This 8-unit course is designed to nurture two fundamental elements of the human being: fitrah and mind.

The fitrah, usually described as the innate and pristine nature within humans, refers to a natural condition where man has conformed to the God-given standards of integrity and virtue. It is an inborn tendency towards justice, compassion, good will and worship, and an abhorrence for depravity and wickedness.

Emphasis is also given to the mind in order to foster a particular mindset, an attitude that determines how we interpret and respond to situations. It serves to organize and broaden our thoughts and their processes, to make them sensitive of subtleties, perceptive of eventualities, and principled and pragmatic when formulating responses.

The fitrah and sound mind define our humanity. They are not derived from religion. They preceded it. Religion only strengthens them. There is a natural correspondence between them and Islam. That is because Islam provides the ideal conditions for sustaining and developing them.

A summary of the 8 units follows:

UNIT 1: Tarbiyah of the Fitrah

Each topic is discussed in light of a Name of Allah that corresponds with the fitri quality.

  1. Fitrah
  2. Tawakkul (Trust, determination and taking action)
  3. Ihsan (Pioneership and mastery)
  4. Haya (Shyness)
  5. Izzah (Honour, integrity and independence)

UNIT 2: Tarbiyah of the Aql (Mind)

  1. Ulul-Albab (People of Understandings)
  2. Al-Hilm wal-Anah (Hilm is forbearance, discipline, self-control and endurance. Anah is deliberateness. To deliberate is to carefully think or talk something through; it means slow (as opposed to hasty), measured, and careful decision making)
  3. Al-Taharri and al-Tabayyun (Examining, investigating and seeking clarity on matters)

UNIT 3: Generic characteristics of a Muslim

  1. Al-Amanah was-Sidq (Dependability and truthfulness)
  2. Husn al-Dhann (Positivity and abstinence from suspicion)
  3. Al-Tasamuh (Tolerance and leniency)
  4. Al-Tamassuk bil-Haqqi wal-Jama‘ah (Adhering to the truth and the congregation of Muslims)

UNIT 4: Ghayat (Goals, ambitions) of the Sahabah with Allah

  1. His eternal Maghfirah (Forgiveness)
  2. His eternal Rahmah (Mercy)
  3. Eternal Ikram (Honour & Status) with Allah
  4. His eternal Love and the Meeting with Him

UNIT 5: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the Day of Judgement

  1. Admission into Jannah, ascending its ranks and companionship with the Messenger sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam
  2. To cross the bridge over Hell quickly
  3. To be eligible for intercession
  4. To be on the right side of the Throne of Al-Rahman
  5. To stand in the shade of the Throne
  6. To drink from the hawd (pond) of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

UNIT 6: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the time of death and in the grave

  1. Acceptance of good deeds and leaving behind sadaqah jariyah and a legacy
  2. Husn al-Khatimah (a good ending)
  3. Having present at least 40 sincere believers at the janazah
  4. Tawfiq to answer the 3 questions of the grave
  5. Protection from the torment of the grave

UNIT 7: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the dunya

  1. Removal of zulm (oppression), spreading of justice and establishment of the Deen
  2. Protection of mankind and the Muslims especially the weak and the poor
  3. Bringing joy and happiness to others and repelling the reasons and means of their sadness
  4. Protection of the honour of man, Muslims and in particular Muslim women
  5. The unity of the Muslims
  6. Attaining wealth and prosperity for Allah, His Messenger, the Deen, the Muslims, and humanity at large

UNIT 8: Common ibadat (acts of worship) amongst the Sahabah

  1. Frequent dhikr (remembrance) and tilawah (recitation)
  2. Frequent salah and in particular qiyam al-layl
  3. Diligence in zakah, and frequent sadaqah, lending, awqaf (endowments) and feeding the poor
  4. Frequent siyam
  5. Actively seeking knowledge and tarbiyah
  6. Establishing the Deen

