ISLAMIC ONLINE UNIVERSITY

AQD 101 Notes for Modules 1 to 20

Bibi Omeemun Hakh

12/1/2010

These notes were done mostly from the lectures of the Aqueeda 101 course by BAIS of the Islamic Online University. Please contact me with any changes or errors you may find. Jazakalahukhairan. My email is Ummhajer@gmail.com

Contents Module 1 Aqueeda ..................................................................................................................................... 3

Module 2 - Significance of Tauheed .............................................................................................................. 6

Module 3 Tauheed Al Asma wa Sifat ......................................................................................................... 9

Module 4 Tawhid Al Asma wa Sifat (Maintaining the unity of Allah names and Attributes) .................. 11

Module 5 - Tawheed Al Ibadah ................................................................................................................... 14

Module 6 - Chapter 2 Shirk ...................................................................................................................... 17

Module 7 Allah covenant with Adam (AS) ............................................................................................... 20

Module 8 - Charms and omens ................................................................................................................... 21

Module 9 - Fortunetelling ........................................................................................................................... 24

Module 10 - Astrology ................................................................................................................................ 26

Module 11 - Chapter 7 Magic .................................................................................................................. 30

Module 12- Exorcism .................................................................................................................................. 32

Module 13 and Module 14 ......................................................................................................................... 34

Module 15 - Seeing Allah - Chapter 9 ......................................................................................................... 39

Module 16 Seeing Allah and seeing Prophet Muhammad ...................................................................... 43

Module 17 Chapter 10 - Saint Worship .................................................................................................... 45

Module 18 Saint Worship Walee Chapter 10 Aqueeda 101 ................................................................. 48

Module 19 Chapter 10 Grave Worship ................................................................................................. 51

Module 20 - Summary / Revision ................................................................................................................ 55

Module 1 Aqueeda Refers to the basis of Islamic faith, belief , the Islamic creed Aqueeda - Commonly used term taken from Arabic Ukkada whick literary means a knot form What ever belief a person is firm/certain about Ukada refers to the knotting of its firm Refers to Iman belief in Allah, his angels, books, prophets, Qadr of Allah, Refers to Tauheed Basic faith Al Fiqh al Aqbar the higher fiqh or greater fiqh Aqueeda of Ahlul Sunnah wal Jamah Faith belief, creed of the people of the sunnah and

community

Ahlul Sunnan wal Jamah

Term used to distinguish between those who are not from Ahlull Sunnah do not follow the sunnah as conveyed by the Prophet like the Shia

Jamah the community they stayed together eg. the breakaway groups are not included like the kawarij

The Aqeeda of the Muslims as conveyed by the prophet A quadid is the proper term Main belief of the main body of Muslim as conveyed to us by the prophet and his companions

Understanding of Tauheed

Conveyed by the Prophet in Quran and sunnah clarification was given by HP and was sufficient for his companions.

No need to develop area call Tauheed need arise after the Prophet as Islam spread into lands where people had their own Belief system.

As new muslims enter into discussion with non-muslims the basic belief were challenged it was not sufficient to say that the Quran said or the Sunnah said (fine if you are muslims but with dealing with non muslims had to have logical argument explanation that goes beyond the use of these text) The text were applied in a way to refute certain arguments held by non-muslims or muslims who have become misguided

Science of Aqueeda develop the Islamic Creed the theology to determine what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. The Discipline of Theology

Develop to dispel misconceptions and for further clarification. To refute certain arguments Evolve in response to these challenges.

People who claim Tauheed

There were those who claim tauheed Say Tauheed meant - Allah is everything and Everything is Allah

Wahada means to unite and make everything one. Allah is the Creation and the Creation is Allah

Founder of this philosophy - Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Arabi born in Spain His philosophy Made claims posses and inner light and used to call him self as the Seal of the saint hood -Qatimul Awleeya

His followers refer to him as Sh. Al Akbar eg Harun Yahya books Matter is only an illusion Everything is Allah. It is only that Allah that exist. Harun Yahya refer

to him as Sh. Al Akbar.( Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Arabi from the 12 th century)

His (Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Arabi) famous books

Futuhad al Makkiya Fussous al Hikam

Warning Surah Yusuf vs 106

Surah Yusuf Ch 12vs 106 most of those who claim to belief in Allah commit shirk. Most people say they belief in God but commit shirk Many muslims has some aspect of worship to other than Allah. a variety of practices now

common customs among the muslim that has elements of idolatory shirk.

Foundation of Islamic Faith

Follow the way of the prophet Source from which we derived our understanding of Tauheed He is the source Allah revealed the message to him He best understood it His companion lived with him and best understood it He instructed them to be careful to follow his way Sat with his companions and drew a line with branches the middle line is his path Ch 6 vs 153 this is my path so follow it and be not follow the other path u may become

separated from Allahs path. Left behind 2 things book of Allah and Sunnah if you hold on to them will never go astray

all this will help us to understand the foundation of Belief Foundation of belief has to be in the way the Prophet prescribed

Importance of understanding Tauheed - It is our declaration of our Faith La illa ha illlah Tauheed

Area we required to spend the most time on Here in line our salvation Our relationship with Allah who is Allah then we are saved.

Companion who will enter Jannah without praying any salaah- he accepted islam and went to battle of Badr and died as a martyr never prayed, give zakaat, do hajj, nor fast- he understood his relationship with Allah and this will give him Jannah.

Salvation lies in understanding what is Tauheed / Belief Zakaat, Salaah, Fasting, Hajj are ways and means of realizing/ accentuating Tauheed in our lives

Iman based on 6 pillars

Goal of our study: To implement what we learn and convey it to others.

If you learn and it does not affect your faith then check your intentions

Notes from Live Session

Tauheed

1. First pillar of Islam most important pillar the most important subject to study and implement

2. The message of Tauheed is found in throughout the Quran and Sunnah but the word Tauheed is not found in the Quran but in some hadith

3. Early generations had a firm understanding of Tauheed and the rulers did not allow deviation in this field

4. When wrong belief began to spread, the scholars categorized Tauheed to make it easier to understand and teach

The 3 categories of Tauheed

1. Tauheed Ar Rubiyah Oneness of His Lordship

2. Tauheed as Asma was Sifat Uniqueness in His Names and Attributes

3. Tauheed al Ibadah / Udhideya Unique right to be worship alone

Some Scholars categorize Tauheed into two:

1. Tauheed in Belief to belief Allah is one and unique in His attributes (which is actually both Tauheed Ar Rububeeya and Tauheed as Asma wa Sifat)

2. Tauheed in Action To worship Allah alone (Tauheed al Ibadah)

Wahadatul Wujood (oneness of existence) is a false concept of some Sufi that everything is Allah.

Different Sufi groups understand it differently, some belief you can become so pious, you become one with Allah, others belief you can become so pious you can only see Allah around you. Either way it is false belief.

Harun Yahya believe in this.

Tasawwuf another word for Sufism

Module 2 Significance of Tauheed Significance of Tauheed

Way of life it affects all way, aspect of life. Tauheed manifest in everything we do, say and think if not manifest then we have falling in

some element of shirk Division of Tauheed in 2 or 3 categories done to better understand the issues of Tauheed Represented as a complete system by all 3 aspect First expression/avenue of disobedience or rebellion of the Quranic understanding/explanation

of Tauheed appeared to with regards to Allahs complete knowledge does Allah know everything? If He does then it is possible for Him to write all down before all appeared there is a writing Allah create first a pen and instructed it to write pen write everything that was and to be - -> expression of Allahs knowledge all written before anything appeared

Writing took place 50,000 years before the creation of world

Free Will Audio 5:31

If everything is written then Human beings has no free will debate within the Christian in Syria, Greece, Persia, Jerusalem etc.

Non-Muslims belief - God doesnt know and human have free will or God knows and Human being have no free will

Islam Allah knows everything Human beings have free wills difficult for the philosophers to put these two things together this Muslims left to Allah He knows best.

