SHARIAH PROGRAM STUDENT CONTEST ENTRIES OCTOBER 2013

The question: What was the biggest transformation you experienced since you started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program? Below are the responses we received, in no particular order:

Salaam everyone! Briefly, I'm an Irish/American guy from the Midwest, USA. I had a dream of learning Islam at a higher level. For whatever reason though, this dream never materialized. In my quest to still learn the Arabic language, I found out about this program and gave it a shot. In the beginning, Mufti Yusuf asked a question, "What is the miracle of the Qur'an?" He went on to say that through learning this material, the true miracle of Qur'an will begin to open up and be understood. Two years later, I can effortlessly say He delivered on his promise. It is a great mercy that I can have a family, full time job, etc. and still be able to learn this level of knowledge. For me, this became bigger than learning a language. It is teaching me the true depth of our deen and the legacy our scholars have left us with. Not to mention, being able to read Qur'an and for the first time actually know what I'm reading. I would like to outline the benefits as a way to motivate the passive onlooker into making that first step and critical shift to active participant. Instead, I will just say two words, "Life changing." I am truly indebted. Br. Yaseen

My husband Daud, who recited the Qur'aan by the time he was fiteen, and myself, a european muslim convert, have always loved very much to pray together. My fascination for Islam, the culture, the way of life it stands for, dates from my long journey as a medical student to Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. And that is quite a while ago! After three serious attempts to learn the language had failed, I gave up, and learned a number of the verses of the Qur'aan by transliteration, and listening to great reciters, with Daud's generous support. That was comforting. Then I joined this program- Al-Hamdu lillh - that quickly surpassed my wildest expectations:

serious, thorough, to the point and still friendly to an anxious beginner like me. I had at last found the right way to make progress, inchah'Allh. Last week I opened the Qur'aan and I could actually READ the verses I had learned so patiently to recite, my heart jumped, tears in my eyes, it was such an emotional moment! My husband says I radiate happiness ( he does, too ), and our prayer times are pure magic, just imagine us reciting: " Ihdin-s-sirta-l-Mustaqim"..... Amira

Ever since I was little, my parents would send me from madrasah to madrasah (religious school) where the teachings were always touch and go. When they taught Arabic, it was always given a small amount of time only, and the textbooks were always in Arabic even though we didn't understand it yet! Needless to say, the amount of Arabic that I learnt was negligible even after all my childhood years. However, after joining this program, a whole new world opened up to me. I began to understand verbs and tenses and most importantly to me, the meanings of all the different strokes on each letter. A few weeks into the program, I even began to see glimmers of understanding when I read the Qur'an, without having to rely on a translation! Subhanallah. The few weeks that I spent on this program have far outweighed the years of madrasah which I attended, and I believe that with a little effort, anyone can make the same progress that I have. Zaki

Asalaamu alaikum, Here is my entry, in poetry. What was the biggest transformation you experienced since you started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program?" Although I'm only a recent recruit of the program, Already, I feel, I can understand the Imam, It starts with just an odd word here and there, Inshallah, soon, to be the complete prayer, As with everything in life, the foundation must be strong, To achieve anything of note, and all that you long, Hence, verb tables and nouns may cause me to tire,

I cannot be distracted , to achieve what I aspire, For this knowledge is nothing from the ordinary, It's the words of our creator, to you and me. Asif Sharif

Assalaamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barkatuhu everyone, Just yesterday, a friend came to visit me after a long time. I was telling him the story of Sayyidina Yusuf (alayhis salaam). I opened up Qasasun Nabiyyin, the book that we start from the third week of the Shariah Program, and translated some portions for him as I told him the story. And then I opened up Surah Yusuf and translated the first few lines for him. Few days ago I happened to come across to a discussion of a scholar online, who was speaking in classical Arabic and to my utter joy, I was actually understanding much of what he was saying. Yet there were times in the past where I felt that between Arabic and myself was an almost insurmountable barrier. I am only in the 14th week of my Arabic studies, and though I am fairly consistent in my studies, due to my job I am not able to dedicate as much time as I would have liked to, and even after that I see much progress. I see myself transformed from being stuck with a few words and concepts and sentences of Arabic to a stage where I can acquire meaning as I encounter new material. As I read the Holy Quran, I see myself slowing down, trying to understand and appreciate what Allah says, and I feel the words like never before... and what makes me most hopeful is the fact that this is only the beginning! This hope along with its practical manifestations of progress which I am seeing in myself every few days is what I consider to be the biggest transformation that I have experienced up to this stage. All praise and thanks be to Allah and also to our teachers in Shariah Program. It's inspiring to see how much good work Mufti Yusuf Mullan and his team has put in to this program to increase its efficacy among its target audience. Rubaiyat Yameen

