Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Nothing is perfect except Allah summarizes Ustadh Michael Wolfender, referencing An-Nahl (16 The Bee), the 14-page surah wherein Allah lists many of His Blessings (see ayat 78 – 81). For example, Ayah 8 advises His Favor of what animals have been provided to ride without which some areas could not be reached. Ayat 10 – 11, 65 and 67 discuss how Allah sends rain as water for drinking and for plants...

At the beginning of Surat Al-Azhab (33 The Combined Forces) Allah swt addresses the value of believing in His final messenger, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In verse 21, saying: "Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often." And then affirming those who follow, from verse 23: " Among the believers ar...

Learn three qualities to ensure Allah provides an immediate answer. Ustadh Michael Wolfender takes us through Surat Al-Ambya (21 The Prophets) where Allah details the stories of at least a dozen prophets and lessons we can learn from, including the commandments provided to Moses, Ibrahim’s destroying of idols, Noah’s ultimate dua, Job’s calling out to his Master, and the famous dua from Jonah trap...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares learnings from Surat Al-Mu’minun on how amazing Allah is. Brother Michael advises how the surah opens with the first four ayat guaranteeing success to believers who follow what Allah ordains: care about prayer, do not waste time and share. Believers will be winners when they are serious about praying salah and care about prayer, use time productively and are charita...

 As the new Hijri calendar year begins, Ustadh Michael Wolfender reflects on the legacy of our prophet Muhammad ﷺ and how he would love to see those who love him, which includes believers of today.  Brother Michael shares how Allah revealed Surah Al Kawthar (108 The Abundance) as comfort and to advise His messenger of the legacy he would provide humanity.  Takeaway lessons include trusting in Alla...

School’s back in session at Good Tree Academy and Ustadh Michael Wolfender kicks off the year explaining how, in a time of uncertainty, community and peace are foundations to achieve daily. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains the value of reciting Surah Al Fatihah the most, as it is the perfect dua to ask of Allah, guiding our relationship with Him. Note at the end of this dua, we ask Allah to keep...

Celebrating Eid al-Adha with you, Ustadh Michael rejoices in the culmination to our Ten Best Days series by concluding with a description of what Allah promises His believers and we will be pleased with Him. Support the show

On the Day of Arafat, Ustadh Michael Wolfender reminds us of the most important day when we will meet Allah with our reckoning for eternity. As the ten best days conclude, Hajj is nearly complete for the pilgrims. They spent many hours preparing. Ustadh Michael helps us consider the preparations we are all making to meet our Master. We can use these simple three examples everyday, making every sim...

The Eid celebration after Hajj and the best ten days commemorates sacrificing and sharing. Ustadh Michael Wolfender examines and extols the virtues behind obeying Allah’s commands in preparing meat to eat. What do you think about Ustadh Michael’s contention to vegetarians of the world? Our goal is to help spread understanding of Islam and Allah’s guidance, with the direction He’s provided. As huma...

The best investments we can make in this lifetime are those which we’ll carry towards the Hereafter - good deeds, engaging to understand Allah’s words in the Qur’an and offering prayer. Ustadh Michael Wolfender encourages an act to tip your scale of good deeds in your favor. Support Good Tree Academy at http://www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender is producing these podcasts to help believers understand the directions Allah provides so we can all increase our worship, particularly in the ten most blessed days. Ustadh Michael provides examples of exercising patience, particularly when performing Hajj. As Brother Michael explains, a second way to increase worship of Allah is to focus on and offer prayer.  Support Good...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender discusses Ayah 35 of Surah Hajj which deviates from details on Hajj to discuss four qualities of believers: being humble before Allah, patience with what befalls believers, offering worship and prayer and spending from what Allah has provided. Each is a means to increase your connection with our Maker. Support Good Tree Academy  at ​ http://goodtreeacademy.org/donate Suppo...

Allah invites believers to His House to witness what is good for us and to remember Him.  Remember that Allah encourages this journey as one of the strongest acts of obedience in worshiping and connecting to Him. Brother Michael’s newest video helps you connect with our Master and perfect our worship of Him, no matter how far you may be from Allah’s House.  Support the show

The idea of bearing witness and being a testimony to Islam’s message of truth is an idea to help believers remain steadfast on Allah’s straight path. Support the show

We’re on Day Two of the ten blessed days, as millions of believers would love to converge in Mecca this year but cannot accept Allah’s invitation to His House. Allah understands your intention, whether it’s a hope to be on a physical journey to Mecca and where you may be on your path of faith within Islam. Allah has declared Islam as THE religion for humanity and given us the gift of prayer to wor...

Are you ready to show Allah your steadfast belief in Him in what He calls the best ten days? Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains why Allah selects the beginning of Hajj for such a precious time.  Support the show

Zahrah from 3rd grade completes our recitation of Juz 'Amma by sharing Surah An-Nas. We offer the final surah to seek refuge with Allah from the retreating whisperers. As mentioned with Surah Al-Falaq, with regards to Prophets Musa and Muhammad ﷺ offering similar sentiments (see 40:27 and 44:20 ), this reflects their conviction on not giving up preaching the Word of Truth, not caring for detr...

3rd grader Adilah recites Surah Al-Falaq, a powerful surah we offer in worship seeking refuge with Allah from all evils. Both Prophets Musa and Muhammad ﷺ recited similar messages, indicating their conviction in Allah as the Supreme Power, that all powers in this world are insignificant against Him, and that no one can harm one who has taken His refuge. Adilah also teaches ten vocabulary words use...

Umar’s 3rd grade recitation of Surah Al-Ikhlas provides one of the foundations of Islam in four brief sentences, making it easy to read and recite. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ regarded this surah equivalent to one-third of the Qur’an in underscoring the principles of Tawheed, oneness of God. Umar also shares the meaning of Surah Al-Ikhlas and five vocabulary words to help connect you to the Holy Qur’an. Su...

3rd grader Adilah recites Surah Al-Masad, in which Allah has cursed Abu Lahab and his wife who were opponents of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Of all of Islam’s persecutors, Abu Lahab, the prophet ﷺ‘s own uncle, is the only person condemned by name in the Qur’an. This revelation, at the time, showed a non-relative could become near and dear based on belief, and a near relation may become non-relative as a d...

3rd grader Aminah’s recitation of Surah An-Nasr should bring a smile as it indicates the Prophet ﷺ’s mission has been fulfilled. We learn victory is not an occasion of exultation but to glorify Allah. Victory comes with the help of Allah. Aminah shares the meaning of Surah An-Nasr and ten vocabulary words to help you understand further in connecting with the Qur’an. Support the show

Sarah from 5th grade recites Surah Al-Kafirun which carries a lesson in living together. Allah provides the commandment not to compromise in matters of religion. This surah was not revealed to advocate religious tolerance as some think today. The prophet ﷺ‘s enemies consistently approached him ﷺ with proposals to compromise. This definitive and decisive reply from Allah indicated there would be no...

Adilah from 3rd grade recites Surah Al-Kawthar, in which Allah records the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ everlasting. This surah was revealed in the early stages of prophethood when he ﷺ was enduring extremely difficult conditions, including being ostracized by his ﷺ  community, his ﷺ handful of companions were helpless poor people who were also being persecuted and tyrannized. The Prophet ﷺ was grie...

3rd grader Misbah recites Surah Al-Ma’un with two lessons: Disbelief in the Hereafter is the main cause of moral decay. God consciousness, social welfare and caring about others’ necessities of life are the main purpose of salah (prayer). Misbah shares the meaning of Surah Al-Ma’un, with the lesson that Allah wants each of us to have a good heart. A sign of sincerity is giving to those who need he...

Mariam from 5th grade recites Surah Quraysh, where Allah references the abundance He provided the Quraysh, including the favors detailed in Surah Al-Fil, with a lesson of believing in Allah, the Provider of Sustenance. Mariam shares the meaning of Surah Quraysh and five vocabulary words to learn to help understand meaning in reading the Qur’an.  Mariam and Ustadh Michael Wolfender spend 1:30 revie...