Together Upon Tawheed

Together upon Tawheed

We were once scattered pieces of the human jigsaw puzzle then for 3 weeks tightly fitted together upon tawheed. We emerged from different backgrounds, lands, nations, cultures and upbringings varied in ideas, thoughts, manners and perspectives. Within each 24 hour segment we found ourselves connecting to one another bonding because of our emaan and love for Allah. In these blessed days we shared stories of our past and how we arrived at where we are now. From this we learned a great deal about one another, about life, death, decree, hardships, mercy, hope, struggles, triumphs and more. The beauty of Islam, the beauty of brotherhood and sisterhood, the beauty of coming together solely for the sake of Allah bloomed each day in this garden of unity. Only Allah can bring together the hearts. We thank Allah and praise him for these seminars which provide just the right atmosphere the best environment for growth in this and many other ways.

Behind the Scenes

Tour of Masjid An Nabawi


Alhamdulilah this path we were upon was lined with mountains of knowledge. Abdullah Al-Bukhaaree, Usamah Al-Khulaywi, Milfi as-Saadee, Khalid Ar-Raddadi, Abdul Malik Ramadaani and many others joined us in Madinah. We studied Kitaab Al Ilm (sahih Bukhari), Kitaab as Saum, Virtues of Sahaabah, Virtues of Qiyamul Layl, Dawah Principles and more. Our days were long and full of knowledge and worship. A typical day contained a series of lectures, valuable time in the Haram and a small portion of time for eating and maybe some shopping. The life of a student of knowledge is challenging but ever more rewarding. Around 3am I proceeded for ibaadah – tahujjid, fajr, and Quran review. By 6 am back at the room I had a small breakfast and reviewed my notes then prepared for class. Classes would run from 7:30 am til Dhur time. Between Dhur and Asr I tried to sleep as much as possible and have lunch before salatul Asr. Lectures resumed after Asr, after Maghrib (occasionally) and After Isha. After having dinner and chatting with friends I would finally make it to bed for about 2 hours before time to rise again. Though it can be demanding, this schedule and these days were truly the best.

Alhamdulilah! There is never a dull moment. One lovely serene night while in Madinah we gathered for a tour of Masjid An Nabawi. This guided tour is a very special behind the scenes look into the history and mechanics of the masjid. One of the most noticeable new additions to Masjid An Nabawi is the array of towering umbrellas. Reminiscent of what one may imagine of angels wings over gatherings of knowledge these umbrellas are spread throughout the Masjid courtyard. They provide welcoming shade from the blazing Saudi sun as well as create a capturing coolness. By the permission and mercy of Allah the Custodians of the two Holy Mosques have extended their service and great hospitality with this great project. Upon beautiful pillars the umbrellas lessen the burden of the hot sun for those performing ibaadah in the outside perimeters of the Holy Masjid.

King Fahd Quraan Printing Complex

King Fahd Qur'an printing complex

Alhamdulilah I have had the great pleasure of visiting the complex in previous years. So as to reserve time I will quote from my previous description of the Quran Complex. Every year it is such a pleasure to visit and this time I was just as excited and enjoyed it just as much as ever. One of our participants this year told me that every time she visited for one reason or another she never made it inside. This time she assumed it would be the same but to her surprise and my delight we enjoyed the full tour.

The Glorious Qur'an is the Book of Allah, the Almighty; Falsehood cannot come to it from any direction, it is preserved by Allah Who said:"Verily, We, it is We who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it from corruption." (15:9).

Praise be to Allah, Who has appointed, all over the time, those who preserve and maintain the Book of Allah, those who will take care of it and spread it. Surely, Allah privileges with this merit whomever He wills from among His servants. As Allah granted the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia the honor of serving the Two Holy Mosques, He granted it the honor of serving Islam and Muslims and taking care of the Glorious Qur'an.

The King Fahd Qur'an Printing Complex resides amid an oasis of lush greenery and great architecture. Handsome tall date palms overlook a myriad of well groomed bushes, mosaics peer from beyond arches, dainty flowers dote in thick grass, the grand Qur'an sculpture boldly rises in the center of a cooling fountain and a large dome wades in the backdrop of this beautiful scene. I love this place.