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Unit 1: Al-Fitrah

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 1.1 to 1.3

    • 1.1 Fitrah - Part 1

    • 1.2 Fitrah - Part 2

    • 1.3 Fitrah - Part 3

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 1.4 to 1.6

    • 1.4 Tawakkul (Trust, determination and taking action) - Part 1

    • 1.5 Tawakkul (Trust, determination and taking action) - Part 2

    • 1.6 Tawakkul (Trust, determination and taking action) - Part 3

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 1.7 to 1.9

    • 1.7 Ihsan (Pioneership and mastery) - Part 1

    • 1.8 Ihsan (Pioneership and mastery) - Part 2

    • 1.9 Ihsan (Pioneership and mastery) - Part 3

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 1.10 to 1.11

    • 1.10 Haya (Shyness) - Part 1

    • 1.11 Haya (Shyness) - Part 2

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 1.12 to 1.15

    • 1.12 Izzah (Honour, integrity and independence) - Part 1

    • 1.13 (Honour, integrity and independence) - Part 2

    • 1.14 Izzah (Honour, integrity and independence) - Part 3

    • 1.15 Izzah (Honour, integrity and independence) - Part 4
  • 2

    Unit 2: Mind

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 2.1 to 2.3

    • 2.1 Ulul-Albab (People of Understandings) - Part 1

    • 2.2 Ulul-Albab (People of Understandings) - Part 2

    • 2.3 Ulul-Albab (People of Understandings) - Part 3

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 2.4 to 2.5

    • 2.4 Al-Hilm wal-Anah (Forbearance and deliberation) - Part 1

    • 2.5 Al-Hilm wal-Anah (Forbearance and deliberation) - Part 2

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for 2.6

    • 2.6 Al-Taharri wal-Tabayyun (Examining, investigating and seeking clarity on matters)
  • 3

    Unit 3: Generic Characteristics of a Muslim

    • Talking Points for 3.1 to 3.2

    • 3.1 Amanah & Sidq (Dependability and truthfulness) - Part 1

    • 3.2 Amanah & Sidq (Dependability and truthfulness) - Part 2

    • Talking Points for 3.3 to 3.4

    • 3.3 Husnu-Dhann (Positivity and abstinence from suspicion)

    • Talking Points for 3.4 (Tasamuh)

    • 3.4 Husnu-Dhann - Part 2 & Tasamuh (Tolerance & Leniency) - Part 1

    • 3.5 Tasamuh (Tolerance & Leniency) - Part 2

    • 3.6 Al-Tamassuk bil-Haqqi wal-Jama‘ah (Adhering to the truth and the congregation of Muslims) - Part 1

    • 3.8 Al-Tamassuk bil-Haqqi wal-Jama‘ah (Adhering to the truth and the congregation of Muslims) - Part 3
  • 4

    Unit 4: Ghayat of the Sahabah with Allah

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for Unit 4

    • 4.1 Introduction: Putting the journey of life in perspective

    • 4.2 Introduction cont. | Goals with Allah - Part 1

    • 4.3 Goals with Allah - Part 2
  • 5

    Unit 5: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the Day of Judgement

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for Unit 5

    • 5.1 Ghayat for the Day of Judgement - Part 1

    • 5.2 Ghayat for the Day of Judgement - Part 2
  • 6

    Unit 6: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the time of death and in the grave

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for Unit 6

    • 6.1 Ghayat of the Sahabah for the time of death and in the grave - Part 1

    • 6.2 Ghayat of the Sahabah for the time of death and in the grave - Part 2

    • 6.3 Ghayat of the Sahabah for the time of death and in the grave - Part 3
  • 7

    Unit 7: Ghayat of the Sahabah for the Dunya Life

    • Talking Points & Supplementary Reading for Unit 7

    • 7.1 Ghayat of the Sahabah for the Dunya Life - Part 1

    • 7.2 Ghayat of the Sahabah for the Dunya Life - Part 2
  • 8

    Unit 8: Common Ibadat (Acts of Worship) amongst the Sahabah

    • Talking Points for Unit 8.1 to 8.4

    • 8.1 Frequent Dhikr (Remembrance) and TIlawah (Recitation) - Part 1

    • 8.2 Frequent Dhikr (Remembrance) and TIlawah (Recitation) - Part 2

    • 8.3 Frequent Dhikr (Remembrance) and TIlawah (Recitation) - Part 3

    • 8.4 Frequent Dhikr (Remembrance) and TIlawah (Recitation) - Part 4

    • Talking Points for Unit 8.5 to 8.6

    • 8.5 Frequent Salah and in particular Qiyam al-Layl - Part 1 (Audio Only)

    • 8.6 Frequent Salah and in particular Qiyam al-Layl - Part 2 (This is lesson 45. Ignore caption on video)

    • Talking Points for Unit 8.7 to 8.10

    • 8.7 Diligence in Zakah, Frequent Sadaqah, Lending, Establishing Awqaf (endowments) and Feeding the Poor - Part 1

    • 8.8 Diligence in Zakah, Frequent Sadaqah, Lending, Establishing Awqaf (endowments) and Feeding the Poor - Part 2 (This is lesson 47. Ignore caption on video)

    • 8.9 Diligence in Zakah, Frequent Sadaqah, Lending, Establishing Awqaf (endowments) and Feeding the Poor - Part 3

    • 8.10 Diligence in Zakah, Frequent Sadaqah, Lending, Establishing Awqaf (endowments) and Feeding the Poor - Part 4

    • Talking Points for Unit 8.11

    • 8.11 Frequent Siyam (Fasting) (Audio Only)

    • Talking Points for 8.12

    • 8.12 Actively Seeking Knowledge & Tarbiyah

    • Talking Points for 8.13

    • 8.13 Establishing the Deen

    • 8.14 Conclusion

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.