Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

As with everything of value, there is a price for Paradise. That price is iman. Those who possess iman must nurture it with patience and gratitude, for they are the two appropriate responses to life's tests. To make sense of these tests we need a context which explains the wisdom behind difficulty and ease, and the appropriateness of patience and gratitude as a response.

This lecture explains the words of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, "[I am] amazed at the affair of the believer, for everything that happens to him is the best thing for him; and that is not the case for anyone except the believer. If good times come to him he is grateful, and that is best for him. And if difficulties afflict him he is patient, and that is best for him." (Muslim)-

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues the exploration of the chapters in Haddad's Book of Assistance related to good character with others. He first examines the concept of love and hate for the sake of God. Next, he explains the importance of good company and highlights the virtue of being merciful and easygoing and of assisting others through both religious guidance and general support. He elaborates on what constitutes excellence to one's fellow believer and fulfilling his rights, and warns of the gravity of wronging others.

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

In this episode Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers the section on social duties in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. The first duty he describes is the duty towards one's limbs in protecting them from sin for the sake of God. Next, he discusses one's social charges, beginning with one's family. He discusses how to protect their religious interests and fulfill their rights with excellence, advising to take particular care of the female members of the household. He also touches briefly on the public duties of scholars and rulers. Shaykh Faraz moves on to look at Imam Haddad's exploration of the rights of kin, starting with the rights of parents and the respect owed to them (and how they should help their children to carry his out). He closes by outlining the basic rights owed to family.

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz addresses the important yet often abused obligation of commanding the good and forbidding the evil, basing the discussion on the relevant chapter in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. After explaining relevant Qur'anic verses and hadith on the topic, he delineates when commanding good and forbidding evil is obligatory, recommended, and not obliged, warns against leaving it for worldly considerations. Imam Haddad advises that commanding the good should be done with sincerity, gentleness, wisdom, and mercy, and that one who cares for others would not fail to carry it out. He closes with a reminder that sins should be come private, and notes the danger of public sin.

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin gives guidance on avoiding the religiously doubtful based on the section on scrupulousness in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He explains how falling into the religiously suspect and unlawful tarnishes our spiritual works, emphasizing that this particularly applies as related to our food, as acts fuelled by the prohibited will be anything but good. Next, he gives guidelines on how to distinguish the prohibited and doubtful and their various degrees and cites the example of the companions in leaving the doubtful. He explains the three causes for the religious falling into ambiguities, when investigation is appropriate, unlawful trade practices, and indulgence in the world’s pleasures. He closes by explaining how taking merely sufficient but clearly lawful provision is safest for the heart.

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin inspires us to rev up our Ramadan devotions, giving a reminder on fasting and Ramadan from the section in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. He underscores the importance of increasing one's good works, staying in the mosque, and performing night prayers (tarawih) in the sacred month. Next, he sheds light on the Night of Great Worth (laylat al-qadr), giving some pointers on which night it is. At the same time, he reminds that "it's not a lottery," and that Allah's mercy is continually manifest in all of the odd nights. Finally, Ustadh Amjad discusses the recommendation of hastening one's iftar and delaying sahur, while giving guidelines on how this is to be practically applied. He closes by highlighting some of the meritorious days on which to fast throughout the year and the great virtue of fasting in general.

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reads the discussion on zakat and charity in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He first outlines some practical guidelines on when and how to give one’s zakat, as well as certain practices to avoid. He also warns severely against the non-payment of the obligatory charity. Next, Shaykh Faraz discusses the virtue of zakat al-fitr, secret charity, giving even a small amount daily, and giving to beggars. He closes by explaining some of the merits of charitable giving and the great opportunity it presents.

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues the series “Embracing Excellence - 30 Steps on the Straight Path,” covering the Book of Assistance by Imam Haddad. In this session, he discusses prayer in congregation, its merit, and how it is to be properly performed for both men and women. He highlights the importance of following the imam properly, the virtue of the first row for men, straightening the rows in prayer, and praying in congregation in general, clearing some confusions in this regard along the way. Ustadh Amjad explains traditions of the Prophet Muhammad encouraging going to the mosque and chastising those who hold back from doing so. He also underscores the importance of the Friday prayer, even if one has work, shedding light on the immense value of these sacred acts and offering guidelines to judge whether one’s excuse in not attending prayer is genuine. In addition, he discusses how to deal with friends and relatives who don’t pray.

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin looks at the ritual prayer, covering Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. He discusses the importance of praying at the beginning of the time and preparing for the prayer in advance. He sheds light on the outward and inward manners to be observed while praying, highlighting the importance of concentration. He closes by discussing the importance of varying one's Qur'an recitation in prayer, and, if leading others, not making one's recitation too lengthy.

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers the chapter of Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance on conduct in mosques. He first discusses the great virtue of mosques and devotional retreat (iʿtikaf) therein. Next, he highlights things to avoid in the mosque, as well as particular adab and supplications to make the most of one's time in the houses of God. He closes by touching on the merits of answering the call to prayer (adhan).

 

This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.

 

Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan

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 Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate