Podcast

Making Sense of Islam

Meditations on strategy, mindfulness, and Islam — hosted by Tarek Elgawhary

All Episodes

  • Ep 102 — Imam Mohamed Magid
  • Ep 101 — Sameera Qureshi
  • Ep 100.5
  • Ep 100 — Tarek Elgawhary
  • Ep 99 — Shaykh Muhamad Al-Ninowy
  • Ep 98 — Omar Matadar
  • Ep 97 — Mikhaael Mala
  • Ep 96 — Sohaib Interview
  • Ep 95 — Peter Sanders
  • Ep 94 — Michael (Haroon) Sugich Harun
  • Ep 93 — Imam Zaid Shakir
  • Ep 92 — Muna Abu Sulayman
  • Ep 91 — Mubin Shaikh
  • Ep 90 — Rabia Chaudry
  • Ep 89 — Navid Akhtar
  • Ep 88 — Dr Walead Mohammed Mosaad
  • Ep 87 — Not Having a Beard or Hijab
  • Ep 86 — Ahmed Younis
  • Ep 85 — Abdul-Rehman Malik
  • Ep 84 — How To Find A Shaykh
  • Ep 83 — Muddassar Ahmad
  • Ep 82 — Eating Halal Meat
  • Ep 81 — Allie Khalfe
  • Ep 80 — Mona Aburmishan
  • Ep 79 — COVID-19
  • Ep 78 — Khuram Zaman
  • Ep 77 — In Shaykhs Clothing
  • Ep 76 — Hena Khan
  • Ep 75 — Umar Lee
  • Ep 74 — Bid'a / Innovation
  • Ep 73 — Music
  • Ep 72 — Diplomacy
  • Ep 71 — Islamic Principles #26: Making Islam Look Good
  • Ep 70 — Islamic Principles #25: Passing On Islam
  • Ep 69 — Islamic Principles #24: Men & Women
  • Ep 68 — Islamic Principles #23: Charity
  • Ep 67 — Islamic Principles #22: Coexistence
  • Ep 66 — Islamic Holidays #11: Hajj Season
  • Ep 65 — Understanding The Self (nafs)
  • Ep 64 — Conflict, Perspective & Time
  • Ep 63 — Islam & Politics
  • Ep 62 — Islamic Holidays #10: Eid Al-Fitr
  • Ep 61 — Islamic Holidays #9: The Night Of Power
  • Ep 60 — Islamic Holidays #8: The Battle Of Badr
  • Ep 59 — Islamic Holidays #7: Ramadan
  • Ep 58 — Islamic Principles #21: Dialogue
  • Ep 57 — Islamic Holidays #6: The 15th Of Sh'aban
  • Ep 56 — Islamic Principles #20: The EnvironmentShow notes ▼
    We cannot be who we are or do the things we do except through and by the natural world around us. The Quran and Hadith literature are replete with references to the animated nature of the environment, to the duty we owe the environment, and to the obligation to keep its balance. The environment is one of the meta principles of Islam, and since the natural world around us is in crises, it is ever more important that we learn what it means from a faith point of view.
    Quran Mentioned
    The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein praise Him, and there is not a thing but invokes His praise; but you understand not their praise. Lo! He is ever Clement, Forgiving. (17:44)
    The stars and the trees adore. (55:6)
    I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me. (51:56)
    And He has made of service for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily are portents for a people who reflect. (45:13)
    He brought you forth from the earth and has asked you to develop it. (11:61)
    And of mankind there are those whose conversation on the life of this world pleases you, and he calls Allah to witness as to that which is in his heart; yet he is the most rigid of opponents.
    And when he turns away his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and the cattle; and Allah lovs not mischief. (2:204-205)
    Hadith Mentioned
    Anybody who plants and animals eat you are rewarded, (Ahmad)
    Story of Gabriel and
  • Ep 55 — Islamic Principles #19: Benefiting from Others
  • Ep 54 — Islamic Principles #18: Towards An Islamic Paradigm
  • Ep 53 — Islamic Holidays #5: Rajab
  • Ep 52 — Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
  • Ep 51 — Islamic Principles #17: Sufism
  • Ep 50 — Islamic Principles #16: Dealing With The Past
  • Ep 49 — Why Study The Life Of The Prophet
  • Ep 48 — Islamic Principles #15: The Subtle MomentShow notes ▼
    Ep. 48: Islamic Principles #15: The Subtle Moment
    Intro
    There is no denying that Islamic law has a lot of literature about slavery and the freeing of slaves (known as manumission). While all Muslim jurists and Muslim majority countries have outlawed slavery, the legal discussions in these sections of the Sharia have utility beyond their original use. In this episode I discuss one such utility, known as the "subtle moment." While a bit theoretical, it is extremely important in solving some of our more complex, contemporary problems.
