Muslims are a spiritual community...Yes or No?

Challenge:

Seeking Allah in this materialistic mayhem.


Answer:

Race for the Hereafter! (((audio)))
khutba at iscj by Faraz Khan

just a REMINDER!!!

inshAllah this Saturday we would like to see you at Rutgers Univ. (Busch campus) SERC Bldg. Very few people are qualified to teach this subject of shari'a/usul al-fiqh * Qawaid al-fiqhiya. If you can't make it all day, I would suggest show up for few a hours and find a buddy who can give you his/her notes for the evening. However, if you are a student at Rutgers Univ. this session is mandatory :)
faraz

Islamic Studies Seminar with Sh. Jihad Hashim Brown

A seminar presented by the Office of the Muslim Chaplain at Rutgers & New York University as well as the Gibraltar Educational Initiative.

WHEN:
Saturday August 11th from 10am - 5:30pm

WHERE:
The SERC building at Rutgers University
see: http://maps.rutgers.edu/building.aspx?id=289

Please confirm your attendance via Facebook or e-mail (info@omcru.org) and you will be provided with registration materials.

WHAT:
A Look into the World of the
Universal Maxims of Islamic Jurisprudence

Contact InfoPhone:
732.718.2554
Email:
info@omcru.org

al-Taj al-Subki tells us that a qa'idah fiqhiyyah (juristic maxim) is a universal [concept] that applies to manifold particular cases; and according to which the rulings of those particulars can be known. Examples of which are: "Certainty is not dispelled by doubt," "repelling harm is more important than securing benefit," or "the scope of a situation, if straitened, is widened".

A maxim therefore, illustrates a broad (universal) meaning that is common throughout all of the individual cases (particulars) that subsume under its universal heading. The overarching maxim threads this special meaning through all of the individual cases that are encompassed by it. This "special meaning" is very often an indicator of the ratio legis (or rationale = illah) of the legal judgment for the particular case. These rationales that are embedded in the particular cases denote higher purposes with which Islam is ultimately concerned.

We can look for those meanings in new phenomena as we encounter them and the maxims can often give us guidance on what directions to take in these new situations.

In this program we will learn about the field of Universal Juristic Maxims as a subfield of Islamic Jurisprudence; we will gain insight into an intriguing dimension of Islamic Legal Theory; we will also learn more about how these principles form an essential facet of our authentic Islamic world view.

"Remind, for a reminder benefits a believer"

Photo: SMU - Islam Awareness Week - a prayer for Humanity


Salam Alaikum:

just a reminder about continuing our Quran reading... inshAllah we are in the month of Rajab; Next month is Shaban followed by RAMADAN. The Prophet (s) used to prepare for Ramadan two months in advance. He used to fast more days in Rajab and Shaban in preparation for Ramadan. He would also increase his ibadah (worship) and charitable acts in these months.

...So continue to grow as a Muslim; becoming closer and closer to Allah with good actions and avoiding the negative ones.

QRG Purpose:

InshAllah we want to push/remind students to read the Quran on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most Muslims don't pay much attention to the recitation of the Quran outside of Ramadan. For this reason, the Quran Reading Group is here to support and remind you about your reading every week.

Why You should read Qur'an (no particular order):

1. It's a shifa - a healing
2. It offers protection
3. guidance
4. connection with God
5. forgiveness for your sins
6. increase in your standing
7. increase in knowledge
8. enjoy the company of pure angels
9. conversation with God
10. for the Love of God
11. intercessor on the Day of Judgment

Islamic Studies Seminar with Sh. Jihad Hashim Brown

A seminar presented by the Office of the Muslim Chaplain at Rutgers & New York University as well as the Gibraltar Educational Initiative.

WHEN:
Saturday August 11th from 10am - 5:30pm

WHERE:
The SERC building at Rutgers University
see: http://maps.rutgers.edu/building.aspx?id=289

Please confirm your attendance via Facebook or e-mail (info@omcru.org) and you will be provided with registration materials.

WHAT:
A Look into the World of the
Universal Maxims of Islamic Jurisprudence

Contact InfoPhone:
732.718.2554
Email:
info@omcru.org

al-Taj al-Subki tells us that a qa'idah fiqhiyyah (juristic maxim) is a universal [concept] that applies to manifold particular cases; and according to which the rulings of those particulars can be known. Examples of which are: "Certainty is not dispelled by doubt," "repelling harm is more important than securing benefit," or "the scope of a situation, if straitened, is widened".

A maxim therefore, illustrates a broad (universal) meaning that is common throughout all of the individual cases (particulars) that subsume under its universal heading. The overarching maxim threads this special meaning through all of the individual cases that are encompassed by it. This "special meaning" is very often an indicator of the ratio legis (or rationale = illah) of the legal judgment for the particular case. These rationales that are embedded in the particular cases denote higher purposes with which Islam is ultimately concerned.

We can look for those meanings in new phenomena as we encounter them and the maxims can often give us guidance on what directions to take in these new situations.

In this program we will learn about the field of Universal Juristic Maxims as a subfield of Islamic Jurisprudence; we will gain insight into an intriguing dimension of Islamic Legal Theory; we will also learn more about how these principles form an essential facet of our authentic Islamic world view.

