The Power of The Shahadah - Revealed

"If one really knows the Shahadah they would not fear anyone or anything but Allah. Today Muslims seem to be fearing and having hope in everything but Allah. The key to the Shahadah lies in Surah Al-Ikhlas and Surah Al-Kafirun" - Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

From the individual level to government levels, our trust, hopes and fears seem to be misplaced. The hopes and fears of Muslim nations lie in NATO and The West more than in Allah. Individuals place their trust in jobs, families, education and governments more than in Allah. This is a clear sign that the shahadah has not taken root either at the individual or community level. For the slightest problem we turn to other than Allah for help despite them being feeble and weak.

<<O People! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, ye call, cannot create (even) a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! and if the fly should snatch away anything from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those whom they petition!>> [Qur'an 22:73]

This is in contrast to people mentioned in the Qur'an in whose lives the shahadah had taken root.

<<Men said to them: "A great army is gathering against you"; and frightened them. But it (only) increased their Faith. They said: "For us Allah sufficeth, and He is the best disposer of affairs.">> [Qur'an 3:173]

What is it about the shahadah that they knew and understood that we do not know or understand? Why is their attitude to the shahadah different to ours? How can we develop that attitude and understanding of the shahadah?

This is the last opportunity to register for a life-changing seminar tomorrow, to have the power and secrets of the shahadah revealed by one of the foremost Islamic scholars in the western world.

La-ilaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi 

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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



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

NEW: Shahadah For Dummies

The above phrase is not meant to offend anyone. It is taken from the Dummies series of books which claim to explain apparently difficult and complicated subjects in a straightforward way. The shahadah - la-ilaaha-illallah of course is profound, powerful, magnificent and multi-faceted. But at the same time it is extremely simple and is meant to be understood by anyone - even a child or a person of no education or culture whatsoever. The great secret behind this lies in one thing - the fitrah or the man's natural disposition to the shahadah. This applies to everyone from a tribal man in the jungles of Amazon to a professor of science or philosophy at the Cambridge or Oxford Universities. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "every child is born on fitrah".

Unfortunately we totally neglect this fact and come up with varied schemes to explain the shahadah to people. We go so far as to borrow concepts from philosophers and theologians of other religions, including pagan Greeks, and incorporate them in our discourse of the shahadah. One such example is the common use of the cosmological argument, ontological argument and the teleological argument for "proving" the existence of God. There are Muslim organisations worldwide who have based their "da'wah" on these arguments. They have overlooked the fact that these arguments are full of defects as has been pointed out by both Muslim and Non-Muslim scholars throughout the ages. In addition to that not many can understand them!

The Prophets and Messengers have a different approach to explaining the shahadah. Their way is the fitrah-way (or the "shahadah for dummies" way!) which anyone can learn and confidently apply in all situations. It is ironic that not many Muslims are aware of this empowering concept. Therefore a significant part of the Shahadah Seminar on Sunday by Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi will be dealing with this including dismissing those foreign philosophical concepts. This is not only helpful for da'wah but for one's own understanding and development. And of course this seminar also deals with many other aspects of the shahadah in a way that has not been dealt with before in the English language.

This is your last chance to register for this life-changing seminar. Please register now.

La-ilaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi 

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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



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

Shahadah and The Story of Blind Men & The Elephant

"People focus on different parts of the shahadah and think that it is the whole thing. It is just like the the story of the blind men who described different parts of an elephant and thought that it was the whole elephant"  - Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

A group of blind people were in a room with an elephant. They decided that they wanted to describe the elephant. Each felt a part of the elephant. One person felt the elephant's trunk and described it. A second person felt the elephant's left back foot and described it. A third person felt the elephant's front right foot and told about it. A fourth person had a hold of the elephant's tail and described it. They all thought that what they are describing is the whole elephant and disagreed with each other.

This is a traditional parable that describes our dilemma today. Firstly many of us don't understand the shahadah - laa-ilaaha-illallah (see post below). Secondly even if we understand something it is only partial. Some focus on spirituality, some on philosophy, some on legislation, some on reform and some on chanting. No doubt that the shahadah is multi-faceted yet it has to be understood holistically and in balance to reap its effects. The Prophets and the Messengers are the prime examples of this balance. They are chosen by Allah to teach the shahadah to the people. Therefore true and the only way to understanding the shahadah is through them. The Qur'an is full of their stories for this reason. Taking any other teaching or example is bound to give us a partial or incorrect understanding whether they be from philosophers, saints, story tellers, shaykhs, reformers, rationalists or political activists.

This is your opportunity to explore the multi dimensions of the shahadah through the teachings and examples of prophets in this life-changing one-day seminar on Sunday by Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi, one of the foremost Islamic scholars of Western Europe. We have a few more places left.

La-ilaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi 

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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



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

Is Your Shahadah Valid in "Non-Muslim Lands"?

One of the implications of the Shahadah - La-ilaaha-illallah is that we accept al-hukm - the authority, command, decision, judgement and legislation - belongs to Allah alone.

<<All those you worship instead of Him are mere names you and your forefathers have invented, names for which God has sent down no sanction. Authority belongs to God alone, and He orders you to worship none but Him: this is the true faith, though most people do not realise it>> [Qur'an 12:40]

<<Further he said: "O my sons! enter not all by one gate: enter ye by different gates. Not that I can profit you aught against Allah (with my advice): None can command except Allah: On Him do I put my trust: and let all that trust put their trust on Him.>> [Qur'an 12:67]

This means that none can share in the authority of Allah including the greatest of human beings, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), let alone anyone else. Therefore everyone has to judge by the judgement of Allah.

<<... If any do fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are unbelievers .>> [Qur'an 5:44]

<<... And if any fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are wrong-doers>> [Qur'an 5:45]

<<... If any do fail to judge by what Allah has revealed, they are those who rebel.>> [Qur'an 5:47]

• If such is the the case, then what are the implications of accepting and living under non-Muslim rule or, for that matter, any man-made rule even in Muslim countries?
• Some Muslims use the above verses to brand others professing Islam as unbelievers because they judge by other than what Allah revealed. Do these verses justify that?
• What is the real relationship between the Shahadah and the Rule of Allah?
• Are we violating the Shahadah by living under non-Muslim rule such as in England?
• What are the safeguards for the Shahadah under such circumstances?

These are very important questions that every Muslim must ask themselves because to not know them is to live under doubt and confusion over Islam and Kufr (Unbelief).

You are invited to attend the forthcoming seminar on Sunday 29th April by Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi which expounds the deeper aspects of the Shahadah probably in a way that has not been dealt with before in the English language. The above questions and many more important issues related the Shahahdah are discussed in this life-changing one day seminar. Please sign up soon as places are limited.

La-ilaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi 

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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



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

Previous Posts:

The Secrets of The Shahadah - Unveiled

Discount For Adults & Free For Children - This Weekend Only

Foundation Seminar - La-ilaaha-illallah

The Secrets of The Shahadah - Unveiled

"Whoever dies knowing full well that la-ilaaha-illallah - there is no god but Allah, enters Paradise." - Prophet Muhammad [Sahih Muslim]

Every Muslim thinks that they know the shahadah - la-ilaaha-illallah - but only a very few really know it. The surface meaning of the shahadah can be known by anyone including non-Muslims. However to deeply understand la-ilaaha-illallah and to actually witness it (which is what the word shahadah means) is an altogether different thing. 

<<Have you not considered how Allah presents an example, [making] a good word like a good tree, whose root is firmly fixed and its branches [high] in the sky? It produces its fruit all the time, by permission of its Lord. And Allah presents examples for the people that perhaps they will be reminded. And the example of a bad word is like a bad tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, not having any stability. Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.>> [Qur'an 14:24-27]

It is mentioned that the "good word" in the above parable is the kalimah la-ilaaha-illallah. It is likened to a tall and firmly fixed tree producing good fruits at all times. Unfortunately if we look around and look into our own-selves we may realise that we are more like the bad tree that Allah mentions. Confusion, doubt, corruption, sin and instability - the bad fruits - are ripe within the communities in general. There is no peace and serenity within our lives. We are trapped in the rat-race like the rest of the people are. There is no doubt that this is because many of us do not know la-ilaaha-illallah. This is shown by our fruits.

So how do we make the "good word" enter into our hearts, minds and bodies so that we may produce good fruits? These are the "secrets" of the shahadah which will be "unveiled" in the whole day seminar on Sunday 29th April 2012 by Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi, InshaAllah.

La-ilaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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



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

Previous Posts:

Discount For Adults & Free For Children - This Weekend Only

Foundation Seminar - La-ilaaha-illallah

Discount For Adults & Free For Children - This Weekend Only

The seminar La-ilaaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets - The Way To True Servitude To Allah coming up on Sunday 29th of April 2012 is undoubtedly the most important and the most exciting of the Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars so far. It deals with the foundation of our existence and the purpose of our creation in a way that has not been dealt with before. It focuses on how we can become true slaves of our Lord and Master and be a beacon of light and guidance for others despite the prevalence of materialistic ideologies and technological advancements in the 21st century Britain and the rest of the world.

We want as many people to attend this seminar because it is unlike any other seminar they would have attended before. The benefits they would gain will be there for the rest of their life, InshaAllah. Therefore MEOC is subsiding the ticket sales from its own funds for those who wish to register during this weekend. The Special Offers for this weekend is as follows:

• Adult Single Ticket £18.00 (reduced from £25) - CODE: DISC-ADULT
• Young Person / Children's Ticket - FREE (reduced from £12.50) - CODE: DISC-CHILD
• Creche/Childcare Ticket - £10.00 (reduced from £15) - CODE: DISC-CRECHE
• Non-Muslim Guest Ticket - FREE - CODE: DISC-NM
  
• New-Muslim Guest Ticket - FREE (New-Muslims within 2 years) - CODE: DISC-NM
• Scholarship Ticket - ?? (for those who cannot afford) - PLEASE EMAIL
  

As you can see we have made every effort to include everyone and make the seminar affordable. Now it is up to you to make use of this opportunity. Please use the discount codes shown above to register. Of course those who wish to register without any discount can still register at the full price. Every penny spent is spent in the path of Allah. Muslim Education & Outreach Cambridge (MEOC) is a non-profit organisation entirely run by volunteers. So all funds go in to education and outreach (da'wah). Please note that anyone who has paid the full amount already is entitled to receive a refund for the discount.

Please register and forward this to your friends and family. These are unique and brilliant seminars by one of the foremost scholars in Western Europe. So do not miss this opportunity. Please read the testimonials at http://courses.meoc.org.uk/p/testimonials.html

La-ilaaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

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

This seminar is suitable for non-Muslims as well. So please bring your non-Muslim and new-Muslim friends and colleagues as guest for free.

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

Foundation Seminar - La-ilaaha-illallah

There are no other words more powerful and more profound in the entire universe than the shahadah - la-ilaaha-illallah - there is none to be worshipped except Allah. The entire humankind has been created for this purpose. The shahadah is ingrained in every human being as well as in every other living and non-living creation around us. Yet because of the special status of man Allah sent Prophets and Messengers to remind mankind about this purpose and to inform that success and happiness depend on how truly one lives by it.

It is unfortunate today that people, including Muslims, have lost track of this purpose. Instead of the servitude and the worship of Allah they have become so engaged in worldly pursuits that these pursuits themselves have become the purpose of their life. On the other hand many have misunderstood the shahadah like the previous nations did and ended up violating the rights of Allah by violating the rights of the shahadah.

Without a doubt the most powerful and profound words require a deep understanding. A very superficial understanding of the shahadah is all that many of us possess. This is reflected in our thinking (mind), our feelings (spirit) and in our actions (body). How do we then acquire a deep understanding? The only way is through the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophets and Messengers. This is the way Allah chose to teach people. This unique ground-breaking seminar by Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi deals with those profound aspects of the shahadah that many are unaware of.

La-ilaaaha-illallah - The Call of All Prophets
The Way To True Servitude To Allah

By Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

When: Sunday 29th April 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

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

Registration Now Open

La-Ilaaha-Illallah -The Call of All Prophets
Understanding the Shahada for True Servitude to Allah

Teacher: Shaykh Dr Mohammed Akram Nadwi

When: Sunday 29th April 2012 Time: 10AM - 6PM

Coffee & Registration: 9:00AM Onwards

Venue: Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge University

Cambridge University, Sidgwick Site

Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DA [Sidgwick Site Map]

Free Parking: Sidgwick Site - Cambridge University

Facilities: Free all day parking, Free refreshments, Lunch at subsidised price, Bookstalls, Crèche/Childcare, Free 2-nights stay at the mosque

Advance Tickets: From £18.00 Standard/Door Tickets: £35.00

SPECIAL OFFER: Non-Muslims and New-Muslims GO FOR FREE

Creche Facilities: Whole day childcare facilities available for children over 3 years. Price per child is £15.00

Click Here To Register