14: The Lawful & The Prohibited – Renewing Religion: An Overview of Ghazali’s Ihya – Shaykh Riad Saloojee

Ustadh Amjad discusses the section "On Salutations and a Salutary Opinion" from Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance, where he discusses spreading peace, having good character, and its various manifestations. He first touches on the greetings of peace and various etiquettes pertaining to it, as well as related proprieties related to social rights—responding to one who sneezes, answering invitations, and visiting others. Next, he highlights the importance of having a good opinion of others and warns against ill opinion. He advises to make supplications for others, particularly one's parents, but also the believers in general. He discusses by discussing the mutual obligations Muslims have towards one another.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

2 Kesä 201942min

In this episode Shaykh Faraz covers the chapter in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance on sincere concern or counsel (nasiha). He explains how this is expressed, and delineates the harm of its against its opposite: envy. He then discusses what to do if one is praised and gives guidelines for praising others and giving them advice. He also highlights the importance of keeping trusts and speaking truthfully. Finally, he discourages argumentation, excessive joking, frightening others, and pride, underscoring the importance of humility.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

31 Touko 201959min

As with everything of value, there is a price for Paradise. That price is iman. Those who possess iman must nurture it with patience and gratitude, for they are the two appropriate responses to life's tests. To make sense of these tests we need a context which explains the wisdom behind difficulty and ease, and the appropriateness of patience and gratitude as a response. This lecture explains the words of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, "[I am] amazed at the affair of the believer, for everything that happens to him is the best thing for him; and that is not the case for anyone except the believer. If good times come to him he is grateful, and that is best for him. And if difficulties afflict him he is patient, and that is best for him." (Muslim)- Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

30 Touko 20191h 26min

In this episode, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues the exploration of the chapters in Haddad's Book of Assistance related to good character with others. He first examines the concept of love and hate for the sake of God. Next, he explains the importance of good company and highlights the virtue of being merciful and easygoing and of assisting others through both religious guidance and general support. He elaborates on what constitutes excellence to one's fellow believer and fulfilling his rights, and warns of the gravity of wronging others. This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019. Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

29 Touko 201941min

In this episode Shaykh Faraz Rabbani covers the section on social duties in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. The first duty he describes is the duty towards one's limbs in protecting them from sin for the sake of God. Next, he discusses one's social charges, beginning with one's family. He discusses how to protect their religious interests and fulfill their rights with excellence, advising to take particular care of the female members of the household. He also touches briefly on the public duties of scholars and rulers. Shaykh Faraz moves on to look at Imam Haddad's exploration of the rights of kin, starting with the rights of parents and the respect owed to them (and how they should help their children to carry his out). He closes by outlining the basic rights owed to family.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

28 Touko 201944min

In this episode, Shaykh Faraz addresses the important yet often abused obligation of commanding the good and forbidding the evil, basing the discussion on the relevant chapter in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. After explaining relevant Qur'anic verses and hadith on the topic, he delineates when commanding good and forbidding evil is obligatory, recommended, and not obliged, warns against leaving it for worldly considerations. Imam Haddad advises that commanding the good should be done with sincerity, gentleness, wisdom, and mercy, and that one who cares for others would not fail to carry it out. He closes with a reminder that sins should be come private, and notes the danger of public sin.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

28 Touko 201952min

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin gives guidance on avoiding the religiously doubtful based on the section on scrupulousness in Imam Haddad’s Book of Assistance. He explains how falling into the religiously suspect and unlawful tarnishes our spiritual works, emphasizing that this particularly applies as related to our food, as acts fuelled by the prohibited will be anything but good. Next, he gives guidelines on how to distinguish the prohibited and doubtful and their various degrees and cites the example of the companions in leaving the doubtful. He explains the three causes for the religious falling into ambiguities, when investigation is appropriate, unlawful trade practices, and indulgence in the world’s pleasures. He closes by explaining how taking merely sufficient but clearly lawful provision is safest for the heart.   This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

27 Touko 201944min

Ustadh Amjad Tarsin inspires us to rev up our Ramadan devotions, giving a reminder on fasting and Ramadan from the section in Imam Haddad's Book of Assistance. He underscores the importance of increasing one's good works, staying in the mosque, and performing night prayers (tarawih) in the sacred month. Next, he sheds light on the Night of Great Worth (laylat al-qadr), giving some pointers on which night it is. At the same time, he reminds that "it's not a lottery," and that Allah's mercy is continually manifest in all of the odd nights. Finally, Ustadh Amjad discusses the recommendation of hastening one's iftar and delaying sahur, while giving guidelines on how this is to be practically applied. He closes by highlighting some of the meritorious days on which to fast throughout the year and the great virtue of fasting in general. This is part of the series presented by SeekersGuidance Canada in Ramadan 2019.   Check out the SeekersGuidance Ramadan Portal: www.seekersguidance.org/ramadan Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified scholars, completely free: become a monthly supporter – www.seekersguidance.org/donate Help SeekersGuidance support deserving scholars and students this Ramadan: give your zakat and charity to the Global Islamic Scholars Fund — www.seekersguidance.org/donate

27 Touko 201934min