Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq

Envy: The Inferno Within Part 2

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 28th February 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/kyTsT5K6BNE

This three-part series details the causes, effects and how an individual can safeguard themselves from falling into the sin of envy.

The thinking of an envious person is warped and where this thinking stems from is detailed. It is said that envy neither has any benefit in the dunyā, where it destroys individual and social peace, nor in the ākhirah, due to it entailing rejection of Allāh and His wisdom and leading to further sin.

It is mentioned how the Prophet ﷺ was a victim of envy in Makkah and Madinah and how this led various people to reject his message, including some who were convinced of his prophethood. A number of couplets about envy are cited and it is mentioned why several poets, as well as the Prophet ﷺ, have likened envy to fire. In this context, oud and its burning is also described with a likening to envy.

As a contrast to an envious person, the talk gives a positive example of a person who is brushed of heart, wishes the best for others and is at peace with Allāh's distribution.

Below are some of the topics in this talk:

- The Prophet ﷺ Being a Victim of Envy in Makkah & Madinah

- Who is the Best?

- Envy Destroying a Person's Inner and Social Peace

- The Meaning of 'tanājush'

- Envy Likened to Fire by the Prophet ﷺ and Others

- How Envy Destroys Marriages and Friendships

- Description of Oud and its Value

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Envy: The Inferno Within Part 1

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 21st February 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/LjfqSVELPWQ

This three-part series details the causes, effects and how an individual can safeguard themselves from falling into the sin of envy.

The destructive nature of external sins is clearly understood by many, but what about the internal sins we commit? Envy is included among the internal sins and has the ability to extinguish our good deeds. All of us have the ability to envy others as well as being envied ourselves.

Several examples are given on how the prophets suffered ill effects of being envied and how envy made people reject their message. One protection suggested against being envied is that we remain silent and private; including being restrictive in narrating our dreams. Examples are given of the widespread problem of dreams being interpreted by unqualified people.

As for the negative effects of our own envy, these are described as being far worse. Here, underlying causes such as arrogance and a sense of entitlement are identified. The message is given that nobody is perfect and that we must accept how Allah has decided to distribute his blessings to different people; our envy being of no benefit in this world nor in the Hereafter.

Below are some of the topics in this talk:

- How inner sins destroy external obedience

- Having envy and being envied

- Difference between envy and jealousy

- Envy being one of the first sins committed

- Protection against envy

- Unqualified individuals interpreting dreams

- Envy arising from anger, arrogance and self-entitlement

- Humans dependant on each other and Allah

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The Hypocrites: A Tafsīr of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn Part 5

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 3rd May 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/5N4PQpLQCaA

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn is the 63rd chapter in the Qurān and was revealed in Medina. It is a sūrah detailing some of the claims and plots of the hypocrites and is one which the Prophet ﷺ would often recite during the Friday prayers. This series details the causes of revelation for each verse as well as an in-depth analysis of aḥādīth surrounding these events.

The final part in this series covers the remaining three verses of the surah in which the topic is shifted to wealth. Hypocrites are absorbed by wealth due to their shallow and short-sighted worldview. Having failed the test of wealth and seeing themselves in others, their belief was that Muslims would share a similar view on wealth. Family members, children and wealth are all deemed as a test for a believer as mentioned in verses of Surat al-Taghābun.

Several aḥādīth are quoted to explain that a Muslim must calibrate his thinking to have a sound worldview. This includes; how we should view riba, who is a ‘loser’, who is a ‘champion’, who is ‘rich’ and who is ‘penniless’. Miserliness is explained to be a trait of hypocrisy and emphasis is placed on spending in the way of Allāh while we are young and able.

Below are some of the topics in this talk:

- Translation of the Final Verses

- The Connection Between the Final Verses and Hypocrisy

- Seeing Others as we See Ourselves

- Family Members & Wealth Being a Fitnah

- Allāh Making the Dunya Sweet & Lush

- Example of Riba and Our Idea of Profit and Loss

- Who is the 'Champion' Amongst Us?

- Miserliness Being a Trait of Hypocrisy

- The Desire of Man at Old Age

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The Hypocrites: A Tafsīr of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn Part 4

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 5th April 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/xBJHaxdJt8k

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn is the 63rd chapter in the Qurān and was revealed in Medina. It is a sūrah detailing some of the claims and plots of the hypocrites and is one which the Prophet ﷺ would often recite during the Friday prayers. This series details the causes of revelation for each verse as well as an in-depth analysis of aḥādīth surrounding these events.