  • Ep 47 — Islamic Principles #14: Splitting Sharia Rulings
  • Ep 46 — Dr. Muhammad Fraser-RahimShow notes ▼
    Interview with Muhammad Fra-cer Abdul Rahim
    Starting at 3:00
    6:18 – influence of Ahmadiyya movement
    9:00 Nation of Islam
    10:38 current ahmadiyya mosuws in US
    11:20 jazz and Islam
    12:00 1975 and WD Muhammad
    16:00 Sunni influneces in WD conversion
    18:40 difference btw black islam and o=immigrant islam
    27:55 the importance of West Africa and Sufism
    32:48 ancestors who fought in Civil War
    35:00 thoughts on working in government as a Muslim
    45:15 dealing with crises of faith working for government
    50:15 dealing with extremism and prevension work
    101:00 Quillium
    107: some of Majid's more offensive
  • Ep 45 — Islamic Principles #13: Theoretical PersonShow notes ▼
    Ep 45: Islamic Principles #13: Theoretical Person
    While organizations and companies often time seem to function like people, a common theme in the Western world, they are actually not real people but simple what is referred to a theoretical structre.
    Not same rulings as actual person
  • Ep 44 — Islamic Principles #12: Rulings As SymbolsShow notes ▼
    Ep. 44: Islamic Principles #12: Rulings as Symbols
    Hadith Mentioned
    Companion told to was when wounded and died. (Abu Dawud)
    "Drink the milk of the cow as it is a medicine, and its fat because it is a healing, but stay away from its meat since in it is a sickness." (al-Hakim)
    Quran Mentioned
    "And take off your sandal" (20:12)
    People Mentioned
    Jalal Akbar
    Imam Sirhindi
    Last descendent of Genghis Khan
    Al-Maqrizi
  • Ep 43 — Islamic Principles #11: Understanding Our World
  • Ep 42 — Muhammad ZakariyaShow notes ▼
    Ep 42 Muhammad Zakariyya, Master Calligrapher
    Episode Notes
    4:00 Hasan Chalabi
    7:00 when the lesson shines
    7:23 no money between teacher and student
    8:25 on the development of Arabic calligraphy
    9:58 love and calligraphy
    11:48 chains of transmission and the early Arab calligraphers
    16:15 importance of beauty and calligraphy to Islam
    17:58 making reading more pleasant
    19:18 Calligraphy and the Quran (the constitution of beauty)
    26:20 the threat of the lack of art and beauty
    30:00 the importance of rules of etiquette
    30:40 Jews and the art of calligraphy with the Torah
    32:00 the Madkhal of Ibn Hajj and answering "why"
    34:20 turning your job into a form of worship ('ibada)
    36:28 Qadi 'Iyad, and honoring the Prophet (God bless him and give him peace)
    39:05 the centrality of the praise of the
  • Ep 41 — Islamic Holidays #4: The Birth Of The ProphetShow notes ▼
    Ep 40 Celebrating the Prophet's Birthday
    Quran Mentioned
    The chapter of the Elephant
    "We have not sent you except as a mercy to mankind"
    Hadith Mentioned
    "I am a merciful gift"
    Selected Links
    Blog post on the legality of the Mawlid
    Seera books in English
    Portrait of a Prophet
    Khas'is Book of Suyuti
    Shifa of Qadi Iyad
  • Ep 40 — Thoughts on Islam in The Workplace, Pt.2
  • Ep 39 — Islamic Principles #10: Plurality Within Islamic LawShow notes ▼
    Ep 39 Islamic Principles #10 the Plurality of Islamic law
    Quran Mentioned
    Hadith Mentioned
    People Mentioned
    Imam Shafi
    Muhammad Abdu
    Selected Links
    Taqlid
    Ijtihad
    Dar iftta
    Hanafi madhab
    Ottoman empire
    Eights scools
  • Ep 38 — Thoughts On Islam And The Work PlaceShow notes ▼
    Ep 38 Work related Fiqh
    Hadith Mentioned
    Hadith in Muslim of combining prayers
  • Ep 37 — Celebrations & Holidays #3: The Month of Safar
  • Ep 36 — Islamic Principles #9: The Meta-Goals of Islamic LawShow notes ▼
    Ep 36 Maqasid Sharia
    Quran Mentioned
    To know one another
    Hadith Mentioned
    People Mentioned
    Selected Links
    Ratio Legis
  • Ep 35 — Islamic Principles #8: Renewing Usul al-FiqhShow notes ▼
    Islamic Principles #8: renewing Usul al fiqh
    Quran Mentioned
    And from His signs that He created you from a single male and female."
