Education: Be the Leader you were Born to be – Ladies ONLY

Leadership skills are a must for all woman but often it is difficult to find an avenue that caters for the Islamic Perspective. ‘Be the Leader you were Born to be” is a first ever webinar series designed for muslim women to give them the necessary empowerment skills. We are all leaders in some way or the other, inside and outside the home. We are the leaders of our children who are the future of Islam.  We need to hone in on this beautiful position Allah SWT has given us as women, and  strive to be the best Muslimah’s we can be, Insha-Allah. Empower yourself!

This brilliant webinar series comprises of 12 skills, 1 skill is taught per month. 12 skills over 12 months!
Date: Begins 25 March 2011 (one Sunday a month for a year)
Time: 7:00pm-9:00pm South African time
Organizer: Islamic Online University
Instructor: Zohra Sarwari
Fees: $100 (approx ZAR800) for the full year – all fees go to charity
LADIES ONLY!

Enrollment Process

For more information click here

The teacher, Zohra Sarwari is a homeschooling mother of three brilliant children, and is an author and international life coach and she is sharing her knowledge this one time at a much cheaper price than usual and donating all the fees to Islamic Online University – IOU.

 

Imam of the Makkah Haram, Sheikh Mahir al Mu’ayqili – KZN Programme

Maher Al-Mueaqly (Arabic: ماهر المعيقلي) (born in 1967) is the imam of the Grand mosque in the Islamic holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. His full name is Sheikh Maher Bin Hamad Al-Mueaqly. Sheikh Maher’s mom and dad moved to Madinah of Nabi (SAW) and he was born there as well. He memorized the whole quran in Madinah and he was taught in the class of many scholars who are respected worldwide in Madinah.

He began his Sheikh career in the North of The Kingdom Of Saudia. He was taught extensively in mathematics until he began teaching it as well. At this point he stopped preaching and started working as a math teacher. He went back to Makkah to become a scholar and taught in the school of balaat. In Makkah he became a renowned speaker and began preaching once again. After becoming loved by the people he was chosen to become an advisor to Prince Abdul-Majid in Makkah. The sheikh is married and has four children: two boys and two girls. He began to teach Quran in Makkah before he began teaching at King Abdullah Saood University. He was promised before ramadan that he would lead taraweeh prayers in Madinah for the year 1426 and 1427, so he did. After that he was moved to Makkah and began to lead taraweeh from the first day of 1428 Ramadan in Masjid Al- Haram with Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais.

He has also led prayers in grand mosque in Madinah known as Masjid an-Nabawi. He has led taraweeh prayers in the yrs h1428 (2007), h1429 (2008) and h1430 (2009). He regularly leads Fajr and Maghrib prayers in Masjid Al-Haram.

• Tuesday 27th March
  Esha Salah : Masjid Rahmaniyah, Bayview, Chatsworth Unit 2, 246 Seagull road [Ladies Accom.]

• Wednesday 28th March
  Maghrib Salah : Mountain Rise Musjid, Pmb [Ladies Accom.]
  Esha Salah : Musjid al Hilal, Cresent St, Overport

• Friday 30th March
  Jumuah Salah : Jumuah Musjid [Formerly Grey St] [Ladies Accom]
  Esha Salah: Ispingo Beach Jamia Masjid

• Saturday 31st March
  Islam Day Programme covering the 5 pillars of Islam , and the 6 Pillars of Faith!
  Venue: Reservoir Hills Islamic Centre, Corner of Mountbatten & Halpin Avn.
  Time: 8.45am-1pm – [Ladies Accom. + Lunch]Participants:
  Imam Mahir al Mu’ayqili (listen to his mp3′s)
  Mufti Ismail Menk
  Mufti Faiyazur Rahim
  Sh. Saleem Banda
  Sh. Bilal Ismail

Sms 0844147184 to register & queries

Event Review: Pearls of Wisdom from The Victorious One (pt3)

Pearls of wisdom collected by students from The Victorious one.
See our event review Part 1 and Part 2
Pictures availabe here

• You can have your different cars, properties, cultures, etc, but Islaam brings us all together
• The masaajid today have lost their role which the masjid in the time of Nabi (pbuh) used  to play! Can we truly call every masjid around the world our home? Or is it just a place of prayer and education only?
•  The Ansaar were prepared to divorce any 1 of their wives to give to their muhaajir brother based on the choice of the muhaajir! the spirit of brotherhood!
• In this day and age has ‘I love you for the sake of allah’ become an empty statement? Consider the associations and brotherhood between the sahaba!
• The umbrella of this brorherhood in madina was their Aqeedah!
• Look for your own happiness and give it to others as well!Prejudices break down the society!
• An important lesson from the life of the prophet is image building.
• Wherever justice is, that’s where Islaam is!
• From the seerah we learn that we should have a positive approach. Positive approach results in a successful outcome.
• Islaam came with a just system. Whoever is with that is with us.
• Think good until bad is proven!
• One of the leadership skills of the Prophet (pbuh) was humbleness. Humbleness is not a form of weakness. Humbleness is strength. In order to reach the level of the character of the prophet, we need to purify our souls
• We should be open to other opinions especially when in leadership positions!
• Nobody has the right to take justice in their hand and fight others.
• The solution is simple, but we have to find it within ourselves first.
• Muslims won at uhud, why? Cos if you donot make mistakes then you won’t be able to learn from it! And the muslims learnt from their mistakes in uhud.
• If the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a dictator as some people claim, then how is it that he went for days on end without food? How is it that there was no food in his house for months on end at times?
• The campaign of the prophet muhammad (pbuh) was to win hearts, not minds. Cos if you win someone’s mind, its temporarily. But if you win someone’s heart, then you own them!
• Everyone of us are beautiful! And we can make ourselves more beautiful by our (good) actions!
• We have to protect our people, be they muslims or not. This is justice and the manner of the prophet muhammad (pbuh)
•  We get divided by not understanding what our vision should be!
• Injustice is currently the most enormous  social issue.
• As Muslims we are losing our identity and sense of belonging. 95% of muslims cannot answer who they are and where they belong
• Concession does not mean that you throw away your basic rules and principles.
• The Quraysh (polytheists) in makkah were the first to recognise the Islamic state
• Divine restrictions are actually an enrichment and not a restriction
• There is no state in this world which found itself in 8 years, like how the state of Madinah did under the leadership of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
• Everything which you do in your life with the correct intention, correct steps,  can turn out to be a blessed goal
• The biggest strength of Islaam as a religion is towbah (repentance), as Islaam wipes out everything (every sin) that was before
• The victory of Makkah was actually an emotional victory
• When Makkah was conquered by prophet Muhammad (pbuh), it was the first time that the kaabah was returned to its original state which was when prophet abraham and ismail built it, (i.e. Purified from idols)
• The strongest form of forgiveness is when you are in power and you forgive.
• The biggest winners are thos who are able to forgive. The biggest losers are those who take advantage of your forgiveness
• You don’t have to forgive, but the more you forgive the more better you will be able to live! The more you forgive, the more free you will be able to feel
• Its better to forgive, but that does not obligate friendship henceforth
• The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) physically passed away, but his teachings never did.
• The prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not afraid that his ummah will vanish, but he was afraid that their priorities will change.
•  You are not obligated to do what you can’t do.
• Uniting the ummah should be our greatest concern and effort!
• From a human perspective we can’t understand the seerah/prophet Muhammad (pbuh), because? … he fit many roles. He could step aside his human-ness and be just, as well as implement Allah’s laws without implementing his opinion in it. The Seerah as it was lived by the prophet (pbuh) evoked different responses from people. So many different insights and wisdoms and lessons, that it is difficult to internalize the reality of it. subhanallah.
• What a beautiful Eeman boost to imagine living with Prophet Mohammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him when we studied the Seerah on the weekend. Can you imagine to live with him in Jannah. Allahu Akbar. So, let’s walk in his footsteps, revive his Sunnah ourselves first, and then pass onto others
• The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) physically passed away, but his teachings never did!
• The Prophet didn’t appoint himself as a leader. He grew as a leader through different positions to become the Greatest Leader
• The success of our Nabi (SAW) cannot be understood using only intellect. One has to employ the heart to really appreciate it.
• Salaah and changing of Qiblaah was a preparation for obedience and discipline , to the Prophet and the leader and the imam and the leader in the army
• Do everything in ur ability to attain that which is beneficial to ur Eemaan and ur Aakhira. Fill ur life with sincerity, resolve, reliance on Allah.
• Capitalise on the opportunities that arise from a conflict situation – specifically those that will benefit the Muslims in the long term! -Treaty of Hudaibiyah.
• The Believer stands firm even in the face of taunting and provocation – Treaty of Hudaibiyah
• Story of the Prophet SAW and Aysha RA and the door that closed- Lessons for married couples on how to turn a tense situation to one of pleasantries
• Makkah is the Homesickness of the Soul
• The Athaan reminds you of your identity (as a muslim)