A live presentation was received on the balcony overlooking the factory floor. There was machinery as far as I could see. The production capacity of the Complex reached more than ten million copies of different publications a year for every single shift. It is possible, if needed, to make it work three shifts to produce 30 million copies a year. The number of publications produced by the Complex so far has exceeded ninety different publications, including complete Mushafs and parts, translations, recordings, books of Sunnah and of the Prophet's Biography and others. It is not shocking to me that the Complex has the most advanced printing technologies in the world. They have translated the meanings of the Holy Qur'an into 53 different languages and every year adding about 4 more. They also have recorded recitations here in their studios made available on CDs and cassettes. Each page of the Holy Qur'an is printed onto big sheets 70 centimeters by one meter. The first page contains only letters and no vowels or other marks. Each and every letter is checked for the correct position, word and verse. Each and every one has to be approved by 9 scholars, then they add the dots and check it in the same manner. The vowels are added. Scholars check each and every vowel, each and every dot. At the 4th stage stop marks, sujood marks, hisb and juz marks are added and checked. After necessary steps have been completed they scan and shrink the pages down to sizes needed. 95% of the prints are free of cost. Through the distribution of the Complex editions, it contributed to the community service by the following:

*Offering the Present of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the pilgrims every year.
*Providing the Two Holy Mosques and other mosques of the Kingdom with the required Mushafs.
*Providing the male students in the Ministry of Education and the female students in the General Presidency of Teaching Girls with Mushafs.
*Participating with the editions of the Complex in rewarding the winners in the domestic and international competitions for memorizing and reciting the Holy Qur'an.
*Giving the participants of the Qur'an competitions, the winners of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah Prize and the participants of the Festival of Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah the opportunity to visit the Complex.

Along with a host of other great benefits they also plan to translate the Qur'an into sign language, bi'ithniAllah. We enjoyed refreshments and received our own mushafs and complete Qur'an on CD.

Verily, those who disbelieved in the Reminder (i.e. the Qur'aan) when it came to them (shall receive the punishment). And verily, it is an honourable respected Book (Fussilat 41:41)

Al Fatihah

So what is it like to attend such noble gatherings?

It is required to be in the lecture hall 10 min before the scheduled time. This allows you time to get settled, run back to your room if you forgot something, enjoy coffee, tea, juice or water and most importantly it allows all of the participants time to be seated, to be orderly and waiting with proper manners when the Shaykh arrives. Brothers enjoy direct face to face encounters with Mashaykh and sisters enjoy the next best thing - the preservation of modesty and the opportunity to see the mashaykh via tv screen in the lecture hall next door. This night with Shaykh Hudhayfi was amazing. For two hours he lectured as we recorded in our notebooks. I felt like I could have gone for many more hours. Times like these you wish would never end. Then came a big surprise. Shaykh Hudhayfi is well known for his preservation of the Quran and his recitation. True to the nature of a Quran student and teacher he proceeded to check the recitation of everyone participating that night - brothers, sisters, administration and even the translators children! Brothers were first. They sat in a chair across from the Shaykh and recited Al Fatihah. Where corrections were needed he stopped them and corrected. Where there were no mistakes he gestured with approval and said MashaAllah! One by one they recited and on the sisters side we watched them while feeling their nervousness and sighing along with them. Some of the brothers became overwhelmed with emotion which truly touched our hearts and began a chain reaction. A teardrop here and a sniffle there confirmed that we were in agreement with what their hearts experienced. It was such an honor! And were we truly worthy? It was a great honor to have the Shaykh with us.

As the brothers finished they left the floor clearing the way so the sisters could be heard. He came out and sat just beyond our lecture room door. Our chair was placed just inside the door so that we could be heard but not seen. So imagine this moment. Its the middle of the night and there was a surge of excitement. My hands were clammy, my heart was racing, I was trembling with extreme nervousness and I couldn't breath. All of this was while my heart sought to purify its niyat. My turn came. I don't know how I made it through but I did with little mistakes wal hamdulilah. It took hours after this for me to stop trembling. SubhanAllah. By the end of this bountiful night the Shaykh had lectured 2 hours, listened and corrected the recitation of almost 100 people and gave for many of us the defining moment of the seminar. This was only our first day of lectures ending at 2 o'clock in the morning. May Allah preserve our dear Shaykh and increase us all in knowledge of the Quraan and make us of those who learn it, act on it and teach it solely for Allah's sake. Ameen.

Shaykh Ali Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Huthayfi

July 19 2009

After salatul Isha on this blessed night we enjoyed the company of one of the most revered Imams in the world, Shaykh Ali Ibn Abdur-Rahmaan Al-Huthayfi. Allah has truly granted Albaseerah success uniting us with the noble scholars of our time. We pray for ikhlaas and for continued and increased success. Ameen. What an honor to be a part of this great event. The Shaykh’s intro (below) was enough to satisfy but he didn’t stop there lectured for 2 hours before our big surprise. Look at the wisdom, kindness, love, introspection, manners and wealth (knowledge) of our dear Shaykh , may Allah preserve him.

Imaam and Khateeb of Prophet's MasjidProfessor at Jamia Al-Islaamia, Madinah An-NabawiyyahChairman of Scholarly Council for Verification and Revision of Madinah'sMushafMember of Higher Commission of King Fahad's Complex for Printing of Mushaf

The Shaykh began by praising Allah the Merciful Owner of Yaumul Qiyamah, and sending salutations on the Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions, to proceed

Tonight close to Masjid An Nabawi, the place of hijra, the place where the Quran was sent down. Thanks to Allah for success and for coming together upon good, on piety, to unite to give each other advice, advising each other to the truth and to patience.

I am happy to be here with you. We thank Allah for gathering us upon the Quran and Sunnah and we ask Allah for success to unite. Al Quraan wa As Sunnah Society of New York it is its title. The Quran and Sunnah are the Muslim’s life. It is a tremendous thing to extract from them. The muslims must return to the Quraan and Sunnah. If only the Muslim looked after the Quraan and Sunnah, studying it, learning it, teaching it giving it to all the world then Allah would unite the hearts of all of them. Allah guides the people to the straight path. You see those who come to make Hajj and Umrah have brotherhood of Islam. Allah makes it easy for them to come together and we thank Allah for facilitating this for us without fear. We thank Allah for giving our leaders success in this task of making it easy for worshippers to do their ibaadah. Allah has honored them by using them to service pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah facilitating for them from every aspect weather costly or cheap, religiously or worldly to make an easy way for them to worship Allah and it is a blessing from Allah.

When you come to Madinah you visit the Masjid, make the prayers, send salutations on the Prophet and you return with spoils and safety. You return with profit and safety. When you meet your brothers for the sake of Allah tell them what you witnessed here. Powerful nations have money but cannot unite the hearts and bring about brotherhood like Islam. Only Allah can unite the hearts. We thank Allah for unity, for this bond, connection and for meeting in this sacred place with love for one another mixing for the sake of Allah here in safety with no harm and no worries.

Allah said whats translated to mean:
Al-Hajj - 22:28
That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allâh on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjâh),

Ibrahim - 14:34
And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allâh, never will you be able to count them.

So remember your Lord, if you show thanks Allah will increase you as was mentioned in the following verse.
Ibrahim - 14:7

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings)
Indeed All praise is for Allah Lord of the Alameen for bringing us together.

Masjid An Nabawi

My first day back in Madinah I was unable to pray at the masjid for salatul dhur wal asr due to settling in. Before long the adhan for maghrib called out to my soul. Just a few feet from our hotel I stepped inside the gate of Masjid An Nabawi. The ever-changing hue of the sun-setting sky reflected a beautiful purple glow off the smooth and polished marble. I was in Madinah. The only words which come close to describing these moments are praises for Allah. SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi!

Some may be wooed by the appearance of the masjid. Its immaculant architecture and grandiose size is truly breathtaking. Everything about its design and structure is done in excellent taste. This surface beauty of masjid An nabawi pales with sagging defeat when placed next to its true significance and actual value. So I stepped across the marble thinking of days of old. " Come to salah come to success" I remember our beloved Prophet salallahu alayhi wa sallam and his noble companions. Before long I reached its doors. I left behind my children. I left many of my friends. I left off making money and gathered almost every penny of wealth I had. I flew by 4 planes and crossed through desert and mountains. I finally made it home. The iqama was called and takbir was made. All praise is due to Allah lord of the 'aalameen. Shaykh Hudhayfi recited. And so the process began. My breathing paused and my body stood frozen. Hearing each and every letter of al fatihah my eyes lay fixed on the carpet before me. My nose began to tingle and at last I exhaled. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een. It is You (Allah) we worship and Your help we seek. One tear broke loose followed by another. The carpet became a blur as I shuttered with overdue weeping. I was home only by the mercy of my Lord. Suspended between hope and fear, longing for the spiritual intimacy that results when knowledge and worship meet I prayed and I cried and I cried and I prayed. Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi.

