Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

By SeekersGuidance.orgReligion & SpiritualityIslam
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Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya episodes

  • 03: Purification – Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali’s Ihya – Ustadh Amjad Tarsin
    In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues this series on  Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Uloom ud-Din,  with an overview of the Book of the Mysteries of Purification. Imam Al-Ghazali highlights both the outward and inward importance of purification. Imam Al-Ghazali explains both the rulings of purifications from a fiqh perspective and the inner secrets of purification.
    The chapter begins by describing that the Quranic verses and Hadiths that detail the benefits and rewards for purification. The purification that is intended here is at the basic level the purification of the limbs. However purification has 4 degrees:

    [1] Purifying the outward from impurities and vile things.

    [2] Purifying your limbs from sins and corruption

    [3] Purifying the heart from blameworthy characteristics and destructive qualities

    [4] Purifying your inner most core of your being from everything other than the Exalted.

    The degrees described above correspond with the degrees of faith and a person will not be able to attain a higher level without attaining the one below it first. When one cleans their limbs they are purifying that which people see, as such, one should be ashamed of facing Allah without purifying your heart upon which Allah gazes.

    Lastly, Ustadh Amjad emphasizing that delving into the deeper levels of purification takes work and practice. As you work on these deeper levels of purification you will become someone who is always aware of being in the presence of Allah at all times.

    In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 04: Establishing Prayer – Renewal by the Book: Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this episode, Shaykh Faraz highlights verse 14 of Surah Taha (Chapter 20), which is about establishing prayer out of remembrance: (إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي)  “Truly, I am Allah. There is no god but me. So worship Me and establish prayer out of My remembrance.”
    Shaykh Faraz goes on to explain that the reason for prayer is remembrance of Allah. Within that there are three levels of remembrance: [1] those who worship seeking to remember, [2] those who worship in remembrance, and [3] those who worship out of remembrance. All of these levels are implicit in this verse.

    There are 4 considerations to why we worship:

    [1] What is worship? - That which is expressed by the slave towards their master.

    [2] Who is the One worshiped? - Allah Most High ; the act of worship is not about the act itself, the one praying but about the One being prayed to. Allah, the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

    [3] Who is the worshiper? - Slave of Allah: in absolute existential neediness of Allah. Worship: expression of neediness -- only means of fulfillment of inherent neediness.

    [4] What is the act of worship? - Prayer expresses neediness in the most comprehensive of ways because it is both inward and outward engaging both heart and limbs. Prayer expresses need, turning and presence with the One you are praying to.

    Lastly, Shaykh Faraz emphasizes that one must prayer in the same way that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did. No one expressed neediness of Allah, turning towards HIm and presence with Allah like the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. We must, as believers, strive to uphold the outward manifestations of prayer because they are the containers of the meaning of presence, that is prayer.

    In this series Shaykh Faraz 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 Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Knowledges). 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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 02 – Faith & Certitude
    In this epoisode, Shaykh Faraz gives an overview of the second chapter from Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Uloom ud-Din, Foundations of Islamic Belief. Shaykh Faraz highlights the what Muslims believe, how faith is nurtured and the understanding of faith. He concludes with an example of the Prophetic through one of narrated supplications of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

    Shaykh Faraz tells us that it is personally obligatory for every Muslim to know with clarity and certitude what is necessary to believe about Allah, His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the transmitted articles of belief.

    Below are some resources of courses and a podcast on Islamic beliefs, provided by SeekersHub. All resources are free of charge.

    Shaykh Faraz then highlights the point Imam Ghazali makes about how faith is nurtured. He says that faith is not nurtured by mere study. Rather, it is nurtured by submission and by turning to Allah Most High in devotion. This is done through living faith in one’s life, by acquiring virtuous traits and by ridding oneself of blameworthy traits.

    Then, Shaykh Faraz outlines the levels of faith. The first level is mere faith; accepting without understanding. The second level is faith with understanding. The third level is living faith with consciousness.

    In understanding and studying the proofs of Islamic beliefs, there is a strengthening of faith, Shaykh Faraz tells us. He highlights the following resources through SeekersHub (all free):

    Courses

    [1] Understanding Islamic Beliefs: Dardir’s Kharida Explained
    [2] Ghazali’s Foundations of Islamic Beliefs
    #beliefs
    [3] Allah’s Beautiful Names Explained
    #livingreligion

    Podcast

    Why Islam is True
    https://seekersguidance.org/names/why-islam-is-true/

    Shaykh Faraz then clarifies the relationship between iman (faith) and islam (submission). He tells us how they intertwine and intersect and their different levels.

    Finally, Shaykh Faraz concludes with Prophetic supplication that portrays faith:

    (يا حي يا قيوم برحمتك أستغيث أصلح لي شأني كله ولا تكلني إلى نفسي طرفة عين)
    (Oh Living! Oh Sustaining! In Your Mercy do I seek urgent aid! Rectify all my affairs — and do not leave me to myself for a blinking of an eye.)

