Musa (AS) - The 21st Century Liberator of Muslims

The Muslim ummah - both in the East and West - is in a state of flux. We are enslaved and subjugated mentally, spiritually and also sometimes physically by our own fears as well as from forces around us. This is very similar to the state of Muslims (Bani Israel - the Children of Israel) at the time of Musa (AS). The Muslims at that time were enslaved by Pharaoh both physically and psychologically and at the same time they had such low spirits that they would not hesitate to betray their own to save their skin. There are so many parallels between the Muslims at the time of Musa (AS) and the Muslims living in the 21st Century. Today we are enslaved through politics, through economic means, through education, and through media in addition to our own lack of spirituality and greed of materialism.

No doubt reflecting on the story of Musa (AS) in the Qur'an is more pertinent today than ever before. It gives the blueprint for the true liberation of hearts and minds of the people which alone can bring about liberation from greed, tyranny, oppression and subjugation. The result will be the deep faith and the high spirits  exemplified by Rabi' ibn Aamir (RA) - the poor and under-equipped soldier of the Muslim army during the time of Umar (RA) - when the Persian general asked him "For what purpose have you come?". He said:

"Allah has sent us to bring anyone who wishes from servitude to men into the service of Allah alone, from the narrowness of this world into the vastness of this world and the Hereafter, and from the tyranny of religions into the justice of Islam”

The story of Musa (AS) is described in detail in the Qur'an. However very few can relate the story to the current conditions and take lessons from it. It is ironic that we do not even wonder why the story of Musa (AS) is repeated in the Qur'an in many different ways, more than any other story. Here is the opportunity to have an in-depth understanding of the story of Musa (AS) in the Qur'an (as you may have never done before) with deep reflections and scholarly insights from Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi.

The Story of Musa (AS) in The Qur'an
Reflections on The Story of Musa (AS) for The Current Condition of Muslims

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

When: Saturday 24th March 2012        Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Advance/On-line Tickets: From £18 onwards
(prices going up on 10th March 2012)

Facilities: Free parking, Crèche/Childcare, book stalls, food stalls, free 2-nights stay at the mosque

Register on-line to book your place now and save 50% or more on standard ticket price.



Testimonials

"Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi is a great asset to the Muslims in the UK and his 57 volume work on al-Muhaddithaat (The Women Scholars of Islam) is no doubt going to be a lasting legacy of this great man. I had the blessed opportunity of spending a day with him recently; he is one of those few individuals who in a short period of time can change your entire thinking. May Allah bless the brothers and sisters in Cambridge and those in Oxford who organise and help the Shaykh in his works." - Nasar Ishfaq, Manchester

"I have been to two of the CISS courses and can say with certainty that they have been inspiring to the highest degree. Shaikh Akram's style of teaching ensures that you are connected from the start, not only in terms of the relevance of the knowledge he is sharing, but also through the openness of the sessions. He not only shares the important knowledge on the topic but also encourages the questioning of all that knowledge in order to make it relevant for us in today's world. These courses have helped me to reinvigorate and renew my passion for my faith and have encouraged me to continuously seek and apply the vast knowledge there is in Islam." - Rimla Akhtar, Chairperson, Muslim Women's Sport Foundation, London

More Testimonials: http://courses.meoc.org.uk/p/testimonials.html

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Why Are We Muslims Pushing Other People Away From Islam?

"His (Prophet Muhammad's) character, attitude and behaviour is the Qur'an" - Ayshah (RA) - Wife of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

"We must understand that dawah is firstly for us before anyone else. Dawah is not something like a profession where we go through some procedures. People should believe in the dawah themselves before inviting others" - Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi

Many Muslims think that dawah is something where they can be trained in some formulas or techniques and repeat them with non-Muslims. However dawah is not such a lowly and cheap thing to be done this way, the way Christian missionaries invite others to their faith. Dawah is something very high and lofty in Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) embodied dawah in every sense. His speech was dawah and his silence was dawah; his action was dawah and his inaction was dawah; his worship was dawah and his socialising was dawah; his external character was dawah and his internal attitude was dawah; his public life was dawah and private life was dawah. In other words he WAS dawah. He was coherent so his message was coherent. The people around him including his enemies understood this very well.

Sadly we think that dawah is some words we say or something written in a booklet or some "positive gestures" we make for the "sake of dawah". However we ourselves go against what we are calling for in many ways including our attitude, character, spirituality, worship and outlook. This not only gives a confused message to the non-Muslims but sometimes it completely puts them off Islam.

This is your opportunity to have a comprehensive understanding of dawah in the upcoming seminar Purposeful Dawah - The Art of Inviting to Allah According to Qur'an & Seerah on Saturday 18th February 2012 in Cambridge with one of the foremost Islamic scholars and thinkers of the West today Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi. You have only a few more hours to register and places are limited.

Purposeful Dawah
The Art of Inviting to Allah according to Qur'an & Seerah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi
 
When: Saturday 18th February 2012        Time: 9:30AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Lecture Theater, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk
 
Advance/Online Tickets: From £18 onwards

Facilities: Free Parking, Crèche/Childcare, Bookstalls, Foodstalls

Register online to book your place now and save 50% or more on standard ticket price.

Testimonials

"Of all the scholars I have had the opportunity to study with, I have found Shaikh Akram Nadwi to be the closest, in knowledge, manners and teaching, to how I would imagine some of the great Hadith scholars of the past would have been. He has a vast knowledge of Hadith and Fiqh, a down-to-earth, humble, approachable style, and great teaching ability. His classes are not just beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to marvel at the awe-inspiring wealth of knowledge of our scholars masha Allah. His 40 volume work going through the biographies of some 8,000 women scholars of Hadith is a monumental endeavour. The mere fact of its existence can be a major talking point in discussion with Muslims and non-Muslims, and is almost a stand-alone proof of Islam's unparalleled wealth of female scholarship." - Dr Omar Mahroo, Cambridge/London

"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time. The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions. The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

How to Help Non-Muslims Uncover Their Fitrah?

<<Set your face to the deen (religion) in sincerity which is Allah's Fitrah (the nature made by Allah) upon which He created mankind. There is no changing in the creation of Allah. That is the right religion but most people know not>> [Qur'an 30:30]

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned that every human being is born with Fitrah (or the natural inclination to recognise Allah and to submit to Him) but their upbringing and the environment suppress this Fitrah and make them confused of the right Deen. So they become followers of false ideologies including polytheism and atheism. This is the case from the earliest of times to the 21st century and beyond as there is no change in the creation of Allah.

Since Allah has instilled Fitrah in the human soul the knowledge of Allah and submission to Him is integral to every human being born on this earth. When people forget this, Allah sends Prophets and Messengers to remind them of it and to guide them to what is already within them. As Muslims we are supposed to do the same because there will be no Prophets or Messengers any more. In effect we become messengers to the rest of mankind as we posses the eternal and ultimate reminder - the Qur'an.

So how can we help uncover the Fitrah of Non-Muslim living around us? Is it through debate and argumentation? Or through logic and philosophy? Or through modern science? Or is there something unique in Islam that we are not aware of? Are we supposed to "prove" and "convince" that Islam is correct or show signs to people for their own self discovery? What did the Prophets and Messengers do?

No doubt you will have many more questions. This is your opportunity to immerse yourself in the whole discussion of dawah in the upcoming seminar Purposeful Dawah - The Art of Inviting to Allah According to Qur'an & Seerah on Saturday 18th February 2012 in Cambridge with one of the foremost Islamic scholars and thinkers of the West today Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi.

Purposeful Dawah
The Art of Inviting to Allah according to Qur'an & Seerah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi
 
When: Saturday 18th February 2012        Time: 9:30AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Lecture Theater, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk
 
Advance/Online Tickets: From £18 onwards

Facilities: Free Parking, Crèche/Childcare, Bookstalls, Foodstalls

Register online to book your place now and save 50% or more on standard ticket price.

Testimonials

"Of all the scholars I have had the opportunity to study with, I have found Shaikh Akram Nadwi to be the closest, in knowledge, manners and teaching, to how I would imagine some of the great Hadith scholars of the past would have been. He has a vast knowledge of Hadith and Fiqh, a down-to-earth, humble, approachable style, and great teaching ability. His classes are not just beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to marvel at the awe-inspiring wealth of knowledge of our scholars masha Allah. His 40 volume work going through the biographies of some 8,000 women scholars of Hadith is a monumental endeavour. The mere fact of its existence can be a major talking point in discussion with Muslims and non-Muslims, and is almost a stand-alone proof of Islam's unparalleled wealth of female scholarship." - Dr Omar Mahroo, Cambridge/London

"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time. The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions. The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

How Would Ibrahim (AS) Invite the British People to Islam?

