The Beginning of Guidance for Muslim Women

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 dealing with classical texts.

We read the Arabic and English translations of the book and discuss a fairly detailed reading of the commentary on the four sins of the eye, the sins of the ear and the introductory paragraph to the eight sins of the tongue.

The question and answer section has been deleted from this audio recording for brevity.

The actual class begins at 4:09.

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 group MISK Women Halaqa, or contact via email: [email protected]. There is also a private Telegram channel that you can join after receiving the link.

This class summarises the first part of the book about the seeker of knowledge, and mentions the topics previously covered in the podcast episodes.

Then we begin Part 2 of the book - Avoiding the sins of the limbs. We covered the introduction to that section, the Quranic ayats and Hadith in it and what Imam al-Jawi says in his commentary. The seven body parts that will be discussed in detail in Part 2 were mentioned, and the next class begins with avoiding the sins of the eyes, in sha Allah.

For any enquiries or comments, please don't hesitate to contact us on [email protected]

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 much depth and clarity. Controlling the limbs from disliked acts so as to not nullify the blessing of the fast is emphasized.

Also, the importance of breaking one's fast on halal food, monitoring the quantity of food consumed in the evening and the abundant reward that awaits the fasting person in the Afterlife are all discussed, with the eloquence and experiential knowledge of the great masters of spiritual purification and wayfaring to God.

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 both valid and adorned with the correct etiquettes.

At around 26.30 the topic changes to the etiquettes of the Friday prayer and Fridays in general.

Why is Friday such a special day for Muslims? What should we do on Fridays?

Join us to find out how to beautify our prayers even more and how to really make Friday the best day of the week!

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, which support a profoundly spiritual understanding and assist the listener towards fulfilling what God wants from us in our ritual prayer.

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 inattentive heart.

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 that is good and beneficial!

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 seek to be protected from should they be present in other people.

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 blessed and potent time of the day.

Tune in to find out how to benefit yourself so early in the morning!