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Quran Study Group

"This is a Reminder, and for the God-fearing there shall be a beautiful end" (Quran)

InshAllah, We will meet tonight at 8:00 pm at College Ave. (same place). It is important you follow the Character Education Program and review your notes. Since we only covered first three ayat, we will go back to the explanation of Surah al-Fatiha tonight (Wednesday). Also, I want to remind you that the Quran Study Group is your 1 credit Islamic Studies course. Please do not short change Islam for your Physics or Bio exams :)

wasSalam,
faraz




QUR'AN STUDY GROUP with Chaplain Faraz Khan
WHEN: Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 pm
WHERE: COLLEGE AVE. CAMPUS, Frelinghuysen Hall, Room A1
Map & Directions

Weekly Audio Lecture Notes

Title: "The People of God" The People of God
Given By: Faraz Khan
Place: New York University
Written By: Saher Jilani

Summary: In this talk, Br. Faraz mentions the exceptional qualities of those individuals who are referred to as Awliya Allah, or the People of God. He explains that the noblest people in the eyes of God are those who fear Him and are most pious.

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). ~ Qur’an (13:49)

Br. Faraz discusses the lives of 5 distinct individuals who were leading examples of Awliya Allah. They include:

1. Fatima bint Abdullah
2. Ahmed Zarruq
3. Fudail bin 'Iya
4. Bashr al-Hafi
5. Jigar Muradabadi

The characteristics that stood amongst these people were that they possessed a strong level of iman and taqwa in their hearts. They had acquired patience during times of serious affliction & hardship in their lives. Therefore, by putting their complete trust in God they overcame difficult struggles which in turn enabled them to become strong believers in Allah (swt). The inspiring stories that Br. Faraz shared clearly showed how these people turned their lives around and attained success. I felt that each story thoroughly explained the true manifestation of one’s complete submission to Allah (swt).

Br. Faraz explains that the closeness a person has with Allah is not like material closeness that can be understood by reason. Rather one’s relationship with Allah is only found in the heart and cannot be measured. This particular topic encourages us to strive towards increasing our faith and continue to keep the remembrance of Allah in our lives. It is our goal to become people of God and understand and implement the teachings of Qur’an and sunnah. By carefully studying the stories mentioned in this talk, one can clearly understand the true devotion of being awliya Allah.

Insha'Allah may Allah (swt) enrich our hearts with iman and taqwa and give us the guidance and strength towards becoming His people - Ameen.

Please share your comments and thoughts on this week's audio!

media & chaplaincy

The Home News Tribune

InshAllah, I will be contributing to "Matters of Faith" column for the Home News Tribune. My khutba on "Finding God and Visiting the Sick" was published last Friday Feb. 23, 2007.

"Imam Faraz Khan talks about the Muslim faith and his role as an Imam".

Character Edu Program for this Week

This Wednesday at 8:00 pm, we will continue with Tafsir al-Fatiha in our Q-Study Group.

ONLINE - Character Education Program 10:00 pm tonight (click below to listen).


Character Education Program WEEK TWO ONLINE CLASS

WEEK 2

DAILY DHIKR: SubhanaAllahi wa bihamdihi SubhanAllahil Azeem 100X
WEEKLY on Guard: watch your language and guard your tongue
MONTHLY THEME: Honoring our Parents - bringing a gift home this weekend.

Please listen to the audio file for more details on Character Edu. Program (based on Sirah of the Prophet Mohammad (s)).

al-Maghrib comes to Rutgers

Welcome to Rutgers New Brunswick, the home of the Durbah :)

By Faraz

I attended the opening session with Sheikh Yasir Qadhi last night at New Brunswick. I briefly talked with him about the goals of chaplaincy at New Brunswick.
al-hamdo lillah, it was good to see many young men and women interested in learning about Islam and aqeeda in specific. Since its inception, Al-Maghrib has had a huge impact on the American Muslim youth. It has a culture of its own. You have to experience the brotherhood and sisterhood in order to know what it's all about.

I just want to remind people, specially for the New Brunswick students, please go out of your way to spread salams, smiles, and mingle with people, especially brothers and sisters who came from great distances.

May Allah give us success.

Pop Culture and Generation Islam

By Faraz
Life is nothing but choosing between right and wrong. It takes guts to stand in the face of the vulgar pop culture and say "I am a Muslim and I do not want any part of it". From 'Desperate House Wives' to 'Fifty Cents', what culture are we adopting?
Are we that Generation Islam that will revive this Ummah or are we those 'wanna be thugs' who show up on MTV? What do we represent? Do we live Islam or do we contradict Islam?
Be honest.

Pop Culture is not Islam.

Live ONE LIFE.

Live Islam.

Quran Study Group

"This is a Reminder, and for the God-fearing there shall be a beautiful end" (Quran)


QUR'AN STUDY GROUP with Chaplain Faraz Khan
WHEN: Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 pm
WHERE: COLLEGE AVE. CAMPUS, Frelinghuysen Hall, Room A1
Map & Directions

Place for Rent

I wanted to know if you knew anyone that was looking for a place to rent in New Brunswick. Idealy, I am looking for someone between the age of 18-30. The house has all Muslims in it, Alhamdulliah, and makes a great environment for any single Muslim brother who is in college or working full time. The room will be shared, and the rent is $400-$450 per month depending on which room he picks. The water and high speed interent are free, and the heat & electricity bill is divided by the # of people in the house.

VIRTUAL TOUR:

contact:
Cell: 732.322.9186

Weekly Audio Lecture Notes

Title: “Unity and Ideological Differences on Campuses and Mosques” - NJ MSA Unity Dinner
Unity & Ideological Differences on Campuses and Mosques
Given By: Faraz Khan
Place: Seton Hall University
Written By: Saher Jilani

Summary: The objective of this discussion is to focus on the importance of working towards unifying our ummah. Br. Faraz mentions that the ummah can accomplish great things when we come together under “la illaha il Allah Muhammad rasul Allah.” More importantly, he emphasizes that Islam is about guiding humanity, not dividing it – thus, it is essential not to get caught up on ideological differences but rather work to establish a single unified community.

Br. Faraz asks, “Why is there a dire need for unity?” I like the example he gives of the burning house and how we must have the wisdom to work together to save lives rather than criticize each other trying to figure out ‘who caused the fire?’ This creative analogy advises to protect ourselves from the fire in the Hereafter and move people out of the dunya concerns.

He also reminds us that Islam is about calling to the way of Allah (swt) bil hikma, ‘with wisdom’…and a good preaching. However, if you are going to dispute, do it in a manner which is good including making dua’ for the individual for this was the sunnah of the Prophet (s). Another important point I recall from this talk is to remember that before we begin to judge others on how they practice Islam, we must first and foremost look at ourselves and begin from within. Following that, I also believe it’s beneficial that we look for the admirable qualities in others and in turn reflect it upon ourselves.

Br. Faraz acknowledges in his talk that as believers we must understand what our deen stands for. Every believer follows the 5 pllars of Islam and the 6 articles of faith -this is what binds Muslims together. He mentions, “We are people who carry the light, carry the Qur’an, and we must take the responsibility otherwise we are lost people…” The goal is to unite the hearts of people, welcome people, and work collectively insha’Allah. I felt that Br. Faraz eloquently shared a valuable message on the importance of Muslim unity across campuses, mosques and elsewhere.

"Unity is strength. When the sand grains unite they become a vast desert. When the sea drops unite they become a boundless ocean. The conglomeration of stars in the firmament of sky soothes our eyes. The seven colors emerge in the shape of a rainbow. The unity of people makes an invincible strong nation. "

Abu Musa (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "The relationship of the believer with another believer is like (the bricks of) a building, each strengthens the other.'' He illustrated this by interlacing the fingers of both his hands. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Be on this Path.... the goal behind Islamic edu.

"O You who believe, whoever turns away from the way of God, He will replace you with another people who will love Him and He will love them. They are humble before believers and strong against disbelievers" (Koran).

The Goal Behind 'Character Edu. Program' (online) and Q-Study Group (Wed. 8:00 pm on College Ave).
By Faraz

The civilizations of the past produced many great books, cites, inventions, monuments, etc. For example, the ruins of the city of Moenjodaro, built entirely of unbaked brick in the 3rd millennium B.C. was a planned city with water and an underground sewage system. The Wall of China, the Colosseum, amphitheaters, aqueducts, Sphinx, etc. were all extraordinary work of men.
However, when we look at the life of the Prophet (s), he didn't produce any of the above. He didn't leave behind great books, monuments, cities that can compare to Damascus and Rome, or monuments in every corner, but he changed the entire social order of Arabian Peninsula. In twenty-three years, he brought the jahili society, from darkness into light. How?
He simply worked on people. He connected them to God. Once this connection was established, he left them in the hands of God. Thus, we inherit this legacy of the Prophet (s), to be amongst saliheen (good people) and use this alchemy to produce hearts of gold. The formula has been given to us by our beloved Prophet (s). Be on this Path of taqwa and you will attain greater than the greatest monuments, the Pleasure of God.

