Level: One
Instructor: Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Course Overview
This is a Level One course based on the amazing work of Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi al-Haddad titled Lives of Man. Imam Haddad was a late 17th, early 18th-century scholar and sage from the city of Tarim, in the Hadramawt valley of South Yemen. The text answers two existential and essential questions that every Human asks themselves at some point in their life, ‘Where did I come from?’ and ‘Where am I going?’
Every Muslim, young or old, should take this course for without answers to these fundamental questions to life, one will be hindered in the pursuit and attainment of life’s purpose. Knowing the ‘Why’ makes accomplishing the ‘What’ easier and more worthwhile. All this in hopes to achieve the ultimate success of Allah’s sweet eternal contentment and nearness.
This class touches on and clarifies important issues relating to the Muslim’s beliefs. Furthermore, it contains great knowledge pertinent to one’s spiritual journey in seeking nearness to Allah Most High. For this reason, beginning students, alongside intermediate and advanced students should have a study of this amazing work. That said, it fits nicely in the learning objectives of each level of study.
We hope to accomplish a fundamental knowledge of the five stages that humans pass through from the beginning of their existence as souls not yet embodied up till they are situated in one of the two final abodes: Paradise or Hell-Fire. Additionally, we will seek to clarify what the Human must do in order to prepare for death and achieve the greatest success in this world and those to come. And only from Allah is the ultimate success.
About the Text
Of all of his amazing works, Imam Haddad’s Lives of Man is unique and essential to the core realities of what it means to be Human. The text explains the five lives that each human passes through since the initiation of their existence:
• The Pre-Worldly Life
• The Worldly Life
• The Intermediary Life
• The Life of Judgment Day
• The Life of the Eternal Abode.
Imam Haddad ingeniously explains each life and what the human is to do in order to attain ultimate success in the worldly life and those to come. Lastly, this book adds a beautiful benefit to the already beneficial curriculum.
About the Author
Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi bin Muhammad al-Haddad was born on Thursday night, the 5th of Safar 1044AH (appx.1634CE). He passed away on Wednesday night, the 7th of Dhu’l Qa’ada 1132AH (appx. 1719AH).
Haddad’s book on the stages of human life is one of the foremost in the subject due to its unique style and deep spiritual realities. Imam Haddad, though a master in many sciences, was known for his works on the spiritual science of Tasawwuf. His books on Tasawwuf as well as his poems are read worldwide centuries after his passing (Allah have mercy on him). For this reason, he is known as the pillar of inviting to Allah and guiding creation (Quṭb al-D’awa wa’l Irshad).
Some of his other works include: The Book of Assistance, The Complete Summons, Religious Counsels, The Etiquettes of the Seeker, and a compilation of poems some of which have been translated.
The books of Imam Haddad have been translated into hundreds of languages and Lives of Man has been and still is one of the core books because of which many people have entered into Islam.
Who Is This Course For?
• This course is for people aged 15 - 80.
• It is particularly beneficial for adults.
• It is a Level One course. There are no prerequisite requirements.
• This course can also be taken by anyone who is interested in knowing more about Islamic beliefs, or spirituality.
Study Effort
• Weekly hours recommended: 1 hour
• Recommended reading/ Supplementary texts: The Lives of Man by Imam ‘Abdullah bin ‘Alawi al-Haddad translated by Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi
Learning Outcomes
• Understand, articulate and apply realities core to their purpose in life.
• Apply these principles in their lives going forward, in their outlook, their goals, and their choices.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction: The beginning of human existence
Lesson 2: The Worldly Life (Dunya) Part One: The sub-stages of the worldly life: birth and childhood
Lesson 3: The Worldly Life (Dunya) Part Two: The sub-stages of the Worldly life: youth and maturity
Lesson 4: The Worldly Life (Dunya) Part Three: The sub-stages of the Worldly life: seniority, decrepitude & death.
Lesson 5: The Intermediary Life: The Grave - A Garden of bliss or a Pit of punishment
Lesson 6: The Life of Judgment Day Part One: Reaping the fruits of our actions
Lesson 7: The Life of Judgment Day Part Two: Reaping the fruits of our actions
Lesson 8: The Final Life Part One: The life of the Eternal Abode: Hell-Fire
Lesson 9: The Final Life Part Two: The life of the Eternal Abode: Hell-Fire
Lesson 10: The Final Life Part Three: The life of the Eternal Abode: Paradise
Lesson 11: The Final Life Part Four: The life of the Eternal Abode: The Greatest Blessing - Seeing Allah
Lesson 12: Closing: The Realities of Truly Living
About the Instructor
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a seeker of knowledge and a teacher of the Islamic sciences. He studied in Darul Uloom New York from 2010 - 2014 then went on to complete his studies in Darul Mustafa Islamic Seminary in Tarim, Yemen. Thereafter, he joined the SeekersGuidance team as a teacher.
