What are the rules for a widow in Islam? These ayat contain the commands regarding the ‘Iddah [waiting period] of the widow whose husband passed and when she may remarry. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains the wisdom in these rulings and the differences between the waiting period of a divorcée and a widow. To catch up on the previous episodes and for more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach millions worldwide through reliable kn...
Nov 24, 2022•34 min
Often in divorce, disputes relating to the upbringing of children and the rights of the respective parents arise. This ayat details the commands relating to children’s feeding (suckling), the parents’ rights and obligations to their children, and how it should be done. To catch up on the previous episodes and for more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach millions worldwide through reliable knowledge and guidance from qualified sc...
Nov 15, 2022•25 min
Surah al Baqara continues with the rules of divorce. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim explains the gravity of the decree stating how a believer should treat his wife in the event of a divorce. He emphasizes the benefit for both parties and the severe implications of transgressing and defying the Divine’s command. The following ayat discusses a strict warning to anyone preventing a woman from marrying her former husband. To catch up on the previous episodes and for more SeekersGuidance podcasts, visit https://...
Nov 10, 2022•33 min
Before Islam, a man had the right to take back his divorced wife, even after divorcing her multiple times. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim explains that these verses about divorce abrogated this heinous practice. The weightiness of these ayat include how to give divorce, irrevocable- and revocable divorce, and how a woman can ransom herself if her husband refuses to divorce. Shaykh Reasat stresses that it is incumbent on all believers to study the fiqh of marriage and divorce – claiming ignorance is not vali...
Nov 02, 2022•37 min
Often, one tends to make oaths in the heat of the moment. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that this ayat refers to a man swearing not to have sexual relations with his wife for four months, more or less. He unpacks the various scenarios and details the waiting period for the divorced woman. This section ends with the rule of Shariah regarding the mutual rights and duties of men and women. To catch up on the previous episodes and for more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersgui...
Oct 24, 2022•39 min
Sura al Baqara continues with a verse on intimacy. Allah Most High addresses the believing men and prohibits marital relations with their wives in a place other than the place of procreation. Shaykh Abul-Rahim Reasat explains that the beauty of Islam is that halaal intimacy is worship and rewarded by Allah Most High. He describes the connection between marriage and the subsequent verses dealing with oaths. We are reminded that the Shariah frowns upon swearing oaths over trivial matters for the f...
Oct 18, 2022•36 min
Contrary to Western belief, Islam is a beautiful religion that protects and celebrates its believing women, as is evident in these verses. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains verse 221, where Allah Most High prohibits the believers from marrying idol-worshipping women. He elucidates that this is a blessing, and transgressing this law holds many future adverse effects. Ayat 222 gives us the guidelines for marital relations; Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains the true essence of Allah Most High lov...
Oct 10, 2022•39 min
What is the purpose of studying Tafsir? To stop and reflect on how the verses in the Holy Quran apply to our life, advises Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat. This is apparent in the Companions’ questions regarding intoxicants, gambling, and caring for orphans. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that Allah Almighty points out that the use and practice of intoxicants and gambling breed sins. The concluding ayah in this podcast describes the rights of orphans regarding food, shelter, and upbringing. To cat...
Oct 04, 2022•34 min
It’s human nature to want to engage in matters we think are good for us. Often, however, we later find that it is quite the opposite. This phenomenon is highlighted in verse 216, where Allah Most High makes it obligatory for the believers to fight (in war). Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that while fighting in the way of Allah Most High may entail the loss of life and property, Allah Most High assures the believers that it is indeed a gain – something they’ll only realize later. In the next ...
Sep 28, 2022•37 min
Sura al Baqara continues with Allah Most High saying that there was a time when all humankind shared a common religion – until the disbelievers twisted the truth to suit their needs. Allah Most High then sent His Prophets with Books and revelations to guide humanity back to the Straight Path. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains the eloquence of the Arabic language relating to guidance – it comes from Allah alone. In the following ayat, Allah Most High comforts the believers that success is imposs...