Worldly people produce ephemeral things, Godly people produce lasting work.
ma 'indakum yanfad, wa ma 'indAllahi baaq
That which you posses will perish but what remains with God will last (Quran).

QUR'AN STUDY GROUP with Chaplain Faraz Khan
WHEN: Wednesdays 8:00 - 9:00 pm
WHERE: COLLEGE AVE. CAMPUS, Frelinghuysen Hall, Room A1
Map & Directions

Character Education Program

Salam Alaikum Everyone,
By Faraz
InshAllah I plan on seeing you tonight at the ISRU meeting. I was hoping Saad could post ISRU news online (hey Saad, this is an open call to post ISRU announcements on the blog :) ...

InshAllah, Qur'an Study Group next Wednesday at Frelinghuysen Hall A1 (College Ave). Most people received the class cancellation news but I want to apologize to few individuals who didn't get the campus buzz and showed up for the class (esp. Esmael M. and Ibrahim M.). Please feel free to comment on the blog. I want to have an open communication inshAllah.

Next Wednesday for Q-Study Group, we will cover tafsir (explanation) of Surah al-Fatiha. It is the most important surah in the Quran (the greatest surah as the Prophet (s) called it). One's prayer is not valid without the recitation of al-Fatiha.

Reminder about the Character Education Program:Have you practiced the following today:
(Why? I thought we want to live Islam and not talk about Islam)
*Daily dhikr: istagh-firullah 100x
**Weekly - Beware of foul language: Do not practice, listen, or promote it.
***Monthly - Honoring our Parents: saying salam and showing our affection for them

Beauty on My Own Terms

OPINION: Student at RU speak out

I have always been taught that all individuals are created equal; that no one should be judged according to gender, beauty, wealth, or privilege, that the only thing that makes one individual better than another is the content of a person's character. However, these days it becomes increasingly difficult to forget physical differences and instead concentrate on more important issues. By covering not only my hair but also my body and self from public view, I shift the focus of attention away from my physical features and I hope instead to my intellectual being. By choosing to don appropriate clothing I divert unwanted attention and gazes and instead make it known to the world that my body is my own concern. I am free from the restrictions of the never ending fashion and beauty trends followed by so many, and instead of worrying about my hairstyle and makeup I can instead channel my energy into something more productive.

My choice to wear the Hijab, which is the Muslim headscarf, renders it as not only a physical covering but also a path through which to better my character and personality. By understanding that the superficial issues of this world serve no purpose but to distract me from my ultimate goal of pleasing the Creator, I am given the opportunity to not only work towards fulfilling this goal but also to personally raise my self-esteem . By attempting to break away from the shallow binds of this world, I immobilize my pursuit of the abstract notions of beauty, essentially recognizing that such a pursuit is incredibly futile and time consuming.

By wearing the Hijab I not only cover my hair, but also represent my religion to the world. I try to act in an appropriate manner, the manner in which Muslims are to act in both personal relations and in public discourse. If I am to dress like a Muslim woman and publicly represent the religion, I have to understand that I am not only representing my self but actually all the Muslim women who are dressed like me.

Hijab is a simple expression of belief in the religion of Islam and the decision to wear it is for the woman alone. If she decides to fully accept Islam, as I did, then she has by default chosen to accept this basic tenant of modesty as well. This is by no means a method of subjugating women to the "oppressive, patriorachal, dominating, unfair" rules of the religion, but rather it is their liberation from the bounds of materialistic attractions so commonly found in society. I along with many countless Muslim women do not view my veil and modest dress as awkward, backward, or demeaning. I view it as a protection of that which God has given me, a protection of my physical and mental capacities.

Wearing the hijab provides me with the chance to reject the oppression, ridicule, and contempt that are associated with the "beauty cycle" of the so called "lookism" culture. By donning it I have asserted the fact that my physical appearance and clothing have no role in either my educational or social interactions. By choosing to wear the Hijab, I have not only learned to better myself but also to present an accurate image to those around me about both myself and my religion. I have and will continue to use it as a tool through which to convey one main message to others. This hijab has given me the self-respect, humility, and dignity that have allowed me to value myself more as a woman. My hijab may cover my hair and body but it liberates my soul.