MUSLIM AMERICAN SOCIETY

URBANA - CHAMPAIGN CHAPTER

Project of the Year2014 - 2015

Hiring a Full-time Hafiz/Muhaffiz

and a Resident Scholar

who will provide enhanced Quran and Islamic knowledge and education to Urbana-Champaign

and the neighboring Central Illinois communities

Othman Ibn‘Affan (may Allah be pleased with him)

narrated that the prophet (PBUH) said: The best among you is the one who

learns Quran and teaches it

   عنن  عثمانن  إإبنن  عفانن  ٬،  ررضي  هللا  عنهھ  ٬،  عنن

مم  منن  االنبي  صلى  هللا  عليیهھ  ووسلمم  قالل  :(خيیررك تعلمم  االقررآآنن   

ووعلمهھ)  أأخررجهھ  االبخارريي    

Be our partner and help raise funds

All donations are tax-exempt.

MAS Urbana-Champaign is a 501(c) 3

nonprofit organization.

Federal Tax ID# 36-3885457

ABOUT MASMAS Urbana-Champaign is a grassroots community organization and a local chapter of the MAS National that works to educate, organize, and empower the Muslim community. It aims to shape active and contributing citizens who play a significant role towards positive-social and spiritual change.

Contact Us!Address: 2011 Brownfield Rd. Urbana, IL 61802

Phone: (217) 298-2155

Email: administrator@masurbana-champaign.org

Website: www.masuc.org

Answer to Question 8 continued...any of the mentioned texts, the student should be able to successfully pass the exam in the following three areas: (1) memorizing the Arabic text (2) understanding it and (3) practicing it.I am more interested in learning about islamic 9. knowledge, should I expect to benefit as well?Yes. You should benefit from the Islamic background of the “Resident Scholar” on planned Islamic Knowledge courses such asIslamic Creed “Aquidah”. Islamic Jurisprudence “Fiqh”: its origins “Usul-ul-Fiqh”, basics, and details.Science of the Hadeeth: Explanation and Lessons, Science of the Hadeeth.Rituals “Fiqh-ul-Ibadaat” such as purification, Prayers, Fasting, and Hajj.Islamic Manners “Akhlaaq”.Biography “Seerah” of the Prophet (pbuh): Lessons for life.How can the community support the MAS-UC 10. project of the year 2014-2015?MAS is seeking the community ’s assistance in raising seed money to hire a qualified full- time “Hafiz/Muhaffiz” and Resident Scholar.

All donations are tax-exempt. MAS Urbana-Champaign is a 501(c)3

nonprofit organization.

How can MAS-UC financially sustain the 11. program after the first year?Registration fees from programs offered will partially cover the expenses. The rest will be covered by fundraising activities and donations. Inability to pay these fees should not prevent anyone interested in gaining the benefit, therefore scholarships will be granted to qualified applicants.

UrbanaChampaign

Project of the Year2014 - 2015Benefits of having a Full-Time

Hafiz/Muhaffiz & Resident Scholar include:Providing the Urbana-Champaign community and the surrounding Central Illinois neighboring cities with:

Professional Quran Services1. Memorization (Entire Quran or part of it)

Tajweed (all levels; beginners to advanced)

Specialized Quran Certifications “Ijazah”2.

Memorization and Tajweed

Islamic Knowledge and Education3.

Quran

Services

Memorization•

Tajweed •

Ijazaat • Certifications

in both

Memorization

& Tajweed

Quran

Knowledge

Tafsir•

Science • of Qira’aat

“Different

Recitations”

Islamic

Knowledge

Aquidah “Creed”•

Fiqh•

Hadeeth•

Ibadaat “Rituals”•

Manners & Morals•

Seerah “Prophet’s • Biography”

memorization & revision plan to suit the student’s capacity. The pace to memorize the entire Quran will differ from one person to another.The “Full-Time” Hifz School will be offered to children who can take a break from the academic school system and focus on memorizing the entire Quran within a few years. The estimated time to memorizing the entire Quran through this program is around three years.What other “Quran Services” are planned to 7. be offered? Two or more Quran services are planned to be offered: The Art of Quran Recitation “Tajweed” and the “Sciences of the Quran.”(1) The “Tajweed” program focuses on reciting the Quran correctly and caters to all age groups (children, youth & adults), all levels (basic, intermediate & advanced ) and different Quran Qira’aa (Schools of various Quran recitations)(2) The “Sciences of the Quran” program focuses on understanding the meaning of the Quran “Tafsir” and the “Reasons of Revelation” of the Ayaat “Asbab-un-Nuzool”What other “Specialized/Advanced” Quran 8. programs are planned to be offered?The Quran Certification “Ijazah” program is planned to be offered.The Quran Memorization Certification “Hifz Ijazah” program can be offered to those who have memorized the entire Quran and would like to be certified. For the certification “Ijazah”, the student should pass an extensive oral exam in Hifz and Tajweed.Tajweed Certification “Ijazah” program is offered to those who have mastered the art of Tajweed following one of the known Tajweed legacy texts such as “Tuhfat-ul-Atfaal”, “Muqadimat Al-Jazariyah.” For the certification, “ijazah” in

Do I need to attend at the MAS Center to join 3. the Quran memorization “Hifz” Program?For the Quran memorization “Hifz” program, it is preferred to be in direct contact with the Muhaffiz (at least once a week). However, if being in-person is not possible, then a different approach can be adopted based on the following options:Web-based through SkypeMixed (in-person & Skype)Is the Hifz/Tajweed program restricted to a 4. particular age group?The Hifz/Tajweed Program is open to people of all ages (children, youth as well as adults).College Students can setup a suitable “Memorization/Hifz” schedule that aligns with their college work. Similarly, adults can set up a plan, which better suits their work & family schedule.Does the MAS-UC have a long-term vision 5. in hiring the Hafiz/Muhaffiz & Resident Scholar?Yes, the MAS-UC is planning to establish a “Hafiz” program leading to a “Full-Time” Hifz school. Hiring a full-time resident scholar will facilitate getting closer to realizing this vision.

What is the difference between the “Hafiz” 6. program and the “Full-Time” Hifz School?Both programs are planned to serve those interested in memorizing the entire Quran, but they differ in the methodology and the time involved. The “Hafiz” Program will be offered to anyone who intends to memorize the entire Quran while pursuing his or her daily activities. During registeration, the “Hafiz/Muhaffiz” instructor will customize a continued

Q & AIs this an Imam’s position?1. No, this is not an Imam’s position because the MAS Center at Urbana-Champaign is not a Masjid. The MAS-UC is looking to hire a scholar who will serve as a resource for the entire community.What services would the Hafiz/Muhaffiz & 2. Resident Scholar be able to provide to our UC Community?The following “Professional” programs are currently planned to be offered by the resident scholar. There is room for future additional programs as well.