Alhamdulillah, All Praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds, The Most Merciful, Gracious and Generous. May His peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet and Messenger, Muhammad and his noble family and companions. We have reached the end of our presentation of Imam al-Jawi's commentary Maraqi al-'Ubudiyyiah on Imam al-Ghazali's Bidayat al-Hidayat, The Beginning of Guidance. This book is 395 pages long, and for the majority of listeners, will have been the first time they have studied a...

In this episode, Imam al-Ghazali explains the characteristics and qualities you should look for in a companion, then he advises on how to uphold your duties and responsibilities to that person as their friend. In summary, seek to be in the company of those who remind you of God and help keep you firm on the Straight Path,. If you are blessed with such company, treat them with the best manners and prefer them and their needs over your own. Finally - remember that in the next life you will be...

The final section of the Beginning of Guidance on Etiquette with the Creator and Creation begins with advice on how conduct oneself and be in the presence of the One Who never leaves you, Mighty and Majestic is He. Then we discuss the advice of our Master and Guide, Imam al-Ghazali and the significant contributions of Imam al-Jawi, on the best comportment of: The scholar The student Children with parents, and The appropriate etiquette one should maintain with the general public. This is...

In this episode, we discuss the blessed Hadith of the great Companion, Sayyidna Mu'aath bin Jabal, may Allah be pleased with him, which summarises the transgressions of the heart and the journey of one's deeds towards Divine acceptance. As this is the conclusion of the second section of the book, Imam al-Ghazali offers his final advice to the student of knowledge about purifying the heart and warns sternly against using religious knowledge for worldly gain.

Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu Welcome back to the MISK women podcast series on Imam al-Ghazali's "Beginning of Guidance"! After a longer break than expected, we are back to complete the book, seeking to benefit from the great knowledge, wisdom and advice of the author and our noble and beloved commentator, Imam al-Jawi, may Allah have mercy and be pleased with them both. This episode is the recording of the last class we did on Zoom in October 2020. At about 53 mins the...

Imam al-Ghazali begins the next section on guarding against the three transgressions of the heart addressed in this book; envy, ostentation and conceit. The introduction looks briefly at the animalistic qualities inherent in a human being and how they are overcome by developing angelic qualities, through knowledge, wisdom and certainty. Two extremely important points are also mentioned for their relevance to the ideologically dominated time in which we live. Thereafter, the first of the...

This section on transgressions of the limbs ends with Imam al-Ghazali's advice on guarding the hands and feet from unlawful and unpraiseworthy acts. This part of the book is concluded by reminding people of the need to act positively and constructively to seek knowledge and sustenance, and to know that God's blessing upon you is facilitating that for you. The question and answer session at the end of the class has been edited out.

This week's class continued with the study of the transgressions of the limbs with a focus on the stomach and private parts - the two desires or two carnal appetites. Imam al-Ghazali approaches the topic of eating with a perspective based on consuming pure and halal food, and avoiding products about which one is doubtful. The topic of al-War' / scrupulousness regarding one's consumption was then discussed by looking at the famous hadith: "The halal is clear and the haram is clear and between...

The final five types of transgressions of the tongue are explained in detail according to Imam al-Ghazali's text and Imam al-Jawi's commentary and contextualized for contemporary times. This class deals with: Disputation, Argumentation and Competitive Debate Ascribing Goodness to Oneself Cursing Supplicating Against Creation Jesting, Ridiculing and Making Fun of People This episode ends with the example of Sayyidna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, and how he prevented...

This lesson takes us into the first of the types of speech that are hazardous and sinful for a Muslim who is concerned about their conduct in this life and the consequences of it in the next. Imam Al-Ghazali counsels us to avoid lying, which is one of the foundational sins of the tongue. Then breaking promises is discussed, with the hadith on the qualities of a hypocrite who is unable to rid oneself of the blameworthy qualities mentioned. The subtleties of backbiting are also examined,...

Welcome to the second, online class recording of Imam al-Ghazali's Beginning of Guidance (Bidayat al-Hidayat). We discuss how the commentator, Imam al-Jawi, builds his commentary by drawing upon eleven branches of knowledge that we identify and colour code in a sample paragraph. Not many English speaking, female students of knowledge would be exposed to such an analysis, albeit brief, and part of our goal at MISK Women is to expand the student's holistic understanding and competence in...

