Ilm Essentials

Toronto Visit – May 18-20

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:07:10 +0000

“Lessons from Surah Yusuf”

Date & Time: Friday, May 18 after Maghrib (8:45 pm).

Location: Darul Imaan – 9833 HWY 48,Unit #9 & 10, Markham, ON L3P 3J3 – Driving directions and view the flyer.

“Roadblocks to Jannah”

Date & Time: Saturday, May 19 after Maghrib (8:45 pm).

Location: Jamia Umar al-Farooq – 282 Elgin Street North, Cambridge, Ontario, N1R 8N5 – Driving directions.

“Need and Importance of Purifying the Heart”

Date & Time: Sunday, May 20 after Maghrib (8:45 pm).

Location: Malton Masjid – 7097 Airport Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L4T 2G7 – Driving directions.

Boston Visit – May 4-5

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:54:11 +0000

“Virtues of the Quran”

Date & Time: Friday, May 4 after Maghrib (7:30 pm).

Location: Islamic Center of New England – 74 Chase Drive, Sharon, MA 02067 – Driving directions.

Avoiding Spiritual Death (Audio)

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:50:53 +0000

Recorded at Jam Abu Bakr Masjid on Dec. 25, 2011.

Trenton, NJ Visit – Mar. 16

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:11:07 +0000

“Cleaning the Slate – Sincere Tawbah”

Date & Time: Friday, Mar. 16 after Maghrib (refreshments beforehand at 6:00 pm).

Location: Masjid As-Saffat - 25 Oxford Street Trenton NJ 08638 – Driving directions or view the flyer.

Reminder Concerning Tawbah

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:30:48 +0000

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Yesterday, Shaykh Zulfiqar Ahmad (may Allah preserve his legacy) gave a very beautiful, and practical reminder on turning in repentance to Allah Most High. I wanted to share a few of the points he made for those who were not able to listen to the talk.

1. Detach Yourself from Bad Company

Everyone is responsible for their own actions, but the company we keep strongly influences the decisions we make and can often be the impetus leading us to sin. Imam Ghazali mentions that a bad companion is worse than the bite of a snake because the poison of a snake only kills the body, whereas the poison of a bad companion kills one’s iman.

He further explains that a bad companion is actually worse than shaytan because although shaytan plants the idea of sin in our hearts, he does not compel us to act. It is our doing which takes that idea and manifests it into sin. But when a friend calls us toward sin, he not only plants the idea in our mind, but he grabs our hand and drags us toward the sin.

2. Make Tawbah from Two Sides

As soon as we disobey Allah Most High, we should ideally turn to Him in sincere repentance. However, many times we may not realize the mistake right away, or be so caught up in it, that we don’t care. So once we recognize the disobedience, we need to make tawbah from two sides:

a. Tawbah from the disobedience, and

b. Tawbah from the delay in making tawbah.

3. Fulfilling Rights is Part of Tawbah

Part of tawbah is having remorse and asking for forgiveness, but we must also ensure that the rights due upon us are fulfilled. Some of these are the rights of Allah; for example, making up missed prayers and fasts, paying our overdue zakah, etc. Others are the rights of the servants of Allah; for example, compensating for any financial loss (i.e in the case of theft), apologizing to someone if we backbit or spoke inappropriately to them, etc.

4. A Common Deterrent to Tawbah

We all have made our fair share of mistakes (may Allah forgive us), but sometimes shaytan tricks us into thinking, “I have so many sins, how can they all be forgiven? There is no point in making tawbah!” The key is not to look at the sins, however numerous and horrific they may be, but rather to look at the one forgiving the sins; how perfect and merciful is He!

5. A Common Complaint After Tawbah

“I made tawbah, but bad memories of the sin linger.” If the tawbah was sincere, the memories will dissipate over time. Focus on creating good memories in the meantime (i.e. acts of obedience), and on increasing your daily dhikr (so that the remembrance of Allah can replace the whisperings of shaytan).

These were just a few of the reminders; may Allah Most High forgive my shortcomings in presenting the words of our beloved Shaykh.

The most needy of servants,

khalid abdul sattar

New Course Taught By Mufti Abdur-Rahman – Uncovered Pearls on the Lawful and Prohibited

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:04:48 +0000

ZamZam Academy, in conjunction with Ilm Essentials, is offering a new course taught by Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf covering Imam Nahlawi’s “Uncovered Pearls on the Lawful and Prohibited” (Kitab al-Hazar wa ‘l-Ibaha).

Imam Nahlawi’s fascinating work expounds upon the lawful and prohibited related to food, clothing, gender relations, earning a living, and general sins of the tongue, heart and limbs. However, far from being just a fiqh text, it discusses the ethics and virtues related to these issues, and provides a well-rounded understanding of them. Many of the questions you have about daily life will be answered through this manual.

