Cambridge Islamic Sciences: Desire, Passion and Seduction

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

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

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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