Darul Qasim Reflections & Lectures
By Darul Qasim
darulqasim.org/
twitter.com/shaykhamin
www.facebook.com/ShaykhAmin
Darul Qasim Reflections & LecturesJul 21, 2022
Walking the Path to Jannah
Khutbah delivered on April 26, 2024
Rukūʿ and Sujūd: Trademark of the Muslim
Remaining Fixed on Allāh After Ramaḍān - Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Remaining Fixed on Allāh After Ramaḍān - Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Khutbah delivered on Friday, April 12th 2024
Prophetic Formula for Removing Oppression - ʿĪd al-Fiṭr 1445
Delivered on April 10th, 2024.
Earning Hidāyah – Ramadān 20, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Reflection delivered after Tarāwīh on Ramaḍān 20, 1445
Academic Imperative of Islam – Ramadān 19, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Ramadān 19, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Make Your Fast Conducive to Nūr
Make Your Fast Conducive to Nūr
https://darulqasim.org/fast-conducive-nur/
Raḥmah in Silence – Ramaḍān 13, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
https://darulqasim.org/rahmah-silence/
Ḥasanāt Worth Asking For - Ramadān 12, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Ḥasanāt Worth Asking For - Ramadān 12, 1445 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Diversity: A Sign of Tawḥīd - Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Reflection delivered on Ramadan 6, 1445
Ramaḍān 5, 1445 - Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Ramaḍān: An Expression of Taqwā and Bliss
Reflection delivered on March 15th, 2024.
Islam is Embodied in a Human Being
Normalizing Tawakkul
The Most Difficult Job on Earth
The Sacrifice of the Stubborn Ego
A Talk About Taqleed
A Talk About Taqleed
Masjid Uthman Khatm
Sunday Tafsīr - March 19th
Sunday Tafsīr - March 19th
Talk - Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Reflection delivered on May 26th, 2023
Friday Night Talk with Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Resolve in the Unseen
Reflection delivered on February 17th, 2023.
The Reality of Submission
Reflection delivered on February 10th, 2023
Navigating Unknown - Lessons from the Hijrah
Reflection delivered on August 12th, 2022
Imām al-Ghazālī's Theory of Khilāfah and Politics - Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Imām al-Ghazālī's Theory of Khilāfah and Politics - Shaykh Amin Kholwadia
Lecture delivered on June 12th, 2022 at al-Balagh Academy https://www.albalaghacademy.org/
Eid al-Adha 2022
Reflection delivered July 9th, 2022
In the Footsteps of Ibrahim: Renewing Our Commitment to Humanity
Reflection delivered on July 8th, 2022
Not Abusing Allah’s ﷻ Gifts
On Friday, June 10, 2022, Shaykh Amin delivered a very simple, yet poignant reminder that we must acknowledge every gift Allah ﷻ bestows upon us so that it doesn’t become a burden on us.
“We cannot live in oblivion and not acknowledge what Allah ﷻ is doing for us at this moment.”This state of obliviousness is abusing Allah’s ﷻ gifts and exploiting what He ﷻ has given us. This sort of moment to moment awareness is exemplified in the worship of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. He ﷺ showed gratitude for the rain, wind, and all of creation through duāʾ . “The meaning of duāʾ is being humble in front of Allah ﷻ.” If one is humble and grateful Allah ﷻ will give you more.
Islam is the Answer to all Problems: A Response as an Ummah to the Issue of Homosexuality
In this Friday reflections, Shaykh Amin begins by discussing the mindset that must rule the Muslim psyche in order for us to not only recognize, understand, and appreciate the gifts of Islam, the Prophet ﷺ, and the Qurʾān, but also to procure gifts in the ākhirah. Such a mindset will solidify in our hearts and minds the reality that Islam has the answer to all problems. Against this backdrop, Shaykh Amin discusses the sensitive issue of homosexuality. As Muslims living in the United States, he reminds us:
“The lens through which we look, observe, evaluate, assess, and determine values is very different from the cultural norm of the US and the whole world. We don’t look at things the way that others look at that same thing.”Shaykh Amin uses the concepts of haya, tawbah, and ʾadab (respect) from within the Muslim culture to show how we must respond as an Ummah to the discussion of LGBTQ. “What we have to do is take a step back and not jump onto the bandwagon because everyone else is doing so.” We cannot see Islam as an impediment, rather our religion should be at the center of our understanding of these sensitive issues. If we do not use the Islamic framework and respond tho these issues, we risk procuring the heavenly, divine gifts that come from Allah ﷻ and descend upon the Muslim Ummah.
