KNOWLEDGE RETREAT
Inspired by the Historical Rulings of the Rightly Guided Caliphs: Analyzing Contemporary Fiqh Challenges
After the death of the Prophet (S), Islam experienced a golden era of milestones. It was a 30 year era full of expansion and victories and it had its challenges and turmoil. This year’s knowledge retreat will focus on analyzing some of the controversial decisions made in the face of overwhelming dilemmas. These decisions will be studied with a contemporary perspective to help the audience establish a greater appreciation and for these sahabah and to recognize that the difficult decisions that they made and the challenges they faced are similar to our modern challenges. Furthermore, students of this year’s knowledge retreat will become more confident and ready to address the controversial issues that Islamophobes bring up today.
INSTRUCTORS
WHAT IS THE KNOWLEDGE RETREAT?The Knowledge Retreat is a two day deen intensive immersion held prior to the convention with widely sought after scholars. The sessions are held in a classroom style setting at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago on December 26th and 27th.
DATESWednesday, December 26, 2018 - Thursday, December 27, 2018
|
VENUEHyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616 |
SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
Time |
Session |
Instructor |
10:00 am - 10:15 am |
Introduction A brief overview of the 2018 knowledge retreat. The moderator will cover the goals and objectives of this year's retreat and will emphasize the importance of the topic and why it was chosen. Welcome to the 2018 Knowledge Retreat! |
Mohamad Ata |
10:15 am - 11:15 am |
Aftermath of the Death of the Prophet In the midst of the chaos following the Prophet's death, one hero shined bright and led the companions out of the darkness. This session will further focus on the decisions of Abu Bakr that went against popular opinion. Special consideration will be given to the issue of shoorah & on Abu Bakr's insistence on carrying out the Prophet's command. |
Mohamad Ata |
11:30 am - 12:30 pm |
Difficult Decisions There were two main challenges that Abu Bakr faced in his lifetime, and he once again had to make the difficult decisions that would go against popular opinion. This session will focus on those decisions and the justifications behind those decisions. |
Lobna Mulla |
12:30 pm - 2:15 pm |
Lunch & Dhuhr Prayer (+ Asr for travelers) |
|
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm |
The Elevation of Women During the Caliphate of Omar Perhaps something not often thought of when reflecting upon the reign of Omar bin Alkhattab is how he empowered and respected women. This session will go over some of his rulings that favored women. We will also debunk the myth that he buried his daughter. |
Lobna Mulla |
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm |
Asr Prayer (for locals) |
|
3:45 pm - 4:45 pm |
Rulings & Sayings During Peace & Prosperity During the reign of Omar, peace and prosperity reigned supreme through the lands. Some have questioned that prosperity and how it was attained. Is it accurate to say Islam was spread by the sword? Is jizyah a penalty for being non-Muslim? How are non-Muslims supposed to be treated under Islamic law? This session will delve into these issues as well as some other rulings and sayings of Omar that we will analyze. |
Yaser Birjas |
4:45 pm - 5:30 pm |
Maghreb Prayer (+ Isha for travelers) |
|
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm |
Assassination of Omar & Election of Othman This session will focus on lessons learned from the assassination of Omar. Then we will get into the election of Othman bin Affan and will focus on the diplomacy and mutual respect between the sahabah, particulary Othman & Ali. |
Lobna Mulla |
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
Q & A Free for All Ya jama'ah. Share your questions. Anything goes. |
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Time |
Session |
Instructor |
10:00 am - 11:00 am |
Quran Compilation & Accomplishments The greatest gift Othman ever gave the ummah was the compilation of the Quran which we read to this day. What was the process of the preservation of the Quran like? What is the significance of this process and why is it important today? Othman bin Affan was known to have an exemplary relationship with the Quran. We will take a step back and discuss how our relationship with the Quran is today and practical steps to improve it. |
Yaser Birjas |
11:15 am - 12:15 pm |
Two Lights Shining Bright Othman has a resume that is unmatched in its generosity, humbleness, and unique accomplishments. It is necessary to understand these honors before we delve into his caliphate deeper. Some of these accomplishments and honors will refute some of the later accusations made against him by the rebels of his time. |
Yaser Birjas |
12:15 pm - 2:00pm |
Lunch & Dhuhr Prayer (+ Asr for travelers) |
|
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm |
Two Lights Enveloped in Darkness This session will focus on the complaints of the rebels and his martyrdom. Special emphasis will be given on Othman’s insistence on not spilling Muslim blood and how that differs from the modern discourse & rhetoric that is used to devalue life and cheapen blood. |
Omar Suleiman |
3:00 pm - 3:30 pm |
Asr Prayer (for locals) |
|
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm |
You Ruled and you were Just. You felt Safe, so you Slept The standard of justice that Omar set during his khilafa was so remarkable, that Omar could be seen sleeping peacefully in public with no body guards. This session will focus on several of the difficult, sometimes controversial, decisions that he made which ultimately led to that peace and prosperity |
Omar Suleiman |
4:30 pm - 5:15 pm |
Break & Maghreb Prayer (+ Isha for travelers) |
|
5:15 pm - 6:15 pm |
Tensions & Division The aftermath of Othman's assassination led to one of the most difficult times this ummah has faced. This session will focus on particular challenges that Ali bin abi Talib faced. A very brief overview of the origin of the shia will be discussed. |
Kifah Mustapha |
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm |
The Mindset of Extremism This session will focus on the challenges that the khawarij, the extremists of Ali's time, brought to the ummah and how he dealt with them. We will also analyze the similiarities between modern-day extremism and that of the khawarij. |
Kifah Mustapha |
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm |
Q & A Free for All The dynamic duo from Valley Ranch Islamic Center in Texas is here for you. Get your questions ready and make them good. |
Omar Suleiman and Yaser Birjas |
Donate Blood between the hours of 12-7pm at the Burnham room Hyatt Convention Center 2nd floor. Make an appointment at vitalant.org
and use group code 893A or call 877-543-3768.
and use group code 893A or call 877-543-3768.