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Home | News | From al-Aqsa to al-Karam

View Photos from the Tour

It is 5:00pm on Wednesday 21 June 2006, there is a gentle wind drifting peacefully over the grounds of Jamia al-Karam. The atmosphere is tranquil and soothing as the trees of al-Karam move lightly from right to left in anticipation.  All the teachers, staff members and students of Jamia al-Karam are gathered outside the main entrance and a general feeling of eagerness and excitement is beginning to develop.  It has been five years since the Imam and Khatib of al-Masjid al-Aqsa, Jerusalem, last visited the United Kingdom and the mood at al-Karam is now evolving into one of restlessness and impatience as it is 5:15pm; 15 minutes after the respected Shaykh was due to arrive.

Abruptly the staff and students gasp a sigh of relief from the suspense as Shaykh M. I. H. Pirzada’s car enters the vicinity of Jamia al-Karam.  All eyes are glued to the car as it approaches and the devotees present begin reciting Imam Buseeri’s (may Allah be pleased with him) widely acclaimed Qaseedah Burdah. The five-years of waiting to see the respected Imam is finally over as Shaykh Yusuf ‘Abd al-Wahhab ibn Mahmud Abu Sneina steps out of the car and raises his hands offering his salutations to all those present.  “These are very enlightened faces that I see before me,” he exclaims to Shaykh Pirzada upon seeing all the staff and students of al-Karam that have gathered to welcome the respected Shaykh.  Despite his flight from Tel Aviv to Manchester Airport, via Zurich, followed by a journey by car to Jamia al-Karam there are no signs of weariness present as he begins meeting all of the staff and students present one by one exchanging greetings and maintaining a wonderful smile.  He expresses his joy and delight to Shaykh Pirzada after meeting all of the students and congratulates him on establishing such a splendid institution, with so many boarding students, in the West.

Shaykh Abu Sneina is a humble man.  Had I not known that he is the Imam and Khatib of Islam’s third holiest mosque I would have surely mistaken him for just another Muslim brother from the Middle East and not given him the respect that he rightfully deserves.  Never in his discourse does he alert you to the fact that you are speaking to the Imam of al-Masjid al-Aqsa thereby imposing his respect, in any way, upon you.  

Indeed it is a blessing bestowed upon Shaykh Pirzada and all the residents and students of al-Karam that Shaykh Abu Sneina chose to reside at Jamia al-Karam during his two week tour of the United Kingdom.  The respected Shaykh has a close relationship with Shaykh Pirzada, which began in January 2001 when Shaykh Pirzada along with dozens of other distinguished Imams and scholars of the UK went to Palestine to distribute charity to the poor and needy through Muslim Charity (UK).  Soon after he returned, in June 2001, Shaykh Pirzada invited Shaykh Abu Sneina to the UK on the occasion of the annual ‘Urs Mubarak of Justice Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (may Allah be pleased with him).  This was the first time the Shaykh visited the UK. And so, five years later the respected Shaykh is back in the UK to once again attend the annual ‘Urs Mubarak and also to participate in the Gateway to Divine Mercy event, which was held in Manchester on 25 June 2006.

It is not often that an Imam of Shaykh Abu Sneina’s caliber comes to the UK and so, as you can imagine, there were many admirers of the Shaykh who wanted to visit him and to have him as a guest at their homes.  For this reason the second day of the Shaykh’s tour was full of activity as there were many houses to visit and followers to meet in Yorkshire.   The day was tiring and demanding for those traveling with the Shaykh but Shaykh Abu Sneina himself seemed attentive and lively always greeting devotees with a cheerful smile and kind words.  He never omitted thanking people for their hospitality even if they had prepared food that we had specifically instructed them not to due to the busy schedule.  

During his visits, the Shaykh discussed a range of issues ranging from the problems Muslims are facing in the world to the differences of opinion between the Hanafi and Shafi’i schools of thought with regards to the method of praying.  However, the most popular topic of discourse with Yorkshire’s Muslims was the current socio-political state of affairs in Palestine especially after the recent election of Hamas.  The Shaykh was pleased with the response that he got from Muslim brothers and sisters and at the end of the day remarked, “I am very happy at what I have heard today.  I know that the majority of the Muslims, especially those of Indo-Pakistani origin, feel strongly about the Palestinian crisis and fully support the people of Palestine.”