    Hadith Mentioned
    People Mentioned
    Selected Links
    Dinar and Dirham
    Moriscos
  • Ep 34 — Islamic Principles #7: AbrogationShow notes ▼
    Ep 34: Islamic Principles #7: Abrogation
    While a
    Quran Mentioned
    "We have revealed Quran and We alone have preserved it"
    "We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten, except that we bring something better than it" 2:106
    "To you is your religion and to me is my religion"
    "Whoever wants let them believe, and whoever does not, don't believe."
    Hadith Mentioned
    "I used to forbid you from visiting the graveyards, but now you should go visit them." (Muslim)
    People Mentioned
    Abdullah Ibn Siddiq al-Ghumari
    Ali Gomaa
    Abu Muslim al-Asfahani (d. 325AH)
    Fakhr al-Din al-Razi
    Al-Suyuti
    Hafz 'an Asim
    Abi 'Amr al-Basri
    Ibn Kathir
    Dr. Sherman Jackson
    Selected Notes
  • Ep 33 — Celebrations And Holidays #2: 'AshuraShow notes ▼
    Ep. 33: Celebrations and Holidays: #2 'Ashura
    Quran Mentioned
    Hadith Mentioned
    Jews Fasting Ashura Madina
    Living to next year and fast 9th with 10th
    I believe God will forgive previous sins on Ashura
    People Mentioned
    Selected Links
    Devotional Acts for Ashura
  • Ep 32 — Celebrations and Holidays #1: New Year'sShow notes ▼
    Ep 32 Islamic New Years
    Quran Mentioned
    Verse on nasi (9:37)
    Hadith Mentioned
    "at hajj calendar set right…" The hadith of the Prophet's hajj khutba can be found in Bukhari and Muslim
    "Hold to my sunna…" (Abu Dawud)
    "Whoever is not concerned with the affairs of the Muslim is not from them"
    "hadith of the boats" (Bukhari)
    "all humans sin, and best of sinners are those who constantly turn in repentance."
  • Ep 31 — Islamic Principles #6: Juristic MethodologyShow notes ▼
    Ep. 31: Islamic Principles #6: Juristic Methodology
    Quran Mentioned
    "Fighting is proscribed for you, but you detest it"
    Hadith Mentioned
    "The best generation is mine, etc…"
    Names Mentioned
    Selected Links
    Uthmanic Script
  • Ep 30 — Islamic Principles #5: The Arabic LanguageShow notes ▼
    Ep 30 Islamic Principles #5: The Arabic Language
    Quran Mentioned
    " if parents struggle with you disbelieve.."
    "Fighting has been prescribed to you but you dislike it"
    "are they equal those who know and those who don't know?"
