Unity & the Manners of Difference

Talk by Mufti Muhammad al-Kawthari - 11 December 2010 - Cambridge - 56 mins 22 secs

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Another talk at the recent FOSIS Winter Conference in Cambridge was by the renowned scholar Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari. In it he addresses the perennial problem of the lack of respect for others with different opinions. He explains the nature of the unity of ahl al-sunnah wa-l-jama'ah and the proper adab (manners) for engaging in debate and respectful disagreement.

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Prophetic Manners

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 7th August 2009 - 34 mins 19 secs

Eid Mubarak! May Allah accept it from you and from us. Insha-Allah a recording of the Eid khutba is imminent, but in the meantime here's something from a few weeks ago to tide us over.

In this khutba the Sheikh illustrates the high Islamic principle of adab (loosely translated as 'manners') with examples drawn from the rich tapestry of prophetic stories woven into the Qur'an. We learn how Ayyub (Job) is exiled from his loved ones, how Ibrahim (Abraham) receives unexpected desert visitors, how Isa (Jesus) is questioned over that which others ascribe to him, how Musa (Moses) was met with unexpected rewards in exile, may Allah be pleased with them all. These ancient examples of profound adab before a breakthrough moment is what we are called on to emulate in this present day and age.

Of course such a khutba would not be complete without mentioning the last of the emissaries of Allah - after the tribulations of Taif, the death of his uncle and patron, his wife, his son and the persecution of his enemies, Prophet Muhammad - may Allah grant him His blessings and peace - was able to say "O Allah, I ask that you do not change your decree, but that you be gentle with it". This is the maqam an-nubuwwa, the station of prophethood.

Allahumma la as'aluka radda-l qada', lakinni as'aluka lutfa fih

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Lessons of Khwaja Ubayd Allah Ahrar

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Warwick - 8 August 2009 - 47 mins 48 secs

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In this talk, Sheikh Abdal Hakim shares some lessons from the life and example of Khwaja Ubayd Allah Ahrar (806-895 AH), a great saint of Samarkand and sheikh of the Naqshbandi tariqa, may Allah be pleased with him. Among the excellent qualities of that saint of his time, those highlighted here are his consistent humility and instinct to attribute the best to others; his constant remembrance of Allah and his consequent perception of spiritual opportunity in apparently unlikely circumstances; his tireless service to others and the openness of heart that resulted from it; and his noteworthy courtesy and respect even for those with whom he had a difference of opinion. Through contemplating the example of this great saint, and others, Sheikh Abdal Hakim encourages himself and us to remember the importance of personal development and transformation by means of the perfected message given to us through thr Prophet Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). The Way of the Chosen One is too profound, too precious to be reduced only to formalities and rules, however important they are in conjunction with inward good character.

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