Welcome to our first class recording! We have switched from straight podcasting to teaching the text, The Beginning of Guidance, on the online Zoom format. These classes are available to all listeners who would like to attend in person on Sundays, or if you are unable, then you can still study the book via those recordings uploaded here. For class registration details, the time of the class in your location and other enquiries, please contact via Instagram @miskwomen, join our FB private...

This is a detailed episode divided into two parts. In the first part, Imam al-Ghazali discusses the voluntary fasts that are recommended on an annual, monthly and weekly basis. The rewards and reasons for fasting at these times are explained and the commentary provides supplementary proofs and insights into the merits of these non-compulsory fasting days. In the second part, the inward realities of restraining oneself from partaking in food and drink in daylight hours are discussed with...

Perfecting the etiquettes of the congregational prayer is an important part of a Muslim's family and community life. In this episode, we discuss the details of the etiquettes that pertain to the Imam (the person leading the prayer) and the Ma'mum (the person following in the prayer). The aspects of both practices that pertain specifically to women praying in congregation have been mentioned, in order to highlight the differences and ensure that women are performing group prayers that are...

We conclude our study of the formal prayer with Imam al-Ghazali's detailed explanation of how to perfect its performance. We are taken step-by-step through each movement, with advice on perfecting the raising of the hands to enter the prayer, the recitation of al-Fatihah, the bowing position, the prostration, exiting the prayer and the meanings of the supplications recited throughout. The text is supplemented with Imam al-Jawi's deep commentary and additions of other textual evidence,...

Join us in this episode for a detailed explanation of four short paragraphs in Imam al-Ghazali's Beginning of Guidance on preparing the heart before prayer! Firstly, we revise the conditions of prayer, such as having the correct purification, covering the body appropriately and standing facing the direction of prayer. Then Imam al-Ghazali informs us of the state of the heart that we need to nurture as we stand before our Lord, and of a little trick we can play on ourselves to remedy an...

Finish up your day the Prophetic way, by following the eight etiquettes of sleep described by Imam al-Ghazali in this chapter. Learn how to prepare for sleep, the dua and ayaat to read before sleeping, how to wake up and what does it mean to pray in your sleep? We are counselled to strive to implement the daily program laid out in this and all previous chapters of the book. A little effort and patience will result in eternal bliss...so do not waste your opportunities and strive for all...

In this episode, Imam al-Ghazali lays out the optimal schedule for benefiting from the remainder of the day from noon until the night prayer. He reminds us that we have a precious jewel in every moment... Discover how to prepare for each of the rest of the prayers, how to spend your time in between and how to purify the end of your day and commence with the evening in the best possible way.

After morning worship is concluded, how should we best spend our time until midday? Imam al-Ghazali counsels us in four areas of activity from which the person seeking her Lord in all times of the day will benefit the most.  We are taught about what beneficial knowledge is and what it should do for us, as well as to make sure that we spend our time in the dunya for the sake of the next life. We also learn about four behaviours in ourselves that we should strive to protect others from and...

In this episode we discuss some of the challenges facing mothers with young children and how to be worshipful in any situation. We expand upon the key concept of having a full worship schedule by learning how to structure and benefit the most from our time between the Fajr prayer and sunrise…and what you are missing if you go back to sleep! Imam al-Ghazali teaches us about the athan (prayer call) and how to respond, as well as the most comprehensive supplications to make at that most...

In this episode, we learn about the key concept in this book on the importance of having a worship schedule and how to fulfill it. We look at what to do in the early morning, the sunnah prayer of Fajr, preparing to go to the mosque and the general etiquettes of entering the mosque, greeting and waiting for the communal prayer to begin. Imam al-Ghazali teaches us the most important supplications to make at this time of the day, including the most beautiful dua for light. But how do women...

Islam is so complete and holistic that there is no physical state or human condition that prevents ritual purification. Whether it be a full bath from top to toe or the wiping of dust over the face and arms for the ill or injured, the Divine law provides a way to ensure that access to your Lord through purification and worship is always possible, regardless of your situation.

It's time to prepare for the performance of the prayer and acts of worship that require the minor ritual purification - wudu. Imam al-Ghazali takes us through the essential steps, with spiritual insights and meanings that explain how what looks like the mere washing of one's limbs is actually the key to entering the presence of the Divine.

There is no topic off the table in Islam...even the most mundane activity, such as personal hygiene, requires a dignified response that conforms to Prophetic etiquette and ensures that one's body and clothes are purified and ready for prayer. Perfecting the lowest aspects of life is akin to opening a door on to the first step of an illuminated staircase. As each level is reached and perfected with the best of actions and a present state of heart, a person ascends, by one divinely guided...