Some people may dismiss this as an irrelevant question. However what is important to understand is that the story of Ibrahim (AS), his conversations with the people of his time and his way of thinking are not mentioned in the Qur'an as mere historical facts or for entertainment purposes. They are mentioned in the Qur'an primarily as examples for people. So what Ibrahim (AS) would do if he lived amongst us in Britain is not only a fundamental question that Muslims living in Britain should ask but is also a very practical question. This is because Ibrahim (AS) was sent and was living amongst a people who who did not recognise Islam or submission to Allah as the right way to live their lives by, the same way we are also living among a sea of such people in Britain. There existed injustice, ignorance and worship of "false gods" at that time and the same exists today perhaps in a stronger yet subtle form. So the example of Ibrahim (AS) in dawah (or inviting people to Allah) is more important than ever before. In fact Allah has declared Ibrahim (AS) to be the great example and even commanded the greatest of Messengers Muhammad (PBUH) to follow him.

<<Then We revealed to you, [O Muhammad], to follow the Millah of Ibrahim, inclining toward truth; and he was not of those who associate with Allah.>> [Qur'an 16:123]

Of course to transpose the life of Ibrahim (AS) to the British context requires deep reflection and insight which may not come naturally unless guided by profound scholarship. So this is the reason why many people in dawah find it easier to just copy the methods and tactics of Christian missionaries, for example, because they see them as effective. But no doubt this will lead to failure as dawah is not such a lowly thing that we can just copy anyone. Dawah is the domain of the greatest of human beings sent to earth (Prophets and Messengers) so we must take them as our prime examples.

This is your opportunity to study with one of the foremost Islamic scholars and thinkers of the West today Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi in the groundbreaking seminar Purposeful Dawah - The Art of Inviting to Allah According to Qur'an & Seerah on Saturday 18th February 2012 in Cambridge. This is probably the first time in the English language that a detailed whole-day seminar on dawah is conducted by an eminent Islamic scholar. So please sign up without delay for this life-changing and mind-altering seminar. You will not only learn about Ibrahim (AS) in relationship to dawah but also the psychology and methods of major Prophets including Nuh (AS), Musa (AS), 'Eesa (AS) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Purposeful Dawah
The Art of Inviting to Allah according to Qur'an & Seerah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi
 
When: Saturday 18th February 2012        Time: 9:30AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Lecture Theater, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk
 
Advance/Online Tickets: From £18 onwards

Facilities: Free Parking, Crèche/Childcare, Bookstalls, Foodstalls

Register online to book your place now and save 50% or more on standard ticket price.

Testimonials

"Of all the scholars I have had the opportunity to study with, I have found Shaikh Akram Nadwi to be the closest, in knowledge, manners and teaching, to how I would imagine some of the great Hadith scholars of the past would have been. He has a vast knowledge of Hadith and Fiqh, a down-to-earth, humble, approachable style, and great teaching ability. His classes are not just beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to marvel at the awe-inspiring wealth of knowledge of our scholars masha Allah. His 40 volume work going through the biographies of some 8,000 women scholars of Hadith is a monumental endeavour. The mere fact of its existence can be a major talking point in discussion with Muslims and non-Muslims, and is almost a stand-alone proof of Islam's unparalleled wealth of female scholarship." - Dr Omar Mahroo, Cambridge/London

"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time. The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions. The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Purposeful Dawah - The Art of Inviting to Allah

<<Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.">> [Qur'an 12:108]

The word "dawah" (invitation) is not unknown to many but it remains one of the most misunderstood practices of Islam. It is so misunderstood that various groups and organisations who engage in dawah claim that their way of doing dawah is superior (or even the only way), causing in the process much friction, confusion and resentment among the Muslims and a feeling of negativity about Islam and Muslims in the minds of non-Muslims.