    In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersHub Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersHub podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

    The post 02 – Faith & Certitude appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

    25 min
  • 03: Purification & Repentance – Renewal by the Book: Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz highlights verses 222 of Surat al-Baqara, and how it corresponds to the third chapter of Ghazali's Ihya on purification. (إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ) (Truly, Allah loves the oft-repentant and He loves those who purify themselves completely).
    Shaykh Faraz explains that repentance (tawba) is return (ruju'). He outlines the different levels of return: [1] from disbelief to belief, [2] from sin to submission, and [3] from distance to closeness.

    Resource: A Reader on Tawba (Repentance)
    https://seekersguidance.org/answers/general-counsel/a-reader-on-tawba-repentance/

    Shaykh Faraz then explains that purification is the removal of impurities, both physically and spiritually. He tells us that there is a link between physical and spiritual purity. Some of the wisdoms of ritual purity is to assist the presence of heart, it's expiatory, it nurtures God-consciousness, mindfulness, restraint and lumination.

    Shaykh Faraz then highlights the explanation of the verse by Imam al-Qushayri. He says that those being referred to in the verse are on different levels. On one level they are those who repent from sins, and purify themselves from blameworthy traits. On another level, they are those who repent from the blameworthy, and purify themselves from distractions. On yet another level, they are those who repent with the water of seeking forgiveness, and purify themselves with the effulgent water of shame and brokenness. Finally, they are those who repent from slips and purify themselves from heedlessness.

    Finally, Shaykh Faraz concludes with the story of one of the early imams of Islam, Imam al-Junaid and how he defines repentance. He tells us that repentance is to forget about the sin after repentance out of rejoicing in Allah's favour and mercy.

    Resource: Tafsir al-Qushayri
    http://www.greattafsirs.com/Books/lataif.pdf

    In this series Shaykh Faraz 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 Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Knowledges). 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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 02: Faith & Certitude – Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this epoisode, Shaykh Faraz gives an overview of the second chapter from Imam Ghazali's Ihya Uloom ud-Din, Foundations of Islamic Belief. Shaykh Faraz highlights the what Muslims believe, how faith is nurtured and the understanding of faith. He concludes with an example of the Prophetic through one of narrated supplications of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
    Shaykh Faraz tells us that it is personally obligatory for every Muslim to know with clarity and certitude what is necessary to believe about Allah, His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the transmitted articles of belief.

    Below are some resources of courses and a podcast on Islamic beliefs, provided by SeekersHub. All resources are free of charge.

    Shaykh Faraz then highlights the point Imam Ghazali makes about how faith is nurtured. He says that faith is not nurtured by mere study. Rather, it is nurtured by submission and by turning to Allah Most High in devotion. This is done through living faith in one's life, by acquiring virtuous traits and by ridding oneself of blameworthy traits.

    Then, Shaykh Faraz outlines the levels of faith. The first level is mere faith; accepting without understanding. The second level is faith with understanding. The third level is living faith with consciousness.

    In understanding and studying the proofs of Islamic beliefs, there is a strengthening of faith, Shaykh Faraz tells us. He highlights the following resources through SeekersHub (all free):

    Courses
    [1] Understanding Islamic Beliefs: Dardir's Kharida Explained
    [2] Ghazali's Foundations of Islamic Beliefs
    http://seekershub.org/home/course-catalog-t12017/#beliefs
    [3] Allah's Beautiful Names Explained
    http://seekershub.org/home/course-catalog-t12017/#livingreligion

    Podcast
    Why Islam is True
    http://seekershub.org/podcast/names/why-islam-is-true/

    Shaykh Faraz then clarifies the relationship between iman (faith) and islam (submission). He tells us how they intertwine and intersect and their different levels.

    Finally, Shaykh Faraz concludes with Prophetic supplication that portrays faith:
    (يا حي يا قيوم برحمتك أستغيث أصلح لي شأني كله ولا تكلني إلى نفسي طرفة عين)
    (Oh Living! Oh Sustaining! In Your Mercy do I seek urgent aid! Rectify all my affairs -- and do not leave me to myself for a blinking of an eye.)

    In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali's opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 01 – Knowledge
    In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz gives an overview of the first chapter from Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Uloom ud-Din, the chapter on knowledge. Shaykh Faraz explains Imam Ghazali’s statement that “the purpose of religion is knowledge – knowing Allah”.

    Shaykh Faraz further explains that all the forms of religion require knowledge. A believer needs to know how to submit to Allah, how to seek Allah, and how to be sincere and beloved to Allah. He also gives some definitions of knowledge, and which knowledge Imam Ghazali is referring to. Shaykh Faraz also discerns between knowledge which is personally obligatory and that which is communally obligatory.

