SoulFood FM

We live in confusing times. Falsehood masquerades as truth and it seems like ugliness and indecency are widespread. We have lost touch with our Creator, which has made us lose touch with our own humanity. It is precisely in times such as these that we need to nurture Prophetic Beauty within our souls. We need to recognize truth in order to navigate through the deception. In this episode, we will cover: The Current State | The Illusory Nature of the World | Being Anchored to the Truth

The spiritual retreat (i'tikaf) helps you find stillness and allows your heart to become more present with Allah ﷻ. In this episode, we will cover: • Spiritual refuge • The Prophet's heart ﷺ • Always standing at Allah's door ﷻ

The spiritual retreat (i'tikaf) helps you find stillness and allows your heart to become more present with Allah ﷻ. In this episode, we will cover: • Spiritual refuge • The Prophet's heart ﷺ • Always standing at Allah's door ﷻ

Every action of the Prophetic Way (Sunna) is filled with blessings, and brings light to the heart. In this episode, we will cover: • The blessings of Suhur • Hastening to break one's fast • Rewards for feeding a fasting person

The blessed days throughout the year are gentle forms of encouragement that help us keep to the path of worship and obedience. In this episode, we will cover: • The wisdom in fasting 6 days of Shawwal • Blessings of the Day of ‘Arafa • Fasting the White Days

Ramadan teaches us to see beyond the special times of worship and to seek the Most High ﷻ. In this episode, we will cover: • The Night Prayer • Devotion without arrogance • Laylat ul-Qadr

Fasting is unique in that Allah the Exalted said in a Hadith Qudsi, "Fasting is for Me, and I will give its reward." In this episode, we will cover: • Benefits of fasting • Resembling the Angels • How Allah honors the fasting person

Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "Whoever is not thankful for small things will not be thankful for great things." In this episode, we will cover: • The blessings of gratitude • Being thankful for even the small things • Always witnessing the Giver

Feedings others, especially when done with love for Allah, has an immense impact on the heart and is a means for people's souls to connect at a deep level. In this episode, we will cover: • The first teaching in Madina • Feeding people with love • Giving water to drink

Money has the power to bring out the best and the worst in us—which is why being generous brings light to the heart. In this episode, we will cover: • The great virtue of generosity • The Prophet's generosity ﷺ • Finding the balance

A sign of a healthy Muslim community is that there is a culture of looking out for one another and giving loans to those in need. In this episode, we will cover: • The benefit of giving a loan • Seeking a livelihood to take care of others • The rewards for forgiving a debt

When you are giving out of love, you have to give of what you love. And Allah says in the Quran, “You will never achieve righteousness until you donate some of what you cherish.” [3:92] In this episode, we will cover: • Blessings of giving charity • Giving away what you love • Secretly giving

So much of our lives are spent gaining the skills needed to become employed. But before we begin seeking a livelihood, we should first strive to acquire contentment. In this episode, we will cover: • Acquiring contentment and practicing restraint • Recognizing the true treasure • Working to be independent

Zakat is one of the pillars of practicing Islam. Without even one of the pillars, the foundation collapses. In this episode, we will cover: • The importance of Zakat • Allah's promise of increase • Giving Zakat out of love Resources: • Zakat: A Comprehensive Reader: https://tinyurl.com/4a3ybyb3

The Angels sit at the entrance of the mosque on Friday, writing down the names of those who attend. In this episode, we will cover: • The blessings of Jumu‘a • The time when prayers are answered • Other Friday devotions

There are many times in our lives when we come to a crossroad. The Prayer for Guidance (Salat al-Istikhara) is a powerful means to be granted direction and clarity. In this episode, we will cover: • What type of people to seek counsel from • The Prayer for Guidance • How to respond to the signs Resources: • How to perform the Prayer for Guidance: https://tinyurl.com/3rnjpdtk

