The Presence of the Qur'an

Talk - Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 17th February 2011 - 67 mins 55 secs

"He is dead who does not feel the Qur'an move in his hands"

Contentions 6:20, Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad

In this talk the Sheikh addresses an important aspect of the Qur'an, namely the transformative experience of the Word of God in the breast of the believer. Whilst the Qur'an's power is not contained by mere history the Sheikh demonstrates how the Book stands at the isthmus of the Ancient and Modern world and yet belongs to neither time; it exists rather as the driving force and symbol of Islamic civilisation, itself a unique being. Without experiencing the Presence of the Qur'an, with its ability to reach into the mysterious depths of the soul, the phenomenon of Islamic civilisation is not understandable. The question is thus posed: why has this text, often described as being impenetrable, taken up such a prominent position in the lives of Muslims and indeed non-Muslims from the time of the Prophet - peace be upon him - to this very day?

The Sheikh mentions various approaches to the Qur'an, notably exploring Mevlana Rumi's poetry:

"The Qur'an is like a bride.
Although you pull
the veil away from her face,
she does not show herself to you.
When you investigate the Qur'an,
but receive no joy or mystical unveiling,
it is because your pulling at the veil
has caused you to be rejected.
The Qur'an has deceived you
and shown itself as ugly. It says,
"I am not a beautiful bride."
It is able to show itself
in any form it desires.
But if you stop pulling at its veil
and seek its good pleasure;
if you water its field, serve it from afar
and strive in that which pleases it,
then it will show you its face
without any need for you to draw aside its veil."

-trans. William C. Chittick

The image above is taken inside the Mihrimah Camii, Uskudar, Istanbul by the CKETC team

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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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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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Miracles of Badr

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 11 September 2009 - 30 mins 53 secs

In this sermon, the sheikh relates some of the miracles that occured during the battle of Badr, and what we can learn from them. On that historic day - the anniversary of which, 17th Ramadan, fell just a few days ago - the Muslims' apparent weakness was the key to their victory, since their awareness of their dependence on Allah and their trust in Him was accentuated to a remarkable degree; and through that trust they also had true thankfulness to Him. The sheikh goes on to relate the story of Badr to another aspect of the blessed month of Ramadan, Laylat al-Qadr. May we imitate the experience of Badr as far as possible by translating our experience of weakness and humility in the month of fasting into greater awareness of and thankfulness to Allah.

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'To every people a guide'

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - Cambridge - 29 May 2009 - 26 mins 40 secs

Islam is often perceived as an exclusive religion, dividing humanity into believers and non-believer. It is true that that the Divine Message of the Qur'an is rigorously uncompromising in its demand for a clear distinction between right and wrong, truth and falsehood. But, as the sheikh reminds us in this sermon, these divisions do not necessarily correspond to divisions between different religious groups. Muslim does not always mean right, and non-Muslim wrong, although we often act is if they do. Discussing the Christians of Najran, the response of Waraqa b. Nawfal to the Prophet Muhammad's message (peace and blessings be upon him), and other examples, the sheikh elaborates on this important aspect of the Qur'anic message. Perhaps uniquely among ancient scriptures, the Qur'an asserts the correct belief of more than one religious community. The sheikh also touches on the role of Khadija (may God be pleased with her), Waraqa's cousin and of course the Prophet's first confidant and follower; thus highlighting another compelling aspect of the Prophet's mission which the ummah could do so much more to bring alive today.

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Unveiling the Qur'an

Friday sermon (jum'ah khutba) by Sheikh Abdal Hakim - Cambridge - date unknown - 26 mins 43 secs

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The Holy Qur'an is in every Muslim home and every mosque, a ubiquitous presence in our lives as a material object. But how many of us can say that it is so present in our hearts, where it serves its true purpose? In this sermon, the sheikh reminds us of the outward and formal courtesies (adab) necessary to approach the Qur'an, and how these relate to the unparalled inner purification and upliftment it can effect. When viewed clearly, it is the most dazzling of God's signs, taking us as directly as it is possible for us to come to knowledge of Him because its content is co-eternal with Him; yet, as the sheikh says, unless we approach it with the proper reverence and love, its meaning and significance may be veiled to us. May God soften all of our hearts to the message of His Divine Book, and protect us from arrogance or hard-heartedness before it.

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