My Personal Art Piece: Mopti, Mali

Islamic scholars began Mali's history with the reign of Mansa Barmandana, who converted to Islam at the time of the Almoravids. Mali Masjid

Imam Abu Hanifa's Al-Fiqh al-Akbar Explained

Imam Abu Hanifa's Al-Fiqh al-Akbar Explained

By Abu ’l-Muntaha al-Maghnisawi, with Selections from 'Ali al-Qari’s Commentary Including Abu Hanifa’s Kitab al-Wasiyya

Compiled and Translated with an Introduction by Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf

Al-Fiqh al-Akbar is one of the earliest texts written on Islamic ­creed and one of the surviving works of Abu Hanifa, the Great Imam of jurisprudence and theology. Studied for centuries in the Muslim world, Al-Fiqh al-Akbar offers a more nuanced, textured approach to understanding divine oneness (tawhid), the focal point of Islamic belief. It refines one’s understanding of the Creator, the messengers and divine communication, and enables one to gain much-needed insight into the realities of this life and the events of the hereafter.

Al-Fiqh al-Akbar not only improves one’s understanding of 'aqida and deepens one’s appreciation of his or her beliefs, but it endeavors to address questions, which, if left unanswered, could leave insidious doubt and cause communal division. Such questions include: Where is Allah? Does Allah evolve? What constitutes true Islamic belief? Are prophets capable of sinning? Is there creation beyond what we see? What comes after death?

This translation of Al-Fiqh al-Akbar is an unprecedented contribution to the subject of 'aqida in English. A lucid rendering, unhampered by sterile literalism, it draws on a number of commentaries to unlock a subject that has been largely inaccessible to an English readership. This is due both to the subject’s complexity and the lack of reliable works in English. Combining Maghnisawi’s basic commentary with copious notes carefully selected from 'Ali al-Qari’s super-commentary and the entire Kitab al-Wasiyya of Abu Hanifa, this edition promises to be an essential guide on the intellectual and rewarding journey through Islamic creed.

“Mufti Abdur-Rahman ibn Yusuf has rendered a valuable service to English speaking Muslims. The depth of his scholarship and the accessibility of his language combine to present the reader with a text that elucidates critical aspects of the orthodox Muslim creed, and sheds light on contentious historical and theological issues.”
— Imam Zaid Shakir, New Islamic Directions, USA

“A substantial addition to the dismayingly small number of English translations of works of Islamic theology… It is well suited to provide a solid introduction to later Islamic theology, both Maturidi and Ash'ari, as it has been studied in traditional Sunni circles for centuries.”
— Aron Zysow, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, USA

“This represents one of the most comprehensive works written in the English language representing the traditional, true, and authentic teachings of the early predecessors (salaf) in matters of doctrine and tawhid (Islamic monotheism).”
— Shaykh Abdullah Ali, Lamppost Productions, USA


http://www.whitethreadpress.com/

"The Scholars Are The Inheritors Of The Prophets" - Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam)

The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi: Translated by Hamza Yusuf

About the Book: The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi is the first book published by Zaytuna Institute for its Curriculum Series. Translated, annotated, and introduced by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, it is a simple yet profound expression of the essential points of Muslim belief. Imam al-Tahawi’s creed has achieved an unusual degree of acceptance in the Muslim world, as it avoids involuted theological issues and systematically presents the most fundamental aspects of dogmatic theology. Studied throughout the Muslim world and increasingly in the West, The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi serves as a sound basis for Islamic faith and is the most reliable of the early articulations of Muslim belief.

About Imam al-Tahawi: Born in Taha in Upper Egypt in 239 AH/853 CE, Imam Abu Ja’far al-Tahawi lived until 321/933. A first-rate jurist, a brilliant grammarian and philologist, and an erudite man of letters, Imam al-Tahawi is best known for his eponymous creed. Known as “al-Azdi,” in reference to the Yemeni clan known as “Azd al-Hajar,” Imam al-Tahawi was a descendent of a people about whom the Prophet Muhammad said, “Faith is Yemeni.” It is altogether fitting that the man who penned such a unifying creed descended from the land of which faith itself is a descendant. Providing seekers of knowledge with a luminous set of simple and sound statements, his creed is a beacon of certainty in the darkness of doubt and ambiguity.

About the Translator: Hamza Yusuf is an American convert to Islam who studied for several years under leading scholars in the Muslim world. He is the co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in California and has translated into modern English several classical Arabic texts and poems, including the latest rendering of the thirteenth-century devotional poem, The Burda: The Poem of the Cloak. His most recent works include Purification of the Heart, a translation with commentary of a nineteenth-century text that examines the spiritual conditions and treatments of the heart; and The Content of Character, a collection of sayings from the Prophet Muhammad regarding the essence of character and behavior. The Creed of Imam al-Tahawi is the first text in the Zaytuna Curriculum Series. http://www.zaytuna.org/tahawibook.asp

Belief in Allah, Its Reality and Sweetness by Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ya'qoubi

Video: Belief in Allah, Its Reality and Sweetness

Muslim Mores: "Implementing the Etiquette of the 'Alim (Scholar of Islam)"

Name: Asra Adiba
Hometown: New York
Profile: Female student of Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi.
In her words: Greetings of Peace, Herein is the magnanimous way of living life as a muslim from the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as implemented by the men and women of Allah.

Audio Downloads:
These sessions are recorded live in New York with people calling in from throughout America into the live session.