Imam al-Shaʿrani says, "The delay of prayers being answered is most often due to sins." In this episode, we will cover: • How to have your prayers answered • Having no entitlement with Allah • The Prayer of Need Resources: • How to Perform the Prayer of Need: https://tinyurl.com/3zwzztd8

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to regularly ask Allah ﷻ for forgiveness. This helps us stay humble and recognize that we are imperfect. In this episode, we will cover: • The virtue of repentance • Never giving up on the spiritual path • The Prayer of Repentance (Salat al-Tawba) Resource: • The Prayer of Repentance (to be said after praying 2 rak'as of an extra Prayer): اللهُمَّ مَغْفِرَتُكَ أَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي، وَرَحْمَتُكَ أَرْجَى عِنْدِي مِنْ عَمَلِي Transliteration: Allāhumma maghfiratuka awsa‘ min dhunūbī wa raḥmatuka arjā ‘indī min ‘amalī. Translation: O Allah, Your forgiveness is more immense than my sins and I have more hope in Your mercy than in my own actions.

One of the special Prayers we should add to our spiritual toolkit is the Prayer of Glorification, which the Prophet ﷺ said is so valuable that we should pray it at least once in our life. In this episode, we will cover: • How the various acts of devotion are like medicine • The virtues of Salat al-Tasbih • The way to perform Salat al-Tasbih Resources: • The Prayer of Glorification (Salatul Tasbih): https://seekersguidance.org/articles/general-artices/the-prayer-of-glorification-salat-al-tasbih/

Each period of the day has unique blessings, and engaging in the acts of devotion associated with that time bring out those blessings. In this episode, we will cover: • Prayer fills our life with blessings • How Imam al-Junayd would open his shop • Benefits of the Duha Prayer

One of the ways to prepare the heart to yearn for the Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) is by freeing it from love of the world. In this episode, we will cover: • Spiritual and physical relief • Untying the devil's knots • The believer's honor

Each and every Sunna of the Prophet ﷺ contains immense benefits. One of these Sunnas that impacts us at a deeper level is the wudu. In this episode, we will cover: • Wudu as the believer's shield • Sleeping in a state of purity • Connection to the Unseen realm

The way to seek Allah's love is through extra acts of devotion. In this episode, we will cover: • Attaining Allah's love • Praying extra Prayers • The Witr Prayer

You want to attain a state of presence in the Prayer that stays with you outside of the Prayer. What are ways to maintain that Presence? In this episode, we will cover: • Preparing the heart for Prayer • Presence of heart is the essence of the Prayer • Being still to attain presence

The Prayer is like a delegation standing before Allah, and those in the first row are its most honored members. In this episode, we will cover: • The first row of Prayer • The importance of straightening the rows • When to hold back

When you love someone, you remember them often. This is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would remember Allah ﷻ all the time—because he loved Him so completely. In this episode, we will cover: • The importance of remembrance (Dhikr) • Remembering Allah ﷻ after the Prayers • A duʿa given with love Resources: • Saying 'Subhān Allah' 33 times, then 'Al-hamdu lillāh' 33 times, then 'Allāhu Akbar' 33 times after every Prayer and before going to sleep • Saying: رَبِّ أعِني على ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِك | Allāhumma aʿinnī ʿalā dhikrika wa shukrika wa ḥusni ʿibādatik | O Allah, assist me in remembering You, thanking You, and worshipping You with excellence

To benefit spiritually, we need times of stillness and serenity. One of the best times to do that is after Fajr Prayer until sunrise. In this episode, we will cover: • Spiritual stillness • Sitting in Allah's presence • Getting the reward for Hajj and 'Umra daily Resources: • Wird al-Latif (pdf): https://muwasala.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/al-Wird-al-Latif.pdf | Wird al-Latif (recitation): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZOQmNELrCA

The spiritual life of our homes is a reflection of the spiritual life of our own hearts. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Truly, a house within which Allah is remembered shines for the inhabitants of the heavens just as the stars shine for the inhabitants of the earth.” In this episode, we will cover: • Why the congregational Prayer is an important symbol of the religion • How homes become like graveyards • The spiritual reality of our homes Intro music is 'Salamun ala Hadha al-Nabi' by Shaykh Salih al-Ja'fari (may Allah have mercy on him)

When praying in congregation, the other worshippers' presence of heart helps your Prayer become accepted. The collective state of the congregation compensates for an individual's shortcomings in the Prayer. In this episode, we will cover: • Praying at the beginning of the time • The Merit of the Congregation • Praying Fajr and ‘Isha in Congregation

Prayer without presence of heart is like a body without a soul—it's dead. How do we begin to truly appreciate the Prayer so that it impacts us at a deeper level? In this episode, we will cover: • The centrality of the Prayer (Salah) • How the Prayer purifies us spiritually • The beauty of Sujūd

In commemoration of the Isra' & Mi'raj, we're re-releasing the episode on the Prophet's wondrous journey ﷺ. ——— The greatest spiritual journey occurred on the night when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was taken to Jerusalem, then ascended to Paradise. In this episode, we cover: • Purity of the Prophet's Heart ﷺ • Blessed places • Manifestations of the Unseen • The Imam of the Messengers Additional Resource: • 'The Night Journey & Heavenly Ascent' by Al-Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki (translated by Gibril Fouad Haddad): https://www.meccabooks.com/1388-prophet-s-night-journey-heavenly-ascent-9780954754037.html • Dua for Protection: Aʿūdhu bi-wajhillāhi al-Karīm wa bi kalimātillahi al-tāmmāt al-latī lā yujāwizuhunna barrun wa lā fājir min sharri mā yanzilu min al-samāʾ wa min sharri mā yaʿruju fīhā wa min sharri mā dharaʾa fil-arḍ wa min sharri mā yakhruju minhā wa min fitani al-layli wal-nahār wa min ṭawāriq al-layli wal-nahār illā ṭāriqan yaṭruqu bi-khayrin yā Raḥmān Translation: I seek refuge in Allah's Noble Countenance and in Allah's perfect words which neither the righteous nor the disobedient overstep from evil that descends from the heavens and evil that ascends to it and evil that is created in the earth and the trials of night and day and the visitors of night and day save the visitor that visits goodness upon us, O Most Merciful! Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

“O Allah assist us through knowing You, allow us to taste Your love, and resurrect us with Your Prophets." In this episode, we will cover: • Turning to Allah at beginnings and ends • Shaykh Abu Bakr Bin Salim's Duʿa • Thank you

“Know that the world is the field to cultivate for the Hereafter. Have determination and strive for the Day of Resurrection." In this episode, we will cover: • Sowing your seeds • Focusing on what matters • Good company

"There is no moving creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it is laid to rest. All is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record." [Quran 11:6] In this episode, we will cover: • The Divine guarantee • Trusting in Allah • How planning blinds one's inner-sight

In one of the previous scriptures, it is reported that Allah said, “He has lied who claims to love Me but when night falls, he sleeps and leaves Me. Does not every lover love to be alone with their Beloved?” In this episode, we will cover: • Virtues of Qiyam al-Layl • The splendor of Night Prayer • Festival of Holiness

Ma‘rūf al-Karkhī (may Allah be well pleased with him) said, ‘Mentioning the smallest quality of one of the awliya (elect servants of Allah) brings down mercy.’ In this episode, we will cover: • Sitting with the righteous • Having the right heroes • Respecting the Awliya

In order to preserve the light in the heart, one must be careful to avoid things that are unlawful and forbidden. In this episode, we will cover: • Refraining from backbiting • Lowering your gaze • Eating lawful food

