“Allah Ta’ala gives His Knowledge to whom He pleases.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus breaks down Ayat al-Kursi (Quran 2:255) into meaningful parts and suggests six key times when to recite it. He also explains the difference between ‘science’ and ‘scientism,’ noting the problem with the latter. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 12:15pm-1:00pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect
Nov 26, 2021•34 min
“The story of the whole world is between two sajdas.” It has been asked among scholars: “What verse in the Qur’an inspires the most hope?” In this extremely uplifting khutba, Ustadh Hasan Petrus discusses four different answers to this question. He also relates a beautiful story encompassing three of the verses, which involves Washi ibn Harb, the Companion who killed Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with them, before he (Washi) accepted Islam. Ustadh Hasan also discusses the Grea...
Nov 12, 2021•33 min
“Nobility and the keys on that Day will be in my hands.” Focusing primarily on the Day of Resurrection, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses some of the unique qualities and distinctions that Allah the Exalted has bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Included in the discussion is what it means to be “firm against the disbelievers” (see Quran 48:29), as well as a list of the five categories of intercession. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2...
Nov 05, 2021•29 min
“Nothing is more important after the shahada than the prayer.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his discussions on the importance of prayer, focusing on the congregational prayer and how to make it a priority. And although it is strongly encouraged to perform all five daily prayers in congregation in the masjid (mosque), Shaykh Yahya explains the minimum one should do in this regard.
Oct 29, 2021•34 min
“… to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light.” (Surah an-Nur, 25:40, as translated) In this blessed month of our beloved Prophet’s birth, there is no better time to deepen our connection with him ﷺ. Ustadh Amjad Tarsin describes the Prophet’s three types of beauty and explains how reflecting upon these qualities will increase one’s love for him ﷺ.
Oct 22, 2021•31 min
“The One who gave them is still the same Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, who is ready to give us. But are we ready to receive it.” Through numerous verses of the Qur’an, Hadith, and inspiring stories of the pious, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch explains what it means to have reverence for the prayer and how to achieve it. Included in his Khutba are the conditions for establishing the prayer and how to obtain presence in it.
Oct 22, 2021•40 min
“To Allah belong the treasures of the heavens and the earth.” Looking at several verses in Surah al-Munafiqun (The Hypocrites), Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains the soul’s innate desire to obtain honor and nobility and why this is praiseworthy. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2:00pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect
Oct 08, 2021•25 min
“There is no such thing as major sins if you continue to seek forgiveness.” Ustadh Yusuf Weltch gives a detailed discussion on repentance, an essential quality of ihsan or spiritual excellence. Several topics are covered including: what is the core condition of repentance; why persistently committing minor sins is dangerous; how to foster remorse in one’s heart; and what do the prophets, peace be upon them, seek in asking for forgiveness.
Oct 01, 2021•34 min
“Prayer is the source of ascension of the believer.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains why our lives should revolve around the five daily prayers and what it means to establish the prayer as Allah the Exalted commands us in the Qur’an (as translated). He also discusses a beautiful hadith about how our prayers supplicate for or against us.
Sep 25, 2021•34 min
In this particularly instructive khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the four things that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advised people to do as soon as he ﷺ arrived in Madinah. Ustadh Amjad also provides practical suggestions on how to implement this Prophetic advice easily.
Jun 18, 2021•30 min
So much of what we do, such as school or work, is because we want to be ‘happy’. We talk a lot about happiness, but it is an elusive concept. In this khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains that the real question is: What does it mean to be alive?
Jun 11, 2021•31 min
Continuing the discussion from last Jumua on the dhikr laa ilaaha illallah, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains that the way to actualize the realities of laa ilaaha illallah is found through the most beloved of creation, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He also answers the question why there are so many Prophetic du’as (supplications) in Islam.
Jun 04, 2021•27 min
"There is no life except the life of the Hereafter.” In this Jumua Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains why we should seek the good pleasure of Allah the Exalted in every moment and in every state. He also discusses the benefits of the dhikr (remembrance) laa ilaaha illallah and the meanings to have in one’s heart when repeating those words.
May 28, 2021•31 min
In this last Jumua of Ramadan 1442 (2021) with only a few days left of this blessed month, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus provides several gems of parting advice. He begins with a discussion of the Divine Gentleness in which the obligatory fast is presented in the Qur’an (2:183-85) and the etiquettes one should have with Allah the Exalted (2:186). He then explains why muraqaba (vigilance) leads to comprehensive good. And finally, he tells us what intentions we should make in these last few days.
May 14, 2021•35 min
As the last ten nights of Ramadan approach and believers actively seek the blessed Laylatul Qadr (Night of Great Worth), Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reminds us that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ was to strive even harder in ibadah (worship) during this time, anticipating the unique Divine gifts that are possible. He also mentions how to make oneself ready to receive these gifts and recites several powerful du’as particular to this time, recognizing that Allah the Exalted always has infinitely more to give...
