FEATURED

Safety Precautions for Al-Maqasid Community Following the 2024 Presidential Elections

Assalam 'Alaykum wa Rahmahtullah, 

 As citizens across the U.S. head to the polls, security concerns have prompted heightened safety measures. A recent Reuters headline captures the current climate: "US states worried about election unrest take security precautions," with officials preparing for what they anticipate could be a turbulent post-election period. National Guard units are actively stationed in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Washington state, while other states, including Washington DC, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, have troops on standby to address potential unrest.

In light of these precautions, we encourage Al-Maqasid students and community members to adopt the following safety measures this week:

1. Limit Walking or Biking to Campus: For your safety, we advise against walking or biking to Al-Maqasid. If travel by foot or bike is absolutely necessary, please ensure you are accompanied by a group.

2. Parking and Campus Navigation: For those using the Stone Barn parking area, please remain extra vigilant, particularly in the evenings. Aim to walk with others to and from your vehicles, as group travel provides greater safety.

3. Maintain Situational Awareness: Be especially attentive to your surroundings at all times, particularly in transitional areas such as gas stations, parking lots, driveways, and shopping areas. Staying aware in these spaces can reduce the risk of encountering unsafe situations. 

4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you notice any unusual or suspicious behavior, do not hesitate to inform the authorities immediately. Your vigilance contributes to the safety of our entire community.

Should you have any questions or specific concerns, please notify a staff member or reach out to our security team at security@almaqasid.org.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

A Weekly Ladies-Only Gathering for the Recitation of Qasida al-Burda.

Qasida al-Burda, composed by Imam al-Busiri, is a poem in praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which has gained acceptance throughout the Muslim world.

As always, children are welcome. Here are a few gentle reminders:
- Children must remain with their parents and stay inside the barn at all times.
- Girls aged 8 and older are encouraged to participate in the gathering.
- We kindly request no boys over the age of 8.

WHEN: Fridays at 4:00pm
WHERE: Al-Maqasid | Greenbarn

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

The Blessed Names of the Prophet ﷺ

Lesson (1) Introduction: What Is in a Name?

The many blessed names of the Prophet ﷺ point to his exalted rank and nobility ﷺ. In these sessions, we will study Shaykh Idris Watts’s translation titled, the Heavenly Guide to the Beacon of Pure Light, which is a commentary on the blessed names of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Imam al-Jazūlī’s Dalā’il al-Khayrāt.

Al-Shama'il Al-Muhammadiyya
(Muhammadan Characteristics)

Lesson (1) Introduction to the Shamā’il (Prophetic Characteristics)

Studying the prophetic characteristics increase us in knowledge and thus love of the Best of Creation صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم. In these lessons we will cover the blessed work of Imam al-Tirmidhi titled, Al-Shamā’il Al-Muḥammadiyya (Muhammadan Characterstics).

The Key to Unlocking Paradise - Amjad Tarsin

Allah says in the Quran, 'Let them pardon and overlook. Would you not love for Allah to forgive you?' (Sura An-Nur, 24:22). In this verse, Allah calls us to a profound level of forgiveness, urging us to rise above grievances and let go of resentments. By pardoning others, we embody an aspect of divine mercy and compassion, reflecting our hope that Allah will extend the same forgiveness to us.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reinforced this principle of mercy and compassion in his teachings, saying, 'Show mercy to those on earth, and the One above the heavens will show mercy to you' (Sunan At-Tirmidhi). When we show kindness, forgiveness, and understanding to others, we are ultimately drawing closer to Allah’s mercy. It teaches us that our interactions on earth echo in the heavens, with every act of mercy we extend resonating as a prayer for Allah’s grace upon us.

يَا عَالِمَ السِّرِّ مِنَّا

لَا تَهْتِكِ السِّتْرَ عَنَّا

O Knower of our inner-states,

do not expose us

وَعَافِنَا وَاعْفُ عَنَّا

وَكُنْ لَنَا حَيْثُ كُنَّا

Grant us ease and pardon us

and be with us wherever we are

Allah, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, sent us a Prophet whose love and concern for humanity surpasses our imagination. As Allah says in the Qur'an:

لَقَدْ جَآءَكُمْ رَسُولٌۭ مِّنْ أَنفُسِكُمْ عَزِيزٌ عَلَيْهِ مَا عَنِتُّمْ حَرِيصٌ عَلَيْكُم بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

"There has certainly come to you a Messenger from among yourselves. He is concerned by your suffering, anxious for your well-being, and gracious and merciful to the believers." (Sura At-Tawbah, 9:128)

This verse encapsulates the deep compassion and care that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had for his Umma. His heart ﷺ was moved by the hardships and challenges faced by those around him, and his life was devoted to easing their pain, guiding them to salvation, and bringing them closer to their Creator.

