"The Invulnerable Fortress" - Sanctuary in Prayer
Suheil Laher
Thu Jan 21, 06-07:00pm, 1-134
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
It is said that God inspired John, the son of Zechariah, to command the Children of Israel to “remember God, for the likeness thereof is the likeness of a man who is swiftly pursued by an enemy, until he reaches an invulnerable fortress in which he secures himself. So, too, the servant [of God] will not secure himself from Satan except through remembrance of God.”
Prayer provides refuge, and emotional and responsive help to many. Ibn al-Jazari (d. 1429 CE) named his compilation of Islamic supplications "The Invulnerable Fortress," and found spiritual refuge in it from a bleak situation.
We shall look at the opening section of this book, which provides an overview and insights into prayer and supplication in Islam, and also at a selection of particularly beautiful prayers from it (all in English translation).
Contact: Suheil Laher, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
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Islam 101
Suheil Laher, Hossam Al-Jabri
Wed Jan 27, 06-07:30pm, 2-151
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
- Is Islam a religion of peace, as former-President Bush declared after 9/11?
- What is the Muslims' concept of God? The afterlife?
- Who was the Prophet Muhammad?
- What do Muslims say about Moses? Jesus?
- What are the 5 pillars of Islamic practice (devotion)?
- What is the Shariah?
Here is your opportunity to get an overview of what Islam is really about.
Bring all your questions, there will be time for discussion!
Contact: Suheil Laher, msa_imam@mit.edu
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Islamic Theology
Suheil Laher
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Why do we exist? What happens after death?
A theology is a worldview that answers these questions. This series (3 lectures with Q&A) explains the core concepts of Muslim theology: Belief in God, Revelation and Afterlife. It is suitable both for non-Muslims, who seek insight into this, and Muslims, who want a more detailed understanding or review. Other topics include: Reason and Faith, Resurrection, Destiny & Free Will.
Contact: Suheil Laher, W11, (617) 448-6361, msa_imam@mit.edu
Concept of God
Suheil Laher
This session focuses on the first and most important core belief: belief in God (Allah). We will start with an overview of Islam, and some other preliminaries, including the role of reason in Islam, then move on to talk about the existence of God and God's attributes. We will also touch on the concept of human free will.
Tue Jan 12, 06-07:30pm, 1-371
Scripture and Prophethood
Suheil Laher
This session focuses on the second core belief of Islam, which is the belief in prophets as mortal human beings who conveyed God's guidance to mankind. We also talk about books (scriptures) which some of these prophets received from God.
Thu Jan 14, 06-07:30pm, 1-371
Eternity
Suheil Laher
The final session in this series explores Muslim belief in the life after death, including concepts of the soul, human responsibility, and judgment.
Tue Jan 19, 06-07:30pm, 1-371
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