Ali Albarghouthi

This is the first episode in the Muslim Tidbits series: short Islamic insights and reflections. Today, our talk is about human happiness and the reasons behind our unhappiness in this life. Please let us know what you think. Share with us your ideas, suggestions, or anything on your mind.

This khutbah goes through the reasons behind our fasting and ways to make it more meaningful and us more conscious of its lessons.

This lecture discusses the meaning of tawakkul (reliance and trust in Allah)and its connection to iman (faith). It also recommends ways we can strengthen our tawakkul on Allah through better reading of the Quran and contemplation of the stories in the Quran and Sunnah.

The way we fast Ramadan reflects the reasons behind our fast and what we hope to gain from it. This khutbah builds on the previous one, Why do we fast Ramadan?, to highlight the importance of having the proper intention in our fast and its transformative powers. It also shares some of the insights that Ramadan can bring into our lives.

What does Ramadan teach us? Can it transform us? Is it a burden or an opportunity? This khutbah traces the reasons behind our fasting and the spirit this will create in us as we get closer to the month of fasting. When you know why you are doing something, you are likely to do it better. To complement this khutbah, please listen to the other khutbah: How to fast Ramadan?

Why is the month of Shaban important? And what should Muslims do in it and learn from it? We discuss here what distinguishes this Islamic month and what Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him used to do in it. We also explore its connection to Ramadan and a process of change that we can launch in our lives.

This talk discusses important episodes in the life of the great imam of hadith, al-Bukhari, and what we can learn from him today. The talk also highlights his magnum opus, Sahih al-Bukhari, and the work that went into producing what was destined to become the most important book of hadith to date.

If death is such an important part of life, why do we avoid talking about it? Why don't we try to understand it better? Here, we discuss how remembering our mortality helps us to live better, as it brings much needed balance and purpose into our lives. Death in Islam is a bridge, and it is up to us to decide where this bridge is taking us.

This talk asks us to reexamine the importance of da'wah in our lives, and to look at it as an individual and collective/communal responsibility. As an act of worship, Muslims reap its benefits before anyone else. The talk calls for the transformation of our mosques into welcoming and hospitable centers, where everyone who attends them takes on the responsibility of this call to Islam.

What do we do when we are unsure about the future? About our next big move? How do we know if what we will be doing will bring us joy and success or trouble and harm? Rather than rely on omens, the stars, psychics, or a lucky penny, Islam teaches us to seek consultation and guidance from Allah. Here we discuss the importance of this prayer in our lives, how to perform it, and the signs that we should look for to make the best choices in our lives.

Dua is the bridge between us and God. When we fall on hard times and are in need of help, Allah is our closest helper and ally. This talk explains how dua represents the essence of our relationship with Allah and how engaging in it transcends the worldly concerns that may prompt us to make it. It also answers the very important question: why do some of our prayers go unanswered? Does it mean that Allah is not listening, does not love us, or does not exist? This talk will help us to understand how our prayers are much more than the mundane things we are asking for.

We, as humans, are social beings who seek each other's company and find comfort in it. But if we are not selective in whom we let be close to us, we can be hurt and betrayed. This talk emphasizes the importance of this selectivity, the dangers of bad companionship, and the criteria for selecting our close friends.

Some of the most interesting stories in the Quran can be found in the chapter of al-Kahf (the Cave). In this khutbah, one of those stories, the story of Musa (Moses) and al-Khadir, is explored for the lessons and wisdom it can teach us today.

One of the most elusive things in our modern life is to live a happy and content life. As we fail to recognize the many beautiful things we have in our lives we also fail to be grateful for them. The path to increased contentment is to start remembering all the blessings we have and to thank the Creator for them. This talk explains what it means to be a grateful person, how to be a more grateful person, and the indispensable benefits of adopting this attitude into our lives. It also highlights how our relationship with our Creator and fellow humans can be enhanced when we become more thankful.

The chapter titled al-Kahf (the Cave) in the Quran tells interesting four stories that have much to teach us about the trials and tribulations of this world. This khutbah explores these stories to try to learn from them the kinds of tests we will face in this world and the way we can overcome them.

This talk focuses on the life of Jesus and the lessons we can learn from it. You will find in this track: (1) a discussion of the background of the family of Jesus, especially his mother Mary, and the political and religious context he experienced growing up (2) the message of Jesus (3) the miracles of Jesus (4) the attempt on his life (5) his ascension into heaven (6) his second coming (7) some of the signs of the end of the world

How can we express our love of Prophet Muhammad? Though there are many ways to express this love, not all of them are equal. This khutbah points to the superior path of expressing our love of the Prophet, one that will earn back his love and manifest his message. The khutbah also emphasizes the enduring connection we have with the Prophet and its ability to change our lives today.

What are the origins of the Christmas celebration? How do they relate to Jesus Christ? What do they teach us about human tendencies and fallibilities? How can we learn from this the religious path of moderation that shuns extremism on both ends? This talk (khutbah) attempts to shed light on these important questions.

This second part of the lecture series continues where we left off with a discussion of another feature of Prophet Muhammad's manners: his humility with family, friends, and the weak and unprivileged in society. The last part of the talk attempts to answer the question introduced in the first lecture: how can we reconcile the mercy of Islam with some of the punishments found in its penal code?

One of the most distinctive features of Prophet Muhammad was his mercy. Yet many may not be aware of this quality and its centrality in Islam. This lecture explores the quality of mercy in the life of the Prophet and why it should be central in our lives today. The lecture concludes with the question: how can we reconcile the mercy of Islam with what some have called its harsh punishments and penal code?