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

Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Ba-Dhib begins the series on sayyid al-istighfar (the foremost way of seeking forgiveness) by citing the hadith that mentions this formula. He moves on to begin Imam al-Habshi's treatise on this supplication, where he looks at repentance, its conditions, its cause, and how to remain in a state of repentance.

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This is part of the series presented in Ramadan 2018: "The Foremost Way of Seeking Forgiveness: Sayyid al-Istighfar Explained".

In this five-part series, Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Ba-Dhib covers a short treatise on explaining the foremost way of seeking forgiveness as has come to us from Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The work, "Tiryaq al-Qulub w al-Absar fi Bayan al-Ulum allati Tadamanha Sayyid al-Istighfar" (The Healing of Hearts and Eyesight in Exposition of the Knowledges Contained in The Foremost Way of Seeking Forgiveness) is by Imam Ahmed bin Zain al-Habshi (d. 1145 AH).

Text, transliteration and translation of sayyid al-istighfar can be found below.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ

Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa Anta Khalaqtani wa ana abduka, wa ana ‘ala ahdika wa wa’dika mastata’tu, A’udhu bika min Sharri ma sana’tu, abu’u Laka bini’matika ‘alaiya, wa Abu’u Laka bidhanbi faghfirli fainnahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta

O Allah, you are my Lord. There is no god but you. You have created me, and I am your servant—and I am upon Your covenant and promise as best I can. I seek refuge in You from the worst of what I have done. I fully admit to You Your blessings upon me, and I fully admit to You all my sins. So forgive me, for there is none to forgive sins but You.

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In this introductory session on the Branches of Faith, Shaykh Muhammad Abu Bakr Ba-Dhib gives an introduction to the topic. He gives an overview of the history of the genre, the narrations regarding the branches and their number, and the great works on the Branches, before moving on on to introduce the text and its author. He will be covering a text entitled "'Iqd al-Juman fi Bayan Shu'ab al-Iman" (The Necklace of Pearls in Clarifying the Branches of Faith) by Imam Murtada al-Zabidi (d. 1205 AH).

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This is part of the series presented in Ramadan 2018: "Branches of Faith: The Virtues and Fruits of Faith".

It is narrated that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Faith is seventy some branches". In this series some of the leading scholars will cover and explain the different branches of faith, as they have come in the works of the Islamic tradition. The branches of faith include (1) branches of belief and certitude, (2) branches of spiritual works, and (3) branches of social excellence.

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In this podcast Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said explains the different opportunities we have to attain the gifts of mercy that Allah Most High has provided us. Shaykh Faid begins by talking about the difficulties that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) and his family went through. However, through the difficulties we see a complete portrayal of mercy through the Prophet's choices (peace and blessing be upon him). He explains that life is about choices, and that the best of choices is choosing to be somewhere Allah is remembered.

Shaykh Faid then mentions some of the virtues of the month of Sha'ban. It was from prophetic practice to fast most of the month of Sha'ban. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) informed us that Sha'ban is a month where out deeds are presented before Allah, and that he wanted his deeds to be presented while in a state of fasting.

Shaykh Faid goes on to discuss that among the signs of and accepted repentance, is being eager to perform acts of worship. A believer should never despair. Allah is happy when his servants repents. The Mercy of Allah covers over everything. A believer should be humble when asking Allah, this is from prophetic practice. A believer should be in a state of happiness while worshipping Allah. The purpose of worship is to purify oneself. 

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In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz begins by reminding the believers that the first ten verses of Surat al-Kahf are a protection from the Dajjal as Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) has informed us. The verses are gifts of mercy, and each verse is a key to mercy. The sunna of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) in its entirety is mercy, and following the sunna in preserving the first ten verses of Surat al-Kahf is a key to attain on to that mercy. It is a protection from the Dajjal. The Dajjal preys on weakness of faith and attacks those who have weak faith. In time of confusion hold fast to the Qur’an. One of the keys to faith is to make regular practice to recite the first ten verses of Surat al-Kahf. Surat al-Khahf  is a summation of faith and the lessons of Surat al-Kahf are summarized in the first ten verses. Shaykh Faraz ends the khutba by reminding the believers of the reward and merit of the month of Sha'ban.

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In Surat al-Fatiha the believer says "Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds” this is teaching us how to thank Allah.

