Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali's Ihya

In this talk given after the eclipse prayer, Shaykh Faraz counsels everyone to enter in the circles of mercy and embrace good through being with family and community. He draws on the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): "Community is mercy, and being alone is torment."

Shaykh Faraz calls Muslims to gather with family and community around reading the Qur'an, reading hadith, remembrance of God, and doing acts of good and charity.

 

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In this podcast, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani counsels students on some keys on how to retain knowledge. Shaykh Faraz relates the story of Imam Shafi’i and his avidness to gain knowledge and to act on the knowledge.

 

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Shaykh Faraz provides a welcome and introduction to Rabi' al-Awwal, the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), who is the means to our having every good. He highlights praise of the Prophet(Allah bless him and give him peace)  and sending blessings on him as an expression of gratitude for the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and give him peace)  struggles on our behalf and his concern for us.

Shaykh Faraz gives advice on how to renew one’s relationship with Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) in the month he was brought into this world. He closes by shedding light on some of the history behind the praise of the Prophet(Allah bless him and give him peace), starting with the poetry composed by his own companions and family—while acknowledging that no poetry can fully capture the amazing reality of the Prophet(Allah bless him and give him peace).

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani highlights six key lessons for seekers of knowledge from six beautiful stories from the life of Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah be pleased with him). These six practical lessons are relevant for everyone who wishes to become a true seeker of Islamic knowledge, and to fulfill the true purpose of knowledge--namely, seeking Allah's pleasure, and living and spreading the light of the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

 

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Shaykh Yusuf Weltch begins by reminding the believers of the reasons for the gatherings of the remembrance of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that is to stir up the good in one’s soul that is already there. He goes on to explain what are the two gardens of paradise mentioned in Surat al Rahman, and how they relate to the circles of remembrance.

Shaykh Yusuf ends by explaining two essential traits of the Prophetic Message that is knowledge and remembrance, and who is the real scholar it is the one who is constantly seeking knowledge.

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In this lesson, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat reminds of the need to look at the bigger picture. He encourages us to recite and reflect upon Sura al-Mulk (Qur‘an, 67) and looks at several lessons we can find at the opening verse to help us deal with this crisis.

1. Have a good opinion of Allah and expect the best from Him, realizing that everything is under His Power and control. Allah takes care of everything and will continue to do so. Even this trial contains much good (Shaykh Abdul-Rahim even suggests we make a list!). Indeed, believers find benefit in every circumstance through their response.

2. Relax and don’t they to micromanage—trust in God. Even the companions couldn’t understand some choices the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) made until later.

3. Turn to Allah Most High. Ask him for wellbeing, and “seek assistance in patience and prayer” (Qur‘an, 2:153).

 

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani relates some examples of veneration of knowledge he had experienced with his teachers. Illustrating that one should not be shy of seeking knowledge at any age, he starts with the story of one of his teachers, Shaykh Adib Kallas, insisting to sit at the back of a high-level class by a peer whom he considered more advanced.

He relates that two distinguished scholars were invited to a wedding at the same time as this class, and requested Shaykh ʿAbd al-Razzaq al-Halabi, whose class it was, for permission to skip the class to attend. Shaykh ʿAbd al-Razzaq refused, and the scholars complied with his order.

Shaykh Faraz also tells how he went once went to Shaykh Adib Kallas' house to find the usual students absent. He read extra, but as he left, noticed an obituary notice at the door: Shaykh Adib's brother had passed away the previous night, but he hadn't canceled his classes. In fact, he contacted the scholars of Damascus to request that they not cancel their classes to attend his brother's funeral: knowledge takes precedence.

Shaykh Faraz closes by reminding us that we should appreciate the great efforts of our scholars and parents in transmitting the religion through the generations.

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In this final episode, Shaykh Sadullah delivers a befitting reminder to us all. This day of Eid should be a day of happiness, joy, and celebration. Despite the circumstances that we find ourselves in we should continue to remain hopeful for a better tomorrow. It is on this day that we proclaim the greatness of God over everything else. God is the greatest and He has control over everything. Let us do our part in ensuring that we are fulfilling our personal and social responsibilities to God. It is in our attachment to Him that we are able to look forward in optimism. Eid Mubarak.

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In this episode, Shaykh Sadullah presents to us the paradoxes of the modern age. As human beings, we have progressed technologically in so many areas, however despite our achievements we have failed in developing our sense of humanity. Let us take the opportunity now in understanding that quality is more important than quantity.

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In this episode, Shaykh Sadullah explains how we can miss out on the blessings of Allah in our lives. Whilst we search for the Night of Power in the last ten nights of Ramadan, it is very easy to lose the opportunity to truly benefiting from this auspicious occasion. Through bickering, fighting, and arguing Muslims cause more problems for themselves. Furthermore, Allah removes his blessings and mercy from Muslims when they antagonize each other.

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