Intermediate Islamic Studies Course on Akhlaq and Tasawwuf

““INTRODUCTION TO STUDY OFINTRODUCTION TO STUDY OF
‘ILMUL- AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF‘ILMUL- AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF ””
Intermediate Level Islamic course in English for AdultsIntermediate Level Islamic course in English for Adults
conducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismailconducted by Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
18 weekly class starting:18 weekly class starting: 21 AUGUST 201321 AUGUST 2013
Every Wednesday night @ 8pm – 10pmEvery Wednesday night @ 8pm – 10pm
Wisma Indah, 450 Changi Road,Wisma Indah, 450 Changi Road,
#02-00 next to Masjid Kassim#02-00 next to Masjid Kassim
ANNOUNCING
START OF A NEW
COURSE [Aug
2013]
Pre-requisite: Preferably meant
for students who have
completed the essential weekly
Fardhu ‘Ain – “Beginners’
Course on Islam” by Ustaz
Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail
Using text & curriculum he has developed especially forUsing text & curriculum he has developed especially for
Muslim converts and young Adult English-speaking MuslimsMuslim converts and young Adult English-speaking Muslims..
““To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”To seek knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim (male & female)”
BRIEF EXPLANATION REGARDING THIS COURSE ...
All Rights Reserved © Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail (2013))
Register via - http://goo.gl/cs6nI
For further queries, contactFor further queries, contact
EE-mail:-mail: ad.fardhayn.sg@gmail.comad.fardhayn.sg@gmail.com
oror +65 81234669 / +65 96838279+65 81234669 / +65 96838279

About this course-moduleAbout this course-module
• After the “Beginners’ course on Islam” ,
which concisely and adequately prepares
a Muslim/Muslimah towards his/her
basic Islamic education upon the
paradigm of “IIMAN-’AMAL-IHSAN”,
after which they would be introduced to
an “intermediate” level of learning in:
AQA-ID/TAUHEED, FIQH and AKHLAQ/TASAWWUF.
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,IN THE NAME OF ALLAH,
MOST COMPASSIONATE,MOST COMPASSIONATE,
MOST MERCIFUL.MOST MERCIFUL.

• By “intermediate” we do mean – further
elucidations of the same basic topics, but
more towards inculcation of deeper
appreciation, understanding, conviction
and commitment in the aspects of:
• AQEEDAH / TAUHEED
• FIQHIYYAH
• AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF

• Each of these would be approached
systematically, with adequate
introduction; explanation of important
terminologies; its history and
development; the raison d'être of its
study; appropriate explanation of
current controversies or confusion (if
any) on the subject; equipping students
with the basis so as to remove any
doubts or conjectures.

• Notwithstanding, the essential spirit in
learning at this “intermediate” level is
the inculcation of “ADAB” as faithfully
practised in traditional learning circles
and Madrasah.
• One current Muslims’ approach to
learning which we have highlighted
and criticised thus hoping to avoid is :
“Their learning Islam as a subject.”
• We believe it should be subjecting
oneself to Islam, insha-Allah.

• Previous to this, we have already
conducted (at intermediate level) the
following modules – each 16 sessions
(slideshare notes available to students):
[1] Introduction to study of Tau[1] Introduction to study of Tauhheed .eed .
[2] Introduction on the approach to the[2] Introduction on the approach to the
study of FIQH .study of FIQH .

[3] Introduction on the approach to the[3] Introduction on the approach to the
study of ‘ILMUL-AKHLAQ / TASAWWUFstudy of ‘ILMUL-AKHLAQ / TASAWWUF ..
• Thus the third module (Intermediate level)
following the earlier 2 modules – also 16-18
sessions - shall be this:

• As in all our approach in Education -
we seek to provide adequate and
satisfactory exposure regarding Islam
and their nurturing as adults, mostly to
new Muslims (converts/reverts), and in
the English language, who may have
been from other faith/system, etc. –

• As in all our approach in Education - we
seek to provide adequate and
satisfactory exposure regarding Islam
and their nurturing as adults, mostly to
new Muslims (converts/reverts), and in
the English language, who may have
been from other faith/system, etc. –
Therefore, our curriculum may not necessarily
be similar to what (born)Muslims here have
been exposed to in the Malay language.

• Yet, in as much it can benefit new
Muslim, we have long realized that
this curriculum in fact is what every
young English speaking Muslims
here need. Especially to prepare
them for future work in Da’wah
and in their assisting the education
of our next generation.
‫عملم‬ْ‫ل‬ ‫ْعأ أ‬‫ا‬‫و‬
WaAllaahu A’-lam
(And Allah knows best)

• Yet, in as much it can benefit new
Muslim, we have long realized that
this curriculum in fact is what every
young English speaking Muslims
here need. Especially to prepare
them for future work in Da’wah
and in their assisting the education
of our next generation.
May Allah SWT grant us TAUFIQ and HIDAAYAH.
And may He accepts us and be pleased with all
our endeavour.
COMMENTS & TESTIMONIALS .......

COMMENTS AND TESTIMONIALSCOMMENTS AND TESTIMONIALS
Extracted from some comments,
reflections and feedback of
participant who attended
previous run of this module
COMMENTS & TESTIMONIALS .......

Testimonials & feedback by previousTestimonials & feedback by previous
participantsparticipants
“I must admit my own fallacy in thinking at the
beginning of the course that perhaps, Ustaz was going to
teach us something spectacularly new to improve our
Akhlaq… Oh how silly of me.
Ustaz taught us something spectacularly fundamental;
fundamentally important, vital and cardinal that is.
It was a reiteration of Fardhu ‘Ain; one that grounds us
back to Tauheed. And above and beyond the mere
‘rituals’/actions of worship that people can see (the
outer layers of practices), it is the inner state that
governs our level of Akhlaq – and that’s what Allah
sees…. My greatest takeaway from this particular lesson
is that: it ALWAYS goes Back to Basics; our Fardhu ‘Ain.”

“Just as Allah (High and Exalted is He) sees our outward
actions, He also sees the inward actions of our heart. We
thus have to be vigilant against the bad traits of the
heart (such as pride, arrogance, ostentation, thinking
lowly of others, conceit, loving the world, envy and
many others). Shukran Ustaz, for such a valuable
knowledge.”
“I learnt that to have knowledge without noble Akhlaq is
dangerous. We cannot be ‘intelligent yet immoral’;
cannot be ‘learned yet evil’.”

“Ustaz Zhulkeflee constantly remind us of Q: 62:2 - the
approach, method and sequence adopted by RasululLah
SAW in his teachings – conveyed the message towards
tazkiyatun nafs (purification or cleansing of the self)
before teaching the Quran (al-Kitab) and Sunnah (al-
Hikmah)....
Why this sequence? I recall Ustaz Zhulkeflee mentioned
in one of his classes about the ‘container’ (nafs or self)
need to be cleansed before any beneficial knowledge
could enter it. Points me back to being grateful and to
obey Allah SWT and follow the teachings of RasululLah
SAW in emulating his noble akhlaq. Wallahua’lam
bissawab…”

“Ustaz’s lesson on building (upon) our submission on the
5 rukun Islam inspired me to share the meaning of
statements in swolah with my mum and 10-year-old
sister when I went back home recently. Besides going
through the translations, we also reflected on the
lessons from swolah and gave specific examples that my
sister can relate to. My mum was amazed at the
beautiful meanings of the recitations that she has done
daily but has never understood their meanings. It is
easier to ask my sister to do her prayers now that she
knows they are means of communicating directly with
Allah. They felt really touched when I shared that Allah
will give responses to each verse of al-Fatihah that we
recite.
Wallahu’alam.”


“I learnt that our Akhlaq (disposition) needs to be
nurtured such that it becomes second nature so that our
practice of Islam reaches the level of Ihsan. Learning the
difference between ‘freedom’ and ‘ikhtiyar’ helps me
understand that Allah’s will applies to all and by
choosing to submit to Allah, we have done justice to
ourselves.”
“…I learnt about the self (nafs) and fitrah (primordial
nature) of man created in the best conformation. The
effort to submit to Allah’s will, requires knowledge and
understanding of our powers, its strengths/pitfalls,
striving to achieve moderation. Hence, man requires
guidance to the Straight Path. And the best guidance is
definitely from the Creator – He sent the message and
the role model for us to learn from; i.e. our Messenger
SAW.”

