Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

In this lesson, visiting scholar, Shaykh Riad Saloojee, reviews the tenth chapter of Ihya Ulum al-Din on spiritual routines. This chapter covers the daily supplications and remembrance one should engage in at various times. This chapter is the last of the first quarter of the Ihya Ulum al-Din, which is on worship.

Imam Al-Ghazali begins the chapter describing life as a journey with only two endings, either paradise or hellfire. Ones that end their journey in paradise are those who arrive with a sound heart. A sound heart is characterized by two things, loving Allah and being attached to Him; knowing Allah and acting upon this knowledge of Him. The capital of this journey is time and for that is the most precious thing in this journey. Allah in his generosity has made remembrance varied so that one is not spiritually tired of it. The capital of life entails that one devote their time and energy consistently to remembrance, in its various forms. Imam Al-Ghazali then divides the chapter into various spiritual routines that one can engage in at various times of the day.

Shaykh Riyad reminds us that it is vital for a person to have a “wird” or spiritual routine and daily acts of remembrance. In addition, one should plan their day around their spiritual routines so that they are at the center of importance in their day.

Shaykh Riyad concludes with counsel to us to use the time during Ramadan to start adding spiritual routines to our day. For example, when waking up for suhoor spend 10 minutes before Fajr in supplication and then after praying Fajr spend some time after in remembrance. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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 10-Spiritual Routines & Night Worship- Renewing Religion- Shaykh Riad Saloojee appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcasted lesson, we are joined by visiting scholar Shaykh Riad Saloojee. Shaykh Riad reviews the ninth chapter of Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din on remembrance and supplication. This chapter is situated at the end of the first section of the book on acts of worship. One theme that runs through this chapter is manifested in the verse of the Quran: “oh you who have attained faith, be in Allah’s remembrance plentifully”. Divine remembrance is not restricted to any time or place, as such one should be in His remembrance all the time.

Shaykh Riyad details the functions of the heart by which one engages in remembrance, to know Allah, to experience Him, and to will and desire to seek him. That is why divine remembrance is so important because it is the heart’s nourishment.

Shaykh Riyad also speaks to the importance of supplication and the essence of dua’ is the expression of one’s need, poverty, and desire for Allah. The gift of supplication is Allah allowing a person to be near to Allah in the closeness of asking. Supplication should free our will, reliance, and dependence from anything else but Allah. This chapter by Imam Al-Ghazali also has a comprehensive listing of the various supplications one should engage in throughout the day. Shaykh Riyad concludes by giving us practical steps of application: [1] set our goal: that we should struggle to have our heart perpetually in Divine remembrance and habitually engage in supplication. [2] Understand the importance of remembrance and supplication. [3] Ramadan is a great time to push ourselves to implement what we learn because it fits with our daily struggle to fast from all that is wrong and good is easy. Remember, the supplication of the fasting person is accepted. [4] Engage in remembrance after prayer and engage in remembrance whenever you have some time. [5] Make a commitment to engage in supplication for five minutes at a specific time on a daily basis.

In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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 09-Remembrance and Supplication- Renewing Religion- Shaykh Riad Saloojee appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcasted lesson, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reviews the chapter on the etiquette of reciting the Quran from Imam Al-Ghazali’s book Ihya Ulum al-Din. The Chapter goes through the outward etiquettes of recitation as well as the inward implications of those practices. Learning the Quran and teaching the Quran is not limited to teaching, but rather should extend to internalization of its virtues and meanings.

The Prophet,( peace and blessings upon him) said: “the most virtuous of worship of my Ummah is the recitation of the Quran”. The virtues of reciting the Quran are many so one should strive to increase their recitation, especially during Ramadan. Ustadh Amjad explains in this lesson the 10 internal etiquettes of the recitation of the Quran: [1] Knowing the greatness of these words, their exaltedness, and their weightiness. [2] Having reverence for the One speaking. Part of that reverence is approaching the Quran in a state of purity. [3] Having the presence of heart and leaving internal conversations [4] Pondering the Quran [5] Understanding as you recite the Quran such that you achieve a deeper understanding as you read. [6] You remove from yourself things that prevent you from understanding, such as continually engaging in sins. [7] Know that Allah is talking to you [8] Being affected by the Quran, both by verses of punishment and reward. [9] Experience the Quran and this is of many levels [10] Absolve yourself from anything related to yourself.

Such that anything you read about the people of righteousness you don’t think that this about you and when you read about people of evil that you don’t absolve yourself from their characteristics. In summary, Ustadh Amjad reminds us that the Quran is the greatest form of remembrance and worship so we must strive to increase our recitation and understanding of it.

In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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 08-Etiquettes of Reciting Quran- Renewing Religion- Ustadh Amjad Tarsin appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

In this re-broadcasted lesson, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin, reviews the chapter on Hajj from Imam Al-Ghazali’s Ihya Ulum al-Din. Imam Al-Ghazali begins by outlining a general rule: that one cannot draw nearer to Allah except through letting go of their worldly attachments. Ustadh Amjad explains that Hajj, unlike any other form of worship, cannot be rationalized as to the meaning behind each of its actions. The only lesson that one can derive from Hajj is that you are a servant to Allah and you need to fulfill His commands.

Imam Al-Ghazali outlines in this chapter the etiquettes that one must have during Hajj: [1] Yearning for the two Holy mosques: this yearning stems from an understanding that this is the House of God, placed for you to fulfill your servitude. The reward for which is gazing upon Allah in the Hereafter. [2] Buying the two garments of Ihram: then the person should remember that they will be buried in this clothing and even though you have put on these garments you might not actually make it to the Hajj but you will meet Allah in them. [3] Talbiyyah: At your service Oh Allah, I am at your service, at your service You have no partner, I am at your service. All praise and all blessings belong to You and everything in existence belongs to You, You have no partner. This is the worldly response to what Allah has asked you to do in the spiritual realm, it is a response to the call that Allah tasked Prophet Ibrahim with making for Hajj. [4]

You should be fearful when you enter that you are not worthy but your hope should be greater than your fear. The fear should bring upon you humility and the hope reminds you of the generosity of Allah and His generosity is given to everyone. [5] At ‘Arafah: when you see many people of various races, backgrounds and groups; that should remind you of the Day of Judgement, each comes with their Prophet. At the end of the day of A’rafah, Allah forgives all the people there and it is a sin to think that Allah has forgiven you.

In conclusion, Ustadh Amjad reminds us to always think of Allah’s mercy is greater than our sin and that Allah is the most forgiving. In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Ulum al-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It will aim to help the believer to not just practice the form of the religion properly, but to also practice it with excellence.

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 07- Hajj- Renewing Religion- Ustadh Amjad Tarsin appeared first on SeekersGuidance.