The fourth part in this series continues by explaining how the surah shifts in reference to those hypocrites who responded arrogantly when advised. Arrogance is here identified as a trait of hypocrisy and it is emphasized that we should, ourselves, avoid arrogance and neither label others as hypocrites based on any of the traits of hypocrisy.

Abdullah ibn Ubay's character and phases in his relationship with the Prophet ﷺ is explained in detail, with the battles of Badr and Uhud being pivotal. His arrogance is identified by his rudeness in the face of the Prophet ﷺ and his failure to take heed. The seriousness of arrogance and how it serves as an obstacle to good and deludes a person is explained.

The seventh verse of this surah and its background, being the campaign against Banu Mustaliq, is explained when the words quoted in the verse were uttered and the context of fitnah they were uttered in.

The hypocrites are said to be shallow and short-sighted with their blind love of wealth and their belief that they could disband the Muslims by withholding it. Those loved by Allah and the Prophet ﷺ were not bestowed with wealth and their vision was different to that of the hypocrites.

Below are some of the topics in this talk:

- Translation of the Fifth-Seventh Verse

- Obvious Hypocrites Told to Seek Forgiveness

- Abdullah ibn Ubay's Pre-Jumu'ah Announcements

- The Hypocrites Defiant in the Face of Criticism

- Arrogance Being a Quality of a Hypocrite

- Campaign Against the Banu Mustaliq

- Wives and Children of the Enemies of the Prophet ﷺ Embracing Islam

- The Hypocrites' Blind Love of Wealth

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The Hypocrites: A Tafsīr of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn Part 3

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 22nd March 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/GtPjnEDPyG8

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn is the 63rd chapter in the Qurān and was revealed in Medina. It is a sūrah detailing some of the claims and plots of the hypocrites and is one which the Prophet ﷺ would often recite during the Friday prayers. This series details the causes of revelation for each verse as well as an in-depth analysis of aḥādīth surrounding these events.

The third part of this series moves from focusing on the hypocrites in general, to a separate group who were considered their leaders. The political situation in Makkah and Madinah is explained as well as what characteristics made people rise up to become informal leaders. These characteristics are often the same as what we aspire to, however they do not mean anything in the eyes of Allāh.

The talk then details the interior of the hypocrites' by explaining how they are "like propped-up timber". In relation to this, emphasis is also placed on the importance of fulfilling the adab of a religious gathering and examples are cited from past scholars. It is mentioned that the hypocrites were always fearful to be caught out for their foul interior.

Towards the end of the talk the difficulty of handling liars is explained and why we should never laugh at someone who has been deceived - innocence being a characteristic of a believer. It is also mentioned that the Prophet ﷺ had respect for non-Muslims who he had dealings with since these, as opposed to hypocrites, at least were honest in their disbelief.

Below are some of the topics in this talk:

- Selected hypocrites targeted in the surah

- Description of the Dar al-Nadwa in Makkah

- Qualities we aspire to and admire in others

- The meaning of propped-up timber

- Allah rewarding like with like

- The hypocrites living in fear

- The Prophet ﷺ respecting non-Muslims he had dealings with

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The Hypocrites: A Tafsīr of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn Part 2

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 15th March 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/iaHyMo1HNic

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn is the 63rd chapter in the Qurān and was revealed in Medina. It is a sūrah detailing some of the claims and plots of the hypocrites and is one which the Prophet ﷺ would often recite during the Friday prayers. This series details the causes of revelation for each verse as well as an in-depth analysis of aḥādīth surrounding these events.

The second part in this series details some of the traits of hypocrisy; including the sin of lying, false testimony, and how the hypocrites of Medina felt that they could get away with their deception. These characteristics should be distant for a believer and the quality of truthfulness, trustworthiness and vision on the hereafter is praised by Allāh.

The hypocrites would often focus on short-term gains and use their lies as a shield to protect themselves and their wealth. It is important that Muslims remain focused on the long-term goals of this life and to not prevent others from believing with our bad character and manners.

