Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Ayyan’s 6th grade recitation of Surah Al-Fil demonstrates its simple flow, harkening to a significant event with a miracle of Allah saving His house (Al-Ka’bah) by destroying an army of 60,000 with elephants, through a flock of birds.  Ayyan shares the meaning of Surah Al-Fil, the miracle of Allah saving His House and seven vocabulary words to learn and look for in other surahs throughout the Qur’...

In his recitation, Misbah from 3rd grade shares the warning from Surah Al-Humazah to the slanderer, defamer and stingy, who will earn hellfire. Listening to the cadence and verbiage guides the listener to understand why such an end is a fit one. Particularly when, in this world, it may appear such people with this character, may not suffer and appear to be thriving.  Misbah explains Surah Al-Humaz...

Ayyan shares his 6th grade recitation of Surah Al-’Asr.  The formula for the way to salvation is to become a believer, do good deeds, be truthful and patient, and advise the same to others. Ayyan helps explain the guidance in Surah Asr, including how early believers in Islam recited this to each other upon leaving one another. Allah has only given humans intellect, for us to realize, understand an...

Prayer is a conversation with our Creator. So we should understand the Qur’anic Arabic we recite. Study the Qur’an with the mental attitude of a seeker of truth. Recognize that the Lord of the Universe is the Source of All Knowledge. Begin the study of the Qur’an with this prayer to Allah for seeking His Guidance. Al-Fatihah is the prayer from Allah’s servant and the rest of the Qur’an is Allah’s...

In lieu of Friday jummuah khutba, Good Tree Academy convenes online to share weekly reminders. Among the ayah Ustadh Michael Wolfender refers to include:  Surah 27 An-Naml part of the last ayah (with adjustment of pronouns) Surah 25 Al-Furqaan ayah 1 - 2 End of the last ayah of Surah 17 Al-Israa Ustadh Michael advises on how everyone impacted by the COVID-19 affects can use this time to become a b...

Believers have respite in times of duress, understanding this temporary life is a test from Allah and He has provided answers in His Book, the Qur’an. In Surah Al-Anbya (The Prophets 21:87), we learn the famous dua Prophet Yoonas sought from Allah while in the whale:  “And ˹remember˺ when the Man of the Whale stormed off ˹from his city˺ in a rage, thinking We would not restrain him. Then in the ˹v...

After beginning the weekly reminder in Arabic for 45 seconds, Ustadh Michael Wolfender examines the compilation and revelation of the Qur’an and its instruction and correlation to building the initial strength for an Islamic community. The Qur’an begins with Surah Al-Fatihah, where we ask Allah to guide us to the straight path. This is followed by the beginning of such guidance with Surah Al-Baqar...

After praising Allah in Arabic for one minute and fifteen seconds, Ustadh Michael Wolfender reminds how we take our health for granted, until becoming sick. Islam, as a lifestyle, promotes hygiene, fending illness. This includes washing five times a day and before and after eating. Oral health is reflective of overall health. However, many still become ill. Illness can occur as a test from Allah t...

After beginning his khutbah or the weekly reminder in Arabic for 45 seconds, Senior Student Zakariya Alkhawaldeh recites Surah Al-’Asr where Allah swears by time, indicating that humanity is in loss before ending the surah with the solutions towards ensuring success. When an angel blows the soul into the growing embryo ensuring life, factors including that individual’s rizq or money and wealth, ti...

The weekly Friday reminder or khutbah begins in Arabic for one minute before Ustadh Michael Wolfender translates to English means of character perfection. Brother Michael starts with four passages from the Qur’an describing man’s behavior and our fate based on actions.  Brother Michael begins with referencing from Surah Al-Fajr that blessings include tests from Allah. Al-Fajr (The Dawn 89: 15 - 20...

After beginning in Arabic for one minute and fifteen seconds, Ustadh Michael Wolfender declares how Allah has always sent the same message, including with and before prophets Abraham and Moses. Nonetheless, most prefer this life though the hereafter is what will be everlasting.  Allah guarantees success to those who make a conscious effort to become a better person, remember Him and pray consisten...

