According to Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) in his book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, it is from futuwwa to (1) to allow your brother (sister) to use your wealth as if it were his own and (2) to love having guests and showing hospitality. In this session, Shaykh Yahya explains these two additional traits of spiritual chivalry (futuwwa) through numerous ahadith and stories of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wa salam. He also explains why Prophet Ibrahim, alaihi as-salam, was called “The Father of Guests.”

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 In this ninth podcast on Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya first discusses some of the blessings associated with gathering for knowledge and/or remembrance and how Futuwwa is the “glue” that holds hearts together. He then explains two additional traits of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: (1) helping and getting along with friends and (2) caring for your brother (or sister) more than you care for your own family. With respect to this second trait, Shaykh Yahya provides a detailed explanation of its implementation and limits. 

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In his book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) starts with “It is from Futuwwa…”. As Shaykh Yahya discusses in this eighth lecture, it is from Futuwwa (1) not to count you friends mouthfuls of food when you are eating with them and (2) to be lenient with your friends on matters that are clearly not sinful. Shaykh Yahya also explains the outward and inward meanings of facing the Qibla and translates a beautiful poem of Imam al-Haddad.

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In this seventh lecture on Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry), Shaykh Yahya first discusses the particular provision that different aspects of our being (i.e., physical body, mind, spiritual heart, and spirit) need to thrive. He then looks at two traits of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, that demonstrate selflessness: (1) Maintaining old relationships and (2) Keeping friends’ interests at heart and caring for one’s neighbors.

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Shaykh Yahya continues discussing futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book Kitab al-Futuwwa. In this lecture he discusses the trait of familiarity and closeness among Muslims, and what one can do if one has an aversion to another person. The second trait discussed is the aspect of generosity where one gives freely. Shaykh Yahya also mentions the benefits of imagining oneself with special people and at blessed places, and how to get the reward of 50 martyrs.

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Shaykh Yahya discusses three more traits of the people of Paradise in this fifth lecture on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book Kitab al-Futuwwa: (1) going to a close friend’s house uninvited; (2) not finding fault with food; and (3) generosity to guests. He also explains how gratitude to the Giver of Blessings, subhanahu wa ta’ala, is more virtuous than gratitude for the blessing itself. 

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In this fourth lecture on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book Kitab al-Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya discusses the virtue of not finding fault with another Muslim. As an example, it is mentioned how the great inheritors of the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa salam, although blessed with inner sight, look for what is the best in others and do not search for their faults. Prior to this discussion, Shaykh Yahya translates poetry of Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah preserve him and benefit us by him) on the state of a believer who loves His, subhanahu wa ta’ala, beloved. 

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Before continuing with Futuwwa or “spiritual chivalry”, in this third podcast Shaykh Yahya reminds us of the immense blessing of performing the five daily prayers. He also partially translates a beautiful poem by Habib ‘Ali al-Habashi (may Allah have mercy upon him and benefit us by him) and mentions the blessing of reciting the poetry of the friends of Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala. The podcast ends with a discussion of the virtue of being good to your friends and meeting their needs, as mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book Kitab al-Futuwwa.

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In this second podcast exploring the concept of Futuwwa (“spiritual chivalry”) based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) work, Shaykh Yahya first discusses the special honor of being a descendent of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wa salam, and recites a powerful du’a of Imam al-Haddad recognizing this honor. He also explains how Futuwwa, in essence, entails emptying one’s heart from everything other than Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala.

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In this series of lectures, Shaykh Yahya introduces Futuwwa, roughly translated at “spiritual chivalry,” as set forth by Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) in his book Kitab al-Futuwwa. In Part I, the concept of Futuwwa is thoroughly explored by reviewing how many spiritual giants of the past defined it, culminating with a comprehensive definition by Imam ‘Abdallah ibn Alawi al-Haddad (d. 1132 HA, 1720 CE). Shaykh Yayha discusses how Futuwwa is a way of being that can bring back virtue to modern world. 

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