Shaykh Faraz Rabbani: Jawharat al-Tawhid

Lesson 1: Introduction

 - obligatory for one to have certain beliefs

 - what this book is about – 144 line poem

 - the author: Imam Ibrahim al-Laqani

 - commentaries on the book: 2 main ones

 - Ahmad al-Sawi (main commentary referred to)

 - Ibrahim al-Bajuri

 - The Author: Ibrahim al-Laqani

      - his life

      - his works

      - Jawharat al-Tawhid ('Jewel of Divine Unity')

 - the book – Jawharat al-Tawhid

 - Introduction

 - Messengers & Afterlife; good character

EXPLANATION OF BISMILLAH

 - significance of ب

 - الله

 - الرحمن الرحيم

 - text reference: Ma’ariful Qur’an

 - praise on Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)

 - importance of starting with bismillah

EXPLANATION OF PRAISE

1) All praise is for Allah for his blessings, & His peace and blessings be

 - definition of thanks (shukr)

 - definition of praise

- Qur’anic verse ""and few of my servants are indeed thankful""  - various types of praise

 - importance of giving thanks to others

 - thanking Allah for His blessings conditionally & unconditionally

 EXPLANATION OF PRAYER ON THE PROPHET (PEACE and BLESSINGS OF ALLAH BE UPON HIM

- His (the author’s) saying “then peace of Allah” - the meaning of salam (peace)

 - its meaning when we say it

 - His saying “with his blessings” - the meaning of salat (blessings)

 - the various prayers one can say on prophets; companions; people

DEFINITION OF PROPHET

 2) Upon a Prophet who came with divine unity.  He came with this message when religion had lost divine unity.

- the number of them

 - prophets mentioned in the Qur’an & our knowing them

 - His saying “upon a Prophet who came with divine unity” (با لتوحيد)

 - the significance of being 40 years old

      - example of Sayyiduna Yahya

      - example of Sayyiduna Isa

 - the meaning of came with divine unity

 - مع اعتقاد وحدته (firm belief)

 - His saying “and he came with this message when religion had lost divine unity”

3) He guided creation to the true religion with his sword and guiding to the truth with his sword and guiding to the truth.

 - His saying “his sword” - symbol of determination; not coercion

 - His saying “his guiding”

OUR MASTER MUHAMMAD (peace and blessings be upon him)IS THE FINAL PROPHET

4) Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the final messenger of his Lord.  And his family, companions & followers.

 - His saying “Muhammad”

- His saying “the final messenger of his Lord”

THE FAMILY OF THE PROPHET (peace and blessings be upon him) AND HIS COMPANIONS

- His saying “and his family”

 - اللهم صل على سيدنا محمد و اله و سلم

 - sending blessings signifies, our love, thankfulness & slavehood

 - levels of taqwa

- His saying “and his companions”