The term spirituality has become very vogue in the modern world. Whilst some may move away from organized religion, they still yearn and speak of spirituality. Increasingly the term spirituality is being defined in a subjective manner, with no clear definition and no clear path. The Qur’an lays a clear definition of man’s purpose in … Read more
The teachings of Imam Ali (a) have inspired spirituality in the lives of Muslims over the centuries. In this course we will look at some of his teachings that help believers in their quest to seek nearness to Allah. Instructor: Sr Tahera Kassamali Dates: 2 Tuesdays, Feb 9 and 16, 2021 Timings: 8.30-9.30 am Vancouver, 11.30 … Read more
The image of Imam al-Sādiq (a) as a pious teacher is etched into the hearts of Muslims, especially with the Shī’ah. But are we to believe that the Imam (a) sufficed himself with teaching and was indifferent to the oppressive rulers of his time? While the descendants of the Prophet (s) lived in abject poverty, … Read more
The concept of ‘alam al-dharr often raises more questions than answers. What is the relationship between this world and our current state in this world? Was there a world preceding this world, and why do we have no recollection of it? Muslim scholars and commentators have proposed multiple interpretations to the reality of the primal … Read more
وَإِذَا لَقُوكُمْ قَالُوا آمَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا عَضُّوا عَلَيْكُمُ الْأَنَامِلَ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۚ قُلْ مُوتُوا بِغَيْظِكُمْ Wa-idhā laqūkum qālū āmannā wa-idhā khalaw ‘addū ‘alaykumul-anāmila minal-ghayzi. Qul mūtū bighayzikum When they meet you, they say, ‘We believe,’ but when they are alone, they bite their fingertips at you out of rage. Say, ‘Die of your rage!’ (Sūrat … Read more
وَلَوْ عَلِمَ اللَّهُ فِيهِمْ خَيْرًا لَأَسْمَعَهُمْ Walaw ‘alimallāhu fīhim khayran la-asma‘ahum Et si Allah avait reconnu en eux quelque bien, Il aurait fait qu’ils entendent. (Sūrat al-Anfāl, No 8, Āyat 23) Dans ce verset, Allah ‘azza wajall nous dit que s’il y a du bien dans une personne, Il aide la personne à comprendre la vérité quand … Read more
وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَىٰ إِلَّا مَنْ آمَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا Wamā amwālakum walā awlādakum billatī tuqarribukum ‘indanā zulfā illā man āmana wa ‘amala sālihā It is not your wealth, nor your children, that will bring you close to Us in nearness, excepting those who have faith and act righteously. (Sūrat Saba’, No … Read more
بَقِيَّتُ اللَّـهِ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ Baqiyatullāhi khyarun lakum in kuntum mu’minīn Ce qui demeure auprès d’Allah est meilleur pour vous si vous êtes croyants ! (Sūrat Hūd, No.11, Āyat 86) Ce verset fait partie d’un passage où le Prophète Shu‘ayb ‘alayhis-salām s’adresse à son peuple. Il leur dit de ne pas donner moins quand … Read more
رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا Rabbanā lā tuzigh qulūbana b‘da idh hadaytanā Our Lord! Do not make our hearts swerve after You have guided us (Sūrat Āli Imrān, No 3, Āyat 8) In Sūrat Āli Imrān, Āyat 7, Almighty Allah talks about those who are firmly grounded in knowledge, the rāsikhūna fīl-‘Ilm. This … Read more
قَالَا رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسرِينَ Qālā rabbanā zalamnā anfusanā waAin lam taghfir lanā wa tarhamnā lanakunanna minal khāsirīn Tous deux dirent : « Ô notre Seigneur, nous avons fait du tort à nous-mêmes. Et si Tu ne nous pardonnes pas et ne nous fais pas miséricorde, nous serons … Read more