Travelling with the Shaykh, I learnt that he not only ensures that his guests are well looked after and treated hospitably, but he also pays constant attention to those travelling with and assisting him on his trips.  Whilst travelling by car if refreshments were presented to him he would first offer them to the driver, then other passengers and then he would accept them.

On the way back to Jamia al-Karam, the Shaykh told us of his family origin in Palestine.  His forefathers came with Salah ad-Din al-Ayyubi (may Allah be pleased with him) when he recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders in 1187 CE.  The name Abu Sneina derives from the Arabic word for ‘spear’ and it was his forefathers who were carrying spears on the right side of the mighty Salah ad-Din (may Allah be pleased with him) in his army.  The descendants of those courageous warriors, the Shaykh said, who are currently living in Palestine amount to approximately 25,000.

Upon returning to Jamia al-Karam the Shaykh found the energy to deliver a lecture to the senior students of Islamic Studies. He first congratulated the students as Allah (most high) had chosen them to be the future Imams and leaders of the Muslim communities.  The Shaykh gave invaluable counsel to the students stressing the importance of possessing a sincere intention.  Quoting early scholars he advised us that we should take the dunya and worldly desires out of our hearts and put them in our hands.  When worldly desires are in our hearts they control us, but once they are placed in our hands we have control over them.  The Shaykh then emphasized his point by providing a detailed elucidation of the time of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and how he handled the Bani Israel.

Friday 23 June 2006 was a blessed day.  For many of us who have never been to Palestine or prayed in al-Masjid al-Aqsa it was a day that we will never forget.  Indeed Allah (most high) proliferated his blessings upon the people of al-Karam as the eminent Imam of al-Masjid al-Aqsa led the Friday prayer at Jamia al-Karam.  His sermon was short and stimulating and upon concluding the prayer many of those present had the opportunity to meet and converse with the respected Imam and Shaykh.

Following the prayer the teachers and scholars of al-Karam had the good fortune of having lunch with the respected Shaykh.  During lunch the question of the Palestinian crisis came up once again.  The Shaykh also made some intriguing comments about diversity.

The Shaykh informed us that Islam is an exceptionally diverse religion and way of life.  “We,” referring to the teachers and scholars present, “endeavor to attain the pleasure of Allah (most high) by seeking and teaching knowledge, others seek Allah’s (most high) pleasure through worshipping in solitude and so on.”  It would be wrong to say that the former is better than the latter and vice versa.  Thirty spokes share one hub.  As a scholar once commented on the diversity of Islam by stating that the first Caliph of the Muslims, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) had a distinct and separate personality yet he was following the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) completely and thoroughly.  Similarly, Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) had a distinct and separate personality yet he also was following the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) completely and thoroughly.  The same is the case of Usman bin Affan and Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with them).

It is clear that the four exalted companions mentioned above had different personalities yet all of them were following the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).  Consequently, Islam does not teach us that there is a single strict way of living which is the only acceptable way according to the way of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).  Differences of opinions exist between the scholars of Islam.  In no way does this imply that one scholar is always wrong and the other is always right, indeed differences of opinions have existed between the companions of the noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).  Islam is a diverse and compassionate way of life and not the harsh and strict religion that it is sometimes conveyed to be.

On Sunday 25 June 2006, the respected Shaykh attended the first Gateway to Divine Mercy event as the Guest of Honour, which was held in Manchester.  Almost 1,000 Muslim brothers and sisters attended this historic event to hear the words of and be in the company of numerous Shuyukh, Imams, scholars and nasheed artists.  Shaykh Amin al-Hasanaat Shah al-Qurashi had come from Pakistan along with Shaykh Ahmed Tijani Ben Omar from USA.  In addition, the renowned author and leading Barrister, Ahmad Thomson, blessed us with his presence.  It was a hugely successful event in which Shaykh Abu Sneina, in his keynote speech, talked about the significance of al-Masjid al-Aqsa in Islam.  