Shaykh Saalih as Suhaymi
July 19 2009
Professor of Islamic University
Teacher at Prophet's Masjid
Madinah An-Nabawiyyah

The Shaykh حفظه الله is a professor at the Islaamic University in Madeenah and a teacher at Masjid an-Nabawee (Prophet’s Masjid). He is a well-known scholar from Madeenah and studied under the aimmah of our time.

From amongst his most distinguished teachers are:
1. Shaykh Abdul Azeez ibn Baaz (rahimahullaah)
2. Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)
3. Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah)

This grand evening we settled into the elegant lecture hall. After being well received the day before and allowed plenty of time for proper rest after our travels everyone was aglow with excitement anticipating the first lecture of the Seminar.

The Shaykh began by praising Allah and sending salaam on the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa salaam). He then stated the he loved us for Allah and warmly welcomed us with the greetings of Al Islam.

He said,

“ Dear brothers and Beloved ones welcome to Madinah. This is a great opportunity for you and me to meet. We have the greatest connection the connection of Islam, the bond of Islam. There is no connection or relationship except by Islam. So welcome and congratulations on this great victory to pray in Masjid An Nabawi. It brings me great pleasure to be the first to speak.
Dear brothers and beloved ones the virtues of knowledge are not hidden and we must know the importance of understanding the deen. So the one who seeks knowledge his status is raised in this world and the hereafter. Insha’allah I will clarify that by which the people of knowledge are distinguished

1. قُلْ هَـٰذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي ۖ وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ
Say (O Muhammad salallahu alayhi wa sallam): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allâh (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh; those who worship others along with Allâh or set up rivals or partners to Allâh)."

The Shaykh says, the people of knowledge are not like the one who worships Allah based on intellect but bases his worship on sound proofs. As opposed to one who does not seek knowledge and have a problem where they see shirk and think it’s Tawheed, think a bid’ah is Sunnah, mistake what is haraam for being something halaal or think going astray is guidance. He may be confused due to worshipping Allah without ilm. You cannot practice Islam without ilm.
It is very important to learn the Arabic language. If you can learn Arabic you will understand Islam. Without Arabic you will not understand Islam like the people of ilm. I am not saying it is a condition but for those who want sound understanding they must strive and be diligent in Arabic, you will have a better more clear understanding of Islam.

2. The people of knowledge will be distinguished. Knowledge will raise him in levels. Allah raises those who believe and those with knowledge (darajat) levels.

3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.''
[Muslim].

4. The Prophet considered seeking knowledge like a form of Jihad. Whoever comes to the Masjid intending to seek ilm is like the mujahid in the path of Allah. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who goes forth in search of knowledge is considered as struggling in the Cause of Allah until he returns.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

5. Seeking knowledge is a means to truly fearing Allah. "It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah.'' (35:28)

6. One who seeks knowledge will havehis reward and all who follow him in goodness without diminishing his reward. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who calls others to follow the Right Guidance will have a reward equal to the reward of those who follow him, without their reward being diminished in any respect on that account.''
[Muslim].

7. Those who seek knowledge all of creation seeks forgiveness for that person even the fish in the ocean. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The superiority of the learned over the devout worshipper is like my superiority over the most inferior amongst you (in good deeds).'' He went on to say, "Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

8. The virtue of one who has ilm over the worshipper is like the full moon over the stars. Abud-Darda (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who follows a path in quest of knowledge, Allah will make the path of Jannah easy to him. The angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. The inhabitants of the heavens and the earth and even the fish in the depth of the oceans seek forgiveness for him. The superiority of the learned man over the devout worshipper is like that of the full moon to the rest of the stars (i.e., in brightness). The learned are the heirs of the Prophets who bequeath neither dinar nor dirham but only that of knowledge; and he who acquires it, has in fact acquired an abundant portion.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

9. Those with knowledge are the inheritors of the prophets. Proof mentioned above.

10. The one with ilm can refute the doubts of the enemy of Islam, But without knowledge one might be deceived or tricked.

