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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
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Diary of Day 3 - Madinah-al-Ilm and Bab-al-Ilm 4 Course |
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Day 3 - Wednesday 25th July 2007
Girls' diary: Qum: the city of knowledge. It is our third day here, and we already have had a great experience. After visiting Jamkaran yesterday, the bond of love that has developed for the 12th Imam is becoming even stronger day by day. The emotions that have filled our hearts are indescribable.
After going to mosque for many years and listening to many great recitors, us girls felt that it would be a great honour to learn to recite the Quran in a beautiful way - the way in which it deserves to be recited. We were honoured with the presence of an inspirational recitor who taught us to recite the Qur'an with our hearts. She taught us the different emotional tunes that are used while reciting the Qur'an which effect the audience deeply. Listening to her voice when she recited a happy or peaceful ayat made us feel calm and peaceful inside.
To see the photos click here
Visiting Bayt an Noor was spiritually uplifting because of the holy figures that were present there in the past. Bayt an Noor is the house where Bibi Ma'sumae Qum worshipped Allah (SWT) for approximately 16-18 days before her return to Allah (SWT). We were told that the Masumeen came to visit her when she died. Therefore, when we stood in the Mehrab we felt as if we were personally invited by all of them to greet them in the sacred place. It felt as if we were in heaven. It was a different atmosphere. One of the girls said to us, "I told Aliyah (our mentor) to take us to the Haram instead of Bayt an Noor as I wanted to sit in front of the zari. However, when I reached Bayt an Noor I just did not want to leave. It felt as if this was my home. I just wanted to be here forever and I thank Aliyah very very much to bring me here and I hope I come here again."
We went to the Haram and touched the Zari for the first time. There was a lot of pushing and pulling but many of us made it, touched it and even kissed it. One of the girls who made it said, "I just did not want to leave that place. I felt as if I was holding a precious gift that was sent from heaven." However, we were pushed back out.
We headed home, had dinner and went to sleep. We are planning to go to the Haram in the morning for Fajr Namaaz.
We can't wait for tomorrow. Until then Iltemase Dua.
By: Sidika Govani and Farzana Ladha
Boys diary: Yesterday the 25th of July, began with a fresh start with fajr salaat. All the students gathered together at the prayer hall, in the basement of the building. The spiritual aspects of the camp have affected many students and they were present at the prayer hall much earlier in order to pray the night prayer. This sight had no words for it for all those who witnessed the students waking up without the assistance of a mentor to pray a salaat that is very much recommended.
The Fajr prayer was led by a teacher of the hawza, and then dua al-Ahd was recited by a Saudi brother who has come on the Saudi short course to Qum.
After salaat, the students rested and woke up for breakfast at around 8am. The Qum office of the World Federation, had arranged for a more western style breakfast. A sight which is rarely seen on Iranian breakfast tables...Cereal! After a good breakfast, all the students prepared for their lessons.
The Madinat al-Ilm students entered their second lesson on Akhlaq with Br. Safiyullah, and the Bab al-Ilm students entered their Aqaid class with Mrs. Arastoo. The Akhlaq class continued from the previous days build up, on the difference between Humans and Animals, and how we as Humans can ensure that we do not fall to the level of Animals.
The Aqaid class was very well structured with Mrs. Arastoo building up on the basic elements of Usul al-Deen. She concentrated on how we as humans who have been given the blessing of the intellect can ascertain the foundations of our religion through our intellect alone.
Thereafter, a short break was given to the students and they then headed to their next class, which was Ahkaam for both the Madina and Baab students. Br. Nadir Jaffar built upon his previous lessons of Ijtihad and Marjaiyya and developed the understanding of the students as to how the Maraji' extract laws from the sources which are accepted by the Shia. He then answered general fiqh questions, and gave practical rulings on other fiqh issues.
The students then had their daily refreshment break where they were served with juice and a biting to eat. This brought us up to the final lesson of the day which was Islam and Politics for Madina students and Tafsir for Bab students.
The Islam and Politics class was given by Br. Shuja'at Pour, a very well read lecturer in Muslim Politics. His aim for the first few lessons is to bring about the awareness within the students as to how movies in today's world carry subtle messages that need to be understood and read between the lines. The students watched parts of the movie 300, and the lecturer explained to the students how the movie has depicted Muslims and the subtle messages given by those sections of the movie.
The Tafsir class saw Sister Khalfan continue her powerpoint presentations, this time on the topic of the day of judgement in the Quran. The class was very interactive and had an approach which ensured the students were kept engaged at all times.
Once the classes were over, the students freshened up and went for prayers and lunch. Yesterdays lunch was a traditional rice with fish, something most the students had never eaten before. Tacking the full fish was a bit of a challenge for some, but they soon got their hands stuck in!
After prayers, the students were free to use the internet and phone booths. The Qum office has made special arrangements with the Hawza, to allow the students of the camp to gain sole use of the internet room during the allocated time, between 2 - 4pm.
4pm brought about the first Quran lesson in the camp. The students all gathered in the prayer room and were tested for their ability to recite the Quran fluently, with the correct pronunciation as well as observing the rules of recitation. There after the students were split into their groups according to ability and a general introduction into the course was presented to them. Tomorrow we will see the first Quran class in action, with the students in the lower levels learning the correct pronunciation of Arabic letters, the intermediate group will learning the rules of recitation and the advanced level will learn both the rules and melodies of recitation of the Quran.
The students are used to enjoying free time during the next few hours from 5.30 to 7.40 before heading to the Haram of the Great Lady Fatima Ma'sooma (PBUH) for Salaat. However yesterday, the timetable allowed for students to shop in the local bazaars until Salaat time. The students were exposed to Iranian culture, goods and styles of bargaining!
At 7.40 the students headed to the Haram for prayers. Some prayed behind Ayatullah Ja'far Subhani and some prayed behind Ayatullah Amini. After Salaat and Ziyarat of the Holy Shrine, we all gathered by the Grave of the Great Jurist and Scholar of Islam who is buried within the vicinity of the Haram, Ayatullah Burujurdi. Here, we had a small 15min talk on the different graves within the Haram, and who the respected personalities are.
We left the Haram at around 9.00pm and headed for the Hawza for dinner.
The day had been long, tiring but at the same time fruitful and up lififting. The students retired to their rooms at 10.00pm for the day.
By: Alihusain Datoo |
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