May 07, 2021•32 min
As we enter the second ten days of Ramadan, the days of forgiveness, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains Imam al-Ghazali’s three degrees of fasting: the fast of the common folk, the fast of the elect, and the fast of the elect of the elect. Shaykh Yahya focuses on the fast of the elect (or righteous) and its six practices to encourage us to strive for a higher level of fasting and its potential rewards. He also mentions the greatest sign that an act is accepted by Allah the Exalted and gives a du’a (su...
Apr 30, 2021•31 min
“The seeker is not truly a seeker until he finds in the Qur’an all that seeks.” As this blessed month of Ramadan begins, it is a good time to access our relationship with the Qur’an. It has been said that to gage one’s state with Allah the Exalted, one should look at his or her connectiveness with the Qur’an. In this Khubah, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin relates an inspiring story of a Companion whose recitation of the Qur’an drew angels near to him. He also explains what one can do to connect, reconnect,...
Apr 23, 2021•27 min
After discussing the virtues of Ramadan and the fruits of fasting, Ustadh Amjad provides a list of practical steps to prepare oneself and one’s environment in order to enhance one’s ability to take advantage of the unique blessings this sacred month offers.
Apr 09, 2021•32 min
“Whoever hurts a Muslim has hurt me. And whoever hurts me has hurt Allah.” Continuing with his short series on the rights of Muslims on other Muslims in preparation for Ramadan, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus mentions numerous hadith that unequivocally demonstrate that believers have a sanctity that other believers must uphold.
Apr 06, 2021•11 min
In this khutba, Shaykh Yahya defines the four cardinal virtues in an Islamic context and then focuses on the virtue of courage, which lies between cowardness and recklessness. He discusses the other traits of good character that rise from it, as well as the bad character traits that arise when there is an imbalance and the trait of cowardness or its opposite, recklessness, dominates.
Apr 02, 2021•32 min
“Learning has a beginning but it doesn’t have an end.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his short series on the rights of Muslims on other Muslims looking at three rights that Imam al-Haddad (d. 1132 AH/1720 CE) emphasized. He also relates two beautiful stories about Sayyidina Umar ibn Khattab, radi Allahu anhu, illustrating the practical application of fulfilling these rights.
Mar 29, 2021•19 min
“The sanctity of a believer is greater than the Ka’bah itself.” In preparation for Ramadan and over the next several weeks, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus will be focusing on the rights of Muslims on other Muslims. This topic is especially important because Allah the Exalted does not forgive a sin unless the wronged person has forgiven the sin.
Mar 28, 2021•25 min
In this short series in preparation for Ramadan, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his discussion on the right of Muslims on other Muslims. According to Imam al-Haddad (d. 1132 AH/1720 CE), there are two key traits that facilitate many other traits. Shaykh Yahya discusses these traits and explains how to begin to implement them.
Mar 28, 2021•18 min
Just as there are distinct manifestations that occur in the physical seasons, the same is true for the spiritual seasons. There are blessings that we can receive in Ramadan that we cannot receive outside of Ramadan. Likewise, there are blessings available in Rajab that are very difficult to receive outside of Rajab. In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains how we can take advantage of the unique and blessed month of Sha’ban in preparation of the most sacred month of Ramadan.
Mar 26, 2021•27 min
“It is a believer’s duty to guard himself against sin, both small and great, in the same way he would against burning fires, floods, and lethal poison.” Imam al-Haddad On the blessed last Friday of the sacred month of Rajab, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reminds us that it is not too late to receive Rajab’s special gifts, as actions are judged according to their endings. Rajab is the month to repent and turn back to Allah the Exalted in preparation of the sacred month of Ramadan. Ustadh Amjad quotes exten...
Mar 19, 2021•25 min
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran 17:1] Of the most significant events that occurred in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the Isra’ wa’l Mi‘raj (the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets a...
Mar 12, 2021•13 min
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran 17:1] Of the most significant events that occurred in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the Isra’ wa’l Mi‘raj (the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets a...
Mar 12, 2021•16 min
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran 17:1] Of the most significant events that occurred in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the Isra’ wa’l Mi‘raj (the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets a...
Mar 12, 2021•9 min
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran 17:1] Of the most significant events that occurred in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the Isra’ wa’l Mi‘raj (the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets a...
Mar 12, 2021•10 min
“Glory be to the One Who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque whose surroundings We have blessed, so that We may show him some of Our signs. Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” [Quran 17:1] Of the most significant events that occurred in the life of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was the Isra’ wa’l Mi‘raj (the Night Journey and Heavenly Ascension). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets a...
Mar 12, 2021•10 min
