Al hamdulillaah. I’m back in Qatar from the UK where I gave the khutbah of Jumu’ah and a lecture on Caliph Abu Bakr in Islam Bradford Islamic Da’wah center and a lecture at the Camden Center in London on Saturday on “Are we prepared?” and another on Sunday on “Lessons from the Battle of Uhud”. I also recorded a Q&A for Islam Channel (TV) and was to record some programs also for Iqra TV Channel, but time didn’t permit. However, during this period the Islamic Online University did the finishing touches to the BA in Islamic Studies program and rolled it out on the 27th of February – Allahu Akbar. Five days later we already have 380 admissions being processed – Subhaanallaah!!! For those who don’t already know, please go to the website and register ASAP as we do have cap on the total number of applications that we will accept for this semester, since it is our first.
Launching the Free BA in Islamic Studies
March 4th, 2010Friday Khutbah at Aspire Mosque, Doha, Qatar
February 22nd, 2010The Khutbah for the last two Fridays (19th & 12 Feb) are now available from my youtube channel. The numbers at the masjid have now increased to maximum capacity (1,400), and rugs are now being used outside the mosque to accomodate those coming.
IOU Courses
February 19th, 2010Please remember to give structured time to your free Islamic courses on the IOU (www.islamiconlineuniversity.com ) or join up if you haven’t already done so. Don’t let this opportuntiy go. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Most people are fooled about 2 blessings: Good health and spare time.” Satan will try his best to convince you otherwise.
Lectures in the UK 25th Feb – 1st March
February 17th, 2010Interview on an Islamic Radio Show
February 14th, 2010Salaam alaykum All. I’ll be doing a radio interview with brother Yusuf Wells for the American Muslims Today radio show (http://go-amt.net/) Those of you in parts of the world that can participate – Ahlan wa Sahlan (you are welcome to join us).
My Latest Video Khutbah at Aspire Mosque
February 3rd, 2010The Khutbah for last Friday (29th Jan) is now available from my youtube channel. The sound’s much better than week before last as i used a clipon mike. The numbers at the masjid increased by nearly 300 more people and it looks as though we will have to put carpets outside for the overflow expected this coming Friday.
Islamic Online University (IOU) Has Reached New Heights!
February 2nd, 2010Al hamdulillaah, the December and January stats for IOU are amazing. I want to personally thank all of you here, on facebook, and my youtube channel for contributing towards them, as you have made a great difference. December enrollment was 1,575!! and January was 2,040!!!! Allaahu Akbar. And the grand total of those registered at IOU is now a whopping 17,500!!!! Subhaanallaahil ‘Atheem!!!
Videos of the First Jumu’ah at Aspire Mosque, Doha, Qatar
January 25th, 2010The videos of my first lecture at Aspire mosque, the second designated for English Khutbahs in Qatar, are now available on my youtube channel. Next week’s will be better recorded, in shaa Allah. Anyway, here’s this week’s offering:
The Jumu’ah Today
January 22nd, 2010
Back View
Al hamdulillaah the Jumu’ah far exceeded our wildest expectations. Depending solely (after Allah) on only word-of-mouth announcements, a few emails, a post on Qatar living, more than 900 people attended and the mosque was filled almost to capacity – Allahu Akbar. It looks as though we will have to make arrangement for rugs outside the mosque for next Jumu’ah in order to accommodate the next wave, once the word spreads!!
The khutbah topic was on Jumu’ah itself and I hope to have it up here soon. In the first half, I spoke about Allah’s choice of Friday for Muslims, after ordaining Saturday for the Jews and permitting by Qadar Sunday to be chosen by the Christians. Then I discussed the status of Friday as the Eed of the week, and why fasting on Friday was prohibited. Also I focused on the relationship between Jumu’ah and daily prayers and the benefits of purification from sin attributed to both Jumu’ah and daily prayers.
From the Last Row
In the second half I spoke about the etiquettes of Jumu’ah. Why we are doing it in English and why it is not considered Bid’ah to do so. I clarified that there was no “sunnah” prayers between the two athaans and the rules concerning talking and playing during the khutbah. The issue of bringing children to the mosque was also elaborated on and the responsibility of parents in keeping a close watch on their children was stressed. I also touched on the importance of the 2 rak’aat prior to sitting in the mosque, the importance of the first lines and sitting attentively, as well as preparations for Jumu’ah and Soorah al-Kahf.
Front View
Jumu’ah in English at Aspire Mosque
January 21st, 2010
Beside the Khalifa Stadium and next to Villagio
Al hamdulillaah, the Qatar Awqaf’s approval for a second mosque in Doha in which the Friday khutbah will be given in English was finalized yesterday, and today the official formalities were completed with me as the designated Khateeb.
Some pictures of the mosque will be added later and the khutbah will be recorded – in shaa Allaah. Perhaps we will also try to arrange live streaming of the khutbah, as someone suggested recently.
Anyway, Allahu Akbar! We have been trying unsuccessfully to get this beautifully designed mosque for this purpose for the past 2-3 years. With every difficulty comes ease. It is in a truly beautiful location – very family oriented, with perhaps the largest public family park in Qatar nearby as well as two major shopping centers, Villagio and Giant Stores.