Ustadha Rukayat visits MCC
2023-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | MCC East Bay, 5724 W Las Positas Blvd #300, Pleasanton, CA, 94588, United States
More details forthcoming!

The Forty Hadith Qudsi | Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh
2023-03-14 13:30 - 14:15, 2023-03-21 13:30 - 14:15
Ustadha Nihad Hemmoudeh facilitates a 45-minute live Zoom session for sisters (posted the following day publicly on MCC’s YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram) about the Forty Hadith Qudsi, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as revealed to him by the Almighty Allah. 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. PST | Tuesdays | 12 consecutive weeks from January 3 to March 21 | No pre-registration needed | Join live each week at 1:30 p.m. on Zoom at https://mcceastbay.org/hadith

Ustadha Nihad will be using the book “Forty Hadith Qudsi” by Shaykh Muhammad Mitwalli ash-Sha’rawi.

– Watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/qudsi

More Ustadha Nihad:

– Ustadha’s Nihad’s “Pearls of Islam: The Wives of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)” series: https://mcceastbay.org/pearls-series

– Ustadha Nihad’s Surah al-Kahf series: https://mcceastbay.org/kahf

– Ustadha Nihad’s Juz Amma series: https://mcceastbay.org/quran-tafseer

– Hafidha Nihad’s Sahaba (Companions) Series Sessions: https://mcceastbay.org/companions-series

– Ust. Nohad’s Al-Nawawi Hadith Series: https://mcceastbay.org/nawawi

– More Ustadha Nihad: https://mcceastbay.org/nihad

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Weekly Women’s Seerah Bookclub
2023-03-14 18:30 - 20:00
Join our weekly sisters’ virtual only Seerah book club, where we have an active discussion, take away lessons for our daily lives, and inshaAllah fall in love with the Prophet ﷺ. This fall, we are reading “The Prophetic Narrative” by Samira al-Zayid.

RSVP for the live registration link below at https://mcceastbay.org/bookclub. RSVP is needed to join us virtually.

**Sessions changed to online only for the remaining classes.

Event Details:

The discussion takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a break in Ramadan ’23. The sessions are now only virtual sessions (no in-person component).

Please register online to receive the link to the Whatsapp thread where all communication and updates will be made.

Book Purchase:

If you wish to follow along with the book, please purchase the book. The book can be purchased here:

– https://daybreak.rabata.org/products/soft-cover-a-compendium-of-the-sources-on-the-prophetic-narrative

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

About the Book

Internationally acclaimed as “the most authoritative resource” on the Sīra, this two-volume translation textbook is revolutionary in bringing Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s life to life for everyone who ventures upon it.

This multiple award-winning, comprehensive compilation of narrations and details of the life of Prophet Muhammad (S) has never before been available in English until now! Internationally acclaimed as “the most authoritative resource” on the Sīra, this two-volume translation textbook is revolutionary in bringing his (S) life to life for everyone who ventures upon it. The original volumes have won the approval and praise of numerous scholars. It is finally available as a treasured text for personal or educational development.

Author: Samira al-ZayidTranslators: Susan Imady, Tamara Gray, & Randa MardiniBinding: SoftcoverPages: Vol 1, 570; Vol 2, 558Publisher: Daybreak Press

Questions? bookclub@mcceastbay.org

The Seven Obstacles on the Path to God Series | Sidi Shahyrar Abbasi
2023-03-15 19:15 - 20:15
Every Muslim is on a journey to Allah. As you travel to Allah, you will inadvertently face obstacles on your path and, many times, not know how to overcome them.

Join us for a new virtual weekly class with Sidi Shahryar Abbasi where we will discuss the 7 obstacles a believer faces on the Path to Allah, along with strategies for navigating these hurdles.

Imam Al Ghazali beautifully discusses these 7 Obstacles in his famous book, Minhaj Al Abideen, which is the core text for our class.

7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. | Wednesdays | Dec. 14 to Ramadan ’23 | Watch at https://mcceastbay.org/live

Hosted at Lighthouse Mosque. Streamed only on MCC media channels. Watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/obstacles

– More Sidi Shahryar: https://mcceastbay.org/shahryar

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Seven Obstacles on the Path to God” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/obstacles

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Practical Spirituality Series”: https://mcceastbay.org/practical

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Real Talk Series”: https://mcceastbay.org/real-talk

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Traits of the Righteous” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/hallmark

– Sidi Shahryar’s “Deceptive Desires” Series: https://mcceastbay.org/desires

About the SpeakerShahryar graduated from the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business and served as the External Affairs Vice President of UC Berkeley’s student government. He is an experienced speaker, mentor, and coach. Send him questions at: ask.abu.taha@gmail.com and learn more about him at https://www.tiktok.com/@islamic_spirituality

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Requesting Religious Accommodations in Ramadan | Ust. Hosai Mojaddidi & Sr. Eman Tai
2023-03-15 19:30 - 20:30
Join us for this evening workshop with Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi (a spiritual teacher) and Eman Tai (an experienced attorney), where we discuss how families can request religious accommodations for Ramadan in public schools, how they can support their children in self-advocacy skills, and how they can recognize & respond to anti-Muslim bias.7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Wednesday, March 15 | Conference Room | Join us in person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

We also hear from Shazia Kajani, the advisor for the MSU at Fallon Middle School, Dena AbuRahma, a Muslim teacher from Murray Elementary School, and Br. Waleed Rydhan and Sr. Sakina Ali with the Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Dublin High School.

– More Ustadha Hosai Mojaddidi: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/hosai– More Sr. Eman Tai Ahmad: HTTP://mcceastbay.org/eman

Ustadha Hosai is the co-founder of MH4M (http://mentalhealth4muslims.com), which was established in 2010. For nearly 20 years, she has been actively involved in the Muslim community in the Bay Area and southern California working and volunteering for many notable organizations. Learn more about her at http://hosaimojaddidi.com

Eman Tai Ahmad is an active Muslim community member and an experienced attorney with a demonstrated history of working in the nonprofit industry, including MCC East Bay and CAIR-California. She is a legal and development consultant for Global Muslim Life, a research center and social impact incubator studying the world’s most diverse faith.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Private Event
2023-03-16 16:00 - 21:30
Conference room & Banquet Hall

Thursday Night Community Zikr
2023-03-16 19:00 - 20:30
Our monthly Zikr gathering is in the Conference Room from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Our Dhikr in a group session is open to all. Please join us!
Zikr is a ritual prayer or litany practiced by Muslims for the purpose of glorifying God and achieving spiritual perfection.
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

New Jumu'ah Times (Incl. New Youth Jumu'ah)
2023-03-17 13:30 - 16:00
Our clocks spring ahead on Sun., March 12. Please note new Jumu’ah & prayer times.
See Iqamah times at https://mcceastbay.org/prayer
As of Friday, March 17, we will no longer offer outdoor prayer in the MCC parking lot:

*1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– No social distancing in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder) and social-distanced worship for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

12:30 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– No social distancing in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder) and social-distanced worship for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

**3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– No social distancing in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder) and social-distanced worship for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

*Heavy parking congregation. Please attend a later service.**The late afternoon third Jumu’ah time is primarily to accommodates our middle & high school students after they are dismissed from school.
MCC currently is not offering free pizza for our youth after the third Jumu’ah.

The youth Jumuah continues until schools let out in May and resume when schools resume in August until Nov. 5 when we Daylight Savings Time ends and Asr will then come in earlier.
The earlier weekly Friday services are 1:30 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. has heavy parking congestion. Please attend later services at 2:30 p.m. to 2:50 p.m., whenever possible.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

Tayba Foundation Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2023-03-17 13:30 - 16:00
Tayba Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving individuals and families impacted by incarceration. Tayba’s work is organized into three interrelated program areas: Education, Lifeskills, and Re-entry. Support their work.

NorthStar School Tables @ MCC Jumu'ahs
2023-03-17 13:30 - 16:00
Please support NorthStar Islamic school’s 8th graders’ initiative to build a Wudu station for their school.

Three Jumu’ah Services @ MCC
2023-03-17 13:30 - 16:00
For our Jumu’ah services on Friday, March 17, masks are optional to attend any MCC service, and no RSVP is necessary:

1:30 p.m. – 1:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Shaykh Talal Ahdab delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Hafiz Ameen Mukhtar delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall & men in Conference Room.

3:40 p.m. – 4 p.m. – INDOOR ONLY

– Hafiz Zaid Khanani delivers this sermon.