Below are some of the topics for this talk:

- Meaning of testimony

- Disloyalty to one's parents

- Traits of hypocrisy as mentioned by Abu Hurairah

- False oaths being a trait of hypocrisy

- How the hypocrites will behave on the Day of Judgement

- Preventing others from the way of Allah

- The hypocrites' rejection for forgiveness

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The Hypocrites: A Tafsīr of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn Part 1

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 8th March 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/PrAuGwRR8J0

Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn is the 63rd chapter in the Qurān and was revealed in Medina. It is a sūrah detailing some of the claims and plots of the hypocrites and is one which the Prophet ﷺ would often recite during the Friday prayers. This series details the causes of revelation for each verse as well as an in-depth analysis of aḥādīth surrounding these events.

The first part of this series explains the background of the sūrat; along with a linguistic explanation of the word 'nifāq', and an overall summary is given for the beginning, middle and end of the sūrat. The reason why hypocrisy arouse in Medina, the varying degrees of hypocrisy and some of the traits of hypocrisy are also covered in detail.

It is shown towards the end of the talk how easily the hypocrites would make a claim of believing in the Prophet ﷺ and how Allāh rejected their claims.

Below are some of the timecodes and topics for this talk:

- The names of the hypocrites

- Theme and naming of Sūrat al-Munāfiqūn

- The meaning of 'nifāq'

- How hypocrisy spread in Madinah

- The varying degrees of hypocrisy

- Hypocrisy of faith and hypocrisy of deeds

- Claim of believing and the sin of false testimony

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Clutching Cinders

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 8th February 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/aSim2nGtSgM

The Prophet ﷺ has warned us, "A time will come upon the people, during which a person who remains perseverant and steadfast on his faith will be like one who is clutching cinders." (Tirmidhi)

This prophecy of the Prophet ﷺ shows the believers that a time of great fitnah will come, where holding on to one's own religion will be extremely difficult. The presence of fitnah is nothing new as Allāh has made it part of His sunnah to test every nation, especially the believers. This has been clarified in many verses of the Qurān.

What should a believer in order to safeguard their faith during these trying times? The concept of sabr is explained in detail along with remaining concerned with oneself; so that a person remains critical of themselves and not of others. This principle also applies to the company a person keeps and the rewards that are reserved for one who bears this difficulty.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Difficulty of perseverance for the believers

- Reason for Allāh testing the believers

- Having sabr and concering oneself with oneself in such times of fitnah

- Can we create a perfect world?

- Effect of company on a person

- Summary of how we should respond to fitnah and confusion

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Concern Yourself with Yourself

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 1st February 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/RbXr7nRhFZE

Allāh and His Rasūl ﷺ have advised us on how to deal with the various fitnah in our lives. One of the best advises is to safeguard our tongue during times of fitnah and to concern ourselves with ourselves. It is mentioned that the ʿulamāʾ emphasized this concept and that not acting on it can potentially lead a person to committing major sins.

The belief that sins only consist of physical actions is rebuked, even though our culture may have influenced us to belittle sins of the tongue and mind. The hadith of ifk is brought as an important example showing why we should leave that which doesn't concern us and that our involvement is usually of no benefit.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- Importance of good company

- What is salvation?

- The three things that gave Luqman his rank

- How investigation leads to major sin

- Guarding our speech

- Our involvement in the affairs of others

- Safety of concerning yourself with yourself

- Defending oneself against fitnah

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Fitnah

Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 25th January 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester

Video: https://youtu.be/1koLszfr5Ro

In Arabic the word 'fitnah' was originally used to stress-test gold in order to purify it from mixed substances. It is now commonly used to show how Allah tests a believer to see if they will be pure or turn away from His mercy. We are surrounded by tests, both major and minor; in politics, history and in our personal life. These trials have been foretold by Allāh and His Rasūl ﷺ and many examples throughout history have been illustrated in this talk.

These tests, however, should not make us despondent in life. Rather we should respond to them with good deeds, silence, patience, taqwa and realising that our aim should be for the hereafter.

Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk:

- The purpose of our creation

- The Prophet ﷺ foretelling fitan

- Fitnah in our spouses, families and children

- Meaning of fitan in the minor sense and major sense

- The great sahabi 'Uthmān ibn Maẓ'ūn r.a

- The great fitnah after Umar r.a

- Fitnah being stoked by the munāfiqūn

- How we should respond to fitan

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