Spiritual Counsel: Wisdom on Turning to God from the Islamic Tradition

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains lessons from the Year of Sorrow of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

Contrary to some misunderstandings, the Sorrow of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was not of dejection or depression.

Rather, his Sorrow was the most beautiful of sorrow: a deep sense of awe and neediness to Allah; and deep care, concern, and mercy for people.

This beautiful Sorrow was rooted in faith and certitude; contentment and steadfastness and drove the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk) to turn to Allah, and to spread mercy and good around him.

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In this episode, Shaykh Faraz explains the twenty-seventh hadith from the Chapter on Matters That Soften the Heart from the hadith compilation, Mishkat al-Masabih, compiled by Muḥammad ibn Abdullah Khatib al-Tabrizi (d. 741 AH). The twenty-seventh hadith relates to us that “two hungry wolves let loose on a flock of sheep are not of greater harm to it than a person’s avidness for wealth and status to their religion”. Shaykh Faraz explains the detrimental nature of being avid, which is seeking beyond praiseworthy limits, for worldly wealth and status. He also explains that the flock of sheep could mean the people one is responsible for, but also that a person themselves is like a flock of sheep with their various inward impulses. Shaykh Faraz finally advises to always renew intention when approaching what they seek and to regularly take themselves into account.

Jumuah Khutbah delivered by Shaykh Faid in North London on the theme of a verse from Surah Baqarah: 281 “Be conscious and be aware the day you will be returned to Allah, and everyone will be rewarded or accounted for everything that they have done, and no one will be oppressed on that very day.”

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“The cure for confusion is simply to ask,” said the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Islam FAQ, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other SeekersGuidance scholars give clear, reliable answers to common questions that people ask about Islam–on faith, worship, spirituality, social issues, halal and haram, and a wide range of practical issues related to living Islam with faith, uprightness, and excellence.

The SeekersGuidance Answers service https://seekersguidance.org/submit-a-question/ is one of the leading sources for clear, reliable, balanced, merciful answers from qualified scholars.

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz answers: Can you separate the nikah and walima?

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“The cure for confusion is simply to ask,” said the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Islam FAQ, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other SeekersGuidance scholars give clear, reliable answers to common questions that people ask about Islam–on faith, worship, spirituality, social issues, halal and haram, and a wide range of practical issues related to living Islam with faith, uprightness, and excellence.

The SeekersGuidance Answers service https://seekersguidance.org/submit-a-question/ is one of the leading sources for clear, reliable, balanced, merciful answers from qualified scholars.

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz answers: Can I get a dog to help my son with disabilities?

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In this episode, Shaykh Faraz explains the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth hadiths from the Chapter on Matters That Soften the Heart from the hadith compilation, Mishkat al-Masabih, compiled by Muḥammad ibn Abdullah Khatib al-Tabrizi (d. 741 AH). The twenty-eighth hadith relates to us that “no believer spends anything except that they are rewarded for it, except for this dust (pointing towards buildings)”. Shaykh Faraz explains that this pertains to spending on housing above and beyond one’s need. The twenty-ninth hadith relates that “spending, all of it, is in the path of Allah, except for building, there’s no good in it”. Shaykh Faraz explains that the blameworthy spending on buildings is when it is in excess. Shaykh Faraz then talks about the dangers of loving worldliness. He concludes by giving us five principles that help us keep away from worldliness: (1) having a clear purpose in life, (2) always having intentions in actions (acting for the sake of Allah), (3) making the sunna one’s standard, (4) remembering the pleasure of Allah in one’s actions, (5) and having gratitude.

“The cure for confusion is simply to ask,” said the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Islam FAQ, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other SeekersGuidance scholars give clear, reliable answers to common questions that people ask about Islam–on faith, worship, spirituality, social issues, halal and haram, and a wide range of practical issues related to living Islam with faith, uprightness, and excellence.

The SeekersGuidance Answers service https://seekersguidance.org/submit-a-question/ is one of the leading sources for clear, reliable, balanced, merciful answers from qualified scholars.

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz answers: Is there Islamic banking the West?For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

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Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses the importance of being a person of true benefit through following in the footsteps of those who have succeeded us. A question and answer session follow.

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In this Pre Khutba talk, Shaykh Sadullah discusses the tragic and deplorable rise of gender-based violence in South Africa. The increase of violence against women and children can never be justified in Islam. Shaykh Sadullah reminds us that Allah has indeed honored all human beings, and that any type of violence perpetrated against fellow human beings is a transgression of Allah's laws. To cause despair, anxiety and fear to fellow human beings is a reflection of our pathological internal states. It shows that we have lost our humanity and the way of the Prophet (peace be upon him). As Muslims, it behooves us to resist and stand up against oppression. If we remain silent to the suffering of others we become part of the problem. Change begins with us as individuals. There is no justification in Islam which advocates violence against women and children.

 

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Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate

“The cure for confusion is simply to ask,” said the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). In the Islam FAQ, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and other SeekersGuidance scholars give clear, reliable answers to common questions that people ask about Islam–on faith, worship, spirituality, social issues, halal and haram, and a wide range of practical issues related to living Islam with faith, uprightness, and excellence.

The SeekersGuidance Answers service https://seekersguidance.org/submit-a-question/ is one of the leading sources for clear, reliable, balanced, merciful answers from qualified scholars.

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz answers: How to Advise and Correct Others in Islam?

For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit seekersguidance.org/podcasts.

Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate