Preaching Piety Part 1

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 2nd April 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/mcpUcvDwuic

This series continues the theme of naṣiḥah, whereby a person's advice should begin from within before spilling out to others. Advice should not be treated as an absolute concept since not everyone will agree on the same thing. Sincerity is part of giving advice and a person should not try to enforce their own opinion in a matter of valid disagreement.

The talk starts by explaining the hadith that a true Muslim is one whose tongue and hand others remain safe. This shows the importance of us protecting others from our own ill. It is explained that every human carries pain which is often shifted onto others, most commonly found through verbal abuse. This does not necessarily have to be done openly, but the believers are warned in the Quran about the harms of speaking ill about others in their private conversations. Neighbours are especially mentioned as a group that should feel safe from our ill and it is emphasised that we should only have relationships with people if they are in good.

The talk further explains that our thinking in times of fitnah should focus on protecting others from our ill rather than thinking that we are better than them. Thereafter, the hadith on who is a penniless person is explained, with a focus on how we must revisit our concept of "penniless". Other concepts that have been revisited in the Quran and hadith, such as “a strong person” are also explained.

Some of the topics contained in this talk:

- Best examples of giving advice

- Giving "advice" in psychology

- Qualifications of the one giving advice

- Time and place when giving advice

- Not imposing our view on others

- Three verses quoted by Abdullah ibn Abbas

*This talk took place just after lockdown and was open to a limited audience*

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Preaching Piety Part 2

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 9th April 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/DEkgmN77HSI

This series continues the theme of naṣiḥah, whereby a person's advice should begin from within before spilling out to others. Advice should not be treated as an absolute concept since not everyone will agree on the same thing. Sincerity is part of giving advice and a person should not try to enforce their own opinion in a matter of valid disagreement.

The talk continues the discussion on the prerequisites of unsolicited naṣīḥah, adding that naṣīḥah starts at home and with oneself before anybody else. The importance of having knowledge of what one is advising is emphasised here. This includes knowledge about different opinions in the matter, lest one reprimands someone following another valid opinion. The caution of the ‘ulamā’ of the past in giving rulings, as well as their respect for differing opinions, illustrates this point.

Thereafter, the discussion turns to the method of giving advice. A giver of naṣīḥah should follow the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ, who is shown to have been soft and tolerant in his naṣīḥah, as opposed to the approach of vocal fitna-mongers. Also discussed is the time of giving naṣīḥah, that it should not be given too often nor in a time that causes disgrace to the one advised.

The latter part of the talk mentions the fact that naṣīḥah sometimes shouldn't be given at all, even if the advisor is sincere and knowledgeable. This is illustrated by the Prophet ﷺ's reluctance to publicly announce that whoever says the kalimah will enter Jannah, as well as his reluctance to change the Ka'ba back to its real foundations.

Some of the topics contained in this talk:

- Importance of having knowledge of different opinions

- Cases where the Prophet ﷺ accepted differing actions

- Hadith of the bedouin urinating in the masjid

- Preaching to others leading to fitnah

- Being soft and tolerant when advising

- A disagreement between Abu Hurayra & Umar r.a

- Detailing differences with the building of the Ka'bah

*This talk took place just after lockdown and was open to a limited audience*

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Saving Others from Oneself

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 5th March 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/DtRHbijVWWQ

The talk starts by explaining the hadith that a true Muslim is one whose tongue and hand others remain safe. This shows the importance of us protecting others from our own ill. It is explained that every human carries pain which is often shifted onto others, most commonly found through verbal abuse. This does not necessarily have to be done openly, but the believers are warned in the Quran about the harms of speaking ill about others in their private conversations. Neighbours are especially mentioned as a group that should feel safe from our ill and it is emphasised that we should only have relationships with people if they are in good.

The talk further explains that our thinking in times of fitnah should focus on protecting others from our ill rather than thinking that we are better than others. Thereafter, the hadith on who is a penniless person is explained, with a focus on how we must revisit our concept of "penniless". Other concepts that have been revisited in the Quran and hadith, such as “a strong person” are also explained.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Protecting people from our tongue before our hands

- Protecting others in our private conversations

- Neighbours should feel safe from us

- Focus on ourselves and spare others from our pain

- Be good or remain silent

- Who is the penniless person?