    Hadith Mentioned
    Best form of charity is effort the poor person
    "retruned from small jihad ot greater jihad..the jihad of the person against themselves
    People Mentioned
    Imam Shafi
    Sibawayh
    Selected Links
    Risalam translation
  • Ep 29 — Islamic Principles #4: The Patterns Of CreationShow notes ▼
    Ep. 29: Islamic Principles #4: The Patterns of Creation
    Quran Mentioned
    "You will not find in the patterns of God change" 35:43
    "We will show them our sings in the heavens and in themselves until they see it is Truth"41:53
    "These days we alternate power between people" (3:140)
    "He causes the night to pass into the day and causes the day to pass into the night" (35:13)
    "He created you into tribes and nations to know one another" (49:13)
    "Where it not that God checks one group of people against another, there would be tribulation on earth" 2:251
    Hadith Mentioned
    "scholars are the inheritors of
  • Ep 28 — Islamic Principles #3: Understanding the QuranShow notes ▼
    Ep. 28: Islamic Principles #3: Understanding the Quran
    How can we make sense of Islam today? This is not only the name of this podcast, but a question that I've been obsessed with for decades. This series shares several first-principles that we need to keep in mind as we seek to answer this question. Some will seem basic (but need repeating) and others might be new. In both cases these meta-principles are essential tools to make sense of it all.
    Quran Mentioned
    "we have revealed quran and protected it:
    "no soul will bear the burdens of another"
    "if you are mindful of God He will show you a way
  • Ep 27 — Islamic Principles #2: MercyShow notes ▼
    Ep. 27: Principles of Islam #2: Mercy
    Quran Mentioned
    We have not sent you except as a mercy to mankind
    Indeed in the Messenger of God is a perfect example
    Hadith Mentioned
    Hadith of 99 names, (Tirmidhi)
    My Mercy precedes my wrath
    I made injustice haram
    I have been sent as a merciful gift, (Bayhaqi)
    None of you truly believe until you love the Prophet more than your own self, (Bukhari)
    First hadith (aka the hadith of mercy), (Tirmidhi)
    "go you are free"
    People Mentioned
    Imam Jazuli
  • Ep 26 — Islamic Principles #1: Why Were We Created?Show notes ▼
    E26 Islamic Principles #1 Why were we created?
    Quran Mentioned
    "worship verse - dhariyat
    tazkiyya verse – shams: 9-10
    surah Joseph and Zulaykha verses
    development verse: Hud:61
    Hadith Mentioned
    Hidden treasure hadith
    "No good in a religion without prayer"
    three people who said certain things and Prophet said I will be moderate…
    hadith of the greater jihad
    People Mentioned
    Selected Links
    Ratio legis
  • Ep 25 — Thoughts On ChangeShow notes ▼
    Ep. 25: Thoughts on Change
    Quran
    "names we heard our parents say"
    "God does not change the condition of a people until they change what's in themselves.
    Hadith
    Who ever doesn't't concern themselves with the affairs of the Muslims
    "begin with yourself then those next to you
    "all of you are shepherds and all of you are responsible for their flock
    Story of Sayyiduna Umar (Bukhari)
    Best of actions are consistent, even if few
  • Ep 24 — Three Sharia Hacks to Make Life EasierShow notes ▼
    Ep. 24: Three Sharia hacks that make life easier
    Hadith mentioned
    The hadith of combining prayers without reason, Sahih Muslim
    "Remember the destroyer of pleasure" Ibn Hibban
    People Mentioned
    Imam Sh'arani
    Selected links
    Decision Fatigue
    Stoic Philosophy
    Memento Mori
  • Ep 23 — Praying And Fasting While TravelingShow notes ▼
    Episode 23 Prayer and Fasting while traveling
    Quran Mentioned
    And that you fast is better
    Selected Links
    REI Hiking socks
    Microfiber travel towel
    Baseplate compass
    Video tutorial on how to use a compass
  • Ep 22 — Islamic Spirituality, Pt5Show notes ▼
    Ep 22 Islamic Spirituality, Pt5
    Episode Notes
    2:17 tools of the path
    2:36 tool #1: absolute adherence to Sharia and sound belief
    4:22 tool #2: persistence
    7:31 tool #3: lessening of particular things in the beginning of the path
    12:43 tool #4: remembrance (dhikr) and contemplation (fikr)
    22:36 tool #5: the need for a teacher and instructor
    23:24 conditions for finding a spiritual teacher
    29:38 what to do if you can't find a teacher
    Selected Notes
    Imam Nawwawi Book of Remembrance
    Conditions for finding a teacher
    Purification of the Heart
    Ghazali translation
    Quran Mentioned
    The people that remember Allah standing, etc.
