{The Absolute

Essentials of Islam}
Faith, Worship, and Spirituality

Lesson One: Introduction

Faraz Rabbani

The Text

Purpose

Lesson One

(1) What is the Way of

Guidance: How we understand
the Qur’an & Sunna
(2) Religion in Three
Dimensions
(3) Author’s Introduction
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Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

 The Soul
Its need & yearning

The Fatiha
“Guide Us”

Immediate
Divine Response
The Opening of
Surat al-Baqara

Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

 What is
Revelation?
Purpose
Content

What is religion?

{Divine Guidance that calls

those of understanding to
choose that which is for their
ultimate good, in this life and
the next.}

How Has Revelation Reached Us?

“Verily, We have sent down this

remembrance, and verily We shall
preserve it” [Qur’an, 15.9]
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Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

 Prophetic Promise

“There shall always remain a group in

my community manifest on the
truth…”
[Bukhari & Muslim]
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The Witness of History

Transmitted preservation.

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Fruits of This Preservation

“Guide us…”
Safety
Good
Your Pleasure
To You.

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Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

First Dimension: Faith (iman)

The Hadith Jibril

“Tell me about faith!”
Strangeness.
Lessons on learning
What is iman?

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Second Dimension: Submission (islam)

The Hadith Jibril

“Tell me about submission”
What is Islam?
How is it manifest?
Key manifestation: Prayer

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Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

 Third Dimension: Spiritual Excellence
(ihsan)
The Hadith Jibril
“Tell me about spiritual
excellence… It is to worship
Allah as though you behold
him…”
Excellence in faith & submission
Sincerity & striving
Consequence: closeness & beholding
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Author’s
Introduction

Three Keys to Guidance

Focus of the Course

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KNOWLEDGE ACTION (1) Validity (2) Soundness

SINCERITY (3) Propriety

Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014

 Next: Lesson Two
Belief in Allah

{I Am Near}
Allah’s Closeness & the
Purpose of Religion
Lesson One: Reality and Religion
Faraz Rabbani | SeekersCircle - 2014 T3

Absolute Essentials of Islam - 01 - Introduction - Steps 2014T3.key - September 13, 2014