SeekersGuidance Podcast - Islam, Islamic Knowledge, Quran, and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad

In this talk, Shaykh Omar Qureshi explores the idea of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) being our uswah ("excellent model"; Quran 33.21) and point of reference, and how it helps us understand who we are. With Shaykh Faraz Rabbani joining in, he reminds us of the importance of hadith (Prophetic traditions) in our lives, and of the blessing of their authentic preservation.

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Shaykh Yusuf begins by explaining one of the signs of Allah’s love is not by not being tested or acquiring a lot of wealth. He explains who is beloved to Allah. It is the one who is able to adore themselves with praiseworthy qualities, and waking up in the depths of the night only for the sake of Allah. These are the ones who are beloved to Allah explains Shaykh Yusuf.

Shaykh Yusuf goes on to explain that the one who is given in this life by means of a lot of wealth. It is of no consequence because Allah gives to whom He wills. Allah raises in rank by sending one a tribulation. Shaykh Yusuf reminds all that one will be asked how one responded to the different trials that were sent to one. 

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Shaykh Yusuf Weltch begins the lesson by reminding all of the great stories that are related in the Qur’an. Of the greatest of stories we know is the story of Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him). Shaykh Yusuf then goes on to explain the objective of the stories and that is to increase one in the certainty of Allah Most High. The story of the Prophet Yusuf (peace be upon him) revolves around two main qualities and that is the quality of patience and fearful awareness to adorn oneself with these two qualities, one must have a relationship with Allah.

Shaykh Yusuf goes on to explain how one must hold onto being patient and having fearful awareness throughout whatever one is doing. 

Shaykh Yusuf explains in some detail how it is the Prophets (peace be upon them all) who are tested the most in this worldly life. For Allah test those whom he loves, and it is the trials and test which raise one in ranks in this life and the next. 

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Shaykh Faraz explains how zakat and charity can be a means of purification and increase, as Allah has told us in the Qur'an: "Take from their wealth 'O Prophet' charity to purify and bless them, and pray for them—surely your prayer is a source of comfort for them. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing" Qur'an (9:103). He gives us the different meanings of purification and increases, both inward and outward.

 

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Shaykh Yahya explains to us and gives us a background of what a sound society means and what does a sound heart entails, drawing on references from the Qur'an and the Sunna.

 

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Shaykh Faid Said answers the following questions about the spiritual condition of a sealed heart. What is it? Can it be unsealed? If so, what would be the steps to take? Can there be an irreversible sealing of the heart?

 

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani draws from Imam Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Sulami's work "The Compendium of Manners on the Spiritual Path" to refresh our heart's gaze on the actions and comportment of the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him).

 

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Shaykh Walead explains verses 60 to 82 of Surah Kahf, which tell the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) with Khidr. He highlights the key lessons from the story and significant themes it addresses.

 

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani looks at a classical commentary on verses 24-27 of Sura Ibrahim. He explains different opinions on which is the "good word" and the "good tree" and how the metaphor relates to the believer. He also offers basic advice on how to improve one's connection to the Quran's meanings. The verses are: "Do you not see how God makes comparisons? A good word is like a good tree whose root is firm and whose branches are high in the sky, yielding constant fruit by its Lord’s leave--God makes such comparisons for people so that they may reflect--but an evil word is like a rotten tree, uprooted from the surface of the earth, with no power to endure. God will give firmness to those who believe in the firmly rooted word, both in this world and the Hereafter, but the evildoers He leaves to stray: God does whatever He will."

 

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Shaykh Yahya Rhodus shares his viewpoint that in this phase of North American Islam, the most important priority is institution-building and conveying the Prophetic inheritance. He reflects on the idea of the Tree of Faith as a metaphor for institution building. Beginning with the seed of faith, he draws links between nurturing the soil of the heart and modern destructive overfarming practices that produce dead soil.

Shaykh Yahya talks about nurturing our hearts, and how, just as trees don’t bear fruit overnight, nor do institutions: the results of one's service might not appear for generations. He closes giving a few more insights related to the metaphorical Tree of Faith and shared meanings with the natural tree.

 

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