RAMADHAN@ISDEV: THE WEEKLY TUESDAY’S LECTURE

23 August - This week’s lecture still focused on ‘Tajwid’ (rules of Quranic reading) delivered by Ustaz Syahir Akram Hassan while the Tazkirah was given by Dr. Tahir. The tazkirah was a continuation of the previous’ week topic, the important of ‘Doa’. As usual, the lecture started with the solo rendition of the nasyid ‘Sunnah Orang Berjuang’ and ‘Islam Yang Telah Berkembang’ performed by Ustaz Mohd Syakir.

This time around Ustaz Syakir also took the opportunity to explain the meaning contained in the both lyrics of the nasyid. Adding to the previous explanation he said that based on Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:206, there is a story in which Muslims can use as a good example. The story contained in the said verse can also become a moral value for Muslims to practice when striving for the cause of Allah SWT. He said, there are two ways in order to attain Allah SWT redha (pleasures) which is to buy and sell one’s self for the sake and intention to receive Allah SWT redha.

He went on to describe the asbabul nuzul (reasons of revelation) for the said verse. It was a story about Suib bin Sirah Ar Rum who was from Rome and had migrated to Mekkah. He was rich Muslim. He had also participated in the Hijrah (migration). When he was about to leave he was rudely prevented from taking his vast wealth and valuables out of Mekkah. However if he agreed to surrender all of these wealth and valuables only then would they allow him to migrate. So Suib, surrendered all his wealth and valuables and migrated to Medinah. Upon his arrival at Medinah, he was given a Hero’s welcome and Rasullullah SAW said “Verily you are the most profitable person in business”.

In referring to the selling of one’s self is to sacrifice one’s soul and life for the sake of Allah SWT, Ustaz Syakir narrated another story on Habib bin Ali An Anso who was involved in the Battle of Badr. He had successfully killed the one of the leaders of the Quraisy, Uqbah al-Haris and thereafter had to live in hiding as he had faced death threats from the Quraisy. Unfortunately he was captured and sold to Uqbah’s son. Habib was crucified to death by Uqbah’s son.

The lecture then continued with the main topic on ‘Tajwid’. It was an extension of last week’s lectures on Mad Badl and Mad Shibhi Badl. This week’s focus was on the practical aspects of these tajwid rulings. Ustaz Shahir made reference to a number of verses in Surah Al-Ahqaf (verses 4 to 16) where the rules of Mad Badl are easily found. He then exhibited how these Quranic verses are to be read when in a state of wasl (continuity) or waqf (stop).

The lecture ended at 4.30 pm with the recitation of Tasbih Kiffarah and Surah Al-Asr followed by the congregational ‘Asr prayer.