ʿEīd-Al Fiṭr: A Token of Appreciation for Allah’s ﷻ Guidance
Eid relfection delivered on May 2nd, 2022
In this year’s ʿEīd-al Fiṭr khuṭbah (sermon), Shaykh Amin urges everyone to not only celebrate the completion of our fasts, but also to appreciate the guidance that Allah ﷻ gives us. Appreciation entails action. Muslims must express themselves with civilizational values of Islam that can be carried to the rest of the world. Values like honesty, integrity, and generosity.
“This dīn is for all time and for all people. […] The nature of Islam is that it is built on the Nūr ﷻ of Allah, which is going to diffuse itself. You cannot contain it anywhere.”As Muslims living in the United States, “we must appreciate that Allah ﷻ has brought us here for a reason” and we must be Muslims that emanate the beauty of Islam to all people and all communities. This is the mindset that should propel us towards participating locally, nationally, and globally for the benefit of all of humanity.
Judgment is in Allah’s ﷻ Hands
Reflection delivered on Friday May 13th 2022
In this Friday reflection, Shaykh Amin expands upon prophetic narratives from the Qur’ān to illustrate and elucidate the mindset that Muslims must adopt in order for Islam to flourish in the United States. The challenges that Muslims face in delivering the message of Islam can only be navigated by being firm in our ʿaqīdah.
“We can’t play God, we only worship Allah ﷻ . We can’t say who is going and not going to hell.”
Shaykh Amin uses the stories of the Prophets Nuh, Ibrahim, and Muhammad ﷺ to put these challenges into the stream of life, so that we can realize the very difficult and painful emotional sacrifices that accompany submitting to the will of Allah ﷻ and delivering the message even when those closest to us may not accept Islam.
“Judgment is in Allah’s ﷻ hands, you can’t change Islam because of your emotional feelings. You don’t change your goal posts [...] you submit to the will of Allah ﷻ , which is a huge sacrifice. It goes against all of your emotions.”
The Communal Quest for Knowledge and Laylat al-Qadr
Reflection delivered on April 27th, 2022
On the 27th night of Ramaḍān, Shaykh Amin was the honored guest panelist for Al Balagh Academy’s Webinar: Seeking Laylat al-Qadr and Attaining the Closeness of Allah ﷻ and Love for Rasūlullah ﷺ. Shaykh began with a call for deep reflection and understanding:
“Practicing Islam itself is proof that we are connected to the will of Allah ﷻ. For every connection and relationship, we must also appreciate with whom our relationship is…who is Allah ﷻ and who is the Rasūl ﷺ to us, as individuals and as a part of the Ummah.”While recognizing the importance of individual appreciation, in this talk Shaykh Amin highlights the need to establish the appreciation for a communal understanding of Islam and a communal action based plan. “Because we are all in this search and quest for knowledge and for Laylat al-Qadr together, as one whole community.” He shares 3 principles that are some of the first steps in creating love for Allah ﷻ: to understand the Qurʾān, to recite the Qurʾān, and to act upon the Qurʾān. It is through the coming together of these principles that we are shown how to express love for Allah ﷻ and His Prophet ﷺ.
Procuring the Collective Force of Laylat al-Qadr
Reflection delivered on April 25th, 2022
“If you want to save the world, do your ʿibādah correctly.”In these last ten nights of Ramaḍān, Shaykh Amin delivers a powerful reminder to Muslims all over the world who have increased their ʿibādah in hopes of receiving Laylat al-Qadr. As we raise our hands in prayer and recite into the late hours of the night, we must never forget that Ramaḍān is the month of the Ummah of the Prophet ﷺ. In these nights, we must fight the selfish impulse of isolationism and individualism in our ʿibādāt in order to procure salām from Allah ﷻ for the Ummah in every matter for the coming year. This is the ultimate goal for Laylat al-Qadr. “Laylat al-Qadr is about making duā’ to Allah ﷻ that He ﷻ decides all matters for us with salām. So that we live the next year in a good way.” This is the collective spirit that is going to keep the Muslim Ummah alive, healthy, and strong.
