[Slideshare] akhlaq-course (february 2013-batch) -# 3a-preparation for learning(2-march-2013)

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL. “INTRODUCTION TO THE
STUDY OF ‘ILM AL-AKHLAQ
”
Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults
LESSON # 3 a – conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

PREPARATION FOR LEARNING
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF
‘ILM AL-AKHLAQ
“Verily! You (Muhammad) are upon the
most exalted (Kuluq) disposition.”

Using text & curriculum he has developed especially for
Muslim converts and young Adult English-speaking Muslims.

“To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”

All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2013)
) UPDATED – 2 March 2013

EPISTEMOLOGY

 It is called “Ruh” – ‘spirit’, when we refer to its essence, which we do
not know except very little.
 When it is in cognitive mode of its own existence, awareness of its identity,
it is called “Nafs” – ‘self’. And it may go through many ‘states’ ( AHWAL)
 The word “Qolb” – “Fu-ad” ‘heart’, also refers to our Soul,
when it is in the mode of reflection, or contemplation in understanding
meanings. Maintining its well-being and purity must be of the ultimate concern.
 When Allah s.w.t. grants Taufiq whereupon its understanding of ‘Reality’
penetrates deeply, it is referred to as “Lubb” - ‘innermost’
 If is guided by Allah to go deeper still, it is referred to as “ Sirr” –
‘secret’
 But all these terms refer to the same thing i.e. Our Spiritual Self.
WaAllaahu a’lam
)

)

 Information gathered are like pieces of jig-saw puzzle.

 It may seem quite easy to get them, especially when they seemed
to be scattered about almost everywhere.

 Some people are keen to only gather them, to pick them up, to
steal these pieces, and are obsessed with merely having as much of
them as possible – not realizing its true meaning, its true significance,
its true worth to benefit from it, its place and purpose to us.

)

 Thus, some people may feel that they have ‘knowledge’, whereas
what they possess may just be merely ‘information’.

 Actually by “knowledge”, we are referring to the relevant
“meaning” from that subject that we “seek to acquire, arriving in our
soul ...” – not merely the subject.

 The “Soul” (or sometimes referred to as the ‘heart’, ‘mind’ or
‘intellect’) is the spiritual Self (of who we are our Self ‘Nafs’ ) - our
cognitive essence, capable of knowing and of learning.

)

 Thus education is said to be “organic” liken to a living organism –
which pertains, primarily, to the growth (of meaning, realization and
actualization) of our soul - Self.

 Education, from the Islamic perspective, is not a mechanical
construct, but it entails nurturing of a Muslim with ‘Life’ – and the
Islamic educators to be likened as the ‘gardeners ’ not ‘engineers’.

 Actually, (in Islamic education), when acquiring any pieces of it
(information), a student should also be learning what its meaning and
significance is, and how it is to be applied (fixed or connected) unto what
he/she already possess thus far – increasing spiritual growth.

)

 This can only be possible when such pieces are given to them by one
who has true ownership of these, and who consents to give these to
them and helps them with how they should understand these, and to
form (or attach) them unto their overall worldview.

 Thus, students must be learning from the right person, i.e. those who
has ‘seen’ the full (at least)- the completed picture.; or preferably those
who have traversed the path themselves.

 Only such are the ones who can rightfully teach them how they are to
make each pieces to become meaningful to what they already posses.

)

 And the manner or approach towards making it meaningful
(enlightening), may be seen from various perspectives (angles)
amongst fellow students in the same class, because each student,
although may have a limited vision of what the teacher was teaching,
may be granted new meanings - ‘arriving in his soul’. Thus in a
traditional teaching sessions, ‘knowledge’ expands and increases.

 Thus being physically present in class with a teacher, learning face-
to-face, sharing what they have learnt with the teacher and fellow
students, seeking constant guidance etc. has always been a highly
valued traditional method (which, unfortunately, we may have lost or
slowly loosing through neglect).
)

“TRADITIONAL LEARNING FROM ISLAMIC TEACHERS AND SCHOLARS”

)

O YOUNG MAN: .......
“And it behoves you not to be deceived by the escapades
and antics of the charlatan sufis. The true spiritual journey
of the Sufi Path is not the path of these pretenders. It is
the path of self-remonstrance and the removal of carnal
desires (and their inner promptings) with the Sword
of Vigilance.“

“May Allah bless his soul,
elevate his rank and make
us to benefit from his
knowledge, wisdom and
secrets.”
)

“There are four matters that the traveller (salik) must observe
during the spiritual journey:

ONE, sound belief that is free from innovation.

secrets.”
)


TWO, sincere and genuine repentance with the resolve not to
return to a life of carnal pleasure.

secrets.”
)


THREE, to try to make peace with your adversaries so that no
claims can be laid against you.

secrets.”
)


FOUR, to acquire sufficient knowledge of the Sacred Law to
enable you to perform the orders of Allah, the Most High.
Then there is the knowledge of the Hereafter that is necessary
for success.

secrets.”
)

“what is necessary for those who choose to travel upon the
path of Truth..

Know that it is essential for you to attach yourself to a Spiritual
Guide and Teacher who, through his spiritual instructions, will
purify yourself from evil tendencies and replace them with
nobility of character.

secrets.”
)


“ the signs by which you may recognise the true guide ..

 who renounces love of the world and the desire for rank;

secrets.”
)



 he who follows an enlightened guide whose spiritual chain
extends in unbroken sequence to Muhammad, the Lord of the
Messengers

secrets.”
)



 and he who excels in refining himself by observing modesty
in eating, speaking and sleeping, and by much praying,
almsgiving and fasting;

secrets.”
)



 he who, in imitation of an enlightened guide, makes virtue
his way of life-amongst which are counted patience, prayer,
thanksgiving, dependence on Allah, certainty of knowledge,
generosity, contentedness, inner peace, clemency, humility,
knowledge, truthfulness, modesty, reliability, sobriety,
tranquillity, and perseverance.
secrets.”
)

“An immoral man of learning is a great evil,
yet a greater evil is an ignoramus leading a ‘godly’
life.
Both are a great trial (FITNAH) everywhere,
to whomever depends to them both (for guidance),
in holding on to his religion”

REFLECTION:
We would indeed be afflicted with this Fitnah (trial). Only with appropriate
knowledge and irshaadah, and more importantly Taufiq wal-Hidaa-ya from
Allah SWT. would we be saved from its evil.
)

MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.

)

MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.

“It is He (Allah) Who has sent amongst the Unlettered a
messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, to
rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to
instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom― although they
had been, before, in manifest error― .“

(Qur’an: Jumu’ah: 62: 2)

)

MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.

“As well as (to confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who
have not already joined them: and He is Exalted in Might, Wise.”

)

MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.

“Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will:
and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.”

)

“Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah,
works righteousness, and says "I am of those who bow in Islam"

)

“Nor should the Believers all go forth together: if a contingent
from every expedition remained behind, they could devote
themselves to studies in religion (LIYA-TAFAQQAHU -FID-DEEN)
and admonish the people when they return to them― that thus
they (may learn) to guard themselves (against evil).”

(Qur’an: Taubah: 9:122)

)

Say: "Are those equal, those who know and those who do
not know? It is those who are endued with understanding
that receive admonition.“

(Qur’an: Zumar: 39: 9)

)

“So ask the people of the ‘Remembrance’
(i.e. those who know) in matters which you
do not know.“

(Qur’an: Anbiya’: 21: 7)
)

“Verily those who truly fear Allah from among His Servants,
those who have knowledge (AL-’ULAMA): for Allah is
Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving.“

(Qur’an: Fatir: 35: 28)

)

“ Allah will raise up, to (suitable) ranks (and degrees),
those of you who believe and who have been granted
Knowledge (UU-TUL-’ILMA): and Allah is well-acquainted
with all ye do.”

(Qur’an: Mujadilah: 58: 11)

)

He (Allah) grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to
whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit
overflowing; but none will grasp the message but men of
understanding.“

(Qur’an: Baqarah: 2: 269)

)

“Whomsoever that Allah wishes for him goodness, He will
make him a FAQIH (learned) in matters of the
religion(Deen); and for everything there is a pillar, and the
pillar of this religion is AL-FIQH – (the profound
understanding of the Deen); a learned scholar (of the Deen)
is more difficult upon satan than a thousand worshippers.”

