Life: The Islamic Answer

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge. We explain the importance of having knowledge of opinions about important issues, and the importance of being cautious and not rushing to become the one who provides answers. Finally, we present a summary of the relevant parts of Muniat al-Murid, one of the best books on the...

In this lecture, we provide a summary of a number of books that have highlighted the importance of listening from different aspects. This is a complement to the ingredients of the effective learner in Islam, which gives importance to listening as an art and a skill, as we explained in previous lectures.   This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge, with a focus on the art, skill and manners of asking questions.   This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who c...

In this lecture, after a recap of the entire series, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge, with a focus on the art, skill and manners of asking questions  This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as indi...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge, focusing here on the art, skill and manners of asking questions.  This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contri...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge. Following a recap of what we covered in the last lecture, we explore the manners of learning, with a focus on what it means to be a listener, the steps to become a learner, and the importance of having critical thinking.  This is part of the Life series, which explores t...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming exemplary seekers of knowledge. By providing a very quick overview of over a dozen books, we see that today's gurus and thinkers on various topics related to self-help, motivation, well-being, and performance are now highlighting some of the same ingredients as we have been studying, except that they d...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge. We provide a review of the ingredients covered until now in this lecture, with some additions.   This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge, or learner. In this lecture, after providing a bit of a recap, we focus on the importance of writing, time management, avoiding excessive eating and comforts, and seizing the opportunity of youth for knowledge seeking.   This is part of the Life series, which expl...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge, or learner. In this lecture, after providing a bit of a recap, we focus on humility, the importance of asking questions, enduring embarrassment, and even excessive praising for the sake of knowledge. We also mention the importance of writing and time management.  This...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge, or learner. In this lecture, after providing a bit of a recap, we focus on the meaning of being open to the truth, or being a true follower of the truth.  This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focu...

In this lecture, we continue studying some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge, or learner. In this lecture, we focus on the following ingredients:  - Importance of direct apprenticeship under a scholar - Importance of associating with the people of knowledge - Importance of constant review and discussion of knowledge - Some of the traits of those...

In this lecture, we look at some of the practical teachings of Islam for becoming an exemplary seeker of knowledge, or learner. These include dedication, time management, serious study, deep reflection and the use of discussion.    The lesson is followed by a Q&A @ the 01:00:45 mark. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex w...

In this lecture, we start exploring the first action that we must take as Muslims: seeking knowledge. In the first lecture on being a learner in Islam, we study narrations that highlight the necessity of seeking knowledge, not as a luxury, but as a must. This brings us to reflect on the meaning of community in general, and communities of knowledge specifically, and what this means for us in today'...

In this lecture, we study Islamic narrations that highlight the importance of knowledge for action. The lesson is followed by a Q&A @ the 01:32:00 mark. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the wor...

In this lecture, we continue exploring narrations that highlight the important of acting based on one's knowledge.  This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationshi...

In this lecture, we focus on the narrations that warn against knowledge that is not acted upon. The narrations highlight a number of notions, including: - knowledge without action is strongly discouraged   - action leads to spiritual insight - knowledge comes with responsibility - the virtuous cycle of knowledge This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of li...

Knowledge must lead to action This lecture continues with the presentation of the narrations that establish that knowledge must lead to action in Islam. Some of the themes covered will include: - knowledge is an argument against oneself if it does not become action - hopes are not enough, action is what matters - yaqeen and relativism in postmodern times The session ends with a Q&A. &nbsp...

This lecture introduces the newest section under the theme of knowledge and intellect; action. We explain that knowledge in Islam must be transformation, that it must transform us internally and thus lead to change in behaviour and actions. A number of narrations are then presented to establish the Islamic teaching that knowledge must lead to action, at the individual and collective levels. The se...

This lecture provides a recap of the topic of sincere intentions in Islam. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationships with ourselves, with others, with nature an...

This lecture focuses on the means through which sincerity and purity of intentions can be achieved. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to rebuild ourselves Islamically, as individuals and communities who contribute positively to society and the world, by understanding our relationships with ourselves, wi...

In this lecture, we study a number of narrations from the Holy Prophet and AhlulBayt, peace upon them all, which explain the different manners in which intentions have spiritual repercussions that can be felt in this world before the next. Therein we find harsh warnings against hypocrisy, and understand how sincerity can become a means to experiencing the sweetness of religious experience, which i...

This lecture continues exploring the consequences of good intentions and sincerity. In addition to being a means to achieve success in this world, sincerity and good intentions are the gateway to experiencing spiritual enlightenment and achieving spiritual growth. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic principles of living in today's complex world. It focuses on the need to re...

In this lecture, we discover that intentions stem from the depths of our being. We also start exploring the power of intentions by discussing some of the consequences of good intentions and sincerity. We find out that the repercussions of intentions are not limited to rewards in the afterlife, that they also directly affect our life in this world. This is part of the Life series, which explores th...

As part of our study of the notions of intention (niyeh) and sincerity (ikhlas) in Islam, the narrations we look at show us that religious rituals, including prayer, fasting, and reciting the Qur'an are only as good as the intentions behind them, and they must lead to spiritual growth and transformation to be fully beneficial to us. This is part of the Life series, which explores the Islamic princ...