- Teacher: Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
- Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
- Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
- Identify instances of the sins of the heart
- Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
- Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
- Appreciate the spiritual value of good company
We often focus on the worship and duties of Ramadan, but do we draw on the wisdom of the prophetic etiquettes also to help improve ourselves and be better to Allah and those around us? Through this course, you will learn how a Muslim should be with himself, his spouse, family, neighbors, fellow Muslims, society at large, and finally, how a Muslim should be with Allah throughout the day in His remembrance.
Shaykh Misra will explain Hadiths from "Al-Adab al-Mufrad," one of Imam Bukhari’s smaller but valuable hadith compilations on etiquettes and virtues.About the Text
Al-Adab al-Mufrad (The Stand-Alone Book on Prophetic Etiquettes) covers many different chapters of etiquettes, from kindness to parents, to good relations with neighbors and others, and more. We utilize the very useful modern abridgment of the work called Adab al-Salikin by Shaykh Muhammad Muwaffaq al-Murabi’ of Syria, who removed the longer chains of narration and more to make the reading of the book more accessible for the seeker of knowledge.
This text focuses on various areas where Muslims can be more mindful of their interactions and behavior, such as with their parents, children, relatives, neighbors, orphans, vulnerable people, and other community members. The text brings to light different character traits and provides many points of knowledge to help improve ourselves as God-conscious believers.
This text is essential because even a learned and practicing Muslim does not seem complete and balanced in his religion without etiquette. From the compiler of the Sahih, this is a clear indication that outwardly following hadiths also entails following the character and manners of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).
About the Author
Imam Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari (may Allah raise his rank), the compiler of the most authentic hadith collection in Islam: Sahih Al Bukhari, al-Adab al-Mufrad, al-Tarikh, Khalq Af’al al-’Ibad. His exacting standard and brilliance preserved the hadith and Sunnah to the highest degree of authenticity that all after him regard him as the Imam of hadiths. He died in 256 AH.
Who is This Course For?
- General audiences
- Muslims interested in Hadith sciences, character development, and prophetic example
Learning Outcomes
- Know some of the prophetic etiquettes through the hadith
- Use the wisdom of these etiquettes in Ramadan to apply to daily life
- Uplift and improve our outlook, character and behavior
- Balance the outward and inward aspects of Ramadan
- See the acts of worship in their personal and societal contexts
- See how the Companions also saw etiquettes and their place in Islam.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Kindness to Parents
Lesson 2: Family Ties
Lesson 3: Caring for Vulnerable Family
Lesson 4: Mercy for Children
Lesson 5: Being a Good Neighbor
Lesson 6: Kindness to Orphans
Lesson 7: Recompense for Loss
Lesson 8: Kindness to Servants
Lesson 9: Gratitude and Kind Deeds
Lesson 10: Brotherly Behavior
Lesson 11: Friendly Faces and Sincere Advice
Lesson 12: Good Character and Generosity
About the Instructor
Shaykh Abdullah Misra was born in Toronto, Canada in 1983. His family hails from India and he was raised in the Hindu tradition. He embraced Islam in 2001 while at the University of Toronto, from where he completed a Bachelor of Business Administration. He then traveled overseas in 2005 to study the Arabic language and Islamic sciences in Tarim, Yemen for some time, as well as Darul Uloom in Trinidad, West Indies. He spent 12 years in Amman, Jordan where he focused on Islamic Law, Theology, Hadith Sciences, Prophetic Biography and Islamic Spirituality while also working at the Qasid Arabic Institute as Director of Programs. He holds a BA in Islamic Studies (Alimiyya, Darul Uloom) and authorization in the six authentic books of Hadith, and is currently pursuing specialized training in issuing Islamic legal verdicts (ifta’). He holds a certificate in Counselling and often works with new Muslims and those struggling with religious OCD. He is an instructor and researcher in Sacred Law and Theology with the Seekers Guidance The Global Islamic Seminary, and currently resides in the West Indies with his wife and children. His personal interests include Indian history, comparative religion, English singing and poetry.
- Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
- Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
- Identify instances of the sins of the heart
- Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
- Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
- Appreciate the spiritual value of good company
This course is taught live in person at SeekersGuidance Canada (220 Britannia Rd E, Mississauga, ON -- full schedule of classes at www.seekersguidance.org/canada), and broadcast online.
