Muharram, 1425 February, 2004 MAC Tarbeya Concept

Notes My English: Grammar, Vocabulary and Pronunciation My Accent: A combo of American/British/Egyptian

Topics 1. Introduction 2. Roles 3. The Concept of Tarbeya

1. Introduction A journey of four verses: 1. Surah 51: Adh-Dhariaat: 56 وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ “ And I (Allah) created not the jins and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). ” 2. Surah 2: Al Baqarah: 30 وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلاَئِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Verily, I am going to place (mankind) generations after generations on earth."

1. Introduction 3. Surah 11: Hud:61 …” هُوَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّنَ الأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ ثُمَّ تُوبُواْ إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي قَرِيبٌ مُّجِيبٌ ” He brought you forth from the earth and settled you therein, then ask forgiveness of Him and turn to Him in repentance. Certainly, my Lord is Near (to all by His Knowledge), Responsive.

1.Introduction 4. Surah 33: Al Ahzaab:72 إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الْأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الْإِنسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولًا Truly, We did offer Al ­ Amanah (the trust or moral responsibility or honesty and all the duties which Allah has ordained) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it (i.e. afraid of Allah's Torment). But man bore it. Verily, he was unjust (to himself) and ignorant (of its results).

2. Roles Our Role in the light of the verses Worship Allah We are entrusted with the Amanah We are here to inhabit the earth and civilize it We are responsible creatures and have a message to carry How can we do this? Allah is all Merciful Allah Has sent messengers, books and a Religion The religion He SWT chose for mankind is “ ISLAM ”

2. Roles How can Islam fulfill the “ Role ” of mankind? What is Islam? Why Islam? What Islam are we talking about? The most comprehensive and accurate definition in modern times: “ Islam is a comprehensive system which deals with all spheres of life. It is a state and a homeland or a government and an Umma. It is conduct (morality) and power or mercy and justice. It is a culture and a law or knowledge and jurisprudence. It is material and wealth or gain and prosperity. It is Jihad and a call or army and a cause. And finally, it is true belief and correct worship. ” Key word to remember is: “ Comprehensive ”

3. The Concept of Tarbeya Why are we talking about Tarbeya? Tarbeya is the bedrock or corner stone of any reform methodology. Tarbeya is the methodology of the prophet SAAWS to develop and maintain highly spirited, well reformed and energetic Sahaba (the Qura ’ anic generation) who carried the message of Islam to all nations and groups of people. Tarbeya is what keeps you focused on your 4 major roles without diluting your core beliefs or alienating yourself from the society.

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? Definition: The art of interacting with human nature alternately by fostering hope and confidence as well as concern and care to bring about a positive change in attitudes and behaviors. This change ensures that the energies of the individuals are coordinated and that their efforts converge in an organized manner in accordance with a particular course of action that is bounded by the Shari ’ a.

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? Keywords to remember: It ’ s an interactive process It brings you confidence and answers your concerns It brings positive change in your life as an individual, your family, the society and mankind as a whole It focuses your energies according to priorities and a set plan It calls for Shari ’ a bounded actions in all aspects of life Categories of Tarbeya: Individual level Tarbeya Group level Tarbeya

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? Components of our comprehensive Tarbeya program: Spiritual Development (Tazkiya) Physical Development Intellectual Development Social Development Professional Development Financial Development Life Skills Ingredients of the Tarbeya process Mentor/Murrabi/Naqeeb + curriculum/methodologies + environment + motivated individuals + plan/organized efforts = New Qura ’ anic Generation

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? Characteristic of a healthy Tarbeya process: Marathon and not 100 meter dash Gradual and incremental change Never happy with where I am – Always look for improvement Comprehensive Realistic and achievable Push self a little The continuous small is better than the temporary big Balanced Good company Continuous dependence and begging to Allah (Du ’ aa)

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? A word about the “ Halaqa ” : Is not the 2 hrs that you spend together Is not the studying curriculum that you have in hand Is not the “ only ” mean for gaining knowledge Is not the “ only ” methodology/mean of Tarbeya Is not a “ hit and run ” type of halaqa Extra curricular activities are as important as the Halaqa itself (more important in some cases and situations) The pivot that the Halaqa revolves around is “ Love and Brotherhood/Sisterhood ” Hearts talk not tongues

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? A word on the Halaqa leader: NO: -A sheikh or a scholar -An angel with no mistakes -Immune from diversion or slipping into “ Fitnah ” -Better than the others or have a higher status -A dictator who orders and the others just obey -A lazy person who leaves everything for the rest of the team or for the last minute -Unorganized person in his/her life or work

3. The Concept of Tarbeya What is Tarbeya? A word on the Halaqa leader: YES: -A manager of the Tarbeya process -A role model -Getting Tarbeya himself/herself in process of managing it with the others -Always prepared to fill in the shortcomings of his/her group -Understand the realities and challenges of the society he/she is living in -Understand the meaning of Sacrifice

4. Final Words Sincerity (Ikhlas) Du ’ aa Understanding is more important than knowledge Your four roles The comprehensive meaning of Islam and Tarbeya Actions and good deeds