Some of the most interesting stories in the Quran can be found in the chapter of al-Kahf (the Cave). In this khutbah, one of those stories, the story of Musa (Moses) and al-Khadir, is explored for the lessons and wisdom it can teach us today.

The chapter titled al-Kahf (the Cave) in the Quran tells interesting four stories that have much to teach us about the trials and tribulations of this world. This khutbah explores these stories to try to learn more from them about the kinds of tests we will face in this world and the way we can overcome them.

One of the most elusive things in our modern life is to live a happy and content life. As we fail to recognize the many beautiful things we have in our lives we also fail to be grateful for them. The path to increased contentment is to start remembering all the blessings we have and to thank the Creator for them.
This talk explains what it means to be a grateful person, how to be a more grateful person, and the indispensable benefits of adopting this attitude into our lives. It also highlights how our relationship with our Creator and fellow humans can be enhanced when we become more thankful.

How can we express our love of Prophet Muhammad? Though there are many ways to express this love, not all of them are equal. This khutbah points to the superior path of expressing our love of the Prophet, one that will earn back his love and manifest his message. The khutbah also emphasizes the enduring connection we have with the Prophet and its ability to change our lives today.

This talk focuses on the life of Jesus and the lessons we can learn from it. You will find in this track:
(1) a discussion of the background of the family of Jesus, especially his mother Mary, and the political and religious context he experienced growing up
(2) the message of Jesus
(3) the miracles of Jesus
(4) the attempt on his life
(5) his ascension into heaven
(6) his second coming
(7) some of the signs of the end of the world

What are the origins of the Christmas celebration? How do they relate to Jesus Christ? What do they teach us about human tendencies and fallibilities? What is the religious path of moderation that shuns extremism on both ends? This talk (khutbah) attempts to shed light on these important questions.

This second lecture in the two part series on the manners of Prophet Muhammad continues where we left off with a discussion of another feature of Prophet Muhammad's manners: his humility. The lecture outlines aspects of the Prophet's humility with family, friends, and the weak and unprivileged in society. The last part of the talk attempts to answer the question introduced in the first lecture: how can we reconcile the mercy of Islam with some of the punishments found in its penal code?

One of the most distinctive features of Prophet Muhammad was his mercy. Yet many may not be aware of this quality and its centrality in Islam. This lecture explores the quality of mercy in the life of the Prophet and why it should be central in our lives today. The lecture concludes with the question: how can we reconcile the mercy of Islam with what some have called its harsh punishments and penal code?

What are the signs of hypocrisy? How can we detect it and find a cure for it? How can we live a life that shuns duplicity and insincerity? Here we discuss the definition of hypocrisy in Islam, its types, and focus on some manifestations of it in our lives. The talk concludes with some advice on how to combat this disease.

A talk followed by a Q&A on how to maintain Iman (faith) in the modern/western context. The talk includes an explanation of the reality of iman and ways to nurture it in the face of overwhelming challenges.