This engaging course invites children and their families to explore the profound relationship between Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the sacred land of Palestine. Led by Ustadh Mustafa Azzawi and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, this Seekers Kids Session is designed to be both educational and celebratory.
Participants will have the opportunity to recite key verses from the Quran and learn songs related to the Prophet’s Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj), deepening their understanding of why Palestine holds such a significant and cherished place in Islamic history and culture.
The course offers a lively and interactive environment, perfect for children to celebrate, learn, and connect with the life and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This session is an excellent way for families to engage with their faith, embrace its teachings, and rejoice in the spiritual and historical richness of Islam.
Everyone is welcome to join this enlightening and joyful exploration of the Prophet's connection with Palestine.
- Teacher: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
This course also extends its reach to parents and guardians, teachers and educators working with children in Islamic schools, weekend programs, or other educational settings can benefit from the course materials and structure. It provides them with a framework to teach children about the importance of loving the Prophet (pbuh) using poetry and song.
Understanding the Significance of Palestine in Islamic History: Children will gain insight into why Palestine is considered a blessed and significant land in Islamic tradition, especially in the context of Prophet Muhammad's life.
Knowledge of Key Quranic Verses: The course will introduce children to important verses from the Quran that pertain to the Prophet’s Night Journey, enhancing their understanding of these religious texts.
Appreciation of Islamic Songs and Recitations: Participants will learn and recite Islamic songs that celebrate the Prophet Muhammad's journey, fostering a deeper connection with the cultural aspects of their faith.
Learning about the Life and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad: The session will provide children with knowledge about the life, teachings, and virtues of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), promoting moral and ethical understanding.
Interactive and Engaging Learning Environment: The course is designed to be lively and interactive, ensuring that the learning experience is engaging and memorable for children.
Celebration of Islamic Culture and Heritage: This event offers an opportunity for kids and families to celebrate Islamic culture and heritage, strengthening community bonds and cultural identity.
Encouragement of Family Participation: The session is structured to be inclusive for all family members, encouraging collective learning and family bonding over religious education.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani has explained the key meanings of this great poem—which has over 100 scholarly commentaries, due to its rich, deep, and beautiful meanings of faith and guidance.
- Teacher: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
The Qasida Burda is a eulogy (praise poem) in honor of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It consists of multiple stanzas that highlight the virtues, character, and noble qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The poem is structured in a form known as "qasida," which is a classical Arabic poetic style often used to praise or eulogize individuals.
The story behind the composition of the Qasidah Burda is quite well-known. According to tradition, Imam al-Busiri was afflicted with paralysis and suffered greatly. He composed this poem out of his deep love and longing for the Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) intercession and help. Legend has it that the poet experienced a dream in which he presented the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with a cloak (Burda), and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) placed the cloak over him, resulting in his miraculous recovery.
The Qasida Burda has been immensely popular throughout the centuries and has been recited and memorized by Muslims all over the world. It has played a significant role in Islamic spirituality and has been regarded as a source of blessings and spiritual benefit. The poem is also often recited in various Islamic gatherings, especially those that celebrate the birth (Mawlid) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Qasida Burda is not just a literary work but also holds deep spiritual significance for many Muslims. It reflects the love and devotion Muslims have for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and serves as a means of expressing gratitude and seeking his blessings and intercession.
This course could benefit students pursuing Islamic studies at various levels, including university students and those attending Islamic seminaries. It could provide them with a deeper understanding of classical Islamic poetry and the spiritual significance of the Qasidah Burda
For those interested in exploring the historical, cultural, linguistic, and spiritual dimensions of the Qasidah Burda may find this course valuable for their pursuits.
Those who have a strong devotion to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and a desire to learn more about his character and virtues, as celebrated in the Qasidah Burda, could benefit from this course.
Individuals with an interest in classical Arabic poetry and its symbolism may be drawn to a course on the Qasidah Burda, which is a masterpiece of Arabic literature.
Depending on the course's approach and level of content, it could also be open to a broader audience interested in expanding their knowledge of Islamic literature and spirituality.
