaps those stern fiery membara feelings of anger will subside if I read this constantly....insya-Allah.