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The Qur’anic Seerah of The Prophet - A Unique Approach When we think about the Seerah or the biography of the Prophet (SAW), we first bring to mind the famous books of seerah written by classical as well as contemporary scholars and writers. No doubt that some of these are great works but we sometimes become so engrossed in the details that we fail to appreciate the greater message and benefit of the seerah. This happens because we lose sight of the basis or backbone for the life of the Prophet (SAW) which anchors all the details of his seerah. What the Qur'an provides us is the backbone and the most important aspects of the life of the Prophet (SAW) by which the details can be understood. The heart of the seerah is seen through the Qur'an where Allah (SWT) gives us knowledge of inner aspects of the life of the Prophet (SAW) which are known only to Him (SWT), such as the feelings and thoughts of the Prophet (SAW). <<And surely you are indeed of a magnificent character >> [surah Al-Qalam 68:4] Allah (SWT) mentions that the Prophet (SAW) is on an exalted standard of character. This is one of the pillars of his life. It is manifested not only in his speech and action but also in his thinking. What is more amazing is that he maintained this in all circumstance including when dealing with the enemy or when he was upset. Knowing this sheds a totally different light when studying the details of the seerah. << We sent you [Prophet] only as a mercy to all people >> [surah Al-Anbiyah 21:107] Similarly Allah (SWT) mentions that the Prophet (SAW) is a mercy to each and every human being on the face of the earth as well as other creatures. Again this is manifested in every aspect of his life. Unfortunately those who make fun of the Prophet (SAW) have not realised that he is a mercy to them personally. All that is mentioned about the Prophet (SAW) in the Qur'an are the most important aspects of his life a Muslim (and also non-Muslim) must know. Therefore the most important book for the study of seerah is the Qur'an. Surahs such as Al-Qalam, Al-Muzzammil and Al-Muddaththir (all in Juzz Tabarak) are particularly relevant in this matter. After the completion of Surah Al-Mulk last month, this Saturday will be focusing on Surah Al-Qalam. The structure of Surah Al-Qalam is such that the beginning and the end of the Surah are about the Prophet (SAW) while the middle is about the response of the people and its consequences. The subtleties and the connection between the different parts of the Surah will be explored during the seminar. No doubt at the end, you will come out with an amazing understanding and love for the Prophet (SAW) as well as a deep understanding of this Surah in particular and the Qur'an in general, InshaAllah. The Magnificent Journey An Amazing Journey Through The Last Two Parts (Juzz Tabaarak and Juzz 'Amma) of the Qur'an, From Surah Al-Mulk to Surah An-Naas, by one of the foremost Islamic Scholars and Thinkers of the Western World today Surah Al-Qalam... By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford University) Date: Saturday 20th October 2012 Time: 10AM - 6PM Venue: Cambridge University and Online Schedule: Sunday 23rd September 2012 - Anglia Ruskin University 67. Surah Al-Mulk - Completed Saturday 20th October 2012 - Cambridge University 68. Surah Al-Qalam [69. Surah Al-Haaqqah to 70. Surah Al-Ma'aarij] Saturday 17th November 2012 - Cambridge University 71. Surah Nuh to 72. Surah Al-Jinn Saturday 22nd December 2012 - Cambridge University 73. Surah Al-Muzammil to 75. Surah Al-Qiyaamah Saturday 26th January 2013 - Cambridge University 76. Surah Al-Insaan to 77. Surah Al-Mursalaat Saturday 23rd February 2013 - Cambridge University 78. Surah An-Naba' to 80. Surah 'Abasa Saturday 23rd March 2013 - Cambridge University 81. Surah Ath-Thakweer to 84. Surah Al-Inshiqaaq Saturday 20th April 2013 - Cambridge University 85. Surah Al-Buruj to 89. Surah Al-Fajr Saturday 18th May 2013 - Cambridge University 90. Surah Al-Balad to 96. Surah Al-'Alaq Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Cambridge University 97. Surah Al-Qadr to 114. Surah An-Naas Sunday 21st July 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University Bonus: 1. Surah Al-Fathiha and 2:255 Aayat Al-Kursi Sunday 25th August 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University Bonus: Miracle of The Qur'an There will be a minimum of 12 sessions in this monthly journey. They can be booked individually or as a whole. http://courses.meoc.org.uk <<<<<< Click Here To Register Price: Individual Sessions: Advance Tickets: Adults £25, Dual Ticket £20, Student £20, Children £12.50, Half-Day £15 Live Online Web Access £49.50 Crèche Facilities - £15 per child for whole day. Annual Pass: Magnificent Journey Attendance Pass - £147 (less than £13 per session) Magnificent Journey Online Pass - £297 (less than £25 per session) Features of the Magnificent Journey Pass: Attending just 5 or 6 sessions covers the cost of the pass. Accompanying children can attend for free (usually £12.50). Reduced price for crèche facilities at only £10 (usually £15). Payment in 2 or 3 instalments if required Guaranteed places Limited number of passes available! Testimonials "Of all the scholars I have had the opportunity to study with, I have found Shaikh Akram Nadwi to be the closest, in knowledge, manners and teaching, to how I would imagine some of the great Hadith scholars of the past would have been. He has a vast knowledge of Qur'an, Hadith and Fiqh, a down-to-earth, humble, approachable style, and great teaching ability. His classes are not just beneficial from a learning perspective, but also to marvel at the awe-inspiring wealth of knowledge of our scholars masha Allah. His 57 volume work going through the biographies of some 8,000 women scholars of Hadith is a monumental endeavour. The mere fact of its existence can be a major talking point in discussion with Muslims and non-Muslims, and is almost a stand-alone proof of Islam's unparalleled wealth of female scholarship." - Dr Omar Mahroo, Cambridge/London More Testimonials: http://courses.meoc....stimonials.html Muslim Education & Outreach Cambridge (MEOC) 23 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1AH Tel: 07736 779 448 or 01223 655223

In Defence of The Prophet - Surah Al-Qalam - The Magnificent Journey It appears to be a time of the year when some ridicule is trying to be hurled at the Prophet (SAW) and the Muslims. This is not a new occurrence but is as old as the advent of the Prophet (SAW). It is a coincidence that Surah Al-Qalam is to be explored this weekend together with Surah Al-Mulk in the first of a year-long series of seminars. Surah Al-Qalam is the response of Allah (SWT) to the ridicule and abuse made towards His Messenger - Muhammad (PBUH) by the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Like Surah Al-Mulk which starts by powerfully exalting Allah (SWT), Surah Al-Qalam starts by Allah (SWT)'s exaltation of the Messenger (SAW). Nun. By the pen! By all they write! Your Lord’s grace does not make you [Prophet] a madman: you will have a never-ending reward–– truly you have a strong character–– and soon you will see, as will they, which of you is afflicted with madness. Your Lord knows best who strays from His path and who is rightly guided. So do not yield to those who deny the truth–– they want you to compromise with them and then they will compromise with you–– do not yield to any contemptible swearer, to any backbiter, slander-monger, or hinderer of good, to anyone who is sinful, aggressive, coarse, and on top of all that, an imposter. [surah Al-Qalam 68:1-13] Oaths are often used in the Qur'an. They are connected to what follows in that Surah. In this instance, Allah (SWT) swears by the pen and what is written by the pen. Is there a relationship between the pen and what is written here in this Surah? According to Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi and others there is a very strong relationship. The oath is there to make people understand that men of letters (those who write) know for sure that what the Prophet (SAW) came with (the Qur'an) is not something a mad person or a liar or a lunatic could come up with and that the Prophet (SWT) could never be a mad person or a lunatic or liar because "you are on an exalted standard of character" (ayah #4). The rest of the Surah then elaborates on this argument. The Surah ends with: The disbelievers almost strike you down with their looks when they hear the Qur an. They say, ‘He must be mad!’ but truly it is nothing other than a Reminder for all peoples. [surah Al-Qalam 68:51-52] This Surah is as if it has been revealed to us fresh from the heavens with regards to the incidents of the past weeks. What better opportunity can we have to explore this Surah in detail and have a greater understanding of the Prophet (SAW) than to study it with one of the foremost Islamic scholars and thinkers of the Western world today? Furthermore, if one cannot attend the seminars in person they can access it live online from anywhere in the world and follow it with their family and friends. In