Sep 22, 2022•35 min
In these ayat, Allah Most High tells us what happened with the Children of Israel who chose to disobey Him despite witnessing all the clear signs. They rejected His guidance and blessings and, instead, chose the ‘life’ of this world. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim explains that while there is beauty in this life for everyone – the difference is that the believer uses the blessings to propel himself towards akhirah. He reminds us that the nature of this life is not without difficulty and that the joys of the...
Sep 17, 2022•26 min
In these ayaat, Allah Most High commands the believers to enter Islam fully. The message is that there is no pick and choose what you like – one has to submit entirely to the laws of Islam. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that we have faults and may sin, but a true believer feels remorse, turns to Allah Most High in repentance, and resolves to leave the sin. Allah Most High warns the believers against following their clear enemy: Shaytaan, whose only purpose is to lead them to Hell. Likewise,...
Sep 07, 2022•30 min
Surah al Baqara continues with the command for pilgrims to engage in remembrance of Allah Most High. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains the duration of the stay at Mina according to the different schools of thought and beautifully illustrates the connection between remembrance, taqwa, and tawbah. In the following ayat, Allah Most High distinguishes the people into two broad categories: the hypocrite and the sincere. These verses teach us that there should be no contradiction between our words an...
Aug 30, 2022•43 min
What are the days of Hajj, and what are its rules? Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat expounds on the etiquettes of Hajj, its restrictions, and prohibitions, as Allah Most High commands in verse 197. On a journey, we’ll take worldly provisions along, but Allah Most High tells us that taqwa is the best provision for Hajj – a powerful reminder that Hajj is a journey of worship. Shaykh Reasat elaborates on the command to engage in thikr (remembrance) upon completing the main rites of Hajj, which reinforces ...
Aug 22, 2022•9 min
When we think of spending seeking Allah Most High’s pleasure, we’ll usually link it to gifting a portion of our wealth to worthy causes or feeding an orphan or the poor. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that hajj and umrah are also means of spending in the way of Allah Most High. He describes the particular injunctions governing Hajj and Umrah, how Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) performed his four umrahs, and how one can exit ihram if unable to complete these acts, accordin...
Aug 16, 2022•38 min
These verses primarily contain the injunctions of killing and fighting the disbelievers. Verse 191 commands the Muslims to fight the disbelievers who had expelled them from their home, Mecca, drive them out, and kill them wherever they are. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim explains that it is crucial to understand the context in which these verses were revealed and not to read them in isolation. He explains why ‘fitna’ (a difficulty / a crushing tribulation or trial that pushes someone to their limit) is cons...
Aug 09, 2022•30 min
Surah al Baqara continues with the prohibition of acquiring unlawful wealth or property. Shaykh Abdul-Rahim explains the meanings of ‘baatil’ (that which is wrong / something that is perishing) and how it applies in this context. He illustrates the gravity of the sin of willingly taking another’s wealth through bribery with a beautiful hadith of prophet Muhamad (peace and blessings be upon him). In verse 189, the believers are told that the waxing and waning of the moon have nothing to do with s...
Aug 04, 2022•33 min
Continuing from the previous episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat details the rules of fasting and highlights the mercy and kindness of Allah Most High. He explains that God is ‘close’ means more than physical space and that the duas of the one who fasts are definitely accepted – perhaps not the way imagined or hoped, but always in the best way. For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach millions worldwide through reliable knowl...
Jul 26, 2022•32 min
In this episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat elaborates on the verses about fasting and the wisdom and benefit of this spiritual act. He explains that although fasting was decreed for the former people, they changed it to suit their needs. He then clarifies why this injunction was relaxed for a particular group of people and the redemption for being unable to fast. For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the w...
Jul 20, 2022•36 min
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat elaborates on the decree and wisdom behind the law regarding killing and the benefit it holds for the believers. He explains that the injunction to make a bequest to parents and next of kin (verse 181) was to ensure that no dispute arose in the family and that the inheritors received their due. This verse was later abrogated with Sura an Nisa’ (Quran 4:11). For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach m...
