Advertise on podcast: Al-Maqasid Khutbas

“Seek companions with certain qualities according to what [you] want to get out of the relationship.” Citing the Quran, Hadith, and statements of the pious, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch explains the three reasons that cause one to sin and their cure. Included in the discussion is the importance of making sincere dua (supplications) and how to do so, as well as the necessity of good companionship.

“We have windows that open up in our lives, doors that open up, and you have to go through them—because sometimes those doors might not ever open up again.” In Chapter 10 of Riyad al-Salihin (Gardens of the Righteous), Imam Nawawi discusses the virtues of hastening to good deeds and being steadfast in doing so. In this khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus focuses on a well-known Hadith mentioned in this chapter which encourages one to hasten to good deeds before trials and tribulations come like successive darknesses.

“The beauty of Islam and the beauty of the revelation that we have and the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, is that…we are always able to understand objectively what is good in the sight of Allah ﷻ and what is disliked and forbidden in the sight of Allah ﷻ.” The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ warned us that at the end of time there will be an inversion and reversal of realities. We now live in a society defined by desire, where modesty (haya) is seen as something strange. In this khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses the virtue of modesty, especially with protecting one’s eyes so that one can experience the greatest pleasure of Paradise.

“Shaytan is calculating. He will take a route of 1000 miles only to get you into a hole which is 3 feet away from you.” In this extremely instructive khutba based on numerous verses in the Quran and Hadith, Shaykh Alaudeen Us’Sutteri discusses how Muslims should deal with (1) Allah and (2) Creation – specifically self, shaytan, parents, spouses, children, Muslims, non-Muslims, and animals.

“The way that we look at the world is the way that the world looks at us.” In a Hadith Qudsi (where the meaning is from Allah, but the phrasing is from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), Allah the Exalted says, “I am in the opinion of My servant.” In this uplifting Khutba based on numerous hadith and stories of the righteous, Ustadh Hasan Petrus explains why it is paramount—and indeed one of the secrets of life— to have a good opinion of Allah in both times of ease and in times of difficulties. He also defines what it means to have a good opinion and a bad opinion of Allah, mentions a forgotten Sunna related to having a good opinion, and recites beautiful lines of poetry exalting the merits of having a good opinion.

“[Adab] is the gathering point; it is that one reality within the human being, that one dimension that includes all aspects of good.” Adab is an Arabic word that contains such a richness of meaning that makes it difficult to translate. Words such as etiquette, good manners, and comportment are often used in an attempt to convey its meaning, though they still fall short in capturing its full depth. One of the righteous said that the crisis of our time is a lack of adab. In this extremely important Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the three degrees of adab, the three types of adab, and the three things needed to be a person of adab. Shaykh Yahya also explains how a lack of adab will lead to a watered-down version of Islam, which is especially dangerous in these times as we come closer to the emergence of the Dajjal (the False Messiah).

“O My servants, I have forbidden wrongdoing for Myself and I have made it forbidden for you. Therefore, do not wrong one another. O My servants, all of you are lost except for those whom I have guided. Therefore, seek guidance from Me and I will guide you…” In his compilation of Forty Hadith, Imam Nawawi chose the most important and central hadith that comprehensively provide an understanding of the essential aspects of the religion. In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses Hadith #24, a Hadith Qudsi, where the meaning is from Allah the Exalted, but the phrasing is from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Ustadh Amjad first notes that in this Hadith Qudsi, Allah the Exalted refers to us as “O My servants” (يَا عِبَادِي or ya ‘ibadi), which is an attribution of honor. Allah then proceeds to inform us of His Power, Will, Majesty, and Perfection so that we witness Him in everything created and demonstrate our gratitude towards Him.

“One of the things that the end of Ramadan teaches us is … about the nature of death itself.” On this last Jumua in Ramadan, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin asks us to reflect upon how Ramadan has brought us nearer to Allah the Exalted so that we continue to seek His good pleasure and nearness after the month ends. Ustadh Amjad also tells of the allegory of the generous king and the final request made by the individual who stayed behind.

“The eternal Home in the Hereafter We reserve only for those who seek neither tyranny nor corruption on the earth.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus relates the story of Qarun—who was from the people of Prophet Musa, peace be upon him, but a close associate of the Pharaoh—as a reminder of the proper attitude towards receiving Divine gifts in this life (see Sura al-Qasas, 28:76-83). He uses this Quranic account to explain the importance of seeking the Hereafter and how to use blessings in ways that increase us in nearness to Allah. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2:10pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect

“If you don’t cry, force yourself to cry.” The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Seven [categories of people] will be shaded by Allah in His shade on the Day of Resurrection when there will be no shade except His shade.” In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus discusses the seven categories of people who will be shaded and explains how each of us has an opportunity to fall within at least one of those categories. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2:10pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect

“This is the way we should be navigating our path to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala – being careful of every step we take.” As we near the end of the first ten days of this most sacred month of Ramadan, Shaykh Alaudeen Us’Sutteri reminds us of the purpose of fasting and its many potential benefits to encourage us to make the most out of the time that is left. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2:10pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect

“The easiest part of Ramadan is leaving food and drink.” Ramadan is known as ‘Ramadan al-Karim’ or ‘The Generous Ramadan’ because of the numerous blessings it offers to believers. In this Khutba, Ustadh Hasan Petrus discusses several ways in which Ramadan is a unique opportunity to improve one’s character and gain the pleasure of Allah the Exalted. He also reads the Khutba that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered on the last day of Shaban extolling the many blessings of this most sacred month. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 1:15pm-2:10pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect