Hajj: the Inward Spiral

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) - Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 12 November 2010 - Cambridge - 20 mins 51 secs

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This sermon, delivered just before Eid al-Adha, reminds us of the deep significance of Hajj. The great annual gathering of pilgrims from all over the world recalls an even greater gathering before time when every human soul bore witness to Allah's Divine Sovereignty: "Bala shahidna!" The outward ritual of journeying to the Noble Sanctuary thus corresponds, with Allah's help, to an inward journey toward remembrance of our true nature and station. The pilgrim's call of "Labbayk Allahumma labbayk!" ("At Your service oh Allah!") echoes the soul's primordial attestation. It is the worldly counterpart to the acknowledgment that He is our Lord, and we are His humble servants. Sheikh Abdal Hakim explains the kissing of the Black Stone in this context, and describes the fundamental tranquility brought about this great journey of remembering and submission. May we all be able, God willing, to journey to Mecca and receive the treasure of inward transformation that is the gift of travelling as humble supplicants to Allah's earthly court.

Image: 'Meccacentric' by Lateefa Spiker. Used with permission.

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Travelling Light Series III MP3s - 10% Off

Series III of Travelling Light with Shaykh Seraj Hendricks is out now as downloadable MP3s - a perfect alternative to the surrounding seasonal excesses. As a special introductory offer, there is 10% off until 1 January 2011 when buying the complete series.

Shaykh Seraj studied at the Al-Zawiya mosque in Cape Town, and then at Umm al-Qura University in Mecca. He was Chair of the Fatwa Committee of Cape Town, and is currently Imam of the Al-Zawiya mosque, where he regularly teaches the works of Imam al-Ghazali.

In Series III, he covers Books 13-16 of The Revival of The Religious Sciences, which are: The Courtesies of Earning a Living; The Halal & the Haram; Friendship, Brotherhood & Companionship; and The Courtesies of Seclusion.

As always, every penny of profit goes to support the Cambridge New Mosque Project, so please spread the word as far as possible and encourage your friends and family to buy!

Living with Our Selves

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 30th November 2010 - Cambridge - 1 hour 30 mins 46 secs

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How can one leave the self behind on the path to Allah when we are the self? This was the central paradox behind the sheikh's latest circle: living with our selves.

Approaching the question through the language left us by today's monoculture makes our task difficult; the word has been so desacralised that it is nigh on impossible. This is not to say that signs are not present. Ironically the depth of modern scientific study has only given us the opportunity to diversify our appreciation of God's signs, from the far reaches of the universe down to the enigmatic workings of the subatomic realm; these ayat all urge us to be what the sheikh calls 'New Cynics', the Rindan of Mevlana Rumi. Akin to the intoxicated joyful ones of old who would laugh at the absurdity of their own selves and the world around them, we need now more than ever to marry the exuberance of youth with a learned cynicism over what the modern world seeks to beguile us with.

This futuwwa has Hadhrat Ali - Shah e Merdan - as its champion, for his sword Zulfiqar with its two points indicated to the inward and outward rectification required of those who would tread the path of Islamic chivalry. That this dual jihad was and indeed is necessary was highlighted by the Sheikh in a chilling passage: al-Hasan al-Basri said that 'this world is a bridge, it is for passing over, not building on'; if you cannot realise this then your thoughts are not your own, and you are as good as dead.

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Humility & Recognition

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) - Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 5 November 2010 - Cambridge - 22 mins 3 secs

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Humanity has a glory and a dignity granted to us by Allah the Creator, but His religion enjoins us always to humility. Pharaoh's definitive error, the paradigmatic opposite of the wonderful examples of the prophets of Allah (peace be upon them), was to seek 'exultation in the earth'; whereas we can reach the highest point of human dignity at the very moment our foreheads are on the floor in prayer and submission. Sheikh Abdal Hakim explores this theme in this sermon, mentioning the many reports of the spiritual benefit of humility, but also going on to describe how we can legitimately promote our qualifications and abilities when necessary in daily life.

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Is Islam Compatible With The West?

