Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

The Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE) is a non-profit, tax exempt, religious and educational organization dedicated to serve Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf(Sufism),

Friday, January 30, 2026

Al-Sheikh Abdul Wahid Pedersen (Denmark): Talk, Darul Jailani International:Feb 2, 2017:Jakel Mall, Kuala Lumpur

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/oXs7iFnC_js?si=0HdiddN8YJg35P-q

YouTube Video: The Way Rasullullah saws leads the Ummah by Shaykh Abdul Wahid Perdesen: UmranTV English - The Way Rasullullah Leads The Ummah with Shaykh Abdul Wahid Pedersen in conjuction with Grand Mawlid & Haul Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani on 3rd January 2020 at Jakel Mall, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur

https://youtu.be/J_RwoXZ-G6c?si=7hH_Po2f497UpBNo

YouTube Video: Even the Animals and Environment have Rights in Islam: Shaykh Abdul Wahid Perdesen: UmranTV English, Feb 12,2020

https://youtu.be/420fOQlPz9o?si=j2RnuTJ97vkUv9DI

Article: Wahıd Pedersen: “Islam Is A Clear Route To Follow”- Interview by Meryem Kilic, Diyanet Journal, 9/17/2025

Abdul Wahid Reino Arild Pedersen converted to Islam in 1982, aged 28. He was Vice-President of Muslims in Dialogue in the early years of the organisation’s existence. Muslims in Dialogue is a Danish Muslim, multiethnic organisation that introduced Islam to Danish society. He was cofounder and principal of three Muslim schools. He was the founder of what has today become the largest Muslim charity organization in Denmark, called Danish Muslim Aid. A graduate of the Ethnographic Museum at Aarhus University, he has translated numerous books on Islam into Danish. He pioneered the establishment of many civil societies, including the Danish Muslim Joint Council and the Christian-Muslim Research Centre, and contributed to them. He has published a book entitled Islam på Jysk.

https://journal.diyanet.gov.tr/content/abdul-wahid-pedersen-islam-is-a-clear-route-to-follow-2

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Shaykh Habib Umar bin Hamid al-Jaylani, Shafi Mufti of Makkah(رحمه الله)1,23,2026:Obituary: Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Bin Yahya Al-Ninowy

“If you live long enough, you will be struck with grief over every beloved one…
and the survival of your own self, may you never lose it, will be the most painful of all.”- Al-Imam al-Bukhari upon hearing the departure of al-Imam al-Darimi (may Allah Ta'ala grant them both His Rahmah and Pleasure).
The noble, learned scholar, the jurist, the Sufi, the Sayyid ʿUmar ibn Ḥāmid al-Jaylānī has passed on today.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
Our Lord: upon You we have relied; to You we have returned in repentance; and to You is the final return.
Our Lord: indeed You are the Mighty, the Loving, and the Wise.
"Every soul shall taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as a trial, then to Us you will be returned".
With overwhelming grief and profound sorrow, yet with total surrender to the decree of the Creator of all, I received the news of the passing of the Sayyid, the jurist, the blessing and pillar of Hadramout, a descendant of the noble ʿAlawī Hāshimī lineage, the nurturing guide, the God-conscientious scholar, the honorable sharīf: our master Sayyid ʿUmar ibn Ḥāmid al-Jaylānī, today, on the plane on his way to events in Indonesia.
So to Allah belongs what He takes, and to Him belongs what He gives.
And everything is assigned to a term.
O Allah, I ask You, You who are the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, to shower mercy upon our beloved Shaykh: the ascetic, the lover of the Prophet ﷺ, the upright believer, the righteous servant ʿUmar ibn Ḥāmid al-Jīlānī, and we do not claim righteousness for him before You, O Lord of all worlds,
and to receive him with a beautiful acceptance.
For truly, You are the ultimate aim of our hope,
the end of our seeking,
and the harbor where our longing finally rests.
Our Shaykh, may Allah have mercy upon him and be pleased with him, was among the eminent faces of the Shāfiʿī sayyids in the sacred city of Makkah. He was a sign among the signs of Allah the All-Loving Creator in the beauty of his outward character, the humility of his heart, and the lowering of his wing in gentleness.
To sit in his gatherings was to be reminded of the character of the greatest among the early generations: of the Prophetic Household, the Companions, and those who followed them with excellence among the saints and the righteous.
His very state would lift you.
His words would guide you to Allah.
In sum, Sayyid Shaykh ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, was a light from the lights of knowledge and calling to Allah; a lantern by which people sought illumination in both sacred learning and spiritual state, in this fleeting world that is always departing even as it remains.
And on this sorrowful occasion, I extend to his beloved children, the noble sayyids of the honored household of Āl al-Jaylānī, and to all of his noble family, his brothers, his disciples, his students, and his lovers throughout the Islamic world, and to the honored scholars of Ahl al-Bayt in this era, and to the scholars of the Ummah in the East and the West, my finest words of consolation, my purest condolences, and my sincerest prayers.
May Allah Ta'ala magnify your reward.
May He beautify your patience and your solace.
May He repay you for this calamity with divine recompense.
May He replace it for you with what is better.
And may He grant you beautiful patience, and contentment, and surrender to Allah, Lord of all worlds and Loving creator of all.
Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we shall return.
And there is no power and no strength except with God, Lord of the worlds.
And may Allah Ta'ala magnify the reward for you as well, my dear readers.
Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers.
This… and may Allah Ta'ala invoke the best and most abundant of blessings and peace upon our master Muḥammad ibn ʿAbdillāh, and upon his family, his wives, his descendants, and his companions, and all praise is due to Him, in every state.
Source:https://www.facebook.com/ShaykhNinowy/