11. No matter what knowledge of the learned one stays with him but not that of the ignorant one. The ignorant one succumbs to different ideologies, movements, organizations but the one with knowledge remains steadfast.

12. "And say: `My Rubb! Increase me in knowledge.'' (20:114) . The student of knowledge doesnot stop seeking knowledge until he meets Allah. Two people are never filled
a. The seeker of knowledge
b. The seeker of the dunya

13. Angels lower their wings out of respect for what the student of knowledge is doing as a sign of pleasure and their pleasure is an indication of the pleasure of Allah Subhana wa ta Ala. May Allah be pleased with us Ameen.

14. The student of ilm is the one who actson his ilm constantly in the remembrance of Allah. The benefits for this is that he is protected in this world not to mention what awaits him in the hereafter.

These are some of the things that distinguish the student of ilm from other than them, and there are many more.

Attention: the least amount of ilm required is that which makes your worship of Allah correct and valid and this is waajib on all muslims – fard ain. One must be able to distinguish Tawheed and what is halaal and stay away from haraam. Must also know what is obligatory on him .

For one who wants more knowledge for example for dawah, to guide people or to be a scholar this is fard kifiyah. It is not obligatory on everyone but if no one seeks this knowledge then everyone will be sinful because of it. For this reason I encourage myself and all of you to strive in seeking ilm. So you can learn and gain this way of life - the only way that is accepted.

These days we witness many technological advances. You can seek ilm by so many avenues. Seek knowledge from trustworthy sources, from the Major Scholars -those who fight and negate takreef – distortion of the Quraan. I ask Allah Subhana wa ta Ala rabbil arshil adheem to guide me and you to knowledge which benefits and righteous good deeds and that we strive for knowledge until we meet Allah.

Whatever lies within this that is correct is from Allah and whatever is in correct is from Shaytaan or my own self and Allah’s Aid and forgiveness is sought. I have attempted to relay to you what was given to us from our noble Shaykh. This is not a word for word translation and/or transcription of the lecture. If any of those who attended find an error please bring it to my attention so that this can be corrected. Subahnak Allahumma wa bihamdik, ash hadu an la ilaha illa anta, wa astaghfirullah wa atooboo ilayk

Accomodations Albaseerah Style

Sa'ad (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "I declare haraam that area between the rocky lands on both sides of Madinah, that it's vegetation be not cut down nor that animals be hunted within it's area." The Messenger of Allaah (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) also said: "For the believer, Madinah is the best place. If only they could understand it's virtue fully, they would never leave it, and whoever departs from Madinah, having become disenchanted with it, Allah will send someone better to replace him. And whoever bears patiently the ordeals of Madinah, for him shall I be an intercessor (or witness) on the Day of Qiyaamah." (Muslim)



Narrated Anas(radhiyallahu anhu): The Prophet(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said, "O Allah! Bestow on Madinah twice the blessings You bestowed on Makkah." (Bukhari)

Narrated Anas (radhiyallahu anhu): "Whenever the Prophet (sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) returned from a journey and observed the walls of Madinah, he would make his mount go fast, and if he was on an animal (i.e. a horse), he would make it gallop because of his love for Madinah." (Bukhari)



Every moment in my beloved city is priceless. After arriving we waited for a short time and then were assigned our suite seen below. After exploring every inch of our temporary residence and doing a few cartwheels we unpacked, showered and settled in.

There's no place like Home

Every moment of the seminar is an experience. Every experience with Albaseerah is a treasure. From this treasure chest is the seemingly effortless fortification of comfort and warm welcoming hospitality. Due to the great Mercy and divine Will of Allah the organization of this organization is like seamless flowing silk. The time in Jeddeh was short and processing was smooth. The ride to Madinah usually for me is very intense. Each moment I am closer to home my longing for it increases leaving me in a heaping pile of emotions. This time my ride to Madinah was as sweet as its dates, as invigorating as its cahwah, swift like never before and full of unexpected rewards. As we entered the city my heart began to pound. My eyes began to water. My hands began to sweat. I couldn't believe I was home.

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