KSC - My Kids Club

I launched my weekend kids club back in November 2009 and finally alhamdullilah the website is LIVE.

So please click on Knowledge Seekers Club to visit the site.

There's lots and lots of inspiration and motivation for all ages.

The Club is for 5-10 year olds - boys and girls.

You can purchase your Stickers as well as download all the free stuff for the kids.

So whether you have kids, younger siblings or nieces and nephews then this site is for YOU and THEM.

Or if you're just a big kid like me then have fun! :)

http://www.knowledgeseekersclub.co.uk/index.html

Path of Seeking Knowledge for Allah (swt)

1. Zuhud - Not in leaving material things alone, but for one's heart not to be attached to worldly matters. Renunciation - Leave excess matters (that which is beyond/without benefit). Strive to liv

e hadith of Prophet (pbuh) “From the excellence of a man's Islam is to leave that which does not concern him." Look at your day/week and what things are wasteful? leave it! Prioritise and leave most wasteful things first. Renounce that which doesn't benefit.

2. Knowledge - You need to know what you need to know. Know knowledge! Know the way of knowledge and purpose of knowledge. Purpose of knowledge - seeking closeness to Allah (swt). Pursue with purpose and benefit. Stages of seeking knowledge.

3. Tawakul - Has several aspects. Ignore what people say and focus on what benefits you. Remember Tawhid. You are weak and Allah fulfils all needs. Take means and having full tawakul in Allah. Must hang your heart to Allah. Attach heart to Allah. Striving yourself doesn't lead to success but Allah is the one who grants success - by taking the means. Serve with excellence knowing it’s only through Allah (swt). Will get many doubts but keep tawakul. Seek mentors who can advice. 

4. Certitude - Have complete trust. Prophet (pbuh) said; 'Allah has guaranteed paradise for three - one is seeker of knowledge'. Suspend those doubts. Follow the Sunnah and you will benefit in allsorts of ways. When reading book from scholars of past then have adab as though you are sitting in their presence. Have a point of connection with the Prophetic message. Attend gatherings of knowledge. Take online classes. What Allah and His Prophet have said is correct. Have conviction. Only speak with certainty and it will have impact.

These four above require nurturing.

{Mentioned by Abu Madyan and elaborated by the Mashaykh at the Assembly Live – Sunday 18th November 2012.} 

Via SeekersGuidance, Imam Afroz Ali, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani,SeekersHub

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(Notes i took whilst watching the assembly and insha'Allah they are correct and Allah knows best!).

turBo flow Studies

OK, so I have an important announcement to make - a special announcement - one which you will all be happy with insha'Allah :)

I've been a student of knowledge forever (as in since I can remember) and I love studying. 

I'm a student of knowledge of both Islamic sciences as well as secular studies.

My official background is Law (Criminal Justice and Human Rights) and I have also read for an Islamic Studies degree.

I have been studying Islam - as a student of sacred knowledge - 'officially' - since 1994 (I was 14) walhamdulilah.

I have also been teaching Islam to kids since 2001 and since the launch of my KSC in 2009 I have also recently started teaching Islamic studies to older women - those who have a basic understanding of Islam and want to learn more.

So, I have decided that, since Allah (swt) has blessed me so much in all my studies, and I love writing and sharing etc, I will write short essay's - both Islamic Studies and the Law on Human Rights (from my secular studies) and publish them as pdf downloadable documents for you all, insha'Allah.

It will be on a monthly basis - at the end of the month- and depending on all other studies and work that I'm doing - I may increase that to bi-monthly insha'Allah.

Knowledge is to be shared and I know that you're all regular visitors to my blog - you're inspired and motivated by my blog to make positive changes in your world and you're all my family.

As y'all know I'm default right brain creative. So these essays won't be 'boring' but will be interactive - as in getting you to think and reflect - and also very visual - as in diagrams/pictures, insha'Alah.