We have free will we are rewarded or punish Judgment means we have free will Allah knows everything to say he doesnt know everything imply that He is not Absolute /

Omnipotent (having power over all things)/ Omniscient (having knowledge over all things) Muslims accept both Audio 8:23 Human have free will but what they do as an expression of their free will was already known

to Allah and this does not mean that He force them to do it. What we do is also by the will of Allah we make choices and these choices become manifest in

life is by Allah will- but this was already known by Allah. We accept and carryon in life controversy around free will

Sausan Audio 11

Converted to Islam and First to express this challenge to Allah knowledge and brought the debate into Muslims circle Mabad ibn Khalid al Juhani his student spread this teaching Sausan apostate and went back to Christianity (planted the seed) Mabad continue to spread and affect people executed by Caliph Mabad students contributed to spread his ideas In the early days of the Ummayad Caliphate (lasted for 100 years) these people were executed Later days of Ummayad Caliphate Caliph have gone far away from Islam. Scholars avoided the

caliphs Caliphs become more and more corrupt effort to stamp out these deviant ideas stopped from

the leadership become the job of the scholars to rise up and take these ideas on. Science of Aqueeda to keep the pure ideas alive scholars rose to protect the Sunnah (from

distortion/ fabricated hadith also science of hadith arose) Sciences of Aqueeda and Hadith - evolved to protect Islam in it purity (unlike that of the

Christian faith)- to protect the teaching of islam Scholars divided the category of Tauheed into 3

Tauheed Ar Ruboobeeya Unity of Lordship (Audio 20)

Allah has created everything Everything that exist is His creation Allah This is His creation it belongs to Him nothing takes place in it without His permission There is no power, no movement except by the permission of Allah Concept found in Quran and Sunnah means of bringing people to If you ask them who created the Heavens and the Earth they will say Allah the concept of

creation is there the confusion is with the attributes of Allah. Allah reveals His Attributes to us so we know who Allah is If you know He is the Lord then it is Him who answers prayers so pray to Him alone Verses that describe HOW Allah has created things eg camel and how it was created, or the

mountains it must have been done by Allah Verses where Allah challenges the believers themselves and creation were they created from

nothing or were they created by nothing or were they created by themselves this idea of Allah not creating the universe is rare the denial that God created the universe is rare so very few verses with regards to this

Verses which prove Ruboobeeya are few disbelief in the creator is a rare thing (Audio 25) the main problem is who do we worship problem is not worship one God but to worship the only One Deserving God

It is natural for human being to belief in God Sura Al Araf belief in God is a natural everything child is born with a natural belief in God it is

their parents who take them away

Belief in God is logical vast majority of human beings belief in God

Argument of the Quran focus on where to go with Ruboobeya - -Audio 27

Part of it dealt with trials in life Allah is in control of everything whatever happens to us is by His will Good God then whatever happen to us must be for the good Evil God Then He is like us maybe good maybe evil Everything that comes all of our decisions in life must be good This element of Ruboobeya non muslims become confused Evil happen to them for inexplicable reasons accident, disease etc. so they question is there a

good if there is then the good should get good and the bad should get bad they want to see it in this life and because they cant see it they question if there is a God

Even people who considered themselves muslims when evil comes to them they ask WHY? Audio 30 The answer to that is Why not? If any evil comes to us we earn it what our hands has done. Have you live such a perfect life that no evil comes to you?

Allah is Merciful give us recompense and forgive us Life is a test give us something good and it will be a test, give us something evil and this is a

test a test to bring out good and a test to expose evil. Perhaps you may dislike something that is comes to you that is good for you and you may like

something that is bad for you. You dont know. Allah knows. Whatever Allah give us in life is suitable for us whether we are able to grasp how is it suitable or not we accept it this is Tauheed Ar-Ruboobeya we want to know why, we forget our own sins which makes us eligible for evil / punishment in this life we dont have that right to ask why area where people, even muslims faulters

Ruboobeya requires Audio 33. 24 Accept Allah as the creator and controller/sustainer of all things He sustains universe nothing takes place without His will La hawla wa laa quwwata illaa billaah There is no movement nor power except by Allahs will Whatever He does is ultimately good whether we see it or not We have to be patient expression of our belief in Ar Ruboobeya Impatience expression of weakness of belief in Ruboobeya We seek other means to prevent the harm from coming or to bring good for ourselves we

have broken the rules All good is from Allah and all harm is by His permission no way to turn to except Allah Charms, amulets are all part of shirk when we rely on these things to bring us good destroy

this element of Tauheed. Not to rely on anything in this world to prevent harm or to protect us destroys this aspect of

Tauheed (giving powers that belong only to Allah to this amulet) We depend only unto Allah We turn to Him in good times and bad times

Live session notes

Tauheed ar Ruboobeya Belief Tauheed Al Asma wa Sifat Names and Attributes Tauheed Al Ibday Actions Allah knows everything that was, is, will be, and whatever will not be, if it were to be, how it would have been. Hadith Think of life as a multiple choice test: Allah chooses the questions for us (our situation/circumstances). Then gives us the answers to choose from (right and wrong options), we cant choose the questions, we can just choose the correct answer. And Allah already knows what we will choose. Culture We can practice any culture in the world as long as the practices do not conflict with Islam. Any cultural practice that conflicts with Islam is haram. People cant commit sin without Allahs will, this does not mean He allowed him to do it or He forced him to do it. The sin is done out of our choice through the power Allah has given us, and we are accountable for abusing this power. A bidah can only be an act of worship Ibadah Every act of Ibadah is an innovation (bidah) unless proven permissible Muammalat every act of dunya is permissible unless proven haram

Module 3 Tauheed Al Asma wa Sifat Unity of Allahs names and attributes

Tauheed ar Ruboobeeya - the vast majority of people believe in this. Tauheed as step to Asma wa Sifat and Ulooheeya Tauheed Al Asma wa Sifat

Allah is the creator of Everything Everything besides Him were created His attributes must be different from His creation If creation has same attributes as Allah then everything will be one so Allahs attribute must be

different from that of His Creation. Distinguishing Him from His Creation to maintain Allah uniqueness Attributes of Allah as He has described to us from His source that is the only valid source Only He can describe himself to those who dont know Him Every name describe an attribute Not every attribute He has described Himself with is a name this is how Allah chooses it to

be. Understanding Names and Attributes in a language Allah conveyed them. He chose to explain

them (Arabic language)

Certain words have meaning Take names and attributes according to their face value Audio 6:49 until or unless words

indicate otherwise The literal meaning is what we intend when we speak so this is how we have to take the

attributes and names of Allah (the context will tell us if the meaning is implied or not) Surah AsShura Ch42 vs 11 there is nothing like Him nothing similar to Him (so when Allah

describe Himself we take it at face value because there is nothing similar to Him or like Him. Rules

1. Take things (His description) on the face value a. Anthropomorphism give god human attributes (this is what the Christian did)

2. There is nothing like Him nor similar to Him Questions on Hows with regard to Allah are unknown

Some one ask Imam Malik how did Allah settle above his throne Audio 14 o Settling above (Al istiwah) is known in Arabic and the hows are not known and asking

about it is Bidah, so leave my circle. How did Allah create the universe? this is not our area this has to do with Allahs action

only Allah knows How if we know how then we become on the same level as Allah. To ask about How becomes an innovation not the way of the companions

Hadith - Do you know where the sun goes when it sets it prostrate underneath the throne of Allah the companions did not ask How they just stayed away this was the way of the early generation their faith firm Principles

1. We accept them as face value (we are literalist but not anthropomorphism we do not give Allah human attributes).

He sees all things in His own way and Hears all things in His own way. Sees but not in the way we see. Hears but not like how we hears. Allah living and existing is not like our living and existing.

(Audio 22 )This rule keeps us safe from those who start dwelling in an area where we do not have knowledge of. The only time when we go further is when a face value explanation goes against other description which implies the opposite for example Allah says: He knows what the soul whisper to itself and He is closer to you than your jugular vein the literal meaning of this is that Allah is somehow inside you. This creates a problem - Some human being will go to hell so does this mean that a part of Allah will burn in Hell. Allah clarify that He is above and beyond His creation. This literal understanding here is not appropriate because it goes against so many other text in the Quran. Allah knows what the heart whispers he is talking about His knowledge nothing escapes Allah Allah knows of everything even what is whispered within the soul. Allah used this expression as a test to exposed those people who have diseases in their hearts 2. Refers to Allah alone has the right to give himself names since He knows himself better than

any other creature can know Him. It is impossible for us to think that we have better knowledge than Him. Audio 27:18

He tells us names for a purpose. He kept names to Himself Whatever we needed to know of Allah He has given us.

I have not left anything which will bring you closer to Allah without informing you to do it so if there was a name that would help us understands Allah better Allah would have revealed it to the prophet. The fact that he did not tells us

Every name implies an attributes Not every attributes have a name for e.g. Allah describe Himself as being angry with

certain people but He never called Himself the angry one- Al Ghaadib Names that Allah used we use them and names that he did not call Himself we should

not call him by that name Every name is an act of ibadah to glorify Allah, to fear Allah or to act according to the

implementation of that name (e.g. The thankful -Ash-Shookur) We must be thankful Prophet said Whoever doesnt thank people does not thank Allah Thanking people is an obligation on us

Those who dont express gratitude to Allah - Allah used the words Kufr (are disbelievers).