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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.

Lessons from the Quran and the Prophets - Yahya Rhodus

Prophets are the chosen ones, the elect among Allah's creation, selected to bear the message of truth to humanity. Through them, we learn about the essential aspects of worship, morality, and guidance, each one a model for us to follow in our striving towards Allah. As the Quran tells us: "Allah knows best where He places His message." (Quran 6:124). These chosen individuals, from Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them all), carried the light of divine wisdom to humanity, helping us draw closer to our Creator.

The stories of the Prophets in Allah’s book are lessons filled with wisdom, guidance, and inspiration. Every prophet’s journey teaches us about patience, perseverance, and unwavering faith in the face of challenges. They show us the significance of relying on Allah in every aspect of our lives. By studying these stories, we are reminded that no matter the trials we face, we are never alone, for the mercy of the Prophet and the wisdom of Allah’s revelations are with us.

We should aspire to learn from these sacred narratives, as they provide us with the keys to understanding our purpose in life and our ultimate goal: drawing closer to Allah.

A Light for Every Heart - Auzair Khilwati

كأنك قد خلقت كما تشاء

“It is as if You were created as You willed.”

The Prophet’s being was shaped according to the will of Allah, in a manner that surpassed all expectations of beauty, grace, and light. His character, his face, and his heart—each aspect of him was created in the best possible way, for he is the final messenger, the one who embodies the light of guidance for humanity.

He ﷺ was not merely a man; he was the epitome of divine beauty and mercy, created with such perfection that his presence illuminated the world. The Quran itself speaks of the Prophet’s excellence:
"And indeed, you are of a great moral character." (Quran, 68:4)

Searching for Love - Mustafa Magno

Loving the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ isn't only an emotion but an anchor that illuminates the soul and guides one toward a higher purpose. Allah says in the Quran, "Say, [O Muhammad], 'If you love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.'" (Quran 3:31). This verse beautifully establishes that love for the Prophet ﷺ is a pathway to divine love and forgiveness.

Loving the Prophet ﷺ is a key to accessing this divine light. His ﷺ teachings, character, and example help us understand true compassion, humility, and resilience. The Prophet said, "None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his child, and all of mankind" (Bukhari and Muslim). This love invites us to reflect his ﷺ qualities in our own lives.

JUMU’A KHUTBA

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

Call Upon Allah Continually - Amjad Tarsin

“We should learn the various etiquettes of dua, but we should also recognize that Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, has made calling upon Him easy.”

 Part of having taqwa (mindfulness) of Allah is recognizing that Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala, is our sustainer, protector, and His decree and power is Supreme. 

In this khutba, Amjad Tarsin discusses several verses in the Quran and the well-known Hadith Qudsi where Allah commands us to go to Him for everything and explains why we should do so: 

“My servants, I have made oppression unlawful for myself and I have made it unlawful among you, so do not oppress one another. My servants, you are all straying except those whom I guide, but if you ask for my guidance I will guide you. My servants, you are all hungry except those whom I feed, but if you ask me for food I will feed you. My servants…”

Elementary Shafi’i Fiqh

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.

Lectures: Essentials of Islamic Literacy 

Farḍ ‘Ayn and Farḍ Kifāya - Auzair Khilwati

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.

Tasawwuf

Introduction to the Purification of the Heart

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.

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.

The Seminary Rawha takes place Monday and Wednesday evenings

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.

AL-MAQASID LIVE GATHERINGS

LOCAL PRAYER TIMES

STAY CONNECTED

WEBSITE

Find detailed information about Al-Maqasid programs and events. 

WEEKLY DIGEST

Al-Maqasid weekly newsletter with updates and highlights from the week. 

AL-MAQASID CAMPUS

Al-Maqasid Campus page with local prayer times, parking & directions, etc.

AL-MAQASID TELEGRAM

Regular Al-Maqasid program and content updates.

SOCIAL MEDIA