After starting the first minute of his weekly khutbah or sermon before students at Good Tree Academy in Arabic, Ustadh Michael Wolfender declares Allah as Most Forgiving, referencing the beginning of Surah Mulk (The Sovereignty 67:1-2): “Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. ˹He is the One˺ Who created life and death in order to test which of...

The Qur’an as a book of guidance requires training and study to understand. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides lessons from Surah Al-Waqi’ah (56 The Inevitable) with context to help understand and be guided by Allah’s Words.  Allah provides humanity the power of reason. Arrogance is failing to recognize this or rejecting it in favor of relying on anything other than Allah. Scientists, in their zeal...

After the first thirty seconds in Arabic, Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides a translation in English praising our Master, the Creator of the Universe. In tough times, we look for answers, for peace. Often without such solutions in sight. These worldly tests can help us achieve our place in paradise, based on our response. It is exactly these circumstances, Brother Michael explains, that brought Pr...

Do you find it difficult to begin finding and counting the blessings we enjoy, including the gift of prayer Allah has provided? Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents several considerations, including an analogy of the power Allah presents in traffic and intersections to illustrate the Guidance He provides and His Protection. Allah is full of kindness to those who are devout to Him. He prevents harm. B...

A special khutbah from a Good Tree Academy senior illustrating the eternal reward everyone should strive for. In His Book, Allah gives glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds as these are the two means to earn eternal success in gardens and palaces with rivers flowing under. We learn of the levels of paradise, the everlasting company we will keep with those we love and neverending...

As a religion upholding social justice and peace, Ustadh Michael Wolfender looks through Islam's history and guidance in Islam to address how Muslims and Islam upholds and even rooted the values in the U.S. Constitution.  The best Muslims are those adhering to taqwa, i.e. being mindful of Allah and understanding that He is All-Knowing and The Provider of Success. Those upholding taqwa do so w...

A true Muslim submits willfully to Allah with love and knowledge as, in Islam, there is no coercion in religion. This is how a believer achieves a full Islam to enjoy. Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents the case of Black Friday and the stress capitalism induces in seeking the 'best deal.' Capitalism's zero sum game promotes winners over losers whereas Islam teaches sharing and wantin...

You've heard the statement: Don't blindly follow. In the Qur'an, Allah articulates humans as being created the only creatures with reason and that we should use that reason to seek the truth and believe in it. 90 seconds after the Arabic introduction, Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes in English how Allah, over time, sent prophets with the same message: believe in One God. Today, t...

In Surah 92 Al-Layl (The Night), Allah swears by the day and night as opposites, just as life can be divided between those who give and those who don’t. The first category of people are those who give, are mindful of Allah and the consequences of actions, believing, following and adopting the truth when seen. For this, Allah says he will ease such a believer to ease, provide success and make it ea...

Stress is inherent in current society. Ustadh Michael Wolfender relates ‘pills are not the solution,’ though 1 in 6 Americans uses antidepressant medication. Qur’an has antidotes for stress. In Surah Al-Hijr, Allah says those who didn’t accept His message will wish they did. We are instructed to serve Allah until we reach death. Praising and declaring the perfection of Allah is a means of handling...

Most of our duas fall into one of two categories: seeking to remove a problem and future benefit. It’s important for believers to always remember and call upon Allah, and it is also natural and appropropriate when one is bearing an increase in problems, to increase worship and dua. Duas are accepted and responded to immediately, over the course of your life or in the hereafter. So when a believer...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses his own story of finding Islam, the father of a victim of murder and historical prophethood references to emphasize the power of AIM and being happy, pleased and content. Allah Has given us the gifts to understand who He is We don’t always understand everything that happens to us. Learn the Arabic phrase reflecting being content, happy and pleased with Allah’s decree....

Those who believe, do good deeds, encourage each other to the truth and encourage each other to be patient and to act with patience achieve success. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains the guidance in Surah Asr, including how early believers in Islam recited this to each other upon leaving one another. Allah has only given humans intellect, for us to realize, understand and believe in His Guidance....

The month in which Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was born offers a time to share lessons every human should learn to build character and please our Lord. Referenced are 20 advices from our prophet peace be upon him: talk softly, walk humbly, eat sensibly, breathe deeply, sleep sufficiently, dress properly, interact politely, act fearlessly, work patiently, think truthfully, believe correctly,...