I need your duas so that I can fit everything into my schedule as there is so much to learn, apply, achieve, pass on - before my demise insha'Allah :)

My life is devoted to studying and worshipping Allah and through my journey I hope to make the knowledge available to you all - right here - on this blog.

(I just need to figure out the best way to upload documents here to blogger - if you have any tips/pointers - please let me know).

That was today's announcement. I hope and pray that Allah (swt) accepts this from me, makes it easy for me, makes us all successful both in this world and the next insha'Allah, ameen!

You can read my extensive bio right here insha'Allah http://www.webeinspired.com/about.html (click on the link). And for testimonials click http://www.webeinspired.com/testimonials.html

Oh and {SHARE the KHAIR} - (as in share this post!) :)

Student of Knowledge

...Being a 'Student of Knowledge' is one of the most blessed blessings ever - according to me and all the great students of knowledge throughout history.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever seeks out a path to acquire knowledge (of the deen), Allah makes easy a path for them to Jannah!” – Muslim

Being a student - though at times difficult - is so rewarding - not only in duniya but for our akhira also - as we can read from the hadith above.

We should be studious and study always as this is the only way we can grow as humans and fulfil our true potential here on planet Earth.

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever Allah wishes good for, he grants them Fiqh (understading) of the Deen.”

We should excel in our studies - not just school, college university - but also in Islamic sciences - learning about our deen, about Allah and how we can spread the message of Islam.

The great scholars of the past devoted their entire lives - many from childhood - to studying Islam and they traveled many lands. They had sabr - patience and they made dua - supplicated - to Allah to bless them and subhan'Allah, they were truly blessed.

Allah (swt) put barakah in their time and in their lives. They left so much for us to learn - treasure which is worth more than any amount of gold!

However, there is a trend amongst the students of knowledge today to learn everything quickly and they are looking for 'quick-fix' solutions.

Many embark on this noble mission with little or no prior knowledge of the vast depths of this ocean - and they fail to realise that to swim in the deep end one needs experience!

Our great scholars from the past spent years studying 'manners and etiquette's' and the Arabic language before they moved on to any other sciences such as hadith, fiqh, philosophy, etc.

Even our scholars today spent the first couple of years learning Arabic, tajweed, manners and etiquette's, before they moved on to the next stage.

But unfortunately they have failed to implement this in their Western Islamic institutes and they are rushing students through all the sciences - as if it take a couple of years to become a scholar!

Some of these students have the worst of manners and believe that by passing with a top grade they have now become superior to all others and start looking down on the rest - when truly they have their own diseases of the heart to deal with!

Ofcourse we are all human - 'to err is to human to forgive divine' - but to take someone from the shallow end and throw them into the deep when they still need help to stay afloat in the shallow end is ridiculous!

I believe that ALL leading Islamic institutes in the west need to teach all their students of knowledge 'manners, etiquette's, Arabic and tajweed' for a whole year before they can move on to fiqh.

Many of these students feel that because they have a first degree they are now able to handle the study of Islam and in a couple of years they will become great daees - callers to Islam.

It doesn't work like that! As many still need heartful and soulful therapy to fix-up and then move on to being great students of knowledge.

We have issues in our Ummah today - serious issues - especially in the west and we need to fix-up now!

***Reflection Moment***

Being a student of knowledge is the best thing ever - we need to start off on this path with the correct intentions and the correct tools - 'Manners and Etiquette's'!

Learning, Knowledge, Empowerment, Treasure

I'm working on my thesis for my Masters Degree - LLM International Human Rights - (due in Wednesday 6th July 2011 - duas please) and I thought I would share something short, sweet yet very inspiring and profound (thesis is on education).

Learning really is fun! It's not just restricted to formal schooling, but our whole life is one big learning experience - the good, the bad and the not so good! There's so may 'life lessons' to learn and implement - and then we pass on our knowledge to those around us, young and old - so they don't make the same mistakes as us or again, are inspired - just the way we are.