Talk by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad - Luton - 2009

We know from the Holy Qur'an that "East and West belong to Allah" (2:115). We also know from the manifestation of Allah's religion throughout so many different times and places that His Guidance nourishes and uplifts humankind in any circumstance. Yet today we are dogged by the controversy of 'Islam versus the West'; and many people assume that the two are at best incompatible, at worst utterly inimical. In this talk, Shaykh Abdal Hakim discusses this perennial debate, and attempts to break down the monolithic assumptions that often accompany it.

This talk was originally sponsored by the Reflection Project at World Appeal. Many thanks to Sidi Junaid for sending in the audio, may Allah reward him.

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Belief & Conviction

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) - Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 22 October 2010

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In this sermon, Shaykh Abdal Hakim discusses the nature of iman (belief) and yaqin (conviction, certainty), how they differ from ordinary knowledge and the role of Allah's guidance in producing them. He discusses in particular the story of Ibrahim's youth (may peace be upon him), his search for true knowledge and how Allah guided him to it. Especially nice to reflect on the story of Ibrahim at this time of year when pilgrims from all around the world are gathering at the house he built in honour of the Lord who guided him. May Allah accept all their efforts!

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Making the Most of Student Life

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 10 Oct 2010 - 10 mins

In this short talk, delivered on the occasion of a welcoming dinner hosted by the Cambridge University Islamic Society for new students, Sheikh Abdal Hakim offers some thoughts on how to make the most of student life. In particular, he highlights the importance of enjoying the extraordinary experience of the alleged clash of civilisations and of figuring out one's own way of establishing his or her identity as both 'Western' and 'Muslim'.

Apologies for the relatively barren run during the summer. InshaAllah, we hope to update the site regularly now with new talks and sermons to benefit us all. JazakAllah for all your patience.

LINK TEMPORARILY REMOVED

Love For Others

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All the videos from the Travelling Light webinar are now available online - just in time for Eid! There are beautiful reminders and uplifting lessons from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Mohammed Magid, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

You can watch all of them on the Cambridge Mosque Is Moving channel on Vimeo, but in the meantime Shaykh Abdal Hakim's video is embedded here. His talk on loving others provides a wonderful message to take away from Ramadan as the hustle and bustle of everyday life reclaims us again.

Sorry for the relative lack of posts over the summer, but we will try our best to bring you more excellent talks very soon. In the meantime, please keep praying for all of us in Cambridge, spread the word about the Cambridge New Mosque Project, and may you all have a blessed and enjoyable Eid.

Ramadan Travelogue

A series of reflections on Ramadan - updated daily!

This Ramadan Shaykh Abdal Hakim will be sharing with us an exclusive Ramadan Travelogue in order to mark the countdown to The Cambridge New Mosque Project Ramadan Appeal. A new installment will be posted everyday at http://www.cambridgemosqueismoving.org.uk/ramadantravelogue.html

As a taster we've included the first of Shaykh Abdal Hakim's offerings below:

Metabolically and internally, Ramadan knocks the stuffing out of us. Like all the basic practices of our religion, it is an idea as simple as it is shattering. The body and spirit respond at their deepest level. The ego squeals with pain. To the extent that we are still babies, we cry and cry.

There are some elemental human experiences where the body, detecting its limits, transforms the spirit. Making love, famously, is one example. But there are others. Once, walking in the Alps, I passed a lake as blue as cobalt, formed from the meltwater of a glacier which towered over it. No-one was in sight, so I stripped off and ran straight in. The shock of that freezing water around me was staggering, and I could feel my heart straining. Coming out, shivering uncontrollably, I felt like a king. All of life seemed to be shivering around me, and the world seemed to have become strangely sharp and bright.

The experience of being born must be similar. From a comfort zone we experience the pain of delivery, and the outrage of new existence in an external world of bright lights and strange sounds. The baby screams, but its pain is its first experience of true life. Spiritually, it has begun its career.

The fast blasts us, and exhausts us. We feel the laughable flab melting away, and start to remember the important fact that we are alive. Life is a symbiosis between our bodies and the world. We are alive when we feel that interaction and dependency at work.

On August 30, 2010 (21st night of Ramadan) join the Cambridge New Mosque Project at http://www.cambridgemosqueismoving.org.uk/fundraising/ramadanappeal.html and Channel S at www.chsuk.tv as they team up for a LIVE APPEAL in support of the first purpose built mosque in Cambridge and the first eco-friendly mosque in Europe (http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/07/eco-mosque-england/). Our goal this Ramadan is simple: One night. One million. In order to reach this we need you! If you have gained benefit from this post then please commit to support The Cambridge New Mosque Project (http://www.cambridgemosqueismoving.org.uk/fundraising/ramadanappeal.html), and please remember us in your prayers.

Ramadan & Charity

Friday sermon (Jum'ah khutba) - Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - date unknown - 19 mins 45 secs

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In this sermon, Shaykh Abdal Hakim explains the importance of charity during Ramadan. May Allah bless us in this month, and make us grateful for the food we have when millions of people around the world are suffering. May He, Almighty and Exalted, in particular relieve the suffering of the flood victims in Pakistan - please remember the importance of sadaqah and donate to help them.

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Preparing for Ramadan

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 1 Aug 2010 - 36 mins 48 secs

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In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses how to prepare one's body, mind and soul to reap the most benefit from the holy month of Ramadan. He expands on the concept of taqwa and goes on to explain how this enables one to understand the wisdom behind the Divine Commandment of fasting.

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Healthy Hearts, Healthy Communities

Mishkat Media & SeekersGuidance present ‘Healthy Hearts, Healthy Communities: the life and teachings of Imam al-Ghazali in the modern world’, a webinar in aid of Cambridge New Mosque Project.

The exclusive broadcast will feature a special message from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, a talk and LIVE Q & A with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, and talks by Shaykh Yahya Rhodus and Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.

The webinar will be broadcast inshaAllah on Saturday August 7th at 2pm EST / 8pm BST (7pm GMT).

Places to view the webinar are strictly limited and are by registration only. Registration is FREE but donations for the mosque project are welcome!

Everyone who registers will also receive a discount code for 20% off all Mishkat Media products for a limited time. All profits from Mishkat Media go to the Cambridge New Mosque Project.

REGISTER HERE

Mountains in the Qur'an

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - May 2010 - 1hr 16 mins 40 secs

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In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses the reality of nature as a series of signs or ayat that point toward the relationship of creation and Creator. In the later part of the talk, he focuses particularly on mountains, and their symbolism in the Qur'an and biography of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.

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The Ship of Salvation Pt. 3

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Hounslow - April 2003 - 50 mins 46 secs

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The last part of this talk on the work of Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah be pleased with him) and its relevance today. Apologies again for the delay posting it.

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The Science of Wayfaring

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Granada - June 2008 - 44 mins 59 secs

In the second of the Heart Surgeon series on Islamic spirituality, Shaykh Abdal Hakim reminds us that Islam is not just a fixed state of being, but a process of becoming. We are all returning to Allah - our aim must be that this is not just by the inevitable process of time, but that it becomes also a spiritual progress, by which Allah brings us ‘out of the shadows and into the light’.

You can download this talk here - all profits to the mosque as always.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 21st May 2010 - 25 mins 46 secs

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In this sermon, the Sheikh explores how the Glorious Names of Al-Qabid (The Constrictor) and Al-Basit (The Expander) reflect states that human beings naturally pass through and how these are spiritual extensions of the concepts of fear (khawf) and hope (rajaa') . The Believer is one in whom these 2 states are in constant balance. Happiness and joy, thus, can only be fully appreciated after one has known fear and sadness and it is Allah (swt) who bestows the sakinah into the hearts of whomsoever He wishes.

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Reconnecting The Heart

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Granada - June 2008 - 36 mins 04 secs

Our hearts are often distracted by the artificial and superficial all around us in the modern world. In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses some of the fundamental ayat (signs) of Allah’s creation that He in His Mercy has laid out as a means to revive the heart and purify ourselves from distraction. This talk was given in Rajab two years ago, and among the several themes the sheikh addresses is the importance of the lunar Islamic calendar and the importance of preparing for Ramadan. As we approach Rajab again, his words are a particularly valuable reminder.

This talk is the first of the new Heart Surgeon series, a number of talks on Islamic spirituality given by Sheikh Abdal Hakim, Sheikh Ibrahim Osi-Efa and Sheikh Idris Watts. It is available from the new Mishkat Media site, where you can also download MP3s of the Travelling Light series. As always, all profits go to the Cambridge New Mosque Project.