Upcomming Event: Shaykh Maahir bin Mu’ayqili South African Tour

Imam of the Haram of Makkah, Sheikh Mahir al Mu’ayqili Tours South African

Prospective Programme below – Detailed programs will be shared as soon as they become available

Gauteng

Cape Town

Kwa-Zulu Natal

Event Review: The Victorious One – Seerah from the Madinian Period (pt.2)

See Part 1 of this post.

Day 2 of the course picks up the pace with the major battles of islam up for discussion regarding the historic and strategic stances taken for each of them.  From the Battle of the Trench we see the proposition to dig a trench as brought forward by Salman Farsi, who was persian. It serves as a means of education to expand our horizons into the ways of other nations and not be tunnelled visioned by societal norms.  The prophet SAWS showed wisdom of getting the ‘right person for the job’ – This was apparant in the Pledge of Aqaba where  Mus’ab ib Umayr RA was sent to teach Islam to the people of Madina, and again in the consultation with Salman Farsi RA and adoption of the trench.

The above image is a scene from the Class Discussion. Students are given a small role playing task of protraying conflict in the workplace, to highlight the actualization of human response. There after we see conflicts that are addressed in the Seerah, and the manner in which Nabi SAWS handles these points. The prophet SAWS lead by example as is seen :

In the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) commanded the Muslims to shave their heads, to make sacrifices, and to return from Makkah to Medina according to the settlement, most of them did not obey. When Umm Salamah saw the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) grief, she offered a wise suggestion and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! It is too hard for them to accept the settlement since they desired victory. You should stand up and go out without uttering a word, then sacrifice and shave your own head, and then they will obey!”

The focus on the farewell hajj brings about reflection on the Final Sermon of the Prophet SAWS. The course highlighted the Final Sermon with it being read at the beginning of the course. For those individuals who have been on hajj, it conjures up many thoughts of the Day of Arafah and Mount Jabal Rahma.  A brilliant beginning and pre-conclusion tie that contextualizes what we have been left with  i.e Quraan , Sunnah and Islam.  There is a sheer hust of humility to know that each of us was thought of at the time of delivery of the last sermon. It is indeed such an honour to be part of the Ummah of Nabi SAWS.

The closure of the course stirred emotions and teary eyes as the congregation of students listen to Shaykh Mohammed Cheppih read aloud an exerpt from Tariq Ramadan’s book ‘The Messenger’. This exerpt concentrates on the details and description of the demise of the Prophet SAWS. Hearts are touched, the tears begin to flow, emotions stir and not a dry eye is left amongst the students. The course concludes, and each attendee walks away feeling like they have connected with , and learnt many valuable lessons from the Seerah of Nabi SAWS.

The feeling and internalisaton of this incredble loss to mankind – the Demise of the prophet SAWS- lingers for days after the course. It is an honour and priveledge it is to be from amongst the Ummah of Nabi SAWS.  Allah has bestowed us many favours including a seerah for character aspiration.The final post in this review series will share pearls of wisdom from the course.

See pictures from the course
Connect on twitter: @AlKautharZA
Join AlKauthar South Africa’s FanPage  to stay updated

Event Review: The Victorious One – Seerah from the Madinian Period (pt.1)

The Victorious One was a 2 day long course on the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS from the Madinian Period , held in Durban as well as Johannesburg.