In a hadith Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said: “Praise be to Allah, as much as the number of all created things."

"Praise be to Allah for as much as His creation in the heavens and earth, and as much as His books have counted."

Shaykh Faid reminds the believers to keep praising and thanking Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) thanked Allah even when there was no food in his house. There is always something to praise and thank Allah Most High for.

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In this podcast Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said explains the benefits of reciting and connecting with the Qur’an on a daily basis. He reminds us all that the people of the Qur'an are the elite people of paradise. They are in the best of stations, and they constantly say words of goodness in this life. Just as one is careful what they intake into their bodies , one should be careful of what one listens to. Shaykh Faid counsels everyone to only listen to that which is of benefit . And what is better than reciting and listening to the words of Allah?

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In this khutbah, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reminds the believers of what it means to love Allah and love for Allah. He highlights that the greatest quality a believer can strive to attain in their lives is the love of Allah. The highest praise Allah grants to a believer is to be beloved to Him. And the the highest quality a believer can have is to be beloved by Allah. Shaykh Faraz explains what love is, and what does love for Allah entail. He distinguishes between a servant obeying Allah, and a servant loving Allah. The highest motivation for a believer is to be beloved by Allah. Shaykh Faraz ends by explaining that Allah loves the one who takes all means for the love of Allah alone, while loving all else out of the love of Allah.

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This Friday khutba was delivered by Shaykh Faraz at Jamiat-ul-Ansar (www.jamiatulansar.ca/) in Brampton, in March 2018.

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In this khutbah, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reminds the believers of the amazing gift the people of faith have been given, and that is the gift of seeking Allah’s forgiveness (istighfar). The prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) would ask Allah for forgiveness 70 or sometimes 100 times in a single sitting. Shaykh Faraz goes on to explain why the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) would ask for forgiveness if he is divinely inspired and protected from error. He explains what (istighfar) seeking Allah’s forgiveness means. It is vaster than simply asking for forgiveness. It is shielding from harm, and warding off any harm. Engaging in (istighfar) seeking Allah's forgiveness, is asking Him to ward off all that is unbecoming, and to grant one all good qualities. He ends by reminding us that the focus in seeking forgiveness, is seeking divine help, and expressing neediness to Allah Most High.

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This Friday khutba was delivered by Shaykh Faraz at the University of Toronto in March 2018.

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Bismillah-ir Rahman-ir Raheem

When the Nur (sallallahu alayhi wasalam) entered Madinah, it was narrated by the lead Jewish Rabi of the city that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasalam) said: “Spread peace, feed people and pray at night when others are asleep.”

This past week in the UK has been one of the most extreme in terms of the cold weather conditions, and as such, although we complain of the cold whilst seated in warmth, we forget about our fellow community, who do not have the choice to complain, but rather have to survive and suffer through these conditions.

As such, in trying to act upon the words of our Beloved (sallallahu alayhi wasalam), by spreading peace and comfort, feeding people and praying at night so we become a part of the Nur, The Nur Team were upon the streets of London on Sunday (4th March) evening as well as other organisations distributing food, hot drinks, and essential items to the needy. The purpose of this Deen is to serve the needy and to serve one another. Alhamdulillah more than 150 people were fed that evening.

A mini documentary has been put together with a beautiful message given by Shaykh Faid and to also share the experience. “

And We have not sent you other than as a Mercy to all the worlds.” (Surah Al-Anbya, 107)

Be Mercy. Be Nur. Be Hope.

Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said

Watch and #ShareTheNur! Allahumma salli alaa Nur.

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Shaykh Faid Mohammed Said commends SeekersHub on the initiative they have taken to make knowledge available and accessible globally. He reminds students of knowledge of the great importance and blessing of knowledge.

In the Qur'an knowledge comes before faith. One must remember that learning is a journey. The journey of seeking knowledge has no end. Therefore, seeking knowledge requires extra effort everyday, and focus. Shaykh Faid goes on to remind the students of knowledge in order for one to be successful, one must be consistent and leave distractions. There is nothing better to busy one's self with than seeking knowledge.

He closes by counselling students that by putting in effort in seeking knowledge, facilitation and ease will come. He reminds everyone that it is a blessing to seek knowledge, and it is a blessing to serve those who are seeking knowledge as well. So we should all be appreciative and grateful for being able to seek knowledge for Allah’s sake.

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