Al-Maqasid

In his Farewell Sermon on Mount Arafat given on the ninth of Dhul-Hijja, shortly before his return to Allah the Exalted, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that a white person has no superiority over a black person, nor a black person over a white, except by his or her degree of taqwa (piety).

In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad reflects upon these words and other counsel given that day over 1400 years ago. He also reminds us to take advantage of the doors of good that Allah the Exalted has opened up in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijja before they pass.

Certitude (yaqīn) is perhaps the most important element for progress on the spiritual path. Weaving together verses of the Qur’an, relevant hadith, and reflections of the pious, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains what is meant by certitude in the Islamic context, how it is the foundation of all Islamic teachings, and why people of certitude are necessary, especially in these times.

In Part II of this series, he will discuss how to protect and strengthen one’s certitude in order to witness the reality of the unseen and to ignite the 'light of fitra' in others so that they too may taste the sweetness of faith.

The next virtue mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s book 'Kitab al-Futuwwa' is bearing hardships for the sake of Allah the Exalted.

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus mentions that those on the spiritual path will experience harm at the hands of people, and that part of spiritual progress is bearing that for Allah's sake. As encouragement, Shaykh Yahya recounts several stories of righteous servants of Allah the Exalted and some of the hardships that they endured.

In this next discussion of the virtues mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s book 'Kitab al-Futuwwa', Shaykh Yahya discusses the great trait of letting go of one’s wealth. He explains several verses from the Quran where Allah the Exalted tells us that the righteous give solely out of love for Him.

Several beautiful stories of generosity displayed by people of Futuwwa, including those of modern times, are related. Throughout the discussion, Shaykh Yahya provides practical advice on how one can acquire this virtue and learn to detach from the love of this world.

The following topics are covered in this session:

• The decree of the Beloved is beloved

• Reconciling opposition to evil and contentment with the Divine decree

• Supplication does not conflict with contentment

• Meeting Allah ﷻ

The following topics are covered in this session:

• Contentment is the fruit of love

• Quranic verses on contentment

• Prophetic sayings on contentment

• Reports of the Salaf (Righteous Predecessors)

The following topics are covered in this session:

• The meaning of Allah's love for His servant

• Longing (shawq) for Allah

• Intimacy (uns) with Allah

The following topics are covered in this session:

• Loving to meet Him

• Preferring what He loves

• Remembering Him abundantly

• Finding intimacy (uns) in solitude

• Enjoying worship

• Showing mercy to His creation

• Fearing distance from Him

The following topics are covered in this session:

• The importance of love in relation to the Hereafter

• Severing worldly attachments from the heart

• Planting the seeds of gnosis in the heart

• Spending time with the righteous who love Allah

The following topics are covered in this session:

• Loving for the sake of Allah

• The centrality of loving the Prophet ﷺ

• Allah alone deserves love:

i) Benevolence

ii) Beauty