Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

Did you know prayer was provided as a gift from God?  Listen to how the original command to pray 50 times a day was reduced to 5, but still retains the reward of 50. Washing before prayer cleanses the worshipper of sins. Prayer itself is an expiation. Learn about the purpose in actions during worship and praying in a private conversation with Allah, as He responds to each verse in the opening chap...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender advises our purpose is to realize who Allah is and appreciate Him, but most don't. Ask Allah of His blessings and be in His service. However, most don't appreciate His Abundance. For those who pursue a goal of learning Arabic and the Qur'an, the purpose is to learn about Allah, the Power of the Universe. He guides those who seek and want to know more and has...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender’s khutbah discusses the premise and challenges of purifying before prayer, the importance of oral hygiene and nutritious diet. Moving your thumbs on a digital device is easy today, when early Muslims built sound minds and bodies with archery, horse riding and swimming. Allah is our Light and has provided our souls connections to Him. Science shows how animals emit particle...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender has a reminder of the reward we’re striving for as he references some of his favorite ayat from Surah Al-Mursalat (77 The Emissaries). The Day of Judgment can be a happy day. Brother Michael explains the reminder Allah provides that is so eminent it was the last ayat our Prophet peace be upon him led prayer with. Believers accept the will of Allah. We accept His direction...

Believers learn the balance between fear and hope. Ustadh Michael Wolfender outlines how motivation and pressure can push you to the ultimate reward. A balance of fear and hope keeps believers on the straight path. Life is a test to become a better person. This would not occur without challenges and pressure. Brother Michael refer to Surah Al-Humazah (104 The Traducer) which has many references to...

To encourage completing six days of fasting before the month of Shawwal ends, Ustadh Michael looks at the power of the Qur’an, the protection Allah provides for it and the focus He endowed our Prophet peace be upon him. Brother Michael references Surah Al-Jinn (72 The Jinn) to reflect on faith in the unseen. This message helps us focus on what is real and worth pursuing. Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the process of learning Qur'an's messages, starting with the shorter surahs to connect with messages of guidance. Next steps are to learn the meaning of individual words and how sentences work. See how Brother MIchael refers to this with the last six surahs at https://youtu.be/bPBEWbtBVcM . In particular, Brother Michael refers to learning techniques us...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender relates the story of a 7th grader’s realization from four pages in Surah An-Naml (27 The Ant). Hear how a prophet’s numerous miracles continue to prompt him to always turn back to Allah with humility and gratitude.  Throughout time, humans have questioned belief, including the miracles from prophets which defeat science. Allah answers this in the Qur’an, as Allah is The So...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows how to learn effective words in the Qur'an to build a connection with Allah’s Book. Brother Michael shares the link in why surahs are placed in the order they are. As an example, Prophet Ibrahim’s dua is mentioned early in the Qur’an and is answered at the end, showing precise placement of surahs and words. See the Arabic vocabulary document referred to at https...

Ramadan is a blessed time of sacrifice and worship. Did you know Allah extends that blessing? Learn how as Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the benefits of six bonus fasts. Ustadh Michael has a short message for each additional day of sacrifice for Allah - each one of those days equals another ten days reward of fasting.  For this episode, Ustadh Michael recites from Surah Taha, Ayah 102 where A...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender concludes his 30-part review of succinct messages from the Holy Qur’an, delivered in conjunction with daily fasting during Ramadan.  Many feel some sadness as the month ends, reflecting on the sacrifice and worship offered to please our Master. Ustadh Michael explains the oath Allah swears by in Surah At-Takwir (81 The Overthrowing) Ayat 15 so we can see that Ramadan is re...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender spends less than five minutes with a lesson from Surah Mulk (67 The Sovereignty) on making the most of every moment and Allah’s perfection. His creation is perfect. We are imperfect. Allah wants us to win. He forgives our shortcomings, when we fall short of praising Him, when we fall short in our worship, when we fall short in our interactions with each other.  Brother Mic...

