Nouman Ali Khan

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan continues his lecture on the topic of fighting the Qaroon within us and provides us with reminders and reflections on the topic of Qaroon. One should not be overjoyed in one’s lifetime. Whatever Allah has given you in this life should be used to build up your next life. What benefits me in this life should also benefit me in the Akhirah - that should be the motto of one’s life. Don't forget to take care of the portion which is your present life; it is our foremost responsibility - we should take care of our health, our bodies, etc. Allah wants us to have the best of this life and the Hereafter. Allah has also asked us to be good with our tongues, speak kindly and not be a source of misery and trouble for others.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan divulges some details on a person who was from the nation of Musa AS by the name Qaroon. He was the cousin or distant relative of Musa AS. He was the slave of the Israelites but sort of a spy for the government of the time. He was immensely rich due to his profession and had huge vaults to carry his riches. His people who meant well for him advised him not to get sucked in this facade and to stop being delusional. They wanted him to stay away from false luxuries and see through it and not to turn to fake happiness. We should pursue the next life with whatever is given in this life. What does this encrypted statement mean? Listen intently to unravel the mystery.

Nouman Ali Khan delves into the topic of disputes between spouses which is sort of the norm these days. Allah gave guidance to mankind and is unbiased in His approach. In this Ayah below, Allah has illustrated the responsibilities of men and women alike without any bias.  “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand.” Surah An Nisa, Verse 34 Men have been designated as the caretakers and the ones who strive and undergo labor to fulfill the needs of their wives in all manners - financially, emotionally and physically. On the other hand, women are expected to be good to their husbands, meaning that they should be the ones who should be a source of peace, calm, reconciliation, a voice of reason and reform. The husband should always look up to his wife to be a source of ending conflicts. They should also be the ones who should demonstrate an eagerness to do such acts that show their will to obey Allah SWT.

Nouman Ali Khan provides an elaborate explanation on the topic of Cain and Abel. Surah Al Ma'idah is the 5th Surah of the Qur'an and is one of the last Surahs to be revealed in the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This Surah shows us how the behavior of the Muslims should be with Christian people and Jewish people and the relation with them in the face of good things and bad things. Allah gave many stories in this Surah and one of them is the story of the two sons of Adam AS - Haabil and Qabil or Cain and Abel. One of the sacrifices made by Habil and Qabil was not accepted by Allah. The sacrifice by Qabil was not accepted and a recognition issue surfaced. He wanted to kill his own brother to avoid making him look bad.  What ensues next? Listen intently to unravel details.

Nouman Ali Khan discusses the two great celebrations since the time of our Prophet ﷺ, especially Eid Ul Adha traces back to our father - Ibrahim AS. One of the names of our religion is called the Religion of Ibrahim. We have an added admiration, love and connection to Ibrahim AS. The more we know about our father, the more we become loyal to that heritage. Allah sent numerous trials and tribulations on Prophet Ibrahim AS which he faced with a smile because of his undying faith in Allah and being subservient to Allah SWT. Allah continued to guide Ibrahim AS throughout the rest of his life. We must also try to imbibe and inculcate this key characteristic from the life of Ibrahim AS which is to stay firm and steadfast in our pursuit of Deen and not surrender to the external deviations and distractions.

Nouman Ali Khan delves into an explicit explanation for the Dua for the Ummah. Abu Hurairah RA that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Verily Allah the Exalted is pure. He does not accept but that which is pure. Allah commands the believers with what He commanded the Messengers. Allah the Almighty has said: "O you Messengers! Eat of the good things and act righteously" [23:51-53]. And Allah the Almighty also said: "O you who believe! Eat of the good things that We have provided you with" [2:167-172]. Then he (the Prophet) mentioned (the case of) the man who, having journeyed far, is disheveled and dusty and who stretches out his hands to the sky (saying): "O Lord! O Lord!" (while) his food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and he is nourished with unlawful things, so how can he be answered?"  This Hadith has very profound meanings. Firstly, Allah has all the attributes of perfection and completeness, free from any kind of shortcomings, weaknesses or needs. Allah commanded the Believers (Mu'minin) in an identical manner as He commanded the Messengers. Another point to be extracted from this Hadith is that Sadaqah is only accepted by Allah if it is from Halal sources. This is based on the principle that "Allah is pure and only accepts what is pure".  If we adhere to these points, In Sha Allah, it will lead us to be better Muslims with a profound level of Iman. Then our deeds will be described as 'at-tayyib'. We will then be the 'tayyibun', that is, pure and blessed by Allah.

Nouman Ali Khan provides an elaborate lecture on Halal and Haram. Allah has put many things in this world for us to use and consume and yet we remain thankless and show ingratitude. Good things are Halal and impure and filthy things are made Haram for us. The Halal things are actually a preview of sorts of what we shall attain in Jannah. Halal is that which means permitted, allowed, lawful, or legal. Haram is that which is forbidden and unlawful. Determining what is halal and haram was a major issue before the advent of Islam and hence, many items were permitted that were impure and harmful and many things were forbidden that was good and pure. What happens when we knowingly or unknowingly forbid something for ourselves or for others but it is Halal from Allah? The answers are provided in the most simple and explicit manner.

Every difficulty we go through comes WITH ease. In fact the manner in which the language of the Quran phrases it the ease is a certainty. And Allah's design is that with difficulty comes ease. But you cannot sit and wait for the ease. Take time during your busy day to turn on this khutbah while you're driving or are caught in a jam and expand your knowledge of this verse of the Quran wherein our Lord promises times of ease with every trouble. And when you find yourself free exhaust yourself of your responsibility. The believer will busy himself with something constantly. Learn to fight through difficulties find the strength to overcome our trials and be of use to others.

Nouman Ali Khan delves into the meaning of the following Ayah from the Qur'an: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” Surah Ale Imran, verse 103 Our attention and focus deviate from being Muslims first to fragmenting ourselves into groups and sects. Do not be obsessed with criticizing other groups for their choice of thought regarding the Shariah, but instead focus on being obedient to Allah, earning His Happiness and being good and respectful to humanity. Otherwise, we will be heading for a Fitnah of sorts and do not make this fragmentation a point of contention amongst each other.

Nouman Ali Khan delves into the topic of the Musrifeen - the people who go into excess. The word Israaf means to go what is beyond necessary. Israaf brings a lot of negative consequences into one’s life. Allah does not love those who indulge in Israaf. The following Ayah from the Qur'an delves into the aspect of Israaf: “And when affliction touches man, he calls upon Us, whether lying on his side or sitting or standing; but when We remove from him his affliction, he continues [in disobedience] as if he had never called upon Us to [remove] an affliction that touched him. Thus is made pleasing to the transgressors that which they have been doing.”  [Surah Yunus, verse 12] "Our Lord, forgive us our sins and the excess [committed] in our affairs and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people." [Surah Ale Imran, verse 147] When we fall into stressful times, we need to contemplate on what we were neglecting and what we were doing in excess. This is the principal part of our Deen. We need to bring deep reflections into our lives on our problems with Israaf and constantly strive to live in the middle path.