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How do I renew my faith and renew my connection with my Lord and Creator? Sura al-Hadid is a 29-verse sura containing key guidance on renewing faith through reflection (fikr) and remembrance (dhikr). It contains powerful reminders on awakening to the reality of the Glory of Allah, the fleeting essence of this life, and the lasting reality of the next life. It contains key calls to live our faith through sacrifice, charity, concern for good, and strengthening our connection to the Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). It asks the deep question: “Has the time not come for believers’ hearts to be humbled by the Remembrance of Allah and what has been revealed of the Truth?” [v.16] Then it outlines the way of the Prophets, the way of faith and striving. This way is the means to “the doubled share of Divine Mercy,” [v. 28] and all true joy. This course explores these themes through reference to the great Tafsirs (commentaries) on the Quran, and brings out the life lessons on faith, devotion, submission, and spirituality. It will give students a lot to reflect on their relationship with Allah, and their approach to life, their priorities, and time.
Cultivating mindfulness of Allah Most High is a process that every Muslim struggles with. We spend much time in heedlessness of Allah, lacking consciousness of His ever-present and enveloping Mercy. This course unpacks the meanings of Sura al-Rahman, serving as a reminder for students and encouraging them to reflect upon the signs of the Mercy of Allah. Students will learn the main themes of this sura and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of Allah's Mercy upon humanity. Along with a translation and explanation of the verses in this sura, there is a particular emphasis upon cultivating awe of Allah Most High. Completing this course will help students develop gratitude by viewing all aspects of their lives under the lens of Allah's Mercy.
What would you ask God if you were granted the opportunity to ask one question? “My Lord, what are the best means with which those close to you have gotten close to you?” Imam Ahmad asked when he saw Allah for the hundredth time in his dreams. “With my words, Ahmad,” was the response he got. “With, or without understanding?” he enquired; “With, or without understanding,” was the answer. The proper manners with the Quran can supercharge the benefit received from the Quran, whether one approaches it as a worshipper, a student, or a teacher. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains what the Quran is, and shows how it was perfectly preserved. This preamble imbues the listener with a certainty of the Quran’s Divine origin. He then discusses the numerous virtues of this Blessed Book, and how one can gain the maximum benefit from it through proper outward and inward conduct. This course is essential for those wishing to gain closeness to Allah through His Book, and flings wide open the doors to having a direct connection with Allah through His words.
The keys of excellence in relations are found in Sura al-Hujurat. It calls to the believers to adopt these standards, appealing to the God-given faith that we have as the motive for making us do so. Shaykh Faraz Rabbani clearly presents the themes of this sura drawing on the wisdom of great scholars such as Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, and Shaykh Ahmad ibn Ajiba. This course discusses what proper conduct before Allah is; the rank and wisdom of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace; how believers should be towards him; and the immense blessings of faith, guidance, and obedience. We learn to confirm what we hear before judging and acting, and how to be just and merciful to believers should they have a dispute amongst themselves. Mockery, name-calling, spying, and backbiting are also addressed due to the extremely detrimental effect they have to relations. The course concludes with looking at what is a real virtue, and how those of virtue should deal with others to manifest it. We see that Allah constantly calls to obedience, yet He also reminds us of His mercy, reminding us to have proper conduct towards Him.
Surat al-Asr is one of the shortest suras in the Qur’an. Yet it summarizes all that humans need to attain eternal success; all they need to make the most of time; and all they need to avoid loss, in this life and the next.
As Divine speech, the Quran leads people from darkness to true light. It is guidance for the people of piety to the straight path that leads to Allah. Pious people hold fast to the Book of Allah and have the correct inner and outer manners of relating to the Quran. Shaykh Faraz discusses ten outward manners, such as ritual purity when reciting; consistency in the amount read each day; striving to read one juz a day; accurate tajwid; and supplication in the recitation. He also explains ten inward manners that generate the outward ones, including slow and reflective recitation; understanding the deeper meanings of the Quran; removing the veils that prevent us from understanding it; rising in the degrees of excellence in recitation, which culminates in putting Allah first and oneself last; and recitation in the knowledge that there is no might or ability except with Allah. The keys to living the Quran in these ways include recognizing how deeply one needs Allah’s guidance; seeking to emulate those who have been rightly guided; and ensuring that one has the certitude in faith that flows from beneficial knowledge.
This course helps you appreciate the beauty and majesty of the Quran and find the presence of Allah through it. The Quran is the Speech of Allah. This final revelation is recited by believers devotionally, but it isn’t simply guidance ‘from’ Allah. Rather, the Revealed Book points to the meanings indicated by Allah’s Eternal Attribute of Speech. This is a tremendous reality: when we recite or hear the Quran, Allah is directly addressing us, and we are in His Presence. All the manners and etiquettes of reciting the Quran, and the benefits and rewards of consistent recitation, return to this meaning. This On-Demand course helps us appreciate this reality and learn how to ‘Behold the Quran’ and bring it into our lives.