Knowledge should become our best friend! We should make dua to Allah (swt) that He blesses us with knowledge which firstly benefits us and then we apply it and lastly we pass on our knowledge to everyone else. I mean, what fun is it to learn and gain knowledge when we will never apply it or use it? Its wrong and useless and we miss out on the great opportunities life has in store for us and we miss out on being empowered by learning knowledge and implementing it.

Imagine you're at the beach - a remote beach, far away from 'normal' civilization - like you're on an expedition or something (yes, I'm still thinking about the beach, even though I went couple of weeks ago - and in fact another beach trip is on its way in two weeks!) and you suddenly come across a big box - a shining box - an ancient box and you go up to it and look at it, touch it and are at awe! You try to open it, but realise its locked - it has a big, bulky, lock - but wait - no key?

You frantically start looking around - digging the warm, golden sand with your hands and lo behold you find the key and with that massive grin on your face you rush back to the big, shining, ancient, box. You pop the key in the lock and...*click* - you open it - and then open the heavy lid and inside....WOW!!!...inside you find all the treasures you have always been looking for...all the Knowledge you ever wanted to learn and be empowered by!

How does that feel? :)

This life is a journey - so spend it in the good - learn all the knowledge you will need to implement to be empowered to lock the dormant treasures within you to live the best life YOU were created to live! Allah made you a treasure amongst treasures, a gem amongst gems, a diamond amongst diamonds!

I have a deadline to make - so I'm off! keep me in your duas (prayers) as you're in mine and I leave you with this Chinese Proverb;

***"Learning is a Treasure that will Follow its Owner Everywhere."***

Make sure YOU always keep your treasure close to you! :)

(Ps - if you enjoy reading this blog then please pass it on to your loved ones, you can subscribe to it direct via your email, tweet it, facebook it etc)

The Ingredients!

'D-S-T'

...and these are the three ingredients you will need if you want to learn and memorize the Qur'an.

I was looking for more tips on hifz - memorization of the Qur'an and one of my researchers gave me the following link:

http://pearlsofamuslim.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/tips-on-memorizing-the-qur%E2%80%99an/

The article above is by Sheikh Muhammaed al-Shareef and in it he lists some tips one can use and apply when embarking on the mission to memorize Qur'an. He also gives his top ingredient which he calls: D-S-T.

To find out what D-S-T is and how you can apply it (as he applied it and now I'm going to apply it) click on the link above and read. Its fantastic masha'Allah - so have a read and I hope you benefit from it as much as I did.

To further aid you in your memorization you can download Qur'an audios from the following link:

http://english.islamway.com/sindex.php?section=erecitorslist

I hope you benefit from the above two sites as much as I have.

May Allah (swt) grant you success in your Qur'an memorization - ameen! :)

KSC - Knowledge Seekers Club is 1 Year Old Today!

Launched a year ago - KSC - Knowledge Seekers Club is 1 Year old!

Hamdullilah - All praise is to the Almighty for making it possible and allowing me to inspire all those tiny angels out there!

Knowledge Seekers Club - making Islam fun to learn - is for 5 - 11 year old - boys and girls where they learn both the theory and practical - which involves group work and games.

We also have our very own KSC library - all kids get a library card and can borrow up to three books for two weeks.

Also 11 - 16 year old girls get a chance to continue their studies by upgrading to KSSC - Knowledge Seekers Sisters Circle, as well as sessions for girls 16+.

Inspired by my nieces and nephew back in 2001 - KSC came to teach a new generation - the ambassadors of Islam.

This is just the beginning - in the long run KSC and KSSC will be delivering sessions across the UK as well as going global.

We will also launch a 'Reading Room' in the community - where children from the wider community can benefit from the KSC library and attend homework clubs.

Jazaakumullah khair to each and everyone of you for your continuous support and duas!