– No social distancing option in Prayer Hall (shoulder-to-shoulder). Social distance worship is available for women in Banquet Hall and men in Conference Room.

Please attend at 2:30 or 3:40 p.m. to avoid heavier first-service congestion whenever possible. Masks are optional.

Jumu’ah parking for three services is in the MCC and the neighboring HP lot. The aerial map at https://mcceastbay.org/hp

– Virtually watch these three sermons from home: https://mcceastbay.org/live

– More Shaykh Talal: https://mcceastbay.org/talal

– More Hafiz Ameen: https://mcceastbay.org/ameen

– More Hafiz Zaid: https://mcceastbay.org/zaid-khanani

For parents attending with young children indoors, MCC offers private mothers’ and fathers’ rooms with an audio and visual connection to Prayer Hall. Parents can watch the sermon and pray while in the company of other parents with young children. The mothers/fathers prayer room is just past the Banquet Hall doors into the school area.

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

The Alameda County Health Department reports COVID-19 cases are still happening. We remain indoors for the five daily prayers and three Jumu’ah services as long as health officials deem it safe. All the Jumu’ah prayers are indoors in the MCC Prayer Hall. Learn more at https://mcceastbay.org/prayer

Fireside Chat - Ramadan Prep for Reverts
2023-03-17 17:00 - 18:45
Feeling nervous about Ramadan? First time fasting and have questions? Come join new or seasoned Muslims for an evening discussion where we go over questions, share tips, and good advice in preparation for Ramadan. Sidi Uthman Ames will be one of our guest speakers.

Friday, March 17 | 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. | Banquet Hall | In-person only | RSVP at mcceastbay.org/ramadan-chat

– How MCC supports new Muslims: https://mcceastbay.org/convert-care

– Recordings of educational talks for reverts playlist: https://mcceastbay.org/after-shahada

– Shahadah moments at the MCC: https://mcceastbay.org/shahada

Questions? mentorship@mcceastbay.org

Sidi Wendell Uthman Ames’

Sidi Wendell Uthman Ames’ story to Islam begins at a hip-hop store in Southern California where he worked during high school. He watched his manager take breaks during the day to pray Salah in a back room. A group of Filipino converts soon began visiting the store. A Filipino-American himself, this further triggered his interest in Islam. The Filipino converts befriended him, and Sidi Wendell took his Shahada (Declaration of Faith) with them at age 17, MashaAllah! Sidi Wendell then began driving with them to the Bay Area to take classes with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. This is pre-Zaytuna College. Sidi Uthman would eventually move to the Bay Area and live with Sidi Usama Canon. Sidi Wendell is now a well-known munshid (reciter). He shares his beautiful voice at gatherings all over the world. He is frequently performing at MCC East Bay, Al-Maqasid, and Ta’leef Collective.

Dr. Rania Awaad's Weekly Friday Evening Halaqa
2023-03-17 19:00 - 21:00
Ustadha Dr. Rania Awaad holds a weekly Friday evening women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues.
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Every Friday from October 14, 2022 to March 17, 2023 | MCC Conference Room | Free; no registration or RSVP required to attend in person | To join virtually, register at https://mcceastbay.org/zoom

– More Dr. Rania: https://mcceastbay.org/rania
– Watch past Dr. Rania’s Friday Evening Halaqa recordings: https://mcceastbay.org/womens-halaqa
– Join Dr. Rania’s WhatsUp group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HlHmFFnGbwvCvLl6uGD1C4