    Finally, Shaykh Faraz highlights that knowledge is sought through adab. The fruits of knowledge is becoming a “Lordly scholar”, who is able to turn their heart to Allah and help guide others to Allah as well. The great opportunity of knowledge is that it is the Prophetic inheritance. Action without knowledge is toil without fruit. Therefore, through knowledge one is able to fulfill the potential that Allah has created us for and called us to.

    In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersHub Toronto or online through the SeekersHub Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekershub.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersHub podcasts by visiting https://seekershub.org/podcasts/

    The post 01 – Knowledge appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

    23 min
  • 02: Faith & Certitude – Renewal By The Book: Daily Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this episode, Shaykh Faraz highlights the closing verses of Surat al-Baqara, verses 284-286, and how they correspond to the second chapter of Ghazali's Ihya on faith. He tells us about the verses' great merit, key underlying meanings as they relate to faith and certitude, and some guiding advice on how to benefit from these verses.
    Shaykh Faraz relates to us the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that: "whoever recites the closing verses from Surat al-Baqara at night, they will be sufficient for them. He explains that sufficiency here is unconditional, meaning that they are sufficient in everything.

    Shaykh Faraz explains how verse 285 of Surat al-Baqara is an affirmation of faith. He tells us that faith is the confirmation of truth as transmitted, and entails complete slavehood and submissiveness to God, as well as complete acceptance.

    Shaykh Faraz also highlights how Islam has the balance of ease and responsibility. The verses tell us that no soul is responsible for more than it is able. The verses call us to turn to Allah in faith, seeking pardon, forgiveness and mercy.

    In this series Shaykh Faraz 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 Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Knowledges). 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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 01: Knowledge – Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this lesson, Shaykh Faraz gives an overview of the first chapter from Imam Ghazali's Ihya Uloom ud-Din, the chapter on knowledge. Shaykh Faraz explains Imam Ghazali's statement that "the purpose of religion is knowledge - knowing Allah".
    Shaykh Faraz further explains that all the forms of religion require knowledge. A believer needs to know how to submit to Allah, how to seek Allah, and how to be sincere and beloved to Allah. He also gives some definitions of knowledge, and which knowledge Imam Ghazali is referring to. Shaykh Faraz also discerns between knowledge which is personally obligatory and that which is communally obligatory.

    Finally, Shaykh Faraz highlights that knowledge is sought through adab. The fruits of knowledge is becoming a "Lordly scholar", who is able to turn their heart to Allah and help guide others to Allah as well. The great opportunity of knowledge is that it is the Prophetic inheritance. Action without knowledge is toil without fruit. Therefore, through knowledge one is able to fulfill the potential that Allah has created us for and called us to.

    In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali's opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min
  • 00 – Introduction
    In this introductory episode, Shaykh Faraz gives us an overview of this new series in Ramadan: Renewing Religion. Throughout the month of Ramadan Shaykh Faraz Rabbani, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin and our other visiting scholars will be sharing with us a thematic overview of each of the 40 chapters in Imam Ghazali’s Ihya Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Knowledges).

    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.

    The Ihya is broken down into four quarters: [1] devotion, [2] social responsibilities, [3] the destructive traits of character, and [4] the salvific virtues.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersHub Toronto or online through the SeekersHub Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekershub.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersHub podcasts by visiting https://seekershub.org/podcasts/

    The post 00 – Introduction appeared first on SeekersGuidance.

    6 min
  • 01: Knowledge & Guidance – Renewal By The Book: Daily Quran Tafsir Based on Imam Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
    In this episode, Shaykh Faraz highlights the oft-repeated verse and supplication from Surat al-Fatiha, verse 6: (ٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ) - (Guide us to the straight path). Shaykh Faraz connects this verse with the first of chapter of Imam Ghazali's Ihya, the Book of Knowledge. He explains that one asks guidance towards what they seek. As believers we seek Allah Most High. Imam Ghazali also defines beneficial knowledge as, knowledge that guides one to Allah. Therefore from that aspect, asking for guidance entails asking for beneficial knowledge.
    Shaykh Faraz continues on to make more linkages between sought guidance and beneficial knowledge. Shaykh Faraz concludes by explaining why seeking guidance in all things entails seeking knowledge in all one's life.

    In this series Shaykh Faraz 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 Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Knowledges). 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.

    Join our Ramadan 2017 program: #RamadanRenewal, in-person at SeekersGuidance Toronto or online through the SeekersGuidance Global platform. For more details, visit: https://seekersguidance.org/ramadan.

    Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/
    0 min

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In this brief overview of Imam Ghazali’s opus magnum, Ihya Uloom ud-Din (Renewing the Religious Sciences), this series will serve as blueprint for how the believer can bring to life their religion. It…