BOOKS 35-38
Released September 2009
LOCATION One of the leading Muslim retreat and study centres in Europe, the Alqueria de Rosales is located five miles from the historic town of Puebla de Don Fadrique, in the province of Granada. The complex, administered by the Fundacion Cultural Azzagra since 1995, comprises lecture halls, dining rooms, a library, accommodation for 120 students, and a large mosque. Activities include a major project for the conservation of ancient Andalusian manuscripts, together with programmes for young Muslims from Spain, France and elsewhere. The basis of the centre’s economy is an extensive organic farm, where peaches, apricots, olives, honey and livestock are cultivated, using undergound irrigation channels dug by Muslims in the Middle Ages.
Website: www.al-madrasa.com
Qur’anic recitation in Qira’at Warsh by Hafiz Abderrahim BOURZAH, Imam and Hifz Instructor at Alqueria de Rosales Mosque.
Songs (canciones) sung by ALATAR, one of Spain’s leading Muslim song groups, which brings together classical Flamenco sounds and Sufi wisdom. The first four songs are by Shaykh Muzaffar Ozak (d.1985) of Istanbul, who has a wide following in Spain. Alatar also sing two authentic songs from the Middle Ages: Almadha, and Plegaria. Both were sung by Muslims during the era of persecution under the Spanish Inquisition, and indicate the vibrancy and confidence of their faith despite the terrible threat of discovery and execution at the stake. These are followed by a Qasida in Lam by Muhammad ibn al-Habib of Meknes (d.1973), and by the end of al-Du’a’ an-Nasiri, sung by the Fez Singers.
Download the full audio of Almadha here
And the text here
SPEAKER Yahya Rhodus. An American from the Midwest, Yahya Rhodus studied for two years in Mauretania, and a further five years in Dar al-Mustafa, Tarim, Yemen. He is currently attached to the faculty of the Zaytuna Institute, California.
Lecture 35 includes an interview with Abd al-Samad Romero-Roman, director of the Azzagra Cultural Foundation, who speaks about the history of Alqueria de Rosales, and about the importance of Imam al-Ghazali to the Muslims of Spain in the medieval period and today.
LECTURE SUMMARY
35 DIVINE UNITY AND RELIANCE ON GOD (al-Tawhid wa’l-Tawakkul). Human beings find it hard not to be stressed by the unpredictable events of their lives. The wise person, however, who believes in God’s unity and power, seeks to place his trust in the Divine wisdom, a process which the Imam discusses in detail in this lesson.
36 LOVE, LONGING, INTIMACY AND CONTENTMENT (al-Mahabba wa’l-Shawq wa’l-Uns wa’l-Rida). God loves His creation, and human beings most especially; and we are called to love Him in return. This religious virtue turns life into a delight, as we recognise the signs of God’s love in creation and in other people, and learn to be satisfied with God’s decree at all times.
37 INTENTION, TRUTHFULNESS AND SINCERITY (al-Niyya wa’l-Ikhlas wa’l-Sidq) No matter how outwardly correct we may seem, without inward purity and sincerity our spiritual practice and our moral life are meaningless. Here we learn the importance of sincerity and right intention, and how to rectify our inward consciousness to ensure that everything we do is uplifted by a clear and good purpose.
38 VIGIL AND SELF-EXAMINATION (al-Muraqaba wa’l-Muhasaba) A healthy inner life depends on giving God His due, which means constant awareness of His actions and His watchfulness. We need to hold ourselves to account for our actions and our intentions, knowing that He sees the states of our heart.