Balancing Action & Reliance

Jum'ah khutba (Friday sermon) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 30 September 2005 - 18 mins 47 secs

The sheikh considers another aspect of tawakkul (reliance on God), how to balance it with the need to take action oneself. Although all things are ultimately under the control of God and He may grant anything at any time, it is still necessary for us to act rather than simply wait for His help in whatever regard. The one who truly relies on God acts with energy, foresight and planning while accepting that his or her efforts will only reach fruition with God's permission. This quality, the sheikh reminds us, is exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who took great care in all he did despite perceiving his dependence on God with complete clarity.

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Islam & Modernity

Talk by Sheikh Haitham al-Haddad & Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - SOAS, London - 1 February 2008 - 1 hr 43 mins 30 secs

Some very interesting and thought-provoking reflections by both speakers on the nature of modernity and Islam's relationship to it. The recording includes questions from the audience at the end. The quality is unfortunately not brilliant but the speakers are generally audible. Sheikh Haitham speaks first, followed by Sheikh Abdal Hakim from 53 mins 16 secs, followed by questions and answers from both after 1 hr 21 mins 05 secs.

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Fasting

Jum'ah khutba (Friday sermon) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 13th October 2005 - 18 mins 50 secs

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With Ramadan swiftly approaching, it seemed appropriate to post this sermon on fasting. The sheikh reflects on the antiquity and ubiquity of fasting, which - in one form or another - has been and remains common to very many cultures and religions. But he reminds us that it is useless without the ethical core that directs toward a genuine change of one's inward state. Hunger is not just a reminder of solidarity with the less fortunate, but a good in itself in that it promotes an ongoing awareness of our dependence on God and His knowledge of all our actions. This, the sheikh explains, is why fasting is explicitly described in the Qu'ran as a means to attain taqwa (God-consciousness or awareness of God).

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Hope & Reliance on God

Jum'ah khutba (Friday sermon) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 24th October 2003 - 24 mins 42 secs

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The sheikh uses the occasion of the beginning of the month of Muharram and the Islamic New Year to reflect upon making a new start and how God may change the condition of anyone who humbly relies upon His Mercy. He distinguishes between true hope and reliance on God (tawakkul) and false hope (tamanni) that is not underpinned by honest introspection, humility and repentance (tawba).

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