Al-Maqasid Khutbas

“There's no enemy worse than ignorance.” In this immensely beneficial and comprehensive khutba, Sh. Hasan Petrus explains the place of true knowledge in Islam and why its virtues and merits are accessible to everyone of us. Among other things, Sh. Hasan mentions the two types of ignorance, the importance of asking meaningful questions, and the three branches of knowledge. He mentions two stories of Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, that illustrate dedication to pursuing sacred knowledge and its virtue. This khutba is especially relevant for these paradoxical times that are known as the “Age of Information” but are, in reality, bereft of true knowledge.

“Allah loves those who are persistent in their supplication.” In this khutba, Shaykh Amjad Tarsin discusses the virtue and importance of turning to Allah the Exalted for everything, and the three possible outcomes for any given supplication. Shaykh Amjad also recounts an interaction between Salim bin Abdullah bin ‘Umar (the grandson of the second rightly guided caliph, Sayyiduna ‘Umar bin al-Khattab) and Hisham bin Abdul-Malik, the tenth Umayyad caliph.

“Nun. By the pen and that which it writes.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus looks at the first 16 verses of Sura al-Qalam [Quran, 68:1-16], especially those referring to Walid ibn al-Mughira, one of the Qurash who strongly opposed the Prophet ﷺ. These verses include several blameworthy traits all believers should avoid and in addition, indicate that our only concern should be to please Allah the Exalted.

‘Guidance was born and as a result the universe became illuminated with every beautiful quality And the mouth of time was all smiles and praise.' In this Khutba, Ustadh Tariq Samady quotes beautiful statements made about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ by knowers of Allah, the righteous, poets, and even the Prophet ﷺ himself. Ustadh Tariq ends with a recent poem by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf titled ‘Be Like Ahmad.'

“The way to [Allah's love] is in following and loving the Messenger ﷺ.” The foundational virtue in Islam is love. All other virtues either help us to arrive at the station of love or are the fruits of love. In this Khutba, Shaykh Amjad Tarsin explains the three main reasons why people fall in love and how the perfection of all these reasons is found in the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He provides three practical and easy ways to strengthen one's love of the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said in a well-known Hadith Qudsi in Bukhari: “Verily Allah the Exalted has said: ‘Whosoever shows enmity to a wali of Mine, then I have declared war against him. And My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more loved to Me than the religious duties I have obligated upon him. And My servant continues to draw near to me with supererogatory deeds until I love him. “When I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, and his sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him; and were he to seek refuge with Me, I would surely grant him refuge.'” In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains this Hadith Qudsi line-by-line, stressing the status of those considered beloved to Allah the Exalted (wali) and exploring the path that leads to Allah's love.

“We really need to dedicate time and thought and effort into deepening the bonds of love.” The turning point for the Umma was the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ Hijra (622 CE), when the Muslims migrated from Mecca to Madina. Upon arriving in Madina, the Prophet ﷺ first ordered the building of the masjid and then established bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirun (migrants) and the Ansar (helpers). Citing the Quran and Prophetic Hadith, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains the significance of strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, as well as the importance of loving each other for the sake of Allah the Exalted. He ends with three things that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told us to do to strengthen these bonds and to engender love for one another.

“What a blessing in our religion that it is haram to despair from the mercy of Allah.” Two qualities of the heart that believers should have are hope and fear. In this Khutba, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch defines and explains hope and fear in the Islamic context, citing the Quran and providing clarifying examples. He also explains when fear should be more dominant and when hope should be. Ustadh Yusuf concludes his reflection by mentioning the three types of people who worship Allah the Exalted and which type is the highest.

“All traits of good character are embedded in the reality of mercy.” Once something is identified as a Sunna it should be adopted. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ manifested mercy in its most perfect form. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains (1) why mercy is strength and (2) why mercy is the foundation of healing and growth. He then discusses what must be done to bring about mercy in this world and how to receive it.

“Every soul will taste death.” [Quran 3:185] Allah the Exalted uses three different words in the Quran to refer to a date stone—fatīl, naqīr, and qiṭmīr. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains the metaphor of the date stone as used in the Quran and what it teaches about preparing for our return to Allah. Shaykh Yahya also explains the spiritual benefit of shaking hands and greeting other Muslims with ‘as-salamu alaikum,' as well as why every Muslim has a special quality unique to them.

“The solution for this Umma has always been knowledge. And the greatest calamity that leads to all other problems is ignorance.” In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains why seeking knowledge is the place to begin whether addressing problems afflicting ourselves, our families, our society, or the Umma. Citing the Quran and Hadith, he also explains why the scholars are the true ‘Khulafa'.

“Beginnings are reflections of ends.” Ustadh Hasan Petrus begins this inspiring and instructive khutba discussing the wisdom behind ending the year on a sacred month and beginning the new year on a sacred month. He then discusses why the vast majority of New Year resolutions fail and suggests a lofty resolution for believers and how to achieve it, citing the Quran and Hadith and relating stories of the pious.

“All that matters is Allah's acceptance.” The Prophet's great-grandson ﷺ, Sayyidina Ali Zayn al-'Abidin (Adornment of Worshipers), once said to his servant, “Will you carry my sins on the Day of Resurrection?” In this reflection, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin relates this story and other stories of the pious showing that the secret to success is sincerity in one's intentions and actions, no matter how seemingly insignificant or inconsequential they may appear.

“All treasures lie in the time between Maghrib and Isha.” The inheritors of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ at any given time are tasked with articulating the realities of the deen and addressing the realities of that time. Here, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus passes on sixteen indispensable pieces of advice, divided among four categories, given to him by his teacher: (1) Four times to preserve; (2) Four traits to possess; (3) Four acts to do consistently; and (4) Four types of remembrances.

“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

“Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west…” Islam is a comprehensive way of life, and we are expected to embrace the religion in its totality with the ultimate goal of coming to know Allah the Exalted. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains how Allah the Exalted defines true piety in verse 177 of Sura al-Baqara. 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

“O Allah, through your knowledge of the unseen and your power over creation, give me life as long as you know that life is good for me…” Supplication is the essence of worship and an opportunity for an intimate conversation with your Lord. Supplication also teaches us what we need and how we should be. In this Khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus recites, translates, and explains a comprehensive Prophetic supplication ﷺ, of which it has been said: there is no angel who has been brought near, and no Prophet sent, and there is no righteous servant of Allah except that this dua is from the supplications that he used to recite. 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

“There is no [true] life after which there is death…and there is no true death after which there is eternal life.” According to a well-known hadith, Allah the Exalted does not look at our outward form but at our internal character and deeds. In this khutba, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch stresses that each person must carefully examine the state of his or her heart and provides four ways to discover one's faults. He also relates examples of where the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and later his great grandson Imam ‘Ali Zayn al'-Abidin displayed exemplary character. Ustadh Yusuf then ends with general remedies for the heart.

“If we really want the Quran to enter our hearts, we have to be connected to the heart that received the Quran.” After turning to Allah the Exalted in repentance and cleansing our hearts of sin in the sacred month of Rajab, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains how sending abundant blessings (salawat) on the Prophet ﷺ in Sha'ban prepares us for the most blessed month of Ramadan. He also mentions many of the benefits of sending salawat and the smallest amount to do to be considered abundant.

“If we spend our life following our desires, that's not your true self.” The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the Companions (and us all by extension) the importance of loving him ﷺ more than anything else—not for his own benefit ﷺ, but for the immense blessings it brings them. In this timely reflection as Shaban, the month of the Prophet ﷺ, approaches, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus mentions three seminal Hadith and two verses in the Qur'an to explain why the degree to which we love the Prophet ﷺ is the degree to which we can reach the loftiest levels of iman (faith), and to which our soul can become tranquil (al-nafs al-mutma'inna), such that one no longer finds any hardship or difficulty in acts of obedience.

“The people of the Quran are the people of Allah and His elect. His special choicest of people. They are the ones [whom] Allah (Glorious and Exalted) loves uniquely.” One of the righteous, when reciting the Quran, tasted honey out of his love, reverence, and yearning for it. It has been said that if you want to gauge your relationship with Allah the Exalted, look at your relationship with the Quran. In this Khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin relates inspiring stories of people of the Quran and tells us how we can become one of them.

“There are eight Gates to Paradise. All of them open at certain times and close at others—except for the Gate of Repentance.” Imam Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad, a great scholar and sufi during the time of the salaf (first three generations after the Prophet ﷺ) was once a feared and infamous highway robber. Upon hearing the recitation of verse 16 in Surah al-Hadid (57:16), he made a complete repentance.  In this khutba, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin relates the story of Imam Fudayl ibn ‘Iyad's remarkable transformation and discusses what it teaches us about hoping in Allah's Mercy and receiving the Divine Gaze.

“Allah has in His earth containers, hearts,…and the best of them are the purest, the firmest, and the most brittle.” We can either follow the footsteps of Prophet Adam, peace be upon him, and repent when we transgress against ourselves or others; or follow those of Shaytan, the accursed, the archetype of arrogance. In this reflection—which is especially relevant in this sacred month of Rajab, the month of repentance—Shaykh Yahya Rhodus quotes several verses from the Quran where Allah the Exalted warns about the dangers and consequences of pride and arrogance. He also mentions the value of making tawba (repenting) before reading the Quran, citing Surah al-Waqiah, 56:79.

“There's nothing wrong with asking, but where is the heart?” In the Quran, Allah the Exalted never commands us to outward means, but only to religious means. Ustadh Yusuf Weltch discusses four acts of worship where Allah the Exalted explicitly promises to help a believer in times of need. Ustadh Yusuf then ends with two specific prayers that should be done on a routine basis when seeking Allah's help. The weekly Jumua, or Friday, Congregational prayer is livestreamed from Al-Maqasid from 12:15pm-1:00pm. Connect with us online at https://www.almaqasid.org/connect

“The beginning of knowledge is silence.” Allah the Exalted praises those who listen attentively to the recitation of the Quran and warns those who have a cavalier attitude. In fact, he states that listening is the key to all effective communication.  In this informative Khutba, Ustadh Hasan Petrus explains the three degrees of listening, the components of active listening and its benefits, signs of not listening, and the five steps to gaining knowledge.

“O Allah, place light in my heart and light in my grave. Light in my hearing and light in my sight. Light in my hair and light in my skin. Light in my flesh and light in my blood…” Ustadh Amjad Tarsin recites and provides scholarly commentary on this powerful and comprehensive Prophetic Dua (supplication) seeking Allah the Exalted's Light that should be done consistently before Fajr. This practice is especially important in these times of confusion, loss of morality, and inversion of realities.

“The means is just an appearance and actually Allah [the Exalted] is doing everything behind the scenes.” In this reflection, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch discusses the statement of Tawhid, la ilaha illallah (there is no god but God), and its opposite, shirk (associating partners with Allah the Exalted). He mentions several types of shirk, some of which take someone out of Islam, and others which are haram (impermissible). He then focuses primarily on one type of shirk—believing the means are the actual cause of things—and its cure. This discussion is particularly pertinent today with the pandemic and other current tribulations.

“Do whatever you can for Allah (Glorious and Exalted), but recognize that you have to do something.” Every Muslim has the responsibility to tell the Truth as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and conveyed to us. We should share the Message of Islam with wisdom and beautiful reminders. Ustadh Amjad Tarsin provides a beautiful example of the Companions‘ willingness to sacrifice all for the truth with the story of the Prophet's cousin, Sayyidina Ja'far ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, when he recited verses in the Quran about Isa (Jesus), peace be upon him, to the Christian king of Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) [Quran 19:16-35].

Habib Ali al-Jifri identifies four ways to protect one's family and their faith from today's challenges. In this series, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin explains each of them, beginning with establishing the family on the love of Allah the Exalted and the awareness that He sees us at all times. He also provides numerous practical examples on how to implement these teachings immediately in one's family.

“[The heart] is the locus of the gaze of the Real.” In this both enlightening and practical khutba, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus gives a detailed discussion on Shaykh Ibrahim al-Khawas's advice on how to rectify and purify one's heart. Shaykh Ibrahim al-Khawas was among the elect of the righteous in the 3rd Islamic century and known for his complete trust (tawakkul) in Allah the Exalted.

“The things that are perceived at a sensory level, at a very superficial level, that's not all of reality.” Ustadh Amjad Tarsin shares a profound hadith, which the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described as “wondrous” (‘ajaban), that shows the benefits of performing righteous actions in this world which manifest and become a reality in the Unseen World.

“The story of the whole world is between two sajdas.” It has been asked among scholars: “What verse in the Qur'an inspires the most hope?” In this extremely uplifting khutba, Ustadh Hasan Petrus discusses four different answers to this question. He also relates a beautiful story encompassing three of the verses, which involves Washi ibn Harb, the Companion who killed Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with them, before he (Washi) accepted Islam. Ustadh Hasan also discusses the Greatest Intercession based on a well-known hadith.

“Nobility and the keys on that Day will be in my hands.” Focusing primarily on the Day of Resurrection, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin discusses some of the unique qualities and distinctions that Allah the Exalted has bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Included in the discussion is what it means to be “firm against the disbelievers” (see Quran 48:29), as well as a list of the five categories of intercession.

“Nothing is more important after the shahada than the prayer.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus continues his discussions on the importance of prayer, focusing on the congregational prayer and how to make it a priority. And although it is strongly encouraged to perform all five daily prayers in congregation in the masjid (mosque), Shaykh Yahya explains the minimum one should do in this regard.

“The One who gave them is still the same Allah, Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, who is ready to give us. But are we ready to receive it.” Through numerous verses of the Qur'an, Hadith, and inspiring stories of the pious, Ustadh Yusuf Weltch explains what it means to have reverence for the prayer and how to achieve it. Included in his Khutba are the conditions for establishing the prayer and how to obtain presence in it.

“… to whomsoever Allah does not give light, he has no light.” (Surah an-Nur, 25:40, as translated) In this blessed month of our beloved Prophet's birth, there is no better time to deepen our connection with him ﷺ. Ustadh Amjad Tarsin describes the Prophet's three types of beauty and explains how reflecting upon these qualities will increase one's love for him ﷺ.

“There is no such thing as major sins if you continue to seek forgiveness.” Ustadh Yusuf Weltch gives a detailed discussion on repentance, an essential quality of ihsan or spiritual excellence. Several topics are covered including: what is the core condition of repentance; why persistently committing minor sins is dangerous; how to foster remorse in one's heart; and what do the prophets, peace be upon them, seek in asking for forgiveness.

“Prayer is the source of ascension of the believer.” Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains why our lives should revolve around the five daily prayers and what it means to establish the prayer as Allah the Exalted commands us in the Qur'an (as translated). He also discusses a beautiful hadith about how our prayers supplicate for or against us.