Saturday 22 September 2012

Why The Qur'an Is The Way It Is - Do We Not Think?

The following are 5 different translations of the same ayah in Surah Muhammad [47:24]
  • Will they not contemplate the Qur an? Do they have locks on their hearts? [Abdel Haleem]
  • Will they then not meditate on the Qur'an, or are there locks on the hearts? [Pickthall]
  • Do they not then earnestly seek to understand the Qur'an, or are their hearts locked up by them? [Yusuf Ali]
  • Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? [Saheeh International]
  • Do they not then think deeply in the Quran, or are their hearts locked up (from understanding it)? [Muhsin Khan]
What is interesting to notice is that the word Tadabbur in Arabic has been translated in 5 different ways. This is part of the power of the Qur'an. Each and every word in the Qur'an is chosen and placed in such a way to give rise to a rich array of related meanings and implications. No doubt this is one reason why we have been urged to do Tadabbur (contemplate, meditate, reflect and think deeply) on the Qur'an and not just read it, as words, sentences and surahs are coherently and miraculously connected to each other and this would not be apparent by a superficial reading of the Qur'an. Contemplating, meditating and reflecting upon the Qur'an opens up new worlds into the Qur'an. It is these new worlds that reveal the miraculousness of the Qur'an, pouring out unimaginable blessings for the reader. Those who do not do Tadabbur are severely reprimanded by Allah (SWT).

This is a blessed Scripture which We sent down to you [Muhammad], for people to think about its messages, and for those with understanding to take heed. [Surah Saad 38:29]

The blessings of the Qur'an are connected to Tadabbur and Tadhakkur (taking heed, receiving admonition). Tadabbur of the Qur'an requires training, practice and guidance. It is very sad to see that there are hardly any classes or lessons teaching people how to do Tadabbur of the Qur'an. If there are any classes, they are on Tafsir (explanation) of the Qur'an which, although very beneficial, do not necessarily train people to reflect and contemplate.

The Magnificent Journey Seminar Series is designed to fill this vacum. In addition to Tafsir, the seminar demonstrates and teaches how to reflect, contemplate, meditate and think deeply (i.e do Tadabbur) on the Qur'an. It is undertaken with one of the foremost Islamic scholars and thinkers of the Western world today - Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, Oxford University.

Those who undertake this journey will receive a formal certificate from Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi.


Please watch what attendees say about these seminars: Tariq Pandor (Birmingham)  http://vimeo.com/28135910


The Magnificent Journey

An Amazing Journey Through The Last Two Parts (Juzu Thabaarak and Juzu 'Amma) of The Qur'an From Surah Al-Mulk to Surah An-Naas

By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford University)


Starting:
Sunday 23rd September 2012     Time: 10AM - 6PM

Venue:
Cambridge University or Anglia Ruskin University

Schedule:

  1. Sunday 23rd September 2012 - Anglia Ruskin University
    67. Surah Al-Mulk to 68. Surah Al-Qalam
  2. Saturday 20th October 2012 - Cambridge University
    69. Surah Al-Haaqqah to 70. Surah Al-Ma'aarij
  3. Saturday 17th November 2012 - Cambridge University
    71. Surah Nuh to 72. Surah Al-Jinn
  4. Saturday 22nd December 2012 - Cambridge University
    73. Surah Al-Muzammil to 75. Surah Al-Qiyaamah
  5. Saturday 26th January 2013 - Cambridge University
    76. Surah Al-Insaan to 77. Surah Al-Mursalaat
  6. Saturday 23rd February 2013 - Cambridge University
    78. Surah An-Naba' to 80. Surah 'Abasa
  7. Saturday 23rd March 2013 - Cambridge University
    81. Surah Ath-Thakweer to 84. Surah Al-Inshiqaaq
  8. Saturday 20th April 2013 - Cambridge University
    85. Surah Al-Buruj to 89. Surah Al-Fajr
  9. Saturday 18th May 2013 - Cambridge University
    90. Surah Al-Balad to 96. Surah Al-'Alaq
  10. Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Cambridge University
    97. Surah Al-Qadr to 114. Surah An-Naas
  11. Sunday 21st July 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University
    Bonus: 1. Surah Al-Fathiha and 2:255 Aayat Al-Kursi
  12. Sunday 25th August 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University
    Bonus: Miracle of The Qur'an
There will be a minimum of 10 sessions in this year long course.

Registration:
http://courses.meoc.org.uk/p/register.html 

Testimonials

Video Testimonial:  
Hammad Buriname (France)  http://vimeo.com/27990418
Tariq Pandor (Birmingham)  http://vimeo.com/28135910



"This was an excellent course. The course progressed at a good pace and the amount of time allowed for questions was appropriate. In addition to the content, much of the benefit of these courses is from the aproach, experience and perspective of the shaykh. He is humble, approachable and good-humoured. He is clearly steeped in knowledge but his courses are never purely about information - he emphasises the fact that our purpose is to live for the afterlife. Jazakumullahu khayran for your efforts." - Naveed Khan, Cambridge

"Many thanks for organising the course yesterday; I just wanted to say how impressive it was and how much of a boost it is to the community to know that we have such a blessing amongst us on an insha-Allah regular basis." - Dr Mohsin Badat, Cambridge


"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 Qur'an, 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 57 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

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


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