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.



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.