What is Knowledge?

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate  What is knowledge?  What distinguishes sacred knowledge?  What is metafiqh?  Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that deals with the theory of knowledge. Unique and brilliant in its approach, Islamic tradition has its own epistemology. Devoid of academic doublespeak and highly succinct, these lessons offer a guide to this critical topic accessible to laymen and experts alike. 

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate In this episode, a. the “living tafsir” of Q 2:185 b.  the definition of quranic cognition  c.  the development of the character quotient  d. the “People of the Quran”  e. the spiritual maxim of gratitude  f. commentary on the hadīth of “Recite and rise” g. condolences to Sh. Samir h. a special dedication 

﷽   The “Tree of Taqwā” was birthed from the pollen of a beautiful flower, taken from another lofty tree. The Tree of Tawhīd.  أَصْلُهَا ثَابِتٌ وَفَرْعُهَا فِي السَّمَاءِ Do you not see how God sets forth parables? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches tower high in the sky. (Ibrahīm 14:24) Listen in to Shaykha Iman Badawi's personal 'Eid message.

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate  The Gift of Wings 27 Ramadan 1444 Our good deeds ascend to God like a bird. The more intentions we can generate sincerely from our hearts, the greater our wingspan and the higher we can fly.  This is our gift to you... اللهم صلّ وسلّم وبارك على سيدنا محمد وآله 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate On Dec. 24th, 1968, Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit.  In radio broadcast, lunar pilot William Anders read from the Book of Genesis [...] I was not yet born, but...   Join us as we visit the orbit of the greatest woman in creation, our Mother Mary. May God's peace be upon her.   There are no problems here, Houston. We are clear for launch.  

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate On Dec. 24th, 1968, Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon, entered lunar orbit.  In radio broadcast, lunar pilot William Anders read from the Book of Genesis [...] I was not yet born, but...   Join us as we visit the orbit of the greatest woman in creation, our Mother Mary. May God's peace be upon her.   There are no problems here, Houston. We are clear for launch.

Elevation in scholarly level is in —not just knowing – but having the ability to employ the usuli methodology of classical scholarship. Knowledge is not a textbook, it’s a skill.   We often speak of the critical importance of utilizing knowledge for devotional practice. This is only the first cycle, though. Scholars have completed this round and been raised to the next, which is scholarly practice that leads to new knowledge.

When colonial powers entered Muslim lands, pedagogy was harnessed as a weapon. In erasure of the intellectual pillars of Islamic civilization, the laymen’s assuming of scholarly authority and the scholar’s assuming of the laymen’s taqlid are no worse than each other. In the dizziness of reversed realities, only full-faceted Tradition can set the Umma back on track. Where is our independent, Islamic academia?

‎﷽    In this lesson, we define the sixth element of the Sayyida Nafīsa Seminary knowledge integration system - Process.  We also define Islamic tradition and introduce our final historic inaugural phase - the Metafiqh academia.   

‎﷽ Illumined by the prophetic soul and nurtured by prophetic knowledge, our Lady Nafisa is a culmination of the excellence of prophetic inheritance, in lineage and scholarship. Until today, the minaret of her magnificence calls to us, her legacy leads us, and her spirit solaces us. If her virtues were to be distributed upon the women of the world, they would render them all saints.  May Allah's pleasure and peace be upon her.