There are many tales from the seerah which we discover as we go through life, most deeply seated in historic events. This brilliant course, the victorious one, draws on on human insight and the reality of the life of Nabi SAWS. It lets you consider his character and personality in relation to the world and propogating deen- as well as the struggles and approaches when dealing with people so as not to force or hurt anyones feelings, but rather to encourage them towards the islamic perspective.

Shaykh Mohammed Cheppih begins by reading aloud the Final Sermon of the Prophet SAWS. It reminds one of the message of Islam and the finality of revelation. AlKauthar cleverly afforded each student a beautiful laminated copy of the final sermon, perfect to stick up on the fridge as a reminder.

We traverse the seerah from the point of hijrah to madina, contemplating on ‘What did Madina look like?’ -
A brief snippet of the movie The Message is shown where the arrival of the Prophet SAWS is marked by the singing of “Twala al Badroo Alayna” See clip below. (Apologies for being unable to get a version with english subtitles)

One may question “Why watch bits of a movie in the course?” Simply put it serves and a means to contextualize the journey of the seerah, by visually allowing the students to identify the state of orignal Madina, the anticipation of the muslims to receive the Prophet SAWS as well as the ambience that lead to the selection of the site for the building of Masjid-Al-Quba. This initial depiction, sets the scene for the rest of the course, the students being presented with an all new perspective on the Seerah – The emotive perspective of being human in relation to the teachings of Islam.

The building of the masjid al quba shows the laying of  the foundation of the masjid as well the palm leaves for the roof,and the course steers to the perspectives of masaajid.

Students evaluated the perspective on whether or not the masjid in our community is fulfilling its roles for muslims. With focus on South Africa there are many mixed emotions about the lack of accommodation for women in masaajids, in parts of our country viz, Durban and Johannesburg.

The Battle of Badr draws light on a variety of conditions for war and a brief synopsis is present by Shayk Ismail Kamdar. A clip of the battle is seen and is met with astonished amusement that the muslims went to war chanting as if happy to be striving in the path of Allah SWT for the purpose of deen.

Pearls of Wisdom from Shaykh Ismail Kamdar:

• The islamic definition of TawaKkul is to do everything you can, and then only whatever is beyond your ability you place your trust in Allah! (Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar)
• Succes doesn’t happen overnight. The Battle of Badr was a climax of 15 years of hardship! Allah will help you when the time is right and when you have proven yourself. (Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar)
• The Problem in our ummah is that we all want the world to change, we all want khilaafah, but we all expect 1 person to do it. We have a lot of ideas but we don’t want to implement it.  (Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar)
• When we die, people are not going to miss our great ideas, but they will miss the great work we have done! (Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar)

Free Webinar: Hardships & the Road to the Most Merciful by Yasmin Mogahed

This sounds like a brilliant webinar despite it being in the pre Fajr Hours for South Africa. If you can afford to sacrifice some sleep, register online for this live session on this  Link

Date: February 9th, 2012 -

Time : 8:30 PM EST – That is 03:30 AM (GMT +2:00) for South Africa

Link for Webcast will be Emailed to You 24 hours before commencement, so register online now

Speaker:  Yasmin Mogahed

Vist her website YasminMogahed.com

Bio : Yasmin Mogahed received her B.S. Degree in Psychology and her Masters in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing her graduate work, she taught Islamic Studies and served as the Sisters’ Youth Director for the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. She also worked as a writing instructor for Cardinal Stritch University, and a staff columnist for the Islam section of InFocus News. Currently she’s an independent media consultant, a writer for the Huffington Post, and an author for Suhaibwebb.com, where she focuses most of her work on spiritual and personal development. Her written works, including a book chapter on the portrayal of Islam post-911, have appeared in print and online publications worldwide. Tune in to Serenity, her new show on One Legacy Radio, Wednesdays at 3:30 pm (PST), as she discusses questions on faith, spirituality and relationships from an Islamic spiritual lens.

Visit and Like her FaceBook Fanpage

Upcoming Events: The Victorious One – Seerah (Madenian Period)

Event by Al-Kauthar Academic Institute  presents a NOT-TO-BE-MISSED 2day course on the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammed SAWS. Journey through historic joys, sorrows, teachings and the greatest loss to mankind – the demise of our Nabi SAWS. Be inspired and learn how to implement the lessons of the Seerah practically into your life.