Free babysitting is provided in Room 16. Facility map: https://mcceastbay.org/facility-map
Questions? events@mcceastbay.org
This halaqa is hosted parallel to our girl’s program in partnership with Rahmah Foundation.
Ustadha Rania AwaadRaised in the U.S., Ustadha Rania Awaad began her formal study of the traditional Islamic sciences when her parents permitted her to travel to Damascus, Syria, at 14. Her desire to continue studying the Deen resulted in multiple trips back to Damascus, interspersed between her high school, college, and medical studies. She was honored to receive Ijaazah (authorization to teach) several branches of the Shari’ah sciences at the hands of many renowned scholars, including many female scholars. She has received Ijazah to teach Tajwid in the Hafs and Warsh recitations from the late eminent Syrian scholar Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi. In addition to completing several advanced texts of the Shafi’i madhhab, she is licensed to teach texts of Maliki fiqh, Adab, and Ihsan. Currently, Ustadha Rania teaches online and local classes for The Rahmah Foundation, Rabata, and is on the faculty of Zaytuna College, where she teaches courses in Shafi’i fiqh, women’s issues in fiqh and has helped develop and co-direct the Tajweed and Hifz program.
Ustadha Rania is also a medical doctor with a specialty in Psychiatry. She completed her Psychiatric residency and fellowship training at Stanford University, where she is currently on the faculty as a Clinical Instructor in the Stanford Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences department. Her medical interests include addressing mental health care concerns in the Muslim community- particularly that of Muslim women and girls. She has been awarded grants from the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) to research this topic and has presented her findings at several medical conferences. Other ongoing endeavors include compiling manuscripts addressing female-related mental health and medical issues from a fiqh-oriented perspective. She currently serves as the Director of the Rahmah Foundation, a non-profit organization that teaches Muslim women and girls traditional Islamic knowledge. In this capacity, she also heads the Murbbiyah Mentoring Program, which trains young women to teach and mentor Muslim girls and teens. Ustadha Rania is both a wife and a mother; she has been counseling and teaching women classes on Tajwid, Shafi’i Fiqh, Ihsan, marriage, and raising children since 1999.
Learn more about Dr. Rania and her work at http://med.stanford.edu/psychiatry/research/MuslimMHLab.html
Every Friday evening, the MCC bustles with activity. MCC hosts four halaqas to increase God-consciousness for youth, women, and men.
From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., join Dr. Rania Awaad‘s women’s gathering about navigating contemporary issues. This wide-ranging Muslimah halaqa is in the MCC Conference Room, and the first hour is live-streamed here (watch past sessions at https://mcceastbay.org/halaqa). This halaqa is organized in partnership with The Rahmah Foundation.
Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– October 14
– October 21
– October 28
– November 5
– November 11
– November 18
– November 25 (no session)
– December 2
– December 9
– December 16
– December 23 (no session)
– December 30 (no session)
– January 6, 2023
– January 13, 2023
– January 20, 2023
– January 27, 2023
– February 3, 2023
– February 10, 2023
– February 17, 2023
– February 24, 2023
– March 3, 2023
– March 10, 2023
– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Boys Friday Night Halaqa for High Schoolers (Ages 14-18) | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-03-17 19:00 - 21:00
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 16-week Friday evening halaqa for teen high school boys from 9th through 12th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Friday nights in 2022. Younger-age boy’s halaqas planned for January 2023. These halaqas are for teens ages 14-18 only. No younger boys. Capped at 30 teens. Once full, please join the waitlist.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m. | Fridays | November 11 to March 17 (Ramadan ’23) ($100 from January 11 to March 17) | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/boys

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

To make an appointment for parents or youth to meet with MCC’s Youth leaders:

– Maryam Awwal: http://calendly.com/mcc-maryam

– Hafiz Zaid Khanani: http://calendly.com/mcc-zaid

Friday evening sessions in Fall 2022 and Winter 2023:

– November 11 (free preview session; no registration required)

– November 18 (registration required to join from this session onwards)

– November 25 (no session)

– December 2

– December 9

– December 16

– December 23 (no session)

– December 30 (no session)

– January 6, 2023 (no session)

– January 13, 2023

– January 20, 2023

– January 27, 2023

– February 3, 2023

– February 10, 2023

– February 17, 2023

– February 24, 2023

– March 3, 2023

– March 10, 2023

– March 17, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Zaid Khanani is a Marriage and Family Therapy trainee with the City of Fremont, Youth and Family Services. He graduated from Zaytuna College and completed his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology at the Wright Institute. Hafiz Zaid continues his formal Islamic Studies with local teachers and scholars overseas. He is a former Islamic Studies teacher at Northstar Islamic School and teaches numerous online classes.

Ilm Classes for Middle & High Schoolers (Boys & Girls) | Sr. Maryam Awwal & Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-03-18 10:00 - 11:15
Join MCC Youth Leaders, Sr. Maryam Awwal and Hafiz Zaid Khanani, for 9 weeks Saturday Ilm classes offered for both middle & high school girls and boys ( 6th through 12th grades). The classes will cover the Creed of Imam al-Tahawi.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim women and men. These classes are for girls & boys ages 11-18 only. Capped at 30. Once full, please join the waitlist.