"Follow the Saliheen "- Habib Umar bin Hamid Al-Jailani:Lisan al-Din (Language of Faith) Blog-4/12/2011
 
Bismillah.
Habib Umar bin Hamid Al-Jailani was the guest of honor at the Annual Grand Mawlidur Rasul & Haul of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani organized by the Al Wariseen Trust.
Habib Umar spoke to a packed audience at Masjid Tuanku Mizan, Malaysia, while Habib Tahir Al-Kaf acted as his interpreter.
He said:
Endless praise is to Allah for His blessings at this blissful event. And greetings of peace be upon the Beloved of Allah, his family, and companions.
This is indeed a blessed gathering as we make zikr to Allah and listen to the history of Rasulullah and the solehin. Allah has ordered us to follow in their footsteps, those who came before us, whom Allah had granted hidayah. We ought to emulate their noble characters.
We have gathered at this royal mosque so we pray for Allah to shower His barakah. Allah says in the Qur'an, 'whoever frequents a masjid, verily he is among the believers' and a hadith of the Prophet promises a reward of a castle for anyone who constructs a masjid regardless of the size. Such is the favor for those who care about Allah's House.
We are also grateful that the organizer Al Wariseen Trust has done a great job at managing this event. May Allah bless Shaykh Afeefuddin Al-Jailani. May Allah grant him a long life. The purpose of this majlis is to remember Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani, one whose profile and history get mentioned regularly, one who had spent his entire life, day and night, in the manner that wins Allah's mercy. Certainly, Allah will honor anyone who conforms to His Rules. Allah gave Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani an extraordinary inayah (support) that his listeners would take heed to each word he uttered. His sayings though very brief, carried deep meanings that people could publish voluminous commentaries on them. One short but profound sayings of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani was this: "You should always be with the Haq until there is no one else in front of you. You should live among people while you don't have the slightest nafs (desires) towards them."
The calamities that have befallen Muslims are due to our failure to follow the practices of solehin as exemplified by the Prophet s.a.w. Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al-Jailani was one who loved the ummah of Muhammad. He once swore that if he were to have a special position in the eyes of Allah, he would help the ummah from beginning to the end. His love for the ummah was evident. And know that there is only one ummah, not two, not three. There is no ummat Muhammad and ummat Arab, there is no such thing. It's ummatan wahidah, there is only one. Therefore, no matter where we are, we must stay united. All Muslims are brothers to one another. Allah called upon us to reconcile two disputing brothers. Notice the word two. Allah did not say three or more. What Tun Abdullah Badawi had said in his speech earlier was true. The division among us would not have happened if we acted as brothers - al Muslim akhul Muslim. We are indeed related, so we should not cause harm or belittle our fellow brothers. In fact, the blood of Muslims is haram. It is not permissible to kill another Muslim. Yet we have strayed far from the Prophet's teachings. There can be no solutions to the current predicament that we are facing unless we go back to following the ways of the solehin, to whom Allah granted His hidayah. By all means, do follow them for Allah had guided them aright.
May Allah protect the Muslims and resolve all squabbles in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen, and Iraq. May Allah protect Malaysia and the Malays. May Allah protect the Haramain. O people, have confidence that we shall not leave this majlis unless Allah opens up our hearts and instills in our hearts the conviction that we are all indeed brothers.

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Man and Allah’s Justice on Earth : Imam Muhammad Said Ramadan al-Buti (RA), Mahdi Lock (Translator)

 Amazon Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Justice-Pinnacle-Muhammad-Ramadan-al-Buti/dp/9811814236

This important book addresses one of the failed tactics of those who seek to sow doubt in order to push the upcoming generation away from Islam by saying,
‘If Allah existed, justice would prevail throughout the world, because Allah is just. But where is this justice when we see innocent people suffering and criminals living in luxury?’
This book contains a scientific answer to this question and shows the reader how this tactic always fails, as long as a person is adorned with objective thought and a free intellect.

Imam Muhammad Said Ramadan al-Buti (RA) is one of the foremost Muslim theologians and legal scholars of this age. Born in 1929 in the village of Ayn Dewar in northern Syria, the imam moved to Damascus at the age of four with his father, the great scholar Mullā Ramaḍān al-Būṭī, where he received his primary and secondary education. In 1953, he joined the Faculty of Sharīʿah at the University of al-Azhar in Cairo, Egypt, graduating with a first class in 1955. The following year he obtained a Diploma in Education from the Faculty of Arabic at the same University.

In 1958, the Imam was appointed as a teacher at the secondary school in Homs and in 1961, he was appointed as a lecturer in the Faculty of Sharīʿah at the University of Damascus. In 1965, at the University of al-Azhar once again, he obtained his doctorate with high distinction and a recommendation for a teaching post. That same year, he was appointed as a teacher in the Faculty of Sharīʿah at the University of Damascus, then an assistant professor and finally a full professor. He became the vice dean of that college in 1975 and then the dean in 1977. A few years later, he was appointed head of the department of Theology and Comparative Religion.

In addition to his lecturing, Imam al-Būṭī wrote around sixty books covering various Islamic sciences and subjects, the most prominent ones being Fiqh al-Sīrah (The Jurisprudence of the Prophetic Biography), Kubrā al-Yaqīniyyāt al-Kawniyyah (The Greatest Universal Sureties) and his four-volume commentary on the spiritual aphorisms of Imam Ibn ʿAṭāʾillāh al-Askandarī. He was also very active in teaching common believers in local masjids, especially Masjid al-Īmān in Damascus, and on television, recordings of which can be found online and especially on the site www.naseemalsham.com. He also served as the imam at the Umayyad Grand Masjid in Damascus for Friday prayers, a post he held for decades.

On March 21, 2013, Imam al-Būtī, along with approximately fifty students, was murdered by terrorists while teaching Qurʾānic commentary in Masjid al-Īmān. Despite the immense trials and tribulations that Syria was and is still enduring, Imam al-Būṭī was never dissuaded from his dedicated service to knowledge. After a funeral prayer that was attended by thousands of people, the Imam was buried next to Imam Ṣalāḥ al-Dīn al-Ayyūbī in Bāb al-Saghīr graveyard in Damascus. May the Lord have mercy on him and all of us.