====================================
Instructor: Mohammed Cheppih
====================================

Durban: 18 & 19 Feb 2012
Venue: UKZN Westville campus.
Call: 0828607461

JHB: 25 & 26 Feb 2012.
Venue: Wits Med School
Call: 0723727707

Book now to avoid disappointment. Limited seats available.
Price: R495.  Early bird special R350 (runs until 3 Feb)

Online registration now open

Description

The Final Prophet of Allah had many names and titles, among them is al-Manṣūr which means the ‘victorious one’, the title of this long awaited conclusion to the AlKauthar sīrah series. In this weekend course we will cover the life of the Prophet (ṣalla’llāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) in the Madinah period.

The Prophet (ṣalla’llāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said,

“By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, none of you will be a true believer until I am dearer to him then his children, parents and all of mankind.” (al-Bukhārī)

Spend a special weekend nurturing love of the Prophet by studying, reflecting and sharing ways to implement lessons from the Prophetic Seerah into our daily lives. It is very easy to read the Sīrah without taking practical benefits that you use to change your life and the society you live in.

In the Victorious One a detailed analysis of many incidents will help make this course life changing for you and your involvement in the community you live in today. This course is filled with lessons on what the role of a masjid should be, what is the social welfare system in Islam, the significance of leadership, how to treat other faiths when in minority and majority, the rules of warfare, the importance of freedom, how to engage in community building, the behaviour and conduct of Muslims and so much more.

Some of the highlights of this course include:

~ A focus on the society of Madinah and the effect of the migration from Makkah.

~ The establishing of the state with the first masjid & the bonds of brotherhood.

~ The role of ʿĀʾisha (raḍi Allāhu ʿanhā) in the life of the Prophet (ṣalla’llāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam).

~ An analysis of the treaty of Madinah.

~ The rules of war & a study of Badr, Uḥud & Khandaq.

~ The Treaty of Ḥudaybiyyah & the influx of new Muslims.

~ The conquest of Makkah & the farewell Ḥajj.

~ The final illness and the passing away of the Prophet (ṣalla’llāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam).

====================================
Instructor: Mohammed Cheppih
====================================

December 2011 – Events in Pictures

December and January have been abit of a time stretch so we’re playing catch up with this post. The necessary events will be linked back here in the week. Stay tuned

World House Party Week :

International Dawah iniative by Mercy Mission international. Alhumdulillah, a brilliant collation of events.

• Hijab Tutorials – A first ever hijab event for South Africa featuring a variety of style by Muslimah(Life)Style
• Ladies Breakfast – With Edris Khamissa and Safeeya Moosa
• Kid’s Day – funfilled activities at amphiteatre gardens

Souk -  Pictures from the Al Ansaar Souk

The Rabia Z fashion show

I cannot begin to express how gorgeous and talented these designs were, showcased in a full on fashion show. A first ever of its kind for South Africa.

View Pictures here

Visit Rabiaz.com to see and order her designs.

I scored a picture with Rabia Z (woot)  – Ed

Quraan Exhibition by Exhibition Islam -

A brilliant exhibition that collates the journey of islam pictorially and presents the visual evolution of the quraanic calligraphy over time.

Lots of great pictures and the astounding model of orignal Madina depicting the houses of the Sahaba AS. View Pictures Here

And lastly, let your heart reach out to palestine on this pictorial walk through by SA Relief. Discovering the heartaches and trials of a torn land and its people. View pictures of the Palestine Walk-Through

 

Event Review: The Believer’s Mark #3

This post was put up due to a query from our comments section on this course regarding the permissiblity of Facing the Qiblah when relieving oneself. Below are the opinions of the scholars.

You may face the Qibla if in an enclosed space, but it is preferable not to.  If there is a door / screen in front of you, it is fine.  You should not relieve yourself out in the open, at least screen yourself.  If your lavatory is built facing the qibla, it is a non-issue but do not build your lavatory specifically in the direction of the Qibla.