Module 4 Tawhid Al Asma wa Sifat (Maintaining the unity of Allah names and Attributes) Norm- people recognize that Allah is their Lord- they know that there is a God, but they dont see god operating in their life (desist) Tawhid As asma wa Sifat

Deals with the attributes of God which are distinct from all creations Maintaining the uniqueness of Allah in our thoughts, actions and words

with regards to His attributes and Names. Every name of Allah implies an attribute Every attribute implies a name There are name which Allah choose for Himself and there are name which

He did not choose In order to maintain this uniqueness of Allah names and Attributes we have

to not to go beyond what Allah has described Himself Allah chose names because these names for His creatures help them to

understand and be clear as to who Allah is and who He is not. Each names implies an attributes for example Ar Rahman the most

Merciful implies Allah is the most Merciful Conditions in maintaining Allah names and Attributes Audio 12:30

1. We limit ourselves to what Allah has chose for Himself only Allah can clarify for us who He is and who He is not. There is nothing like Him

2. We should not give Him any additional names even though these names may be implied by attributes IN Quran Attributes are many but name are limited. Names not taken by Allah we should not give it to Him. For example where it says Allah is angry with them Quran 48, 6 but we do not give attribute

3. We do not give human attribute to Allah. For example the Torah and Bible it say God created the Heavens and Earth and rested/slept on the 7th day. Resting is a human attribute mankind gets tired not God. (in contrast Allah says in the Quran no tiredness overcome Him Ch 2 vs 255) When we describe Allah in terms of names and attributes if there is an attributes shared with that of Human beings we do not give it the same meaning as it is implied by it in human beings we do not describe Allah in a way human beings are described. Allah is We do not give Allah any attributes which are attributes of His Creations whether by extracting it from the attributes He give Himself. In Christian scripture Exodus and the Lord repented these attributes of human beings should not be applied to human beings There is nothing like Him and He is the Hearer and the Seer of All things Quran 42:11 Allah hears and sees it all and there is nothing similar to Him We understand Allah without giving him extra attributes Pictures of jesus as God giving human attributes to Allah

4. We do not give Allah;s attributes to His Creations. Eg. For Christian they claim that Jesus always existed they have given him the attributes of eternal existence being without beginning Also, Malchesadek Hebrew 7 vs 13 King of Salem described as without mother, without father, without geneology, without beginning of day or ending of lifebut resembeling the son of God he continue a priest. To give this attribute of eternal life is giving Allah attributes to human. Audio 21:30 The Shia has given the names and attributes of Allah to their Imams- the attributes of being infallible, incapable of error this belongs to Allah alone all human beings commits errors Every descendants of Adam commit errors and the best of those who commit error are those who repent. Hadith

- The Shia said that an Imam has to be infallible- absolutely free from error from the time he was born and that it is not possible for him to make a mistake even inwardly.

- The Christian hold that their Pope is infallible when he becomes a pope then he becomes infallible they cannot say I am sorry I made a mistake (When Pope Benedick made a mistake could not accept that he made a mistake because he cannot say he was wrong)

- The Shia also their Imam is Omniscient knower of everthing this is an attribute of Allah alone. Their deviation is based on their destruction of Tawheed Al Asma wa Sifat.

- Shia - Giving their imams the attributes of Allah. - Shia has given their Imaams

o divine attributes of absolute infallibility, o knowledge of the past, the future and the unseen o The ability to change destiny o Control over the atoms of creation

5. The names which Allah given him selves which have in front of them the definite article Al these names cannot be given to human beings with the definite article. For example: Ch 9 vs 128 attributes given to the prophet a messenger come to you full of mercy and full of pity Raouf and Raheem can be given to human but not Ar Raouf or Ar Raheem with the definite article Al or AR

Notes from Live Session:

1. Anthropomorphism Major shirk Humanization of God To give Allah the attributes of His Creation for example the Christian claim that God rested after created the heaven and earth, or god ask for forgiveness

2. Do not give the creation the attributes of Allah deification of creation Major Shirk

3. Do not give the names of Allah to other than Allah - Allah names in definite form cannot be given to people eg ArRahman - Allah names in their indefinite form can be given if the translation is

appropriate eg raheem (a merciful person) - Allah names in their indefinite form cannot be given to people if the

translation is inappropriate for example Rahman (this name is specific to Allah only)

- It is good to name people Abd (male) and Amat (female) of one of Allah names for example Abdullah, Abdur-Rahman, Amatullah

- It is not permissible to call someone the abd of other than Allah for example AbduNabi or AmaturRasool

Module 5 - Tawheed Al Ibadah The prophets brought the knowledge of Allah to us We need to know who Allah is Tawheed Al Ibadah is

The main focus of all the prophet of Allah. all prophets came with this message to worship Allah.

Allah is not like the earthly kings Allah tells us call on Me and I will answer you -> He cuts out the intermediately

Messengers came to make the route to Allah clear Know that He is the Creator and He is unique then He is the only one

who deserves our worship in all our aspect our whole lives should be expression of worship.

Surah Zariat I only created the Jinns and Human beings in order to worship me for a need which they have.

Surah Nahl vs 36 Indeed I have sent to every nation a messenger say worship Allah and avoid false God

Purpose of our creation is worship The Messengers came to ensure that we know how and who to worship --

Allah. Worship calling on Allah for things only Allah can do Directing prayers to other than Allah become worship to them If you ask ask only of Allah, if you seek help, seek it only from Allah If we put our trust in other than Allah we are destroying this element of

trust in Allah Our Trust should be in Allah ( this is where most of us today fall down in

our Tawheed) No obedience to the creatures is permissible if it involves disobedience to

the Creator

Trust in Allah is broken when we engage in haram acts and statements for the sake of our jobs because our trust is in our boss that he is going to pay us at the end of the month.

The only guaranteed is with Allah when Allah make a promise His promise is true

Trust in Allah when go to the doctor and he give you medicine -> if this is good for me then the medicine will take effect and cure me the trust is in Allah not the medicine

Love we should love Allah above all else. Sura Bakara there are among men those who take for worship those

besides Allah as equals to Him for worship. They love them as they should only love Allah - example the family members want you to do something that may make you do what is haram like you take a loan with interest (or taking a loan when you do not need to take a loan taking a loan is like begging and this is not allowed in Islam only beg for necessity not for wants and desires) this is living beyond your means against islam.

o One will be held at the gate of paradise because of his debts. One who begs without a need will come before Allah without any skin on his face

Love can drive us to the haram because the love of creatures is greater than our love of Allah

Laws Government (Hakeleeya) - Allah is the legislator. When we choose fundamental legislation other than that of Allah then we fall in the area of Shirk.

o Hadid bin Hatim heard the prophet recite the verse in reference to the Christian and jews They have taken their monks and rabbis as their lord He (Hadid) said no we did not worship the monks the prophet said do they make hallal what Allah made haram and made Haram what Allah made Hallal. this is how they take their monks and rabbi as their lord

o Many non-muslim countries fall under this.

o Example for Muslim countries that falls with this is those who make polygamy haram or make alcohol production and consumption legal.

Laws which are secondary and tertiary laws (example the law state children has to go to school, or when you reach a stop light you have to stop)

o Obey Allah and obey the messenger and obey those in authority above you. If those above you make secondary and tertiary laws then we are obliged to follow these laws.

Maintaining the unity of Allah in all of our actions, thoughts and worship and everything that we do and especially at those things directed to Allah.

Fashion whoever imitates a people he is like them so if we dress in a way that is unique to the disbelievers this becomes a disobedience to the messenger. this is a subtle way of disobedience to Allah (ibadah)

There is an element of ibadah / worship in everything that we do. Mujaahid student of Ibn Abass

Questions and answers

1. The stronger a person faith is the less likely the person will fall into haram 2. Love of a person to the point of shirk is when a person loves another one so

that he/she will be obedient to that person and at the same time being disobedient to Allah.

3. When a person is compromise religiously so that the basic principle of islam is/cannot be practiced then that person should make Hijra. If he cannot migrate then gather with other muslims within the city/community where there are congregated so that the negative impact from the non-muslims are minimized.