As everyone shares I have started understanding the Words of Allah. What makes me so happy is that Im able to interact with the Quran when reading it, in fact tears roll down my eyes when I read through verses of punishment (this never happened to me before) One of the most important thing as I live in an Arab country is that I have started understanding the Jumuah khutbah. This brings me great happiness as I have been living in Dubai for 16 years and I was not able to benefit from any one Jumuah khutbah I attended . By Allah's help and by joining shariah program now alhamdulillah I am able to comprehend what is said . The funny thing is that now I am able shine in front of my family as I am the only one who knows Arabic in my family lol. :p Aysha Karmadath

I have been a student with the Shariah Program pre-video days when it was only audio! I know hard to even imagine it. Even though I have still not completed the program due to something or the other unexpectedly popping up whether it was the huge continent move, having our first child or frequent travelling I have always returned to SP during those years. What always pulled me back was Ustadh Yusuf's enthusiasm and his expertise. It transformed me in a subtle yet profound way by evoking a long-lasting passion for the Arabic language. I have certainly taken my share of other Arabic courses online and in person but rarely felt the zeal linger more than a few lessons and soon after it felt burdensome and honestly quite boring. So when my latest subscription expired (back then the students had to pay for 3 or 6 month subscription to attend live classes) I took a hiatus from Arabic as life kept me busy. Some months ago during my online surfing I found my way to the revamped Shariah Program course description page and signed up for the 'early-bird'. I instantly received a video of Ustadh Yusuf outlining his methodology and I felt my heart-racing; I knew this lifetime, never expiring membership was definitely worth its value. However, in the back of my mind I thought of the tight money situation we will be hurled into when buying a house in an expensive real estate where we happen to live. A few weeks later my birthday was around the corner. My husband usually takes me out for dinner and presents me with a gift, not necessarily on the exact birth-date but around the same week. So on the weekend after having finished our dinner we strolled around the mall and came to the high-end, branded shops. Hubby goes to me, "You can buy whatever you want." It was really generous on his part especially knowing our savings will be put in a heavy down-payment and agency fees for the house. We browsed through some shops before settling to eat something sweet. I then told him I have decided what I want. He eagerly asked me what it was, I replied without hesitation,"I want to get a life-time subscription for the Shariah Program." He looked at me surprisingly and said, "Isn't it the same one you have taken before couple times and didn't finish?"

I sheepishly look down and reply "Oh, yes that is the one." He then says, "Why this particular Arabic course, why not some other?" I then started rambling on how other courses I have taken don't even come close to what the Shariah Program offers and what it provides is something I can keep on going back to over the years. The delivery system of their content is 'fresh' it keeps me motivated and enthusiastic even when I think I have had enough of Arabic. Every time I listen to Ustadh Yusuf especially when I encounter the 'ahas and epiphany' moments it never fails to reignite my passion for the Arabic language. I certainly believe a teacher can be very knowledgeable in their respective field but not every teacher has the ability to keep their students successfully engaged for a prolonged period of time, not to let them loose sight of the bigger picture and always make them thirst for more and more. It has been 6 months now since I have signed up for the life-time, self-paced subscription and just between the two of us it is the best gift I have ever gotten. Tanzila

What was the biggest transformation you experienced since you started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program?" Well, what can I say except that just after attending the few months classes, my world of ibadah and engagement with Allah (S) has changed irreversibly - Sub-han-Allah! I would not write what I am writing now publicly but with a view to benefitting others I am writing this response and the experience of personal transformation. The learning I acquired over the last just 4 months in the first semester has added a whole new dimension to my inner life and concentration in the salaah. Last night at Jami Omar, Ottawa in Isha salaah (and I had not seen this email until after Juma now) I was reciting the verses of Surah Sho-a-ra': Watlu alaihim naba-a Ibrahim, idh qaala le-banihe wa-qaumehi maa ta'budoon, and I felt unbelievably strong connection in my qira'ah. As I was reciting, I felt my tone was changing without exerting any efforts because I was able to relate to amazing questions and responses of Saiyedanaa Ibrahim (AS). Before that I knew what I was reading but now I was able to connect with each word and word endings. Before I knew the summary of what I was reading now I understand each word I am reciting. Non-Arabic speaking people who know Quran by heart, there is always a struggle to keep the order of dhamma and ksrah on each word and word endings. We memorize Al-Quran traditionally before we reach the age of 10. We recite how we have memorized - typically. As our aging memory fades, there is a huge struggle to recite correctly in the salaah, specially when you are leading the salaah of hundreds of people in jama'ah. Now I have no doubts in my mind when reciting: Wa-junudu ibleesa ajma-un or wa-junuda ibleesu aj-maun. I do not have to worry about: wa-izib-talaa Ibraahima Rab-buhu or Ibraahimu Rab-bahu (a-u-bil-Allah) - thanks to the design and style of the Shariah Program. In engineering I have used extensively the principle of Pareto indicating 20% of the issues causing 80% of the grief. I see this approach almost each time I watch the videos and listen to our Mufti Saheb (Hafizahu-Allah) - this principle seems to be repeating but at the same time delivering

the benefit. The experience I have gained is beyond the epiphany level. I am still not able to maximize the opportunity afforded to me through this program due to many other responsibilities, however, anyone who is in 20's, 30's or 40's and ever wanted to learn the deen of Allah (S), you have the opportunity literally knocking your doors - pay a little bit of money, stay in the comfort of the home and succeed in your learning objecitve. You have now NO excuse. And this is not a marketing blip for the Shariah Program, but a naseehah from a life long educator/learner of the deen of Allah (S). Allah knows best Anver Moallim

I never knew learning arabic could be fun. I am just addicted to the course vedios. Literally my family has to force me every night to stop watching and to go to bed. I cant help - it is as if my long time dream is about to come true. Yes I can now reach my goal to read classical arabic books. But I have wait for at least 2 years to do that - to complete the course. I feel as if this is a long time. I wish I could watch and learn all in 6 months time. Atif Ahmed

On a lighter note, my ability to speak Urdu with my in-laws has improved. I grew up never speaking too much Urdu and I never realized how much is loaned from Arabic. Studying has impressed my in-laws and thus is a big boost to my marriage :) More importantly, I feel like I am experiencing the Qur'an more. When I listen to its recitation I find myself focusing more. Pondering on the complexities of its grammar finds me pondering on the complexity and majesty of Allah's creation. I feel like I am renewing my faith every time I approach my studies of Arabic and the Qur'an, and I simply would never have been able to benefit while studying part time, in as short a time as I have. The method works and its benefit is immense. May Allah preserve Mufti Yusuf for helping us all get closer to Allah's kalam. Mohammad Nasar

Alhumdulillah, the most amazing transformation for me thus far has been the strengthening of my Imaan. This is a result of my increased understanding, enjoyment and comfort derived from Salaah, reading the Quraan and other acts of worship. Reading the Musnoon Duas in Arabic, and knowing what one is asking is also truly amazing, and a transforming experience.

The benefits of learning Arabic in a meticulous, thorough and scientific manner include better understanding, motivation and application. JazakAllah to Mufti Yusuf for a truly amazing and beneficial programme. Ismail Rawat

One of my biggest transformation since I started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program is I am not afraid to read Arabic books any more. I recall before I started Arabic class I would not dare reading Arabic books, checking Arabic dictionary or even try to write in Arabic text to friends/family who speak Arabic. Now I take on the challenge with a smile and can see the improvement in myself and its rewarding to hear comments from my husband and friends on my improvement. Areeg Ahmed

The biggest transformation that I experienced since I started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program ;" The hope that insha-Allah, on the Day of Judgement, I shall not be standing alongside those unfortunate believers, who, despite considering themselves devout muslims, could not put in enough effort to learn the language of the Quran." Wassalam. Jamil Afridi

Asalamalaikum serious students of Arabic this is my Story about taking a dive on the straights of the Arabic Oceans by taking a ride on the Shariah Programme. In my mid thirties, married and with 2 beautiful children and living in London, I thought Id missed the boat to pursue an adventure of the Arabic Oceans and took refuge in the idea of reading Quran as a ritual and leaving its impact on me at best by translation. It was only then did a friend introduce the Arabic Acceleration Report to me (prepared by Mufti Yusuf Mullan and the team at the Shariah Programme). I read this a number of times and put it to one side, at first I read up to the Istansaroo example and got my first dose of the comprehensiveness of the language and for the first time appreciated Arabic not just as a language, but as a system of the conveyance of meaning and for the first time got a taste of its comprehensiveness.

