Who: Sheikha Munira Qubeysi
Sheikha Munira Qubeysi is considered one of the most influential leaders as she appeared in “The 500 Most Influential Muslims” list in 2009. She is the founder of the largest women-only Islamic movement in the world called Qubeysiat. Qubeysiat offers Islamic education exclusively to girls and women. She is the head of 80 schools in Damascus, which enroll 75,000 students.
Her movement focuses on learning the Quran and Hadith by heart. Because religious education of women was previously neglected, the rise of this much needed movement has allowed it to become incredibly successful. It is currently the leading Islamic movement in Syria, where it originated. She has now accomplished a large chain of madrassas (religious schools) throughout the Middle East.
Considering this great accomplishment, it is no surprise that Sheikha Munira Qubeysi has been titled the 31st most influential Muslim in the world.
By: Anas Alkatib Davenport University
On February 11, 2012 the Young Muslim Association (YMA) hosted an event at the Islamic Center of America (ICA) commemorating the birth of the seal of the prophet, the greatest man to set foot on earth, and the most beloved by Allah, his angles and all people that followed his teachings and the people that read about him. This great Prophet of all times is Mohammad Ibn Abdullah Ibn Abdul-Mutalib (AS).
The banquet started with the recitation of the holy Quran, followed by opening remarks from the Imam of the ICA Sayyid Hassan Al-Qazwini paving the way for the keynote speaker Imam Siraj Wahhaj, and ended with stomach aching laughter by comedian Amer Zahr.
Imam Syyed Qazwini talked about how he met with Imam Wahhaj in Virginia at a conference Islamic for Change. There, they both had and interesting yet positive conversation which struck a chord with Imam Qazwini when he said quoting Imam Wahhaj saying “I love all people”, so Imam Qazwini continued saying that “I asked him, do you love Shia too? And Imam Wahhaj said he loves them too…he didn’t say I love only Muslim, Sunnis, Shia, no, all people, that includes jaws Christians and everyone else.” Thus Imam Qazwini invited Imam Wahhaj to the ICA as a keynote speaker because the ICA is also Islamic first and foremost for all Muslims of all sects.
When Imam Wahhaj took the stage, he very humbled by the kindness and good gesture of Imam Qazwini, he said “I love Imam Hassan Qazwini, actually I’m in love with this man” of course he mean well by that and he continued on saying that “I would love to speak English the way that Imam Qazwini speaks English” it is to show that how eloquent and delicate yet precise words in which Imam Qazwini was choosing in his speech to describe the meaning and portray the image that he wanted to deliver metaphorically is just brilliant.
Imam Wahhaj continued on saying that although this is a celebration of the birth of the most wise and holy person on earth, but the reason that we love him so much is because Muslims love Allah all mighty and following his commandments Allah’s necessitation to obey the Apostles and its indication on allegory:
1 – Allah, Glorified and Exalted He said: (We sent not an apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah) [An-Nisa’ /64].
2 - And the Almighty said: (But you are truly a warner, and to every people a guide) [Ar-Ra’d /7].
3 - And the Almighty said: (We send the apostles only to give good news and to warn: so those who believe and mend (their lives), upon them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve) [Al-An’am /48].
In these verses and the like, Allah shows that the highest goals of sending the Apostles - peace be upon them– are confined to their obedience, to heed their orders, to yield to what they preach from Allah.Thus loving the prophet is paramount were the prophet himself said in narration of Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) "No one is a true believer unless I'm more beloved to him than his father (parents), his son (children) and all people."
Imam Wahhaj also delved into how Prophet Mousa (AS) considered himself the wisest man on earth, but Allah told him that there is a man whom is more knowledgeable that he is, so he tried to seek knowledge from that man whom is known by Al-Khadhr (may Allah be pleased with him), whom was given knowledge that prophet Mousa (AS) didn’t possess. And we all know the story which is in Surat [Al-Kahf /66]. While Al-Khadhr and prophet Mousa (AS) where in a boat, they saw a bird sipping water; Al-Khadhr told prophet Mousa (AS) that “My knowledge and your knowledge combines is as much as the sip of water of that bird compared to Allah all mighty, and I have knowledge that you don’t know, and you have knowledge that I don’t know.
Imam Wahhaj continued on and said that during the Israa’ wal Mi’raj when Allah the all mighty told prophet Mohammad (AS) to order the followers to pray 50 times a day, and while he’s coming down the heavens he met prophet Mousa, and asked him what did he tell you to do, and the prophet told him to order the followers to pray 50 times, and prophet Mousa (AS) told prophet Mohammad (AS) to go back and ask to reduce it because your people can’t pray that much. This is point that Imam Wahhaj wanted to point out that how would a prophet who just got order from Allah all mighty to go back and ask him to reduce something more than once until Allah has reduced it to 5 prayers per day, and even then, prophet Mousa (AS) told him prophet Mohammad (AS) to go back and reduce it.
Imam Wahhaj lastly conveyed that there are women that don’t wear hijab, argue to show them one single verse where is says it is mandatory, yet those same women asking for proof don’t even pray. Thus what would the benefit of asking about finding a verse while you’re not even practicing the basic right that Allah has commanded of you to do?
Imam Wahhaj thanked Imam Qazwini for hosting this event at the ICA and the YMA and all the youths that have volunteered to make this event a successful and fruitful one.
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