YouTube Video: Man and Allah's Justice on Earth - Ustaz Mahdi Lock - Session 7: Nawabooks: May22.2023

Playlist 9 Videos:

Article:Reconciling Faith and Sufferings: Insights from Sa‘id Ramadhan Al-Buti’s Theodicy:   Nurhanisah Senin1, Hamidun Mohamad Husin2, Nazneen Ismail2, Mustafa Kamal Amat Misra2, Norsaleha Mohd Salleh2 1Faculty of Leadership and Management, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, 2Fakulti Islamic Civilization Studies, Universiti Islam Selangor, Bandar Seri Putra, 43000 Kajang, Selangor

Abstract: The concept of divine justice is a pivotal issue within the philosophy of religion, frequently raising questions about how a Just and Benevolent God can permit the existence of evil in human life. This paper explores Sheikh Sa‘id Ramadan al-Buti’s perspective on theodicy as articulated in his work Man and Allah’s Justice on Earth. Utilizing a qualitative methodology, the study applies content analysis through a deductive approach to thoroughly examine alButi’s conceptualization of divine justice. The analysis identifies two principal methods in alButi’s understanding of theodicy: first, the acknowledgment of human existence and the role of humans as servants of God, and second, the recognition that human life constitutes a minor segment of a more comprehensive divine narrative. The findings underscore that a proper understanding of these aspects of theodicy is essential for maintaining the integrity of one’s faith in the concepts of divine decree and predestination. Keyword: Theodicy, Al-Buti, Divine Justice, Faith, Suffering.

Human Civilization In The Qur'an: Shaykh Ramadan Al Bouti: Introduction to the book The Foreword: Podcast July 27, 2020

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/m31OHdycED4?si=zNDQsWQHoj46GqFi

Al-Hajj Abu Ja'far al-Hanbali joins me (Mahdi Lock) to talk about Imam al-Bouti, his life, his rank, and his works. Alhamdulilah, the book is now available in North America: https://wondrousislam.ca/collections/... More details can be found here: https://mahdinnm.blogspot.com/2019/11...

YouTube Video: Book Review: The Approach To Human Civilization In The Qur'an: The Foreword

Al-Hajj Abu Ja'far al-Hanbali joins me Mahdi Lock,(Translator) to talk about the book: Talking Points: 1. The Book – The Approach to Civilisation a. Why was this book chosen? b. The need for it in English c. Current Anglosphere understandings of scholarship and the topic 2. Preface a. What is civilisation? Etymology and usage b. Culture and Civilisation – What is the difference? c. How have academics in different languages tried to explain the topic 3. Civilisation and its elements a. Nomadic vs Sedentary life b. The 2 trials civilisation brings to man c. How to approach human civilisation 4. How does the Qur’an charge Man with the Responsibilities of Building Civilisation a. Some of the ayat chosen by the Imam and why b. Does civilisation naturally mean material progress and development c. Religion vs Human Development and Progress 5. How does the Qur’an enlighten Man about the Elements of Civilisation and show him how to cooperate with them a. What is the significance of the THREE introductions before starting the book 6. The Approach to Human Civilisation in the Qur’an a. Who is Man in the Qur’an b. What is Human Life in the Qur’an c. What is the universe in the Qur’an d. What is Knowledge in the Qur’an 7. What did the Imam mean by the Fossilisation of the Islamic Civilisation? a. How other movements have characterised the state of Muslims b. How movements sought to resolve the issue c. The solutions offered by the Imam 8. How can Islamic Civilisation be Resurrected a. Solutions and actions going forward

Book: The Approach to Human Civilization in the Qur'an: Shaykh Ramadan Al Bouti - Mahdi Lock ( Translator). Rabata Cultural Center & Book Shop  https://bookshop.rabata.org/
This book was translated from Arabic entitled "Manhaj al-Hadharah al-Insaniah fi al-Qur'an". It contains – perhaps for the first time – the study of a comprehensive Qur'anic structure for a unique social education that can promote the establishment of a sound, stable civilizational rebirth. It also contains – again for the first time – an inquiry into the foundations of knowledge and its point of departure in the Qur'an, which most people have neglected until today. This book, with all of the above that it contains, is placed in front of those who say, ‘We have looked and we have not found a comprehensive educational theory in the Qur'an.’


