A dear friend of mine, Riaz Ansary, sent me a link http://www.rissc.jo/muslim500v-1L.pdf where a book has been produced which claims to list the top 500 most influential Muslims. To my surprise I found on page 159 the following:
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
philips, dr abu ameenah bilal
A notable convert and Islamic scholar, Philips is founder of the virtual educational institution
Islamic Online University and Discover Islam, an Islamic center based in Dubai. He reaches mass
Muslim audiences through his television appearances on India-based satellite channel, Peace TV.
Tags: 500, Influential Muslims, IOU, Peace TV
Mashallah, Mabrook shaikh.
“So verily, with the hardship, there is relief, Verily, with the hardship, there is relief. So when you have finished, then stand up for Allâh’s worship. And to your Lord turn your invocations. Quran 94:5-8″
May Allah SWT bless you with success in both the worlds, aameen.
As’salaam-o-alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatuhu!
Beloved Dr. Bilal Philips, you really do not know how much important you are for us. It is not matter of ranks, it is about motivating pious and rightly guided Scholars like you to guide us in these days of darkness. It is really extremely hard to find someone reliable, thanks to Allah who created shining stars in the sky to guide those who lost their ways towards their destinies…!
Allah alone knows how much your knowledge and educational research has helped millions of youngsters like me. I did not knew anything about you, but last time when I was in Makkah then while passing through a bookshop, I wished and I really begged Allah to provide me something which may help me learn about my religion. Then I found some books related with the Ailm ul Hadeeth, but I picked the one which you wrote.
And then I started the journey in the depths of oceans of knowledge and wisdom through your virtual guidance and with the help of Allah. Even today whenever I get confuse about anything, then I try my best to find your conclusions about that issue.
May Allah grant you jannat ul fardous and may he help you succeed in your both lives.
Fee Amaanillah
Asalamu Alaykum Wr. Wb
Dr. Bilal…firstly just want to tell you that you are an inspiration and a motivation. May Allah bless you for all of your efforts to help the Muslim Ummah at large. We need Islamic knowledge especially in today’s era because corruption and wickedness has increased so much. Please write tips for us knowledge seekers in Islam, on how we can find authentic and the real Islam and how we can practice, learn and stay patient. I personally need all the help I can get because I’m in a non-Muslim country so aside from online sources, there’s really not that many great schools, universities or even teachers where I can learn from. Do you think I can learn Islam, in depth and a great deal while still living here in the U.S.? My dream is to become an Alimah, I know it’s too big of a dream, especially being a girl, but it’s what I really want. I want to have Islamic knowledge especially in Quran, and all other aspects of Islam. I just want to not be confused about anything especially when it comes to my religion. I want to help people specifically, women, in getting educated about Islam. Please advice me, and give me any tips, suggestions and make Dua for me InshaAllah.
May Allah bless, protect, and always guide you to what is right and most loved by Him. Amin!
Ni’Mah
Your dream is not far-fetched. It is well within your reach. You can become an ‘aalimah. The first step is the intention, which you have. Following that, you must engage yourself in serious study of the Qur’aan [memorization and tafseer], and begin to consistently study the deen. Join the http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com and complete all the free short courses. But you must choose good friends who are like-minded in order to strengthen your resolve to achieve scholarship. Don’t put it off for a moment. You will not achieve it by wishes alone, you must begin NOW and stay consistently on the path of knowledge till you leave this world. As it is a lifetime pursuit, and not just for a period of time.
Sheikh Bilal, Thank you and Jazakumulaahu Khair for your encouragement and advise! You have motivated me to push myself even more and start this moment in my quest for knowledge. I have already enrolled in some of the courses in the Islam online university.
May Allah reward you.
ameen! I agree too, for your encouragement. I want to have a strong undertanding in Islam to worship Allah who He deserves and help my sisters in Islam inshaa’ Allah. Baraka Allahu feeka for your advice, brother.
i wud like to study a course on islam.can you give me details.
Please go to http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com and do the diploma course “Foundations of Islamic Studies”.