Imam al-Ghazali says, “You should not look at any other person without seeing that he is better than you, that his merit surpasses yours, and see yourself as nothing." • Looking for the good in others • Spiritual benefits of ḥusn al-ẓann • Imam ‘Abdul Qadir al-Jīlānī & the two travelers

Allah the Exalted says, “Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ ‘If you ˹sincerely˺ love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you and forgive your sins. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran 3:31] In this episode, we will cover: • The path of belovedness • The realization of imān • Failure occurs in abandoning the Sunna

If one doesn't know how his life will end at the moment of death, how can he rest? In this episode, we will cover: • Trials in the world • Leaving the world at any moment • The unknown end to one's life Recommended Duʿa: يا الله بِحُسْنِ الخَاتِمَة Transliteration: Yā Allah bi ḥusnil khātima Translation O Allah, grant me a good end!

"Know that this abode is a place of troubles. Rest in it is rare, and only attained by people of spiritual experience and pure inner secrets who witness Allah’s beauty in everything." In this episode, we will cover: • Feeling intimacy in deprivation • The 3 aspects of imprisonment in the world • Being owned by what one loves

The one content with Allah’s decree is always joyful and happy. The one who dislikes Allah’s decree is always worried and sad. In this episode, we will cover: • Witnessing the Creator and creation • Contentment as the means for everlasting comfort • The source of all success Additional Resource: • Wird al-Latif (Prophetic Invocations): https://muwasala.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/al-Wird-al-Latif.pdf

How can arrogance come from an impoverished, insignificant, lowly person who can neither benefit nor ward off harm from himself? In this episode, we will cover: • The sign of arrogance • The 3 causes for arrogance • Realizing your poverty

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Allah the Exalted created one hundred mercies, placing one in the world between a mother and her child and between animals. By this one portion, they show one another compassion and mercy. He reserved ninety-nine mercies with Him.“ [Narrated by Imam Ahmad and al-Hākim] In this episode, we will cover: • 100 mercies • Verses on Allah's mercy • Hope & Fear Recommended Duʿa: اللهُمَّ مَغْفِرَتُكَ أَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي، وَرَحْمَتُكَ أَرْجَى عِنْدِي مِنْ عَمَلِي Transliteration: Allāhumma maghfiratuka awsa‘ min dhunūbī wa raḥmatuka arjā ‘indī min ‘amalī Translation: O Allah, Your forgiveness is more immense than my sins and I have more hope in Your mercy than in my own actions.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Make yourself known to Allah in times of ease, He will make Himself known to you in times of difficulty.” In this episode, we will cover: • Being with Allah in all states • Turning to Him with hope • The 2 types of hope

Being veiled from Allah is the essence of punishment. In this episode, we will cover: • The worst punishment • Seeking spiritual experiences • Worshipping Allah because He is absolutely deserving of it

Sidi Abu Madyan (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "The only pleasure in life is keeping the company of the mystics They are the sultans, the masters, and the princes." In this episode, we will cover: • The story of the lion • Witnessing only Allah • The masters and the kings

“The heart is like a house: if a [good] state [with Allah] settles within, it is well-kept. If nothing settles within, it ruins.” In this episode, we will cover: • Keeping your heart alive • The ruined house • Uns: having intimacy with Allah ﷻ

“The remembrance of Allah illuminates the heart and purifies it, but Dhikr is of two types: Dhikr with the heart and Dhikr with the tongue." In this episode, we will cover: • The 2 types of Dhikr • Perseverance in Dhikr • The key to love's door

“The souls yearn for Allah in every moment and they feel homesick, but the souls are covered by veils.” In this episode, we will cover: • The soul's yearning • Preparing the heart for gifts • Types of veils

One of the Prophets (peace be upon them all) asked his Lord ﷻ, ‘Where will I find you?’ Allah said, ‘You will find me with those whose hearts are broken for My sake.’ These are the true servants!” In this episode, we will cover: • Realizing servitude • Where will you find Allah? • Allah's Supreme Self-Sufficiency