ALBaseerah.org - Seminar 07 Reflection

AbuYaseen

October 26th, 2007, 17:23

â€œUthmaan Ibn Affan Educational Seminar 2007â€

This past summer, I was blessed with the opportunity of being able to partake in one of the most important and uplifting experiences in my life. The event was the Uthmaan Ibn Affan Educational Seminar.

I learned of this three week event from a flyer that my wife brought home from a Muslim sisterâ€™s gathering only two days before the end of registration. After taking a look at the web site that detailed the seminar, I knew right away that this was one trip that I had to make. I quickly got on the phone and called the administrator of the seminar, and was pleasantly met with open arms, sincerity, and warmth. I knew that I wanted to attend the seminar, but after the reception I received, I was then certain that I had to go.

All of the questions I had pertaining to the seminar were answered in detail and I was also given the opportunity to phone them at any time if I had any additional questions or concerns. Although I have been Muslim my entire life, I was new to the dawah, so I saw this as an opportunity for real growth and the development. Three weeks after my initial contact I received confirmation that I was all set and ready to go.

As the date to depart drew near, I would frequent the web site, albaseerah.org (http://albaseerah.org/), to receive any updates, travel tips, and reference materials we would need for the trip. Initially I thought that the information from the website was a little overwhelming, but once we arrived to our destination, I realized that all of the information was pertinent and extremely useful.

I knew prior to traveling that the administrators of the trip had gone through some extensive planning, but I had no idea of the dedication it would take to put together this seminar. From the onset, I saw that this seminar had been orchestrated by some of the most committed individuals that I have ever met.

During the first leg of the trip, we stayed one week in Madinah. During this time, we would frequent Masjid-un-Nabi, had the opportunity to pray at Jannat-ul-Rawdah, and visited the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him), just to name a few. After Madinah, we traveled to the Holy City of Mecca, where we were fortunate enough to be able to stay for two weeks. Here is where we had the opportunity to make Ummrah, frequent Masjid-al-Haram, and visit numerous historical sites. In both cities, we stayed at two of the best hotels, with ample accommodations and comfort.

One of the most beneficial opportunities we had while visiting both Madinah and Mecca, was to sit amongst many of the worldâ€™s most well known and well respected scholars of our time.

The scholars gave us a comprehensive view of some of the most fundamental Islamic beliefs and principles, including Usul Al-Fiqh, Al-Qawaaid Al-Fiqhiyyah, Shajratul Eeman, Uloom At-Tafseer, issues of Aqeedah, Tajweed, Ibaadaa, and Tawheed. Many of the scholars also delved into issues of hadith in great detail and depth, in particularly, Uloom Al-Hadith and Al-Arbeaeen An-Nawwawiâ€™s Forty Hadith.

The Shaykhs used their vast knowledge of the sources to not only quote and translate; but also add, discuss and evaluate the hadith and their sources based on authenticity. These valuable lessons provided us with an understanding between the relationship of the Qurâ€™an to the Sunnah and the role of both in Islamic legislation.

The Shaykhs gave us some important interpretations of different parts of the hadith, which allowed us the chance to penetrate their minds and to familiarize ourselves with different hadith and how they are studied linguistically, logically, jurisprudentially, legally, and so on.

Finally, many of the Shaykhs provided Question and Answer sessions, which allowed us to ask both general and/or specific questions related to establishing and maintaining our personal connection with Allah, subhanna wataillah. I personally found these sessions to be extremely helpful in that the Shaykhs brought clarity to many issues that plague us both personally and as an Ummah.

This seminar for me, Alhamdulillah, has become a catalyst for continued learning about this deen of Islam. As related by two great Imams, "Surely, angels spread their wings for joy and pleasure with the knowledge seeker."(Ahmad) Also, abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, â€œIf one treads a path in order to seek knowledge, Allah will make easy for him the (way) to enter Paradise.â€ (Muslim)

This seminar was an incredible experience for me and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering it. There is simply no replacement for the happiness and peacefulness you feel when visiting these two Holy cities, sitting amongst the Muslims, while learning from these pious and humble scholars.

I am not sure if this seminar was meant to change our lives as much as it had, but I can say with complete certainty and sincerity that this has, in fact, been a life altering experience.

I have found a new sense of eeman and taqwah, and it has shown me the virtues of the scholars and the knowledge they possess. I also highly encourage those who have questions regarding the Qurâ€™an, Hadith, the authority of the Sunnah, and the idea of abrogation in Quran and Sunnah, to seek out the scholars and students of knowledge to seek clarification.

I am still very sad that the seminar is over, but I am so very happy and grateful that I now have new found respect and admiration for the scholars and for the Dawah.

Jazakallahu khirun for this wonderful experience!!

I am counting down the days until I am able to do it all over again, Inshaâ€™Allah!
Saâ€™ud Ibn Dawud Salahuddin

Chicago, IL.