Episodes
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Alhamdulillah, All Praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Most Merciful, Gracious and Generous. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad and his noble family and companions.
We have reached the end of our presentation of Imam al-Jawi's commentary Maraqi al-'Ubudiyyiah on Imam al-Ghazali's Bidayat al-Hidayat, The Beginning of Guidance. This book is 395 pages long, and for the majority of listeners, will have been the first time they have studied a full classical text with commentary. Anything that you have found to be good is only from Allah and I ask you for your forgiveness for my shortcomings and errors throughout the presentation and study of these texts. May our time spent studying be a witness for us on the Day of Judgment, and may we attain the intercession of the two noble and distinguished authors for the time and effort that each and every person has spent seeking to learn and benefit from their knowledge, Ameen.
In this final episode, Imam al-Ghazali counsels us on how to deal with acquaintances, warns us of the pitfalls of seeking what they appear to have and directs us towards suitable conduct in their company.
In conclusion, he reiterates what he mentioned at the beginning of the book about being inclined to want to act on and implement the knowledge in the text, and that the desire to seek what it calls to is a tremendous Divine favour and blessing and is indeed, the beginning of guidance.
Please keep in touch with us on Instagram, Telegram and via email, for updates on more from MISK Women podcasts, classes and courses.
Jazakum Allahu khairan and may Allah bless you and your loved ones abundantly.
Your sister, Umm Abdullah.
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In this episode, Imam al-Ghazali explains the characteristics and qualities you should look for in a companion, then he advises on how to uphold your duties and responsibilities to that person as their friend.
In summary, seek to be in the company of those who remind you of God and help keep you firm on the Straight Path,. If you are blessed with such company, treat them with the best manners and prefer them and their needs over your own.
Finally - remember that in the next life you will be with whomever you love...so choose wisely and treat them how you would want them to treat you.
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Missing episodes?
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The final section of the Beginning of Guidance on Etiquette with the Creator and Creation begins with advice on how conduct oneself and be in the presence of the One Who never leaves you, Mighty and Majestic is He.
Then we discuss the advice of our Master and Guide, Imam al-Ghazali and the significant contributions of Imam al-Jawi, on the best comportment of:
The scholar The student Children with parents, and The appropriate etiquette one should maintain with the general public.This is the first part of three episodes on the most beautiful and pleasing Adab / Etiquette that Islam cultivates and refines in the believer.
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In this episode, we discuss the blessed Hadith of the great Companion, Sayyidna Mu'aath bin Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, which summarises the transgressions of the heart and the journey of one's deeds towards Divine acceptance.
As this is the conclusion of the second section of the book, Imam al-Ghazali offers his final advice to the student of knowledge about purifying the heart and warns sternly against using religious knowledge for worldly gain.
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Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
Welcome back to the MISK women podcast series on Imam al-Ghazali's "Beginning of Guidance"!
After a longer break than expected, we are back to complete the book, seeking to benefit from the great knowledge, wisdom and advice of the author and our noble and beloved commentator, Imam al-Jawi, may Allah have mercy and be pleased with them both.
This episode is the recording of the last class we did on Zoom in October 2020.
At about 53 mins the statement "Whoever knows himself knows his Lord" is briefly mentioned. As a confirmation of the status of the statement, please note that the great scholar Imam Jalaluddin al-Suyuti wrote a short treatise on this statement and confirmed that it is NOT a Prophetic hadith, and is in fact attributed to a Sufi named Yahya ibn Mu'ath al-Razi.
Jazakum Allahu khairan.
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Imam al-Ghazali begins the next section on guarding against the three transgressions of the heart addressed in this book; envy, ostentation and conceit.
The introduction looks briefly at the animalistic qualities inherent in a human being and how they are overcome by developing angelic qualities, through knowledge, wisdom and certainty. Two extremely important points are also mentioned for their relevance to the ideologically dominated time in which we live.
Thereafter, the first of the three transgressions, envy, is discussed in detail with the comprehensive commentary of Imam al-Jawi.
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This section on transgressions of the limbs ends with Imam al-Ghazali's advice on guarding the hands and feet from unlawful and unpraiseworthy acts.
This part of the book is concluded by reminding people of the need to act positively and constructively to seek knowledge and sustenance, and to know that God's blessing upon you is facilitating that for you.
The question and answer session at the end of the class has been edited out.
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This week's class continued with the study of the transgressions of the limbs with a focus on the stomach and private parts - the two desires or two carnal appetites.
Imam al-Ghazali approaches the topic of eating with a perspective based on consuming pure and halal food, and avoiding products about which one is doubtful.
The topic of al-War' / scrupulousness regarding one's consumption was then discussed by looking at the famous hadith: "The halal is clear and the haram is clear and between them are doubtful matters, which few people know...".
The class finishes with a discussion on sexual relations within the context of the Maqasid al-Shari'ah / Objectives of the Shari'ah, of which the preservation of the means of reproduction and producing the next generation is one of the five central goals.
The question and answer session at the end of the class has been edited out for brevity.
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The final five types of transgressions of the tongue are explained in detail according to Imam al-Ghazali's text and Imam al-Jawi's commentary and contextualized for contemporary times.
This class deals with:
Disputation, Argumentation and Competitive DebateAscribing Goodness to OneselfCursingSupplicating Against CreationJesting, Ridiculing and Making Fun of PeopleThis episode ends with the example of Sayyidna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, and how he prevented himself from indulging in speech that was not beneficial in the dunya or akhira. May we follow his lofty example of self discipline and the advice of Imam al-Ghazali and refrain from speaking words that might be harmful to others and ourselves.
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This lesson takes us into the first of the types of speech that are hazardous and sinful for a Muslim who is concerned about their conduct in this life and the consequences of it in the next.
Imam Al-Ghazali counsels us to avoid lying, which is one of the foundational sins of the tongue.
Then breaking promises is discussed, with the hadith on the qualities of a hypocrite who is unable to rid oneself of the blameworthy qualities mentioned.
The subtleties of backbiting are also examined, along with the four reprehensible qualities that are often mixed with it.
May we learn well from our scholars and apply what we learn, in sha Allah.
The lesson begins at 6:05 minutes, after an introduction, the dua for seeking knowledge and a brief mention of the outline of the book for those who were joining for the first time.
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Welcome to the second, online class recording of Imam al-Ghazali's Beginning of Guidance (Bidayat al-Hidayat).
We discuss how the commentator, Imam al-Jawi, builds his commentary by drawing upon eleven branches of knowledge that we identify and colour code in a sample paragraph. Not many English speaking, female students of knowledge would be exposed to such an analysis, albeit brief, and part of our goal at MISK Women is to expand the student's holistic understanding and competence in dealing with classical texts.
We read the Arabic and English translations of the book and discuss a fairly detailed reading of the commentary on the four sins of the eye, the sins of the ear and the introductory paragraph to the eight sins of the tongue.
The question and answer section has been deleted from this audio recording for brevity.
The actual class begins at 4:09.
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Welcome to our first class recording! We have switched from straight podcasting to teaching the text, The Beginning of Guidance, on the online Zoom format. These classes are available to all listeners who would like to attend in person on Sundays, or if you are unable, then you can still study the book via those recordings uploaded here. For class registration details, the time of the class in your location and other enquiries, please contact via Instagram @miskwomen, join our FB private group MISK Women Halaqa, or contact via email: [email protected]. There is also a private Telegram channel that you can join after receiving the link.
This class summarises the first part of the book about the seeker of knowledge, and mentions the topics previously covered in the podcast episodes.
Then we begin Part 2 of the book - Avoiding the sins of the limbs. We covered the introduction to that section, the Quranic ayats and Hadith in it and what Imam al-Jawi says in his commentary. The seven body parts that will be discussed in detail in Part 2 were mentioned, and the next class begins with avoiding the sins of the eyes, in sha Allah.