4. surah al maida5 vs 44 whoever judge by other that Allah laws are corrupt, act of disbelief

The title Ghaus-i-Azam was given to Ibn 'Arabee by those who believed him to be a saint

Module 6 - Chapter 2 Shirk Shirk - opposite of Tawheed

- Destroying the unity of Allah - Partnership, sharing or associating

A. Shirk in Tawheed ar Ruboobiya

Sharing others in only what is due to Allah Shirk by association recognized Allah in His oneness but at the same time

we have given some of his attributes to others Shirk by negation denying Allah existence all together

In Hinduism one Supreme Being that is absolute become manifest in trinity Vishnu (preserver god), Shiva(destroyer god) and Brahma (creator god) Christian God father (judge the world), son and holy spirit (establish their faith) each person has a different job. Zorastians evil personified evil to another god known as anger mango and his symbol is darkness. And then there is the god of light fire burning. God of good is the greater god. An element of creation is shared by other as gods Budhaism belief in god and the other liberated spirit the one that achieve Nervana pray to that spirit Sufis men of the unseen - the head of them is called the Qutub Vast majority of the other religion Allahs power are given to others / powers are shared Shrik by negation

Expression of this is in Communism everything happen by accident Belief among many scientists atheism especially those scientist that

belief in lots of theories - pseudo scientist Vast majority of scientist belief in God Janeism

Human souls are given a level of immortality and becomes an act of worship

In ancient time belief in pharaoh who proclaimed himself as god In Europe movement towards atheism when Christians questioned their

faith more and more. The world begin with the death of god Darwin give scientific claim to evidence to support there is no god (karl

marks belief in this) In reality people still have it in their heart that there is a god In Sufism wahadatul wujood - everything is Allah and Allah is everything

widespred in belief that human souls is also part of Allah when Allah breath into human soul denies Allah in its reality

B. Shirk in Tawheed al Asma wa Sifat

1. Shirk in humanization where Allah is given the form / qualities of human beings and animals. Example Christian belief of Jesus as god is an example of this. Example in the bible Adam heard Gods footsteps (the sound of footsteps this is given human characteristics to God)

2. Shirk by deification the attributes of Allah are given to His creatures a. Shiet belief attribute of infallibility given to imams b. Those who give other attributes on Imams (Allah lights) c. In Syria Allawis belief that Ali ibn Talib d. Agakhan considered God incarnate e. Drews of Lebanon Fatimid Caliph last manifestation of Allah f. Sai ba ba Hindus g. Some branches of Sufi who follow who claims that I am the

element of Truth h. Spiritualist Sherly McClain (out on a limb dancing on the moon light

the higher self - to recognized in fact that you are god) i. Einstein theory of relativity e=mc 2 e = energy, m= mass, c = speed

of light this translated that energy is never created nor destroyed this means that it has no beginning or end we are given the attributes of Allah of no beginning or end to other than Allah.

Reality Allah is the Creator of Everything (nature is Allah creations as well) all of His attributes are unique to Him and not shared with anyone C. Shirk Al Ibadah

1. Shirk al Akbar person bowing down to an Idol Major Shirk

Something worshiped other than Allah This takes a person out of Islam altogether Open shirk takes one out of Islam Intermediately praying through Jesus is praying to Jesus

open shirk Thaghut anything which is worshiped along with Allah or

instead of Allah

2. Minor Shirk Showing off doing acts of worship for praise or admiration of people

a. Hidden shirk people beware of hidden shirk shirk al kafee when a man gets up to pray and try to beautify his prayer because people are looking at him

b. The reward for the act is lost it does not mean that one become a mushriq / disbeliever.

c. Abdullah ibn Abass shirk is hidden like a black ants creeping on a black stone in the darkness of the night. Important to check our intention before we do any deeds. Seek Allahs forgiveness if we find that we had the wrong intention.

d. To prevent this shirk try to make the dua the Prophet though us before we do stuff like before eating, wearing shoes, washroom this consciousness of Allah will help us to have a good intention.

Live Session notes Categories of Shirk In Ruboobiya major shirk in:

- believe in a God other than Allah - Deny Allah as a Rab

In Asma wa Sifat major shirk in - Humanization make Allah like his Creation - Deification To give the creation the attributes of Allah

In Ibadah major shirk is to do Ibadah to other than Allah Doing Ibadah for other than Allah is called Riyah (showing off) and is a minor form of shirk

Module 7 Allah covenant with Adam (AS) History of Tawheed

Allah covenant with Adam (AS):

1. Besides this world (Dunya) and the afterlife (Akira) , before birth and after death our souls dwell in the Barzak.

2. When Allah created Adam(as). He took out the souls of all humanity from the back of Adam (AS) and made us testify that He is our Lord. Surah Al Araf vs 173

3. Because of this it is ingrained in us human nature to believe in One God. This is known as the Fitra (Natural disposition towards good and the belief in one God)

4. Also, on that day Allah showed Adam (AS) all his descendants, and which of them choose Heaven and which of them will choose the path of Hell. Allah already knows this.

5. Every child is born upon the fitra but their parents, society and teachers can lead them astray. This is why Allah does not hold children accountable for anything until the reach the age of puberty and can decide for themselves

6. It is not enough to be born in a Muslim family or have a Muslim name. In order to be true Muslims we need to be convinced about Islam, embrace it completely and submit to Allah.

a. Even born Muslims need to convert to Islam 7. We can fulfill the covenant our souls made to Allah by submitting to Him

(Islam) and living a life of Tawheed.

Fitra Human beings struggle with submission with the spirit Their physical body has already submitted breathing, heart pumping etc. When we bring the spirit into submission we have become Muslims. Allah sent prophets and revealed text to help us to submit for our

guidance Being born in a Muslim family

Doesnt make the person a true muslim

The islam he is born in he is not rewarded for each individual is required to make their own effort to submit to Allah. Submission cannot be inherited it is an effort

Born in a good muslim family does not benefit the individual for example the prophet uncle went to Hell. It is our actions that we will benefit from

Our Covenant When we declare la il la ha illa la we are actually accepted our fitra Beginning of covenant is by declaration of faith and it is fulfilled by our acts

of worship in Aqueeda all of our acts of worship being dedicated to Allah alone.

They deny Allah but internally the belief it it is natural will find it in every group, community no matter where they are located

315 Messengers 124,000 prophets sent to mankind (Messengers means books were given to them)

Module 8 - Charms and omens Charms and omens

Its a natural desire to want to protect yourself

Belief in Charms and Omens contradicts true belief in Tawheed Ar Ruboobeya (Allahs Lordship)

In the practise of Muslims:

1. Little quran put in lockets wear to protect them, hang it in car. This is not how the Prophet s treat the Quran. Imran bin Hussain reported saw a brass bangle on hand cast it off if you it will increase u in weakness and die with this on will not succeed. H.P did not take oath from a person wearing amulet

2. What is going to happen tomorrow the idea of doing something today to prevent us from coming harm is

3. Dhatul anwat tree the people saw on way to battle of hunayn. They asked the P to prescribe a dhatul anwat for Muslims P(s) told them they were like the people of Moses make a god for us like a god they have

4. Dhikr beads like the rosary of the Catholics have an origin in paganism. It is an imitation of a Christian practise

5. Celebration of the Prophets (s) birthday is an imitation of Christmas. Celebrating a birthday is a pagan custom.

6. Hand of Fatima Morrocco, hand with two thumbs, blue bead with the eye, taweez, hijaama worn around the neck to seek protection.

7. Narration of hudaifa, saw a sick man wearing a bracelet, he ripped it off and said, most of those who believe in Allah commit shirk 12:106 this verse was used in reference to Muslims. He touched a sick man hands he found a corded braclet, if you died with it on I would never make the funeral prayer for you.

8. Wife of Ibn Masod wearing necklace with knots tied in it she got from a Jew, she wore to stop the eye for twitching it stopped when she wears it. He told her it was a jinn, went to scorceror commit shirk then it worked. Instead make the dua -

9. When Christians are processed repeat some incantations they are healed. Shirk was done in

the jinns presence so he left the man he stop affecting the man. RULINGS FOR CHARMS: Western Society 1. Rabbits foot because rabbit multiple very fast people feels that the rabbit have special

power so the cut off the rabbits foot and hang it around their neck to bring good to them 2. Horseshoes placed at door facing up so as to catch the blessings 3. Four leaf clover good luck 4. Black cat 5. Tali (curved horn) in India they give this at wedding to the bride

Use of Quranic charms

1. Using miniature quran as a protection hanging in cars, key Turning the quranic text into numbers follow ab jadeeda from Jewish alphabet. For example, 786 meaning bismillah hir rahmanir raheem. To assign number to letter of the Quran is not shirk it is biddah, it becomes shirk when people believe that these numbers in boxes will bring good is shirk.

Stop 36.58

Every society has its own version It was not from the practice of the HP to use Quranic Charms therefore it is not permissible for

us to do this either. The prophet identify for us which chapter for us to recite to protect us People washing their shroud in zam zam believing that when u die and wrap self in this shroud it

is a guarantee to paradise Using verses from the quran (ayatul kursi) as decorations is not shirk but when you start

believing that this will bring good to you then it becomes part of shirk OMENS good or evil to come

A. Birds - tiyara 1. Birds flying to the right good will come to them if birds swung to right

2. Swing to the left bad will come 3. If straight then they have to do it again

B. Knock on wood Scandinavian god of tree, go knock on tree when you need gods help C. Spill salt throw over shoulder to break bad spell D. Keep your fingers crossed E. Friday, the thirteen origin from Christian belief that the 13th disciple Judas give Jesus over to

Romans to be crucified. F. Black Cat walks in front of you bad luck all good and all evil comes with Allahs permission G. The number 13 meaning bad luck Islam denounces the belief in Omens and Charms because it goes against Tawheed Al Ibadah and Tawheed Al Asma wa Sifat

Everything that occurs in creation comes from Allah all good and all evil so we cannot attribute the good to these charms and omen. Evidences from quran and sunnah: 1. P 9s) specifically named this omen taking is shirk , at-tiratu is shirk 2. Whoever prevented from something because by omens has committed shirk. For its attonment,

say Good Omen is a good word- there is no reward for good except good. Be around those who do good rub off, hear good think of good, name your children good names.

Belife in omens is considered shirk in all aspect of tawheed

Module 9 - Fortunetelling Fortunetelling

I. Names for fortune-tellers: A. Fortune-teller B. Sooth-sayer C. Foreseer D. Augur E. Magician F. Prognosticator G. Oracle H. Palmist I. Astrologer

II. Types of fortunetelling

A. Reading tea leaves B. Drawing lines C. Looking into Crystal ball D. Open quran randomly, placing finger on letter without looking, give meaning to letter E. Palm reading F. Writing numbers G. Throwing sticks (China)

III. Types of Fortune tellers:

A. Have no real knowledge but tell people things that would generally happen B. They make contact with jinn give specific information accurately, make contact with

your qareem involves serious shirk P (s) they mix truth with 100 lies C. Jinns go up to the lower heavens get bits and pieces of information (mixed with lies)

then give that info to person they have a contract with. IV. Ruling

A. Act of open shirk P (s)that Whoever goes to a fortune teller and believes in what they say , has disbelieve in what was revealed to Muhamad (s). He has done an ACT of kufr it does not make him a disbeliever.

B. Also Whoever goes to a fortune teller, his prayers will not be accepted for 40 days and nights (pg 104 of text) out of curiosity

a. Issue of prayer not accepted b. Prayers not accepted for 40 days and nights does not mean you have to stop

praying c. You still have an obligation to do. When you pray obligation is removed d. Prayers not accepted for 40 days means that you will not be rewarded for your

salah

C. Ruling on fortune telling person is executed

Different versions of fortune- telling

A. Bio-rhythms give date of birth, etc B. Olden days in cave, oracle C. Later on, palm on window, gypies, tarot cards D. Today on tv psychics

A. Jinns A. Jinn is another creation of Allah, made from smokeless fire, created before man B. Jinn from verb junna, yajunnu to cover, hide, conceal C. Two kinds Muslim and kafir D. Three types of jinns flies in the air all the time, exist as snakes and dogs and the other

is earthbound resides in one place or wonder around E. The evil jinns draws mankind in to commit acts of shirk F. P (s) said, the Jinn passes on the information to G. Fortune teller does not have control over the jinn. FT enter into a contract with the

jinn. Hadith of P (s) jinn spat on me, wanted to tie to the column in masjid, but he remember Solomons dua only Suleiman have control over the jinn

H. Cartoons for kids are embedded with fortune telling ideas, magic, - so they become more open to these type of concept when they get older

V. How is this shirk? A. Violates Tawheed al asma wasifaat only Allah has knowledge of the unseen B. It is given/shared Allah knowledge/attributes to His creatures (fortune teller) C. If a person repents from this Allah can forgive him

VI. Importance in saying Insha Allah (confirming that you dont know with certainty)

A. Muslim weather man predicts the weather B. Doctor giving date that baby will born C. When presenting statistical analysis of future trends/outlook D. This makes us humble giving the finality of assurance not to yourself but to Allah

E. Issue of saying Insha Allah on things of certainty i.e. Day Of Judgement, answering whether you are a Muslim. Difference of opinion of this ta say IA is a respect to Allah put Baraka in what you say its ok, scholars who say no- leads to kufr

May 27, 2010 done by Rafia

Module 10 - Astrology May 27, 2010

Astrology VII. Astrology

A. Represent an element of fortune telling. Star and planetary calculations Tanjeem comes from najm (star)

B. Three main categories of Astrology

VIII. First Category - Belief that earthly beings influenced by heavenly bodies future events can be forecasted by movement of these bodies A. Originated in Mesopotamia in 3rs mill BC, full development in Greek civilization, came to

India, China B. In Mesopotamia royal institution, kings welfare depended on astrology C. Heavenly bodies powerful gods D. Greece astrology science predict the future now accessible to the common

people E. who could afford it. F. Over 2,000 yrs. Had a strong influence on religion, philosophy, pagans science, &

Christian Europe Christian writers (accepted a reality to it exact science) G. Sabians worshipped the stars, sun, moon. They put statues in their places of worship

they believed that the spirits of heavenly bodies descended into statues communicate with them fulfill the peoples need. Prophet Ibrahim was sent to these people.

H. This form of astrology is kufr it destroys Tawheed al asma wasifaat. It gives the heavenly bodies the attributes of Allah control over Qadr

I. Those who practise astrology in kufr they claim knowledge of the unseen J. Astrology is haram according to hadith of Ibn Abass, whoever acquire knowledge of

any branch of astrology, has acquire knowledge of magic. The more he increase in that knowledge, the more he increase in sin

III. Second category belief of Muslim astrologers

A. The claim the same as above by added Insha Allah B. Enter the muslims after the Abassids based in Baghdad. Initial stages were Islamic

close to the sunnah. Later on, corruption started, brought in entertainment in the royal courts

C. Does saying Insha Allah after their prediction makes it ok? No! D. This is unacceptable whether u use inshaAllah after it or say Bismillah before it

IX. Third category Astronomy - use the stars for direction by travellers, or for farmers to determine seasons A. Al Anam 97 form the basis to use the stars for direction in travel. B. Nahl:16 Ibn Abass clarified that the correct understanding of the verse signs meant

road signs or land marks in the daylight hours (signs does not mean / refer to stars)

This is legitimate

The first two are illegitimate. A form of Shirk giving Allahs control to the stars and

other of Allahs creations Astrology destroys tawheed alasma wasifaat because it is giving Allahs attribute

(knowledge of the unseen) to human beings or His creations (stars) & qadr

Live Session Notes

Module 9 10 Live session

Module 11 - Chapter 7 Magic Recap If you read, even out of curiosity, horoscope or in newspaper about fortunetelling then your prayer is not accepted for 40 day The ruling is the same as with Magic 2 Elements

- Trickery play on people subconscious - Involves the Jinn - the seeming control of foresight of natural forces by ritual invocation of

supernatural agencies, as well as - Calling on spirits, gods

Divided in two black and white western perspective Islam magic is magic no distinction between black and white Terminology for Magic

- Witchcraft, devination, necromancy - Defined by sorcery practiced by a demon

The Reality of Magic - Sihr In Arabic term for magic is Sihr anything that take places that cant see the origin of (subtle way)

- All forms of magic are trickery - Some western people deny the reality of magic - Level that has to deal with Jinn invisible to human beings do thing for them which appear to

be acts that these people are doing themselves - Islam recognize that magic has a reality - Surh Bakarah 101 102 The Jews talks about Magic Prophet Sulaiman had nothing to do with

magic Haroot and Maroot 2 angels sent down to Babylon, as a part of test from Allah to people were involved with magic

- Jews justify their use of Magic by saying that it is in their book called the Kabaala they learned it from Prophet Sulaiman

- Practicing of magic is from among the people of Kufr - In torah - it was known from ancient time it should not be done Deuteronomy 18: 9-12 - Known to be evil - In the 21 st century the trends reverse people are learning to be a witch - Whoever purchases it will have no place in the hereafter

o Learn it o Teach it o Practice it o All aspects consider to be haram

- Falaq and Nas revealed to break a magical spell cast on the prophet Prophet suffered from magic

- Labeeb cast spell on prophet - Prophet will forget things - Think that things that is far is close - Allah allow this to happen - It was for a short time

- Reason for being affected to teach people how to deal with it - Allah revealed the two surahs read over him and he was cured

Magic in Current Day

- Not a state of mind (only if you believe in it you will be affected whether u believer it or not it can affect you )

- Haunted house, ghost, hypnotism, exorcism - all these are forms of magic in current day society - Use magic to win over convert avatar (god in carnate does magical trick to win over people) ,

SaiBaba - Magic and miracle can appear the same - Moses and the magician with Pharoah when the magician see that Moses staff turned into a

real snake they know this was real and their magic was not real they believe in Moses - Claim to be in more than one place at the same time due to work with Jinn some Sufi

Masters use this - Saints doing things that appear to be supernatural Able to do miracle what appear to be

miracle(but in fact is magic) people are won over to believe in them Friends of Allah and Friends of Shaitaan book by Ibn Taimeeyah

- How to distinguish between magic and a miracle that Allah may cause to happen - Connected with a righteous person in a later generation called a karama

Exorcism 3 types 1. Jinn removed by calling upon another Jinn

a. magician or witch breaks a spell cast by another magician b. usually has to do a sacrifice c. forbidden in islam

2. Jinn removed by confirming Shirk a. The jinn leaves willingly to ensure that all around him believe in Shirk (done by Christian

priests and many others) 3. Jinn expelled by using Quranic recitation and prayers seeking refuge in Allah.

a. Person doing this has to have Iman and good deeds b. Jinn is driven out (does not leave by choice as in #2) c. Only acceptable method in Islam

Jinn - Can take visible form evidence Abu Hurairah left to look after zakaat, Jinn/man came to steal,

told him about Ayatal Kursi - Alien, UFOs - purpose reaffirms for those who rejected revelation and believed that this

world is an accident and are looking for extra terrestrial life - People who believe in reincarnation hindu, budist, Drews find incidences which will imply

that there is re-incarnation (children who can relate incidences which they never experiences) - Can enter into our dreams one can start speaking as if speaking by self infact Jinn give you

the information - Case in Sri Lanka where a Muslim child claim to be Hindu - Case in India of a girl Shanti - Exorcism practiced by many Budha, Christian and people are being cured - When a Jinn possessed an individual it is to ensure that people stay in Shirk - Sufism they may used Jinn to show their palace - Exorcism using the name of the Prophet Muhammad (s) is shirk

Islamic Ruling on Magic - Classified as Kufr (Disbelief)

- Prescribed punishment executed by the sword for one who practice magic - Severe punishment is to protect the weak from falling into Shirk in Al Asma was Sifaat by

attributing to magician divine qualities that belongs only to Allah.

Module 12- Exorcism Exorcism 3 Hadith how person was cured during prophet time

1. HP sat boy in front of him and blow in his mouth 3 times saying Bismillah, I am the slave of Allah, so get away oh enemy of Allah

2. Given a boy hit boy on back saying get out oh enemy of Allah, Enemy of Allah get out! 3. The sahaba reciting Surah Faatiha over a man every morning and evening for 3 days.

Using painful blows are not supported in the sunnah (beating etc.) A Muslim is one from whom other Muslims are safe from his hands and tongue Psycho-suggestive methods squeezing parts of person body, cutting person hair and put it in a bottle, tying string on toes Egypt bizarre women beat drum and women dance into a trance similar to what the Pentacostal do end up falling down this is in fact Jinn possession. Ruling on Magic

Forbidden and those caught doing it should be executed Prophet quoted to have said - Magician executed by sword not authentic Magician Killed judgment made by Caliphs Umar instructed the Muslims to kill the fortune

tellers and magicians Hafza authentically reported had a servant girl of her killed because of the magic she did to

her Reason why H.P did not instruct the person to be killed, that did magic to him, because

Muslims were not in control in Medina as yet. To instruct to kill a citizen Torah Magicians and Fortuneteller are to be killed stoned to death Case of Companions during Umayyad Caliphate Islamic law became weaker when in the

court of Waleed ibn Malik, a magician performed magic cut off head of people and put it back together people were amazed and saying he can bring the dead back to life a sahaba came out of the crowd and kill the magician and then said bring your self back to life Sahaba was jailed

1. Haram 2. Not allowed to practice it 3. If you learn some of the tricks and use for entertainment where it is shown what is done no

one if fooled by it (creating objects from thin air) and explain what u doing this could be permissible

4. Not encouraged to do or to watch it (it can go into their hearts can create doubts) David Copperfield dealing with another element possible the Jinn Necromancy communicating with the dead Ouija (weejee) board could be a psychological thing or could be an impact of a jinn Body prepared for possession person involved in certain actions eg. Hindus walk on coal, mentally and emotionally state so jinn can come into them jinn enter into them and form a layer under their feet. Pentecostal who get into a state of trance - crawling and howling Those operating with Jinn form a contract with Jinn not control. They had to do some acts (like

cut chicken head off and drink blood or bury something in certain place etc.) when they obey the Jinn they fall into shirk

Only Prophet Sulaiman can control the Jinns All Jinn that cross over and affects us in our lives are evil jinns. They may do good things to get you

drawn into believing in them. (eg they wake u up to pray fajr, and more good things until u are convinced that this is a good jinn then he will start telling u evil and u will be convinced that this is good for you and do it this is how they draw u into believing into them) Protect self by being aware and conscious of this - knowing that good Jinns do not affect us in our lives this has to be an evil jinn. Also be around good people talk to them the can spot it and warn you about it. Duas

Bells one of the means of calling Satan keep bells out of our homes Going to hindu temples Getting involved in yoga where u go beyond the exercise Doing kung fu start learning about the chee All the above is preparing oneself for a jinn to possess you.

Module 13 and Module 14 Chapter 8 Allahs Transcendency Al Uloo (Highness or transcendence)

Allah described himself so that we can know Him better Human mind is limited in its knowledge and scope, it is impossible for it to understand

something which has no limits (Allah) Unique, distinct, and different from His Creation Not mixed in His Creation He is beyond / above His Creation

o Not enclosed nor any part of His Creation above Him o Not part of the world nor is the world part of Him o He is distinct and separate from His Creation o Attributes function without restriction o Creator of the Universe and everything in it o Sees, hears and knows all o He is the cause of all things that happen He controls everything nothing happened

without His permission Significance - Idea that Allah is Everywhere

Mutazilite - say Allah is free from location for Him to exist He has to be everywhere o La yak lo men who ma kan Who wa fee kul le ma kanThere is no place He is not and

He is everywhere o Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanval defended the beliefs of early Muslim scholars and the

Sahaabah that Allah is above and beyond His creation this is when the Mutazillitte belief were opposed

This idea accepted in Christian theology o Christian claim Allah came to earth in flesh and blood in the form of Jesus

The Jews give him this name - Israel (name given to him after he wrestle with God and won) this name means the one who wrestle with God

o Genesis 32 Chapter God coming down to earth in the form of man and wrestling with Yacob (Jacob).

Hindu believe that God Brahman, their Supreme Being, was in every place and thing so they worshipped countless idols

Elijah Muhammad claim in America that black people were Allahs and that his mentor, Fard Muhammad was the supreme Allah himself

Ash arite school Founder is Abdul Hassan Ali Al Asharee o Oppose the teaching of Mutazillite and o Broke away from Mutazillte o Died following the methodology of Hadith Scholars o Another school of thought grow from his teachings o Other follow some of his teachings o This school is common is most of the Muslim world today

Ideas observed by Sufi Movement o Began early in Ummayad o Found in their terminology and Philosophy of sufi

Acethetism those who did not cling on to this world eg Hassan al Basri o Zuhd people who follow the example of keeping very little from this world taking

only what you absolutely needed o Worship and sacrifice their own desire for the pleasure of God refer to as As Zuhad

Danger of the Immanence Concept (God is Everywhere) People will say Allah is Omnipotent- All Powerful, Omniscient - All knowing and Immanent - Every Where - The first two is correct.

Within each and every human is a portion of God Human soul is divine Goal of life is to reunite with the divine Develop practices to elevate soul referred to as Falah or Ittihaad = person became one

with God Hulool indwelling of Allah in man Ittihaad complete unification of the human soul with Allahs soul Al Hallaaj claimed he is one with god he refused to refute this statement- based on idea God

being within His Creation (He opened up his coat and said there is nothing else inside this coat expect Allah)

Belief widespread among sects that break away from Islam Sufi, Shite, Druze Ibn Arabee promoted this idea God within all things -he made the statement Glory be to He

who made all things appear while being the essence of that existence (taken from his book Al futuhad al Makeeya)

Note: Believing that Allah is everywhere is Shirk in Tawheed al-Asmaa was-Sifaat as it claims for God an attribute which does not belong to Him Clear Proofs: - that Allah is not Every where Immanent 1. Natural proof

Every child is born with natural inclination to worship Allah, but it is his parents make it a Jew, a Magian or a Christian

If you ask a child about where is Allah he can tell you many places where Allah cannot be (unclean place, not in their pencil etc. )

Once a person accepted the idea God is everywhere belief they will argue Can get an honest answer from a child but not an adult Who will accept that Allah is within a human being if that person will be burned in Hell does

this mean that Allah will be burned with the fire in Hell as well People in time of trials will say Oh God and looking UP not down shows Allah is UP

2. The prayer proof

Not permitted to worship statues or pictorial representation of God proof that Allah is not in His creations if He was in His creation then we could worship idols

Not allow to bow or prostate to anything beside Allah If person argue that Jesus was God incarnate People say when they call on Jesus or statue

their prayer answered this proof is not sufficient. You can say to them then when Hindu pray to their God Ganesh and their prayer answered then do you accept Ganesh as your God too? Who is answering the prayer of that Hindu.