The Four Letter Word: Obey/Nov. 11, 2006

The Muslim Code/Dedicated to Tasnim al-Jamal/Nov. 5, 2006

Taking the Sunnah from our Teachers to add to our Repertoire-2/Oct. 30, 2006

Taking the Sunnah from our Teachers to add to our Repertoire-1/Oct. 30, 2006

Diaphanous Damascus Letters/October 02, 2006

Treatise to the Teenager/July 2, 2006

Priceless Pages: Letters of Advice from Teachers/July 2, 2006

A Muslim is Like the Pacific: Ocean of Serenity/June 18, 2006

Wisdom of Conflict/Feb. 2006

Sprouts of Civil Strife in the Ummah/Feb. 2006

Fanaa': Feather in the Wind/May 14, 2006

Sh.Ahmed al-Alawi's Response to Reform Groups/May 7, 2006

Sabr[patience]: Imprisoning the Nafs[ego]/April 30, 2006

Tribute to Umm Ibrahim al-Yaqoubi/April 17, 2006

Boundaries of Love/April 2, 2006

Socializing: Scholar's Work/March 26, 2006

Imam Taqi al-Din Subki's Counsel on Seeking Islamic Knowledge - by Faraz Rabbani

The proper manners and methodology of seeking knowledge in Islam, from the Counsel of Imam Taqi al-Din Subki to his son Muhammad. The poem is read and explained by Sidi Faraz Rabbani (of www.sunnipath.com). Important in understanding a sound traditional Islamic understanding of knowledge; how it is sought; and the methodology of learning and knowledge that Muslims should follow. Emphasis is given on the purpose of knowledge; acting upon it; sincerely seeking the pleasure of Allah through it; following the way of the inheritors of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); and manifesting the fruits of knowledge in one's life--faith, piety, worshipfulness, and excellence of character and conduct.

Click on above picture to watch video

Remembering Allah and Setting our Priorities - Shaykh Muhammad Al-Yaqoubi

Remembering Allah and Setting our Priorities

We find ourselves in the midst of a materialistic life where worldly matters (dunia) are our priority. Many came to this country in pursuit of money and to escape religious persecution. But, the dunia took them out of the spirit of Islam and they now live mundane lives. We have become human machines; a cycle of eating, working, and sleeping. If we remember Allah (swt), it is from one Friday to the next Friday, or from one Ramadhan to the next. I would like to highlight the following verse that reminds the Believer to remember Allah (swt):

أَلَمْ يَأْنِ لِلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَن تَخْشَعَ قُلُوبُهُمْ لِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَا نَزَلَ مِنَ الْحَقِّ وَلَا يَكُونُوا كَالَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلُ فَطَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْأَمَدُ فَقَسَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ وَكَثِيرٌ مِّنْهُمْ فَاسِقُونَ

Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts should get into a state of khushu’u to engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors. [Qur’an 57:16]

Khushu’u is the state of tranquility of the physical body and inner body (sakina). Tranquility of the body stems from the heart. When the name of Allah is mentioned, our hearts and body should shake in awe of the magnificence of Allah. There was a time when a lecturer would simply say “Have taqwa in Allah” and the people would cry, their hearts moved. Their hearts would melt when Allah’s name is merely mentioned. But with time people have changed; their attachment to this world has increased. Allah is telling us in this verse that it is time for the believer to remember Allah. We must believe in what Allah sent down; no negotiations and no compromise of the religion (deen) for worldly matters (dunia). Our goal must be Allah. We cannot lose our deen to gain the dunia. A wise man once supplicated, “Oh my Lord, he who has lost You, what does he have; and he who has found You, what has he lost.” If you are obedient to Allah (swt) and His Messenger, you have Allah on your side, and you need nothing else. Do you think that if you do something for Allah, Allah will let you down? A good business transaction yields large profits, but people may cheat you or not pay you on time. You will always profit from a good relationship with Allah; Allah will always give you profit.

وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًاوَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا

And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out, And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish his purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. [Qur’an 65:2-3]

Put your trust in Allah, and Allah will guide you out of your dilemma and provide you with blessings. We must have Allah as a priority in our life.

قُلْ إِن كَانَ آبَاؤُكُمْ وَأَبْنَآؤُكُمْ وَإِخْوَانُكُمْ وَأَزْوَاجُكُمْ وَعَشِيرَتُكُمْ وَأَمْوَالٌ اقْتَرَفْتُمُوهَا وَتِجَارَةٌ تَخْشَوْنَ كَسَادَهَا وَمَسَاكِنُ تَرْضَوْنَهَا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْكُم مِّنَ اللّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَجِهَادٍ فِي سَبِيلِهِ فَتَرَبَّصُواْ حَتَّى يَأْتِيَ اللّهُ بِأَمْرِهِ وَاللّهُ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْفَاسِقِينَ

Say: If it be that your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your mates, or your kindred; the wealth that ye have gained; the commerce in which ye fear a decline: or the dwellings in which ye delight - are dearer to you than Allah, or His Messenger, or the striving in His cause;- then wait until Allah brings about His decision: and Allah guides not the rebellious. [Quran 9:24]

We find all the types of attachments people have in the above verse: children are attached to their mothers at a young age, spouses are attached to one another, a person can be attached to their work or business, or be attached to the land in which they live (nationalism). If any of these attachments are dearer or more beloved than Allah (swt) wait for the command of Allah for Allah guides not the rebellious. Rethink your goal of this life. We have lost control of our lives; money and materialism are leading us. If you try to walk on a floor covered with oil, you will loose control and never reach your ultimate destination. Do not let the material world control your life. Remember Allah’s love for us. We learn to ask from Allah from the age of 10 or even later in life. But Allah did not wait for us to ask of Him; He provided for us since we were young. May Allah (swt) guide us to be of those who rely on him alone for everything.

Al Ka'bah

Here I am at Your service, O Allah, here I am. You have no partner, here I am. You alone deserve all praise and gratitude. To You belongs all favours, blessings and sovereignty and You have no partner.

El-Hajj Malik Shabazz -Malcolm X

"I am and always will be a Muslim. My religion is Islam." -Malcolm X