Allah tests those he loves. Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah At-Taghabun (64 The Mutual Disillusion) explaining that no situation happens except with the permission of Allah. Whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. Continue to obey Allah and His messenger ﷺ.  We can achieve contentment and happiness in this life, even with hardships which can make us better. Support the show

Allah is everywhere. Look up and you will see His creation in the sky, feel the wind, the smell of everything organic is from Him, hear His guidance and connect with His words from the Qur’an. Allah has prepared everything we need. Rushing to prayer is rushing to Him. Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51 The Winnowing Winds) ayah 47 describing the creation of the sky where...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender focuses on growing the right relationship with Allah. The word ‘slave’ typically has a negative connotation. Yet, believers are happy to be slaves to the right Master. Our service doesn’t bring Allah any benefit. Yet, we are benefiting ourselves by serving Him. No other slave or master relationship is the same. A master does and should take care of his servants.  Allah is...

Admit it - you’ve compared what you have to what someone else has, whether as a child or an adult. That’s human nature. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains why Allah distributes wealth, education, knowledge, talent, skill and even family ties evenly, though we may often be envious or not understand a perceived imbalance. Brother Michael is referring to Ayah 31 of Surah Az-Zukhruf (43 The Ornaments o...

Everyone wants to be on the winning team. As believers, our number one priority is to ensure Allah is on our side. Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses an analogy to illustrate why Marvel’s superheroes have nothing on our Creator. We hope these podcasts help you speak sincerely to Allah. He knows our troubles, is the Forgiver of all sins, accepts repentance, is severe in consequence and is our Unending G...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender focuses on a popular surah, the guidance in Surah 36 Ya-Sin, where Allah indicates His Book is a revelation of His Mercy.  Allah has sent His messengers as a mercy to mankind and His Revelation full of wisdom. Yet His messengers are mocked by their communities. In this surah, Allah lists examples of what we should be thankful for, illustrating why we should recognize Allah...

Believers take time to ponder the wonders of Allah, knowing that the power of belief relies on faith. Rather than taking for granted expectations, we appreciate Allah’s design and order. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains what he calls the ‘Director’s Cut’ detailing what we don’t see but has Allah’s Hand in everything.  In the first two ayah of Surah Saba (34 Sheba), Brother Michael explains Allah’...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender from Good Tree Academy has the perfect reminder for us on working in this world for what we need here and in the hereafter. Allah knows what we are looking for. He hears us ask and He provides. How often do you consider that less in this world may mean more in eternity?  Brother Michael explains how Allah rewards those who are patient and trust and rely on Him.  In ayah 56...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender ponders Ayat 73 of Surah 28 Al-Qasas (The Stories) and the balance Allah provides us in splitting night and day. The times we are required to pray guide our day. Allah says the day is for work and the night is to rest and stand in prayer to speak with Him. Appreciating this balance, observing and obeying His order expresses gratitude and belief. Brother Michael says, &quot...

Everyone loves a winner! Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares Allah’s open guidance to winning in today’s Qur’an Connection, looking at Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26 The Poets). This surah contains stories with lessons from civilizations who didn’t heed Allah’s message, with opportunities to learn from the justice and mercy of Allah. Allah provides us a simple formula for success: be mindful of Him and obey Hi...

What happens when one light meets another light? Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares with us how Allah’s guidance can make believers shine as He brings them out of darkness into light, with an explanation beginning from Ayah 35 of Surah An-Nur (24) The Light.  Allah’s guidance is a light. Anyone who is guided receives that direction from Allah. The Qur’an is His guidance and a source of light. Ustadh...

Ustadh Michael Wolfender told us in Episode 1 how the Qur’an is a book of guidance for one who seeks to find answers. In this episode on the 17th juz, Ustadh Michael gives us a specific example with the realm of science. The first premise refutes the idea that religion is antagonistic to science.  Five minutes in, Ustadh Michael explains Allah clearly addressing what we call the Big Bang theory to...

Allah mentions one of His prophets more than any other in His Book of Guidance and teaches us many dua at the tongue of this prophet. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows how achieving perfection comes through obedience aligned with dua in Surah 20 Taha.  See how asking of Allah can also be seeking to please His direction. As Brother Michael says, "Throughout the Qur'an, what we see from Musa...