tackling today's most pressing human issues

from an islamic intellectual, moral and ethical perspective.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, we launched an effort to raise money for a new Usuli Institute model prayer space and center of learning. We want to:

1) Create a model masjid to reflect the beauty, love, openness and forward thinking approach the Usuli Institute represents;

2) Be able to accommodate many more people that we currently are able to in our limited space; and

3) Provide a welcoming center for spiritual and intellectual growth, and a home base for launching new and innovative programs to advance the Islam of beauty, reasonableness and love.

Will you help us? Your donation is tax deductible and zakat eligible. Create your own fundraiser to help us reach our goal!

watch our latest events:

LATEST FRIDAY KHUTBAH (SERMON)

"ON THE PRICE OF SILENCE, NICKI MINAJ, AND THE U.S. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS"

12 July 2019

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl reminds of the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad in which human beings are told not to surrender, rely upon, become pacified, embrace or turn oneself over to the unjust. He reminds us of the weight and seriousness of "the Word" and the moral and ethical obligation upon human beings through their relationship with the Word. He recalls to the tradition that the word is light, the pen is light, the intellect is light and the ink is light--a symbolic construct of the relationship between Creation and the Word. In a moving and powerful testimony, Dr. Abou El Fadl recounts the tragedies taking place around the world against Muslims, and his own wrestling of the conscience to speak out for truth and against injustice as if in the wilderness. He presents the cases of horrific human rights violations in Syria, in Egypt and in places all around the world where Muslims are suffering, and the associated complicity of Muslim governments and the reactions of Muslims around the world. He laments the ironies of the invitation and subsequent refusal of the U.S. singer Nicki Minaj to perform in the Hijaz, the land of the Prophet in Saudi Arabia. He juxtaposes her moral stand against the abuses being committed in Saudi Arabia to that of fellow Muslims, particularly those who refuse to take a stand and prevent others who want to take a stand, as in the local case of the Islamic Center of Southern California most recently. Lastly, he addresses the establishment of the U.S. Commission on Human Rights this past week and the clear implications and hypocrisies of such a commission given the Trump Administration's stated positions and actions, as well as the ideological positions of those appointed to the commission. He addresses the appointment of Hamza Yusuf to the commission and its implications for Islam and Muslims, particularly in the West. Powerful and eye-opening. Delivered 12 July 2019. 

 USULI CONVERSATION SERIES: A CONVERSATION WITH ABDULLAH ALAOUDH

A CONVERSATION WITH KHALED ABOU EL FADL AND ABDULLAH ALAOUDH

22 June 2019

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl and Dr. Abdullah Alaoudh, son of distinguished Saudi scholar Salman Alaoudh, discuss the background, history and thought of Salman Alaoudh and the reasons why the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS), arrested Salman Alaoudh. They discuss the situation of imprisoned scholars who, like Salman Alaoudh, have been subjected to horrific human rights violations as brought to light by such organizations as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others. They delve into the current situation in Saudi Arabia and the priority projects of MBS, and the situation outside Saudi Arabia among exiled Saudi dissidents. They elaborate on often used terms such as "Muslim Brotherhood" and "Political Islam," and unpack the meaning of each and demonstrate how such terms are used for political advantage. They shed light on how the current priorities of MBS dovetail with those of the Crown Prince of the UAE, Egypt, Israel, the U.S. and others, and the implications upon Muslim around the world. A deep, poignant and insightful discussion. Hosted by The Usuli Institute, 22 June 2019.

Latest Circle of Learning (Halaqa):

Surah 94: Al Sharh (Relief)

QURANIC COMMENTARY (TAFSIR) ON SURAH 94: AL SHARH (RELIEF)

13 July 2019

FULL VERSION (CORRECTED): Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl continues his Original Quranic Commentary (Tafsir) on Surah 94 Al Sharh, another one of the short chapters (surahs) that sets the moral foundation of the Islamic message. Although at the time of revelation, the message was directed to the Prophet as the intended recipient, Islamic theologians and jurists have delved into the deeper meanings of the revelation, and if and how its meaning could be understood and directed to Muslims in general. Dr. Abou El Fadl presents a small sampling of the vast exploration into this surah throughout the tradition to reveal the rich depth of meanings. He discusses the well-known verses, "...with hardship comes ease," and presents surprising and elevating insights to how these verses could be understood. A wonderful and deep exploration into a short surah.

In the introduction, Director Grace Song talks about her excitement, surprise and then shock over the state of Muslim female comedy revealed in the line-up of an upcoming event in Southern California. 

Part 2 is Q&A. Delivered 13 July, 2019.

"...To win this very real war that has done inestimable damage to so many Muslims and to the truth of the Islamic faith, it is absolutely imperative that moderates declare a counter-jihad against the puritan heresy. This is not a call for the shedding of blood; it is a call for matching the zeal of puritans through unrelenting intellectual activism. This is a counter-jihad to reclaim the truth about the Islamic faith and win the hearts and minds of Muslims and non-Muslims all around the world..."

Khaled Abou El Fadl, The Great Theft: Wrestling Islam from the Extremists