Classes are to begin on March 5 and will meet weekly for approximately 16–17 weeks until July 2, 2012. For more details and to register, please visit the Uncovered Pearls course page.

Defining Characteristic of the Sahabah (Audio)

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:28:49 +0000

Recorded at The Islamic Center of Morissville on Nov. 5, 2011.

Love for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) (Audio)

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:38:27 +0000

Recorded at Zubaida Foundation in Yardley, PA on Oct. 22, 2011.

NJ/PA Visit – Jan. 27-28

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:00:35 +0000

“Blessings of Certainty”

Date & Time: Friday, Jan. 27 after Isha (8:00 pm).

Location: Islamic Circle of Mercer County (ICMC) – 336 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 – Driving directions and event flyer.

“Benefits of Dhikr”

Date & Time: Saturday, Jan. 28 after Maghrib (5:20 pm).

Location: Yardley Masjid (Zubaida Foundation) – 855 Big Oak Road, Yardley, PA 19067 – Driving directions and event flyer.

Zaynab Academy Online Winter Courses

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:38:04 +0000

Zaynab Academy Online has extended the deadline for their Online Winter Courses through this Saturday Jan. 14. All courses are free of charge and for women only. Some of the courses being offered are:

Colors of the Sunnah: Riyadh al-Salihin: Chapters 21 to 38
Fiqh of Salah
Islam, Women & Gender
Purification of the Heart series – Part 1
The Duties of Brotherhood in Islam by Imam Ghazali

Zaynab Academy (for women) was founded in 2005 by Shaykh Kamaluddin Ahmed (db) and his wife Alimah Sobia as a nonprofit, nonpartisan and nonpolitical educational institute dedicated to classical Islamic learning and Spirituality. The Classical Islamic Learning courses offered by Zaynab Academy are designed to introduce women to the classical methodology of Islamic knowledge and scholarship through a modern educational approach.The philosophy of the courses offered is distinct in its embrace of the entire academic tradition of the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’a with respect for all scholars of Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, and Usul al-fiqh. Moreover, our courses highlight the importance of spiritual purification (tazkiya) and inner reform (islah).

http://www.zaynabacademyonline.org/

The Islamic Science of Purification (Audio)

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:51:14 +0000

Recorded in Ashburn, VA on Dec. 17, 2011.

Dallas and Houston Visit – Jan. 6-7

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:44:58 +0000

“Bringing Sincerity into Our Actions”

Date & Time: Friday, Jan. 6 after Isha (8:00 pm).

Location: Islamic Association of Collin County – 6401 Independence Pkwy., Plano, Texas 75023 – Driving directions.

“Focusing Our Efforts”

Date & Time: Saturday, Jan. 7 after Isha (7:45 pm).

Location: Hamza Masjid – 6233 Tess Lagunas Dr., Houston, TX 77083 – Driving directions and event flyer.

The Islamic Science of Spirituality – Live Broadcast

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:10:03 +0000

Saturday, Dec. 17, at 6:00 pm EST (talk to begin between 6:15 and 6:30 pm).

This talk will be broadcast live from the Ilm Essentials home page.

Seerah Class – Sundays in La Plata, MD

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:06:03 +0000

Sundays at The La Plata Masjid (Masjid Abdul-Moghni) - 111 Howard Street La Plata, MD 20646 – Driving directions. Please check the events page for specific dates and times.

Comments – Recordings from previous sessions (held last year in Alexandria, VA) are available on the Audio page and new recordings will be posted a few days after each session.

Toronto Visit – Dec. 24-25

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:02:32 +0000

“Greatness of the Sahabah”

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 24 after Isha (7:30 pm).

Location: Jamia Umar al-Farooq – 282 Elgin Street North, Cambridge, Ontario, N1R 8N5 – Driving directions.

“Avoiding Spiritual Death”

Date & Time: Sunday, Dec. 25 after Isha (7:30 pm).

Location: Jam Abu Bakr Masjid – 2665 Lawrence Avenue East, Scarborough, Ontario, M1P 2S2 – Driving directions.

Phoenix Visit – Dec. 9-11

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:12:50 +0000

“Investing in the Akhirah” – Sisters Only Program

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 10 at 10:30 am.

Location: Islamic Center of Northeast Valley (ICNEV) - 12125 E Via Linda Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 – Driving directions.

Comments – This program is open only to sisters.

“Living the Quran”

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 10 after Dhuhr (1:15 pm).

Location: Masjid Noor - 55 N. Matlock St, Mesa, AZ 85203 – Driving directions.

“Exalted Character of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)”

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 10 after Maghrib (dinner will be served after the talk).

Location: Islamic Center of Northeast Valley (ICNEV) - 12125 E Via Linda Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 – Driving directions.