Procuring Allah’s ﷻ Maghfirah in These 10 Days
Reflection delivered on April 15th, 2022
“Maghfirah is when Allah ﷻ envelopes you with His ﷻ raḥmah in such a way that no one will ever detect any sin on you…even you.”In these reflections, Shaykh Amin reminds us of the importance of the second 10 days of Ramaḍān, the days of Maghfirah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek Allah’s ﷻ Forgiveness at all levels, “a comprehensive and holistic Maghfirah” in this world and also in the Hereafter. “Ramaḍān facilitates this, fasting facilitates this, your Qurʾān reading facilitates this, your helping others facilitates this, your tarāwīḥ (night vigil prayers) facilitates this mode and ambience of istighfār. Where your heart should have become so soft by the 11th day that you can only think of one thing, and that is that Allah ﷻ forgives you!” Maghfirah is what we should seek in Ramaḍān and it should be our only concern in this month.
Click on the link below and listen to how each and every one of us can use these days of Maghfirah to focus on concerning ourselves with Allah’s ﷻ Forgiveness, so that we will be ready to meet Laylat al-Qadr.
For The Love Of 'Ibādah
Reflection delivered on April 15th, 2022
“Maghfirah is when Allah ﷻ envelopes you with His ﷻ raḥmah in such a way that no one will ever detect any sin on you…even you.”In these reflections, Shaykh Amin reminds us of the importance of the second 10 days of Ramaḍān, the days of Maghfirah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us to seek Allah’s ﷻ Forgiveness at all levels, “a comprehensive and holistic Maghfirah” in this world and also in the Hereafter. “Ramaḍān facilitates this, fasting facilitates this, your Qurʾān reading facilitates this, your helping others facilitates this, your tarāwīḥ (night vigil prayers) facilitates this mode and ambience of istighfār. Where your heart should have become so soft by the 11th day that you can only think of one thing, and that is that Allah ﷻ forgives you!” Maghfirah is what we should seek in Ramaḍān and it should be our only concern in this month.
Click on the link below and listen to how each and every one of us can use these days of Maghfirah to focus on concerning ourselves with Allah’s ﷻ Forgiveness, so that we will be ready to meet Laylat al-Qadr.
Hope and Forgiveness for the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ
Reflection delivered on April 16th, 2022
“We must not lose hope from Allah’s ﷻ Raḥmah for the Ummah. The greatest disease in the Ummah is pessimism, losing hope. Losing hope in yourself, losing hope in the people around you, losing hope in the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ.”On this night of Ramaḍān, Shaykh Amin reminds us that we must guard ourselves from the disease of losing hope. He pushes us to reflect upon the eternal nature of Allah’s ﷻ Forgiveness.
“Allah ﷻ, He ﷻ is above time. He ﷻ creates time. So for Him ﷻ, it is eternally that He ﷻ is forgiving people. He ﷻ liberates 70,000 a night [from Jahannam]. How many nights have there been in the 1,400 odd years we have been doing [Ramaḍān]?”Thus, our mindset and our focus must be one of hope and optimism in our speech, actions, and worship in these blessed days and nights. We must desire for every Muslim to enter Jannah with us. Because to love and hope for the Ummah of Muhammad ﷺ, what we love and hope for ourselves is not only īmān, but is adab (etiquette) with him ﷺ.
“The Ummah is his ﷺ, we have to maintain adab with him ﷺ. If you want his ﷺ shafāʿahʾ (intercession), you have to spare the Ummah from your discourse, from your pessimism, from your anger. That is how you will receive the shafāʿah of the Prophet ﷺ.”Accessing Allah’s ﷻ Raḥmah in Ramaḍān
Reflection delivered on April 8th, 2022
In this Friday reflection, Shaykh Amin speaks about the month of Ramaḍān as one in which the distribution of Allah’s ﷻ raḥmah (Divine Mercy) is not only huge, but also ever-present. His ﷻ mercy becomes very close to those who fast and do good. The “whole of Ramaḍān gives us access to the heavens, any good actions we do [...] are automatically lifted.” At the same time, Shaykh Amin reminds us that we need the power and ability to access Allah’s ﷻ raḥmah. “The Qur’an and Sunnah inform us of how we can access this raḥmah, always here floating above the heavens. But if you want to meet Allah’s ﷻ raḥmah, you need to do something. [...] We should do actions that propel us further and even higher.”
