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Archive for December, 2012

Remembering Sister Naimah

Posted in General on December 29, 2012 | 10 Comments »

Eleven years ago, I walked into “The New Shahaadah Class” at Germantown Masjid as a shy and nervous revert looking to learn more about my newfound religion. The teacher, Sister Naimah Thomas (may Allah  have mercy on her) welcomed me with warmth, love, and a strong dose of Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah.

As a modest group of 10-20 students, we learned about our Lord, His Prophet (peace be upon him), and the fundamentals of His religion. From performing a ghusl, to hijab tips, to listening to each student recite the tashahhud, Sister Naimah (may Allah have mercy on her) made every effort to ensure that her students were prepared for life as a Muslim woman.

Outside of being the primary New Shahaadah teacher, Sister Naimah (may Allah have mercy on her) also conducted various workshops and programs to help benefit the Muslim community, bring unity, and strengthen the ties of sisterhood. She became known as the go-to person not only for new Muslims, but also for those wanting to learn about Janazahs (funeral processions).

Over the past 11 years, that same “New Shahaadah Class” has grown from a modest 10-20 students to sometimes over 200 women (Muslims and non-Muslims). Al-hamdulillah, I had the opportunity to work with Sister Naimah (may Allah have mercy on her) and her class this past summer. It was apparent that while the numbers had grown, warmth, love, and a strong dose of Qur’an and authentic Sunnah remained as its core.

May Allah the Most High have mercy on her, make her grave spacious, and bless her with Jannatul-Firdaws al-A’ala, Aameen.

Written by:
Sahar Gordon
Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
15th of Safar, 1434 / December 29, 2012

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A Conversation between Some Youth and Shaykh Ahmad Bazmool Concerning Doubts Circulated on the Internet

Posted in Methodology on December 28, 2012 | Leave a Comment »

All praise is due to Allah, and may exaltation and safety be granted to Muhammad, his family, his companions, and those who aid them. To proceed:

Before the reader is a written conversation that took place between some of the youth and Shaykh Ahmad Bazmool concerning doubts that are circulated on the internet (1). A person writes:

As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,

My beloved brothers for [the sake of] Allah, Ahlus-Sunnah, may Allah bless you wherever you are and whatever your circumstances may be.

What is your response to a person who says: “I found a page on Facebook called: ‘Clear Refutations on the Doubts of al-Jaamiyyah and al-Madaakhilah (2).’ ”

He goes on to say, “I placed some strange things on this page so that I could see their doubts and then show them to the Salafee brothers so they can clarify them.”

What are your opinions about this speech? The brother deserves aid and help from you all so that he can be firm upon the true methodology. Benefit me concerning this issue, may Allah bless you all.

Shaykh Ahmad Bazmool, may Allah protect him, answered:

As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahamatullahi wa Barakaatu,

My brothers, as it relates to the question of the brother pertaining to al-Bayyinah website, visiting it, then relaying the doubts on it with the intent of refuting them, then the answer is as follows:

It is not permissible for him to visit that website. This for may reasons:

[1]: It is against Islamic texts (i.e. the Qur’aan and Sunnah) that warn against listening to the people of innovation (ahlul-bid’ah);

[2]: It is against the methodology of the Salaf as-Saalih; rather, they would not listen to them at all, even if it was the Qur’aan, just as it is found in the story of Ayyoob as-Sikhtiyaanee;

[3]: Doubts will snatch you way! The one who transmits this speech and the reader are not able to guarantee that doubts will not enter their hearts, and they will not be able to remove them;

[4]: The people of innovation present doubts in a deceptive and disgusting manner. This is opposite of a Salafee scholar. The majority of the time, a Salafee scholar presents doubts (i.e. to be refuted) in a fashion which they do not stick to the hearts, and it is possible that he will not mention them at all. Not everything is meant to be mentioned.

[5]: It is upon a Muslim to be diligent and busy himself with what will benefit him from beneficial knowledge, he should leave these issue (i.e. refuting doubts) to the scholars. They are those who are able to handle these affairs;

[6]: Refuting doubts is the job of the scholars. It is not for everyone to clarify them.

These angles of proof prove that it is impermissible to take on this task.

(1) This benefit was brought to my attention and forwarded to me by my classmate, ‘Umar al-Ethiyoopee, may Allah bless him.

(2) [TN]: These are two nicknames that were given to the Salafees by those with sick hearts. Al-Jaamiyyah is a reference to Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee, may Allah have mercy on him, and al-Madaakhilah is in reference to Shaykh Rabee’ Ibn Haadee al-Madkhalee, may Allah protect him. Both of these derogatory nicknames are meant to imply that the Salafees are lead by these two noble scholars.

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