As Muslims, we usually think we know our purpose in life: to worship God. Sometimes this is thought of just accumulating more and more good deeds as possible. But the question can be asked, why do we worship? Why is there a world at all in the first place; is there a specific purpose we are meant to realise as human beings? What does the Islamic tradition say about the nature of the cosmos and the essential role of humanity in it? What are we really? These questions about the fundamental nature of reality and ourselves will be explored based on the Islamic tradition, firmly grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Armed with this knowledge and understanding, our priorities may change as we take stock of ourselves and see where we stand. But how does one practically traverse the spiritual path in this world today? The methods used by our forefathers are there, but the world has changed. What is the essential knowledge that every Muslim needs to learn to move forward? What practices must one adopt and what must we avoid? We will look at practically how we can make this journey today, despite all the challenges living in Australia in the 21st century seems to pose.
Event Details
Date: Sat 8 Oct
Time: 9am to 5pm
Venue: 1A/8 George Young Street, Auburn, NSW
Standard Price: $20
Early Bird Price: $12 (20 Tickets)
Lunch & Refreshments Included
RSVP By Thu 6 Oct
Part 1: The Reason for Existence: Becoming the Perfect Human
In this part, Shaykh Wesam will explore the nature of reality and creation, and the fundamental purpose of the Sons and Daughters of Adam (as) as specified by the Qur’an and Sunnah.
Key Questions to Explore
- We have been created to worship – but why?
- What makes man different from the rest of creation?
- What is the ruh (soul), qalb (heart), nafs (self) and aql (mind)?
- What makes Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the Khayr ul Khalq (‘Best of Creation’)?
- What is the true potential for the Sons and Daughters of Adam?
- How can Muslims win over the hearts of humanity? How was it done before?
Part 2: Making the Journey Back to God: A Practical Guide
In this part, Shaykh Haisam will explore how everyday Muslims can traverse the spiritual path to God by drawing on the rich historical legacies left behind by Muslim communities since the time of our Prophet (saw).
Key Questions to Explore
- How can we reach a state of worship where we ‘see God without seeing Him’ (Hadith Jibril, Sahih Muslim 8)?
- What instructions and advice can we find in the Qur’an and Sunnah?
- How have Muslims done it for hundreds of years?
- What are the basic essentials needed for this journey?
- Common mistakes and traps to watch out for.
- Advice for Muslims living in Australia.
Shaykh Wesam Charkawi
Shaykh Wesam Charkawi has been tirelessly serving the community for well over a decade. He began his studies at a young age, traveling abroad to study the Islamic Sciences in the Fatih Institute in Damascus under traditional scholars. He also completed a Masters in Islamic Sacred Law at the University of Islah in Lebanon. More recently, he began undertaking a PhD in Social Psychology, focusing on identity, at the Western Sydney University. The Shaykh is known across the world, in no small part due to his translation and commentary on texts used worldwide such as Nur-Al Idah (a primer in Hanafi Fiqh) and Risala an-Nafi’a wa Hujatul Qadi’a fi ‘Ilm at-Tawhid (a primer on Islamic belief). He is involved in a wide variety of initiatives locally, and recently spearheaded the production of Before 1770, a film looking at Aboriginal Australian contact with Muslim Makassan peoples pre-colonisation.
Shaykh Haisam Farache
Shaykh Haisam Farache grew up on Sydney’s North Shore. He commenced his undergraduate studies in the USA, before completing a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Sydney, after which he completed his Masters in Applied Family Law from the College of Law, Sydney. The Shaykh has practiced in the law industry for two decades, and is currently the principal solicitor at Garrison Lawyers. Alongside this, the Shaykh has spent years pursuing Islamic learning, earning ijazas from scholars around the Muslim world, including Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. He also completed a Diploma in Sharia (Hons) at Dar al Mustafa in Yemen. He is a Minister of Religion (Islam) and also an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.