Live daily in Ramadan at 7:00 PM ET.
Instructor: Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Course Overview
This course looks at a manual of spiritual counsels, The Firm Grasp (al-‘Urwa al-Wathiqa) by Imam Bahraq. This is a beautiful poem in 44 lines on the path of turning to Allah, living with mindfulness of Allah (taqwa), and beautifying one’s heart–by ridding oneself of blameworthy character traits, and acquiring praiseworthy traits of character.
Widely considered one of the most beneficial spiritual counsels, especially in the Hadhrami tradition, this text is truly a means of making one’s heart “A Beautiful Garden” (al-Hadiqa al-Nadiyya), which is what the author himself named his commentary.
Shaykh Faraz covers the poem, explaining its key lessons from the author’s commentary—which dips into the oceans of wisdom in the Islamic tradition, from Imam Ghazali, Imam Nawawi, and many others—and contextualizes this guidance to our times, so that we can bring these wisdoms into our lives.
The purpose of this course is to give us both the reminders and practical tools to consistently and systematically turn our hearts and lives to Allah Most High.
As one of the great giants of Hadhrami scholarship, Habib Ahmad ibn ‘Umar ibn Sumayt said, “The Garden of Bahraq is a gift from Allah Most High to the Muslims. I wish for it to be in every home; and that every heart memorize it—because it is a pure call to Allah Most High. It is the essence of the essence, and truly worthy of reliance.”
About the Text
The Firm Grasp (al-‘Urwa al-Wathiqa) is a beautiful poem of spiritual counsel in 44 lines on the path of turning to Allah, living with mindfulness of Allah (taqwa), and beautifying one’s heart—by ridding oneself of blameworthy character traits, and acquiring praiseworthy traits of character.
Widely considered one of the most beneficial spiritual counsels, especially in the Hadhrami tradition, this text is truly a means of making one’s heart “A Beautiful Garden” (al-Hadiqa al-Nadiyya), which is what the author himself named his commentary.
Imam Bahraq himself explains that, “Given that religion itself is sincere counsel… I saw it from sincere counsel to capture the hearts of noble folk… by authoring a poem unique in nature; singular and distinct; small yet great; little but full—containing within it the fundamental principles of spiritual wisdom and teachings; pointing to the core Prophetic hadiths around which faith (iman) and submission (islam) revolve…”
Imam Bahraq begins with a chapter on admonition on the need to have urgency to turn to Allah Most High, and the counsel to embrace mindfulness (taqwa). Then, he has ten chapters: each chapter has the number of counsels corresponding to the chapter number. (This is why some have referred to this as the Book of Numbers.) Finally, he closes with a closing call to uphold the teachings contained in the work.
About the Author
Imam Muhammad ibn ‘Umar Bahraq (d. 930 AH/ 1524 CE) was a famed scholar known for his accessible, highly-regarded, authoritative works in many Islamic sciences.
Born in the Hadramawt Valley in Yemen, he studied under some of its foremost scholars, eventually traveling to Mecca and Medina seeking sacred knowledge.
Known for the depth and nuance of his knowledge of hadith, personal piety, and gracious conduct, he also served for some time as a judge (qadi) and was praised for his justice. In later years he moved to India, where he was esteemed by the local ruler and populace, and passed away in Gujarat.
Who Is This Course For?
- This course is for all ages
- It is particularly beneficial for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of how to reconnect to Allah; to reawaken their religious practice in a rich and beautiful manner, and those seeking to purify their heart and character.
- It is a general-level spirituality course.
This course can also be taken by anyone who is interested in cultivating their relationship with Allah.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the urgency of turning to Allah in life.
- Understand the centrality of mindfulness of Allah (taqwa), and of the purification of the heart.
- Appreciate how mindfulness of Allah is cultivated
- Appreciate how purification of the heart is attained through ridding oneself of the blameworthy traits of the heart, and acquiring the praiseworthy traits
- Understand how to uphold key routines and habits from Prophetic teachings to strengthen one’s faith, love of Allah, and one’s spiritual resolve
- Acquire a ‘spiritual toolkit’ to be able to make better life choices, to establish consistent habits, and to increase in consciousness and mindfulness of Allah.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Introduction and Admonition: Section I
Lesson 2: Counsel on Taqwa: Section II
Lesson 3: Purifying the Heart: Section 1.1
Lesson 4: Mindful Eating: Section 1.2
Lesson 5: Gaining Deep Understanding of Religion: Section 1.3
Lesson 6: Taking Advantage of Health and Free Time: Section 2.1
Lesson 7: Renunciation: Section 2.2
Lesson 8: Avoiding Stinginess and Bad Character: Section 2.3
Lesson 9: Responding to Bad with Good: Section 3.1
Lesson 10: Signs of a Hypocrite: Section 3.2
Lesson 11: Three Destructive Vices: Section 3.3
Lesson 12: Belief in Destiny: Section 4.1
Lesson 13: The Virtue of the Four Caliphs: Section 4.2
Lesson 14: The Lasting Good Deeds: Section 4.3
Lesson 15: The Five Pillars of Islam: Section 5.1
Lesson 16: Guarding the Five Prayers: Section 5.2
Lesson 17: Five Matters One Will Be Questioned About: Section 5.3
Lesson 18: The Six Pillars of Belief: Section 6.1
Lesson 19: The Rights of a Muslim: Section 6.2
Lesson 20: The Rights of Relatives and Associates: Section 6.3
Lesson 21: The Seven Shaded in Allah’s Shade: Section 7.1–7.3
Lesson 22: Lustrations and the Gates of Paradise: Section 8.1
Lesson 23: The Invocations of Morning and Evening: Section 8.2
Lesson 24: Reflecting on the People of the Cave: Section 8.3
Lesson 25: Worldly Consequences of Wrongdoing: Section 9.1–9.3
Lesson 26: Purifying the Heart from Blameworthy Traits: Section 10.1
Lesson 27: Adorning the Heart with Praiseworthy Traits: Section 10.2
Lesson 28: Summary: Section 10.3–11.3
Lesson 29: Closing Supplications and Blessings upon the Prophet Section 12.1–13.3
About The Instructor
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus, and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), as well as his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age. He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance in order to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004.) Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been named one of the 500 most influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center.
- Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
- Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
- Identify instances of the sins of the heart
- Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
- Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
- Appreciate the spiritual value of good company
Instructor: Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary
Course Overview
Every day in Ramadan, we will go through a verse from the Quran that you read in your daily recitation or you will hear in Tarawih prayer. These selected verses address the most critical issues of belief. They clear our doubts, increase our faith and revive our spirit. By the end of this series, you will know thirty verses from each chapter of the Quran that cover the most essential topics of belief and you will understand how it relates to contemporary challenges.
Who Is This Course For?
- Suitable for all.
- All Muslims from all walks of life.
- There are no necessary prerequisites.
- Tafsir, Belief, Theology, Quran, Contemporary Challenges, Modern Doubts, Meanings of the Quran
Learning Outcomes
- Understand thirty verses from the Holy Quran related to Iman (Faith).
- Familiarize themselves with the interpretation of verses related to belief and theological issues.
- Comprehend the essential role of the Quran for Muslim’s creed and Islamic theology.
- Grasp the critical role of the Qur’anic interpretation to matters of creed and theology.
- Taste the meanings of the verses of the Quran as they related to matters of belief.
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Verse from Chapter 1
Lesson 2: Verse from Chapter 2
Lesson 3: Verse from Chapter 3
Lesson 4: Verse from Chapter 4
Lesson 5: Verse from Chapter 5
Lesson 6: Verse from Chapter 6
Lesson 7: Verse from Chapter 7
Lesson 8: Verse from Chapter 8
Lesson 9: Verse from Chapter 9
Lesson 10: Verse from Chapter 10
Lesson 11: Verse from Chapter 11
Lesson 12: Verse from Chapter 12
Lesson 13: Verse from Chapter 13
Lesson 14: Verse from Chapter 14
Lesson 15: Verse from Chapter 15
Lesson 16: Verse from Chapter 16
Lesson 17: Verse from Chapter 17
Lesson 18: Verse from Chapter 18
Lesson 19: Verse from Chapter 19
Lesson 20: Verse from Chapter 20
Lesson 21: Verse from Chapter 21
Lesson 22: Verse from Chapter 22
Lesson 23: Verse from Chapter 23
Lesson 24: Verse from Chapter 24
Lesson 25: Verse from Chapter 25
Lesson 26: Verse from Chapter 26
Lesson 27: Verse from Chapter 27
Lesson 28: Verse from Chapter 28
Lesson 29: Verse from Chapter 29
Lesson 30: Verse from Chapter 30
About The Instructor
Shaykh Ahmed El Azhary is a researcher in Islamic intellectual history and a teacher of Islamic traditional sciences. He’s currently a teacher of Hadith, Usūl, Logic and Kalam at Rawdatul-Na`īm under the supervision of Habib `Ali al-Jifrī; and at Madyafat Shaykh Ismaīl Sadiq al-`Adawī (RA), a prominent learning center by al-Azhar Mosque in Cairo.
