Prophets in the Qur'an: Practical Lessons from the Qur'anic Stories

This is a talk by Shaykh Sadullah Khan, who is a leading Islamic Scholar from South Africa. In this talk, he discusses the pertinent lessons we can derive from the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

In this keynote address delivered at SeekersGuidance's New Home benefit luncheon, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains the crucial role knowledge plays in bringing communities to life and the importance of sacrifice to spread knowledge. Shaykh Yahya begins by reading a memorandum on the state of our community and the challenges its leaders face, explaining how it fits into the agenda set by their illuminated teachers: “If you can’t plow seeds, so plow the land so that it is fertile enough for the next generation to plant seeds.” He also draws attention to the vision, foresight, and sacrifice of SeekersGuidance's founder Shaykh Faraz Rabbani. Next, Shaykh Yahya stresses the importance of knowledge and religious education, necessary for holistic Islamic living in the world today. He highlights the importance of building and laying foundations, and the crucial role of institutions like SeekersGuidance in preserving the wellbeing of the community. Shaykh Yahya closes by reminding that knowledge is the number one way to bring a heart, family, community, and society to life. Knowledge should be an excuse for other things, not vice versa. We should make knowledge a priority—not only in seeking it but in supporting initiatives spreading the knowledge which gives one's orientation in life.

New Home for SeekersGuidance: Help Us Raise $250,000 to Establish Our New Learning Centre and Headquarters in Toronto: https://seekersguidance.org/newhome/

In this timely reminder after the New Zealand mosque shootings, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersGuidance (https://seekersguidance.org) sheds light on how the believer should respond to the tragedy. While one feels pain for the loss of life faced by the victims and their families, one grounds oneself in one’s faith in God and one’s certitude that the victims are ultimately with God in a better state.

Shaykh Faraz relates this to a relevant passage from the Qur’an:

“Do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what God has given them of  His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; [rejoicing] in God’s blessing and favour, and that God will not let the reward of the believers be lost.” (3.169-171)

This talk was taken from a Friday sermon (khutba) delivered at Sayeda Khadija Centre (http://www.skcentre.com/).

Our emotions are the means through which many of our tests in life come. Whether it is happiness, sadness, gratitude, anger, or otherwise, we are tested through our responses to them. Being balanced emotionally is essential to physical, emotional, and mental health, as well as longevity.

Trauma can upset this balance, and in its absence issues such as addictions, OCD, psychosomatic pain, depression, chronic illnesses, back pain, cancers, and - in extreme cases - mental illnesses can arise.

This seminar looks at the means of balance Allah created within us, and how it has been compromised in many people today. In order to understand this balance, the personality of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, is analyzed. The seminar discusses in topics of developmental trauma, ‘big ‘T’ trauma’ and ‘little ‘t’ trauma’, relationships, means of recovery, and more.

The content of this discussion was based on the Qur’an, the Sunna, classical tafsirs, and the works of experts in the field of trauma recovery, such as Dr. Gabor Mate, Dr. Bessil Van Der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, and others.

Forgiveness in Light of Being With The People, by Ustadh Amjad Tarsin

Capturing the Spirit of Ramadan

Mercy, Forgiveness and Salvation

Every night our Ramadan scholars will explore one of the three key spiritual goals of Ramadan. Each talk will conclude with a dynamic conversation as we explore mercy, forgiveness and salvation deeply and see how we can attain these divine gifts practically. These talks will enliven and inspire us as we begin our nightly ‘isha and tarawih prayers.

Let’s #GiveLight to Millions More

We envision a world in which no one is cut off from the beauty, mercy and light of the Prophetic ﷺ example. A world where the dark ideology of a few is dwarfed by radiant example of the many who follow the way of the Prophet ﷺ. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support. This Ramadan, we need you to help us #GiveLight to millions more. Here’s how.

Art by Tom Gowanlock

In this brief podcast, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani provides 10 genuinely useful tips on gaining and retaining a firm grasp of your knowledge of fiqh.

See also:

"From knowing nothing to becoming a student of knowledge"

Advice from Habib Ali Al-Jifri for Seekers of Knowledge

The Etiquette of Seeking Knowledge

Habib Umar's Advice to the Seekers of Sacred Knowledge

Shaykh Áwwamah's advice for Students of Sacred Knowledge

Importance of Intention in Seeking Knowledge

Allah has promised that He will facilitate the path to Jannah for anyone who embarks on the journey to seeking knowledge. Imagine being in the company of the “pious ones” in the Eternal Garden. Can you afford to lose out on this opportunity? Listen to Shaykh Faid Muhammad Said explain how clear and easy Allah has made this choice for us and start today by taking a free course with SeekersHub from the comfort of your own home.

In this Friday sermon, given at a historic mosque in Cape Town, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani encourages us to be more appreciative of the greatest blessings we possess: our vast of knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad(peace be upon him).

Knowledge of the Prophet(peace be upon him) enriches our day-to-day lives, and gives our family, social and personal lives so much more meaning. Citing the example of Cape Town, whose Muslims were persecuting in horrific ways for decades, Shaykh Faraz points out how they not only remained Muslims, but remained steadfast in their knowledge of Islam and their love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). Their great appreciation of this blessing was their motivation to hold onto it. We should regularly thank Allah for this blessing, as He called us to do frequently.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us how to do the smallest actions in the most beautiful way. He taught us to put on our shoes, to drink water, and to clean ourselves in the most beautiful way. We should look at our money with gratitude, as well as our free time. By living gratitude, we can taste the beauty of the message, and direct our blessings for good.

 

For more podcasts by SeekersHub, visit seekershub.org/podcast

In a Friday sermon given in Cape Town, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reminds us about the relationship between the believers and the state of their hearts, to their connection with Allah. He quotes the hadith, “The Messenger of Allah(peace be upon him), said, “Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather he looks at your hearts and actions.” (Sahih Muslim)

Traits such as humility, gratitude, trust in Allah, are some of these traits that can adorn our hearts. So many people spend so much time worrying about their appearance, wealth or property. Imam al-Ghazali asks, “How much time do you spend adorning your heart?”

The Prophet(peace be upon him) was sent to a people who had many social ills in their society, and said, “I was sent to perfect character.” Examples include Umar ibn al-Khattab, who was a person of harshness before Islam. Afterward, he completely changed. Now, 1400 years later, people’s hearts are still being transformed by him.

There is no greater way to Allah’s pleasure than working towards purifying our hearts. True knowledge is passed through embodiment, not merely through books. This is why we are called to venerate the scholars and elders, so that we may learn from them.

For more podcasts by SeekersHub, visit seekershub.org/podcast

The Mahabbah Foundation of Cape Town, South Africa, has organized a tour featuring Habib Umar bin Hafiz and a number of other scholars.

You can find the full program with times and dates on their Facebook page here.

As part of the tour, Habib Umar asked Shaykh Faraz Rabbani to address the scholars who were present in Johannesburg.

The subject of the address was the definition of a righteous scholar (or, a true Sufi) as, "A person of knowledge who acted upon their knowledge, so Allah granted them knowledge of what they didn't know."

Shaykh Faraz Touched upon the three aspects of this definition of what constitutes a true scholar, with some practical counsel. The three aspects being

knowledge

action

state with Allah.

For more on the tour, please check this: https://www.facebook.com/MahabbahFoundationSA/photos/habib-umar-tour-south-africa-january-2019habib-umar-will-be-touring-south-africa/1728308887291153/

May Allah bless, protect, and preserve the knowledge of this umma in our beloved scholars and righteous believers, and benefit all Muslims through them, amin.