The 5 Foundational Hadith: (3) "The Lawful is Clear and the Forbidden is Clear..."
In this next Khutba, continuing with the five foundational hadith upon which Islam is built, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the well-known hadith narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim which states, "That which is lawful is clear and that which is forbidden is clear, and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which many people do not know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters [eventually] falls into that which is unlawful...Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it is sound, the entire body is sound; but, if it is corrupt, the entire body is corrupt. Truly, it is the heart."
Among other things, Ustadh Amjad explains the concept of wara’ or scrupulousness, in part by recounting the story of Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him, who exemplified this virtue at a young age.
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The 5 Foundational Hadith: (2) "It is from the Excellence of a Person's Islam..."
Ustadh Amjad Tarsin continues his Khutba series on the five foundational hadith, which scholars have indicated that all other hadith stem from their meaning.
In this Khutba, he discusses the hadith, "It is from the excellence of a person's Islam is that he leaves that which does not concern him," and how to implement it in one’s life.
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The 5 Foundational Hadith: (1) Actions are According to Intentions
In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin begins the first Khutba on the five foundational hadith which scholars have indicated that all other meanings stem from.
He begins with the well-known hadith, "Actions are judged according to intentions..." and he describes the intentions of various categories of people, including the generality, the ignorant, the hypocrites, the scholars, the people of the spiritual path, and the people of reality.
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Dimensions of Intentions
In this introductory khutba, Sh. Yahya Rhodus begins his series on the well-known and foundational Hadith on intentions, “Actions are by intentions. And every man will have that which he intended...” [Bukhari & Muslim]
He discusses the merits of having righteous intentions and mentions the various dimensions of intention that will be discussed over the next several khutbas, insha Allah.
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The True Life
Allah the Exalted tells us the Quran: O you who believe, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. [Surah al-Anfal, 8:24]
With this and several other verses in the Qur’an and statements of the Prophet, blessings and peace be upon him (hadith), Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains what it means to be truly living and the reality to which we have been invited.
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The Messenger ﷺ and the Message
Allah the Exalted tells us in the Qur’an, “Surely those who swear allegiance to you [Prophet Muhammad] do but swear allegiance to Allah...” [Quran 48:10]
In this powerful Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the exalted station of our beloved Messenger ﷺ, and how following him opens the greatest doors to Allah the Exalted.
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The Fruits of Certainty
Allah the Exalted tells us multiple times in the Qur’an that no one can escape death. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the importance of preparing for death’s consequences by striving for the higher levels of certainty so that, at the moment of death, one’s faith is absolutely firm and one longs to meet his Lord. To test the strength of one’s certainty, he provides five signs to look for in oneself.
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Strengthening Certitude
Iman, faith, is the greatest of all gifts, and Allah the Exalted only gives faith to those whom He loves. It is incumbent upon us to preserve this great blessing and to strengthen it. Strengthening one’s iman leads to a related concept of certitude (yaqīn), which has various degrees.
In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the three main levels of certainty and provides four ways to increase one’s certainty with the ultimate goal of drawing nearer and nearer to Allah the Exalted.
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Success is in Following The Messenger ﷺ
In this relevant and extremely beneficial Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses what we should do in this time when there are so many inversions in morality, knowledge, and the natural ways Allah the Exalted has taught us to be.
He bases his discussion on the Hadith of Jibril, peace be upon him, and verses from the Qur’an (4:64-65 & 49:1-2) and gives three practical steps that can help us to protect ourselves and our families.
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The True Eid & Realities of Dhikr
When Eid al-Adha falls on Jumu’a, there are two Eids to celebrate, cumulating in an especially auspicious occasion. On this blessed day, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin reflects on several verses in the Quran that mention the Hajj and the remembrance and glorification of Allah.
He explains how these verses help to prepare us for what Imam al-Haddad describes as the long journey to the Hereafter. Through remembrance of Allah our hearts come to life, which is the true Eid.
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Reflections on the Farewell Sermon
In his Farewell Sermon on Mount Arafat given on the ninth of Dhul-Hijja, shortly before his return to Allah the Exalted, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that a white person has no superiority over a black person, nor a black person over a white, except by his or her degree of taqwa (piety).
In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad reflects upon these words and other counsel given that day over 1400 years ago. He also reminds us to take advantage of the doors of good that Allah the Exalted has opened up in these first ten days of Dhul-Hijja before they pass.
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Certitude is the Foundation
Certitude (yaqīn) is perhaps the most important element for progress on the spiritual path. Weaving together verses of the Qur’an, relevant hadith, and reflections of the pious, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains what is meant by certitude in the Islamic context, how it is the foundation of all Islamic teachings, and why people of certitude are necessary, especially in these times.
In Part II of this series, he will discuss how to protect and strengthen one’s certitude in order to witness the reality of the unseen and to ignite the 'light of fitra' in others so that they too may taste the sweetness of faith.
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Alleviating Anxiety and Grief
In this Jumua Khutba, Sh. Yahya Rhodus comments on a Prophetic supplication to alleviate anxiety and grief.
In addition to focusing on the profound meanings within the Prophet's words ﷺ, Sh. Yahya also comments on the relationship between the duʿa and the connection we should have with Quran.
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Being True to the Covenant
Allah the Exalted said, "Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge [with their lives], others are waiting [their turn]. They have never changed [their commitment] in the least." [Quran 33:23]
In this Jumua Khutba, Sh. Yahya Rhodus focuses on the importance of being true with our covenant with Allah the Exalted. He reflects on the stories of righteous scholars and their unwavering commitment to Allah, seeking inspiration from their noble examples.
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Ayat Al-Kursi & the Believer
This Khutba, delivered by Sh. Yahya Rhodus at Al-Maqasid, focuses on the believer's relationship with Ayat al-Kursi, the Verse of the Throne.
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Rajab & Repentance
As the sacred month of Rajab approaches, a believer uses this time to prepare for the month of Ramadan. This Khutba focuses on taking advantage of the month of Rajab through turning back to Allah ﷻ through repentance. It also discusses the benefits of seeking Allah's forgiveness in this life and the next.
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Love as the Utmost Goal
This Khutba focuses on the centrality of love in Islam. Allah the Exalted said, “There are some who take others as Allah’s equal—they love them as they should love Allah—but the believers have even more intense love for Allah” [Quran 2:165]. If we were to taste one atom's weight of Allah's love, all of the world's pleasures combined would pale in comparison.
The Khutba also touches upon the Way of the Messenger ﷺ as the path to Allah's love, and that our attachment to and love of the Prophet ﷺ is part of our love of Allah.
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Wisdom for All Times
Part of Allah's blessing for this Ummah is that He has granted, as Allah's Messenger ﷺ has informed us, renewers of this religion in each century. To this point, Imam al-Haddad stated, "Allah inspires the people of knowledge in every time with what the people of that time need."
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5 Principles for True Success
This Jumuʿa Khutba focuses on how each member of the Ummah has a responsibility to be of benefit to others, and how the greatest benefit is the blessing of guidance.
But how do we do that? Five principles taken from the Quran are listed to help us begin fulfilling this responsibility with sincerity and effectiveness.
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The 10 Benefits of Hunger
In this Khutba, Sh. Yahya Rhodus focuses on one of the five most important devotions for spiritual development: cutting back on food. In today's world, where desires are celebrated and obeyed, we need to be reminded of this profound act of devotion. Sh. Yahya also lists the ten benefits of hunger, as mentioned by Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah have mercy on him).
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