Al-Maqasid

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains what it means to fear Allah, the next virtuous trait of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s book, Kitab al-Futuwwa. He also explains a stanza in Imam al-Haddad’s poem 'My Lord's Knowledge Suffices Me' (Qad kafānī 'ilmu Rabbī) and the blessings in having a good opinion of Allah the Exalted in all states. For other lessons on Futuwwa, please access...

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin ends his series on the five foundational Hadith by looking at the fifth Hadith in which a companion asked, “O Messenger of Allah, guide me to an action that if I do it, Allah will love me and the people will love me.” The Messenger ﷺ responded, “Detach from the world and Allah will love you; detach from what people have and they will love you.” Ustadh Amjad discusses what it me...

As year 2020 of the Gregorian calendar comes to a close, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us of the blessings of faith (iman) and the blessing of viewing the world from a faith-based perspective. He discusses two hadith that specifically address what is means to taste the sweetness of faith, the first one relating to contentment and the second one relating to love.

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his series on the well-known and foundational hadith on intentions, “Actions are by intentions...” by looking at three dimensions: sincerity in one’s intentions, making multiple intentions, and making good intentions in everything that we do.

In this next Khutba, continuing with the five foundational hadith upon which Islam is built, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the well-known hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim which states, "That which is lawful is clear and that which is forbidden is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself i...

“When you mention the righteous, mercy descends.” In this reflection, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us of the blessings of staying connected to the righteous. He also discusses the intentions one makes when residing in blessed places of knowledge. He ends his reflection with the next trait of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s Kitab al-Futuwwa: speaking of spiritual matters a...

Continuing with his series on the five foundational hadith that scholars have indicated all other hadith stem from their meaning, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin looks at the fourth foundational hadith: "By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, none of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness." As part of this discussion, Ustadh Amjad mentions why love...

On December 13, 2020, Al-Maqasid held an online retreat titled, “Reflections on Death and the Afterlife,” based on Book 40 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din. This series of five lessons covers a variety of topics including: the merit of remember death and brief hopes; the account of the Messenger of Allah’s ﷺ passing; the true nature of and experiences after death; and the major events of th...

“Account yourselves among the dead...” In Session 2 of this five-part series, “Reflections on Death and the Afterlife,” based on Book 40 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin defines what it means to have “brief hopes,” discusses the dangers associated with long hopes, the major causes for long hopes, and why one must hasten to perform righteous actions. For the English tran...

“Whoever conceals the faults of a believer shall have his own faults concealed by Allah on the Day of Arising.” The discussion of Book 40 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din continues in Session 3 of al-Maqasid’s retreat, “Reflections on Death and the Afterlife,” with Shaykh Yahya Rhodus exploring various aspects of the Afterlife including: the Trumpet Blast, the Inquisition, the Scales, the R...

"And surely your Lord will give so much to you that you will be pleased." [Quran 93:5] At this point in this five-part series, “Reflections on Death and the Afterlife,” based on Book 40 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, the emphasis moves from looking at some of the harsher realities of the Afterlife which evoke fear in the believer to those realities that engender hope. In Session 4, Ustad...

"On that Day some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord." [Quran 75:22-23] Al-Maqasid’s December 2020 retreat, “Reflections on Death and the Afterlife,” based on Book 40 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din, concludes in this last video with Shaykh Yahya Rhodus’s discussion on the bliss believers experience when they behold the Countenance of Allah the Exalted and the many other examples...

Lecciones de la vida del Profeta de un libro de Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar. Esta es una serie acerca de la noble biografía profética. La quinta y última clase es una sipnosis de las características internas y externas del Mensajero ﷺ. Además de estudiar su vida y la forma en la que transmitió el mensaje, es de suma importancia conocer como fue su carácter y apariencia física. No hay duda de qu...

The next trait of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s Kitab al-Futuwwa, is to realize one’s complete impoverishment (faqr) before Allah the Exalted in all of one's states. Here, Sh. Yahya Rhodus explains why it is in our benefit to realize our servitude before Allah the Exalted. He also discusses the four types of impoverishment and the four traits of servanthood.

Lecciones de la vida del Profeta de un libro de Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar. Esta es una serie acerca de la noble biografía profética. La cuarta clase trata la migración del Mensajero ﷺ a Medina junto a su compañero Abu Bakr. Al-lah, el Altísimo, les protegió todo el camino hasta que fueron recibidos a salvo por los demás emigrantes (Muhayirín) y los ayudantes (Ansar). Esta clase culmina con el...

In this introductory khutba, Sh. Yahya Rhodus begins his series on the well-known and foundational Hadith on intentions, “Actions are by intentions. And every man will have that which he intended...” [Bukhari & Muslim] He discusses the merits of having righteous intentions and mentions the various dimensions of intention that will be discussed over the next several khutbas, insha Allah.

Allah the Exalted tells us the Quran: O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. [Surah al-Anfal, 8:24] With this and several other verses in the Qur’an and statements of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him (hadith), Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains what it means to be truly living and the reality to which we have been invited.

Lecciones de la vida del Profeta de un libro de Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar. Esta es una serie acerca de la noble biografía profética. La tercera clase trata de como el maltrato de los incrédulos hacia los creyentes intensificó y del boicot en contra del Mensajero ﷺ y sus seguidores. Esto fue sucedido por el año más difícil de la vida del Profetaﷺ, al perder a su amada esposa Khadiya y a su tío...

Sh. Yahya Rhodus discusses the next trait of Futuwwa in Imam al-Sulami’s book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: feeling joy in the privilege of serving Allah the Exalted. He also explains what the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him, meant by “...the coolness of my eyes is prayer” and suggests a du’a related to this statement.

Lecciones de la vida del Profeta de un libro de Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar. Esta es una serie acerca de la noble biografía profética. La segunda clase abarca el momento en que el Profeta ﷺ recibió la revelación a través del ángel Gabriel en la cueva Jirá. También se discute como Al-lah, el Altísimo, protege el mensaje en sus etapas tempranas de los incrédulos. El Mensajero ﷺ a través del mensa...

Lecciones de la vida del Profeta de un libro de Habib Hadi bin Ahmad al-Haddar. Esta es una serie acerca de la noble biografía profética. Da inicio con la introducción al estudio de la síra y su importancia para el creyente; además se hace un comentario sobre las primeras secciones del libro que abarcan el nacimiento del Profeta ﷺ, su niñez y juventud y de cómo la protección divina se manifestaba...

Imam al-Ghazali states that “It is evident that reflection is the key to illumination, the basis for insight, the net for catching forms of knowledge, and the snare to capture direct perception and understanding.” In this first of five sessions covering Book 39 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (Revival of Religious Sciences), Ustadh Amjad Tarsin introduces the topic and discusses the merit...

In this second session on reflection (tafakkur), covering Book 39 of Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (Revival of Religious Sciences), Sh. Yahya Rhodus defines tafakkur and related terms and then looks at seven types of reflection and their fruits as described by Imam al-Haddad (1634-1720 CE) in his work The Book of Assistance. He then finishes with a discussion on the five degrees of reflecti...

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues with Imam al-Ghazali’s teachings on reflection (tafakkur) in Book 39 of his work Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (Revival of Religious Sciences) in this third session by commenting on Imam al-Ghazali’s reflections upon the marvelous creation of the human being.

In this extremely useful session, Sh. Yahya Rhodus explains the context in which Imam al-Ghazali places reflection (tafakkur) and how the Imam categorizes different aspects of it into a logical framework. What is impermissible to reflect upon and what is most beneficial is also discussed, as well as practical suggestions on how to begin to implement reflection towards the goal of witnessing Allah...