Wednesday 31 July 2013

Stress & Anger Management - Islamic & Medical Perspectives (London)

Islamic Psychology Series
Stress & Anger Management
Islamic & Medical Perspectives


By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

Special Guest: Dr Muhammad Zeyn Green-Thompson

(Consultant Psychiatrist, Cambridge)

Date: Sunday 18 August 2013    Time: 10.00AM - 6.00PM

Venue: Queen Mary, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS

Anger is a natural response to something that we dislike, while stress is a common state in our busy fast-paces lives. "Right" anger and "optimum" stress provide the balance necessary for a normal life, but out of control, they can break relationships; ruin lives and cause severe depression. This course will teach us how to understand the causes, consequences and cures for anger and stress according to the Qur'an and Sunnah.

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

Friday 26 July 2013

Desire, Passion and Seduction - What is The Protection?

We are constantly being seduced with wealth, power, beauty, sex, status and other material pleasures of this world. Often it can be very difficult to resist these temptations because we lack the inner strength and resolve to counter their intensity. However there were people in the past and there are people today who could withstand and defeat even the highest form of seduction - the seduction of a man by a woman of beauty, status and power - as it was the case with Yusuf (AS). 

So how does one acquire and develop an unwavering inner strength and deep resolve? There is only one way to achieve this and that is to train the human conscience. In this regards Shaykh Akram Nadwi mentions:
"What human beings aspire to achieve in life and how they strive to achieve are strongly influenced (even, to a large extent, determined) by their circumstances and by the habits of the people around them. Their ambition and their method are modelled on what has been done before, with some individuals being distinguished by their desire to do better or more than has been done before. Means are generally assessed as right or wrong on the basis of their ability to deliver the desired ends. The criteria are generally practical: we look at the situation and say, this is do-able, this is not do-able; this is better done like this, not like that. Right and wrong in this sense depend on practical experience, on the ability to learn from (and contribute to) history. But people also have another sense of right and wrong, which is not practical, but moral. They have a sense that some behaviour is pleasing to God and some behaviour is not. Surah Yusuf is a demonstration of how conscience survives and operates in circumstances where, judging by practical experience, it should be impossible. Circumstances rob father and son of any practical, sensible reason to hope, but they maintain hope. Similarly, circumstances rob them of any means to do the right thing – they have no power; nobody believes them – nevertheless, they always do the right thing."
- Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi on Surah Yusuf
Surah Yusuf was revealed to give inner strength to the Prophet (SAW) and to make his resolve firm. Since then it continues to give strength and hope to whoever studies it deeply.
<<Once a situation compelled me to be associated with a matter that is not Islamic. My mind gave me a lot of excuses and tried to hide the sin in it from me. But, it was indeed not Islamic. I prayed to Allah and sought His help to resolve the issue. I took Qura’n and started reading it as I had to teach Surah Yusuf on that day. When Zulekah invited Yusuf (may peace be upon him) to the ugly act, he told: “I seek the refuge of Allah . Indeed, He is my Master, who has made good my residence”. I was shocked when read this verse. I woke up all of a sudden. The veil was removed from my mind. Yusuf (AS) was a free man, but was brought to slavery forcefully. Still he recognizes the favour and calls the one who favoured him as Master. I then told my mind: “Now you think, In reality you are a slave. Your Master have been helping you since your birth. He gave you a healthy body, a protective religion and many capabilities. You can never count His blessings on you. Still, how insulting is it to act against his commands”.>> - Imam Ibn Al-Jawzi (Saydul Khatir)

Now this is your opportunity to study the Greatest of Stories with the best of teachers at the best of times. Coming up this weekend is a detailed explanation of Surah Yusuf by Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi, an expert of Hadith and Tafsir and one of the foremost scholars and thinkers of the Western world. This is an unmissable seminar for everyone, young and old, men and women, students and scholars.... Book your place now.

Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times

Ramadhan Weekend London & Online Seminar


By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM

Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live/Recorded Online Worldwide

Overnight accommodation (for men and women) if required and crèche facilities available. Special provision for mothers with infants to view/listen to seminar in separate room. Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.

Trailer: http://youtu.be/XfdVitz4qys (2 minutes)

Video Introduction: http://youtu.be/-PAawIenGUQ (5 minutes)

Make This Your Ramadhan Retreat

Previous Posts:
Are You A Parent? - The "Ultimate Parenting Course" is Coming to Town
[TRAILER] How To Achieve The Highest Nobility of Character?
From Dream To Reality - How To Make It Happen
From Palestine to Egypt - Why is not Allah helping the Muslims?
Surah Yusuf - What Is In It For Me?
Navigating Life Through Troubled (and Good) Times as a Muslim in the UK - The Story of Yusuf (AS)
Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories - London Ramadhan Ijaza Seminar


Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars - London
Muslim Education & Outreach Cambridge (MEOC)


Tel: 07736 779448 / 01223 655223 Email: courses@meoc.org.uk

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Please click on any of the images below to view the 2-minute trailer.
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Sunday 21 July 2013

Are You A Parent? - The "Ultimate Parenting Course" is Coming to Town

Surah Yusuf is an amazing surah that deals with the HUMAN CONSCIENCE in the form of a story. One aspect of this story is the relationship between the child and the parent. On this point Shaykh Mohammad Akram Nadwi comments as follows:
"The unifying concern of this surah is human conscience – how it is informed, how it is trained and tested, how it is supported and rewarded. This concern is not presented as an argument or doctrine but as a story. We need to reflect on the central concern of the surah and also on why the form of a story works so well to convey it... 

Conscience is located in the deep interior of a person; it is separate and removed (in some ways, protected) from the external world and from the habits of other people. The unfolding of the story in this surah is a demonstration that the integrity of a person’s conscience is sustained by their commitment to connection with God. The attitude and behaviour of Ya’qub and Yusuf, ‘alayhimaas-salam, throughout the intricately woven incidents, demonstrate that these two men are, at all times, aware of being in the presence of God and answerable to Him. The feeling never leaves them that God is present and God is good: when there is not the least sign of things turning out well for them, they seem able to wait with a gracious patience for things to turn out well. At no point do either of them neglect to think, speak and act in the best way, i.e. in the way most pleasing to God. 

Conscience is a personal teacher. What it teaches is sometimes also taught by social convention and religious rules, and laws derived from these. But in the end, norms and conventions, the rules and laws in society, are not sufficient to deter people from doing wrong – if they see other people do something wrong and get away with it, they think: why shouldn’t I do the same? Only a strong, healthy conscience can prevent people from following the habits and manners of the people around them and, instead, doing what pleases God and doing it in the way that pleases God.- Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi
There are many different courses, books and lectures on parenting and raising children by both Muslims as well as Non-Muslims. This informs us that there is a real issue with raising good children as well as "raising" good parents. But the irony is that these materials and courses often times deal with issues in very superficial ways focusing on techniques, methods, skills, philosophies and ideas. Far from being helpful these are sometimes harmful to both the child and the parent. What is beneficial is beneficial only in a very limited context. The simple reason for this is that they do not really deal with the human conscience which makes the moral judgements and not to mention the fact that the authors themselves have no strong and healthy conscience.

The "Ultimate Parenting Course" is the one that makes the concern of the HUMAN CONSCIENCE central and most important - this is none other than Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories. If you want to be a good parent and if you want your children to be good children then having a deep understanding of Surah Yusuf is a must for you. This is an opportunity for the whole family with crèche facilities for younger children (2-12 years). You cannot afford to miss this lifetime opportunity.
Book your place now as the registrations are nearing an end.

Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times

Ramadhan Weekend London & Online Seminar


By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM

Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live Online Worldwide

Overnight accommodation (for men and women) if required and crèche facilities available.Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.

Trailer: http://youtu.be/XfdVitz4qys (2 minutes)

Video Introduction: http://youtu.be/-PAawIenGUQ (5 minutes)

Make This Your Ramadhan Retreat

Buy your tickets now: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/310119099121919

Wednesday 17 July 2013

[TRAILER] How To Achieve The Highest Nobility of Character?

How To Achieve The Highest Nobility of Character?
Please click on any of the images below to view the 2-minute trailer.
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"There is no person, of whatever religion, who does not feel that Yusuf behaves with the highest nobility and magnanimity of character, when, finally, the brothers who sought to harm him, are in his power. Yusuf forgives them, because they do at last recognise their own wrongs and they do at last understand why Yusuf was “nearer and dearer” to their father and to God than they were. No person, of whatever religion, can possibly feel that it would make a better ending if the brothers were not reconciled; if there were no forgiveness; if, because he has power over them, Yusuf punished his brothers – banished them, or threw them into a well, or sold them into slavery, imprisoned them, etc. These are things he suffered; but he does not desire that for his brothers. Rather, he desires for them guidance, forgiveness, understanding and peace. In the  same way, the Prophet, salla-llahu‘alayhiwa-sallam, did not wish those of his kinsfolk among the Quraysh who persecuted him and tormented his followers to be punished for that. Rather, he wished that they should be guided out of that to what was better for them. It is fitting that, at the conquest of Makkah when the power of Quraysh was broken, he used words from this surah to  proclaim reconciliation and forgiveness."
- Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi on Surah Yusuf

Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times
Including Principles of Understanding The Qur'an

Ramadhan Weekend London & Online Seminar

By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM
Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live Online Worldwide

Overnight accommodation (for men and women) and crèche facilities available.Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.

Video Introduction: http://youtu.be/-PAawIenGUQ (5 minutes)

Make this your Ramadhan Retreat

Buy your tickets now: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Friday 12 July 2013

From Dream To Reality - How To Make It Happen

<<Joseph said to his father, ‘Father, I dreamed of eleven stars and the sun and the moon: I saw them all bow down before me,’>> [Surah Yusuf 12:4]

Everyone has dreams but very few know how to make their dream become a reality. This is true in every sphere of life from bringing up a family to building a nation. Today we dream of an Islamic revival and power and respect for the Muslims but how we should go about trying to achieve these is open to question. We look around and see how others have achieved a degree of worldly power and then copy them without giving any consideration to the differences in context and values. This almost certainly ends up in disaster. What is ironic is that we keep making the same mistake over and over again!

Is there another way? Certainly yes and that is the way shown in 'the best of stories' - the story of Yusuf (AS). The story begins with the dream of Yusuf (AS) when he was a helpless child and ends with the fulfilment of that dream when Yusuf (AS) becomes a powerful figure in Egypt. How did he achieve this?

Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi mentions that there are three powerful themes that Allah (SWT) wants us to learn through the story of Yusuf (AS):
  1. It is only Allah alone who is in control of the affairs and has power over everything (eg. 12:21)
  2. The only way to achieve respect and authority is through ihsan i.e. taqwa and sabr (eg. 12:22)
  3. When we achieve power and authority we must be lenient with our opponents and forgive them (eg. 12:92)
Yusuf (AS) realised these truths and attained the position to welcome his family in Egypt, thus fulfilling his dream:

<<Later, when they presented themselves before Joseph, he drew his parents to him– he said, ‘Welcome to Egypt: you will all be safe here, God willing’>> [Surah Yusuf 12:99]

Unsurprisingly this is the story of our beloved Prophet (SAW) as well, starting from being oppressed in Makkah to becoming the conqueror of not just the land but more importantly the hearts and minds of the people of Makkah. Should it not be our story as well? Join Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi for the once-in-a-lifetime seminar this Ramadhan.

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Video Introduction: http://youtu.be/-PAawIenGUQ (5-minitues)

Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times
Including Principles of Understanding The Qur'an

Ramadan Ijaza Weekend London & Online Seminar


By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM

Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live Online Worldwide

Overnight accommodation (for men and women) and crèche facilities available.Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.

35% early bird discount and 50% student discount.


Buy your tickets now: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/310119099121919

A unique opportunity to study the amazing story of Yusuf (AS) this Ramadan whilst also learning the principles of understanding the Qur'an with an extraordinary scholar & teacher of our time, plus Ijaza for each student linking them to the Prophet (SAW) for listening to the recitation of certain parts of the Qur'an.

Thursday 11 July 2013

From Palestine to Egypt - Why is not Allah helping the Muslims?

Current Muslim crisis in the light of Story of Yusuf (AS)

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Key Message: http://youtu.be/0iBUAE6oFQ8

Surah Yusuf - The Best of Stories at The Best of Times
Including Principles of Understanding The Qur'an

Ramadan Ijaza Weekend London Seminar


By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)


Date: Weekend 27-28 July 2013 | Time: 9.30AM - 6.30PM

Venue: Edmonton Islamic Centre London + Live Online Worldwide

Overnight accommodation (for men and women) and crèche facilities available.Limited seats - previous London seminar attracted over 200 people.

35% early bird discount and 50% student discount.
 

Buy your tickets now: http://courses.meoc.org.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/310119099121919

A unique opportunity to study the amazing story of Yusuf (AS) this Ramadan whilst also learning the principles of understanding the Qur'an with an extraordinary scholar & teacher of our time, plus Ijaza for each student linking them to the Prophet (SAW) for listening to the recitation of certain parts of the Qur'an.