Jul 13, 2022•38 min
In this verse, Allah Most High states the essence of birr (righteousness). This Shaykh Abdul-Rahim elaborates in detail and explains the qualities a person of birr has: 1) belief, 2) giving charity, 3) perfecting prayer, 4) giving zakat, and 5) fulfilling their promises. He alludes to the subtle nuances of the Arabic language and highlights the importance of being steadfast and patient in times of extreme poverty and hardship. For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance...
Jul 01, 2022•36 min
In these verses, Allah Most High grants the believers permission to consume, except for certain conditions, what He has provided them. Shaykh Abdul Rahim-Reasat details these exceptions and explains the following verses where Allah Most High states that He will not address the disbelievers and polytheists in the slightest on the Day of Resurrection. They had a choice and chose to hide the Truth. For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGui...
Jun 24, 2022•37 min
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that the disbelievers and polytheists were arrogant and chose to follow the misguided practice of their forefathers. To illustrate their ignorance, Allah Most High likens them to herds of animals who, despite hearing sounds, are incapable of understanding their meaning. Shaykh Reasat describes how Allah Most High instructs the believers to follow His command and abandon the prohibitions imposed by the disbelievers. They are to enjoy and eat from what He has pro...
Jun 19, 2022•32 min
Sura al Baqara continues with Allah Most High explaining the state of the disbelievers in this life and their destination in the Hereafter. Shaykh Reasat describes how Satan calls upon disobedience to Allah Most High and reminds us that we are accountable for our deeds. In the concluding verses, Allah Most High tells humanity that He has allowed them to eat of the pure (tayyib) and lawful things on the earth that do not cause harm to the body or mind. Shaykh Rahim explains the meanings of “tayyi...
Jun 12, 2022•34 min
This episode starts with ayah 164 where Allah Most High provides the proof for Tawheed (Oneness of Allah). Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat unpacks the numerous signs and proofs of Allah Most High’s Oneness as mentioned in verse 164: the creation of the heaves and the earth, the night that follows day, and vice versa, the solar system, nature, and its absolute perfection. He encourages us to reflect on the creation of Allah Most High and to acknowledge His Magnificence, Power, and Oneness. In ayah 165,...
Jun 03, 2022•41 min
In this episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that before Islam, the people used to run between Safa and Marwah as an act of devotion to their idols. After Islam, they were hesitant to perform Tawaf between them. Allah Most High removes the doubts from their minds by revealing ayah 2:158, stating that Safa and Marwah are the symbols of Allah. He emphatically explains the following ayaat wherein Allah Most High sternly curses those who hide the clear signs and description of Prophet Muhamma...
May 31, 2022•42 min
Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains that these verses illustrate how a Believer should respond when afflicted with trials and tests. He emphasizes that nothing worthy comes without steadfastness and beautifully illustrates the concept of sabr/ patience. He reminds us that tests are meant to raise us and are immense favors from Allah Most High. For more SeekersGuidance podcast shows, visit https://seekersguidance.org/podcasts/ . Help SeekersGuidance reach millions around the world through reliable...
May 26, 2022•37 min
In this episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat explains how these verses conclude the discussion on the theme of the qiblah in this context. He illustrates how Allah’s Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) is the answered supplication of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhi salaam). Allah Most High reminds us of His favor of sending Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) as a guide to all that’s good and reminds us of the many benefits of being thankful to Him. Shaykh Reasat beautifully describes the m...
May 19, 2022•38 min
In this episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat continues discussing the changing of the qibla. He explains that the scholars among Bani Isra’il knew from the Torah that the qibla was going to change, and they recognize the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) as True, but still choose to hide the truth. He elaborates on the meaning of the word “ ya’rifun” and details how Allah Most High strengthens the resolve of His Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) and the believers, commanding them again t...
May 10, 2022•29 min
In this episode, Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat elaborates how deeply the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) longed for the Kaaba as the qibla of the Muslims. He then explains what is meant by the word qibla: is it the Kaaba itself or its general direction? Shaykh Reasat elaborates on the sheer stubbornness of the People of the Book. Allah Most High declares in the Holy Quran that no proof in the world is ever going to satisfy them and reminds the Believers to follow His commands. For more Seeker...
May 06, 2022•30 min
