The lack of experience in the positional authority of Al-Islam and the practical processes of establishing Al-Islam has impacted the discourse and delivery of Al-Islam.

Subsequent to this phenomenon, a theoretical Islam is now commonplace where definitions, principles, concepts and solutions are only understood in idealised forms disconnected from the complex nuances of the real world experience. This disconnect between theory and practice has even given rise to erroneous ideas that only exist in the abstract and have no real existence in creation, let alone in Al-Islam.

Theory must be taught in light of three realities and mindsets:

  1. Source. The source is Allah and He only gives and bestows. Those who believe in Him and work for Him should attain more resources—first and foremost for this life—that is what Allah promised them. That is the tangible benefit of belief in Allah and it distinguishes a believer from a non-believer in this life!

  2. Generality. Specific rulings and exceptional or extenuating cases always fall within the generality or holistic nature of the deen, and therefore they must be understood with that perspective.

  3. Purposes. Intentions, plans and actions exist within goals and purposes. And it is goals and purposes that dictate direction and priority for both the individual and the collective.

Al-Khamsun bridges the gap between Islam in theory and Islam in practice. It was compiled with these three realities in mind in order to begin the tangible reality of Islamic Living—including its processes (e.g. institutions) and benefits—for both the individual and collective. Al-Khamsun is composed of 50 chapters where each chapter contains a verse and a prophetic report.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    The Soundness of Man before Revelation

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 1: The natural state of the human heart affirms a Supreme Being. It asserts that there can only be One at that ultimate level

    • Chapter 2: The intellect alone affirms a Supreme Being

    • Chapter 3: The characteristics of ability, talent and goodness are fitri

    • Chapter 4: The fitri goodness can be solidified, developed and increased. It can also deteriorate to the point of non-existence

    • Chapter 5: Role models must provide tarbiyah of fitrah, iman and character; that tarbiyah must be received willingly and obeyed

    • Chapter 6: Providing instruction on the realities of Allah and bonding with Him by means of love and exaltations is the essence of iman and tawhid
  • 2

    The Human Mind

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 7: People differ in their intellects and wisdoms

    • Chapter 8: Planned farsightedness for real results is always sought. Allah specifically loves this 'character' of the mind

    • Chapter 9: Delegate to people (their due) roles according to their natural and acquired abilities and experiences

    • Chapter 10: The wahy will never be in contradiction with the fitrah and mind (common sense and sound intellect). That is because all of them have a role in perfecting guidance. Both are nur (light) and the wahy only perfects and beautifies them
  • 3

    Responsibilities

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 11: All of us have guardianship, responsibilities and roles as all of us are the khalifah of Allah. Our honour and authority are contingent on fulfilling those duties

    • Chapter 12: The dunya life is a personal journey to the eternal life and to your Allah through the legislation of Muhammad

    • Additional comments on Chapter 11
  • 4

    Husband & Wife

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 13: Human beings are social beings and the utmost social delightful feelings & expressions can only be expressed with one’s spouses

    • Chapter 13 continued (I)

    • Chapters 13-15: Our best and worst come out with our spouses, so the best people to work with and develop ourselves in character is with our spouses. Ultimate authority was given to one partner, not both.

    • Chapters 15-17: Ultimate authority was given to one partner. Fairness between wives. Voluntary prayers, recitations and studying Al-Islam in the house is the greatest practical way to attain tranquillity and stability within the family
  • 5

    Daughter & Son

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 18: The act of creating is in and of itself amazing. Children are a gift and barakah from Allah; we must see and appreciate them as so.

    • Chapter 19: Expressing our love, care and protection towards our children—and children in general—is from the Mercy of Allah, and it is a means to attain the eternal Mercy

    • Chapters 20-21: Children are a gift, trust and responsibility. Teaching them has to be centred on bonding with Allah. The teaching method has to be practical through which it can take effect immediately within their lives.

