MCCGP Podcast

Friday September 25, 2020 The Virtue of Temperance ('Iffa)

Sunday September 27, 2020 This episode dives deeper into the status of Yusuf's brothers and seeks to answer the following questions: Were the brothers of Yusuf later made Prophets? Who held that position and who denied it, and what was their evidence and reasoning? What is the scope of infallibility for the Prophets? Concluding the study of this part of the story before Yusuf is placed in the well...

Friday September 18, 2020 Foundations of Good Character Part 2

Sunday September 20, 2020 This episode examines the identity of Yusuf's brothers, the benefits of his father Ya'qub's counsel, and the meaning of Yusuf being "selected," his being taught the interpretation of dreams, and the "completion of Divine favor" upon him and his family.

Wednesday September 9, 2020 This session covers the Empirical and Rational Judgments.

Friday September 11, 2020 What are the essentials of Good Character? Allah says in the Quran that "You O Prophet are upon the exalted standard of character". Prophet Muhammad (s) himself said "I've been sent to perfect the noble qualities of character". How do we develop and beautify our character?

Sunday September 13, 2020 Having learnt about the dream of Prophet Yusuf and the identity of the stars, sun, and moon, the discussion continues on the significance of dreams in Islam, importance of dreams, the proper manner of relaying dreams, the principles of dream interpretation, a look at common works on dream interpretation, such as the famous book "A Dictionary of Dream Interpretation" ascri...

Sunday August 30, 2020 This episode explores the tafsir of the third verse of Sura Yusuf and discuss the nature of it as "the most beautiful story". It looks at the monomyth in storytelling, also called "the hero's journey", and how it applies to the story of Yusuf (upon him be peace) as well as our own lives. The Chiasm of the Story of Yusuf (upon him be peace): 1. Yusuf's dream --- 12. Dream ful...

Friday September 4, 2020 Loyalty to Allah (swt)

Sunday September 6, 2020 Beginning of the story of Prophet Yusuf - his dream. What is the significance of dreams in Islam? The various categories of dreams, and the basic principles of dream interpretation in light of the Quran and Sunnah. 1. Different ways of pronouncing: Yusuf/Yusaf/Yusif 2. Why did he say "saw" twice?  3. Who represents the sun and moon?  4. Why mention the stars first?

Sunday August 23, 2020 Tafsir of the first two verses of Surah Yusuf exploring the meanings of the word "book" used to describe the glorious Quran, what makes it "clear", and why the Quran was revealed in the Arabic language when the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) is a universal Prophet sent to all of humanity, and the majority of his Umma are not native Arabic speakers.

Wednesday August 26, 2020   This session covers the basics of epistemology, or "how we know what we know". What is knowledge? What are the three main ways we know something? What stands in the way of true knowledge, namely: ignorance, illusion, guess work, doubt, and blind following.

Friday August 28, 2020 A Muslim speaks the truth, is trustworthy, keeps his/her promises, doesn't cheat, doesn't "over-commit and under-delivers". In other words, a Muslim is Reliable.  Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) is an example for the Muslims to follow. His reliability and trustworthiness is the hallmark of his character and was witnessed by his people even before he was...

Friday August 14, 2020 Part 3 of developing self-accountability and self-reckoning. Umar (ra) said: "Take account of yourself before account is taken of you". What does it mean to take an account of oneself of their actions, utterances and intentions? How self-accounting prepares one for the reckoning of the hereafter and purifies the soul? What are the fruits of self-audit here in this world and...

Sunday August 16, 2020 After covering the meanings of the Basmala, this session begins the journey into Sura Yusuf, covering the first verse "Alif. Lam. Ra". What are the disjoined letters that appear in several chapters of the Quran? What do they have in common with one another? Do they have a discernible meaning and if so, what do they mean? What is the wisdom behind the disjointed letters appea...

Friday August 21, 2020 As the new Islamic year (1442 AH) begins, Imam Abdul Aziz explores some of the resolutions that we all can make and act on during this year.

Friday August 7, 2020 Part 2 of developing self-accountability and self-reckoning through means of establishing spiritual routines. How do we train our Nafs (ego) to get rid of excuses, self-delusions and cop outs so that we imbibe the true meaning of sacrifice.

Sunday August 9, 2020 Detailed meanings of Basmala (Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim). An analysis of each word when considered separately and together. Why does Basmala prefaces every chapter of Quran save one.  1. The letter "baa" means:     -  Seeking help     -  'With' - for blessing     -  Proximity     -  Extraneous     -   Oath 2. Implicitness/Forwarding-delay     -  Verb + Basmala     -  Noun...

Wednesday August 12, 2020 In this session we learn and discuss the very first obligation of every Muslim when they reach the age of moral accountability. We will also be addressing the critical question: What is the status of a Muslim who does not learn Islamic Belief and merely imitates what he or she grew up learning without a detailed understanding, and what does that mean for us as Muslims in...

Wednesday July 22, 2020 Review of the importance and centrality of the science of 'Aqida (theology), and why it is essential to learn and understand our beliefs as Muslims.  Review of the ten foundations of the science of theology. Lines 1-6 of the poem: the basmallah, opening du'a, and the first obligation upon every legally accountable person.

Sunday July 26, 2020 Review of the 'Four Objectives of the Quran' as elucidated by Imam Ibn Juzay al-Kalbi and the ten foundations of the science of Tafsir.    - The broad sciences derived from the Quran   - The specific sciences derived from the Quran   - The values of narratives in the Quran

Friday July 31, 2020 Developing self-accountability and self-reckoning through means of establishing spiritual routines. How do we train our Nafs (ego) to get rid of excuses, self-delusions and cop outs so that we imbibe the true meaning of sacrifice.

Wednesday July 8, 2020 Introduction to the science of 'Aqida (Theology). The ten foundations of the science of Theology.

Sunday July 19, 2020 Overview of the science of Tafsir. The Overarching Objectives of the Studying Quran and the ten foundations of the science of Tafsir. Objectives 1. Instruction (Theology, Purpose - world view) 2. Guidance (Promises and threats, Targhib wa Tarhib, Universal Principles, Stories with morals and principles) 3. I'jaz (Inimitability - transcends time and place) 4. Legal Rulings - ac...