For any enquiries or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us on [email protected]
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This is a detailed episode divided into two parts.
In the first part, Imam al-Ghazali discusses the voluntary fasts that are recommended on an annual, monthly and weekly basis. The rewards and reasons for fasting at these times are explained and the commentary provides supplementary proofs and insights into the merits of these non-compulsory fasting days.
In the second part, the inward realities of restraining oneself from partaking in food and drink in daylight hours are discussed with much depth and clarity. Controlling the limbs from disliked acts so as to not nullify the blessing of the fast is emphasized.
Also, the importance of breaking one's fast on halal food, monitoring the quantity of food consumed in the evening and the abundant reward that awaits the fasting person in the Afterlife are all discussed, with the eloquence and experiential knowledge of the great masters of spiritual purification and wayfaring to God.
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Perfecting the etiquettes of the congregational prayer is an important part of a Muslim's family and community life.
In this episode, we discuss the details of the etiquettes that pertain to the Imam (the person leading the prayer) and the Ma'mum (the person following in the prayer).
The aspects of both practices that pertain specifically to women praying in congregation have been mentioned, in order to highlight the differences and ensure that women are performing group prayers that are both valid and adorned with the correct etiquettes.
At around 26.30 the topic changes to the etiquettes of the Friday prayer and Fridays in general.
Why is Friday such a special day for Muslims? What should we do on Fridays?
Join us to find out how to beautify our prayers even more and how to really make Friday the best day of the week!
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We conclude our study of the formal prayer with Imam al-Ghazali's detailed explanation of how to perfect its performance.
We are taken step-by-step through each movement, with advice on perfecting the raising of the hands to enter the prayer, the recitation of al-Fatihah, the bowing position, the prostration, exiting the prayer and the meanings of the supplications recited throughout.
The text is supplemented with Imam al-Jawi's deep commentary and additions of other textual evidence, which support a profoundly spiritual understanding and assist the listener towards fulfilling what God wants from us in our ritual prayer.
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Join us in this episode for a detailed explanation of four short paragraphs in Imam al-Ghazali's Beginning of Guidance on preparing the heart before prayer!
Firstly, we revise the conditions of prayer, such as having the correct purification, covering the body appropriately and standing facing the direction of prayer.
Then Imam al-Ghazali informs us of the state of the heart that we need to nurture as we stand before our Lord, and of a little trick we can play on ourselves to remedy an inattentive heart.
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Finish up your day the Prophetic way, by following the eight etiquettes of sleep described by Imam al-Ghazali in this chapter.
Learn how to prepare for sleep, the dua and ayaat to read before sleeping, how to wake up and what does it mean to pray in your sleep?
We are counselled to strive to implement the daily program laid out in this and all previous chapters of the book. A little effort and patience will result in eternal bliss...so do not waste your opportunities and strive for all that is good and beneficial!
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In this episode, Imam al-Ghazali lays out the optimal schedule for benefiting from the remainder of the day from noon until the night prayer.
He reminds us that we have a precious jewel in every moment...
Discover how to prepare for each of the rest of the prayers, how to spend your time in between and how to purify the end of your day and commence with the evening in the best possible way.
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After morning worship is concluded, how should we best spend our time until midday? Imam al-Ghazali counsels us in four areas of activity from which the person seeking her Lord in all times of the day will benefit the most.
We are taught about what beneficial knowledge is and what it should do for us, as well as to make sure that we spend our time in the dunya for the sake of the next life.
We also learn about four behaviours in ourselves that we should strive to protect others from and seek to be protected from should they be present in other people.
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In this episode we discuss some of the challenges facing mothers with young children and how to be worshipful in any situation.
We expand upon the key concept of having a full worship schedule by learning how to structure and benefit the most from our time between the Fajr prayer and sunrise…and what you are missing if you go back to sleep!
Imam al-Ghazali teaches us about the athan (prayer call) and how to respond, as well as the most comprehensive supplications to make at that most blessed and potent time of the day.
Tune in to find out how to benefit yourself so early in the morning!
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