- Removing harm from the path of others

*This talk took place just after lockdown and was open to a limited audience*

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al-Bukhārī Completion Ceremony 2022

Final speech delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 30th September 2022 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/xnI7rT9LoIU

Al Kawthar Academy hosts its al-Bukhārī completion ceremony to commemorate graduation from the seven-year intensive ʿĀlimiyyah course.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Reason for being called a 'Bukhārī' graduation

- The technicality of Ṣaḥīh al-Bukhārī

- Being selective about the verses of the Quran

- The ultimate goal of the Quran

- The first ḥadīth of al-Bukhārī and the final chapter

- Misunderstandings in religion

- The sacrifices of our ʿulamā

- The fame and end of Imām Bukhārī

- Recitation of the final ḥadīth and dua

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Giving Advice (Naṣīḥah)

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 26th February 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/h3oujjEyuz8

We are often presented with the opportunity to give advice to others. How and when we give this advice is vital as it may be considered unsolicited by the receiving party. This topic falls under the wider meaning of "al-dīn al-naṣīḥah".

Two types of advice to others are identified: solicited and unsolicited. Regarding the first type, it is deemed an obligation to respond to a request for advice without wriggling out of it. Aḥādīth that enumerate the rights of a Muslim over another are quoted for this reason and expounded on. The exception on giving advice is when the person fears insincerity or lack of wisdom in his advice, in which case it is better to decline.

The importance of sincerity is even more emphasized for unsolicited advice. Positive examples of unsolicited advice are mentioned to be that of the prophets of Allah and Jarīr ibn Abdullah r.a. The importance of advising with knowledge and softness as well as being respectful of other opinions is mentioned.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Solicited advice and unsolicited advice

- Instruction to give advice and not to avoid the responsibility of giving advice

- Sincerity in giving advice and qualities of the advice giver

- Jarīr ibn Abdullah r.a. giving unsolicited advice

- Importance of knowledge when giving advice

- Manner of giving advice

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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Seeking Advice (Naṣīḥah)

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 19th February 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/Nqh9fySBJkc

We seek advice in order to help us make informed decisions. What are the qualities and characteristics we should look for when choosing someone to take advice from?

A good advice giver is said to encompass the wider meaning of nasihah; including being a sincere well-wisher. He should be like the one whom one can narrate dreams to, identified in the hadith as being a 'beloved' or 'intelligent' person. On the other hand, caution is given against taking advice from friends. These friends, often giving dismissive advice, or even playing out their own fancies in their advices.

As for the seeker of advice, he should be sincere; having an open mind and a clear objective with his consultation. The talk furthermore identifies istikharah as being a dua seeking good from Allah and that this should be done at the side of istisharah from the creation. Istikharah is said to be different from superstitious pre-Islamic practises and void of seeking dreams etc.

Towards the end of the talk, the three A’s for dealing with situations (amend, accept and abandon) are expounded upon.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Who to seek advice from and the definition of a ḥabīb and labīb

- Problems caused by wrong advice

- Superstitions before Islam

- How to ensure sincerity when seeking advice

- Acting on the advice of friends

- The method of istikhārah

- Importance of taking naṣīḥah from the people of naṣīḥah

- The 3 A's (Amend, Abandon, Accept)

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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Religion is Naṣīḥah Part 2

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 12th February 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/aXczi-glDVE

The famous ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī is often translated as, "Religion is advice." However, there is more to the meaning of these words than a simple translation. What exactly is 'naṣīḥah' and how can it be applied to Allāh, His Prophet ﷺ and the believers?

This talk continues from the first part of the series and focuses on the latter part of the ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī, especially regarding showing naṣīḥah to the leaders and laity alike. An understanding is presented on how naṣīḥah should be shown to the leaders and why it is so important. This is supported by a number of aḥādīth.

The talk then briefly explains the philosophy of wealth in Islām and how a believer should generate and spend their own wealth. Wishing well for others and being sincere to them are part of the rights every Muslim should carry out. A stellar example of this is how Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullāh al-Bajalī was sincere in his belief and would always want what’s best for others.