Fact that Jesus worship is a fact that he is not god He had to pray to someone to Allah 3. The Miraaj proof

2 years prior to Prophet migration to Madinah Taken from Mecca to Jerusalem Night journey Isra Miraj Instrument that took him or time he was taken up Taken to 7th Heaven Allah communicated with him Last 2 verses of Surah Bakarah revealed and Allah made 5 prayer compulsory Fact that the Prophet went to the highest point in the created world and Allah spoke to him

from above that this shows that Allah is not inside of His creation but above and beyond His creation

4. The Quranic proof

Number of verses through out the Quran which indicate that Allah is above the creation Surah Iklas Allah described Himself as As Samad the one to whom all things rise (means He is

above) Surah Al Maaarij verse 4 the angels and the sprirt ascend up to Him Sura Faatir vs 10 Every good sayings goes up to Him Surah Ghaafir vs 36 Surah An Nahl vs 50 Those who fear their Lord who is above them Surah Nahl vs 102 revelation brought down from your Lord Surah Al Anaam vs 18 and 61 He is al Qaahir above his worshippers

5. Hadeeth Proof

The hadeeth with the slave girl when asked where is Allah she pointed up 6. The Logical Proof

Two things exist they have to be either o one has to be a part of the other and dependant on it (like attributes) OR o Separate and distinct from the other

So when Allah created the world o Either He created it inside Himself OR o He created it outside of Himself (distinct and separate)

The first possibility is impossible this will indicate that o All the filth in this world is contained in Allah o All the elements of the world all the finite Allah will contain within Himself a finite

element The second option has to be correct Allah created the world outside of Himself but this

means either above or below Himself every man pray and look above Superiority also shows that Allah is above and His creation is beneath Him and not above Him

He is neither in the world nor outside of it This is illogical as well as this statement deny Gods actual existence

7. The Consensus of the Early Scholars All the early scholars held the same position that Allah is above His Creation Imam Adh-Dhahabee wrote a book al-Uloo lil-Alee al-AdHeem Transcend belongs to the

Most High, The Greatest = Allah. o In this book he gather statement of over 200 scholars of the past confirming Allahs

Transcendency o Later generation people influenced by the Mu tazilitte or Ash Sharee

Abu Haneefa said o that if a person said that if doesnt know if His is Lord is above the Heavens or on

earth that such a person disbelief because of the Quranic Aya Al Istawa which clearly state the Throne is above the Heavens

o If person said He is above the Throne but dont know if the throne is above the Heavens or not such a person disbelieve He is denying that He Allah is above the Heavens and who ever denies that Allah is above the Heavens has disbelief because the Throne is above the heavens

Abu Yusuf (Abu Haneefah student) in debate with Bishr al-Mareesee (a leading Mutazilitte scholar) Abu Yusuf told him to repent when He denies that Allah is above the throne

Summary

1. Allah is completely separate from His creation 2. Creation neither surrounds Him (within it) or above Him (meaning Allah is under His creation) 3. Allah is the one who is Above His Creation and beyond it.

Note: Above meaning more beyond, not within it (not contained within it) Statement of Ibn Abbass that in Allahs hand the seven heavens and seven earths and its contents is like a mustard seed in your hand. This is how it is relative to Allah. Verses in the Quran that may imply that Allah is within us How do you explain this? Sura Qaff - Allah is closer to us than our jujular vein this is explained in context what comes before this Allah knows what is within our hearts --- this means His knowledge

Sura Anfal know that Allah comes between a man and his heart implies that Allah is inside you --- again what comes before respond to Allahs messenger when .to Him you will be gathered, and He has controls over you therefore this means control over your heart Surah Mujadilah there is no secret conversation within He is with them where ever they are this implies Allah is where ever people are look at the other part of the verse it goes back to His knowledge of their secret conversation. Allah has full knowledge of all things. Have to look at the whole context of the verse what is before and after it Go to the metaphorical meaning when the contents demands it Statement of Sufi The heavens and the earth cannot contain Allah but the heart of the true believer contains Him

This is logically incorrect. If Allah is contained in the heart of the true believer the believer is contained within the earth so there fore Allah is contained within the earth. There fore it is illogical statement.

Also, Allah being in the heart of a believer implies that if that believer end up being punished in Hell does this mean that Allah will also be punished in hell? This cannot be true

This statement is attributed to the Prophet but it is fabricated, false and not even worth to interpret.

Allahs transcendency

Importance has to do with how we worship Allah. If we understand this concept good there is no way we will worship Allahs creation. We will

only worship Allah If we are confused about this then we can end up worshipping Allahs creation (because then

one will believe that Allah can be a man, inside something etc. that is why idols, and people are worshipped)

Everything in this world will end even the vastness of the earth or universe Hadith: The whole of the creation and everything in it compared to Allahs foot stool (Kursi) is like a brass ring thrown in the middle of an open dessert. The footstool relative to the throne is like another ring thrown in an open dessert. From Ibn Abbass statement - And all this is like a mustard seed in your hand

Live Session Notes

Module 15 - Seeing Allah - Chapter 9 December 20, 2010

Is there an image that one should have in ones mind of Allah. The vast majority of people have an image the hindus, the Christian etc.

In Islam Muslim worshipped Allah through His attributes, it is enough to know that Allah is Merciful, He is forgiven, It is not necessarily for us to see Allah for us to know Him

Allahs attributes act of ibadah is linked with His attributes. Ar Rahman and Ar Rahmeem we have to know to Allah is Most Merciful so what we perceived as some harm or trial or punishment there is mercy in it.

Accepting Allahs mercy even in the most trying, punishing and difficult of time. Sometimes when we have trials is time when we deviate from Allah and it is by Allahs mercy

that He give us trials to bring us back to Islam Allah is merciful means we are required to show mercy to others among other.

o One who is not Merciful will not be shown mercy Hadith of prophet Allahs attributes is

o A means for us to understand our lives and how Allah operates in our lives and how our relationship should be with Allah.

o A guide for us to know how our relationship should be to others of Allahs creations o We do not need a statue or a picture for us to worship Allah.

In other religion a confusion of images changing in form from country to county o Budha- In Sri Lanka he looks like a Sri Lankan

In China he looks like a Chinese In Cambodia he looks like a Cambodian In Japan he looks like a Japanese In one element he is considered god and others he is not considered god These are actually images of themselves

o Christianity verse in Bible that promotes this idea Genesis 1: 26 and 27 God said let us make a man in our image after our likeness

so god created man in his own image. In the image of man god created himself. o Jews did not make images of god because of the fact there were commandment which

specifically prohibited it In a synagogue there is no idols and no imagery Their text contains ideas and concept which are idolatrous they refer to god as

having repented, wrestling with a human being, description of god in human terms with human weaknesses

o China Tien (Heaven) abstract diety Given human form as Yu Huang Jade Emperor, Lord on High ruler of the

heavenly court In other the ruler were represented for god

o Some use symbols Fire for zorastian Sun for Ancient Egypt religion

Islam completely reject this o There is nothing like Him and He sees and hears all Ch 42:11 o There is nothing comparable to Him Ch 112:4 o If we form an image it will be something based on Allahs creation therefore it cannot

be Allah. Prophet Moosa Asks to See Allah

Ch6:103 Eyes cannot catch Him but He catches all eyes. No one can see Allah

Ch 7 vs. 143 Prophet Musa ask to see Allah - Allah negates the possibility of Prophet Musa seeing Him. You will never see Me, but look at the mountain. If it remains in its place you will be able to see me.

Did Prophet Muhammad see Allah? My hair is standing on end because of what u have asked. Whoever tells you that Muhammad

had seen His Lord has lied. Hadith There was only light how could I see Him? authentic hadith the fact that the prophet raised

the question how could I see Him tells that He did not see him Verirly Allah do not sleep , nor is it befitting for Him to sleep. . His veil is light Hadith The prophets of Allah did not see Allah

Note: Any one who claim to see Allah is a heretic a person who has gone beyond the bounds he has left the religion because he is claiming for himself a status higher than the prophet Satan Pretends to be Allah Sheikh Abdul-Qaadir Al Jeelaanee a popular sufi saint

They designated him as a Saint and give him title the greatest source of help when trial befall them they call on him instead of calling on Allah

He was a pious person People made up a lot of stories about him (miraculous stories) Narrated an incidence in his life One day when he was in worship He saw before him a grand

throne with brilliantly shining light surrounding it and a voice said> O Abdul Qaadir I am your Lord for you I have made lawful what I have forbidden for others. Abdul Qaadir asked Are you Allah besides whom there is no god? When there was no answer, he said Get away, Oh enemy of Allah. The light vanished and darkness blanketed him. The voice then said Abdul Qaadir you have succeeded in defeating my strategy because of your understanding of the religion and your knowledge. I have managed to misguide over 70 worshippers by such incidents.

o Recognized that it was satan because of the claim that he has made lawful to me what is prohibited for others Abdul Qaadir said he knew that the divine law revealed to the Prophet cannot be cancelled or changed. (Sharia is for all people for all place and all times) so anyone who claim otherwise (eg they dont have to pray) has deviated

o Ismaiele sect claim that each prayer has symbolic value Fajr represent Muhammad, Fatima, ally, Hassan and Hussein and whoever repeat Muhammad, Fatima, Ally, Hassan and Hussein sincerely has prayed all 5. This is totally incorrect we know the Prophet prayed even to the very last when he was very sick

o When Satan could not confirm that he is Allah who is without any partner Note: It should be clear that one cannot see Allah in this world The meaning of Soorah an-Najm Ch53 vs. 7-14

It is not Allah that is being referred to in this verse it was Jibreel the angel Jibreel The prophet saw him in his real form twice He descended and the prophet saw him First when he received revelation filling the whole horizon every where he looked he saw

Jibreel

Second when he was taken up into the heavens Hadith The prophet quoted by Aisha when asked about this verse he said Verily, it was

Jibreel may Allah peace be upon him. I never saw him in the form he was created except these two times I saw him descending from the heaven And the greatness of his size filled all that was between the sky and the earth Aisha then said that Eyes cannot catch Him but He catches all eyes He is the subtle the aware. Allah will not speak to any man except by inspiration or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (Angel) (Muslim Hadith)

o This clarifies the doubt that it was Allah that the prophet saw. o Not seeing Allah with regards to this life

The Wisdom Behind Not Seeing Allah in this life

There is evidence to support we will see Allah in the next life If we saw Allah in this life there will be no test we will all be convinced that Allah is real Test for us believing in Allah without seeing Him, Worshipping Him while He is not visible to

us, Believing that He exist while others will argue show me your Allah cant see, feel, touch then He is not real -This is our test

Believe in it because of the consequence of its action in this world love, pain, intelligence, -- things cant touch, feel or see empirical stuff but they still believe in it

TEST believing in Allah while He is unseen No TEST in next life will see Allah Those going to hell will not see Allah this is part of their punishment Those in paradise will be given the greatest pleasure in Seeing Allah in Jannah

Seeing Allah in the Next Life

On that day some faces will be bright looking at their Lord Surah Qiyaamah 75:22-23 When the Prophet was asked specifically Will we see our Lord on the Day of Resurrection? He

replied: Are you harmed by looking at the moon when it is full? Verily you will see Him likewise

o no one will be blocked off from seeing Allah this is the similarity not in form Allah does not look like the full moon

o This does not indicate that Allah look like the full moon Special blessing for the people Indeed each one of you will see Allah on the day you will meet Him Day of Resurrection

o Indeed each one of you will see Allah on the day u will meet him o No veil nor translator o First day any eye will look at Allah

Surah Qaaf 50:35- for them whatever they wish and there is with us something additional o The prophet, Anas, Ali, - the additional thing is Seeing Allah o Anas and Ali ibn AbuTalib were great companions, it is them the Quran was revealed

to and explained to and when we have statement like this from them with no contradictory statement from other sahaba we have to take it.

Hadith When the people deserving paradise have entered it and those deserving hell have entered it, a crier will call out Oh people of paradise, Allah has a promise for you which He wishes to fulfil They will ask What is it? Has He not made our scale of good deed heavy, The veil will then be removed and they will gaze at Him. Nothing which He has bestowed on them will be dearer to them than gazing at Him. And that is the something additional.

Eyes cannot catch Him but He catches all eyes. o This is in this life o The eye in this life is not the same as it will be in the other life it will be in a different

form o The things in this life and that of the hereafter are not the same the only similarity is in

their names eg. Streams, fruits etc. Seeing Allah is a reward for believing in Him in this life without seeing Him

o His mercy that we see Him in the next life But on that Day they will be veiled from their Lord Surah Mutaffifeen 83:15

o The disbeliever will be veiled from their Lord o Veiled from their Lord evidence that some (the righteous) will see Allah

Module 16 Seeing Allah and seeing Prophet Muhammad Eyes cannot catch Himbut He catches all eyes

Negates seeing Allah in this life We will see Allah in the next life Disbelievers - will not see Allah in the next life But on that Day they will be veiled from their

Lord

Seeing Prophet Muhammad

Whoever see the prophet in a dream (means person is sleeping) sees the prophet Hadith He who saw me in a dream in fact saw me, for Satan can not assume my form Dream rule out people who Muhammad Ahmad from Sudan Muhammad al Mahdi he claims that he saw the Prophet in

waking state and used to relate hadith directly from the prophet he was a deviant Muhammad Ilias founder of Tabligh story that the prophet came out of his grave and taught

him the six points this claim is heretical

The Dream-Hadith -Is authentic

1. The hadeeth confirms that fact that Satan can come in dreams in various forms and invite man to misguidance

- 3 types of dreams o Dreams from Allah good dreams, or true dreams o Dreams from rambling of mind eg. read a book and see some of it in dream o Satanic dreams Prophet said dont ask interpretation of keep it to self- seek refuge in

Allah and keep it to self - Good dreams can ask someone to clarify it for you someone who is gifted to do so - Abu Bakr ask the prophet to interpret a dream then he asked the prophet if he was right the

prophet said that some of it were right and some of it was not right (this shows that even Abu Bakr does not have this gift of interpreting dreams)

2. Satan cannot take the prophet form

3. Confirms that the prophet can be seen in dreams a person has to know what the prophet looks like to know if it is indeed the prophet they saw in their dreams. What person sees has to confirm with the looks of the prophet.

As Shamail at Thirmidi At Thirmidi compiled the hadith of what the prophet looks like. Also, if someone claim to see the prophet in their dream and claims that he told them to do

something against the Shariah this is a sign that the person they saw in their dream is not the prophet.

Whoever claims to seen the prophet and did not will have a severe punishment on the Day of Judgment not something to play with.

As for seeing the other prophets or any of the companions the hadith says that Satan cannot take his form only

Shariah is not based on dreams He left us on a clear white plane whose day is like its night whoever deviates from it is destroyed

Religion is clear not based on dreams Whoever claims that they have new information from dreams is claiming

that the prophet did not fulfill his mission or he is claiming that Allah is not aware of what will happen in the future and thus did not

prescribe the necessary injunctions during the prophets life time Both these claims are not valid are heretical

Hadith Whoever innovates in this affair or fours (i.e. Islam) something not belonging to it, will have it rejected

When prophets have a dream it is a true dream example Prophet Ibrahim had a dream to sacrifice his son

When others human being, not prophets, have a dream, person dont know if that dream is true or not until that dream comes true.

Questions and Answer True Dreams are:

Sign left for human being to confirm there is a God for those who do not believe there is a God Wake up call for them Means of strengthen their faith in times of trials Blessing from Allah pushing their faith up

When prophet sees the light could this be said that the prophet saw Allah No what the prophet saw was the veil of Allah the light is Allahs veil Catholic has the image of their God as a man When u ask them if their God is a man they say no this is a deviation in their teaching Ask them what did Jesus taught He taught to worship God whereas you are teaching to worship Jesus Allah will show himself to the Prophet there is not authentic verses in the Quran nor any Hadith narration to say that the prophet saw or that Allah revealed Himself to the Prophet.

Module 17 Chapter 10 - Saint Worship These chapter deals with Tawheed and Ibadah

Saint Worship

People call on others beside Allah Part of mans nature to elevate some human beings over others to take their prayers for them to do things for them when they are not present or not living Part of Catholic belief they have special Saint for each and every occasion and human need to fulfill wishes and needs Why human beings want to belief in Saints?

People want to look up to certain individual

Allah did not created human equals He has favored some over some males over females or some males over other males. Some favored with wealth, strength, knowledge, sustenance

Human not created equal Allah created them responsible to Him and He had made them responsible in accordance with the ability He has given them

They are not equally responsible it is a just and fair responsibility Given more more responsibility. Giving less less responsibility

Allah Favors Men over women men are guardian of women by that which Allah favored some of them over others Ch4:34 Allah favored some with sustenance and with that is a test Allah has favored some of you over others with sustenance Surah Nahl 16:81

If everyone is given the same amount there is no room for generosity have to have some with less so the ones with more give to those with less satisfy with what Allah given you (patience) and develop generosity

To test people to bring out their higher qualities Remember Oh Israel, the blessing which I bestowed on you by favoring you over all mankind Ch 2 vs. 47

Favored from Allah Allah do not reward people for favors This favor means that Allah demands from them what He does not demand of others Children of Israel were blessed with a number of Prophets and they boasted about it

o The murdered and killed their prophets. o They were so harsh and rejecting what Allah was calling them to that He had to send

many prophets