No doubt dawah is a duty and a responsibility of the whole Muslim ummah and as such its way should be straightforward like the rest of the practices of Islam. However it has been made to look difficult and complicated by the use of, for example:

• Greek philosophy (eg. cosmological argument)
• comparative religion
• science and religion
• esotericism
• debate and argumentation

as the main focus of dawah. Of course these may be used at specialised situation by certain people. But is there a way (or ways) of dawah that any Muslim can adopt and expect to see tangible changes? Fortunately there is and these are described in detail in the Qur'an through various stories of the Prophets, in the Seerah of our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and in the biographies of the lives of pious people of this ummah. You will be amazed to see how rich the tradition and history of dawah is and wonder why many are not aware of these.

Please join Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi for this groundbreaking seminar on Purposeful Dawah - The Art of Inviting to Allah According to Qur'an & Seerah on Saturday 18th February 2012 in Cambridge. This is probably the first time in the English language that a detailed whole-day seminar on dawah is conducted by an eminent Islamic scholar. So this is your opportunity to properly educate yourself in one of the most misunderstood practices of Islam.

Purposeful Dawah
The Art of Inviting to Allah according to Qur'an & Seerah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi
 
When: Saturday 18th February 2012        Time: 9:30AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Lecture Theater, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk
 
Advance/Online Tickets: From £18 onwards

Facilities: Free Parking, Crèche/Childcare, Bookstalls, Foodstalls

Register online to book your place now and save 50% or more on standard ticket price.

Testimonials

"As a non Muslim (currently!) I have been delighted by the whole experience of the MEOC lectures and have found them so helpful in my studies and 'quest for the Truth'. I had been doing lots of reading and studying and had started to read the Qur'an and this lecture seemed to come at the perfect time. The whole experience has been well organised, welcoming and informative and the depth and breadth of knowledge of Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akran Nadwi is truly inspiring and motivating. Excellent course delivery with suitable breaks allowing for reflection and brief stretch of legs, plus useful and interactive question and answer sessions. The two lectures I have attended thus far have benefited me enormously and I look forward to more God willing." - Sarah Jarman, Bedford
 
"Alhamdulillah I've attended 3 seminars of Sheikh Akram's so far, and Insha Allah I will keep coming back for more! He was introduced to me by my brother who attends his study circles regularly in Oxford. I loved the seminar on Women scholars in Islam, it was a total eye opener into what a Muslim woman's role in society is, which surprisingly (or not) goes against many cultiural and conventionally held notions of Muslim women. My other favourite one was the tafseer of Surat al Fatiha and the last ten surahs, I will not be exaggerating when I say that I truly found it mind blowing. Sheikh Akram is an absolute treasure trove of knowledge but Masha Allah he always carries himself with the utmost humility. I have already had a look at the list of future seminars and I think MEOC is doing a great job in giving the layman an opportunity to have an exciting insight into the world of Muslim scholarship with its choice of highly intellectual topics. Last but not least, its a great opportunity to meet new people of diverse backgrounds. Well done all of you and may Allah reward you for your efforts." - Dr Fathima Shyma Fazal, Boston, Lincolnshire

"Jazakumullah khair for the efforts of the MEOC for arranging these blessed gatherings of knowledge. The seminars I've attended so far have several elements that make them very special, starting from the choice of topics themselves which cater to the more profound needs of the people rather than addressing some superficial issues that seem to be more fashionable today. Even the content of the seminars and the manner of teaching by Shaikh Akram Nadwi are directly focussed towards developing a deeper understanding of these issues. In these seminars, one gets a glimpse of the years of learning that have gone into the brilliant scholarship of Shaikh Nadwi. Furthermore his knowledge seems to be blessed by an acute understanding of the needs of the Ummah. The seminar on the 'Legacy of Ibrahim (a.s.)' was exceptionally beautiful, wherein, the Shaikh in his own words confessed that he was attempting to transmit, not knowledge, but the state of his heart, to the others present. While the knowledge and the insight that one gains into the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the history of Muslims through these seminars is invaluable, I personally feel that these sessions are more than just one-day courses. I am inclined to call them gatherings of Remembrance of Allah, and we all know the blessings of such gatherings!" - Mohini Verma, PhD Student, Cambridge University

Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk