I get asked once in a while about classes on Islamic knowledge that takes place in and around town. Below is somewhat of a directory of (routine) classes that take place. Before that, I explain, that I am sharing for three reasons.
1 – Sometimes I share online about the knowledge I learn at these classes. Recently I found out that some people end up attending the classes based on the stuff I put out.
2 – My exposure to Islam, I suspect, is a little different than most Malaysians and I only noticed this recently. Some Malaysians complain that the classes or stuff they’re exposed to, are inclined towards a certain direction or angle that they’re not keen about which is, broadly speaking, about non-Musliams, hell fire and what things are forbidden (shari’a).
The classes I am familiar with, among other things, discuss about the spirit of Islam, the spiritual elements of Islam, the study behind the anecdotes and incidences involving the Prophet, his companions, his family and the scholars and leaders following his time.
These are the kind of things you could expect from going to the classes I write below. All of them are open to public. Please take note that these are gatherings for the purpose of learning, therefore please observe respectful conduct.
3 – When other scholars from out of Malaysia come to visit, they tend to have speaking engagements at these classes too. And is it normally at these classes, where you will get information of where else will they be speaking for their time in Malaysia.
*Please keep in mind, the information is correct at the point of publication. If they are not, please notify me via FB or phone. I will also continue to update this post as I get more info, especially the books that they are studying. Due to physical or audio limitation of the venue space (tend to be the case for classes at individual homes), some may be open to men only.
**On Monday 4th June 2012, a film screening of a documentary on Imam Ghazali is in the midst of being organized. Updates on this blog later.
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+ Every Monday night. Jalsa Isnain.
Some people in KL have been asked Al-habib Umar binHafidz (scholar who founded Darul Mustafa) to start ‘Jalsa Isnain’ or Monday Class. Several years ago, he started going to the market in Tarim, Hadhramout (Yemen) to teach the traders there on the premise that should traders be unable attend knowledge session at masjid or rubat, he brings the jalsa to them at their trading place. Now, every Monday night the market throngs with attendance; even the non-traders. Bringing knowledge by syarahan to the public in suitable places with traffic; of course with due permission. There’s currently two initiatives in the works for this. One in Shah Alam, one (English) in TTDI KL. Updates here soon. Both open to men and women, although the TTDI one will be youth centric.
+ Every Wednesday 8pm: Rubat Aljunied.
No.55, Jalan Opera K, U2/K, Seksyen U2, TTDI Jaya in Shah Alam; an upper floor shoplot. Habib Najmuddin Alkhered translates and elaborates 3 books. Ratib Al-Haddad is read upon commencement. Place can accomodate 60 men/women. Books are:
1. Fiqh (Jurisprudence) – Safinatun Najah (Most basic of books to understand Islam and its practices).
2. Sharhal Ainiyah by Al-Habib Ahmad bin Zain AlHabshi. As primary student of Imam Al-Haddad, Al-Habib Ahmad elaborate the qasidah of Imam Al-Haddad called ‘Al-Ainiyah’ – a 240-line poem describing and honoring past top-level islamic personalities from the Prophet s.a.w. to those in the times of Imam Al-Haddad. The book describe their noble characters, admirable deeds and words of wisdom duly recorded over time.
3. Tafseer Al-Quran with focus on the last juzu’; shorter surahs which mostly describe warnings about Allah’s punishments and the end of time.
+ Every Thursday 7pm: Madras At-Tazkiyah in Pantai Dalam every Thursday night.
Habib Mahadi Al-hamid and Ust Asyraff lead the Jumaat evening zikr after Maghrib prayers which is followed by the reading of the Maulid Dhiya-ul Laame’. This is followed by the reading and elaboration of the book Syama’il Al-Muhammadi by Hbb Mahadi and translated by Ust Asyraff. This book was authored by Syeikh An-Nabhaani a litlle more than a hundred years ago who collected and arranged all descriptions about the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.; ascendency, physical attributes, characters. For those who seeks to feel love of our Prophet s.a.w., this is an excellent start.
This class is also known as Darul Murtadza (live streaming at www.DarulMurtadza.com) and is led by Habib Ali Alhamid. It was previously in a surau in Keramat AU3, but the attendees kept growing, and went pass the 800 pax average per class. For now the new location (Muaz Jabal Mosque) seem to fit but the numbers continue to grow from what I hear. Setiawangsa LRT is walking distance. Open to men and women.
+ Saturdays. 3.30pm – 6pm. Uswatun Hasanah.
#7, Jalan 9/3A Shah Alam. This class is fairly small (12 pax average) but the most interactive. I can’t recall all of the books they study but one of it is Imam Nawawi’s Riyadhus Salihin (Garden of the Righteous). Another I can’t recall is by Habib Zein bin-Semait (also know as the Shafi’i of our day), who is based in Madinah. During one of his visits, he gave the name Uswatun Hasanah to the class/place, meaning ‘examplary/good example.’
At Uswatun Hasanah we read 1. Manhaj Assawii by Hbb Zain Bin Semait about the way of life of Ba Alawi. 2. Riyadhussalihin Vol 1. 3. Azkar An-Nawawi (Kumpulan Zikir2).
This class is led by Ustat Najmuddin Alkhered, largely in Bahasa Malaysia. Also, because it is at a house, the physical limitations make it open to men only, which is often the case for classes at people’s homes. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, this class does not take place in Shah Alam but in KL at a mosque. See below. Men only.
This class varies in size, you’re looking at above 100-200 pax. They study the books of Imam Alhaddad, including Al-nasaih Al-dinyyah (as per the Bahasa Malaysia translated book, Nasihat Agama dan Wasiat Iman). This class is quite insightful and like the class above, quotes a lot of Hadith and stories of Rasulullah, the Caliphs and other leaders before our time.
This class started in 2001 by Allahyarham Syed Ahmad bin Semait; translator of the books of Imam Al-Haddad to Bahasa Malaysia. Hbb Ali syarah Nasihat Agama dan Wasiat Iman after Maghrib while Hbb Najmuddin Alkhered syarah the Penuntun Hidup Bahagia after Isyá’.
Open to men and women.
+ Sundays. 12pm – 2pm. Madrasah An-Nur, Pantai Dalam.
This class is called Madras Annur initiated by Al-Habib Umar bin Muhammad bin Hafidz conducted in Bahasa Malaysia where 4 kitabs are read by 4 Ustaz for 20 minutes each starting at 12:00 noon until 13:30 pm followed by qasidah, doa, dhuhur prayers and light makan.
1. Tafseer: Al-Quran currently @ Surah Aali Imran by Imam Azian Man
2. Hadith: Sahih Bukhari currently in Vol 2 (Book of Solat) by Hbb Najmuddin Al-Khered
3. Fiqh (Jurisprudence): Kitab Tanbih by Abul Ishak As-Syiraazi translation and commentary by Hbb Ali ZA
4. Tasawwuf: Kitab Dakwah Yang Sempurna dan Peringatan yang Utama by Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad read by Ustaz Azahar Hashim and briefly commented by Hbb Ali ZA. By far the most beneficial and concise learning of all branches of ilm (knowledge) in one 1.5 hour session. Understated and undervalued. Probably due to the foundation set by Al-Habib Umar bin Hafidz.
+ 2nd & 4th Sundays. Maghrib onwards. Asma’ul Husna + lecture.
Al-Bukhary Mosque, Jalan Hang Tuah. Next to Victoria Institution, in front of KL Monorail station. Will update later on the books that they study here. Open to men and women.
