A Baby's Consolation for The People of Burma & Syria

No doubt what is happening to Muslims in Burma, Syria and other parts of the world is very disturbing to say the least. These are trials of truly unimaginable scale inflicted by heartless people. We feel helpless for those who are suffering and angry at the rest of the world. In the process, we forget what this world is about and more importantly what the hereafter is about.

This is what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala wants us to remember in both Surah Al-Buruj and Surah At-Tariq. The Prophet, peace be upon him, and his companions had to endure immense trials in Makkah at the hands of the idolaters. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala revealed these surahs as a consolation for them. Surah Al-Buruj contains the story of the People of The Ditch making clear who is actually in control and what is the end of those who believe and disbelieve. 

The same applies to any believing community. We may not have a comfortable living in this world all the time or even at any time. But as long as we follow the truth then we are successful and we will achieve the greatest triumph.

<<But for those who believe and do good deeds there will be Gardens graced with flowing streams: that is the great triumph.>> [Surah Al-Buruj 85:11]

The story behind The People of The Ditch is quite lengthy but the conclusion is very moving. The believers refused to abandon their faith...

.... So the king ordered that ditches be dug at the entrances to the roads and it was done, and fires were kindled in them. Then he said, "Whoever abandons his religion, let him go, and whoever does not, throw him into the fire.'' They were struggling and scuffling in the fire, until a woman and her baby whom she was breast feeding came and it was as if she was being somewhat hesitant of falling into the fire, so her baby said to her,"Be patient mother! For verily, you are following the truth!''. [Ahmed and Muslim]

This is one of few occasions where a baby is supposed to have spoken in the cradle by the permission of Allah.

Coming up this Saturday InshaAllah is the most fascinating, detailed and deep explanation of the pair of surahs, Surah Al-Buruj and Surah At-Tariq, by one of the foremost scholars and thinkers of the Western world today. Please make sure you attend this seminar either onsite in Cambridge or online worldwide.

Surah Al-Buruj & At-Tariq

A Warning for The Persecutors & A Consolation for The Believers

By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford)

When: Saturday 25th January 2014

Time: 9:45AM - 6:00PM    Coffee & Registration: 9:30AM

Venue: Cambridge University, Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Site, Cambridge CB3 9DA

Online: Worldwide - Live & Recorded Access

You can either register for individual sessions or apply for an annual pass with 50% discount.

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

Series Registration: http://courses.meoc.org.uk/p/juz-amma.html

Testimonials

"Jazakumullahu khayran. I can't thank you enough for the opportunity. I am so impressed by the Sheikh, subhanallah, mashaAllah. A very rare example of tradition fused with awareness of the environment and reality while not compromising God consciousness. If only there were more like him. Questions, I'm so glad we can ask them even if it's not about the sura. Yes, how else are we to learn from his wisdom and experience if we don't ask? The issues facing Muslims in the West are so many and so confusing and I just love the fact that he does not have an inferiority complex about Islam. It's really sad to see psychologically defeated scholars start throwing away tradition in the name of progress and fitting in. Sheikh Akram Nadwi gives you the sense that the real life is in the hereafter so don't have to get so tied up with the philosophies and controversies that sometimes take away our attention from the real purpose. The onus is on us, are we being pious?" - Aisha Barkatulla, Cambridge

"I recently attended the Tafsir of Surah Nuh. Whilst I had heard much about Shaykh Akram, this was my first class with him. The first thing that you cannot help but appreciate is how the Shaykh hooks you with his connection to knowledge, in a pure sense, there was no need to employ any speaking tactics to keep the attendees engrossed. The Shaykh, made every point relevant, to connect the text with our lives today and our response to get closer to our Creator. Indeed the Shaykh mentioned countless gems that he mentioned offhand but when contemplated on, really struck a chord in the heart. It was also great that the Shaykh was very open to questions, however sensitive, and tackled them head on, without compromising the principles of our faith, exemplifying that Allah azza wa jal has not only blessed him with knowledge, but also wisdom. I don't say this lightly, I genuinely believe, if you have the opportunity to study with the Shaykh, and you don't take it, then you have missed out on tasting the fruits of the knowledge of the Scholarship of our time and land" - Umer Suleman, South London

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