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As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,

We are excited to announce that Al-Maqasid is now on TikTok - InshAllah, you’ll find engaging and inspiring content that we hope will bring benefit.

TikTok

Telegram is our main platform for regular updates about all our programs, classes, gatherings, and events. Be sure to join our Telegram group to stay connected with us!

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

join us THIS WEEKEND

We are excited to announce our upcoming Weekend Retreat, which will be held on October 18-20 titled: On Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, a study of Book 19 of Imam al-Ghazali’s masterpiece Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din (Revival of the Religious Sciences).

According to Imam Al-Ghazali, enjoining good and forbidding evil is an obligation and crucial to fulfilling the mission of the prophets sent by Allah Ta’ala. If knowledge of it were discarded and its practice neglected, prophethood would be unnecessary, religion would disappear, weakness would reign, and ignorance would prevail. Its centrality to the deen is evident in the Quran, Hadith, statements of the pious predecessors, and in the general consensus of the Umma. For example, Allah Ta’ala tells us:

Let there be a group among you who call ‘others’ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful.
[3:104]

The believers, both men and women, are guardians of one another: They encourage good and forbid evil…[9:71]

You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in God…[3:110]

In Imam al-Ghazali’s On Enjoining Good and Forbidding Evil, he discusses its four pillars, objectional matters in familiar daily activities (such as visiting mosques and marketplaces), the obligation to call to Allah, and how to advise a ruler.

We welcome you to join us in exploring this often neglected and misapplied obligation in what we pray will be a weekend filled with abundant blessings as we acquire knowledge and spend time in devotion together.

register today

NO CLASSES - Sunday 10/20

As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,

Please know that all Sunday evening classes will be postponed until next week due to the Weekend Retreat Insha Allah.

Additionally, in order to encourage community participation in the upcoming Weekend Retreat, there will be no Shafi’i and Hanafi Fiqh classes on Monday 10/21.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

مَحْبُوبِي بِالوِصَالْ أَنْعَمْ عَلَيَّ

My Beloved has Blessed Me with Union

Written by Al-Ḥabib Zayn Bin Ibrāhīm Bin Sumayṭ

Click here for the lyrics

click here to watch

Stay connected with us on social media!

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.

Bringing the Heart to Life - Yahya Rhodus

"Human beings simply cannot live without hope."

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ foretold all the trials and tribulations that we are experiencing, just as he also foretold the good that is to come after these difficult times. His words serve as a reminder that, no matter how challenging life becomes, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. By remaining steadfast and optimistic, we not only embody the strength of our faith but also prepare ourselves for the relief and reward that Allah has promised to the believers.

Sincerity of the Heart - Amjad Tarsin

وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ قَوْلًۭا مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ

And whose words are better than someone who calls ˹others˺ to Allah, does good, and says, “I am truly one of those who submit.”? (Quran 41:33)

The one who invites others to Allah not only speaks with wisdom and sincerity but leads by example, showing through their actions the beauty of submission to the Creator. Our deeds, honesty, and how we treat those around us become a testimony to our faith. When we embody the principles of Islam—kindness, fairness, and humility—our actions speak louder than words, bearing witness to our identity as Muslims. In the way we serve our neighbors, fulfill our responsibilities, and uphold justice, we demonstrate that Islam is not just a label but a lived experience, a path that nurtures both our hearts and the hearts of those around us.

Holding Ourselves Accountable - Imam Rasul Suluki

Imam Suluki offers valuable marriage advice, emphasizing the significance of self-accountability. He teaches that true growth in any relationship begins when we stop blaming others—whether it's our spouse, children, or job—for our difficulties. Instead, we need to look inward and admit, "I am the problem." This mindset of personal responsibility allows us to turn to Allah for guidance, and with that, Allah opens a path of clarity and resolution.

As Allah reminds us in the Quran:
"Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves."
(Surah Ar-Ra'd, 13:11)

By acknowledging our own shortcomings and striving to improve, we invite Allah’s mercy and help into our lives, especially in our marriages and personal relationships.

Stepping Stones & Stumbling Blocks - Mujahid Abdus Salam

The experiences we encounter in life inevitably leave their mark on us—shaping us in ways we may not always recognize. These experiences can either serve as stepping stones that elevate us or as stumbling blocks that hinder our progress.

In the example of our beloved Prophet ﷺ, we see a heart free from bitterness despite the many trials and challenges he faced. He ﷺ always embodied grace, patience, and gratitude.

We must be grateful to Allah for whatever condition we find ourselves in. Especially when He grants us the honor of being present in blessed gatherings where His Name is remembered and guidance is sought. These are not just moments of respite but opportunities to transform our lives into stepping stones towards something greater.

May we strive to make our experiences, no matter how difficult, paths of growth and improvement, and not allow them to become obstacles on our journey towards Allah.

JUMU’A KHUTBA

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

Two Blessed Traits of the Believer - Yahya Rhodus

“The mark of the people of Allah is this remarkable internal stillness despite the most difficult of circumstances outwardly.”

There are two blessed traits that every believer should seek to acquire: sakina (tranquility) and waqar (dignity).

Citing examples from the Quran and Hadith, Yahya Rhodus defines sakina and waqar, explains their importance and how these traits benefit the believer, and provides advice on how to acquire them.

Yahya also discusses the benefits of setting aside even as little as five minutes a day for a period of solitude with Allah, subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Lectures

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.

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.