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