10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/ilm-classes

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

Your Game Plan for an Awesome, Spiritual Ramadan | Shaykh Alaeddin Elbakri
2023-03-18 10:00 - 14:00
Join us for on Saturday morning to learn what we can start doing now to leverage this upcoming Ramadan for the maximum benefit of our Hereafter.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Saturday, March 18 | Conference Room | No RSVP needed, join in-person or watch live at mcceastbay.org/live

– More Shaykh Alaedin Elbakri: https://mcceastbay.org/alaeddin

Shaykh Alauddin Elbakri

Shaykh Alauddin Elbakri began his study of Islam at a young age in North Africa and continued his education in the Islamic sciences in Jordan, learning from predominant scholars in the Muslim world. He has served the Muslim community in the United States in numerous capacities, serving as Imam at several Islamic centers and establishing full-time and weekend Islamic schools. Having been trained in both the Islamic sciences and secular education, Shaykh Alauddin can appeal to various audiences. His main focus is helping Muslims develop a deep understanding of the self, life, and faith. Learn more about the Shaykh Alauddin via his educational nonprofit: https://www.tawasaw.org/who-we-are

Follow his official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AlauddinElBakri

Shaykh Alauddin’s website: https://shaykhelbakri.com Sheikh Alauddin ElBakri has served the San Francisco Bay Area community for more than twenty years.

– In 1997, he was the Founding Board member of IMAN(Inner-City Muslim Action Network) in Chicago. IMAN is an organization dedicated to educating and letting up the inner cities. – In 1999, he accepted the Chief Curriculum Designer and Book editor role at IQRA in Chicago. – In 2005, he was a founding board member for “My Dean” in Fresno, an organization dedicated to serving Muslim youth in faith and life. – In 2010, he founded Support Life Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing education and jobs to residents of Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose and various other Bay Area cities. – In 2017, he founded Tawasaw, an organization dedicated to educating Muslims on how to apply Islam in their modern daily life.

Shaykh Alauddin Albakri is regularly invited as a guest speaker to university students and tech company workers to educate them about the Islamic faith, culture, history, and people.

Saturday Morning Middle School Boys Halaqa | Hafiz Zaid Khanani
2023-03-18 11:30 - 12:45
Join MCC Youth Leader Hafiz Zaid Khanani‘s 9-week Saturday morning halaqa for middle school boys from 6th through 8th grade.

These sessions aim to craft our next generation of confident and faithful Muslim men. This will be the only offered for boys on Saturday mornings in 2023. These halaqas are for boys ages 11-13 only. Capped at 30 boys. Once full, please join the waitlist.

11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. | Saturdays | January 21 to March 18 (Ramadan ’23) | $120 per child | Register at HTTP://mcceastbay.org/middle-school-halaqa

The MCC has a standing policy that financial need should never hold a family in the East Bay from benefiting from any offering at the MCC facility. To request a financial waiver, please complete the application at mcceastbay.org/scholarship

Saturday morning sessions in 2023:

– January 21, 2023

– January 28, 2023

– February 4, 2023

– February 11, 2023

– February 18, 2023

– February 25, 2023

– March 4, 2023

– March 11, 2023

– March 18, 2023 (last session before Ramadan 2023)

LOCATION

MCC East Bay, 94588

Pre-Ramadan Clean up (Inside)
2023-03-18 14:00 - 17:00
More details are forthcoming!

Pre-Ramadan Bazaar
2023-03-19 14:00 - 18:00

Private Event
2023-03-19 14:30 - 16:30
Conference Room

Book Launch | Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid 'Ali
2023-03-19 17:00 - 19:00
“There is No Male Preference in Islamic Law” is a work by the Moroccan scholar Shaykh Muhammad al-Ta’wil (1934-2015). It covers the debate about Islam’s purported unequal treatment of women. Why can Muslim men marry more than one wife? Why is the ratio of male to female witnesses in certain cases 2:1? Why do men receive a greater portion of inheritance than women? Come explore the answers to these questions and more. After his talk, Shaykh Abdullah will be available to sign books. Books will be available to purchase for $20. Join us for this special occasion!5 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Sunday, March 19 | MCC Prayer Hall | Join in person; talk will not be live-streamed