Drinking tea on a quiet summer evening with a picturesque view of al-Karam’s cherished Cedar Tree the Shaykh told us that, in his lifetime, he has had the fortuity of meeting many great people of Allah (most high).  He met Shaykh Muhammad Mutawalli al-Sha’rawi of Egypt in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah as well as Shaykh Abdul Qadeer Isa (may Allah be pleased with them) who is now buried in Istanbul, Turkey, adjacent to the burial place of the illustrious companion of the noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). The Shaykh has also had the blessed opportunity of meeting with the prominent Sayyid Muhammad ‘Alawi al-Maliki (may Allah be pleased with him), who he met over 20 times in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  When he was young, the Shaykh told us, he used to love travelling to various countries for the sole purpose of meeting and being in the company of the friends of Allah (most high).

During the Shaykh’s stay at al-Karam I was somewhat surprised when, after seeing the sports facilities provided by Jamia al-Karam, he told me that he wanted to play table-tennis.  When the time to play came and being a keen player myself, I said to myself that it would be best to take it easy on the Shaykh as there were a number of students present.  I was wrong. Drastically wrong.  I was a victim of my own ego as the Shaykh systematically slaughtered and butchered my serves and shots, in which I had put a lot of effort.  I subsequently did the right thing by bowing my head down in shame, declining to start a game and passing the bat on to another brother who was eager to play with the Imam of al-Masjid al-Aqsa.  The Shaykh informed us that he often plays table tennis, football and basketball in order to stay well and healthy.

On Sunday 2 July 2006, at the annual ‘Urs Mubarak the respected Shaykh delivered an inspiring talk commemorating the life, works and achievements of Justice Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (may Allah be pleased with him). Over 2,000 people participated in the gathering which was held at Jamia al-Karam.  The Shaykh declared that although he had not had the opportunity of meeting Justice Shaykh Muhammad Karam Shah al-Azhari (may Allah be pleased with him), through what he had heard about him and through the works and achievements of his students, particularly Shaykh Pirzada, he was undoubtedly an outstanding man whose legacy and acceptance testifies to his lofty station in the eyes of Allah (most high).

Commenting on the way of life in Palestine the Shaykh remarked that the majority of the people are so poor that they can only afford to eat twice a day or less.  As a result the Shaykh has got used to eating a modest quantity each day.  He said lightheartedly that the amount of food he has eaten in the last ten days here in the UK he would have eaten the same amount in Palestine over a period of 50 days.  People in the UK, he expressed, have far more luxurious and lavish lifestyles compared to those in Palestine.

At al-Karam, each time I would go to the Shaykh’s room to present some drinks or other refreshments he would be reciting the holy Qur’an in his awe-inspiring and melodious voice.  At times I would feel like quietly taking my position outside his room and listening to his splendid recitation.  The Shaykh informed us that every day he recites between eight and ten parts of the holy Qur’an and it is as a result of this practice that his memorization of the holy Qur’an is thorough.

The two weeks that the Shaykh spent in the UK will always be remembered by those who came in contact with him.  An incident at the airport on the day the Shaykh was due to leave for Palestine will forever be embedded in my mind.  A brother from Bolton came and offered two envelopes containing money to the Shaykh.  One envelope was addressed to “the poor and needy of Palestine” and the other to “Shaykh Yusuf Abu Sneina and family.”  The Shaykh smiled, took the former envelope and declined the latter.  He said kindly to the brother that I will give this to the poor and needy of Palestine. However, the brother insisted that he take the latter but the Shaykh refused.  The Shaykh was reluctant in accepting any money for himself but when the brother insisted for the third time the Shaykh unwillingly accepted the envelope in order not to discourage him.

Indeed Allah (most high) has chosen a truly remarkable man to lead Muslims in their prayers at the very mosque that the noble Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led prayers of all the messengers of Allah (most high).

 NEWS: 04/07/2006