Ever wonder how people can write Quranic ayat in such a beautiful way?

InshAllah in this class YOU will learn the beautiful art of Arabic calligraphy.
The goal of this class is to get the interested students to start their journey to Islamic art. The students are given a quick background of aqlam as-Sitah: kufi, diwani, thuluth, naskh, nastaliq, and riq’a.
This hands on program will focus on recognizing, reading different writing
styles, and learning to engage in six basic styles, along with practical tips
on how to beautify one’s calligraphy. This two day class will give students
everything they need to learn to start their venture into Islamic art. The
class includes tips on supplies, art styles, and art competition amongst
students.

When: November 7th, November 8th
Where: Darul Islah, 325 Fabry Terrace, Teaneck NJ

Time: 6-10 PM Friday, 1-5 PM Saturday
Cost: Refreshments will be served.

Class Fee $35 Supplies $10

Art Inscribed Calligraphy Class Taught By:
Brother Faraz Khan

Faraz Khan’s Art Manifesto:

m&m’s (Morals & Meanings) in Art.

The case against Modern Art is a voice of many critics. Intention is crucial in giving meaning to any artifact. Art is human expression of intention and thus should reflect a purpose. In Modern Art many artifacts are created for the sake of art galleries and showcases that only a few can afford. Thus Modern Art has been limited to a circle of few rich elites. The society where this art is produced is deprived of any benefit except that the whole art industry is serving a minority. This is a deplorable condition given the fact that art is funded by tax dollars of average Americans. Modern art is not public but rather a private affair. Modern art has introduced memberships and entrance fees to exclude majority from experiencing aesthetics. There are many charges against Modern art:

• Modern art is unintelligible to an average person.
• Modern art no longer holds any meaning to an average person.
• Modern art is in crisis and can only be interpreted by an “expert” not general public.
• Modern art often has no connection to its past.
• Modern art is not a matter of expertise.
• Modern Art delineates between rich and poor.
• Modern art is meaningless and often immoral.
• Modern art is uninspiring.

  Thus, time has come for a change and injection of spiritual life into the dying physical art forums in the West.
  

• Modern art lacks a spiritual form.

AT THIS PARTY
~ by Shams-ud-din Muhammad Hafiz (c. 1320-1389)

I don’t want to be the only one here
Telling all the secrets–

Filling up all the bowls at this party,
Taking all the laughs.

I would like you
To start putting things on the table
That can also feed the soul
The way I do.

That way
We can invite

A hell of a lot more
Friends.

(from The Subject Tonight Is Love: Sixty Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz,
versions by Daniel Ladinsky, Pumpkin House Press, 3rd ed, 2000)

thinkin’ outside the box!

Rutgers-Newark MSA - Jeopardy!

If you missed out on the MSA’s exciting game of Jeopardy, we feel bad for you…

Want to know what happened?

The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Br.Faraz Khan. As the game began, brothers & sisters started pouring into the room to join in the fun. As you know, it was Brothers VS Sisters, so there was fierce competition at hand.

Alhumdulillah amidst laughter and smiles, brothers & sisters competed excitedly.

Brother Faraz Khan hosted the game itself & Br.Mustafa Gatallori provided humorous commentary as the game proceeded & the brothers’ score seemed to tower over the sisters The brothers aimed for the bigger points (400, 500, 1000!), while the sisters aimed for medium size ones. Then it seemed it was almost equal: 2600 brothers & 2100 sisters.

Then it was time for the Final Jeopardy Question:

In which surah does the last ayah have ALL the letters of the Arabic alphabet?

Know the answer?

Its Surah al-Fath (Chapter 26)

The brothers were unable to come up with the answer & were left with 500 while the sisters managed to get the right answer & won with a grand total of 3600 points.

MashaAllah!

Congratulations Sisters

& Good job everyone!

If you liked this kind of event & want more, drop us an email at

rutgersmsa@googlegroups.com

Improving Your Iman
By Faraz Khan

Darul Islah, Teaneck, NJ

This lecture is focused on iman and the difference between faith and creed. The increase and decrease in faith is a natural process. However, the way to keep the faith and continue this journey towards God is the central topic of this talk. In essence, faith (iman) is more than memorizing creed and we can only taste faith when we become faithful to Allah.