I attended sessions with my friend who was teaching Arabic based upon what he learnt in Mufti Yusufs Shariah Programme, but unfortunately wasnt able to keep up, given family and professional commitments, at this stage the only wave that was carrying me was hope and an empty desire. Before the last 10 nights of Ramadhan 2013 in preparation of Itikaaf, I had downloaded an electronic version of the Quran and other materials I intended to pursue in the nights of Magfirah. When I found myself in Itikaaf alongside my collections of electronic Quran and other materials in iBooks I also discovered I had a PDF copy of The Acceleration Report During the days Id fast and read from my collections, leaving the nights for worship and repentance, without realising part of my schedule in the day-time I started to explore the report once again. Despite being low on energy and reduced mental stamina of memorisation, I started to see things in the report that I didnt before, for some reason it started to make more and more sense, I was now looking beyond the quotes and other peoples experiences and was witnessing the sequence of how the report was structured before I read the phrase The Big Picture but now I started see The Big Picture, all of a sudden I found myself somewhere on The Map of The Arabic Language.. every time I turned to the report I was able to navigate from one part to another and then back again, the report became my navigation tool, SubhanAllah. After Eid Ul Fitr, I made an intention to pursue this further and found myself on the website and intended to watch the three videos on the website. Then each time there was a lapse on pursuing these free materials an email reminder was sent by Mufti Mullan and felt almost like I was being watched by him and his team bringing me back in. I watched the three videos which reinforced the concepts in the report. This then lead me to perform Istikhara, as prior to this I had not considered Arabic on a serious note, it had been an empty desire and nothing more. Watching a final video by one of the team at the Shariah Programme, on explaining why Allah s.wt. in one verse uses the word Najm (derived from Najuum) and then in another instance the word Kawkib (derived from Kawakib) though both of the words have the same meaning of Star, felt like I landed at a pit stop on The Map of The Arabic Language it kind of wetted my thirst but at the same time started a rumble in the belly for an appetite of the Arabic language. I got in touch with the team, and told them Im interested and once I completed my Istikhara with the intention to pursue an adventure of the Arabic Oceans I finally enrolled on the programme. On getting my boarding pass to the Shariah Programme, I was received well by the crew, including help-desk staff and the captain himself, I felt honoured to be called A Serious Student of Arabic and the statements were backed by complimentary endorsements of Muhammad s.a.w (hadith), which inspired me even more, a source of real encouragement.

Since signing up, Ive been looking forward to the live classes in Oct 2013, in preparation Ive already started going through the materials (up to week 3.1 in four weeks) and have revisited these materials more than once. Its like going from room to room on a ship, but you can go back to any room youve visited previously at no extra expense, there is no sense of missed opportunities, and most times when I return to a room, I remember to switch on the light or then a light bulb moment happens where the light automatically comes on, even if Ive missed the switch. At this stage Im not saying Ive discovered all the switches in each room that Ive visited, at times I have missed them, but on re-visiting a room you have sudden moments where certain lights switch on and then whenever you revisit that same room, you know exactly where the light switch is. Finally the crew at the Shariah Programme are great, whenever I have had a light bulb moment, I check my understanding either by making a post under the specific area that Ive covered or by sending an email to the help desk It was only recently that I understood in the verbal sentence Daraba Zaydun Amran that Amran is the object (which I got), but the object is the mafhul bihi (which I didn't get at first). Object is not just an item, but the noun or on which a verb is being done by another noun (but the light bulb moment was this Object/Mafhul Bihi can be a person too) This light bulb came on much later than the light bulb which allowed me to see what a verbal sentence was; a nominal sentence was; a nominal sentence with a verbal predicate was; if a noun is before a verb in a sentence which has a noun following it i.e. this particular noun would be called a subject (mubtada) and how to identify the subject which is not apparent in such a sentence. and I can tell you, I did not have any of this clarity before. Im on this ship now, and navigating The Map of the Arabic Language and on boarding Ive only made use of some of the tools given to me at the gates of immigration, Ive not explored fully the other resources yet, but feel the difference already. This is my first real attempt at the language and Im determined (Inshaallah) to pursue this adventure of the Arabic Oceans, to move into the continuous development phase of the Arabic Language for life make dua Allah s.w.t makes this happen for me, even better why dont you do the same? Abu Hammad.

What was the biggest transformation you experienced since you started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program?