The talk concludes by explaining how voluntary work is good for a person and how it should also serve as a reminder for the believers for them to be thankful for the blessings of Allāh.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- A brief history of Kūfah

- The khuṭbah of Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullāh al-Bajalī in Kūfah

- Naṣīḥah for the leaders and the laity

- Generating wealth for oneself & the 3 philosophies of wealth in Islām

- Etiquette of asking questions

- Three things that purify the heart

- Jarīr ibn ʿAbdullāh al-Bajalī giving bayʿah to the Prophet ﷺ

- Being genuine to all believers

- Finding joy in serving others

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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Religion is Naṣīḥah Part 1

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 15th January 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/rP049YNdlQE

The famous ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī is often translated as, "Religion is advice." However, there is more to the meaning of these words than a simple translation. What exactly is 'naṣīḥah' and how can it be applied to Allāh, His Prophet ﷺ and the believers?

This talk details the word naṣīhah beyond its common, but partial translation of 'advice'. The word 'nuṣḥ' is explained; including its meaning of extracting pure honey, and several verses in the Qurān containing derivatives of the word are mentioned. Previous prophets, including the Prophet ﷺ exercised nuṣḥ in all conditions and examples of these are explained in this talk.

Thereafter the talk explains 'naṣīḥah to Allāh' and how it entails placing Allāh above all else and not being in a deceitful relationship with Him. The sincere believers who remained behind at the battle of Tabūk are mentioned as positive examples. Furthermore, our duties to Allāh’s book are said to be similar to the Prophet’s ﷺ duties as mentioned in Surat al-Jumu’ah.

Towards the end of the talk, five of our duties to the Prophet ﷺ are extracted from verses of the Qurān. Naṣīḥah to the Muslims leaders and laity is also mentioned, but very briefly.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- The ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī about naṣīḥah

- Meaning of naṣīḥah

- The Prophets having nusḥ for their nations

- Antonyms of naṣīḥah

- Naṣīḥah for Allāh

- Background of naṣīḥah in Sūrat al-Tawbah

- Our duty to the book of Allāh

- Our duty to the Prophet ﷺ

- Naṣīḥah for other believers

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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The Prophet's ﷺ Gratitude

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 4th December 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/MYUhLiZhE2I

The Prophet ﷺ was a leading example when showing gratitude towards the creation and the Creator. Many du'ā uttered by the Prophet ﷺ include words of gratitude to Allāh and he would often pray excessively for those who carried out favours for him.

This talk starts by establishing that it is a command of Allāh that we acknowledge Him and that gratitude is a manifestation of that acknowledgement. It shows how previous prophets showed gratitude and how the Prophet ﷺ was told to follow in their footsteps. The Prophet's ﷺ gratitude to Allāh is shown by his ‘ibādah, the wording of his du'ā and his dhikr, all of which are mentioned to be connected to gratitude.

Thereafter the gratitude of the Prophet ﷺ to the creation is mentioned, including his genuine generosity. Several examples show how the Prophet ﷺ showed gratitude to the ṣaḥābah and even non-Muslims and enemies for kind actions. The talk emphasises the need to reciprocate favours of other humans, even if by making du'ā' for them.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Worship of Allāh connected to shukr

- Du'ā beginning with the praise of Allāh

- The Prophet's ﷺ habit of sleeping

- Irrational fear of poverty

- Sincere du'ā for others

- The Prophet's ﷺ du'ā for others

- Gratitude towards non-Muslims

- Description of the Prophet ﷺ in earlier scriptures

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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Ungrateful to the Creation: Ungrateful to the Creator

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 6th November 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/Ba_1Gnt-ipA

Gratitude is an important part of our lives which should not only be shown to the Creator, but also to the creation. Many aḥādīth emphasise the need to express gratitude towards others and how this can be done is explained in this talk.

The first step is identified as expressing verbal gratitude and making du’ā’ for the person. But even before that, it is emphasized that we must develop the ability to recognize favours in the first place. This is because ingratitude, and the selfishness it stems from, is part of human nature. A number of verses of the Qur’ān are cited to show this ingratitude, as well as real life examples of human self-entitlement, even in religious matters. All of this occurs despite being recipients of other people’s favours.

Simple deeds such as smiling and pouring water from a jug are mentioned as acts of charity and how these can be a form of gratitude themselves.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Importance of gratitude towards creation

- How “JazākAllāhu khayrā” is different from “Thank you”

- Ingratitude and self-entitlement towards one's parents

- Selfishness in religion

- Stories of ingratitude

- Smiling being an act of charity

- Selflessness of animals

- All of us are recipients of favours

*This talk took place during the coronavirus pandemic and the Academy was not open to the public.*

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