Yasir Qadhi

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi delves into the most important topic related to the need for the cultivation of ultimate love for the Messenger of Allah and our Noble Prophet (SAW). It was narrated that Abd-Allah ibn Hisham said, "We were with the Prophet ﷺ when he was holding the hand of Umar ibn al Khattaab. Umar said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, you are dearer to me than everything except my own self.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “No, by the One in Whose hand is my soul, not until I am dearer to you than your own self.” ‘Umar said to him: “Now, by Allah, you are dearer to me than my own self.” The Prophet ﷺ said: “Now (you are a true believer), O Umar.” One of the ways to love the Prophet ﷺ is to learn about the Prophet (SAW) by studying the Seerah. Numerous incidents from the Seerah are cited such as from the battle of Uhud,from the Boycott, from the Taif and many more. These stories highlight the noble character of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The modesty, the honesty, the generosity and other amazing attributes of the Prophet ﷺ are illustrated using support of various anecdotes and it is truly amazing to listen to these and one is left mesmerised. The looks and beauty of the Prophet ﷺ also was the best that anyone had ever seen and numerous narrations certify this very fact as they describe him in the most eloquent manner.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi takes on the topic of the Tafseer of the Surah Yusuf. Surah Yusuf is the 12th chapter of the Quran and has 111 verses. Some of the verses are mentioned below and the Tafsir is mesmerising demanding an intent listen. Surah Yusuf was revealed when the Prophet ﷺ was surrounded by hardships and difficulties. The story has many benefits and makes the heart at peace. The initial letters used in the first verse are an indication of the miraculous nature of the Qur'an. Some of the verses of the Surah Yusuf are as below: Alif, Laam, Raa'. These are the symbols (or Verses) of the perspicuous Book. [12:1] We do relate unto thee the most beautiful of stories, in that We reveal to thee this (portion of the) Qur'an: before this, thou too was among those who knew it not. [12:3] Send him with us tomorrow to enjoy himself and play, and we shall take every care of him. [12:12] So they did take him away, and they all agreed to throw him down to the bottom of the well: and We put into his heart (this Message): 'Of a surety thou shalt (one day) tell them the truth of this their affair while they know (thee) not.' [12:15] The matter that transpired behind these verses is explicitly delved into and acquaints us with numerous moral benefits and things we should refrain from doing.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi continues his Tafseer of the Surah Yusuf from verses 16 to 22. Then they came to their father in the early part of the night, weeping. [12:16] They stained his shirt with false blood. He said: "Nay, but your minds have made up a tale (that may pass) with you, (for me) patience is most fitting: Against that which ye assert, it is Allah (alone) Whose help can be sought". [12:18] The man in Egypt who bought him, said to his wife: "Make his stay (among us) honourable: may be he will bring us much good, or we shall adopt him as a son." Thus did We establish Yusuf in the land, that We might teach him the interpretation of stories (and events). And Allah hath full power and control over His affairs; but most among mankind know it not. [12:21] When Yusuf attained His full manhood, We gave him power and knowledge: thus do We reward those who do right. [12:22]

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi continues his discussion on the next verses of Surah Yusuf beginning from verse 23 to 35: When she heard of their malicious talk, she sent for them and prepared a banquet for them: she gave each of them a knife: and she said (to Yusuf), "Come out before them." When they saw him, they did extol him, and (in their amazement) cut their hands: they said, "(Allah) preserve us! no mortal is this! this is none other than a noble angel!" [12:31] She said: "There before you is the man about whom ye did blame me! I did seek to seduce him from his (true) self but he did firmly save himself guiltless!....and now, if he doth not my bidding, he shall certainly be cast into prison, and (what is more) be of the company of the vilest!" [12:32] Then it occurred to the men, after they had seen the signs, (that it was best) to imprison him for a time. [12:35]

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi continues the Tafseer of Surah Yusuf from verses 35 to 53: He said: "Before any food comes (in due course) to feed either of you, I will surely reveal to you the truth and meaning of this ere it befall you: that is part of the (duty) which my Lord hath taught me. I have (I assure you) abandoned the ways of a people that believe not in Allah and that (even) deny the Hereafter. [12:37] "If not Him, ye worship nothing but names which ye have named,- ye and your fathers,- for which Allah hath sent down no authority: the command is for none but Allah. He hath commanded that ye worship none but Him: that is the right religion, but most men understand not. [12:40] And of the two, to that one whom he consider about to be saved, he said: "Mention me to thy lord." But Satan made him forget to mention him to his lord: and (Yusuf) lingered in prison a few (more) years. [12:42] "Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human) soul is certainly prone to evil, unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely my Lord is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful." [12:53]

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi continues the Tafseer of Surah Yusuf from verses 53 to 74: And when he had furnished them forth with provisions (suitable) for them, he said: "Bring unto me a brother ye have, of the same father as yourselves, (but a different mother): see ye not that I pay out full measure, and that I do provide the best hospitality? [12:59] Now when they returned to their father, they said: "O our father! No more measure of grain shall we get (unless we take our brother): So send our brother with us, that we may get our measure; and we will indeed take every care of him." [12:63] At length when he had furnished them forth with provisions (suitable) for them, he put the drinking cup into his brother's saddle-bag. Then shouted out a crier: "O ye (in) the caravan! behold! ye are thieves, without doubt!" [12:70] (The brothers) said: "By Allah. well ye know that we came not to make mischief in the land, and we are no thieves!" [12:73]

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi takes on the topic of the Tafseer of the Surah Yusuf. Some of the verses are mentioned below and the Tafsir is mesmerising. And the king said: “Bring him to me! I appointed him exclusively for myself.” So when he had spoken with him, he said: “Surely you have an honorable position in our presence today, and you are safe (of a person).” (Yusuf) said: “Appoint me over the treasures of the land! Surely I am a good keeper, knowing well.” And (Yusuf) said to his young menservants: “Put their sum given for provision into their saddlebags that they may recognize it when they go back to their family, so that they may come back.” And when they opened their goods, they found their capital returned to them and they said: “O our father! What else can we desire? This is our capital returned to us, and we will bring food (again) for our family and guard our brother, and will have in addition the measure of a camel’s load. This is a small quantity.” (They) said: “What shall be then the requital of this, if you are liars?” Listen to the Shaykh's explanation of these beautiful ayaat of Surah Yusuf.

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi completes the tafsir of the Surah Yusuf in this final part and it is indeed mesmerising to hear it. And he raised his parents high on the throne (of dignity), and they fell down in prostration, (all) before him. He said: "O my father! this is the fulfilment of my vision of old! Allah hath made it come true! He was indeed good to me when He took me out of prison and brought you (all here) out of the desert, (even) after Satan had sown enmity between me and my brothers. Verily my Lord understandeth best the mysteries of all that He planneth to do, for verily He is full of knowledge and wisdom. [12:100] Such is one of the stories of what happened unseen, which We reveal by inspiration unto thee; nor wast thou (present) with them then when they concerted their plans together in the process of weaving their plots. [12:102] There is, in their stories, instruction for men endued with understanding. It is not a tale invented, but a confirmation of what went before it,- a detailed exposition of all things, and a guide and a mercy to any such as believe. [12:111]

The lecture delves on one of the biggest battle that took place after Badr - the Battle of Uhud.  Shaykh Yasir attempts to elucidate vividly on the battle. The battle of Uhud was a war that was undertaken by the people of Mecca or the Quraysh to avenge Badr. the calamity and loss incurred by them ignited the battle of Uhud as a means of revenge. There were many reasons for this war which included religious, political, economic and social causes. The Battle of Uhud took place in Shawwal, 3H. The Quraysh set out for Uhud on the 7th of Shawwal, 3 H and reached there in a meagre 7 days. The geography of the mountain of Uhud is explained which is that it is not just one mountain but a whole series of mountains stretching over a mile long situated in the north or northwest of Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ  has said "Uhud is a mountain of Jannah". Why did the Prophet ﷺ go to Uhud? What was the military genius behind this decision? Shaykh Yasir unfolds the answers and we will be truly mesmerised by the reasoning. Eventually 700 muslims reached Uhud and they set up their camps. The Battle of Uhud is an excellent illustration of the trust and Iman one should have in Allah. Indeed when we have Allah on our side we can accomplish anything. In spite of being under armoured and lack of enough animals and everything against them, the Muslims under the able leadership of Prophet ﷺ displayed impeccable valour, strength, trust and Iman in Allah and they were rewarded generously .

Shaykh Yasir Qadhi delivers a beautiful lecture on one of the most persistent topics in Islam that needs to be given prime importance and that is the topic of Husnu Akhlaq or good manners. What do u mean by Akhlaq? There are three categories in this regard: Akhlaq that is shown towards Allah Akhlaq that is shown towards others Akhlaq that is shown towards oneself. The Shaykh summarises the 7 simple blessings of Akhlaq in the light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. They are as follows: Comprehensive advice on perfection of good manners always, for instance,do not get angry. The advice given to Muadh Ibn Jabal on maintaining Taqwa and having the best manners side by side. No blessing is better than good manners. Good manners and long silence should always be advocate for a successful life. Having good manners is a sign of Iman. Allah loves those with good Akhlaq and there can be no better substitute for this love. Akhlaq is the weightiest thing in the Meezan after Iman (Taqwa). In a Hadith, the Prophet ﷺ has promised the person who shows impeccable akhlaq, the most proximity to him on the Day of Judgement. The main audience of the akhlaq is always one’s own family and hence it is binding upon us to show the most excellent example of Akhlaq amongst your loved ones.