Confidence! That I can do it. Now when people talk Arabic I understand and cross check grammar that I learned. Best part is I can any time go back to videos and refresh on any topic. Sajjad

I studied arabic at a traditional institute of islamic education and yet, due to my personal feeling of failure in this area, I had no hope in the matter and I would always try my best to avoid confronting the Arabic grammar for the fear of not really knowing anything at all; from the concepts to the rules, I was clueless. I went to Makkah Mukarramah recently and I begged Allah SWT infront of the Ka' bah to help me understand 'Arbi ka Muallim' which is an arabic grammar book in urdu. I feel that AlhamduliLLah my duas have been answered in the form of Mufti Saab and Shariah Program. Now, when I study the kitab after studying with Shariah program, it is almost as though Allah SWT has lifted the veil from my heart and everything is so much more clearer. I am no longer scared of arabic grammar, in fact now, I absolutely thrive upon it. and even without thinking duas from the bottom of my heart come out for mufti Saab for doing such a great favour upon the Muslim Ummah today. And yes, it's a nice thought to win.. But my comment is not really for winning... I just wanted to tell you how much shariah program actually means to me. JazakAllah Ridhwana

Now I know what Alhamdullillah means. Truly is there any better description? Redhwan Mohamed

Assalaamu'alaykum. AlhamdulilLaah, though I've not gone through the most of the material, even the little I've been able to study has been wonderful, maa shaa Allah. Wonderful in being concise & effectively summarizing what I'd studied in bits over years in just a few weeks. The fact that I now know where I stand (on a mental map) each time I'm studying a topic is really encouraging and energizing. But for me, the biggest transformation the program has given me is the ability to better understand, appreciate & thus enhance my memorization of words in the Qur'an and adhkaar which previously I mix up or keep having to check up, as well as helping me understand(with ease) the dynamic nature of the arabic language. May Allah ease all our tasks. Amin. Zainab Mazai

I have only studied 5 weeks of the Shariah programme self paced lesson and I have realised that I could understand certain ayats of the Quran as I'm reading. Furthermore it has made memorising the Quran easier and fun Alhamdulillah. Now I am motivated to memorise the whole Quran In sha Allah. Moreover knowing that I can repeat the lessons again and again when I want gives me the peace of mind when I get busy with worldly chores. In sha Allah I have now made intention to join the October 2013 class and hope fully finish it. Mufti Yusuf, knows his Arabic very well, Alhamdulillah, and I could see the transformation in my ability in just 5 weeks of lessons. Wassalamua'laikum warahmatullah. Brother Abdul Qahhar

Wa Alaykum Assalaam, There have been so many transformations, I don't know where to start. I am more aware of the meaning of salah, and the recitation of Qur'an really moves me now. Alhamdulillah, memorising is also much easier now that I have an appreciation for how the language works. I have also been able to study other Islamic sciences from Arabic-only texts, which was a huge blessing. However, the biggest transformation has been my perception of myself, and reaffirming myself as a student for life and being humbled by the noble science and this fantastic teacher and all the hard work everyone is putting in. I pray Allah gives me tawfeeq to continue studying and improving in his path, and that He bless everyone working for Shariah Program. Wassalaam, Usman

"What was the biggest transformation you experienced since you started learning Arabic with the Shariah Program?" In the past when I used to memorize surahs, I didnt know what the verses meant word for word. I just tried to memorize what I read and that would take some time. I just finished memorizing Surah Nuh #71 this week. Verse# 22 Wa makaru makran Kubbaaraa was very easy for me to memorize instantly. With the Shariah programs lessons in Sarf (morphology) and Nahw (grammar), I was able to

understand the verb Makaru was third person, past tense, and masculine plural. Meaning They plotted. Makran is the indefinite ism or noun meaning a plot which is nasb(receives fatha because its the Maful bihi (direct object) for the verb Makaru. Then Kubbaaran is the sifa(adjective) for makranwhich will also be nasb by extension sifa, because they must match grammatically. Kubbaaran means tremendous. Verse 22 means THEY DEVISED A TREMENDOUS PLOT-Yusuf Ali. So now when I memorize verses from the Quran, the sarf(morphology) and the nahw (grammar) and what they mean are coming together almost simultaneously. May Allah bless and increase Sheikh Yusuf Mullan and his staff in knowledge and wisdom and grant them continued success in teaching the Shariah Program. Abdul-Rahman Muhammad New York City

I would have to say that the biggest transformation for me would be a sense of renewed hope that I can make real progress in learning this divine language after so many years of stops and starts. I look forward to getting to the level of proficiency within the next year that I can read unvowelled texts with minimal help..(and I've been studying Arabic for going on 20 years.) I have this confidence that this program will take me to this level because in the introductory videos they covered everything so clearly, so comprehensively, that it took me 20 years to learn--in a few hours!!. What if I had had this from the very beginning? "When Allah ta 'ala's Name issues forth from my tongue, every hair on my body is transformed into a veritable ocean of honey." - Maulana Rumi Lorna Swaine-Abdallah