Instructor's bio:

Jihad Hashim-Brown - is Director of Research at the Tabah Foundation in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. After receiving degrees in Psychology and Near East Studies from Rutgers University, New Jersey in 1994, he went on to study Arabic rhetoric, dialectic theology, and Islamic legal theory with prominent religious authorities in Damascus. In accordance with the criteria of traditional learning methods he studied privately with notable scholars like Muhammad Adib al-Kallas, Dr. Saeed Ramadan al-Buti, and Muhammad Ali al-Shuqayr receiving his scholarly liscences (ijazah) after ten years of intensive training. This included a year in the Minor Atlas of Morrocco reading the Comendium of Compendia of al-Taj al-Subki with the scholar and jurist Muhammad Ghali al-Dadisi in the "antique" madrasha of Tanalit. Mr. Hashim-Brown travels widely, teaching and lecturing in the service of engaging classical jurisprudence and theology with the contemporary age. He has also appeared frequently on numerous satellite television programs in the region.

The Status of the Prophet in the Quran

"God and His angels send salutations on the Prophet (Muhammad). O you who believe send salutations and prayers with peace on the Prophet"

room n board for a sister

Subject: Muslimah looking for roommate(s) @ RU-NB

Asalamu Alaykum

A Muslim sister is looking for roommates to get an apartment near Rutgers New Brunswick, or to move in with sisters who already have an apartment. Please email Nismah at nsmuslimah@gmail.com
Jazakallahu Khayr

What can I say!

Chacha OR ‘Ammu!

Bismillah, since Muslim Chaplaincy is in business to provide service to RU students, I would like to know your concerns. I think there’s a lot of positive energy on campus, just look at the names on QRG, lots of potential. The students have always helped out despite their busy academic schedule – alhamdo lillah.

Switching gears, last weekend, I spoke at TASMiNA, Sri Lankan Muslim community’s gathering on ‘Responsibilities of fatherhood. It was great to see the Sri Lankan Muslim community thriving in central Jersey. MashAllah, good people. BTW, in my talk I ended up touching upon inequality in Muslim household based on gender and the pathetic yet real deal forced marriages. Folks there’s lots of dirt under the carpet – lets clean it up, not hide it. Let me ask, do Muslim leaders/Imams talk about these social issues? I don’t know.
We (Dawud and I) are also involved with interfaith discussions and preparation with fellow ministers. Meanwhile, I am preparing for reading resource material for Quran Study Group. In addition, this weekend, I will be speaking at Noor-Ul-Iman School Eighth Grade Graduation Ceremony. It should be fun; I consider NUI kids to be my kids. As for my RU kids, they can call me chacha/’amu if they feel like it …lol.

‘araftum shalon / baat samajh mai ai

I just wanted to keep you guys in the loop, that’s all.

WasSalam,

Yours,
chacha

Quran Reading Group

*** The Quran Reading Group will be on a temporary hiatus until Ramadan; however we should continue to read at our own pace. Inshallah e-mail addresses will be collected to send weekly reminders to all QRG participants. ***

Q.R.G.

Quran Reading Group *updated

WHAT: InshAllah we want to push/remind students to read the Quran on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most Muslims don't pay much attention to the recitation of the Quran outside of Ramadan. For this reason, the Quran Reading Group is here to support and remind you about your reading every week.

How does it work?

Basically, you look at the list of juz available for recitation and put your juz under comment section with your name OR you can send an email to Marwa and Saba. They will post your name next to the juz you volunteered to read. If there are more people and all 30 juz are taken, we can start another reading circle. It is up to you how much Quran you want to read weekly. Again, we are here to remind you and push you to daily recite the Quran.

Note: On the 7th day of the week, a reminder is sent out to the group about their reading. If someone can't finish their reading then we will make a general call to the entire group to read your juz (shame on you!).

Once first 30 juz (entire Quran) are taken by people (it could be two students who volunteer to read 15 juz or 30 people who volunteer to read a juz, or more or less...you get the idea), we can start another circle, and so on and so forth.

FAQs:

Qs.How do I volunteer to read?

Ans. You can put your juz no. with your name in comments section below. OR send an email to both Marwa marwa831@eden.rutgers.edu & Saba sabayh@gmail.com They will put your name next to the juz(s) you volunteered to read.

Qs. How many juz/para I have to read?

Ans. Each person picks the amount of Quran he/she can read... 1, 2, 10 juz... doesn't matter. Even if a person wants to read less i.e. 1/2 a juz per week, he simply has to find another person to read the other half. See example juz 30 below.Qs. Do I read the same juz/para every week?Ans. No, you can pick another juz and send an email for that particular week or put your juz number in comment section.

Qs. What if I cannot read the Quran (OMG!) in Arabic?

Ans. Relax, if you cannot read it in Arabic, just listen to the Quran - (reading & listening has the same reward). We will not stop you from participating :)

educational seminars

Bismillah,
'Read in the name of your Lord who has created you'

Knowledge in Islam is the beginning of one's servitude to God. He (swt) mentioned, 'Know for surety that there's no one worthy of worship except Allah'. The Prophet (s) was instructed to repeat the dua' ‘Rabbi zidni 'ilma’ – ‘O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.’

