Renewal By The Book: Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali's Ihya

In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, gives an overview of select verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on travel from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya. This chapter focuses on the purpose of travel, reflection in travel, and gratitude from it. The lesson will overview the verses 12-14 from Chapter 43 of the Quran on the du’a one should recite when traveling. وَالَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْفُلْكِ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مَا تَرْكَبُونَ لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَىٰ ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَٰذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ وَإِنَّا إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ And who created the species, all of them, and has made for you of ships and animals those which you mount. That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. “Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it. And indeed we, to our Lord, will [surely] return.” [Quran, 43:12-14] Saying this prayer, even if one may not understand the Arabic phrasing, is of benefit to you.

Because everything in the sunnah we are encouraged to do is of benefit to us both worldly and spiritual. The first verse reminds us of the vehicles that Allah has facilitated for us to put to use. The purpose of the blessing is not to enjoy it but to be grateful for the Bestower. Scholars remind us that there are spiritual benefits to traveling. Planning for travel should not simply be the logistics of travel but the intentions behind traveling. We are reminded of this in the hadith of the Prophet on intentions “migration to Allah and His Prophet”. However, some of the companions had migrated for various reasons and intentions other than that. And the Prophet, peace be upon him, said that their migration was “for whatever they migrated for”. What intentions should one have when traveling? [1] Neediness upon Allah [2] Reliance upon Allah [3] Worship [4] Upholding good character [5] Have good company when traveling [6] Doing good while traveling [7] Calling to Allah [8] Remembrance and devotion.

Shaykh Faraz concludes by reminding us that we should seek to appreciate the blessings of the modes of transportation that we have been provided. We also should appreciate the opportunities for the acts of remembrance that we’ve been provided with at various instances during the day, including during travel.

Lastly, Shaykh Faraz ends with the counsel from Imam ibn al-Banna on purposeful travel. In this series, Shaykh Faraz, and the other scholars and teachers will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya, so that we experience a renewal by The Book.

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The post 15-Travel: Purpose, Reflection, Gratitude- Renewal by the Book- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reviews verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on Seclusion and the Preservation of Faith from Imam Ghazali’s Ihya. The verses covered in this lesson are from the 18th chapter of the Quran on the people of the Cave, verses 9-16. The story of the people of the Cave in the Quran focuses on the points of guidance from this story, that’s why the details of their story are not mentioned in the Quran like other Biblical traditions. The reason that reading this Chapter every Friday is to renew one’s faith. That is why the central message of the chapter is the preciousness and preservation of faith. The preservation of one’s faith is done through seclusion or migration. Here, seclusion is not an ends in itself but it is separate one from evil and its people with one’s heart and action even if one is amongst them.

The physical seclusion is to give one the strength for the spiritual seclusion from their actions. أَمْ حَسِبْتَ أَنَّ أَصْحَابَ الْكَهْفِ وَالرَّقِيمِ كَانُوا مِنْ آيَاتِنَا عَجَبًا إِذْ أَوَى الْفِتْيَةُ إِلَى الْكَهْفِ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا آتِنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً وَهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ أَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا Or have you thought that the companions of the cave and the inscription were, among Our signs, a wonder? [Mention] when the youths retreated to the cave and said, “Our Lord, grant us from Yourself mercy and prepare for us from our affair right guidance.” [Quran, 18:9-10] Here, the verses mention mercy and what is meant by that mercy is faith and guidance.

The story itself showcases the high levels of taqwa that the people of the cave had in their attempts to preserve their faith. As such, one should always strive to preserve what they’ve been blessed with from Allah. هَٰؤُلَاءِ قَوْمُنَا اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ آلِهَةً ۖ لَّوْلَا يَأْتُونَ عَلَيْهِم بِسُلْطَانٍ بَيِّنٍ ۖ فَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنِ افْتَرَىٰ عَلَى اللَّهِ كَذِبًا وَإِذِ اعْتَزَلْتُمُوهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَأْوُوا إِلَى الْكَهْفِ يَنشُرْ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِ وَيُهَيِّئْ لَكُم مِّنْ أَمْرِكُم مِّرْفَقًا These, our people, have taken besides Him deities. Why do they not bring for [worship of] them a clear authority? And who is more unjust than one who invents about Allah a lie?” [The youths said to one another], “And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility.” [Quran, 18:15-16] Verses 15 and 16 show us that one should be vigilant in what they choose to associate with and what they choose to disassociate with. A believer should be clear about what is the truth, right and good, and holds fast to it.

In addition, Shaykh Faraz reminds us that we dislike the action and not the person, and disassociate with the action and not people. Lastly, Shaykh Faraz concludes with a quote from Imam Ibn ‘Ajiba and Imam Ibn ‘Ata’illah that whoever dedicates themselves to Allah, Allah will reward them, protect them, and shields their heart. To do this one should take some time for seclusion to reflect, pray, and remember Allah.

Shaykh Faraz and the other scholars and teachers will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya so that we experience a renewal by The Book.