More Shaykh Abdullah bin Hamid Ali: https://mcceastbay.org/abdullah

“Muḥammad Al-Taʾwīl was an intellectual powerhouse. And it is rare these days for students of knowledge to be able to claim to have studied with a master. So, I take great pride in being able to say that he was my actual teacher, not merely someone I encountered. May Allah shower him with His infinite mercy and eternalize his benefit.” Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali with the late Shaykh Muhammad al-Ta’wil (May Allah have mercy on him)

“The book repudiates the common allegation of Islam possessing an inherently male bias to the detriment of women as a false stereotype promulgated by the enemies of Islam whose goal is to alienate Muslim women and others…”Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

About Lampost Education Initiative

The Lamppost Education Initiative is pleased to present this unique work by one of Morocco’s brilliant legal scholars of the 20th century, Dr. Muhammad al-Ta’wil (May Allah have mercy on him).The debate about Islam’s purported unequal treatment of women is thoroughly addressed with cogent proofs and arguments. This book is an insightful response to Islam’s detractors and ammunition for Muslims who are proud of their faith.

This book has been translated by one of Shaykh Muhammad al-Ta’wil’s former students, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali, the Founding Director of the Lamppost Education Initiative.

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali’s commentary on the book: “There is No Male Preference in Islamic Law”

Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ta’wil

1353-1436 AH

He is Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Qasim ibn Hasain At-Tawil Al-Maghribi Al-Maliki.

Birth and early life

The Imam was born in the year in the city of `Ein Baridah in the land of Morocco to a modest family. His first teacher was his father, Imam Muhammad ibn Qasim, who was a great Imam in the sciences of recitation of the Qur’an and other fields in the Revealed Law.

Imam Muhammad At-Tawil memorised the Qur’an while still a young boy and went on to study with another great scholar by the name of Shaikh Muhammad Al-`Arabi Al-Masari. The Imam learned from this teacher Al-Ajurumiyyah and the commentary Alfiyyah in Arabic grammar. In fiqh, the Imam concentrated on Al-Murshid ul-Mu`in, Al-Mukhtasar and At-Tuhfah.

Upon completion of these he focused his attention to inheritance and other sciences. Allah brought him success when Imam at-Tawil enrolled into the oldest university of Muslim Orthodoxy, Al-Qarawiyyin.

He next came into contact with Shaikhs Abu Bakr Jasus, Muhammad al-`Imrani Az-Zarhuni and `Abdul Karim Ad-Dawudi and studied fiqh with them and other affairs while in the area of commentary he studied with Shaikh Al-`Arabi Ash-Shami. He began his hadith studies under Shaikh `Abdul `Aziz Bil-Khait while in grammar he was tutored by Shaikh `Abdul Hadi Al-Ya`qubi Bakhubza.

Shaikh Habib al-Mahaji was his teacher in Usul ul-Fiqh and in logic and creed he was taught by Shaikh Ibn `Abdul Qadir Al-Baqali. He continued to study and completed his work in rhetoric, speech and history under Shaikhs Muhammad Al-`Imrani and `Abdul Karim Al-`Iraqi and Al-Faqih Al-Ghamri, respectively.

Knowledge and Notable Rulings

The Imam is the marja` of the land, head preacher and teacher for the Moroccans as well as North Africa. His forceful stance on issues immediately surrounding the Revealed Law has made him a hero and champion to all who love knowledge and the truth.

He categorically demonstrated that the benefits taken from banks and also the mortgages (whether they are claimed as Islamic or not) were impermissible and cannot be claimed as emergency or necessity for Muslims living in the lands of Kufr. [Source: Wa Akhiran Waqa`at il-Waqi`ah wa Abih ir-Riba: Al-Fawa’id al-Bankiyyah, pp. 34-45]

No secular court has the power to dissolve a marriage or declare one valid but rather only the maraji` can effect a faskh or dissolving. [Source: This was beautifully dealt with in his text, Shadharat udh-Dhahab: Fima Jadda fi Qaday an-Nikahi wat-Talaqi an-Nasab]

DNA tests are not definitive proof for establishing maternity or paternity unless weighed with other factors as well.[Source: Mawqaf ush-Shari`at il-Islamiyyati Man I`timad al-Khabarat at-Tibbiyyata wal-Basamat al-Warithiyyata fi Ithbat in-Nasabi wa Nafiyahu]

A Muslim woman according to Consensus is not allowed to marry any man that is not a Muslim; but there have of late been “love doctors” at work not only in the Muslim world but even among “spokesmen for Muslims in the West” who have distorted verses and made it seem as if there was a “gentleman’s disagreement” on the topic.