PS Apologies for the delay on posting Pt. 3 of The Ship of Salvation - we've been a bit busy with the new Travelling Light/Mishkat Media site. InshaAllah it's coming soon, along with several other great talks we have to post.

Travelling Light MP3s & Website

Travelling Light has a new look website with new content too. As well as being able to get Travelling Light lectures in MP3 format for the first time, you can also hear and download more of the beautiful nasheeds from the three series so far.

As most of you may know, Travelling Light aims to spread the timeless wisdom of Imam al-Ghazali's Ihya Ulum al-Din, bringing it alive for today by the teaching of leading scholars. As always, all profits from the project go to help build the new Cambridge mosque.

The site will be regularly updated with more talks and nasheeds inshaAllah, including the exclusive new Heart Surgeon series featuring Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, Shaykh Ibrahim Osi-Efa and Shaykh Idris Watts. And of course, news of the next series will be here first.

So check out the site and please, please spread the word! You can join the Facebook group if you are so inclined.

May Allah reward you for each friend you tell who buys or donates for the mosque, or who simply benefits from the blessed work of Imam al-Ghazali or any aspect of the Travelling Light project. Please keep praying for the success of the mosque project!

The Ship of Salvation Pt. 2

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Hounslow - April 2003 - 1 hr 12 mins 45 secs

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The second of a three-part recording in which Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses the work of Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah be pleased with him) and its relevance to our situation today.

Thanks to brother Rich this time, who is helping out improving the quality of some of our recordings including this one - jazahu Allah kheir.

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The Ship of Salvation Pt. 1

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Hounslow - April 2003 - 1 hr 06 mins 06 secs

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This is the first of a three-part recording in which Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses the work of Imam al-Ghazali (may Allah be pleased with him) and its relevance to our situation today. He reflects on the significance of some of the 'deep structures' of Islam, and how it is designed, by Allah's Mercy, to carry humanity safely through the storms of history. The sheikh reminds us that despite the anger and fear that sometimes threatens to overwhelm the Muslim community, we can find reassurance in the divinely-endowed resilience and generosity of Allah's final religion.

This talk was originally given at Hounslow Jamia Masjid at an event called 'Reviving the Ihyaa', organised by the now (I believe) sadly defunct Light Study group. You can see the original video here. To the best of my knowledge, there is a new organisation doing similar work in the same area, called the West London School of Islamic Sciences, about which you may be interested in finding about or to which you might like to donate.

A big thank you to brother Junaid, who sent in this recording, may Allah reward him.

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UPDATE - the video for the 'Reviving the Ihyaa' event is actually up here on the WLSIS website and they have some other great resources on their Multimedia page.

Supporters of Allah

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - date unknown - 25 mins 16 secs

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The Holy Qur'an commands those who believe to 'be supporters of Allah' (Al-Saff, verse 14), but what does that mean? How is it possible for us, the created and dependent, to support Him who is uncreated, utterly independent and far beyond any need? In this sermon, Sheikh Abdal Hakim explores this concept and relates it to the Qur'anic narration of the People of Israel, in particular what it means for a people to uphold what Allah has commanded, and the challenges and inward discipline and piety that weighty station requires.

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Blessed Births & Beginnings

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 26th February 2010 - Cambridge - 27 mins 21 secs

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This sermon was given just after the celebration this year of the birth of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and reflects on the importance of remembering and giving thanks for the blessings of Allah - none more necessary to thank and praise Him for than sending His Guidance through the example of the best of creation. Sheikh Abdal Hakim in particular focuses on the role of the mothers of some of the prophets (may Allah bless them all), by whose determination, love, strength and faith Allah renewed the manifestation of His Mercy in the world through the sons they bore and raised.

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Islam and/in/of the West Pt. 3

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 16th February 2010 - Cardiff - 46 mins 09 secs

The third installment of our loosely-linked trilogy on Islam and identity in the West, this talk was given by Sheikh Abdal Hakim at the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK at Cardiff University. Intriguingly entitled 'Can Non-Muslims Be Indigenous? Reflections on the Paradox of British Islam', it uses the work of Hilaire Belloc and G. K. Chesterton (particularly The Flying Inn, a fantasy novel set in a teetotal Britain under the sway of a renewed Ottoman Empire) to explore some underlying resonances between Islam and the religious culture and history of the British Isles. Beyond that, it somewhat defies easy explanation or summary, at least by this listener, but is all the more interesting for that. Enjoy!