The post 14-Seclusion & the Preservation of Faith – Renewal by the Book- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcast lesson, we are joined by visiting scholar, Shaykh Faid Said as he gives an overview of the chapter on Duties of Brotherhood from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya and the verses from the Quran that correspond to it. إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy. [Quran, 49:10] In this ayah Allah tells us that Muslims in all their affairs are brothers, and this is exemplified in the way the Prophet, peace be upon him, joined between the companions from Mecca and Madinah. For this reason, Allah tells the Prophet, that it is from Allah’s favor upon him that he brought the hearts of the companions together, such that they were all one heart.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, says that the Muslims in their love for one another are like one body if one part feels pain the rest does. Shaykh Faid explains that brotherhood is one of the requirements of faith.

The Prophet, peace be upon him says, that you cannot believe until you love one another. This brotherhood is a mercy from Allah, exalted, is He. This is stressed even in the Fatiha, where we address Allah in the plural, as a reminder that we worship Allah by entering the circles of the righteous.

Shaykh Faid concludes by reminding us that there are levels of paradise that cannot be attained except through brotherhood. Brotherhood is not only about being there for one another, helping them out when in trouble, but to keep an eye out for them and give them advice when they need it.

In this series, Shaykh Faraz, and the other scholars and teachers will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya so that we experience a renewal by The Book.

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts

Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate

The post 13 – Duties of Brotherhood –Renewal by the Book- Shaykh Faid Said appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcasted lesson, visiting scholar Shaykh Riad Saloojee reviews verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on the Lawful and the Prohibited from Imam Ghazali’s Ihya. Shaykh Riad covers verse 51 from Chapter 23, verse 109 from chapter 9 and verse 23 and 24 from Chapter 83. يَا أَيُّهَا الرُّسُلُ كُلُوا مِنَ الطَّيِّبَاتِ وَاعْمَلُوا صَالِحًا إِنِّي بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ [ Allah said], “O messengers, eat from the good foods and work righteousness. Indeed, I, of what you do, am Knowing. [Quran, 23:51] In this verse, Allah shows that there is a relationship between what I consume and our spiritual state; as well as between our spiritual state and the actions that follow from that.

We must know that there is certainly benefit in all the things Allah has allowed for us to consume and there is harm in all the things Allah has not allowed us to consume. أَفَمَنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ تَقْوَىٰ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرِضْوَانٍ خَيْرٌ أَم مَّنْ أَسَّسَ بُنْيَانَهُ عَلَىٰ شَفَا جُرُفٍ هَارٍ فَانْهَارَ بِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people. [Quran, 9:109]

Shaykh Riad explains that there is a relationship between the inputs we take in of halal food and earning and the output that they yield in terms of spiritual, emotional and intellectual states. That is why Allah instructs us to be wise and careful in what we choose to consume because of the impact it has on our being. كلا بل ران على قلوبهم ما كانوا يكسبون كَلَّا إِنَّهُمْ عَن رَّبِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّمَحْجُوبُونَ No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts of that which they were earning. No! Indeed, from their Lord, that Day, they will be partitioned. [Quran, 14-15:83] Those who continually consume that which is unlawful will become spiritually blinded such that they will be no longer able to distinguish between that which is lawful and unlawful. Instead, they will begin to justify it and no longer see it for what it is. Shaykh Riyad warns us, that this then becomes a slippery slope that can lead one very far away from Allah.

Lastly, Shaykh Riad reminds us to continually pray that Allah suffices us with the Halal instead of the Haram and allows our hearts to attain freedom through you without need of anyone or anything else.

In this series, Shaykh Faraz, and the other scholars and teachers will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya, so that we experience a renewal by The Book

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts

Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate

The post 12-The Lawful and Prohibited- Renewal by the Book- Shaykh Riad Saloojee appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcast lesson of Renewal by the Book, we are joined by visiting scholar, Shaykh Faid Said. Shaykh Faid reviews verses from the Quran that correspond to the chapter on the Etiquettes of Acquisition and Earning Livelihood by Imam Ghazali. وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised. [Quran, 51:22] Allah provides for each their provisions from His generosity and to those whom we may not expect. The sunnah of all Prophets is to share food with people.

The story of Prophet Ibrahim, when he invited one of his visitors to believe in God and he refused, Prophet Ibrahim wanted him to leave. However, Allah told Prophet Ibrahim, I have been sustaining him for his whole life, despite his disbelief, and you refuse to feed him. Such is the generosity of Allah.

Shaykh Faid reminds us that one should be careful of how they acquire their livelihood but also how they spend it. It is not enough to eat halal but to collect your money from permissible work and permissible means. You can only seek permissible means if you have the utmost faith in Allah.

Shaykh Faid concludes with a reminder, that we should all rely on Allah for our sustenance but also to act to attain. However, one should always know that their sustenance, first and foremost, is from Allah.

In this series, Shaykh Faraz and the other scholars and teachers will be looking at points of reflection from key verses in the Quran. The series will follow the thematic order of Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences). The aim is to connect the key verses of guidance from the Book of Allah with the blueprint of renewal, the Ihya, so that we experience a renewal by The Book.

  For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate

The post 11- Etiquettes of Earning Livelihood- Renewal by the Book- Shaykh Faid Said appeared first on SeekersGuidance.