these seminars you will study the intricate and subtle but very important connections between words and ayahs within the surahs to gain a well rounded and deep understanding of the Qur'an, which is very rare these days to find. No amount of reading books or listening to talks can compare to studying with a qualified scholar and a teacher of this calibre even for a short time. So please sign up without delay to begin Your Magnificent Journey with the Qur'an. This is an opportunity one can hardly miss. Please watch what the attendees say about these seminars: . The Magnificent Journey An Amazing Journey Through The Last Two Parts (Juzu Tabaarak and Juzu 'Amma) of the Qur'an, From Surah Al-Mulk to Surah An-Naas, by one of the foremost Islamic Scholars and Thinkers of the Western World today Surah Al-Qalam By Shaykh Dr Mohammad Akram Nadwi (Oxford University) Date: Saturday 20th October 2012 Time: 10AM - 6PM Venue: Cambridge University Schedule: Sunday 23rd September 2012 - Anglia Ruskin University 67. Surah Al-Mulk - Completed Saturday 20th October 2012 - Cambridge University 68. Surah Al-Qalam [69. Surah Al-Haaqqah to 70. Surah Al-Ma'aarij] Saturday 17th November 2012 - Cambridge University 71. Surah Nuh to 72. Surah Al-Jinn Saturday 22nd December 2012 - Cambridge University 73. Surah Al-Muzammil to 75. Surah Al-Qiyaamah Saturday 26th January 2013 - Cambridge University 76. Surah Al-Insaan to 77. Surah Al-Mursalaat Saturday 23rd February 2013 - Cambridge University 78. Surah An-Naba' to 80. Surah 'Abasa Saturday 23rd March 2013 - Cambridge University 81. Surah Ath-Thakweer to 84. Surah Al-Inshiqaaq Saturday 20th April 2013 - Cambridge University 85. Surah Al-Buruj to 89. Surah Al-Fajr Saturday 18th May 2013 - Cambridge University 90. Surah Al-Balad to 96. Surah Al-'Alaq Saturday 22nd June 2013 - Cambridge University 97. Surah Al-Qadr to 114. Surah An-Naas Sunday 21st July 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University Bonus: 1. Surah Al-Fathiha and 2:255 Aayat Al-Kursi Sunday 25th August 2013 - Anglia Ruskin University Bonus: Miracle of The Qur'an There will be a minimum of 10 sessions in this year long course. They can be booked individually or as a whole. http://courses.meoc.org.uk <<<<<< Click Here To RegisterPrice: Individual Sessions: Advance Tickets: Adults £25, Dual Ticket £20, Children £12.50, Half-Day £15 Live Online Web Access £49.50 Crèche Facilities - £15 per child for whole day. Annual Pass: Magnificent Journey Attendance Pass - £147 (less than £13 per session) Magnificent Journey Online Pass - £297 (less than £25 per session) Features of the Magnificent Journey Pass: Attending just 5 or 6 sessions covers the cost of the pass. Accompanying children can attend the seminar for free. Reduced price for crèche facilities at only £10. Payment in 2 or 3 instalments if required Guaranteed places Limited number of passes available! Testimonials Video Testimonial: Hammad Buriname (France) Tariq Pandor (Birmingham) "I want to thank your organisation for arranging these series of lectures by Dr Nadwi. I have attended two of these lectures and have found them immensely enlightening. Dr Nadwi is a rare scholar of our times and although he is knowledgeable enough to talk at length on issues of philosophy, literacy or poetry, he is always keen to emphasise the practical implications of his teachings - that Islam in essence is a religion to be practiced with real actions and not confined to theory written in textbooks. MEOC has done an excellent job in the way they have taken care of all the details required of organising such events. I pray that Allah rewards all those involved in all aspects of these courses." - Dr Atiqul Baree, Portsmouth"Alhamdulillah I was fortunate enough to attend the first of the Cambridge Islamic Sciences Seminars which attracted many from within Cambridge and without, both young and old. Sheikh Akram Nadwi is a true gem within the Muslim community here in the UK; with such a wealth of knowledge, he kept us engaged and gave us a sound introduction into the Sciences of Hadith. I came away from the course reignited in my pursuit for knowledge. I look forward to attending most, if not all, future courses throughout the year inshaAllah and would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get acquainted with the Islamic sciences. " - Maria Alfaradhi, PhD Student, Cambridge University More Testimonials: http://courses.meoc.org.uk/p/testimonials.html Muslim Education & Outreach Cambridge (MEOC) 23 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1AH Tel: 07736 779 448 or 01223 655223