Unity & the Manners of Difference

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

TRANSCRIPTION PENDING

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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Can You Help This Site?

UPDATE 26 JANUARY 2011: Many, many thanks to all who have volunteered for this project, jazakum Allah kheir. It's great to make this blog more of a group effort! It will take us some time to process the transcriptions we have promised so far, so we don't need any more volunteers for the time being. InshaAllah we will start to post transcriptions in the next few weeks.

If you have promised a transcription in the Comments section but not emailed in yet, please do so we can have your address to stay in touch - cambridgekhutbasetc [at] gmail [dot] com

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We are looking for volunteers to help us develop the resources at cambridge khutbas etc. by transcribing one or more sermons or talks.

If you have benefited from the resources on this site, why not help others do the same?

InshaAllah we will then use these firstly to provide transcriptions of the talks here for the benefit of the deaf and hard of hearing and anyone else who would like to read instead of listen.

Secondly, we intend to translate as many of the talks as possible to give speakers of other languages access to good free resources about Islam. We will focus on European languages, as Muslims living outside traditionally Muslim countries generally have less extensive resources.

As you can imagine, transcribing and translating more than 100 talks on this site will be very time-consuming, so we need your help!

Imagine the reward you could receive inshaAllah if you transcribed a talk and it helped someone increase in their belief? Or if someone listened to that talk and then donated to the Cambridge New Mosque Project?

So if you have an hour or a few hours to spare in the coming weeks, please do a wonderful deed by transcribing a talk or sermon of your choice and emailing it to us at the address here. If you do not feel confident transcribing any parts in Arabic, don't worry - just send us the talk without those and we can add them in, but please indicate the time in the recording of the parts you have left out so we can find them easily to add them in.

If you start a transcription for a particular talk, let us know and we will add a note to that entry so no one starts a transcription someone else is already doing. Once the transcription has been sent in, we will update the entry again and add a downloadable file.

If you think you could help with translation, please get in touch as well. We are focusing initially on French and Spanish, but other European languages are welcome - as long as you are fluent enough to give accurate and idiomatic translations. We already have one highly qualified translator working on this project alhamdulilah.

So what are you waiting for? We're waiting for your transcriptions!

The Power of Monotheism

Talk by Sheikh Abdal Hakim Murad - 11 December 2010 - Cambridge - 46 mins 59 secs

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In this subtle and beautiful talk, delivered at the FOSIS Winter Conference, held late last year in Cambridge, Sheikh Abdal Hakim reflects on the amazing transformative power of a true understanding of the Divine Unity (tawhid). Why was it that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forgave the people of Mecca when he had conquered them? How was it that Islam was welcomed and honoured as it spread? What is it that brings people from all over the world to the Two Holy Cities in peace and brotherhood? Each of these and many many more examples testify to the unparalleled power of the pure monotheism of Islam to overcome hostility, division and the lust for revenge. By fully perceiving the One True Reality, we let go of the petty hatreds of our many apparent differences. But perhaps because we are so familiar with these stories, we seem to have forgotten how clearly this real capacity for forgiveness and empathy contrasts with the usual course of human behaviour. Certainly the state of the world today strongly suggests we are failing badly in our responsibility to enact the message of La ilaha illa Allah. May Allah grant us a true understanding of tawhid that will transform our hearts and through our hearts the world around us.

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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

TRANSCRIPTION PENDING

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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