FEATURED

Alhamdulillah, we were deeply honored to host Ustadha Badriyya Tahhan at Al-Maqasid this past weekend. Her presence was a true blessing, enriching our hearts and minds through meaningful gatherings that highlighted Allah’s mercy and the timeless beauty of our tradition.

On Friday, the sisters gathered for the recitation of the Burda, followed by uplifting words of wisdom from Ustadha Badriyya. The following day, we came together for the Hadhra Ihda ‘Ishriya of Sayyida Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, reflecting on her extraordinary life and legacy. Ustadha Badriyya’s heartfelt lecture deepened our appreciation of Sayyida Khadijah’s example, and the evening concluded with a shared meal that further strengthened the bonds of sisterhood within our community.

We ask Allah to reward Ustadha Badriyya abundantly for her knowledge, sincerity, and tireless efforts in imparting these valuable lessons. May Allah continue to bless us with gatherings of remembrance and benefit, and may they draw us closer to Him and to one another in love, unity, and faith.

Ustadha Badriyya Tahhan was born in the blessed land of Syria, she began her early studies in her native city of Damascus. In pursuit of knowledge, she has studied in various Middle Eastern countries with many luminaries, including Shaykh Ahmed Sirajuddin, son of the late gnostic Shaykh Abdallah Sirajuddin Al Hussayni (rahimullah).

Ustadha teaches Fiqh, Aqeedah, and Seerah, as well as poems in praise of the beloved Prophet ﷺ.

She has had the opportunity to teach at the annual Dowra in Tarim (Yemen), under the auspicious guidance of al-Habib Umar bin Hafiz.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

“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.” [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 Ascent). On this night, the Prophet’s heart ﷺ was washed and he traveled to Jerusalem where he led all the Prophets and Messengers in prayer. He then ascended the seven heavens, arrived at the Furthest Lote Tree, and was entered into the Divine Presence where Allah the Exalted honored him and granted his Umma the five daily prayers.

Please join us on Saturday, January 25th for our Annual Isra' & Mi'raj commemoration as we delve deeper into this most blessed event.

WHEN: Saturday 1/25/25
TIME: 5:00 PM-9:00 PM
WHERE: Al-Maqasid

Registration Required

register today

We are delighted to announce that the Al-Maqasid Annual Benefit Dinner will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2025.

This special evening will be an opportunity to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved together, be inspired by heartfelt talks, and enjoy uplifting performances.

Please save the date! Registration details will be shared shortly InshAllah.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

“Each and every one of us should be a shining light that is lit from the lamp of Muhammad ﷺ.”

Indeed, there has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book." (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:15) The Prophet ﷺ was sent as a mercy to the worlds, embodying the highest virtues and guiding humanity to the path of eternal success. His character was described as the Qur'an itself in action, a source of inspiration for every believer.

In a Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ likened the believers to lamps, saying, “The parable of the believer is that of a lamp; its light never fades away.” (Ahmad)

May we reflect the radiance of his example and remain connected to the eternal lamp that is Muhammad ﷺ.

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LOVING THE BELOVED ﷺ

This weekly Majlis includes a recitation of the prophetic biography in poetry form followed by a counsel intended to connect the listener to the Prophet ﷺ and his teachings. The more we know about his life, character, and way, the more we will come to love and follow the one beloved to Allah.

The Enduring Legacy of Islamic Knowledge: Illuminating Hearts Across Generations - Yahya Rhodus

Reflecting on the enduring light of prophetic knowledge, this talk underscores the importance of preserving and transmitting Islamic teachings through generations. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets” (Tirmidhi), and through their tireless dedication, the deen continues to thrive across lands and ages.

This account of a vibrant scholarly tradition, exemplified by individuals who serve their communities with humility and unwavering effort, highlights the profound impact of sincere devotion to Allah. It reminds us of the Quranic verse: “But as for that which benefits the people, it remains on the earth” (Quran 13:17).

May we be inspired to contribute to this legacy, strengthening our connection to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ, and striving to serve our communities with the same sincerity and steadfastness.

The Journey of the Heart - Amjad Tarsin

Turning to Allah with humility and recognizing our neediness is a key aspect of sincere worship. The Quran states, “Call upon your Lord humbly and privately” (Quran 7:55), encouraging heartfelt supplication. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized this sincerity, saying, “The best of supplication is the supplication on the Day of Arafah” (Tirmidhi).

As the sacred months of Sha’ban and Ramadan approach, they remind us of life’s transience and the importance of preparing our hearts. Softening the heart through repentance and reflection allows for profound transformation, making us ready to embrace the blessings of Ramadan. May Allah grant sincere repentance, soften our hearts, and allow us to benefit fully from these sacred months.

Cultivating Good Opinion: Trusting in Allah’s Mercy and Wisdom - Hasan Petrus

The quality of having a good opinion—of Allah, His Messenger ﷺ, and humanity—is a vital aspect of faith. Quranic teachings and prophetic sayings emphasize حسن الظن (good opinion) as a source of strength and hope.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “I am as My servant thinks of Me” (Sahih Bukhari), reminding believers of the power of trusting in Allah’s mercy, wisdom, and promises. This trust provides certainty amidst life’s uncertainties, allowing us to remain grounded and resilient.

Embracing حسن الظن (good opinion) not only strengthens faith but also nurtures kindness and compassion, inspiring a more positive and understanding approach to the world.

JUMU’A KHUTBA

The weekly Jumu'a, or Friday, Congregational prayer is live streamed from Al-Maqasid from 12:15pm-1:10pm.

Seeking Divine Mercy - Yahya Rhodus

“Ultimately, everything that we do - all of our knowledge that we are supposed to acquire, all of the actions that we do, our worship, our dealings with other people, all different categories of good deeds - essentially what we are doing through all of that is exposing ourselves to the Divine Mercy.”

In this khutba, Yayha Rhodus touches upon several aspects of Divine Mercy, including the difference between universal and specific mercy, why we don’t deserve Allah’s mercy, why it is a blessing that we only enter Paradise through His Mercy, subhanahu wa ta’ala, and who receives Allah’s Mercy as mentioned in Sura al-Araf (7:156-57).

Seminary Rawha

Linguistically related to the spirit (ruh), the Rawha is a class centered around Islamic spirituality. It explores the text-based tradition that outlines the spiritual path and aims to inspire seekers to both embark upon it and attain its realities.

Lectures:
Essential Topics in Religious Literacy

Al-Maqasid's weekly lecture series will cover topics that are essential to every Muslim's religious literacy. We welcome you to join us as our faculty members offer engaging lectures on crucial topics such as the way sacred knowledge was preserved, the importance of infusing spirituality into environments of learning, and what a principled engagement would look like in our context today. Each lecture will be approximately 45 minutes long, allowing ample time for questions and discussion.

Introduction to the Purification of the Heart (Tasawwuf)

Weekly class discussing the obligations and prohibitions that relate to the heart. This class covers all that is obligatory to know regarding purification of the heart through a deep look at the relevant Quranic verses and Prophetic narrations.

Elementary Shafi’i Fiqh:
A Study of The Ladder of Success

Weekly Shafi’i Fiqh class studying the book Sullam Al-Tawfiq (translated by Shaykh Musa Furber as The Ladder to Success) written by the great scholar and caller to Allah, Al-Habib Abdullah bin Hussayn bin Tahir. Instruction will be in English.

Rawha

The Rawha takes place every Tuesday at 7:00pm EST. During the Rawha, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus will be covering the Hikam (Aphorisms) of Imam Ibn 'Ata'illah al-Iskandari.