Al-Maqasid

Allah the Exalted describes the Qur’an as a reminder, healing, guidance, and mercy. Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains its many blessings through verses in the Quran, stories of the pious, and several lines in Imam al-Busiri’s poem The Burda. And as Ramadan soon approaches, he encourages us to develop our relationship with this “most beautiful teaching.” [Quran 39:23]

To listen to the other Khutbas in the series: soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/khutbas

“It is from Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) to not let anything distract one from his Lord and to bear tribulations on the path of seeking closeness to Him.”

In this comprehensive discussion, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses this next virtuous trait of Futuwwa found in Imam al-Sulami’s book on Futuwwa. He discusses the criteria used by those on the spiritual path in deciding whether to act, the definition of success from a religious perspective, and an explanation of several lines in al-Busiri’s Poem of the Cloak (al-Burda) that describe one’s nafs (lower self).

For other lessons from the series on Futuwwa: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/futuwwa-spiritual-chivalry-1

In this next Khutba in the series on intention, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains how, through our intentions, we can reach things that we could not reach in other ways. He looks at the Quranic story of Sayyida Maryam (peace be upon her), and other stories of the pious, to show that making the right intentions can lead to amazing things in one’s life.

For more Jumu'a Khutbas, please access our playlist: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/khutbas

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains what it means to fear Allah, the next virtuous trait of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s book, Kitab al-Futuwwa.

He also explains a stanza in Imam al-Haddad’s poem 'My Lord's Knowledge Suffices Me' (Qad kafānī 'ilmu Rabbī) and the blessings in having a good opinion of Allah the Exalted in all states.

For other lessons on Futuwwa, please access our playlist: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/futuwwa-spiritual-chivalry-1

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin ends his series on the five foundational Hadith by looking at the fifth Hadith in which a companion asked, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to an action that if I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me.” The Messenger ﷺ responded, “Detach from the world and Allah will love you; detach from what people have and they will love you.”

Ustadh Amjad discusses what it means to detach from this world and how to do it.

To listen to the other Khutbas in the series: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/the-5-foundational-hadith

As year 2020 of the Gregorian calendar comes to a close, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us of the blessings of faith (iman) and the blessing of viewing the world from a faith-based perspective. He discusses two hadith that specifically address what is means to taste the sweetness of faith, the first one relating to contentment and the second one relating to love.

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his series on the well-known and foundational hadith on intentions, “Actions are by intentions...” by looking at three dimensions: sincerity in one’s intentions, making multiple intentions, and making good intentions in everything that we do.

In this next Khutba, continuing with the five foundational hadith upon which Islam is built, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the well-known hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim which states, "That which is lawful is clear and that which is forbidden is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful...Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it is sound, the entire body is sound; but, if it is corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart."

Among other things, Ustadh Amjad explains the concept of wara’ or scrupulousness, in part by recounting the story of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him, who exemplified this virtue at a young age.

To listen to the other Khutbas in the series: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/the-5-foundational-hadith

“When you mention the righteous, mercy descends.” In this reflection, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us of the blessings of staying connected to the righteous. He also discusses the intentions one makes when residing in blessed places of knowledge.

He ends his reflection with the next trait of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s Kitab al-Futuwwa: speaking of spiritual matters according to one’s own state.

Continuing with his series on the five foundational hadith that scholars have indicated all other hadith stem from their meaning, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin looks at the fourth foundational hadith: "By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, none of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness."

As part of this discussion, Ustadh Amjad mentions why love (maḥabba) is the pinnacle of all spiritual virtues.

To listen to the other Khutbas in the series: https://soundcloud.com/al-maqasid/sets/the-5-foundational-hadith