This Segment specifically explores the nature and meaning of the path, Din of Islam and the Qur’anic manual of transformation. At the essence of all paths is submission, submission to truth at all levels. The Qur’an discloses keys to the essential issues of life: Where is it? how is it? Everything is emerging from the singularity yet what is the interplay between the inner and outer? The Absolute and the relative. In this talk, Shaykh Fadhlalla weaves through the tapestries of the Qur’anic manual of existence. Key themes include: Resonance with the divine qualities; Relative justice and Divine Justice; relevant keys in encountering and reforming patterns of self; gateways to mercy; the wholesome heart and personal responsibility; Unifying the inner and the outer and the perfected model of abandonment as disclosed by the prophetic teachings.

This Segment focuses on the meaning of Unity and centers around select aspects of Qur’anic reflections on Unity and Multiplicity emphasizing essential pervasive Oneness. Shaykh Fadhlalla briefly explores the essence of all paths relevant to the unfolding thread of Unity with special reference to the Abrahamic teachings and many occurrences of prophetic lights echoing the message of Unity culminating into the light of Islam. Further Shaykh Fadhlallah discusses the purpose of the earthly journey as an unfolding into knowledge, and direct awareness of prevalent truth, providing various key sketches that contour the path. Some of these include: the Adamic soul; constant reference to the divine presence in self soul interplay; dualities and differentiation and witnessing the perfect moment.

This segment revolves around the theme of prophetic beings and messengers. The talk explores the advent of prophecy and the evolutionary occurrence of various individuals relating and reflecting the message of Unity, culminating in the Qur’an and the way of the Prophet Muhammad. The meaning of prophetic consciousness, inspiration, and ‘the message’ is also explored with special attention given to various Qur’anic verses and their classical Arabic roots. This talk emphasizes and describes the essence of all prophetic messages and the way of Unity.

This segment considers the essential designs and patterns in existence, the interrelationships between the macro and micro, and a way of life based on constant improvement of conduct disclosed in the prophetic teachings. The path of service and goodness and the purpose of prohibition are key themes in this episode relevant to developing awareness of boundaries and harmonious connections and interactions with life. Some of the key paradoxes of life are explored: the desire for freedom; the pursuit of durable fulfillment and happiness; dualities, pluralities, and Unity. The essential aspects of the ‘Din’ are related to these themes by virtue commentary on multiple Qur’anic references.

This segment pivots around the centrality of Divine Unity. The Qur’anic universal cosmology and the attributes are further discussed relevant to sentiency, consciousness and an evolutionary unfolding of expansive life. The Qur’anic metaphors relevant to the emergence of human consciousness and nature are given detailed attention in presenting a spiritual cosmology that indicates the local dynamics of contrasting dualities and complements, which always have their root in cosmic unity. Shaykh Fadhlalla presents various key Qur’anic verses which indicate the meaning of a fulfilled life, and provide clear means for applying and navigating of the maps of reality and ultimately experiencing and abiding in soul consciousness.

This segment is the core of the series in which the central theme is the Divine Reality. Shaykh Fadhlalla presents various key questions in framing this discourse: ‘Who is Alllah?’, ‘Where is Allah?’, ‘How can we access Allah’s presence?’. This talk presents an essential overview of the Qur’anic cosmology. The ineffable nature of the divine cannot be described or contained, however the Qur’an provides snapshots, allusions and indications. This talk covers tasbih and tajreed (similarity and incomparability) and various approaches for relating to the divine attributes and qualities are discussed in parallel with the degrees of Unity. The meaning of glorification and existence is an important theme in this talk. The emphasis of the Qur’an and the prophetic teaching is Divine Unity. Shaykh Fadhlalla explores the intricacies of the Qur’anic cosmology, elaborating the navigations and maps that aid in understanding our drives and behavior, so that we may live correctly whilst perfecting the art of abandonment and experiencing the perfection of divine presence.

The second segment of the series revolves around the history of the Qur’an and its purpose. Shaykh Fadhlalla presents a brief sketch of the unfolding of divine knowledge as it was understood by the peoples of the Middle East and the continuity of the prophetic consciousness, culminating in the Prophet Muhammad. The Qur’an as the book of Guidance and Reality, and the nature of divine revelation and inspiration is explored. Shaykh Fadhlalla presents aspects of Qur’anic sciences with specific reference to the historical context of its compilation and its development into a bound manuscript. This talk concludes with the fundamental message of the Qur’an, that is: Divine unity, the reality of prophethood and the universal return to essence.

In the introductory talk to this series Shaykh Fadhlalla presents a blueprint of the key issues in human life as disclosed by the Qur’an. The relevance of the Qur’an in the evolution of human consciousness and the evolving quest for reality and insights into the purpose of life, the nature of the human being and an optimum way of life are briefly discussed as a prelude to introducing the wider body of themes presented in the series. These talks emphasize some fundamental issues expounded by the Qur’an: The Qur’anic sciences and approaches to the Qur’an; the nature of revelation, the unity of humanity and cosmic cosmology, human cosmology, governance at different levels, the laws of existence, human behavior, the path of transformation, the purpose of life and the divine nature of existence.

This short yet rich conclusion to the series in which Shaykh Fadhlalla shares his views on the purpose of life and our role in this world. In an overarching style, Shaykh Fadhlalla briefly overviews various interplays and patterns that govern life and that we experience as we progress through our sojourn in the relative world. Various key insights into the nature of the two zones and the designs of the self are discussed. The challenges that face our time toward real spiritual progress are briefly engaged. Various indications are given in dealing with the natural fluctuations of the self in harmonizing and calibrating with the cosmic soul. The diverse challenges and various barriers encountered and how to relate to them as we progress on the path are discussed. The meaning of ih’saniyah and the drive towards uniting personal will with divine is a key feature of the closing remarks. With further elaborations revolving around the ih’saniyah station describing witness consciousness and the seamlessness between the absolute and the relative. The meaning of death and eternal life is brought into focus relevant to awakening and completion of the journey of life. With continued reference to a host of prophetic traditions and Qur’anic verses.

This segment is an adjoining segment to the previous episode providing a distillation of the overall topics covered. The specific focus of this episode revolves around worship, the internal and external journey, the various aspects of the self via the classical Sufi terminology and classification in grading the self in its evolution. The issue of self-abandonment and awakening is considered with continued reference to the two zones model and the contrasting criterion relevant to appropriate navigation in straddling the spectrum of consciousness. The issue of an education process for the path against the contemporary backdrop and some of the challenges of the age in accessing real transformation and light are discussed. Shaykh Fadhlalla shares some advice and suggestions and further emphasizes the need to constantly access higher consciousness in the drive towards fulfillment and awakening. Balancing the inner and outer.