1GOAL Education For All

One of the basic rights all human beings should have is 'Education for all' - free education at both the elementary and secondary stages. However, this is not always the case across the globe today. Children are still deprived from receiving education for more than one reason - and therefore I believe that collectively there is more than one reason why we should support educational groups and organisations wholeheartedly - and even get involved ourselves - on fundraising, projects, activities etc - to raise awareness and to make a change.

My Masters degree thesis is on 'Children's Right and Education'. I'm very passionate about learning, reading and writing and when I got a text message (sms) on my mobile asking me to sign up for a new educational campaign - naturally I did - and forwarded that text message on to all my contacts.

I visited their website - and joined again! (that's how passionate I was!) - fantastic project, fantastic work and YOU can get involved!

Have you heard about it? It's called '1Goal Education for All'. In keeping up with the World Cup spirit a fantastic bunch of people from across the globe came together and put together this new initiative.

If you woke up this morning thinking, 'what shall I do today, I wish to make a difference in the world I live in' - then your answer for today is '1Goal Education for All'.

Check out their website and be part of this new and dynamic initiative - you never know who's life you may touch today - and you could make that difference which you were wishing for!

http://www.join1goal.org/home.php

The Power of Passion - for Learning and Knowledge!

...Passion - can be for either good or bad - one of the deadly sins! But we're not talking about sinning here (no no, not on my blog! OK, maybe discuss issues on it - but we do not promote any form of sin rather the opposite!) :)

When someone is full of passion they will go to the extremes - and again, if it is the wrong type then, well, clearly it leads to their destruction. But on the flip side - the 'good' passion is where you use all your energy and abilities to achieve your goals and ultimately live a true and fulfilled life - on the path of Allah - the straight path - and yes you can live a life full of passion - to do good - and yes you will be happy!

Again, this passion will need to be controlled, grounded (work on it) - so for example, if you're starting up a business, or working on a project - you put all your passion into it (i.e energy, abilities etc) - but you don't go to the extreme where - if you're working as part of a team - you start to disrespect the team - treat then unfairly or unequally - just because you're project manager, you're passionate, you want to succeed in it and want to see it to the end - but control that passion - be passionate (I'm a very passionate being myself - I put my heart and soul into what I believe in) but I don't look down on others, or treat then unfairly - soooo far from it! I actually involve them in my projects - or if I need help - I seek it - just ask!

So you have to learn to control your passion and don't become a control freak (if you need help in getting yourselves organised learning to be moderate and balancing your emotions yet succeeding in your goals then insha'Allah drop me a email, comment, or skype me and I will help you out - that's what I'm here for!).

Be passionate about your work and give it 150% and ask Allah to put barakah in your time and work and projects and insha'Allah - you will succeed - guaranteed!

If passion can make one do all sorts - then why are we not passionate about learning and seeking knowledge? And if we are then howcome we are not using our abilities and talents and creativity to help others? *lets you all ponder...think, reflect - take 2 mins*...

Also, why is it that its the tiny little beings - our young ones - who are yearning to learn and climb a mountain at their precious little age - and us elders are like 'not motivated, can't be bothered, don't know what to do in life'? (again, I'm here to help out - so just hollah if you need to talk).

My cousin and I have set up a young girls club - it launched today - called 'Knowledge Seekers Club (c)' or KSC (Islamic Studies, activities and all things inspirational) - and its for girls aged 7 to 18 year old (we have two groups reflecting their ages). I actually started 'scouts' at home with my nieces back in 2001 (inspiration whilst coming out of itikaaf in Ramadhan) then got busy and stuff - (yup, that excuse!) - and restarted it this Ramadhan. I was inspired to take it further because the tiny little beings had questions such as 'Judgment Day', 'Death', 'Hereafter' etc - so i decided that they needed more - lets give them more! My cousin came and she also wanted be part of it and so I said - 'Bismillah' - and it launched today - Alhamdullilah.

Through advertising and marketing I came across alot of different people, ideas, thoughts - and I was amazed at some parents literally begging me to take on their 5/6 year old - and others - well they just don't care! Group one (7 to 12year old) fully booked - group two (13 to 18 year old) struggling to get the numbers - girls don't want to be in the club, attitude and generally miserable! All parents reading this - please times a billion - start at a very early age with your kids and help them learn, develop and just BE who they are - don't leave it too late - please - and if you're reading this and you can relate to the group two scenario - start interacting with your daughters, nieces, sisters - its vital - the world out there is seriously screwed up and it will do anything to take our daughters away from morality and innocence (they are at it big time - mind control blog post to come soon).

Bring back the passion into their lives - passion to exist and be whole - to learn and to grow - to believe and to achieve - there is still hope and all one needs is the right attitude and the passion to teach and help - and our daughters will be protected from the evil the media is feeding them.

Start reading (if you have stopped), start learning and be hungry and thirsty for knowledge - as knowledge is waiting for you. Keep the passion for knowledge and learning alive and don't underestimate its powers - it really can change one for the better as well as make positive changes to the world and those suffering and waiting for our help...

(I wrote some short stories - one for my English assessment many years ago and one recently and one I'm working on - you'll get those real soon as ebooks! For the younguns and for the elder ones - working on some inspirational short ebook for you) :)

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword!

A metonymic adage coined by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839 for his play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy. This proverb can have a different meaning to whomsoever reads it. It is a powerful proverb!

It has a lot of meaning for me - i came upon this proverb when i was very young (yes, I'm kinda old!) and has been with me since.

For me this proverb gives a lot of hope - hope for our world. A world which is plagued by wars, injustice and evil. Well, ofcourse, not everyone - but pick up a newspaper or switch on the news channel and what do you see? Exactly! Mostly its negative and depressing.

Many people across the globe have abandoned the power of the 'Word' - spoken and written and have resorted to violence - via means which kill - not just cause a few injuries - but actually kill!

However, many situations and issues in our world could have been and still can be resolved via written and spoken word - the Pen!

Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an in Surah Rahman verse 4 "He taught him eloquent speech". This eloquence is a blessing - a gift - and with it it can win many hearts - it can draw a heart closer to its Creator and give hope to those who have lost hope. This eloquence can also be transferred on to paper and invite people to good - explain situations to people - give examples and again ignite the light of hope in hearts which have become cold and dark.

The Prophet (pbuh) of Islam wrote letters to Kings and Rulers of different countries inviting them to the True Message and worship of One God. Although he was unlettered (could not read or write) he was inspired by the Divine in his speech and he had companions who were learned and could read and write. They wrote and his eloquence flowed on paper - and touched many a heart which was guided to the right - to their Lord.

Do not resort to violence - of any sort! That is what the proverb is saying to me. It is also saying that through the pen you can do so so much good. You can write inspiring articles, debates (with evidences) and discuss ideas. Honestly, where would we be without the pen? Its not just ink!

I love writing - online and offline. I love my pens and pencils and love buying them. I could use this blog to promote violence, hatred, evil and lewd talk (which is not me at all anyway!) and in return what would happen? Exactly - violence - which would be typed here. Or I could be a journalist and again people could write in - pen to paper - with their hatred - or if it was an inspiring piece then they could put pen to paper and write something positive.

Every action has a reaction and the pen can either make or break. It can either leave you inspired and pondering - or it can resort to violence.

Read through history books - and don't be fooled by wars of the past - read about their reasoning and when and where and how it was/is permissible to engage in 'war-fare' - not merrily 'such and such a community is violent or promotes violence'.

The Pen has proven its worth in the past and it still has a lot to write today and beyond - so use it and forget the sword - for once your dead - well your dead aren't you! Case closed!

Its not too late - pick up the pen and write! (good and positive that is!) :)

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword!

IQRA - And Your Lord Is The Most Generous!

