MANA - Yasir Qadhi clears up many misconceptions

What is MANA? Why MANA?
Who does MANA represent?

Intelligent answers, mashaAllah, and a great introduction to what looks like a very beneficial group. Follow the link to read more of Yasir Qadhi's thoughts on MANA.

Anwar al-Awlaki Speech Live at Another Ramadan 2008 - 20 min

HajjCoach Session 04 - Let's Go Shopping! (part 2)

HajjCoach Session 04 - Let's Go Shopping! (part 1)

bismillah. sensible advice for the hujjaj!

HajjCoach Session 03 - Tying Up Loose Ends

bismillah. make these decisions for yourselves now. if not for hajj, then just because qadar can take you at any time. and no one is able to do all this for you.

HajjCoach Session 02 - Measuring Salah Quality

bismillah. Allaho Akbar! this is such a beneficial video! improving the quality of one's salah is something that pays so many dividends! i am so happy i saw this video, that i can hardly stop using exclamation marks... there. okay. see, even without exclamation marks, i still recommend this video to you.

HajjCoach Session 01 - Everything You Need To Know

bismillah. mashaAllah! the availability of these lectures is a great blessing. i had tawfiq to make Hajj with this shaykh before i ever learned anything about him. and the benefits of that Hajj over what i had contemplated for myself are so great that more than two years later, i am still so grateful to Allah that He let me be in such good company during the most important journey of my life.

Muhammad Alshareef - Perished Nations Series - The People of Pharoah - 3 of 3

InshaAllah, if you want Shaykh Muhammad's notes for this lecture, follow the link above, and post a comment there. If enough of us ask for the notes, he has said that he would post.

Muhammad Alshareef - Perished Nations Series - The People of Pharoah - 2 of 3

InshaAllah, if you want Shaykh Muhammad's notes for this lecture, follow the link above, and post a comment there. If enough of us ask for the notes, he has said that he would post.

Muhammad Alshareef - Perished Nations Series - The People of Pharoah - 1 of 3

InshaAllah, if you want Shaykh Muhammad's notes for this lecture, follow the link above, and post a comment there. If enough of us ask for the notes, he has said that he would post.

That's not Hijab - Ummah Films Season 2 Premiere

Okay, here's post two. I'm still in class, but a friend recommended "Ummah Films" to me, so I checked out this video during the break. It's worth watching -- really funny at times. But you do have to suspend your preconceptions. Anyway, apparently, he's really popular. Here's the Google Video description: "With over 500,000+ views on Youtube and Google Video, The Reminder series has become the biggest Muslim Video blog on the Internet. Without any further adue, here is the Season 2 video premiere, 'That's not Hijab.' Please check out the video blog on www.ummahfilms.com."

Shaykh Yusuf Mouati - Surah ar-R'ad

In sha Allah, the Al Maghrib course Usool ul Fiqh taught by Shaykh Yasser Birjas starts tonight here in Houston, Texas. Classes will be held over the next two weekends at the University of Houston campus. Information about the course can be obtained at www.almaghrib.com. Back in December I posted a lecture of Shaykh Birjas entitled "Arriving at the Right Airport: Worshipping Allah... the Right Way." Here is the link for that lecture: http://muslim-video.blogspot.com/2006/12/mahmood-shahhat-surah-isra-sialkot-2006.html. Alhamdolillah, today's post is a beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran. Here's the Google Video description: "Shaykh Yusuf Mouati came to the Islamic Center of Passaic County (ICPC) located in Paterson, NJ and led the Taraweeh prayers there in Ramadan 1427 (2006). This is a recitation of Surah ar-R'ad."

The Nobles,the Companions of the Prophet,sahaba,Companions

Growing up in America, we learn that one of the country's greatest strengths has been social mobility -- the ability of any person in America to transcend the social strata or caste into which he is born. At times the key to that American Dream has been education, at others political power, but most often money has been the measure of a person's success if not explicitly his means. And surely, America has a history of greater social mobility than any of the European empires that ruled the lands that now make up the fifty states. But does money or social status guarantee happiness? And how long can such pleasure last? The Prophet Muhammad sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam taught that no man is better than any other save by the measure of his obedience to the Will of Almighty God, Allah subhanahu wata ala. And likewise piety and faith were the tokens of social mobility among the companions, radi Allah anhum, of the Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam. That assessment is born out marvelously in the example of the slave Bilal, radi Allah anho, who was bitterly tortured by his pagan masters when he accepted Islam. But who was one of the most beloved companions of the Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam. Today, more than 1400 years later, you will still find Muslim children all over the world of every color and nationality who are named Bilal in honor and love of the former slave. Not because of wealth. But because of how wonderful a Muslim he was, and how beloved he was to Allah subhanahu wata ala and to His Prophet, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam.

The Way Is One by Dr. Bilal Philips

The overwhelming majority of people do believe in Allah, subahanahu wata ala. They may not accept Him by that Name. They may prefer to call Him God or Gott or Dieu. They may simply refer to Him as a Supreme Being. They may call Him by other names that are not ones He has taken for Himself. But they believe. Because all of creation bears witness to the sheer majesty of what He created. It takes despicable arrogance and willful blindness to claim that all of creation spontaneously or meaninglessly came into being. But what separates Muslims from the rest of mankind is that we accept Him as One, Alone, Having no partner of any kind nor of any degree. Indeed, the idol worshippers of Makkah who rejected the Prophet Muhammad, sull Allahi alayhi wa sallam, believed in Allah subhanahu wata ala, and even called Him by His Name. But the idol worshippers insisted that there was a pantheon of lesser gods that interceded on behalf of man. And that worshipping these intermediaries would please Allah! This lecture by Bilal Philips explains the Oneness of Allah subhanahu wata ala, and its implications. He also explains how Islam is the one religion that truly respects the Oneness of Allah subhanahu wata ala. This video is not perfect but it is a must-see for any person who thinks all religions are the same or are equally loved by Allah subhanahu wata ala. Here's the Google Video description of this recently uploaded lecture: "In this video Dr. Bilal Philips talks about madhabs, sufis, multiple paths to God, and so on."

Islam Lecture: "How to Exercise Patience, Part 2"

To help you be patient for one more week, in sha Allah, here's the second half of the video lecture by Shaykh Muhammad Faqih. In sha Allah, the Al Maghrib Institute course, Usool ul Fiqh, the Code of Scholars, taught by Yasser Birjas, comes to Houston, Texas, over the last two weekends of January. In sha Allah, you can register for the class on-line at www.almaghrib.com. This will be my fifth Al Maghrib class, and I keep coming back for more knowledge because the information is both reliable and well presented. Also, the students and instructors create a wonderful Islamic environment that I just do not get otherwise in my life. May Allah subhanahu wata ala allow me some day to live in a Muslim environment that will be good for me in this life, good for my soul in the next life, and safekeeping from the fire of hell. May He reward all the students and instructors at Al Maghrib, and may He guide all of us and you, in sha Allah. Here's the Google Video description: "Islamic lecture on June 30, 2006 titled "How to Exercise Patience" by Sheikh Muhammad Faqih, Imam of Masjid Omar Al-Farouk in Anaheim, California."

Islam Lecture: "How to Exercise Patience, Part 1"

Countdown to Shaykh Yasser Birjas's lecture on Usool ul Fiqh, just a bit over 8 days, in sha Allah! You can still register on-line at almaghrib.com, but if you wait too long, you may have to register on-site at the University of Houston. In sha Allah, you can also inquire about the class by contacting the people at this web page: http://hosna.almaghrib.org/about.html. Here's the Google Video description for another Muhammad Faqih lecture: "Islamic lecture on June 30, 2006 titled "How to Exercise Patience" by Sheikh Muhammad Faqih, Imam of Masjid Omar Al-Farouk in Anaheim, California."

Matter of Manners

"Usool ul Fiqh - the Code of the Scholars" In sha Allah, Shaykh Yasser Birjas will teach this Al Maghrib Institute class here in Houston over the last two weekends of January. I am already looking forward to the comaraderie, in sha Allah. You can enroll in the class yourself by visiting the Al Maghrib Institute web site at www.almaghrib.com, or use the link in the righthand margin. Here's an excerpt from the course description: "Who has authority to give a fatwa? How can one Shaykh say something to be Haram while the other deems it permissible? In this double-weekend-seminar, students will learn about Islamic rulings and their method of deduction. They will learn such things as how legislation comes to be, how texts from the Qur'an and Sunnah are analyzed, and how apparently confusing verses are understood." Here is a recorded lecture by another Al Maghrib institute instructor, Muhammad Faqih. There was no description other than the title, "A Matter of Manners."

Pray As You Have Seen Me Pray

Ma sha Allah, today I found a great video. It answers virtually every question one could have about the salat, or prayer, that Muslims make every day to Allah subhanahu wata ala. Why do Muslims pray five times a day? Because we were commanded to by Allah, Who alone created and sustains everything else in the Universe. Who could possibly appreciate the Majesty, Power, and Mercy of Allah, and then refuse to bow down to Him in prayer? Refusing to obey the command of Allah to prostrate was Satan's sin. Allah subhanahu wata ala commanded all of the Angels and Jinn, including Satan, to prostrate to Adam, may peace by upon him, to acknowledge Adam's place in Creation. Satan refused to obey Allah, his own Creator. Why? Because in his pride Satan did not accept that Allah's Supremacy meant he had to obey completely. It was only one prostration that cost Satan so much. How much sorrow for those people who refuse to prostrate to Allah, Himself? This video's Google description details the topics covered, but please note that the video ends before covering the prayer itself. In sha Allah, whoever uploaded this portion of the video may upload the rest soon. And I hope to post that portion too, in sha Allah. "Pray As You Have Seen Me Pray is a documentary style educational film that teaches you the basics of prayer. It contains the following: The Night Journey (Isra' wal-Mi'raj) The story of the Miraculous Night Journey in which the prayer was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from Allah (swt). General Hygiene (Taharah) Muhammad (pbuh) said that cleanliness is one half of faith. The Ablution (Wudu) A prerequisite of prayer is washing the parts of the body as ordered by Allah (swt) and taught by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Dry Ablution (Tayammum) If water is not available then one may perform a dry ablution. Bathing (Ghusl) Bathing is required in the manner taught by Muhammad (pbuh) in certain circumstances. The Prayer (As-Salah) All one needs to know about the prayer including: The importance of prayer, leaving the prayer, prerequisites of prayer, a detailed two units (Rak'at) of prayer, a step by step guide to performing three & four units of prayer and general points about Prayer. Medical Benefits of Prayer & Ablution The medical world is continuously finding amazing benefits from performing prayer and ablution - Praise be to Allah (swt) the Creator of all that exists."

Arafat at daytime during Hajj 2006

Here is some footage from Hajj that was posted yesterday on Google Video. There's no description besides the title, and the video is in Arabic. But look carefully, and use the slider to advance the video to scenes of the Hajjis. You'll notice that the plain of Arafat is teeming with Muslims, alhamdolillah. And you'll notice that the Ihram, the garb of the Hajji, obliterates the markings of wealth or family status. Every Hajji is an equal to every other Hajji because each has made the journey for the sake of Allah subhanahu wata ala. Indeed when we leave this life, nothing will distinguish one man from another save his deeds. And no man will be better than another except by the balance of his good deeds over his bad. And no one will enter Paradise, no one at all, except by the Mercy of Allah subhanahu wata ala. Alhamdolillah, all praise is for Allah. May He accept the Hajj of every Hajji. May He Guide all of us and you to the straight path, the path of those with whom He is pleased.

Inside Mecca part1

There's no place like Makkah; there's no journey like Hajj. It's already Thursday in Makkah. The Hajj is well under way. This video is quite impressive, following the Hajj of three Muslims from all over the world. But when you watch this video, remember, it was produced by non-Muslims. That comes across clearly in comments that reveal how little they appreciate the way a Muslim views the trials of performing the Hajj. Also, keep in mind that the number of Hajjis has grown tremendously. As many as 3.5 million Hajjis made the journey last year. This year more people will attend than ever before. The Saudi government does a fantastic job of hosting the Hajj. People who complain have no idea what a logistical accomplishment the Hajj represents each year. And they vastly overestimate the ability of any other nation to conduct such an exercise in religious hospitality. Here's the Google Video description: "A National Geographic Documentary about Islam and the journey towards the Holy City of Makkah for Pilgrimage.A must to watch film to know about Islam and its teachings."