“This lesson helps me to affirm that Allah is
indeed the All-Knowing and is well acquainted
with all the affairs of the heart.
The various verses covered in the lesson brought
to my attention that many diseases of the heart is
clearly stated in the Quran.
For example, He is aware of people using religion
for worldly gains, people who only submitted
outwardly, people who thinks that Islam owe
them a favour and people who still entertain
doubt.... Subhaanallah!”

“Thank you Ustaz for delivering another beautiful
lesson. From what was taught, it also shows that
Islam is relevant regardless of what year,
generation we are living in. There were no
computers and internet during Prophet's time
but Ustaz shows how Islam is relevant in the IT
arena. Ustaz taught us how to behave when
using the media (FB, script writing, journalists
and etc). We should be a responsible Muslim...
We should protect the dignity and honour of our
Muslim brothers and sisters, even if we know the
flaws in them. And I feel this applies to our non-
Muslims friends too.”

“As Ustaz shared the various stations we have to go
through in order to attain Taqwa (each requiring
istiqomah in that state) – from a Muslim
(Islam/Submission) > Mu’meen (Iiman/Faith) >
Muhsin (Ihsan/Excellence) > Mukhlisween
(Ikhlas/Sincerity) > Muttaqeen (Taqwa/Piety) – the
parable of the Shajara Tayyiba (the goodly tree)
came to mind as it beautifully illustrates the long
drawn process with strive and struggles (literal or
otherwise) to attain piety, subhaana-Allah!”

“Akhlaq, on the other hand, are non-contrived
praiseworthy actions not proceeding from
particular motives. Their outer form is in
harmony with their inner truth; they are actions
devoid of pretension. Ustaz mentioned when
the outer form is in harmony with the inner
truth, such actions will become second nature
to you.”
“My wife and I felt that carrying out a good act
with intentions for Allah alone is insufficient to
have a high level of Akhlaq. Only when the
heart, mind and body automatically knows that
every action is for Allah, then we will have such
levels of Akhlaq.”

“We also learnt about the dangers of Satan’s
whispers: We need to understand ourselves so
we don’t fall into his tricks. I was very thankful for
the clarification made: Iblis can only *deceive* us
and trick us but Iblis has no power over us.”
“As I reflect on Ustaz’s constant reminder that we
are to subject ourselves to Islam and not learn
Islam as a subject, and his wisdom in teaching us
what we need versus what we want (youths like
us have a lot of ‘wants’), it dawn on me that Islam
is indeed beautiful and simple, complete with all
the established guidelines (it is our level of
knowledge that is malformed or lacking).”

“Ustaz, via QS Hujurat, has beautifully outlined to
me how the rightly guided conduct themselves (a
reference point for me to emulate), subhaan-
Allah!... Indeed, our entire life is a test, subhaan-
Allah! "Blessed is the one who is busy addressing
one’s own shortcomings/faults rather than get
involved with the shortcomings of others"… In
that I’m to look inwardly and introspect on my
own failing, seek Allah’s forgiveness for the
failings/shortcomings, and perpetually seek His
guidance by turning to the Quran and Sunnah as
well as seeking a Murshid as I strive to live up to
the 5 essential principles in life.”

This course evinced the aspiration, promise
and vision of Islam. It increased my conviction
of Islam being an "inexplicably coherent
structure of moral teaching and practical life-
program", in which "all its parts are
harmoniously conceived to complement and
support each other", resulting in "an absolute
balance and solid composure” (Muhammad
Asad 1934).
This increase in conviction is due to the
deepening of understanding of the various
aspects of the Deen. The course lays down the
beautiful framework of Islam in details:
covenant - implications - revelation –
self-knowledge - jihad.

Intermediate Islamic Studies Course on Akhlaq and Tasawwuf

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