Islamic Studies Course for Adults

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH
MOST COMPASIONATE
MOST MERCIFUL LESSON # 1a
“INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF
CIN
G STA
RT
RSE
TAUHEED – (AQA’ID)”
ODU W COU ]
R
INT A NE
-201
2 Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults
O F EPT
[S conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail

IT CAN ALSO BE A
18 weekly class starting: 5th SEPTEMBER 2012 REFRESHER COURSE
Every Wadnesday night @ 8pm – 10pm FOR MUSLIM
Wisma Indah, 450 Changi Road, PARENTS, EDUCATORS,
#02-00 next to Masjid Kassim IN CONTEMPORARY
SINGAPORE.
OPEN TO ALL

For further information and registration contact
E -mail : ad.fardhayn.sg@gmail.com
or +65 81234669 / +65 96838279

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

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

All Rights Reserved ©Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail.2012 Updated 5 Sept 2012

THE
M BER
R EME …

2
All Rights Reserved ©Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail.2012

(Say:) ”Behold, my prayer, and [all] my acts of worship, my living and
my dying are for God [Allah alone, Who is], the Sustainer of all the
worlds, in whose divinity none has a share: for thus have I been
bidden – and I shall [always] be foremost among those who
surrender themselves to Him (Muslimeen).”

(Qur’an: al-An’am:6:162)


”So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the faith: (establish) Allah's
handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind:
no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the
standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.”

(Surah Rum: 30: 30)


”Seest thou not how Allah sets forth a parable?― a goodly Word
like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches
(reach) to the heavens― It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the
leave of its Lord. So Allah sets forth parables for men, in order
that they may receive admonition;”
(Qur’an: Ibrahim: 14: 24-25)

REFLECT : COMPONENTS OF A TREE

seed Roots Trunk Leaves
Sprout

Grow towards sunlight Layers of Bark Fruits
& Power to break rocks

6

WHAT’S NEXT ?

(FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE BEGINNERS’ COURSE)

“ .. Islamic education is organic, just like a plant,
it has to be continuously nurtured to develop a
Muslim to grow to be like the good tree’ ..
insha-Allah! ...” (Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail)


WHAT’S NEXT ?


Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM TAUHEED - ‘AQIDAH
(Creed or Theology)


Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM TAUHEED - ‘AQIDAH
(Creed or Theology)

Purpose / Objective
Development of Certainty (Belief)
Awareness of Reality / Truth
Develop discernment between Truth & Falsehood,

What is involved?
‘Aql - (proper use of Reason / Intellect)
Fitrah - Instincts & innate feeling (perception)
Tauqifiy – Revelations & reliable traditions

What is the Effect?
To develop firm conviction, strong principle,
Commitment to concept of Unity & Justice of Allah
(Tauheed); knowing the true purpose, role and Destiny of Man.

11

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM TAUHIID - ‘AQIDAH
RELEVANT COMPLEMENTARY
(Creed or Theology)
KNOWLEDGE:

Purpose / Objective
Languages, Logic & philosophy,
Development of CertaintyBotany,
Epistemology, Biology, (Belief)
Awareness of Realitysciences,
Chemistry, Physical / Truth
Astronomy, Geology, History,
Anthropology, Marine & Space,
Etc.
What is involved?
‘Aql - (proper use of Reason / Intellect)
Fitrah - Instincts & innate feeling (perception)
Tauqifiy – Revelations & reliable traditions

What is the Effect?
To develop firm conviction, strong principle,
Commitment to concept of Unity & Justice of Allah
(Tauheed); knowing the true purpose, role and Destiny of Man.

12

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM FIQH
(Practical Laws for life;
Learning of the Shari’ah)


Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM FIQH

Purpose / Objective
Development of Correct Practices;
Submission & Obedience to Will of Allah (Islam)

What is involved?
Knowing the law, rules as Guidance to every aspect of life
Capability to implementing them in life

What is the Effect?
To develop a community of people,
Inviting to what is good
Enjoining what is right, and forbidding evil,
Advocating the fulfilment of AMANAH (Trust)
As Allah’s Khalifah (vicegerent),
Establishing the Brotherhood of Man in
The servitude of One God.

14

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM FIQH

Purpose / Objective
Development of Correct Practices;
BROAD EXTENTObedience to WillCOVERED IN FIQH
Submission & OF TOPICS of Allah (Islam)
‘ibadah (personal devotion / worship)
What is involved?
Muamalah (social transaction)
Knowing the law, rules as Guidance to every aspect of life
Munakahah (Marriageimplementing them in life
Capability to & family)
Irth / fara’id (Distribution of wealth)
Jinayah (crimes is the Effect?
What & punishment)
Qodha’iyah (judiciary)
Enjoining what Da’wah (struggle in war
jihad / is right, and forbidding evil, & peace)
imarah (Leadership/government)

15

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM FIQH
RELEVANT COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:
All applied sciences, technology

and skills, knowledge of economics, politics, social &
Purpose / Objective
administrative
sciences etc. of Correctassist in the
Development that can Practices;
Submission & Obedience to Will of Allah (Islam)
fulfilment of establishing justice, order, peace,
harmony, prosperity, physical
What is involved?
Knowing the moral progress, and to every aspect of life
with law, rules as Guidance the well-being
of Man & society, etc.
Capability to implementing them in life

What is the Effect?
Enjoining what is right, and forbidding evil,

16

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF /
IRFAN
(Science of human Disposition/ Sufism)


Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF / IRFAN

Purpose / Objective
Development of Righteous Personality
Purification/perfection of the Self

What is involved?
Reforming or purification of the Self (Nafs)
Best behaviour in relationship with Allah,
within oneself, and with others.
Knowledge of Self and of Allah (Gnosis)

What is the Effect?
Development of Most noble personality traits
Founded on Love of Allah, of all His prophets [Nabiyyin]
especially the Seal of Prophethood Muhammad s.a.w.,
his Household [itrah or Ahlul-bayti wa Aali -Rasul] and loyal Companions [Ashaab],
In fellowship with the Truthful [siddiqqin], the Witnesses & martyrs [shuhada] and the
Righteous servants of Allah [Solihin]; Striving to purify the Self (Nafs) and
adorning it with the Exalted Moral traits of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
(The Perfected Man – “Insan Kaamil”)

18

Tauheedic paradigm

‘ILM AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF / IRFAN
RELEVANT COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE:

Purpose / Objective
This aspect of development requires
Development of Righteous Personality
practical behaviour, the aspect of being
Purification/perfection of the Self
and becoming. Its area of development
is the inner Self, the ‘human psyche’ or
the state What is involved? in his
of the Soul reflected
Reforming orAkhlaq). Therefore,Self (Nafs)
Disposition ( purification of the the close
Best behaviour in relationship with Allah,
equivalent may perhaps be ‘human’ psychology,
behavioural sciences, manners & others.
within oneself, and with discipline, etc.
Knowledge of Self and of Allah (Gnosis)

What is the Effect?
Development of Most noble personality traits
Founded on Love of Allah, of all His prophets [Nabiyyin]
especially the Seal of Prophethood Muhammad s.a.w.,
his Household [itrah or Ahlul-bayti wa Aali -Rasul] and loyal Companions [Ashaab],
In fellowship with the Truthful [siddiqqin], the Witnesses & martyrs [shuhada] and the
Righteous servants of Allah [Solihin]; Striving to purify the Self (Nafs) and
adorning it with the Exalted Moral traits of Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.
(The Perfected Man – “Insan Kaamil”)

19

This module # Intermediate on:

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

Development of Certainty (Belief)
Awareness of Reality / Truth


ADDENDUM

All Rights Reserved© Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2012)

ADDENDUM

 Purify his soul (nafs) from impure
traits and blameworthy Such as:-

characteristics. ‘ujub (self-conceit)
Juhud (ungrateful, obstinacy)
Kibr (arrogance)
Hasd (jealousy)
Riya’ (ostentatious)
Hub al-jah (love for status)
Hub ad-dunya (love of the world)
Etc. .. amongst others ....

He is indeed successful who purify
and causes it (self) to grow,
(Qur’an: Shams: 91: 10)
23

ADDENDUM

 Remove impediments (affairs of the world)
to devote with undivided attention to the
study.

“Allah has not made for any man two hearts in his (one) body “
(Qur’an: Ahzab: 33: 4)

24

ADDENDUM

 Never scorn knowledge nor exalt
himself/herself over the teacher.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.a.w. said:

“Whosever has humility (tawwadhu’),
Allah will raise his rank (and status);
and whosoever is arrogant (proud - takabbur)
Allah will humiliate him.”
(Hadith of our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.)
25

ADDENDUM

 Observe priority in learning and submit
to the advise of the teacher in the
matters of his learning.

“... and be satisfied with your ignorance
if you have wronged a teacher.”

A POEM FROM KITAB “TA’LIM MUTA’LLIM”
26

ADDENDUM

 Must be patient and not be hasty in
learning as one may need to master
praiseworthy knowledge.

“Calmness is from Allah, and (whereas)
hastiness is from satan.”
(Hadith reported by Baihaqy from Anas r.a.)

27

ADDENDUM

 Do not attempt to address every branch
of knowledge but must observe order
and begin with the most important.

O ye who believe! put not yourselves forward before
Allah and His Messenger: but fear Allah:
for Allah is He who hears and knows all things.
(Qur’an: Hujurat: 49: 1)
28

ADDENDUM

 Learn to ascertain the noble nature of
this or other science. Such as to know value & priority:-
Fardh ‘Ain (personal obligation)
Fardh Kifaya (community obligation)
Muqaddimat (introductory)
Mukhtasar (Summary)
Mufasssal (Detail)
Mujmal (General)
Khususiya (Specialised)
Usul (Principles)
Furu’ (Branches or secondary)
Manfa’at (beneficial)
Ghoyr Manfa’at (not beneficial)
Etc. .. amongst others ....
29

ADDENDUM

 Purpose of learning is for the adornment of inner self
with virtues – seeking nearness to Allah (“Taqarrub-il-
lAllaah”) and attainment of piety (“Taqwa”).

Verily the most honoured of you in the sight
of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you.
(Qur’an: Hujurat: 49: 13)
30

WARNING!



WARNING!


“Whoever seeks knowledge (intending) to
argue with the learned (scholars),
or to brag with the foolish;
or with it to attract peoples’ attention to himself;
Allah will make him to enter the Hell-fire.”

(Hadith also reported by Tirmidzi and Ibn Majah)


WARNING!


ADDENDUM

Avoid polemics regarding (niyyat).
(Difference between Maslahat al-mursala and Bid’ah)
1. Niyyat : Essentials (rukn ’) in every worship (servitude).
2. Intention is formulated in the heart and mind.
3. In language that one understands.
4. Conscious awareness accompanying the act.
5. Clarity of action and purpose.
6. To eradicate ambiguity.
7. Sincerity towards Allah s.w.t.


ADDENDUM

As an example of the intention (and Du’a): as formulated by
Imam Qutb al-Irshad al-Habib ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad
(rahimahullah) – may we benefit from his Wisdom and secrets.


ADDENDUM

“I intend to learn and teach (knowledge), to gain and to share
benefits, to receive and to give reminders, to seek (Allah’s)
bestowals and to bestow (upon others), to holdfast to the
teachings of the Book of Allah (Qur’an) and As-Sunnah of His
Messenger s.a.a.w. , to invite towards the right guidance, to
show to the path of goodness, beseeching and seeking to please
Allah s.w.t., so as to gain nearness to Him and hoping for (His
acceptance and) His reward. Amin”
As an example of the intention (and Du’a): as formulated by
Imam Qutb al-Irshad al-Habib ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad
(rahimahullah) – may we benefit from his Wisdom and secrets.


A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE & METHOD OF APPROACH


Lesson # 1 A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE & METHOD OF APPROACH

By : Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
Intermediate Islamic Course conducted (since 1990's)


Faith (IIMAN), from the Islamic perspective is not mere blind
acceptance. It is a process of acquiring a knowledge of
certainty in which we confirm with our innate nature and
sense faculties especially that of reason - till we develop
conviction.


Basic and most fundamental message of Islam is the
KALIMATUT-TAUHEED (Statement concerning the Absolute
Oneness of God), in Arabic:

LAA-ILAA-HA-IL-LALLAAH
“There is no other god (object of worship) except Allah (God)."


The message of Islam is very simple and exact, yet profound.

It stresses upon mankind to recognize the Truth that there is
only one God, the Creator, Sustainer, Cherisher of the
Universe, -besides Whom there is no other god.


The Arabic proper noun “Allah” for God, refers to the One
Supreme Being, Who is Absolute, Unique and without equal.

“Allah” : Arabic proper noun; name for God,
it refers to the One and Only, the Unique Creator,
Lord Sustainer of the Universe, Who Alone is God
– there is none besides Allah.

No equivalent translation in non-Semitic language.


From the above statement, there are 2 aspects which we are
required to confirm and develop Faith (iiman) in :

(1) Recognizing and be convinced in the existence of God;

And
(2) That there is none other except ‘Allah’, the Absolute One
God (i.e. He is without equal or partner; sharing with no one
His Divinity, for there is none like Him) .

TAUQIFIYYAH - i. e. by relying upon true report, which have
already been ascertained as to its reliability as being
authoritative – for Muslims, the using of evidence from the
Al-Qur’an (Revelation) and authenticated Ahadith (Sunnah
- sayings, actions or consent of the Prophet);


FITRAH - i.e. by relying upon our natural or innate human
instincts, intuitions;


‘AQLIIYAH - i.e. by the using of the faculty of reasoning,
thought process;


Man cannot claim to be born with knowledge, but that
knowledge is acquired. It is bestowed upon him through
experience, inspiration and insight. We recognize great
thinkers with their profound discoveries of the laws of the
universe, and that is basically how science developed. But
science is only limited to certain aspects of knowledge and
cannot traverse the great mysteries of the infinite.


Yet history recognizes other types of luminaries, who were
people gifted with the knowledge that delves beyond the
boundaries of physics into the realm of the metaphysics.
They were the prophets and messenger of God sent
throughout history, repeating the same message in the
existence of God, and inviting mankind towards the way of
submission to the One Creator of the Universe.


The last of these messengers was Muhammad s.a.w. who
has left behind to posterity, his teachings in the Qur'an and
his Sunnah. In themselves, the Qur'an and Sunnah are the
undeniable evidence of his NUBUWWAT (prophethood) –

With verifiable evidence of which have been preserved in
its pristine state even till the present age.


He was indeed a messenger of God from Whom he received
enlightenment of the profound Reality. Thus, by relying
upon the authority of the Qur'an and the Sunnah itself,
Muslims are convinced about the existence of God.

Note:
Yet in the QUR’AN, Allah does not only inform man of His existence
but offers sound arguments, appealing to the inherent instinct in
man as well as to man's ability to use his reason.


Man has certain natural instincts to perceive the existence
of One whom they call God. In these naturally endowed
pure instincts (fitrah salee-ma), they lead man towards the
recognition, by sense intuition - that there must exist, the
Almighty Being, a ‘conscious Force’ Who overseas over his
life and the entire Universe, not attributing the whole
creations simply as product of ‘Nature’.


The instinct of fear is one of the most profound. Another is
that of hope; yearning towards a sense of justice and fair
play; the innate ability to appreciate what is right and
wrong; inclination towards orderliness and progress;
striving for perfection, etc.


These pure instincts (intuitions), although they may have
become dimmed or corrupted, or be affected by doubts
and scepticism, yet its presence in every person is
undeniable and is the reason why in many communities
throughout the world's history there are evidence of some
form of worship to God - i.e. the notion of a Supreme
Being. From the simple tribal society, to renown
civilizations - evidence can be found.


Although some scientists may scoffed at this because they
could not satisfactorily understand them, yet they can
neither prove nor disprove all of them using empirical
methods.

And although by relying upon innate instinct and intuition,
some people may have deviated away from the belief that
the Creator is One, into ascribing pantheons of deities, yet
deep down in their instinct there still reverberates that only
One is the Almighty Lord of all creation.

“If indeed thou ask them who has created the heavens and the
earth and subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law); they will
certainly reply "Allah (God)." How are they then deluded away
(from the truth)?”
(Qur’an: Ankabut: 29: 61)


Say: "who is it that delivers you from the dark recesses of land and sea,
when ye call upon Him in humility and silent terror: `if He only delivers us
from these (dangers), (we vow) we shall truly show our gratitude'.?"
(Qur’an: An-’am: 6: 63)


Say: "It is Allah that delivers you from these and all (other) distresses:
and yet ye worship false gods!"
(Qur’an: An-’am: 6: 64)


Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and
below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a
taste of mutual vengeance― each from the other." See how We
explain the Signs by various (symbols) that they may understand.
(Qur’an: An-’am: 6: 65)

“and yet, to all this thy peoples have given the lie, although it is the
truth. Say [then]: "I am not responsible for your conduct.
Every tiding [from Allah] has a term set for its fulfilment: and in time
you will come to know [the truth].".
(Qur’an: An-’am: 6: 66-67)


Atheism is a new phenomena in the history of mankind and
cannot be said to be natural. It is totally against the pure
instinct of man, not to believe in a supernatural being - for
this would only be replacing the idea of ‘God’ (the intelligent
Force), with ‘nature’ (an unknown entity without any will nor
intelligence, yet said to be the cause) capable of creating
many amazing things in this universe !

Historically, atheism or agnosticism came about because of rejection of certain
absurd myths attributed to God, not an absolute rejection of the idea of God.


Unlike other religion, Islam recognizes the use of reasoning
faculty, and in fact it encourages man to use them because,
from the point of view of Islam, the mind or reasoning
faculty is the greatest gift of God.


Although reason itself cannot fathom the infinite mysteries
yet it is the means by which man can verify and confirm
truth. And in this very way has the Qur'an spoke to man
and invite them to recognize the existence of God.


It provides verifiable arguments to convince the doubters,
by methods of pondering upon certain observable
phenomena in ourselves and our surroundings:


[Or do they deny the existence of God?] Have they themselves been
created without anything [that might have caused their creation]? or were
they, perchance, their own creators? [And] have they created the heavens
and the earth? Nay, but they have no certainty of anything!”
(Qur’an: Tur: 52: 35-36)


“Had there been in heaven or on earth any deities other than Allah,
both [those realms would surely have fallen into ruin! But limitless
in His glory is Allah, enthroned in His awesome almightiness far]
above anything that men may devise by way of definition!”
(Qur’an: Tur: 52: 35-36)


Say: "If there were as some people assert [other] deities side by
side with Him, surely [even] they would have to strive to find a
way unto Him who is enthroned on His almightiness?“
Limitless is He in His glory, and sublimely, immeasurably
exalted above anything that men may say [about Him]”
(Qur’an: Isra’: 17: 42-43)

“Never did Allah take unto Himself any offspring, nor has
there ever been any deity side by side with Him: [for, had
there been any,] lo! each deity would surely have stood
apart [from the others] in whatever it had created, and
they would surely have [tried to] overcome one another!
Limitless in His glory is Allah, [far] above anything that
men may devise by way of definition,”
(Qur’an: al-Mu’minun: 23: 91)


(1) Things that we see around us are 'new' and were created . Creation
must emanate from outside creation i.e. the Uncreated.

(2) Things are in constant state of motion. We cannot conceive motion
to have perpetually existed without a beginning (i.e. it must start from
a state of motionless).

(3) The dependability of things towards a cause or initiator . So where
do all things began?


(4) The existence of a unified order in the universe . To attribute this
order to random chance is most improbable without a universal will
(intelligent force).

(5) The realization that for this universe to exist as it does, there must be
a Sustainer. The complexity for its being sustained, and dependability of
things to other things affecting it besides itself, indicate the
determination by a 'cosmic force.‘


(6) Inherent preparedness in our creation, as well as in animals,
plants, etc. This preparedness cannot be something evolved because
without it, that animals or plants would not have any chance to begin
to survive in the first place.

(7) Time and the aging factor in our Universe. This would make us
ponder concerning the meta-concept of the infinity (past) and
eternity (future) - the concepts of the Divine.


(8) The 'law' of probability. The computation which actually informs
us (mathematically) of the utter remoteness of creation being the
outcome of chance accidents.


A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE & METHOD OF APPROACH

TO CONTINUE ...


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/

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Islamic Studies Course for Adults

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