This Imam categorically shows the proof, history, evidence and continuous examples of Consensus on the topic. [Source: Shadharat udh-Dhahab: Fima Jadda fi Qaday an-Nikahi wat-Talaqi an-Nasab, pp. 81-123]

As the teacher of Fiqh and Usul from the University of Al-Qarawiyyin, the Imam has showed great courage in tackling some of the most thorny and controversial issues of this current time. After years of service and teaching, he died at the time of `Asr prayer on Monday 16 Jumada Al-Akhirah in the year 1436 AH. And may Allah reward him and give him the highest rewards of Paradise.Taken from: https://meeraath.wordpress.com/imam-muhammad-at-tawil/

Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali

He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural and Historical Studies in Religion (2016) and an M.A. in Ethics and Social Theory (2012) from the Graduate Theological Union. He obtained his B.A. (ijaza ‘ulya) in Islamic Law

(Shariah) from the prestigious Al-Qarawiyin University of Fes, Morocco in 2001. He served as full time Islamic chaplain at the State Correctional Institute of Chester, PA from 2002-2007, and is the founding director of the Lamppost Education Initiative. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Islamic law and Prophetic Tradition at Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California. His research interests include the interconnection between law and identity formation, comparative Islamic law, and Islam’s role in the modern world.

Nutrition in Ramadan: Leveraging Ramadan to Heal Our Bodies Like Ramadan Heals Our Soul | Nutritionist Sr. Maimoona Ahmed
2023-03-19 19:30 - 20:30
Nutritionist Maimoona Ahmed will give practical and spiritual insights about leveraging food to heal our bodies like we use Ramadan to heal our souls. Join this pre-Ramadan nutrition talk about healing our bodies. 7:30 p.m. (Maghrib) to 8:30 p.m. | Sunday, March 19 | MCC Conference Room | Join in-person or watch live at https://mcceastbay.org/live

Maghrib is at 7:22 p.m.

– More Getting Ramadan for Ramadan reminders: https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-ready– More Ramadan sermons & talks: https://mcceastbay.org/ramadan-reminders

Maimoona M Ahmed holds a B.S. and M.S. from Cornell University, where she majored in nutrition and sociology. As part of her research, she spent a summer in Guatemala and Costa Rica and then made two extended trips to a town in the Andes mountains in Peru for her Master’s thesis research.

Wherever Maimoona has worked or traveled, she’s been concerned about the social conditions of the people. Before becoming the Chief Nutritionist in Pediatrics at NYU Medical Center in New York City, she worked in what’s today called WIC (Women, Infants & Children), working in health clinics in some of the poorest parts of New York City, advising pregnant women on how to improve their nutrition.

Maimoona has a varied career, including teaching cooking classes at the Princeton, NJ, Adult School and having her own catering business. Later she became a real estate appraiser working in southern and northern California and New Mexico. She is currently a member of the Contra Costa County Assessment Appeals Board.

Maimoona has always been interested in doing dawah, speaking about Islam in high schools, universities, and community organizations. She has worked with Muslim refugees and used her organizing skills to coordinate four day-long Christian-Muslim spiritual retreats, including at San Damiano and MCC of Pleasanton. In 2015 she helped coordinate the Hands around the Mosque event in San Ramon, which successfully brought together people of many faiths to support Muslims. She is a member of a group of interfaith women’s circles sponsored by the Interfaith Council of CCC.

For several years she has been helping cancer patients who want to reverse their disease and become cancer-free by using various alternative, natural cancer treatments. She does this free of charge, considering it’s all for the sake of Allah.

Maimoona and her husband Dr. Nazeer Ahmed have two adult children & three grandchildren in the Bay Area.

Skygazing for Ramadan Moon
2023-03-22 17:00 - 20:50
Revive the Sunnah to go outside and look for the new crescent moon in the evening sky that will mark the beginning of Ramadan.
Join us in the MCC parking lot at sunset (7:25 p.m.) on Wednesday, March 22, and join in the excitement when the young crescent moon (hilal) ushers in the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the Tri-Valley Stargazers will also set up telescopes allowing us to peer at other planets in the night sky. El Halal Amigos (canceled) & Halal Bites of Chicago food trucks will sell dinners from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
MCC adheres to the traditional principle that Islamic lunar months begin and end based on confirmed, verified naked-eye sightings of the new crescent moon globally. MCC will confirm the start of Ramadan on the evening of March 22 in its newsletter (subscribe at https://mcceastbay.org/newsletter).

If the moon is sighted, the first night of Taraweeh will be after Isha (9 p.m.) on Wednesday, March 22, and the first day of fasting will be Thursday, March 23.

Both the MCC website (mcceastbay.org) and the MCC’s automated phone menu (925-485-1786) will announce the start of Ramadan by 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22.
This Wednesday, the sunset in Pleasanton is at 7:25. We will look for the moon and peer at the planets and stars from 6:30 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. in the MCC Parking Lot. Please come early as we have long lines to view the planets in the sky with the high-visibility telescopes. To see the planets, we will turn off the lights in the MCC parking lot. Please use the light on your phone to see your way.
Since sunset will be at 7:25, we will likely be able to see the new moon by about 8. We will also see some star clusters and the Orion Nebula.
MCC observes the beginning and end of months following the sighting of the crescent moon.
The du’a to recite if the crescent is sighted:
اللَّهُمَّ أَهِلَّهُ عَلَيْنَا بِالأَمْنِ وَالإِيمَانِ، والسَّلامَةِ والإِسْلامِ، وَالتَّوْفِيقِ لِمَا تُحِبُّ وَتَرْضَى، رَبُّنَا وَرَبُّكَ اللهُ
Allaahumma ahillahu ‛alaynaa bil-amni wal-eemaani, was-salaamati wal-islaami, wat-tawfeeqi limaa tuḥibbu watarḍaa, rabunaa wa rabbuk-allaahu-
O Allah, let the crescent loom above us in peace and faith, safety and Islam, and in agreement with all that You love and pleases You. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.
(Source: Sunan Al- Tirmidhi)
Qari Amar Bellaha will also be in the Hayward Hills this Wednesday evening to see the crescent moon. If sighted, he will read the special dua from high atop the hills and head down to lead the Taraweeh prayers on Wednesday evening at 9:15 p.m. He will be live streaming his moonsighting atop the Hayward Hills at https://mcceastbay.org/live

Nightly Taraweeh Prayers
2023-03-22 21:15 - 23:15
Based on moonsighting on the evening of Tuesday, March 21, the first night of Taraweeh prayers at MCC will begin at 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, or Wednesday, March 22.

In Ramadan 2023, Qari Amar Bellaha will recite regular 20 rakats (cycles) at MCC’s nightly indoor Taraweeh, which will begin after Isha at 9:15 p.m. (except last week in Ramadan will be at 9:30 p.m.). The Taraweeh prayers are also broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.

Qari Amar will follow this recitation schedule: https://mcceastbay.org/schedule

The Tarawih prayers are held indoors with no social distancing in Prayer Hall. Social distancing worship spaces in Banquet Hall & Parent-Child Prayer Hall (women) & Conference Room (men).

After Asr each day, Qari Amar will also virtually recite one chapter online only in his sonorous voice. The daily recitation (schedule) are broadcast from 6:30 p.m. to about 7:15 p.m. on MCC’s Facebook and YouTube.

– Past Ramadan ’23 Taraweeh livestreams: https://mcceastbay.org/taraweeh

– Qur’anic Recitation playlist: https://mcceastbay.org/tarwih

– Qari Amar’s daily Taraweeh recitation schedule: https://mcceastbay.org/recitation

– More Qari Amar: https://mcceastbay.org/amar

– Qari Amar reciting Juz’ Ama 30 (the final chapter of Qur’an): https://mcceastbay.org/juz-ama

Questions? events@mcceastbay.org

For Jumu’ah, Iftars, and Taraweeh prayer, worshippers may park in our neighbor Hewlett Packard’s parking lot. The MCC parking security team will stand watch during the prayers each night and direct motorists.