- Develop a deep understanding of the themes, messages, and praise contained within the Qasidah Burda, with a focus on the virtues and qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
- Grasp the spiritual significance of the Qasidah Burda in the context of Islamic spirituality and devotion, and understand how it has been used as a means of expressing love and seeking blessings
- Learn about the various layers of interpretation and symbolism present in the Qasidah Burda, including the meanings behind metaphors and references used in the poem.
- Explore how the Qasidah Burda has been received and interpreted in various cultures and regions around the world.
- Develop a greater appreciation for the depth of devotion and love expressed toward the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the Qasidah Burda.
- Gain an appreciation for the art of classical Arabic poetry, including its structure, rhyme, meter, and literary devices used in the Qasidah Burda.
In this course, we will read and understand a wide selection of the prophetic hadiths intended to soften the heart from Imam al-Tabrizi's Mishkat al Masaheeb, under the chapter Kitab al Riqaq, the Book of the Heart Softeners.
We intend to implement the import of the hadiths to help in changing our attitude and outlook towards the world and to remove heedlessness of Allah.
We hope to lift our gazes towards our inevitable passing and the everlasting Hereafter, and allowing that to condition how we interact and behave in this worldly life with ourselves and others, and most importantly, with Allah Himself.
- Teacher: Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
- a guided reading of Hadith and an introduction to the genre of Hadith collections
- Understanding how Hadith commentaries work on multiple levels
- Familiarizing oneself with hadith
- understanding how chapter subheadings are used
- Reading for understanding, then reflection, then implementation, and finally, changing character and spiritual outlook.
This beneficial General-level course covers hadiths that soften the heart from primary hadith collections. These include Bukhari, Muslim, Nasai, Ibn Hibban, Hakim, Darimi and Baghawi.
These primary source texts are the closest records we have that are authentically linked back to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). This course is unique in its approach as it analyzes how each scholar selected the hadiths which in their estimation serve to soften the heart best. Often, we explore one chapter in one collection of hadith or even read an entire collection, but we rarely explore the same chapter and topic across various collections to see what each hadith scholar chose for that topic. The benefit in this is that we are exposed to a greater variety of hadiths that aim to soften the heart and benefit from the choice and order of the compiler.
By reading these hadiths, we intend to implement the lessons of the hadiths to help in changing our attitude and outlook towards the world and to remove heedlessness. We hope they serve to soften our hearts and bring about a state of receptiveness to truth and the Divine reality. We hope to lift our gazes towards our inevitable passing and the everlasting Hereafter and allow that to condition how we interact and behave in this worldly life with ourselves and others, and most importantly, with Allah Himself.
- Teacher: Shaykh Abdullah Anik Misra
First, we will be exploring the Chapter of the Heart Softeners in the renowned Sahih Bukhari. It is by far the most famous of the hadith collections and is often called the most authentic. Imam Bukhari lists 182 hadiths in this chapter. Some of the subjects covered are the reality of this temporary world, the reality of wealth, the virtues of the poor, the lifestyle of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the need for moderation, hope and fear, reliance, patience, prohibited speech, guarding the tongue, crying out of fear of Allah, leaving sins, Hellfire and desires, the nature of actions, ostentation and humility, repentance before death, meeting Allah, the horrors of the Hereafter and Judgement, and the people of Paradise.
- This course is for all ages.
- It is particularly beneficial for working people and students who are too busy to take courses but want to feel the spirituality and connection through Islamic sciences, as well as those who thrive on hearing the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
- This course can also be taken by anyone interested in learning how to disconnect from worldliness amidst the hustle and bustle of life and soften the heart to get closer to Allah Most High.
- It is a General Level course. There are no prerequisites required to successfully complete this course.
- Gain an introduction to the genre of hadith collections.
- Understand how hadith commentaries work on multiple levels.
- Familiarizing oneself with hadith in general.
- Learn hadiths that soften the heart.
- Realize the ephemeral nature of the world.
- Implement the changes in one’s character and spiritual outlook.