The Importance of Seeking Knowledge ICN Community Dinner September 14, 2012

Blessings of Seeking Knowledge Allah has made it obligatory ▫“Seeking knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim.” Allah has praised knowledge ▫“Whoever Allah wants good for He gives him understanding of the religion.” Allah showed the superiority of human beings through their knowledge and intellect ▫What’s the proof of this? What is one of the only things Allah commanded the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم to ask for more of in the Quran? ▫Allah said “And say O my Lord increase me in knowledge” Taha:114

Benefits of Seeking Knowledge Continued Increases a person in the fear and love of Allah سبحانه و تعالى ▫ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ ▫Only those who have knowledge among his slaves that fear Allâh. Al-Faatir 28 The benefit of the knowledge remains even after a person passes away ▫Evidence? Who is better a person of knowledge or a worshipper?

Etiquettes of Seeking Knowledge Manners of the Student ▫Sincerity- we know the hadeeth of the first three people that will be dragged on their face into the fire of hell ▫Leaving sins ▫Strong determination ▫Prioritizing knowledge ▫Purifying the heart ▫Not looking at things simplistically

Etiquettes with the Teacher Choosing the right teacher Respect ▫For the teacher and more importantly for the information that he is teaching you Proper etiquette with the teacher ▫Varies from person to person Patience with the faults of a teacher ▫No one is perfect ▫Because of one mistake do not neglect and give up on the person

Etiquettes with Fellow Students Love them, and respect them avoid feeling jealousy help them out with their studies and lives, make dua for them

ICN Islamic Institute of Naperville Alhumdulilah IIN was started in the Fall of 2011 A higher level Islamic Studies Institute -Understand the basic principles of Faith (Aqeedah) and how it relates to their lives living in America - Understand the importance of the Sunnah -Be introduced to the goals of the Shariah مقاصد الشريعة - Have an introduction to the Imams of the Four Major Schools of Fiqh, and appreciation for their efforts - Understand the proofs, rules, and regulations pertaining to Taharah, Salah, Sawm, Zakah, and Hajj

Objectives Studying business transactions, and things pertaining to marriage, divorce, etc. - Be able to analyze and derive benefits pertaining to their own lives from major events of the Seerah and lives of the Khulafa - Be able to analyze and derive benefits from Hadeeth - Be introduced to the Sciences of Hadeeth مصطلح الحديث - Be introduced to the Principles of Fiqh أصول الفقه - Be introduced to the Sciences of the Quran علوم القرآن - Have the skills to do dawah using wisdom and reasoning to both Muslims and Non-Muslims -Have the skills to research, prepare, and deliver khutbas and Islamic speeches

Classes We have Had So Far Fall 2011 ▫Aqeedah I  Understanding, defining, and explaining Aqeeda  Examining the relationship between Aqeedah, Eeman, and Shariah  Proving the existence of Allah سبحانه و تعالى  Connecting our hearts to Allah سبحانه و تعالى  Knowing Allah through the texts of the Quran and Sunnah  Understanding and believing the beautiful names and attributes of Allah سبحانه و تعالى  Recognizing and appreciating the importance of Tawheed  Understanding Concept of Worship in Islam  Avoiding the actions which negate Tawheed

Evolution of Fiqh Understanding, defining, and explaining Fiqh Examining the relationship between Aqeedah, Fiqh, and Shariah Comparing and contrasting the differences between divine laws and man made laws. Understanding and appreciating the uniqueness of Islamic Law Analyzing the sources of Islamic Law Tracing the development of Islamic Law through different time periods: The time of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم, the time of the Sahabah رضي الله عنهم, the time of the followers of the Sahabah, the time of codifications and the great Imams, the time of stagnation and blind following, and the current state of Islamic Law.

EOF Objectives Continued An introduction to the great Imams and the principles they used in understanding Islamic Law. An introduction to the different approaches used in understanding Fiqh مدرسة أهل الرأي و مدرسة أهل الحديث Opening the students’ minds and understanding permissible and impermissible differences of opinion when it comes to religious matters.

Other classes Winter 2012 ▫Fiqh of Taharah and Salah ▫Authority of Sunnah Spring 2012 ▫Tafseer I ▫Fiqh of Janaaiz, Zakah, and Hajj

Dates, Times, and Locations Classes are usually 8 weeks long Saturdays and Sundays between 10:30-1 Students have the option of registering for one or both classes At Ogden

Insha’Allah Next Semester Starts Tomorrow Saturdays-World of the Angels and Jinn Sundays- Principles of Fiqh For more information please come to the class, contact me or Sr. Beena Farid