Itikaf Program – Brothers Only

Date & Time: Saturday, Dec. 10 after Isha through Fajr.

Location: Islamic Center of Northeast Valley (ICNEV) - 12125 E Via Linda Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 – Driving directions.

Comments – Brothers, bring your sleeping bags and pillows to spend some valuable time in the masjid, remembering Allah and benefiting from each others company.

View the flyer for all the events.

View other upcoming events:

- Ashburn, VA (Dec. 17)
- Cambridge, ON (Dec. 24-25)

Boston Visit – Nov. 18-20

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:37:17 +0000

Jumuah Khutbah

Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 18 at 1:00 pm.

Location: Islamic Center of Burlington – 130 Lexington Street, Burlington, MA 01803 – Driving directions.

“Love for the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)”

Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 pm (dinner, Isha and talk).

Location: Islamic Center of New England – 74 Chase Drive, Sharon, MA 02067 – Driving directions.

“3 Roadblocks to Jannah”

Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 19 between Asr and Maghrib (3-4:30 pm).

Location: Islamic Center of Greater Worcester – 57 Laurel Street, Worcester, MA 01605 – Driving directions.

“Islam, Iman and Ihsan”

Date & Time: Saturday, Nov. 19 after Isha (7:00 pm).

Location: Islamic Center of Burlington – 130 Lexington Street, Burlington, MA 01803 – Driving directions.

View other upcoming events:

- Phoenix, AZ (Dec. 9-11)
- Ashburn, VA (Dec. 17)
- Cambridge, ON (Dec. 24-25)

Takbir at-Tashriq and Arafah Fast Reminder

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:10:48 +0000

Just a quick reminder that we should all start reciting the Takbir at-Tashriq beginning from Fajr on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, continuing through Asr on the 13th.

This should be recited immediately following the prayer, by anyone who offers the fard prayer, whether male or female. There are some valid differences within the madhhab about who the takbirs are wajib upon, as well as regarding the exact phrasing of the takbir, but the safest position is that everyone should recite them.

“Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest, there is no god but Allah.

And Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest and to Allah belongs all praise.”

Also, don’t forget to fast on the 9th of Dhul Hijjah:

Abu Qatadah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Fasting the Day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah) expiates for two years, one prior and one forthcoming.” (Muslim)

3 Stages to Tahajjud

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:00:29 +0000

One of the most virtuous of the nawafil acts of worship is waking up in the middle of the night for tahajjud prayer. This is that special time when the doors of mercy are thrown open and the angels are dispersed, seeking out those in need of their Lord. Yet, how unfortunate our situation is that we are deprived from this great bounty.

“Their sides shun their beds in order to pray to their Lord in fear and hope…” (Quran, 32: 16)

Abu Hurayrah (radiallahu anhu) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.” (Muslim)

I remember anytime one of the narrations regarding tahajjud would come up in a text, or was mentioned by one of our teachers, the students would eagerly ask how they could become regular in this blessed act. Here are a few suggestions based on their responses.

Stage 1 – I just can’t wake up

Despite your best efforts (asking a friend to call, multiple alarms, sleeping early, making a firm intention at night, etc.) if you simply cannot force yourself to get up, pray your tahajjud prayer before you go to sleep. Its time technically begins after Isha, so this can be a means of showing Allah that you are serious, and truly desirous of this great bounty. Couple this with dua admitting your inability and asking Allah for His bounty.

Stage 2 – I am sporadic in my tahajjud

If you are blessed to wake up for tahajjud on occasion, or get up most days, but miss a few here and there, be sure to “make-up” the prayer on the days that you don’t get up. And of course couple this with dua.

Umar (radiallahu anhu) narrates that “I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) say, ‘Whenever one of you sleeps through his night devotions, or through a part of them, then, if you perform them between the Fajr (i.e after Ishraq) and Dhuhr prayer, you will receive the same reward as if you performed them at night.’” (Muslim)

Stage 3 – I regularly wake up for tahajjud

Alhamdulillah, if you are at this stage you need to ensure 3 things:

1. Give shukr every night that Allah allowed you take advantage of this great blessing.
2. Admit to Allah that while you are unworthy of such a blessing, you are in need of it.
3. Beg Allah that He allow you to wake up the following night as well.

May Allah, Most High, allow each of us to be regular in our tahajjud prayers!

khalid abdul sattar

The 10 Days of Dhul Hijjah

Khalid Abdul Sattar — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:32:43 +0000

Abu Hurayrah (radiallahu anhu) narrates the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “On no days is the worship of Allah desired more than in the (first) ten days of Dhul Hijjah. The fast of each of these days is equal to the fast of a whole year, and the worship of each of these nights is equal to the worship of Laylat ‘l-Qadr” (Tirmidhi).

The included talk is a brief reminder about the enormous benefits of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah.