Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Tasawwur Islam - 23 Dec 09

Today, I've learnt the beauty of Min Adab Al Islam, Subhan Allah. Truly Islam is Syumul and by following what is ordained of us, we will be guided to the right and straight path, Insya Allah.

Below is a short trailer that outlines the 22 sessions about Islamic Manners from a prolific speaker, which gave the gist of what was covered by Sheikh Abdul Halim today:


You can hear the full detail of the 22 sessions by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-kawthari conducted from Min Adab al-Islam by Sh Abdul-Fattah Abu Ghudda via podcasts found here.

Afterthought: Without adab, our youths lose their Islamic identity, which resulted in the 'broken family' syndrome that is so prevalent in today's world. Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki is right when he says that the situation we face today is a result of the lack of cultivation of the right values by parents. So it is essential to have a deep attachment to our Ummah's heritage and history of Islam in order to have a strong Islamic identity and worldview.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Tasawwur Islam - 16 Dec 09

Following up from my earlier post, I signed up for yet another course by Sheikh Abdul Halim, who speaks with great clarity about Islamic Worldview, which is so profound coz it is all-encompassing (syumul) yet fundamental (coz it is central to the ummah's well-being).

For a start, I agree with Sheikh Abdul Halim's analogy that education should be like a tree - the roots have to be strong in order for it to grow healthily to withstand the harshness of the weather. Similarly, our islamic knowledge and core values, the critical foundation of our ummah, have to be rock solid in order for us to withstand the tests on this very earth as we prepare for hereafter.

A note to myself, to take the time to read these:-

1. Worldviews: Meanings, Characteristics and Kinds:
- Mutahhari Ayatullah, Fundamentals of Islamic Thoughts Chap 1 and 2
- Shifa Sharifah, Islam and Challenges of Modernity pp 8 - 70
- Kamal Hassan, The Islamic Worldview pp 11 - 33
- Al-Attas, The Worldview of Islam: An Outlines pp 20 - 30
- David K. Naugle, Worldview: The History of a Concept pp 55 - 146

2. An Overview of Islam and Its Main Characteristics:
- Al-Attas, The Concept of Religion
- Hamudah, Islam in Focus pp 113 - 118
- Qutb, This Religion of Islam, Delhi 1996 pp 15
- Sachiko, The Vision of Islam pp 1 - 45

3. The Elements of the Islamic Worldview - Tawhid:
- Al-Faruqi, Tawhid: Its Implications for Thought and Life 1982 pp 1 - 39
- Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Quran 1994 pp 1 - 39

4. The Concept of SunnatlLah & Natural Phenomenon:
- Gulen, Understanding and Belief 1997 Chap 2
- Snooks, The Laws of History 1998 pp 1 - 38, 185 - 193

5. The Revelation and Prophethood and Its Relevance to the Muslim Life:
- Moudoudi, Towards Understanding Islam, 1973 Chap 5 & 7
- Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Quran Chap 5
- Gulen, Prophet Muhammad The Infinite Light 1995 Chap 4 & 6

6. The Al-Akirah and Its Implications on Life:
- Osman, Concepts of the Quran, ABISM 1997, pp 125 - 184
- Gulen, Understanding and Belief, 1997 Chap 4

7. Man in the Quran and Sunnah:
- Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Quran 1994 Chap 1 & 2
- Khan, Islam on Origin and Evolution of Life 1978 pp 85 - 105
- Bucaille, What's The Origin of Man 1989 pp 15 - 45

8. The Crisis of Contemporary Man and Society:
- Naser, Reflections on Man & The Future of Civilization, 1993 pp 253 - 259