Nouman Ali Khan

As believers, how do we respond to calamity? Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into the meaning of the word "Musiba" in Arabic, which is used strategically in the Quran to denote that whatever it is that has struck you, could never have happened to anyone else at any other time. It is your own, personal test. The Quran also distinguishes between two types of unfortunate situations, those over which we have no control and others which we brought upon ourselves. But where do we draw the line between what is in Allah's hands and what is our fault? Allah is whatever you assume Him to be. If you genuinely believe that He is the All-Merciful, then at times of difficulty you must be unwavering in our faith that if Allah plans something for you, even if it's painful, you must know that He is doing it out of love. When you trust and maintain your trust in Him, Allah will give you the greatest gift of all: He will guide your heart to the right path and give you peace of mind.

Today we examine Surah Al-Kahf. Just as Musa (Alayhi as-salaam) had to learn from Khidr the etiquette of seeking knowledge, students need to take lessons to have ambition and display effort, accept that things may not work out, accept consequences with grace and not expect the organization or institute to bend their policies.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into the Tafseer and complete overview of Ayats 40 - 122 of Surah Al Baqarah which deals with Bani Israel. He gives us a visual framework and shows us that is made up of 19 sections. Firstly, there is an introductory passage of the Israelites which is repeated at the very end also. Where does this conversation that is talked about in the aforesaid Ayats and where is it leading to? Listen intently to fully comprehend the lecture.

Ustadh Nouman gives a comprehensive lecture on Ayats 116-120 of the esteemed Surah Al Baqarah that deals with another type of Shirk that the Christians of the time were indulging in which was that Allah has a son, Ma’zAllah. These Ayaat refute the Christians, the Jews and the Arab idolaters who claimed that Allah had taken a son, MazaAllah. Allah SWT refutes the claim by saying, “Subhanahu - Glory is to Him,” meaning He is Holier and more Perfect than what they attribute to Him. The disbelievers used to deny the Prophethood of Muhammad ﷺ; some of them did so out of sheer hatred and jealousy. In order to feel triumphant in this uncouth behavior, they would make absurd and impossible demands, two of which have been mentioned in the Ayats 118-119. They insisted that Allah SWT Himself should speak to them, either directly as He speaks to the angels, or through the angels as He speaks to the Prophets. He should also announce that He sent Muhammad ﷺ as a Prophet, thus, making it easy for them to have faith in him and to follow his guidance. Ignorance to the max! Allah SWT informs him that this behavior of theirs is not due to lack of convincing arguments and proofs, but is caused by pride and self-satisfaction. Allah SWT informs the Prophet ﷺ that there is no likelihood of pleasing either of them until and unless he accepts their religion. Therefore, do not seek what pleases or appeases them, and stick to what pleases Allah SWT by calling them to the truth that He sent you with.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into an in-depth analysis of Ayah 114-115 of Surat Al-Baqarah. One should keep in mind three different incidents connected with the three groups, all of which were in one way or another guilty of preventing people from worshiping Allah SWT. What were they? The Ustadh elaborates for a sound understanding. Through this Ayah number 114, Allah SWT lays down a permanent law for all people. It is not permissible to desecrate mosques and hinder people from the remembrance of Allah SWT. Whoever does this is unjust and cruel and he will be laced with humiliation in this world and dire punishment in the next. It is from the etiquette of mosques that one should enter them with humility and respect, fearing Allah SWT or being conscious of Allah SWT in one’s heart.  The idolaters compelled the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions RA to migrate from Makkah to Madinah, thus separating them from the Ka'bah. Ayah 115 is a befitting answer to the objections of the Jews and also brings comfort to the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions RA. Allah SWT cannot be limited to one fixed direction. He is everywhere and surrounds everything. What really matters is obeying the commands of Allah SWT. In order to win His pleasure, one has to orient oneself according to what He Himself has determined.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan engages us with Ayats 110-113 of the magnificent Surah Al Baqarah. The gist of the Tafseer is that entering Paradise depends on the intensity and magnitude of our Belief and righteous deeds. The essence of religion whether it be Islam, Christianity or Judaism lies in two things:  Obedience to Allah SWT in one’s belief as well as in one’s actions.  Submission to the Commands of Allah in all sincerity. Two conditions are of paramount importance for a deed to be accepted and be worthy of Paradise:  It must be performed for the sake of Allah SWT. It must conform to the Sharia based on the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ. When the deed is sincere but does not conform to the Sharia, then it will not be accepted. Allah SWT says with reference to the argument between Jews and Christians based on their rightness of religion that He will decide on the Day of Judgment who is on the right religion and who has gone astray. We should raise the standard of our deeds and do everything to its ultimate best and perfection. Why do we give Allah SWT our mediocre and half-hearted deeds? When we face difficulty in the path of Allah SWT, we should ask Him for help, and bear everything with the highest form of Sabr.

Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan delves into the Tafseer of Ayat 107-110 of Surah Al Baqarah that deals with several aspects such as the reason behind the prohibition of unnecessary questions, the prohibition of following the Ways of the People of the Book and the encouragement to perform good deeds. Allah SWT forbade the believers from asking the Prophet ﷺ numerous questions about matters that did not occur yet. The hidden motive of their asking was not to seek guidance, to satisfy their doubts or to strengthen their faith. Rather, they only asked to cast aspersions on a Prophet or to question the wisdom of Allah SWT.  Allah SWT said that even after He enlightened them (Jews and Christians) with the truth, their envy made them deny the Prophet ﷺ. Thus Allah SWT criticized, chastised and denounced them. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ and his Companions RA, however, used to forgive and be patient with the disbelievers as Allah SWT had ordered. By saying, “And perform the Salah and give the Zakah, and whatever of good you send forth for yourselves before you, you shall find it with Allah,” Allah SWT encouraged the believers to busy themselves in performing deeds that would bring them to benefit and reward on the Day of Resurrection, such as Salah and Zakah. This way, Allah will help in this life and on the Day of Judgment.

This Khutbah was recorded on October 14th, 2016 in the Euless Masjid. Muslims must meet two sets of responsibilities, says Nouman Ali Khan: responsibilities towards Allah and towards people. While our obligations to Allah are clear and simple, with the only possibility of wrong-doing falling on us, human relationships are much more complicated. But the two are not separate from each other; if you fail in your responsibilities towards people, then you have also failed before Allah.

When his sons reproach Jacob for crying incessantly over the loss of their brother Prophet Yusuf, his reaction is both profound and inspiring.He says that he is only complaining about his grief to Allah. His faith that no human being will understand and truly sympathize with his pain the way Allah would is a cornerstone of putting one’s trust in Allah. Jacob’s situation also teaches us that it’s okay to cry and to be sad and that we should neither deny ourselves or others the relief of expressing our emotions to Allah. After all we are human beings not robots.

Ustadh Nouman AliKhan gives a soulful and impactful lecture in Perlis, Malaysia that deals with the important lessons one must imbibe and inculcate from Surah al Jumuah. Those people who were given knowledge of the Book of Allah but chose to stay ignorant about it are like the donkey that carries a load that it cannot benefit from. Those who claim to be the only Friends of Allah are challenged to desire death if they are in fact truthful. There cannot be a more true measure of one’s proximity to Allah! Those who know they have done well have no qualms ad apprehensions about death. The death we try to run from incessantly will eventually catch up with us. Hence, it is of paramount importance that we rectify and better our actions while there is still time. It is sinful to engage in worldly activities whilst unprepared for Jumu‘ah, once the Adhan of Jumu‘ah is called. The worship and obedience of Allah are better than futility and business, though the latter has to be done when necessary.  Listen intently and be mesmerized by the lecture.