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

In this re-broadcast lesson, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin gives an overview of select verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on breaking desires from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya. Allah tells us that our salvation is connected to not giving in to one’s lower self and that is why it is crucial for one to control their desires. The lesson will overview the verses 40-41 from Chapter 79 of the Quran. وَأَمَّا مَنْ خَافَ مَقَامَ رَبِّهِ وَنَهَى النَّفْسَ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ هِيَ الْمَأْوَىٰ But as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from [unlawful] inclination, Then indeed, Paradise will be [his] refuge. [Quran, 79:40-41].

The Prophet, peace be upon him, told us that at the end of time is sanctifying choice and that people should do anything that they wish. However, this goes against the core values of our religion that require one to discipline their desires and whims. The verses show us that our path to paradise is through withholding the things our lower self desires and that will result in the highest level of felicity.

The Prophet told us that the road to paradise is surrounded by things that are not easy or liked by us. It is of the mysteries of our time that we are now told to act upon all of our whims and desires, while every dignified society before us was based on withholding from your desires. However, those who constantly give in to our desires are always miserable. That is why Allah tells us that whoever purifies the self is successful and whoever doesn’t can enter very dark places.

Ustadh Amjad reminds us that we were not created to give in to our whims and that is why doing so makes us miserable. Instead, our freedom from the shackles of servitude to this world is through being a servant only to Allah to attain peace and tranquility. The result of disciplining your desires, is that that which was once bitter and difficult to do becomes sweet and desired by yourself.

Ustadh Amjad concludes by reminding us that our desires don’t always call us to what is in our best interest, that is why even in worldly matters, attaining success always requires sacrifice, such is the case. For pursuing the spiritual path. In addition, remember the reward that awaits those who discipline their desires is felicity, salvation, and paradise. However, remember that none of this is attained overnight, it requires patience, perseverance and continually asking God to allow us to continue down the path.

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 Breaking Desires – Renewal by the Book: Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Ustadh Amjad Tarsin appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcast lesson, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives an overview of select verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapters on understanding the heart and disciplining the self from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya. This topic is at the heart of our deen and is important to understand.

The lesson will overview the verse 7-10 from Chapter 91 of the Quran. The 91st chapter of the Quran includes the longest chain of oaths, where Allah swears by His signs to emphasize what is being sworn about because it’s real, important, and urgent. In this chapter, the oaths lead up to an oath about the self and how He formed it. وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن زَكَّاهَا وَقَدْ خَابَ مَن دَسَّاهَا And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it; And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness; He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has failed who instills it [with corruption]. [Quran, 91: 7-10] Allah swears by the self and how He has formed it. The reason this is in the 3rd person is that it gives greatness to the One saying it.

The marvel of the self here is explained by Allah in the following verses, that it is marvelous because Allah has granted it the inclinations to either be rebellious or righteous; making it a tremendous sign of Allah.

Shaykh Faraz explains that the verses that follow detail the conditions for the Self to attain its felicity and that is through tazkiyyah or purification of the self. Purification of the self is the greatest success that a person can attain and every other success is measured in comparison to it; in so much that it can facilitate the purification of the self. Purification of the self entails the removal of all qualities displeasing to Allah and the acquisition of all qualities pleasing to Allah.

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 18- Understanding the Heart and Disciplining the Self- Renewal by the Book-Shaykh Faraz Rabbani appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcast lesson, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives an overview of select verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on marriage and good character from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya. The two chapters have been enjoined in one lesson because marriage is highly dependent on good character. The lesson will overview the verse 20-21 from Chapter 30 of the Quran on the purposes of marriage. وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَكُم مِّن تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ إِذَا أَنتُم بَشَرٌ تَنتَشِرُونَ وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُم مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِّتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُم مَّوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth]. And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. [Quran, 3:20-21] Marriage is not just a sign of Allah but it contains within it numerous signs of Allah.

The purpose of marriage is thus is a means to Allah. However, one must be careful because through marriage one can either draw closer to Allah with their spouse or further away by busying themselves with worldly matters that pull them away from Allah. In addition, marriage is a sign of Allah because He places in it the serenity, caring love and mercy that is needed for the marriage to function and are all gifts from Allah.

Shaykh Faraz explains that there is also a general meaning to the verse above, that is not specific to spouses but rather applies to all human relations and that is the mercy and deep care that allows for human interactions to be sustained; this is one of the signs of Allah. The mercy and deep care spoken about in the verse were integral to the Prophetic Character that we are all encouraged to emulate. As such, at the heart of a good marriage and knowing how to interact with others is good character. وَإِنَّكَ لَعَلَىٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيمٍ “And truly you are upon tremendous character” [Quran, 68:4] One’s character is most manifest in their choices, particularly the difficult ones.

Good character also requires a higher purpose and that is to respond to 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

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In this re-broadcasted lesson, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani gives an overview of select verses from the Quran that correspond with the chapter on commanding the good from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya. The lesson will overview the verse 104 from Chapter 3 of the Quran that encompasses all that one needs to know about commanding the good. وَلْتَكُن مِّنكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ ۚ وَأُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ And let there be [arising] from you a nation inviting to [all that is] good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong, and those will be the successful. [Quran, 3:104] These verses explain the common principles that underlie commanding the good for any person. First, it identifies commanding good as a communal obligation that must be undertaken by some from within that community. Second, some from within the community who are able to and have the knowledge should be dedicated to this duty, while others are required to engage in it based on circumstances and if they have the know-how. Thirdly, the basis for calling to good is calling people to that which is known to be virtuous, bringing people closer to all that is good for them. This must come from a place of sincere concern for the person and the community. Fourthly, there is a social responsibility embedded in each person’s personal responsibility to enjoin the good.

Shaykh Faraz reminds us that the religion itself revolves around sincere concern and that entails wanting good for others as you would for want for yourself. That is why a subset of the community is required to enjoin the good and forbid the evil. The way to forbidding evil applies only to matters that are prohibited. Thus one should only command the good when it is required and when one knows that it will bring upon benefit. The way to do so is through having sincere concern, mercy, and being positive in the way you deliver your message throughout. Imam al-Shafi’i advises that giving council should be done in private so as to not humiliate people and is likely to get them to listen more and act upon the council.

Shaykh Faraz concludes with advising those enjoining the good do so with mercy, wisdom, and sincere concern. 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 17-Commanding the Good – Renewal by the Book-Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani appeared first on SeekersGuidance.