    Remember Allah often night and day
    Indeed by remembrance of Allah the heart is tranquil
    If My servant asks of Me, Indeed I am near
    Ask the people of remembrance if you don't
  • Ep 21 — Islamic Spirituality, Pt4Show notes ▼
    Ep 21: Islamic Spirituality, pt4
    Episode Notes
    3:09 an overview of principles of the Path
    3:17 principle #1, God is the goal
    7:11 principle #2, the one who gazes, doesn't arrive
    10:56 principle #3, time is the most important commodity
    17:29 principles #4, not about arriving first, it's about sincerity
    19:51 principles #5, with time worship becomes easy
    22:01 principles #6, takhliyya (removing bad traits), tahliyya (gaining positive traits), tajalli (illumination)
    26:32 principle #7, spiritual experiences and insights
    Selected Links
    Rabia's poetry
    Award/litanies
    Purification of the Heart
    Quran Mentioned
    If m y servant asks of Me, I am near
    It is difficult except for the sincere
    And when they rise to pray to they rise lazily
    Light of faith
    Hadith Mentioned
    Worship God as if you see Him
    Be with Allah and don't be concerned
    Playing with your spouse is a form of worship
    'ilm biltalum
    People Mentioned
    Rabia al-Adawiyya
    Imam al-Shafi
    Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
  • Ep 20 — Islamic Spirituality, Pt3Show notes ▼
    Ep. 20: Islamic Spirituality, pt3
    Episode Notes
    2:24 overview of hadith of Gabriel, and the parts that make up the whole
    3:32 overview of the differences between the body, the soul, and the self
    4:12 multiple words for the self in Islamic literature
    5:40 the three goals to existence as outlined in the Quran
    15:00 the nafs is referred to in different names in the Quran
    15:50 the 7 levels of the nafs
    19:30 the focus historically is how to traverse these levels
    19:50 the five subtle things
    22:45 the importance of past experience
    25:10 moving into the practical side of Islamic spirituality
    30:00 the importance of traversing these levels as a fundamental approach to Islamic spirituality

    Selected Links
    The movie Terminal
    Levels of the self article on Coexist Research blog
    Quran Mentioned
    "enter
  • Ep 19 — Islamic Spirituality, Pt2Show notes ▼
    Ep. 19: Islamic Spirituality, pt1
    Episodes Notes
    2:30 quick overview of three major areas that makeup the intellectual paradigm of Islam
    4:09 how we answer basic questions within an Islamic framework
    7:20 Islamic spirituality is based on the Quran and Sunna, but also human experience of those before us
    9:40 the example of the circle as representing orthopraxy/orthodoxy in Islam
    11:20 the path to God is the radii in the circle example and represents an infinite amount of paths to God, based on orthopraxy/orthodoxy
    14:00 the importance of knowing the basics of Islam
    18:00 the challenge of knowing what spiritual practices to follow
    19:45 identifying who/what is a human being: body-soul-self
    22:10 the usage of these terms is not always consistent within Islamic literature
    23:37 the self (nafs) is what makes us morally responsible
    25:20 the relationship between the heart and purification
    28:15 can't have just the outside of Islam, need the heart to be rectify
    Selected Links
    Book of Remembrance by Nawwawi
    Moral obligation - taklif
    Quran Mentioned
    No coercion in religion
    Except the one that comes to Allah with a sound heart
    They ask you about the soul….
    Do they not reflect the Quran or are there locks on their hearts
    Blessed is the one who purifies their nafs, etc..