(Reported by Bukhary and Muslim)

)

“Whosoever sets out upon the path in which to seek knowledge
(‘ILMA), Allah will make easy for him the path to Paradise.”

(Reported by Abu Daud & Tirmidzi)

)

“The best ones amongst you is the person who makes your
remember Allah when you look upon him; and whenever he
speaks it increases you your knowledge (of the Deen), and with
his deeds it inspires (motivates) you to strive for your
Hereafter.”
(Hadith reported by Hakim from Ibnu ‘Umar r.a .)
)

“Indeed, Allah bestowed a favour upon the believers when he raised up in
their midst a Messenger from among themselves, to convey His messages
unto them, and to cause them to grow in purity, and to impart unto them
the divine writ as well as wisdom - whereas before that they were indeed,
most obviously, lost in error.”
(Qur’an: Aali ‘Imran: 3: 163)

)

“Knowledge is not from the listening of much narrations
(or merely reading books), verily knowledge is light
(which Allah s.w.t. casts) into the heart.”

(Saying of * Ibnu Mas’ud r.a.)

* The famous companion (SAHABI) of the Prophet s.a.a.w.

)

* Muhammad ibn al-Hassan Abu ’Abdallah al-Shaibany r.h.m. said:

“The most meritorious of knowledge is knowledge of
the ‘Haal’ (spiritual state); and the most meritorious of
actions (deeds) is to maintain one’s standing (goodly
spiritual state attained).”

•The famous student of Imam Abu Hanifah r.h.m.
r.h.m
Amongst the teachers of Imam Ash-Shafi’ie r.h.m

)


• REFLECTION:

Our concern should be towards drawing close to Allah
spiritually described as states (Haal). In the incremental
states which we gained, we must strive to maintain with
‘amal (practice) as we can regress. When ‘istiqomah’ in
one’s Haal is achieved, it is called ‘Maqom’

)


“Learn (seek knowledge)! For the learning is an
adornment for the one who (strive and) possesses it; a
virtue and a prelude to every praiseworthy action.”

)


• REFLECTION:

Certainly, this is from the Islamic perspective of
knowledge linked to ‘ibaadah – not the secularist-culture
of learning which is attached to value-system quite
opposed to Islamic ideals.

)


“Give yourself up to the study of jurisprudence (FIQH), for
the knowledge of jurisprudence is the best guide to piety and
the fear of God and it is the straightest path to the ultimate
goal.”
• REFLECTION:
“Fiqh” – literally means “profound understanding (of the
Deen)” – ref: al-Qur’an Surah Taubah : 9: 122, which later
was used to refer to the studies of Islamic jurisprudence.
)


“It is the milestone leading to the ways of proper guidance;
it is the fortress that saves [one] from all hardships. “
• REFLECTION:
Again, one has to understand Islam’s value system which do
not separate the eternal goodness and hardship in Hereafter
with present life which is temporary and fleeting. Thus,
those with secular worldview, may not be able to appreciate
profoundly this message.
)


“Indeed, one godly person versed in jurisprudence is more
powerful against Satan than a thousand [ordinary] worshippers.”
• REFLECTION:
Only by knowing the boundaries between obedience and
disobedience, instilled with Taqwa (fear of transgression)
that can effectively equip a Muslim against being tempted
or deceived by Satan. Thus, the emphasis upon this
knowledge.
)

TO BE CONTINUED

)

All welcome to visit my web-blog:

http://an-naseehah.blogspot.com/
http://introductiontotauhid.blogspot.com/
http://oyoubelievers.blogspot.com/
http://al-amthaal.blogspot.com/
http://zhulkeflee-archive.blogspot.com/
http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/
http://with-the-truthful.blogspot.com/
http ://muqaddam-nurul.blogspot.com/

) 49

[Slideshare] akhlaq-course (february 2013-batch) -# 3a-preparation for learning(2-march-2013)

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