Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

We are often blind to the blessings that God rains down upon us in our daily lives. And so we wrongly attribute our talents and blessings to our own efforts and blame our hardships on the failures and shortcomings of others. This leads the human being into a state of complaint (shakwa). And for the one who complains much, God will give them much more to complain about.

As for the one who recognizes who they really are, they see everything as a freely given gift by God and so enter into a state of complete gratitude (shukr). And for the one that is grateful, God will them much more to be grateful for. “If you show gratitude, I will increase you” (Quran 14:7).

In this week’s Friday Reminder, Shaykh Yusuf Weltch discusses the importance of being in a permanent and active state of gratitude and how we can all learn to arrive at such a state through deep and honest reflection upon our blessings. The prize? A heart at peace through closeness to God.

 

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If sending just one prayer of peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him] grants us ten in return from Allah himself, what is our excuse for not filling our time with sending abundantly more?

In this week’s Friday reflection, Imam Yama Niazi talks us through the many blessings and benefits of sending Salutations upon the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace).

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It is Allah alone who we worship and it is Allah alone who we ask for help. The one constant throughout our lives is The One who is constantly in existence. The Everlasting, Allah. Worldly Obligations throughout our lives often lead us to feel we don't have the time or energy to sit and praise God as we would wish to. And often that is the case. But wait, do you want to know a secret?

All these mundane acts we carry out without a second thought can be turned into sacred acts! Profitable with God both here and hereafter. Intentions. Remember God. Before every action and in all our states, remember you are doing this all for God. That is the secret of the ‘Bismillah’. Seek His pleasure, His acceptance, and His reward. Make Him your forethought, your midthought, and your afterthought. Do it all for His sake. And you will reap endless rewards.

In this Friday reflection, Imam Yama Niazi gives practical advice on remembering our Lord in all that we do.

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses the importance of being a person of true benefit through following in the footsteps of those who have succeeded us. The path of guidance is a path to obtain virtue through seeking and learning knowledge explains Shaykh Faraz. 

Shaykh Faraz concludes by explaining there are two great paths of divine mercy. One is the teacher of knowledge the other being the seeker of knowledge.

 

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In this podcast, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus begins by explaining that the prophetic mission is a living tradition and a lived reality. He goes on to give several examples of what is meant by a living tradition, a tradition that is about actions of the limbs and the heart.

Shaykh Yahya mentions that all believers should not forget the blessings of La ilaha ila Allah (There is no god but Allah) and the prophetic call. It is no other than a call to Allah Most High explains Shaykh Yahya. There are people who preserve this religious living tradition counsels Shaykh Yahya.

Shaykh Yahya ends with a reminder to embody and reflect on the prophetic guidance and teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).

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Almost a year has passed on this pandemic, and we are forced to stay at home in isolation. It is an opportunity for us to use this time to reflect and reconnect. In this week's Friday Reminder, Shaykh Jamal reminds us to reconnect with Allah The Glorified and Sublime ‎. To think where we are going in life and how are we getting there. He asks us to slow down and take our time. To observe what is around us.

He shares with us what he has learned through his daily walks, getting to see Allah's creation. We need to become more fruitful in life and get closer to Allah The Glorified and Sublime .‎ Our ultimate goal is to connect to Allah. So let us reconnect!

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani offers reflections on the Storming of the U.S. Capitol from a political perspective, but also from a spiritual one. The fragility of democratic institutions can serve to remind us of the fragility of our own hearts, and not to feed the dark forces encroaching on them.

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In these troubling times, we are forced to stay in self-isolation. This can be a blessing if we consider it as a spiritual retreat, a time for self-reflection. In this week's Friday Reminder, Ustadh Abdullah Misra reminds us that we need to use this time to come closer to Allah. He shares stories from the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), when he used to isolate himself in the Cave of Hira, even before his revelation.

He also used to do itikaf in Madina during Ramadan. Isolation can be a time of self-reflection, we can get out of these times, with a new outlook on life and a sense of appreciation for what Allah has given us. It is time to bond with our families and increase our quest for learning. At the same time, we have to look at the bright side of things and have faith in Allah that he will let us out of this. There is always light at the end of the tunnel as long as we keeping patience and solidarity with the community.

 

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In this reminder, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani warns against mere religious fantasizing as contrary to contentment with the decree. He cites two stories where companions advised people not to wish to be where Allah did not place them. These companions reminded that one does not know what one's state would be had one been in the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) for example, facing the intensely arduous circumstances the companions faced. Shaykh Faraz explains in light of these narrations that one should focus instead on turning to Allah where He has willed for one to be. He counsels not to imagine that any situation other than where Allah placed one would be better.

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Allah didn't create us to be perfect, and that is not the purpose of our creation. We are not meant to become sinless. Striving for perfection would cause us to feel all types of despair because we are trying to reach an unattainable goal. In this week's Friday Reminder, Shaykh Yusuf shares the story of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him) when he was cast out of Jannah. That story teaches us how to repent and make Tawba. It teaches us that taking full responsibility for our own actions and mistakes is the first and great step to forgiveness and true healing.

Shaykh Yusuf reminds us that we only need to try our best and if we fall short, we simply must turn back and ask Allah for forgiveness. As was once said “Heaven is not for the perfect. It is for the patient, persistent and penitent.”

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