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The Divine Names: Oneness of Majesty and Beauty 1

The Beautiful Names of Allah 1

Module Description

This course, in two modules over two terms, comprehensively explores the Divine Names of Allah, emphasising their linguistical, theological and spiritual significance. The work of Imam al-Ghazali, ‘ The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God,’ is the core text informing this course, divided into three main parts.
Part one comprises four chapters discussing linguistical and spiritual significance regarding the Divine names. Part two consists of three chapters, which elaborate on the meaning of each of the Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. Part three comprises three chapters examining God’s infinite names, the merit of His Ninety-Nine names, and whether He can be described by an attribute solely on reason or must have come from Himself. 

In the first module, we hope to cover al-Ghazali’s The Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God, part 1 of the book, and 26 of the 99 names of Allah -(26) Al-Mudhill (He who humbles). from part 2.

Please find below detailed plan for each lesson, the Topic and a description of what will be covered in this lesson

WeekTopic
Week 1Introduction & Part 1 preliminary and introductory matters;
Chapter 1– Explaining the truth of what is to be said concerning the name, the named, and the act of naming.
Week 2Part 1 preliminary and introductory matters;
Chapter 2– Exposing the errors into which most groups have fallen regarding this matter.
Chapter 3 – Clarifying whether it is permitted for those names of God which are close to one another in meaning-like al-‘Azim (the Immense), al-Jali1 (the Majestic), and al-Kabir (the Great)-to be predicated according to a single meaning so that they would be synonymous, or must their meanings differ?
Week 3Part 1 preliminary and introductory matters;
Chapter 4 – How man shares in the meaning of each of the names of God-great and glorious.
Week 4Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Three chapters, which elaborate on the meaning of each of the Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence. Part 2
Week 5Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (1) Allah and there is no other god but He: (2) Al-Rahman (The Infinitely Good), (3) Al-Rahim (The Merciful), (4) Al-Malik (The King)
Week 6Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (5) Al-Quddüs (The Holy), (6) Al- Salam (The Flawless), (7) Al-Mu’min (The Faithful),
Week 7Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (8) Al- Muhaymin (The Guardian), (9) Al-‘Aziz (The Eminent), (10) Al-Jabbar (The Compeller), (11) Al-Mutakabbir (The Proud).
Week 8Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (12) Al-Khaliq (The Creator), (13) Al-Bari’ (The Producer), (14) Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner), (15) Al-Ghaffar (He who is full of forgiveness).
Week 9Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; (16) Al-Qahhär (The Dominator), (17) Al- Wahhab (The Bestower), (18) Al-Razzäq (The Provider), (19) Al-Fattah (The Opener).
Week 10         Part 2 Ninety-Nine names of God and how they relate to God’s essence.
Chapter 1– the clarification of the meaning of the ninety-nine names of God. An explanation of each name; Opener), (20) Al- Alim (The Omniscient), (21) Al-Qabid (He who contracts), (22) Al-Basit (He who expands), (23) Al- Khäfid (The Abaser), (24) Al-Raf (The Exalter), (25) Al-Mu’izz (The Honourer), (26) Al-Mudhill (He who humbles).
        

Al-Ghazali on the Ninety-Nine Beautiful Names of God: Al-Maqsad Al-Asna Fi Sharh Asma’ Allah Al-Husna
(The Islamic Texts Society’s al-Ghazali Series)

In this work, here presented in a complete English edition for the first time, the problem of knowing God is confronted in an original and stimulating way. Taking up the Prophet’s teaching that ‘Ninety-nine Beautiful Names’ are truly predicated of God, the author explores the meaning and resonance of each of these divine names, and reveals the functions they perform both in the cosmos and in the soul of the spiritual adept. Although some of the book is rigorously analytical, the author never fails to attract the reader with his profound mystical and ethical insights, which, conveyed in his sincere and straightforward idiom, have made of this book one of the perennial classics of Muslim thought, popular among Muslims to this day.

(Imam) Ghazali is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad,


(Imam) Ghazali is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmad, Abu Hamid Hujjat ai-Islam al-Ghazali al-Tusi, the Shafi’i Imam, Proof of Islam, and Sufi adept born in Tabiran, near Tus Gust north of present-day Mashhad, Iran), in 450/1058. The Imam of his time, nicknamed Shafi’i the Second for his legal virtuosity, he was a brilliant intellectual who first studied jurisprudence at Tus and then travelled the Islamic world to Baghdad, Damascus, Jerusalem, Cairo, Alexandria, Mecca, and Medina, taking Sacred Knowledge from its masters, among them the Imam of the Two Sanctuaries Juwayni, with whom he studied until the Imam’s death, becoming at his hands a scholar in Shafi’i law, logic, tenets of faith, debate, and in the rationalistic doctrines of the philosophical schools of his time, which he was later called upon to refute. When Juwayni died, Ghazali debated the Imams and scholars of Baghdad in the presence of the vizier Nizam al-Mulk, who was so impressed that he appointed him to a teaching post at the Nizamiyya Academy in Baghdad, where word of his’ brilliance spread and scholars journeyed to hear him. ...Read More

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Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood

Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood’s educational journey in the Islamic disciplines comprises a rich tapestry of experiences from the late 90s to 2007. He sought knowledge in many locations, benefiting from and receiving licenses in general and specific areas from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Morocco, Turkey, Mauritania, Makkah and Madinah.

The central place of studying abroad unfolded in Damascus, where Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood immersed himself in a traditional curriculum. He received one-on-one tutoring for particular subjects or was part of a small group of students. Over time, he studied various subjects to their advanced levels with various scholars. This led to a comprehensive study of the well-known and established scholarly works, showcasing the depth of arguments and positions representing the mainstream understandings of this Ummah.

Since his return to the UK in the last 17 years, Shaykh Thaqib Mahmood has been actively involved in teaching a broad spectrum of Islamic disciplines, from Sirah to Tafsir. In addition developing educational programmes at the various institutions he’s been serving. His significant contributions include a 9-year tenure as a Quranic Arabic tutor at the University of Oxford, where he designed and developed the Quranic Arabic programme, which was previously neglected, bringing it up to par with the other languages taught at the Faculty of Theology and Religion. He also played a crucial role in creating the first approved BSL (British Sign Language) Adhan, providing essential knowledge of the Arabic phrases that BSL can best capture. His academic achievements include a PGDip in teaching communicative Arabic and an MA in linguistics; he completed both postgraduate programmes at SOAS, which have further enriched his understanding and teaching of Islamic disciplines....Read More

Location

Bury Park Community Centre, 161, 161b Dunstable Rd, Luton LU1 1BW.
Zoom: links will be provided via email

Date/Time

Starting – 13th January 2023 for 10 weeks
Saturday – 10.30am to 11.30pm

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