Shaykh Ahmed studied Anthropology at American University in Cairo and received his training in Leadership Communication from Tulane University and The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is also a life-long learner. He holds a diversified portfolio of almost 50 certificates in a variety of subjects – extending from Teaching Character and Clinical Psychology of Children and Young People to Complexity Theory, Model Thinking and Conflict Analysis.
Shaykh Ahmed began his journey of studying traditional sciences about 20 years ago. In addition to studying with scholars from al-Azhar, he had the privilege of studying with visiting scholars from Algeria and India in a one-on-one format, and was thus given an exceptional opportunity to study and discuss advanced-level texts of different sorts and over a long period of time. Shaykh Ahmed has more than 70 Ijazas from scholars from all over the Muslim world.
Beside a number of edited works about to be released in Islamic pedagogy, linguistics and Hanafi Usūl, Shaykh Ahmed has authored Rūh al-`Ilm – a treatise in the art of scientific investigation, based on a survey of roughly 200 traditional Islamic texts, and has been endorsed by Dr. Jamāl Fārūq, the Dean of Islamic Da`wah College at al-Azhar University and Dr. Ahmed Mamdūh, the Chair of Research Division at Dar al-Iftaa’ al-Masrīyah. Rūh al-`Ilm will be published by Tabah Foundation in the early of summer of 2019.
- Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
- Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
- Identify instances of the sins of the heart
- Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
- Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
- Appreciate the spiritual value of good company
Instructor: Imam Yama Niazi
Course Overview
This is a general reminder series in Ramadan. It will improve your understanding of Ramadan and the higher aims of fasting and reflection. It addresses many issues related to social life, beliefs, spiritual remedies, and practical solutions to many Muslims' problems. The higher objective of this course is to inspire you to learn and aspire for spiritual heights. Take this course to understand how to be a better Muslim. You will learn to balance faith with practice, spirituality to theology, and relevant connections.
Who Is This Course For?
- General audience
- New Muslims
- Youth
Learning Outcomes
- Learn the deeper meanings of fasting in Islam
- Delve deep into the spiritual teachings of Islam
- Connect at a deeper meaning to the Quran
- Establish a good practice of worship, reflection and learning
- Become inspired to ascend in your practice of Islam
- Be moved to hear noble reminders that move the heart into action
Course Outline
Lesson 1: Elements of a sound fast
Lesson 2: Welcoming of Ramadan
Lesson 3: Rewards of Fasting
Lesson 4: Fasting and guarding the tongue
Lesson 5: Speaking to Others with Excellence
Lesson 6: Essential Matters come first
Lesson 7: Essentials regarding the law
Lesson 8: The Importance of Taqwa
Lesson 9: Diversify Good Deeds
Lesson 10: The problem of Laziness
Lesson 11: The Gift of Prayer
Lesson 12: The Deep Connection to Allah through prayer
Lesson 13: Reflection on Surat al-Fatiha
Lesson 14: Supplication
Lesson 15: How to improve our supplications
Lesson 16: How to interact with the Quran
Lesson 17: Sacrifice of Righteous for the Religion
Lesson 18: Virtues of the last ten nights
Lesson 19: Spiritual Retreat/I’tikaf
Lesson 20: True Repentance
Lesson 21: Purifying the Heart
Lesson 22: The Value of time
Lesson 23: The Keys to Good
Lesson 24: Gratitude related to Blessings
Lesson 25: Patience acquired through fasting in this month
Lesson 26: The Deed that earns rewards of fasting without fasting
Lesson 27: The importance of Zakat
Lesson 28: The importance of Zakat l Fitr and acceptance of fasting
Lesson 29: The Importance of Eid and after Ramadan
About the Instructor
Imam Yama Niazi has studied with local scholars in the US for a number of years which culminated in him becoming an imam of the Islamic Society of Santa Barbara for 8 years. He served the community by teaching and leading prayers. In 2015 he founded “ the blessed tree “ a nonprofit specifically for bridging gaps between the Muslim community and others. He has spoken in many Muslim platforms and programs throughout the US and Canada. He currently teaches and is an instructor at SeekersGuidance and is leading youth education program as well conducting programs in local communities/ masjids in North America. He is married and has 3 children.
- Distinguish between true religious knowledge that is beneficial and ostensibly religious knowledge that is not
- Identify instances of the sins of the limbs (particularly those of the tongue)
- Identify instances of the sins of the heart
- Complete a regimen of protecting your tongue from sin
- Improve your character with your teachers, relatives, friends, and strangers
- Appreciate the spiritual value of good company