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The Medinan Period Part 2 by Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki Finally Released

After over three years of waiting, fans will be pleased to hear that Imam Anwar is back on the Islamic audio CD scene with part 2 of the Medina Period of the Life of Muhammad sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

I remember when part 1 came out at back at ISNA 2005. It was an awesome CD set, and since then people were waiting for a rumored release of Part 2 at ISNA 2006. But as Imam Anwar had been unfairly jailed around that time, we had to wait for the release of part 2.

Here’s an audio preview clip Read more »

Tribute To and Story of Imam Siraj Wahaj

I love Imam Siraj Wahaj. He’s someone that we need more of, both in the sense that I want more of him as a person, and we need more like him. Seriously, if you’re looking for some sort of Eman boosting in your life, download some Imam Siraj speeches and lectures from either aswatalislam.net or IslamWay Radio, or watch some of his videos on YouTube.

He is, by definition, an Imam for the people. He’s someone who helps guide the people, and someone who you’d want to go to, and not because of some sort of ranking, but because of his character. MashaAllah, may Allah increase him in this world and the next, and give us more like him for years to come.

But enough from me, check out this video. It was a major event at AlMaghrib Institute’s IlmFest 2008 in New York attended by over 900 people. First, AlMaghrib instructors Muhammad Alshareef, Yasir Qadhi, and Mohammed Faqih all give a tribute to our Imam, followed by a speech by himself on his “story”. The tribute video is not due to his death or anything, Imam Siraj is still very well alive, alhumdulillah!

This is one of many great videos from http://www.ilmcast.com. Check ‘em out and subscribe to their Podcast if you have an iPod!

Behind The Scenes – Filming The AlMaghrib Ramadan 1429 Shoutout

I work with Wasat Studios, who from time to time records Islamic lectues and other interesting little videos. At the 2008 45th Annual ISNA Convention, we filmed a tiny short Ramadan Shoutout for AlMaghrib Institute. The video was supposed to be a short reminder sent out to all the students of AlMaghrib to give them a little bit of encouragement for the month of Ramadan.

How it all happened

At ISNA this past year, three AlMaghrib instructors were there invited to speak: Yasir Qadhi, Yaser Birjas, and the latest addition to their line up, Imam Suhaib Webb. With all three of these guys there, we decided, “hey, why not get them together and film a lil’ somethin somethin. Nothing long or formal, but like an informal little fun video.”

So we asked the two Yasirs after Maghrib salah on Saturday if they’d be down to shoot something after midnight when Imam Suhaib finishses a late night MYNA session, and they said they’ll see how things go. In all honesty, I personally didn’t think it was going to happen. They looked really tired, and trying to get Imam Suhaib to do something after his own midnight session, things were looking grim.

Read more »

Two “cute” boys and Dawah at Tim Horton’s

A sister on the AlMaghrib forums posted a story about an experience of hers during the last seminar in Windsor. From the sound of things, it seems as if the is actually talking about Waasiq, Saad, or Humza, my brother, cousin, and friend, respectively. That Saturday morning I took them to Tim Horton’s right before class and got them some hot chocolate.

If it really is about them, I’m guessing one of them was standing in line with me, while the other two trailed behind and were in front of this sister who wrote the following story… Read more »

A Heart Changing Experience

The past two weekends I attended A Heart Serene: Studies In Tazkiyah in Windsor, ON. It was probably the best AlMaghrib seminar I’ve ever been to.

Obviously the topic and subject matter were a given winner. The seminar was a treat on Tazkiyat an-Nafs based on the classical work Madarij-as-Salikeen by the wonderful scholar of the heart, Ibn al-Qayyim. There was also the blessing of Shaykh Riad Ouarzazi as the instructor, who had rave reviews from the students who took the same seminar in Ottawa, ON.

They also posted a video preview of his style that had me sold.

Off the bat, I knew I was in for an incredible spiritual ride.But what was it that sealed the deal with this class? Sure the topic and the instructor were top-notch, but it was the love and ukhuwwa (brotherhood/sisterhood) in the room that really did it for me. Read more »