    • Chapters 22-23: Justice and fairness are pivotal for harmony within a family such that even a gift is forbidden to be given 'favourably' to one and not the other(s). Daughters are the greatest physical blessing from Allah.

    • Chapter 24: Take children out to your places of work and trade for experience and confidence in the structural society. Teach them buying & selling early because there is no other freedom after iman and tawhid than [the freedom of] financial independence.
  • 6

    Mum & Dad

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 25: Allah took a mighty oath from us to care for our parents not [just] in their needs, but [also] in their yearnings and wishes. He decreed that we—their children— honour, love and respect them even after their deaths.

    • Chapter 25 Continued

    • Chapter 26: When our parents are old and frail the emphasis goes beyond general commandments. As they grow older and weaker, the commands become stronger and heavier.

    • Chapters 27-28: The father sacrifices his energy and joy—and sometimes his own life—to care, love and protect his children. Honouring, obeying, loving and taking care of parents brings barakah, and even miracles, and status within a generation.
  • 7

    Inheritance & Hierarchy

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapters 29-30: The more efficient and effective the leadership of the society is the more prosperity, stability and harmony will exist. There is always a practical structure of hierarchy within the Muslim community— beginning with 2 people.

    • Chapter 29: Inheritance must be divided according to the just legislation of Allah, as He has divided it according to the general and specific financial needs of everyone involved.
  • 8

    Establishing the Wahy

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 31: The ultimate goal given by Allāh to all the Prophets for this life is to establish the waḥy. And the ultimate personal goal and yearning is to be part of that establishment.

    • Chapter 32: This beautiful practical way of living is founded upon and enveloped with pure compassion, mercy and justice.

    • Chapters 33-34: Social and systematic oppression cannot be repelled except through collective effort, and it cannot be defeated completely nor uprooted except through another complete, just and harmonious system—Al-Islam.
  • 9

    Chain of Command

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapters 35-36: In any collective matter there needs to be a hierarchy of authority which must be obeyed. The perfect authority of hierarchy and power must come from within.

    • Chapter 37: After the ranks of eman, one is chosen according to natural social talents and skills, and thereby potentials. The more general, great and expertise there are the more opportunities are given for views and positions of authority and power

    • Chapter 38: The masjid upon the surface of the Earth represents physically and practically the core bond and the social structural institutions of a Muslim society and nation
  • 10

    The Muslim Economy

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapter 39: Trade is natural and part of surviving and living. For the economic stability of a community and nation, its prosperity, wealth and civilisation-building requires the establishment of central and ideal market places

    • Chapter 39 continued

    • Chapter 40: A community can never lead nor prosper if they do not master trade. Subsequently, the Prophet (s) legislated us to compete in a transparent manner. This healthy competition results in prosperity, technology and leadership in harmony to all

    • Chapter 41: It is not possible for government(s) to take care of all people and their needs. Therefore, there must exist an economic system which not only takes care of all people and their needs, but also takes care of the government itself

    • Chapters 41 & 42: Zakat is a very comprehensive system which not only stabilises the economy but also empowers the principle of equal opportunity of income and trade for all
  • 11

    The Last of the Fifty

    • Lecture Notes

    • Chapters 43-45: The stability and harmony of a nation is dependent upon the family and judiciary law. The Khalif represents the authority of the Prophets. Shaytan focuses upon taking away the legislated power of the Wahy from the Muslims.

    • Chapters 46-47: Humanity will reap fruits from the establishment of the Just and Merciful Legislation of Allah. There will always be a subtle group leading the standards and being victorious over iblis and the shayatin in all spheres - not just worship.

    • Chapters 48-50 | (Parts of the audio on this video is corrupted)

Instructor

Shaykh Abu Ubaid

Shaykh Abu Ubaid has spent almost 15 years abroad studying Islam in Bangladesh, Egypt and Mauritania. He is the Founder and Dean of Studies of Dar Al-Arqam, London UK, where he is also the lead instructor for many of its courses. He is also a Khateeb, board member and consultant to a number of organisations and businesses.