Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 16. August 2019
Dr. Abou El Fadl begins by reminding of the often recited prayer (du'a) taken directly from the Qur'an that asks God to not allow us to be a source of misguidance (fitna) to others, and especially not to be a source of misguidance to those who do not believe in God. He reflects on the deeper meaning of this Qur'anic verse, and the ways in which Muslims, despite all good intentions, could be a source of misguidance for themselves or for others--especially those who are not Muslim, or do not...
Circles of Learning (Halaqas) · 10. August 2019
In the introduction to the halaqa on Surah 93, Al Duha, Director Grace Song builds upon her last introduction in which she criticizes a group of Muslim female comedians, and presents her own attempt at a comedic monologue. She also shares a number of humorous real-life stories from her experiences as a convert.
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 09. August 2019
In the khutbah before Eid al Adha, Dr. Abou El Fadl reminds us of the beautiful history, theology, philosophy and symbolism of the Islamic pillar of faith known as Hajj, the pilgrimage, to be made at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim on the planet if they are financially and physically able to do so. He reminds us of what the meeting of Muslims from around the world used to mean, long before the age of information and connectedness that we now understand in our current times. Hajj was at...
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 02. August 2019
As we enter the month of Dhu'l Hijjah, the month of the pilgrimage, Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl begins by recalling the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and the Prophet Muhammad, and the wording that the Quran uses to reshape our collective consciousness. He delves into the meaning of the Arabic root word, Qiyam, which God in the Quran uses again and again to describe numerous acts, places, orientations and attitudes that are revealing to the core philosophy of the Islamic message. Although...
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 26. July 2019
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl begins by summarizing the discrete lessons of the past few khutbahs, and continues to build upon the foundation of prescient ethical teachings of the Qur'an for our day and age. He adds an additional layer to the foundation by speaking of the role and import of acting as a moral agent for God on this earth. He recalls passages from the Quran that point to the state and condition of one's chest as a measure of spiritual well-being or health, ie. if one feels tranquility...
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 19. July 2019
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl begins by reminding us of the meaning, import and implications of the "straight path," al-siratal mustaqim, the phrase that Muslims recite more than any other as they recite the first chapter of the Quran, al-Fatiha, in every prayer and with a multitude of occasions. Despite reciting it frequently, Muslims infrequently reflect upon the depths of meaning the phrase contains. In seeking the divine path of justice, beauty, compassion and mercy, human beings have been given...
Circles of Learning (Halaqas) · 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....
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 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...
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 05. July 2019
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl begins by reminding that Islam is a theology of logic and common sense, and describes what it means when God tells us that God is with us, but that there are rules--like the laws of nature, the laws of gravity or the laws of causation--as to what God will and will not bless or partake in when it comes to human actions. He reminds of what actions would cause a severance from the divine. Returning to the foundations of the faith from the time of the Prophet, he reminds...
Friday Khutbahs (Sermons) · 28. June 2019
Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl begins by reminding us what it means to be called by God to be a witness--to be one who tells the truth--on behalf of God, and the heavy burden of the duty of testifying to the truth, both in terms of being a bearer of good news and also of bringing warning. He speaks of the latest news of Jared Kushner's Deal of the Century to bribe Palestinians with money that comes from Saudi, and the direct analogies to colonialism and the White Man's Burden. He calls upon Muslims in...