The very first word of the Qur'an is 'READ'! It didn't start with anything else - like 'prayers', 'charity' or even 'family life' - which is what we are all preoccupied with in our lives today - but it was READ! And who was it revealed to? Not a great scholar of his time, not a scientist, not a king or ruler of his land - but to an unlettered man - who went on to become the greatest man to ever have walked on our planet - he was the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) the mercy to all of mankind, the Prophet of Islam.

READ! Its a powerful word! Just take a minute - (just one) and reflect on this word - deeply....

Done? Ok.

What are you all doing right now? Reading this blog entry. Who taught us to read and how did we learn to read? Seems like a lifetime ago right? - because it comes to us naturally. But, once upon a time we all went through a process - to learn to Read - and once we mastered it - we became whole - complete humans. We were able to pick up any book and just read it - the words flowed on the paper and we could understand them.

Where would you and I be today if we couldn't read - lost? Looking for answers? Wasting our lives and searching for the purpose of our lives?

Read! And Your Lord Is The Most Generous! (Surah Alaq 96: 3)

For truly Allah (swt) is the Most Generous! He created us and knew what we would need to survive and how to fulfil our aim and purpose in this world.

By reading men and women have contributed to society, to the world and made many discoveries and scientific/medical/social/political advances.

There is a purpose for everything - and surely there was a purpose to 'Read, and your Lord is the most Generous!'

Allah (swt) blessed us with the ability to read - so we can read His words, the Qur'an - understand them and implement its teachings in our lives.

But did you know that there are many many people in this world who can't read? Young children in developing countries who have never even seen a book?

So we ask ourselves - are we actually fulfilling our obligations? If READ was the first word - and Allah (swt) wanted us to become the best of people - to discover hidden treasures - to made medical, scientific advances - which help humanity - then what are we doing in return to help humanity? Just because you and I went to school - doesn't mean everyone is this world has this opportunity. If people can't read then how will they understand Allah's words and do as He commands?

IQRA - And Your Lord Is The Most Generous! We need to re-read this word, understand it and take action. We need to help those who can't read the Qur'an to read it - and help them understand Allah's words and His Beauty. We need to help the children around the world to read - and just before doing that - we need to help our own children in our own families - help them to read - to understand - to implement - to appreciate - and fulfil our duty at home - then we need to get-together - maybe all of us reading this and set up a national and international 'Reading Foundation' - where we travel up and down our countries to help children read and travel to developing countries and countries suffering from wars - to help those children to read.

Allah (swt) is the most Generous and He has blessed us with this gift - the gift of reading - so lets share this gift and give it to those less fortunate than ourselves. Islam is seen by some as barbaric, a terrorist religion, who oppresses its women and girls - and you know there are many who will use the name of Islam to oppress our women and children - but we need to teach them - teach them the first words which were taught to out Prophet (pbuh) - Read! And maybe we can change their hearts - maybe they can't read so don't realise the Beauty of Allah (swt) and His religion - so it is our collective duty to help people to Read.

The Month of Ramadhan is the Month of the Qur'an - we read it, reflect upon its meaning, study it, promise to implement its teachings in our lives.

Just imagine...you pick up your copy of the Qur'an - open it - start to Read it - and....you can't read no more...you just can't....you try....but the words are alien to you and meaningless...and those tears role down your cheeks...but you can't do nothing - because the gift of reading that was blessed upon you has...gone...taken back by...the rightful Owner...

Is this what we want?...

This is how children and people around the world feel - those who can't read...and guess what? We've been keeping this gift to ourselves and haven't shared it with others - who just like you and me - what to open their copy of the Qur'an and read the words of Allah - the Mot Gracious, the Most Merciful...

Ramadhan 09 is drawing to an end - after reading this blog entry - what will one of your goals be for the next year?

There's still hope! Lets give a gift to someone this ramadhan - a gift for a lifetime - the gift of reading the Qur'an...

IQRA - And Your Lord Is The Most Generous....