Embracing Excellence – 20 – Fasting and Ramadan – Ustadh Amjad Tarsin

In this Eid al-Adha sermon, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin calls all believers to rejoice in the bounties of Allah. He reminds us of all the great blessings that Allah has granted the Muslim community. Ustadh Amjad highlights hadiths and the sunna of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) of establishing communities upon, love, peace and joy. He points out that gathering for the Eid prayer in itself is an expression of that sunna of community. Ustadh Amjad also encourages us to share that sense of community, love, peace and joy with others. We as Muslims have a lot to offer, give and share with the world, so we shouldn't let that good stop at us. This Eid al-Adha sermon was delivered in September 2017, at SeekersGuidance Toronto (seekersguidance.org/toronto) Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

6 Sep 201715min

In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani highlights some key meanings and themes underlying the hajj. He gives practical means of how one could bring those meanings into their lives. Shaykh Faraz reflects on the specific acts of hajj and identifies how through these acts we are called to seek and turn towards Allah Most High. If one seeks and turns towards Allah, then they would have realized the meanings of Hajj in their lives. This Friday sermon was delivered in August of 2017 at the Jame Masjid Mississauga (http://blog.jamemasjid.org/). Checkout all of the SeekersHub podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ Cover Photo by oddyssey

30 Aug 201725min

In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz reminds us that everything in creation glorifies Allah -- not just things, but also actions and events, both good and bad. In all matters, the believer beholds Allah's Glory (tasbih). How? By recognizing that everything is from Him, and in everything, there is the opportunity of turning and returning to Allah. In everything, one can find the light of Allah's Glory by considering the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and how he would respond--with beauty, mercy, justice, resolve, and excellence. Shaykh Faraz shared the beautiful example of Ka'ab ibn Zuhair who spent much of his life attacking Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) with vicious poetry. Yet, after the Opening of Mecca, when he came seeking the forgiveness of the Prophet, the Prophet (peace be upon him) not only accepted but also enveloped Ka'ab in his beautiful mantle (Burda). This Friday sermon was delivered in August of 2017 at the Jamiat-ul-Ansar (http://www.jamiatulansar.ca/). Check out all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

23 Aug 201731min

In this interview, we sit down with visiting scholar Imam Siraj Wahhaj. We ask him about his community work, his comments on the last NBA season and everything in between. Imam Siraj Wahhaj is the Imam of Al-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn, New York. He is one of the most senior, respected and much loved religious leaders in America. There isn't a major Muslim community that he doesn't know or have friends in so he is uniquely placed to give us a sense of where American Muslim communities are at. Imam Siraj talked to us about his experience founding and leading Masjid Al Taqwa, what it means to work in the inner cities and the lessons he's learned over the years. Through this community work, Imam Siraj also councils us on how he continues to have the have the hope and courage that he has to face the problems of our community today. He comments on how he views the severe racial divide in the US and whether he sees that playing out both from within the Muslims community in the North America at large. Lastly, Imam Siraj explains why he finds it vital for more Muslims to pursue reliable sacred knowledge and how that can make a difference in our daily lives as well as within the community and Ummah at large. This interview was conducted in June of 2017 at the Sayeda Khadija Centre in Mississauga (http://www.skcentre.com/). Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

23 Aug 201736min

In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reflects on Surat al-Ma'un (Qur'an 107), and how it points to the reality of religion and the purpose of life. He highlights that the purpose of life could be found in religion. Shaykh Faraz calls to reflect on the purpose of life through reflecting on death, not in a morbid way. Rather as believers we view death as a higher reality through which our souls transition to another life. The purpose of religion is to provide clear guidance, by which we can realize our full human potential and enter paradise. This Friday sermon was delivered in August of 2017 at the Brampton Islamic Centre (http://www.bsia.ca/). Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

16 Aug 201728min

In this talk Shaykh Riad Saloojee reflects on the night journey (isra') and ascension (mi'raj) of the Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) as it relates to al-Aqsa Mosque. He links our love of the holy precinct of al-Aqsa to striving to attain the excellent prophetic character. Prophet Muhammad's (peace and blessings be upon him) night journey to al-Aqsa Mosque, and his ascension is the Divine gift of the perfection of his servanthood ('ubudiya). This event is the most perfect human manifestation of the Divine Attributes in the Prophet's character (peace and blessings be upon him). The realization of beautiful character is the true and lasting legacy of the prophets (peace be upon them). It is the path to revive the sunna of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). A love and claim of connection to the sanctified places of Allah can only be truly made if we sanctify ourselves with the sacred values and character of our Messenger (sallalaho 'alayhi wa sallam).   Checkout all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasst/

9 Aug 201733min

Masjid al Aqsa is one the holiest mosques for Muslims. It was once the direction of prayer and is the place where the Prophet ﷺ lead all the prophets in prayer and ascended to heaven to meet his Lord. The noble sanctuary has had numerous conditions set upon it since the occupation began and has now been closed for the first time in 48 years. Shaykh Faraz explains the Virtues of Masjid al-Aqsa and the Muslims Duty of Concern for the Furthest Sanctuary May Mercy and Justice prevail, in the ways resulting in the greatest ultimate good for all people, in the ways most pleasing to God. Truly, God is our sufficiency and He is the best of guardians." – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani Shaykh Faraz Rabbani has made the slides from this talk available, you can download them here. See also: Nasiri Dua: So Powerful, Rulers Would Ban It From Mosques Prayers for Victory (Hizb al-Nasr) of Imam Haddad Supplications for the Oppressed and Distressed Check out all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

23 Juli 201739min

In this Friday sermon, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reflects on Surat al-Kawthar (Qur'an 108), its meanings and what it entails. He extracts from this short sura, which is three verses long, meanings and lessons in faith, affirming Divine Oneness, gratitude, and contentment. Shaykh Faraz calls to and counsels everyone to connect with the Qur'an, which nurtures our souls. [1] (إِنَّا أَعْطَيْناكَ الْكَوْثَرَ) Truly We have granted you the abundant good. [2] (فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ) So Pray to your Lord and sacrifice. [3] (إِنَّ شانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ) The one who derides you, they are the one who is cut off. -- Check out all of the SeekersGuidance podcasts by visiting https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/

19 Juli 201736min