Levels of Allah’s ﷻ Raḥmah – Ramaḍān 9, 1443 Post-Tarāwīh Reflection
Reflection delivered after Tarāwīh on the 9th of Ramaḍān
In this reflection, Shaykh Amin reminds us that these first ten days of Ramaḍān are the days of Raḥmah (Divine mercy). “All that exists has a shade of Allah’s ﷻ Raḥmah.” This is how we understand Allah’s ﷻ generosity and magnanimity, as all-encompassing. The “fact that a thing exists is only because of His ﷻ Raḥmah.”
Yet, there are so many degrees of His ﷻ Raḥmah that the Qurʾān speaks of. However, exclusive to the Muslim is the mercy of Islam. Islam is the “highest level and most sublime grade of Raḥmah that any being can acquire.” And it is here, in Ramaḍān, when the Prophet ﷺ said these are the days of mercy in which the most desired mercy is Islam. In these first ten days, Shaykh Amin reminds us, using the Prophet’s ﷺ advice, to shift our focus towards our ṣalāh, sawm, zakāt, and all ʿibādāt in order to improve and enhance this Raḥmah, which is Islam. We must ask ourselves,
“Am I improving my Islam? Am I allowing Allah’s ﷻ supreme Raḥmah to enter me?”
These first ten days of Ramaḍān are a mindset. It is a focus changing event in which we must focus on seeking Allah’s ﷻ Supreme Mercy. “Allah ﷻ is in the most generous mood ever. When you knock on His ﷻ door what do you ask for?” One should ask for goodness and for Allah’s ﷻ special Raḥmah that raises your ranks in Jannah (paradise).
“The good news is if a Muslim changes his or her focus in Ramaḍān and asks for the most special brand of Raḥmah, He ﷻ will give it to you. Why, because He ﷻ is in the most generous mood of all. If you sleep in Ramaḍān Allah ﷻ rewards you!”
As the first ten days are coming to an end, Shaykh Amin’s timely reflections and advice forces us to re-focus on “what Ramaḍān is and why Ramaḍān is special to me?” Only then will we begin to attract the higher levels of Raḥmah that are specific to this blessed month.
Al-Isrā’ wa’l Miʿrāj - Shaykh Amin
Reflection delivered on February 25th, 2022
Al-Isrā’ wa’l Miʿrāj - The Prophet’s ﷺ Night Journey and Ascension.
‘Wealth’ From the Lens of Rasūl Allāh ﷺ
Reflection delivered December 31st, 2021
Darul Qasim · ‘Wealth’ From the Lens of Rasūlullah ﷺ
The Prophetic Perspective on ‘Saving Lives’
Reflection delivered January 14th, 2022
Darul Qasim · The Prophetic Perspective On ‘Saving Lives’
Bouncing Back from Setbacks
https://darulqasim.org/bouncing-back-from-setbacks/
Honoring the Prophet by Honoring Dignity and Truth
Honoring the Prophet by Honoring Dignity and Truth - Eid Al-Fitr Khutbah 1442
A Total ‘Ābid
Short Ramadan reflection from Shaykh Amin on being a total ‘Ābid in Ramadan.
Delivered in Ramadan 1442 (2021)
The Comprehensive Nature of ‘Ibādah
Short reminder from Shaykh Amin on The Comprehensive Nature of ‘Ibādah.
Delivered on Ramadan 1442 (2021)
The Cosmic Impacts of Ramaḍān
Shaykh Amin touches on the Cosmic Impacts of Ramaḍān in this short reminder.
Delivered in Ramaḍān 1442 (2021).
The Raḥmah of Ramaḍān
Shaykh Amin touches on the The Raḥmah of Ramaḍān in this short reminder.
Delivered in Ramaḍān 1442 (2021).
Looking for Laylat al-Qadr
Pre-Ramadan program delivered on April 11, 2021 on looking for Laylat al-Qadr with Shaykh Amin Kholwadia.
Message to the Muslims in North England
https://darulqasim.org/advice-to-north-england/
Shaykh Amin delivers an inspirational message to the Muslims of North England in this audio call.
The Akhirah as the Platform of a Muslim’s Thinking
The Akhirah as the Platform of a Muslim’s Thinking
Reflection delivered on Friday, October 9th, 2020.
https://darulqasim.org/akhirah-platform-muslim-thinking/
Summary of Surat al-Fajr to an-Nas
Reflection delivered on May 14th, 2020