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Ethics of Trade

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 19 February 2010 - Cambridge - 28 mins 15 secs

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What is the place of ethics in trade and business? Judging by the exploitation of the developing world through 'free trade' or the disastrously amoral speculations of international banks, one might conclude there is no place for them. In this sermon, Sheikh Abdal Hakim reminds us that despite the example of the major economic forces around us, we each have individual responsibilities when we engage in any kind of trade. The benefits of the justice and fair dealing mandated for us by the example of Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) would of course have huge social benefits if all of us upheld them. But even more important than any worldly benefits of course, is Allah's reckoning of our dealings on the Last Day, when the everlasting profit or loss is accounted. May He forgive us our shortcomings and in His Mercy make the judgment easy upon us.

PS Part 3 of 'Islam in/and/of the West' next week inshaAllah.

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Islam and/in/of the West Pt. 2

Talk by Tariq Ramadan - 15 February 2010 - Cambridge - 43 mins 28 secs

The second part of this week's loosely-themed audio triptych, this talk was delivered by Prof. Ramadan at last month's CU ISoc Experience Islam Week. In 'Hostility, Loyalty and Change: the Future for Muslims in the West', he analyses the current situation of Muslims in the West and offers his thoughts on the future.

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Islam and/in/of the West Pt. 1

Talk by Abdal Hakim Murad - 8 February 2010 - London School of Economics - 45 mins 20 secs

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It's a triple header of talks this week, linked by the theme of Muslims living in the West. We start with this one by Sheikh Abdal Hakim, entitled 'Can Liberalism Tolerate Islam?', given at LSE Discover Islam Week, and kindly recorded and sent in by LSE ISoc. In it Sheikh Abdal Hakim inverts the usual framework of the debate about the relationship between Islam and liberalism, defined by the implicit or explicit suspicion of Muslims' ability to accept liberal values and the demand that they should do so. He unpicks this submerged 'intolerance of intolerance' in order to interrogate the significance of the secular orthodoxies liberal Europe has created, and considers how Muslims can and should respond to them.

Later in the week inshaAllah we will post a talk given in Cambridge recently by Prof. Tariq Ramadan on 'Hostility, Loyalty and Change: the Future of Muslims in the West', and in part three another recent talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim with the intriguing title 'Can Non-Muslims Be Indigenous? Reflections on the Paradox of British Islam'.

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Infinite & Finite

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - October 2007 - Cambridge - 33 mins 30 secs

Part of the beauty of Islam is its clarity and intelligibility: its fundamental creed is strikingly simple. Yet any expression within creation's finite limits of the Divine Infinite must necessarily result in some mysteries, hazy areas at the outer limit of what human language can express and human intellect comprehend. These have a different kind of beauty, and an important wisdom and lesson for us to appreciate. In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim reflects on the meeting of the finite and the Infinite, in particular on the revelation of the Holy Qu'ran to the Prophet, may God's peace and blessings be upon him.

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Love for the Sake of Allah

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 22 January 2010 - 27 mins 55 secs

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In this sermon, Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses the significance of love for our fellow mankind that is purely for the sake of Allah, rather than for any worldly attachment or desire.

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The Certainty of Death

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 15 January 2010 - Cambridge - 21 mins 44 sec

In this sermon, Sheikh Abdal Hakim discusses the importance of appreciating the certainty of death. In the modern world, we are conditioned to think of death as the worst thing that can befall us, the worst punishment that could be inflicted. Yet in a hadith the Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) called death 'a precious gift for the believer', a description that seems almost incredible to us. This does not mean we should seek death out or glorify it, since if it is Allah's decree for us to remain in this world for a longer time, we should be equally grateful and make the most of it by living well. But on the other hand we cannot forget the certain arrival of death, nor neglect to prepare for it. Those who attach too much importance to this world become blinded to the examples all around them, of the relative who is hit by a car or a friend who dies of a sudden illness. Those who learn from such sad experiences come to appreciate their true place in creation.

Many thanks to our brother Kacem who recorded this one at Omar Faruque mosque and sent it in.

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