Al-Maqasid

This final session on the Sunna of Reflection from Book 39 of Imam al-Ghazali's Ihya Ulum al-Din focuses on reflecting upon the signs on the earth and in the heavens. When studying and contemplating the signs and meanings within Allah's creation, one ascends in the degrees of reflection, which helps the seeker attain knowledge of Allah the Blessed and Exalted.

Allah the Exalted tells us multiple times in the Qur’an that no one can escape death. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the importance of preparing for death’s consequences by striving for the higher levels of certainty so that, at the moment of death, one’s faith is absolutely firm and one longs to meet his Lord. To test the strength of one’s certainty, he provides five signs to look...

Sh. Yahya Rhodus continues his discussion on spiritual chivalry (futuwwa) looking at the virtue of being a servant to Allah the Exalted alone, as mentioned in Imam al-Sulami’s book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, and in two aphorisms by Ibn‘Ata Illah al-Iskandari.

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues his Khutba series on the five foundational hadith, which scholars have indicated that all other hadith stem from their meaning. In this Khutba, he discusses the hadith, "It is from the excellence of a person's Islam is that he leaves that which does not concern him," and how to implement it in one’s life. To listen to the other Khutbas in the series: https://soundclou...

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reminds us that Rabi’ al-Awwal—the birth month of our beloved Messenger, blessings and peace be upon—is soon approaching. In anticipation of this beautiful occasion, he relates four things to do in order to see the Prophet ﷺ in one’s dreams, in shaʾ Allah.

Sh. Yahya Rhodus translates a poem of love and praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by a great knower of Allah the Exalted, al-Habib Ali bin Muhammad al-Habashi, who died in 1333 AH (1915 CE). He points out that the righteous all over the traditional Muslim world say the same things and ask for the same things, and he stresses the importance of understanding this discourse.

In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin begins the first Khutba on the five foundational hadith which scholars have indicated that all other meanings stem from. He begins with the well-known hadith, "Actions are judged according to intentions..." and he describes the intentions of various categories of people, including the generality, the ignorant, the hypocrites, the scholars, the people of the spir...

The only line repeated three times in the Ḍiyā al-Lāmiʿ Mawlid is the following: "O Lord, gather us and our loved ones in Your abode of Firdaws, O You Who are our only hope" In this uplifting talk, Sh. Yahya Rhodus discusses a Hadith Qudsi (Divine saying) in which Allah the Exalted tells us four simple and attainable ways that we can become beloved to Him.

Iman, faith, is the greatest of all gifts, and Allah the Exalted only gives faith to those whom He loves. It is incumbent upon us to preserve this great blessing and to strengthen it. Strengthening one’s iman leads to a related concept of certitude (yaqīn), which has various degrees. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the three main levels of certainty and provides four ways to increase...

Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the importance of establishing and preserving the five daily prayers, especially praying in congregation (Salat al-Jamā’a) and in particular with respect to the 'Isha and Fajr prayers. Six benefits of praying in congregation are mentioned, along with several hadiths and stories of the righteous that demonstrate the more one’s life revolves around the prayers, the bett...

In this relevant and extremely beneficial Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses what we should do in this time when there are so many inversions in morality, knowledge, and the natural ways Allah the Exalted has taught us to be. He bases his discussion on the Hadith of Jibril, peace be upon him, and verses from the Qur’an (4:64-65 & 49:1-2) and gives three practical steps that can help us to prote...

“The melodies are there to help you reflect on the meanings.” With these few words, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us that the weekly Mawlid is far more than just listening to uplifting rhythms or gathering together socially. Rather, we are preparing ourselves to be with the Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him, in the next life, along with his Companions and the righteous servants of Allah the...

As the 8th day of the blessed set of ten days in this sacred month of Muharram comes to a close, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us to follow the Hijri Calendar because it helps us to remember those special days and times when small deeds reap great rewards. Sh. Yahya discusses the immense benefits of bringing the Day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, to life through fasting and interacting with people...

On this second day of Muharram, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the weight given to good character on the Day of Judgment, and in particular, to the virtue of humility—the “adornment of the believer.” Focusing on verse 83 of Surah al-Qasas (28:83) and several hadith, Shaykh Yahya explains what is meant by humility and a few traits related to it. He also provides a long list of practical ways to fost...

These lessons are based on a book by Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi titled 'Remedy for the Hearts,' where the author expounds on the Prophetic duʿa that is known as the preeminent formulaʿfor seeking Allah's forgiveness (Sayyid al-Istighfar). Topics covered include: the definition of and conditions for repentance, some of the meanings included in Sayyid al-Istighfar, and the virtues of seeking Al...

In this second session on Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book, 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses several Prophetic narrations showing the importance of asking Allah the Exalted for forgiveness and turning towards Him in repentance. Special focus is given to the long hadith concerning the “Three who stayed behind” from the battle of Tabuk, and why the Prophet, blessings and...

After looking at selected examples from the Quran and Hadith extolling the virtues of repentance (tawba) in the first and second sessions, respectively, Ustadh Amjad begins the text of the book by Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi titled 'Remedy for the Hearts' where the author expounds on the preeminent formula for seeking Allah's forgiveness known as Sayyid al-Istighfar. Topics in this third sessi...

In his book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi provides a systematic approach to perfecting one’s repentance that is easily understood and followed. In this fourth session, Ustadh Amjad reviews the next three sections of Habib Ahmed’s book: how to make one’s repentance permanent; two motivating causes for repentance, and ways to bring motivation that leads to awareness of the...

In this fifth lesson discussing Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin begins the main section of the book, which looks in detail at Sayyid al-Istighfar, the preeminent formula for seeking Allah's forgiveness as taught by our beloved Messenger, blessings and peace be upon him. Specifically, Ustadh Amjad discusses the first few affirmations in the suppli...

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues looking at the main section of Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts.' This lesson focuses on meanings relating to the relationship between Allah the Exalted and His servants. Among the things discussed are human’s four enemies, the Prophet's intercession ﷺ, and the origin of thoughts and how to deal with bad thoughts.

In his book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi gives a clear and insightful discussion concerning the statement of gratitude found in Sayyid al-Istighfar, the preeminent formula for seeking Allah's forgiveness: “I acknowledge Your favors upon me...” Ustadh Amjad Tarsin focuses on this section of the book and covers such topics as: our greatest blessings; types of gratitude; w...

In this eighth session based on Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues to look at aspects of Sayyid al-Istighfar that relate to Islam, Iman, and Ihsan. He then covers the next section of the book which discusses why this supplication is considered the preeminent Prophetic formula for seeking Allah's forgiveness, paying particular attention to...

Before commenting on the last section of Habib Ahmad bin Zayn al-Habashi’s book 'Remedy for the Hearts,' Ustadh Amjad Tarsin notes that the Summer Retreat 2020 is ending on a blessed day, the last Jumu’a the Hijri year. Scholars and the righteous ask for forgiveness and the acceptance of good deeds at the conclusion of something. Ustadh Amjad then turns to the final chapter of Habib Ahmad’s book,...

In this fifth and final session, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the remaining five of the ten steps to elevate the level of Islamic Discourse that Habib Umar Bin Hafiz identifies in his book 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State and Future Development.' Shaykh Yahya pays special attention to the sixth step, which concerns showing respect for various fields of expertise...

In the final two sessions, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the last section of Habib Umar Bin Hafiz’s book 'The Islamic Discourse in Religious Institutions: its Current State andFuture Development,' which provides ten steps to elevate the level of Islamic Discourse in light of current challenges. In Part 1, Shaykh Yahya covers the first five steps. He also explains the extremely important difference...