Wijhah Initiative Podcast

The Quran frequently commands us to “listen attentively” so that we may benefit from messages being conveyed to us. Truly listening and being heard is far from simple, even between people who care about each other. Effective listening includes hearing what people mean, not just what they say; sharing a difference of opinion without being dismissive; and, encouraging uncommunicative people to open...

The greatest need of human beings is guidance. In the Quran, we find ourselves constantly seeking guidance from Allah: “Guide us to the straight path” (1:6). Our prayer is not complete without asking Allah for guidance to the straight path. This week, we begin a new series where we will explore the foundations of spirituality as explained by the great Imam Abu Abdullah al-Harith bin Asad al-Muhasi...

When we think of communication, we often think of speech. However, we communicate with others through other means as well, such as body language and physical touch. The Prophet ﷺ has taught us through his noble example how to remain interpersonally aware by ensuring our body language and physical touch communicate love and concern for others.

As we continue our study of “With the Heart in Mind,” we will discuss awareness and how we might develop that within ourselves. As we develop the ability to be more aware of ourselves, we can use that ability to become more aware of others and how they’re feeling.

We will wrap up the study of Surah Taha this week as we cover verses 131 until the end. In these verses, we are commanded to prioritize the Hereafter over this ephemeral world, so that our end may be a righteous one.

This week, we turn to the last passage of Surah Taha starting from verse 128. Allah Most High reminds us that we ought to take lessons from those who have passed before us, so that we may avoid repeating the mistakes they made. We are commanded to prioritize the Hereafter over this ephemeral world, so that our end may be a righteous one.

The journey of developing emotional intelligence begins with learning and practicing self-awareness. With self-awareness, you understand your own emotions and their impact on your behaviour. You know what you are feeling and why—and how it helps or hurts what you are trying to do. You sense how others see you and your self-image reflects that larger reality. It also gives you clarity on your value...

Beginning from verse 123 of Surah Taha, Allah Most High describes what the state will be on the Day of Judgement of those who turn away from the Quran’s reminders: they will be resurrected without the ability to see. Why might this be?

During this week’s session, we aim to complete our discussion of Imam al-Ghazali’s quote from the Alchemy of Happiness. Thereafter, we will turn to discussing how intrapersonal awareness contributes to interpersonal awareness.

One of the many lessons we learn from the story of Adam, Hawa, and Shaytaan is that no matter what mistake a person makes, Allah's forgiveness awaits them so long as they seek it. In this story, there is a profound "fork in the road" when Shaytaan whispers to Adam and Hawa to approach and eat from the tree: both parties had made mistakes, but while one gets cursed, the other is forgi...

This week, we will discuss the importance of intrapersonal awareness as elucidated by Imam al-Ghazali in his work ‘The Alchemy of Happiness’ in the following passage: “In a word, there is nothing closer to you than you. If you do not know yourself, how can you know anything else? .... you must seek out the truth about yourself: What sort of a thing are you? Where did you come from? Where are you g...

Verse 115 of Surah Taha begins a discussion of the story of the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). The story contrasts the states of Prophet Adam and the devil in reaction to mistakes they made. In this story lies deep lessons for us about how we ought to react (or not react) when we make mistakes.

This week, we’ll be discussing the importance of emotional investment and human bids for connection. We will also discuss the importance of intrapersonal awareness as elucidated by Imam al-Ghazali in his work ‘The Alchemy of Happiness’ in the following passage: “In a word, there is nothing closer to you than you. If you do not know yourself, how can you know anything else? .... you must seek out t...

Having described the Day of Judgement at length, Allah Most High points out that He revealed the Quran as a reminder about that Day. We are further reminded that knowledge is ultimately granted to us by Allah, hence we should always seek it from Him.

In a well-known narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, “All of you are shepherds (tending to your flock), and all of you will be questioned regarding your treatment of their flock.” One cannot expect to treat their flock well if they cannot understand them. Thus, the need for developing emotional and social intelligence becomes critical to ensure we can engage in healthy relationships with everyone around...

This week’s study of Surah Taha begins from verse 108 wherein Allah Most High is describing the state of humans on the Day of Judgement. This is followed by verses describing the story of the Prophet Adam (AS) in which great lessons and reminders are found.

Why does Allah Most High tell us about the Day of Judgement? What impact does knowledge of such a day have on the human psyche? For the next 10-20 verses, Allah describes what the state of those who turn away from His reminder will be on the Day of Reckoning.

We complete the first section of “With the Heart in Mind” with a discussion of the Islamic pedagogical system that Muslim scholars went through during their training to become leaders. By examining the contents of their curriculum, we can begin to understand how scholars viewed the developmental stages of one’s intelligence.

In the verses following the story of Musa (peace be upon him), Allah Most High describes the afterlife–one of the most critical stages in the journey of human existence. The Day of Judgement is a day that is meant to motivate the believer to constantly strive to improve themselves, in the hope of receiving God’s mercy on that day. This passage in Surah Taha offers us insight into the occurrences o...

This week, we continue our discussion of “With the Heart in Mind.” We will examine a theory of intelligence from Imam Harith al-Muhasibi, an early Muslim scholar famous for his purity of faith and righteousness. He was one of the pious predecessors (Salaf) of this Ummah and a contemporary of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. He was called ‘Al-Muhāsibī’ due to his constant reckoning of himself, taken from the...

In the verses following the story of Musa (peace be upon him), Allah Most High describes the afterlife–one of the most critical stages in the journey of human existence. The Day of Judgement is a day that is meant to motivate the believer to constantly strive to improve themselves, in the hope of receiving God’s mercy on that day. This passage in Surah Taha offers us insight into the occurrences o...

This week, we continue our discussion of “With the Heart in Mind.” We will explore the following statement by Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi: “The human being is distinguished by another capacity. It is the rational or intellectual capacity which can reach the reality of things in existence as they actually are. It is within this capacity that the light of the gnosis of Allah is illuminated. It is with...

As we continue our study of Surah Taha, we conclude the story of Musa (peace be upon him) that has been a major focus in the surah so far. The discussion shifts to the purpose that Allah Most High narrates the stories of prophets to us in the Quran: as a reminder.

It is not the abandonment of reason that allows one to accept revelation; Islam is not a religion that demands a leap of faith in order to believe. Rather, it is reason itself that leads one to submit to revelation. It is also worth noting that revelation is not contrary to reason.

We resume our study of Surah Taha this week starting at verse number 87. We will discuss the concluding details of the story of as-Samiri and his deception of Bani Israel, followed by Musa (as) Harun (as)'s discussion on how the situation unfolded. In light of these verses, we will reflect on how to deal with those around you - those you agree with, those you disagree with, those you're in...