SimplyIslam is pleased to organise the "Living Right" workshops with Ustadh Usama Canon, Founder & Director of Ta'leef Collective (USA). In the first workshop on Saturday 5 December, Ustadh Usama Canon will be discussing a book by Imam Abdullah Al-Haddad entitled "The Lives of Man". In the second workshop he will discuss some key Prophetic Traditions or Hadith that should shape every Muslim's character.

Workshop 1
Topic: The Lives of Man – Selections from the Wisdom of Imam Al-Haddad
Date: Saturday 5 December 2015
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: SimplyIslam, 152 Still Road

Ustadh Usama Canon will be discussing aspects of this remarkable book by Imam 'Abdallah al-Haddad who is widely regarded as the spiritual ‘renewer’ of the 12th Islamic century. A direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, Imam al-Haddad’s sanctity and direct experience of God are clearly reflected in his writings, poetry, and books.

Ustadh Usama Canon will share the main components of this book, wherein Imam Al-Haddad divides the lives of man into 5 stages. The 1st stage being the realm of souls, life before conception where Allah created the souls of all the human beings and took covenant from them. The 2nd stage is the present life on Earth, and this is the most crucial stage because the future of the man is decided based upon his/her conduct in this present life. The present life is further separated into separate states – womb, youth, maturity, seniority, decrepitude, sickness and death.

The 3rd stage is the intermediate realm of Barzakh – the stage between the physical and spiritual worlds, in which the soul awaits after death and before resurrection on Qiyamah (Judgment Day). In this stage, the speaker will share the torment of the Grave, how the living may help the dead and the subject of visiting graves. The 4th stage is the Qiyamah or Judgment Day and the speaker will elucidate on the concepts of the Balance and the Bridge, the Hawd and the Intercession.

The final and 5th stage is the everlasting state of bliss in Paradise for the faithful and the righteous or the everlasting state of torment, agony and remorse for the sinners, rebels and transgressors.

Workshop 2
Topic: Effective Habits for Muslims - 10 Prophetic Wisdoms to Live By
Date: Sunday 6 December 2015
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: SimplyIslam, 152 Still Road

“The best thing a believing person can be given is good character.”
– Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Prophet Muhammad said that on the Judgement Day, nothing will be heavier on a believer's scale of deeds than having good character. In a one-day workshop by Ustadh Usama Canon, he will share how the Prophet was sent to perfect inner beauty through the exploration of 10 Prophetic traditions that should shape every Muslim's character.

About Ustadh Usama Canon
Born and raised in California, Ustadh Usama Canon embraced Islam in 1996. Since then, he has had the honor of studying various Islamic Sciences both at home and abroad under some of today’s foremost scholars in America, Morocco, Egypt and Yemen.

During the last decade, Ustadh Usama served as the Outreach Director and an Arabic Instructor at Zaytuna Institute, as well as a Muslim Chaplain for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Ustadh Usama is the Founding Director of Ta’leef Collective, a community based non-profit focused on assisting converts to Islam and creating healthy social and sacred spaces. He is also a spiritual advisor to the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), visiting Chicago monthly in this capacity. In addition to speaking in various communities throughout the United States, Ustadh Usama leads workshops and retreats worldwide.

His professional interests include contemporary issues and solutions related to the American Muslim experience, as well as the development of support systems for ex-offenders. Usama resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and four children.

Ustadh Usama Canon is one of the most dynamic Muslim speakers in the West who is founded on a deep understanding and scholarship of Islam through the love of The Word of Allah and His Beloved Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam. His firm understanding of the context of living in today’s world with varying challenges makes him one of the most lucid commentators and advisors to the global citizen, informed by the Principles of Mercy and Wisdom advocated by Islam.