The Prophet (s) mentioned about the one who is on the path to seek knowledge is on the path to paradise. Such is the beautiful example of a student seeking knowledge in Islam.
Here I would like to mention how pleased I am with the recent proliferation of Islamic educational seminars. In central Jersey, we have al-Mishkat, al-Maghrib Institute, and Gibraltar Educational Initiative with a lineup of scholars such as Imam Dr. Djafer Sebkhaoui, Sheikh AbdulBary Yahya, and Dr. Shadee Elmasry. This is a great blessing and a mercy of God. May God increase our quest for knowledge.
Lastly, I want to mention a word of caution for the students of knowledge. Please beware of the following pitfalls:

1. Arrogance - 'dude, that's my fatwa on this issue'.
2. Tribalism - 'my group is the saved sect'.
3. Shaykh-ism - 'my shaykh is the scholar of all scholars and the Imam at the local masjid is so boring'.
4. Groupie - 'Islam is following my jamat'

Remember, knowledge is not simply mindless memorization. Rather, knowledge is that which benefits people in this world and in the hereafter. In conclusion, sufficient is the statement of Allah for all students of knowledge, "Have taqwa of God, and He will teach you".

Quran Reading Group - *special*

WHAT: QURAN READING GROUP
Please read carefully below and volunteer to recite a section of the Qur'an for this week.

WHAT: InshAllah we want to push/remind students to read the Quran on a daily basis. Unfortunately, most Muslims don't pay much attention to the recitation of the Quran outside of Ramadan. For this reason, the Quran Reading Group is here to support and remind you about your reading every week.

How does it work?

Basically, you look at the list of juz available for recitation and put your juz under comment section with your name OR you can send an email to Marwa and Saba. They will post your name next to the juz you volunteered to read. If there are more people and all 30 juz are taken, we can start another reading circle. It is up to you how much Quran you want to read weekly. Again, we are here to remind you and push you to daily recite the Quran.

Note: On the 7th day of the week, a reminder is sent out to the group about their reading. If someone can't finish their reading then we will make a general call to the entire group to read your juz (shame on you!).

Once first 30 juz (entire Quran) are taken by people (it could be two students who volunteer to read 15 juz or 30 people who volunteer to read a juz, or more or less...you get the idea), we can start another circle, and so on and so forth.

FAQs:

Qs. How do I volunteer to read?
Ans. You can put your juz no. with your name in comments section below. OR send an email to both Marwa marwa831@eden.rutgers.edu & Saba sabayh@gmail.com They will put your name next to the juz(s) you volunteered to read.

Qs. How many juz/para I have to read?
Ans. Each person picks the amount of Quran he/she can read... 1, 2, 10 juz... doesn't matter. Even if a person wants to read less i.e. 1/2 a juz per week, he simply has to find another person to read the other half. See example juz 30 below.

Qs. Do I read the same juz/para every week?
Ans. No, you can pick another juz and send an email for that particular week or put your juz number in comment section.

Qs. What if I cannot read the Quran (OMG!) in Arabic?
Ans. Relax, if you cannot read it in Arabic, just listen to the Quran - (reading & listening has the same reward). We will not stop you from participating :)


Quran Reading Group for May 24-31 WK ONE:
(who wants to read? put your name in comments section below with juz #)

We are trying to finish the entire Qur'an by next Friday

Juz 1 - Faraz Khan
Juz 2 - Saher Jilani
Juz 3 - Faraz Khan
Juz 4 - Faraz Khan
Juz 5 - Faraz Khan

Juz 6 - Faraz Khan
Juz 7 - Asim Usmani
Juz 8 - Asim Usmani
Juz 9 - Naqiyba Auston
Juz10 - Naqiyba Auston

Juz11 - NUI Seniors
Juz12 - NUI Seniors
Juz13 - NUI Seniors
Juz14 - NUI Seniors
Juz15 - NUI Seniors

Juz16 - NUI Seniors
Juz17 - Marwa E.
Juz18 - Salman
Juz19 - Leila H.
Juz20 - Nadia S.

Juz21 - Rabia M.
Juz22 - Farrah H.
Juz23 - Saba H.
Juz24 - Rabia M.
Juz25 - Saher Jilani

Juz26 - Natasha P.
Juz27 - Nadia A.
Juz28 - Mariam Buker
Juz29 - Saher Jilani
Juz30 - Dawud/Asia/Mujahid / Ingy Alhelawe (more than 1 person can read 1 juz)

Khutba at ISCJ

ZIKR (Remembrance of God) & Our Lives
Khutba
by Faraz Khan

O You who Believe, Be mindful of God and let every soul look at what it will forward for tomorrow. Be mindful of God for He is well-aware of what you do.

Do not be like those who forgot God, therefore He caused them to forget their souls. Such are bad people.

Not equal are the people of the (hell) Fire and the people of the Gardens. The people of the Gardens are the victorious.