    Hadith Mentioned
    Joy in breaking fast
    Indeed in the body is a morsel of flesh…
    Hadith of the khawarij
    "taqwa is here"
    People Mentioned
    Imam Bukhari
    Imam Junayd
    Imam Nawwawi
  • Ep 18 — The Power Of Supplication
  • Ep 17 — Islamic Spirituality, Pt1Show notes ▼
    Ep. 17: Islamic Spirituality, pt1
    Episode Notes
    2:50 the hadith of Gabriel as a framework for the Islamic sciences
    7:00 this hadith explains the entirety of religion, which contains these four categories
    7:39 "islam" in the hadith is about actions-orthopraxy
    8:20 definition of the Shari'a as a human enterprise
    11:03 definition of "iman" (faith) and orthodoxy
    14:35 definition of "ihsan" or spiritual excellence
    15:50 signs of the Final Hour and eschatology
    18:30 eschatology as part of theology within the Islamic intellectual framework
    19:15 Islam's spiritual tradition and the importance of personal experience
    23:00 How the Islamic sciences developed after the Prophet's time
    24:45 the hadith of Sulayk as an example of plurality in interpreting the Quran and Hadith
    36:00 the diversity of Islam's spiritual tradition
    44:00 why this series is important and what we're not going to talk about
    Selected Links
    Zoroastrianism
    Hinduism
    Buddhism
    Manichesim
    Zarathustrta
    Vedas
    Parapatetic philosophy
    Tahafut al falasifa
    Tahafut al tahafut
    Neil Deson'sGrass Ty clip on Ghazali
    School of Marifa
    Quran Mentioned
    Our minds cannot comprehend Allah
    Nothing is like Allah
    People that belief in the unseen
    Hadith Mentioned
    Jawami al kalam
    No harm and recisprical harm
    Gabriel hadith
    Destiny is whatever hits you was meant to hit you
    People wearing musical instruments on their ears
    People Mentioned
    Sayyida Nafisa
    Imam Shafi
    Ibn Arabi
    Al-Kindi
    Al-Farabi
    Ibn Sina
    Ibn Rushd
    Mulla Sadra
  • Ep 16 — First Friday In Ramadan 1439/2018Show notes ▼
    Ep. 16: The First Friday of Ramadan
    Quran Mentioned
    Chapter of Fath
    Fasting persecribed ot have taqwa
    If my servant asks about Me
    Hadith Mentioned
    Doors of heaven are opened, doors of hell fire closed
    Allah was and nothing with Him
    Eve of first day of Ramadan hadith
    Most generous of people
    Devils are shackled
    People are asleep and when they die they wake up
    Die before your actual death
    Person only gets hunger and thirst from their fast
    Battle of Badr
    Conquest of Makkah
  • Ep 15 — Prophetic Models Of Coexistence Pt5Show notes ▼
    Ep 15: Prophetic Models of Coexistences, Pt 5
    Episode notes
    4:10 Prophet had to deal with a tense Medina situation
    4:46 Introducing the Jews of Medina and the plurality of Medina
    8:30 The story behind Nisa 105-108
    12:30 Introducing the Hypocrites and Apostates of Medina
    14:26 We judge by outward manifestation, we don't investigate
    15:30 We don't know the true state of people and not for us to know
    16:17 The story of Malik Bin Dinar
    19:40 Introducing the Apostates of Medina
    27:00 Dealing with challenges outside Medina
    30:00 The treaty of Hudaybiya
    35:00 Conquest of Mecca
    39:16 The tribes of Arabia coming to Islam, international peace accords
    42:00 no dictated way an Islamic state is supposed to follow.
    43:50 Christian delegation from Yemen
    46:50 The Prophet's attitude towards war
    56:17 plurality and coexistence is an intentionality in creation
    Quran mentioned
    Nisa 105-108
    Whoever will let them believ
    No compulsion in religion
    Do not say to those whoh come to you and say peace you are not a believer"
    And asked us to develop earth
    Nations and tribes to know oneanother
    Fight so there is no more fitna and religion is for God
    Hadith Mentioned
    "maybe he prays"
    "quran will not penertrate their hheart
    will compate your prayer to theirs"
    today is the day of mercy
    People Mentioned
    Malik Bin Dinar
    Ibn Tall'a
    Sad Bin 'Ubada
  • Ep 14 — The 15th Of Sha'ban And The Change Of The Qibla
  • Ep 13 — Prophetic Models, Pt4Show notes ▼
    Prophetic Models, pt 4
    Episode Notes
    2:45 – beginning of the migration to Madina
    3:48 – building of the first mosque
    6:00 – the plurality of Madina
    7:08 – the brotherhood program of Madina
    10:45 – the constitution of Madina
    11:17 – defining boundaries of the new state
    11:58 – Quraysh as enemies of the state
    13:08 – freedom of religion
    13:46 – common source of legislation
    15:15 – freedom of movement
    16:08 – the Magna Carta
    17:25 – concept of citizenship
    19:30 – importance of the rule of law and accessibility of law
    22:21 – importance of the sanctity of life
    25:17 – freedom of religious belief
    2
  • Ep 12 — The 15th of the Month of Sh'abanShow notes ▼
    Ep 12 The 15th of Sh 'aban
    Selected Links
    Reasons behind creation & self purification overview in Islam [link to Zaytuna paper]
    Quran mentioned
    "We have not created mankind and jinn kind except to worship"
    "blessed is the person who refines their self, and wretched is the person who allows their selves to rot"
    "He caused you to dwell on earth and asked of you to build this world"
    "I am sending to this earth a vicegerent (khalīfa)"
    "If my servant asks about Me, indeed I am near"
    "We are closer to him than his own jugular"
    Hadith mentioned
    "I was only sent to perfect human character"
    "whoever doesn't ask Allah, He is upset"
    "Ask Allah and you are certain of the response"
    "Allah was and nothing was with Him"
    People mentioned
  • Ep 11 — Prophetic Models Of Coexistence, Pt3Show notes ▼
    Ep: 11 Prophetic Models of Coexistence, pt 3
    Episode Notes
    Four Sacred Months
    People Mentioned
    Zubayr Ibn 'Awwam
  • Ep 10 — The Night Journey of the ProphetShow notes ▼
    Ep 10, Isra & Miraj Celebration
    Links
    Year of Sorrow
    Mashaqa tajlibu taysir (Ep 03 link)
    Man drowing in light of Throne
    Quran Mentioned
    With hardship is ease
    Surah hajj worship on the edge
    Quran not revealed to be isreable
    Ask the people of rememberance if you don't know
    Prayer is difficult for those who don't have humility when they pray
    Remember Allah a lot
    Lying sitting standing,..
    Hadith Mentioned
    That which is between us and htem is prayer
    No good in religion without prayer.
    People Mentioned
    Abu Talib
    Lady Khadija
  • Ep 9 — Prophetic Models Of Coexistence Pt2Show notes ▼
    Ep09: Coexist Model 1
    Episode Notes
    [3:25] Life in Makka before Islam
    [4:26], the difference between usury and bank interest
    [7:20] Khadija describing the character of the Prophet
    [8:40] The treaty of Fuḍūl and the Prophet acting on it
    [11:30] He lived in the community, but was not consumed by that community
    [12:10] He took his cousin Ali in his house due to economic hardship
    [13:06] Who were the first believers?
    [13:45] The beginning of Prophecy
    [14:49] Meccans not tolerating the early Muslims
    [16:50] The persecution of Bilal
    [18:15] The first martyrs of Islam
    [18:41] The patience of the Pro
  • Ep 8 — Introduction To The Prophetic Models Of Coexistence, Pt1Show notes ▼
    E05 Introduction to the Prophetic Models of Coexistence
    Episode Notes
    Introduction 1
    1:20 – we are upset and confused
    2:30 – problems are big and responses are weak
    3:40 – a three-part framework for normative Islam
    4:45 – the difference between religion (dīn) and religiosity (tadayyun)
    6:53 – First rule of three in interpreting Islam's primary sources
    11:35 – the threat of creating a parallel religion
    12:30 – finding comforts in our multiple identities
    13:25 – there is a right Islam and a wrong Islam
    14:30 – the need to provide direct responses to current misconceptions
    Introduction 2
    15:41 – introducing the specific material and the book
    16:40 – goals of discussing Prophetic models of coexistence
    16:52 – outline of the four models of Coexistence
    18:02 – taking from all models and combinations of them
    20:00 – The Sharia and the 5 main goals of the Sharia
    20:55 – how legal abrogation (naskh) impacts finding a model of coexistence that works for us
    25:43 – an example of slavery and abrogation, and suspension of rulings
    26:34 – The Sharia wants slavery to end
    29:47 – we want to revive Islam, not reform it
    32:06 – the concept of the subtle moment in Islamic law
    34:55 – the concept of the object of a Sharia ruling has vanished
    35:18 – the concept of what is necessary now
    36:48 – the four things that allow a ruling of the Sharia to change
    Links
    fiat currency
    first rule of three – blog entry/video if up
    Gomaa's book link
    Coexist Foundation
    Maqasid al sharia
    Abrogation in Sharia
    Rati
  • Ep 7 — The CaveShow notes ▼
    E07 The Cave and Its Meanings
    Episode Notes
    Cave in Amman
    Hijra
    Khalwa
    'itikaf
    takhali
    tahali
    tajalli
    jihad al nafs
    dhikr
    Quran Mentioned
    "To you is your religion, and to me is mine", 109:6
    "They were a small group who believed, so We increased them in guidance", 18:13
    "Have awareness of God, and God will teach you", 2:282
    "Read in the name of your Lord who created you", 96:1
    "Those who remember God standing, sitting, lying, and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth", 3:191
    "O you who believe, remember God often" , 33:41
    "Flee towards God", 51:50
    Hadith Mentioned
    Surah kahf sunna to recite, al-Ḥākim in his Mustadrak
    'Umar laughing hadith
    everything has a polish, Bayhaqi
    make dhikr until people say you are crazy, Imam Ahmad in his Musnad
    "I created you for my worship so don't fool around…" Not really a hadith, but a popular statement found in some Islamic literature. We therefore do not ascribe it to the Prophet ﴾ܻ﴿, but its meaning is sound.
    Allah is beauty and loves bauety, Muslim
    Allah has written ihsan on everything, Muslim
    People Mentioned
    Imam Ghazali
    Rumi
    Malik Bin Dinar
  • Ep 6 — On The Month Of RajabShow notes ▼
    Rajab is one of the four holy months in the Islamic calendar and typically signifies the countdown towards Ramadan. However, there are other blessings and historical events, such as the famous night journey of the Holy Prophet. How can we make the most of this month? Listen for some ideas.
    E06 The Month of Rajab
    Episode Notes
    Jahiliy Arabs
    The Night of Power
    'Arafa
    Hajj
    Lunar Calendar
    Solar Calendar
    Weak Hadith
    Isra Miraj
    Quran Mentioned
    Verses in Tawba about Holy Months
    Nasi is increase in kufr
    Pack your taqwa
    Be and it is
    Qad aflaha man zakkaha
    Hadith Mentioned
    Last Dhul Hijja is now in order
    Fasting person has two joys
    All actions of The person except fasting it belongs to Me
    In your days are nafahat
    No good in a religion without prayer
    A ring cast in the desert
    Stories of Prophet's chest being opened
    People Mentioned
    Ibn Hajjar al-'Asqalani
  • Ep 5 — How Good Are Our Mosques Really?Show notes ▼
    A recent Pew Report indicates that about one quarter of people who grow up Muslim in the United States end up leaving the faith. (I wonder what it is worldwide). I put no blame on these people whatsoever, and find this study a cause for self-reflection on the effectiveness of our institutions generally, and our mosques specifically. Are there truly any great mosques out there? And if so, what are doing to support and increase them?
    Episode Notes
    Pew Report: http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/26/the-share-of-americans-who-leave-islam-is-offset-by-those-who-become-muslim/
    Quran mentioned
    72:18 – Mosques are for God alone
    Hadith mentioned
    Story of the Man of urinated in the Prophet's Mosque: Sahih Bukhari
    Hadith about lying about the Prophet (God bless him and give him peace) on purpose: Sahih Bukhari
    Hadith about the whole earth being a prayer place: Sahih Bukhari & Muslim
    Story of the Christians of Yemen praying in the Mosque of the Prophet (God bless him and give him peace) during their stay in Madina: The Seera of Ibn Hisham, the section of the Christians of Najran visiting Madina.
  • Ep 4 — Relying on our own actions, or Relying on God?Show notes ▼
    Do we rely on our own actions, or do we rely on God? What is the difference between the two? Have you ever found yourself feeling, “what's the point of it all, God doesn't hear my prayers?” This episode explores some of these questions and reminds us that our trust should never be just on our own actions.
    Show Notes
    Ibn 'Aṭā'Allah (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Ata_Allah
    The Aphorisms (Ḥikam) by Ibn 'Aṭā'Allah (http://themathesontrust.org/library/al-hikam-aphorisms
    Verses mentioned
    2:282
    22:11
    Hadith mentioned
    "Taqwa is here…" Sahih Muslim
    "No one will enter Paradise with their action…even me except that Allah will cover me with His Mercy." Sahih Bukhari
    "Strange is the affair of the believer because it is always good" Sahih Muslim
  • Ep 3 — Removing Harm
  • Ep 2 — Three Rules To Understand Islam
  • Ep 1 — What If The Prophet Came Right Now?

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