Facebook: Dr. M. Ramadan Al Bouti - English

Article: 
Abstract:This research includes a quick look at Dr. Muhammad Saeed Ramadan Al-Bouti's vision of man through his educational thought, and a statement that man occupies an important place in the universe, and that he is charged with an important job in it, which is the job of applying divine justice that God has drawn for man. And that, according to Islamic law, man is an honorable creature, God Almighty created him in the best manner, took care of him with inspiration and education, provided him with intellect and heart, and prepared him for the honor of his succession on earth.
Human dignity is not just a theoretical right, but its impact extends to the human being, his belief and his civilization, as it makes him a master in the universe, a dear one who does not accept humiliation and insult and is not based on it, and it helps him to build and build civilizations. In Islamic law, man has various rights, including the right to political freedom, freedom of opinion and behavior, and the right to equality in the economic and political aspect.
The research is divided into three sections, the first of which is about Dr. Al-Bouti's view of man as an individual, the second topic is about human equality in Islamic law, and the third topic is about the human function in Dr. Al-Bouti's thought.

Fiqh al-Sirah: al-Shaykh Said Ramadan al-Buti: Shaykh Mohammed Aslam : Majlis Ta'lim An-Nur: May 10.2025

YouTube Video: Episode 1 

https://youtu.be/YZ5VtT0Hr1M?si=wZmrWW1yw4KUi0c2

YouTube Video: Episode 2

https://youtu.be/fESq1_PXOz4?si=M_p5P_92KfekRZ5K

YouTube Video: Episode 3

https://youtu.be/CSVztnVkXIk?si=K1u8GTyoC0n8z7yZ

YouTube Video: Episode 4

https://youtu.be/YsF6FXryI0I?si=4gPucV7yGVxdz_ZG

YouTube Video: Episode 5

https://youtu.be/9U14GkK-Org?si=IzMjDtekEXTGQDC8

YouTube Video: Episode 6

https://youtu.be/hFQkF2GZCDQ?si=TQXbj3ez3LRMLsz9

Playlist 10 Videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ5VtT0Hr1M&list=PLKo9n-xOU0Gi4KZtaKuzJuN3kft473bXH

Description:

Ma'had Ilmi IIUM, under the auspices of the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Mosque IIUM, Majlis Ta'lim An-Nur (MTAN) and Galeri Ilmu are pleased to invite you to a special lecture series on Fiqh al-Sīrah's book. Details are as follows:  Textbook: Fiqh al-Sīrah by al-Shahīd Dr. Sa'īd Ramaḍān al-Būṭī  Day: Every Friday | It will start on April 25, 2025  Time & Venue: 2:30 p.m. | Training Room, SHAS Mosque, IIUM Gombak Lecturer: Shaykh Mohammed Aslam (United Kingdom) We warmly invite all members of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) community and the public to join us in this insightful class.  Open to the IIUM community & public. Class conducted fully in English

Amazon Book:The Jurisprudence of the Prophetic Biography & A Brief History of the Orthodox Caliphate-Dr. M. Sa'id Ramadan al-Buti - English Translators: Nancy Roberts & Anas Al Rifai

https://www.amazon.com/Jurisprudence-Prophetic-Biography-Ramadan-Translated/dp/9953511179

This book highlights the significance of studying the prophetic biography for understanding Islam and the scholarly methods of narrating it. It tackles the period from the Prophet's birth to his mission, so it mentions his lineage, birth and suck; his journey to Syria; his laboring for provision, his trading with Khadijah's wealth, his marriage to her, his participation in building the Kabah, his seclusion in Hira Cave and the start of the Revelation.

Imam AshSham YouTube Channel:

Monday, January 12, 2026

Loving Creator & Creation: Higher Realities of Love: Dr Samir Mahmoud: Muslim Youth Association:Feb 21, 2025

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/BiZel5eWKA4?si=0EZ_MqEkLqFqLruo

Join Dr Samir as he unveils the profound essence and spiritual dimensions of love, illuminating its unique place within the tapestry of creation. This class will guide you into the depths of love’s mysteries, inviting you to marvel at its transcendent beauty while gathering pearls of wisdom from the rich legacy of Islam’s sacred tradition. Dr Samir will explore the centrality of love in creation, examining its various hierarchies—from Divine love, to Natural and Cosmic love, and Human love. Through this class, you will encounter the intricate connections between love and beauty, love and creation, and love and the human soul.

Spiritual Retreat: Loving Creator & Creation Muslim Youth Association: November 22-24,2024
https://events.humanitix.com/spiritual-retreat-loving-creator-and-creation

Event description
Only in moments of intimacy with God are we given everything we could want, and more than we could imagine. This is the highest degree of love, and is regarded by our scholars as the purpose of existence, as well as its greatest joy.
Love is like the ocean - mighty yet magnificent, life-giving yet unpredictable. It gives us happiness, but can also drive us foolish and crazy, and even cause tears mixed with blood to flow from the eyes (see Qasida al-Burda by Imam Al-Busiri). Our tradition is filled with scholars and saints who showed us how this love can transmute our being and burn away our excesses, leaving nothing but desire for God's presence.
Join us for a weekend intensive at the Seaside Garden Retreat where Ust Sahar Dandan, Dr Samir Mahmoud and Ust Feraidoon Mojadedi (US) will explore what it means to love Allah, His Prophet (peace be upon him), and His creation. This will be an incredible opportunity to let your soul soak in the timeless marvels of the Quran, Prophetic teachings, and words of legendary poets such as Rumi, Saadi, Hafiz, Attar and Iqbal.

Amazon Book: Loving our Creator and Loving His Creation: In the footsteps of the Prophets (peace be upon them all): Abdul Qader Ismail
https://www.amazon.com/Loving-our-Creator-His-Creation-ebook/dp/B0D5DP5XWF

How important are good manners and beautiful character in the life of a Muslim? What is the connection between loving Allah and loving our fellow human beings? How does one lead to the other, and why can one not exist without the other? Come, let us follow in the footsteps of the Prophets (peace be upon them all) and learn the reality of what it means to be a Muslim.

Article:PDF:Divine Love as the Reason for Creation in Islam—An Exploration of Nursi’s Epistles of Light: Nasrin Rouzati -MDPI Journals: Dec 20,2020


Article: Loving God: Man’s love of his Master and Creator:Dr.Musharraf Hussain: July 12, 2018

Article:PDF: Love:A Universal Reality: Muhammad Izharul Haq: Al-Hikmat Vol 25, 2005

"Trial and Tribulation in the Qur'an" with President Hamza Yusuf and Dr. Nasrin Rouzati: Zaytuna College:Apr 2, 2024

 YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvbmp7JuhGI&t=115s

This is a public broadcast of the First Command Book Club with President Hamza Yusuf. The First Command Book Club is a member benefit of the 12000 Strong monthly giving initiative. Learn more and join at bookclub.zaytuna.edu. About "Trial and Tribulation" by Dr. Nasrin Rouzati This book offers a critical analysis and re-examination of the notion of Divine trial, first by providing a comprehensive typology and a contextual interpretation of the Qur'anic narratives pertaining to the concept. Divine trial is then investigated through a historical review of prophetic tradition (hadith) and the exegetical literature (tafsir); followed by a discussion on Prophetology, and an overview of bala in the lives of the prophets. The book further develops key aspects of Muslim theology and mysticism through an examination of the works of Rumi and al-Ghazali. Nasrin Rouzati takes up a neglected aspect of Islamic religious experience. The concept is actually at the heart of the Qur’an and Rouzati’s research in the Qur’anic materials, both classical and modern, on the subject is ground-breaking. (Abdulaziz Sachedina, George Mason University)

Amazon Book:Trial and Tribulation in the Qur'an:A Mystical Theodicy: Nasrin Rouzati

This book offers a critical analysis and re-examination of the notion of Divine trial, first by providing a comprehensive typology and a contextual interpretation of the Qur'anic narratives pertaining to the concept.
Divine trial is then investigated through a historical review of prophetic tradition (hadith) and the exegetical literature (tafsir); followed by a discussion on Prophetology, and an overview of bala in the lives of the prophets.
The book further develops key aspects of Muslim theology and mysticism through an examination of the works of Rumi and al-Ghazali.

Article:The Purpose of Pain and Pleasure: Renovatio: The Journal of Zaytuna College 

Nasrin Rouzati’s book, titled Trial and Tribulation in the Qur’an: A Mystical Theodicy, examines Qur’anic teachings on the providential purpose of suffering in our lives on earth, something the prophets experienced more than most. This conversation with the author, recorded during Ramadan 2024 as part of the First Command Book Club series, was hosted by Hamza Yusuf and included Zaytuna College vice president Aisha Subhani. It has been edited for length and clarity.

Nasrin Rouzati Biography:

Thursday, January 8, 2026

Muslims in the Neoliberal Empire - Tea Over Books with Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad & Dr William Barylo Cambridge Muslim College:Jan 7, 2026

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/viY0DplG2BA?si=e9siXBZ0JbCo3-qm

Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad sits down with Dr William Barylo to discuss his latest book, Muslims in the Neoliberal Empire, exploring questions of community, leadership, and responsibility, with particular attention to the role of grassroots initiatives, the evolving function of mosques, and the social and ethical challenges facing Muslim communities today. The discussion also considers the impact of modern political, economic, and technological pressures, including the rise of influencer culture and emerging technologies.

Amazon Book:

British Muslims in the Neoliberal Empire: Resisting, Healing, and Flourishing in the Metacolonial Era (Oxford British Muslim Studies) by William Barylo (Author).

More than twenty years after 9/11, what has changed for Muslims in the West? From the occupation of lands, the world has entered a new era: the occupation of minds. State strategies have evolved to offer a dangerous gamble to people from post-colonial diasporas: remain at the margins or silently blend-in for the sake of an illusory liberation. From power-hungry Muslim politicians in elite private clubs to politically apathetic social media influencers, multi-million-pound neo-colonial 'humanitarian' charities, Muslim far-right sympathisers, and Muslim white supremacists, this new form of colonialism - Metacolonialism - has effectively turned the oppressed into the new oppressors. Under the promise of financial stability and representation, it has effectively put God for sale at the cost of people's culture, ethics, identity, and faith.

However, in the wake of the new Roaring Twenties marked by social justice movements, Muslims in Britain have crafted creative responses inspired by their faith in order to resist, heal and flourish despite minimal resources and support. Informal and independent from institutions, they have established pioneering alternatives in the fields of mental health, community organizing, the protection of the environment, heritage, the arts, and more. Since leadership divides, they have undertaken a duty of stewardship: considering the world and humanity as one ecosystem that one needs to care for future generations. This work is both a diagnosis and a toolbook looking at the initiatives that reshape public debates and offer working ideas for building a fair and just society.

About the Author
William Barylo, Research Fellow, Sociology Department, University of Warwick

William Barylo is a Sociologist and visual artist using film and photography to explore issues around race, class, gender and belief through the perspective of decoloniality, restorative justice and stewardship. He looks at how grassroots initiatives in Europe and North America navigate societal challenges and find ways to resist, heal and flourish. Committed to diverting power from the ivory tower and developing practical solutions through his research findings, he co-creates fictions, documentaries and experimental works with community artists and activists.

Biography & Website:William Barylo : Sociologist, Photographer, Film-maker

Monday, January 5, 2026

Why Modern Muslim Spirituality isn't helping | Shaykh Musab Penfound: OnePath Network:Jan 2, 2026

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/C4D-XYlKwEU?si=U9_cNy8qe01CqqyE

Join us for a reflective conversation with Shaykh Musab Penfound, whose life has been shaped by a sincere search for truth and knowledge. Growing up in Manchester, Shaykh Mus’ab embraced Islam at eighteen, beginning a journey that would take him far beyond his home. He shares how a deep pursuit of understanding led him to study Arabic and the Islamic sciences, a path that ultimately took him to Yemen, where living and learning in the Muslim world reshaped his understanding of faith, character, and spiritual growth. From this place of lived experience, Shaykh Mus’ab reflects on cultivating a genuine love for the Prophet ﷺ one that goes beyond a surface-level connection. He explores the Prophet’s balance of mercy and strength, and how he nurtured people from diverse backgrounds into individuals of deep faith. The conversation offers thoughtful guidance for converts navigating overwhelm, identity, and belonging, while emphasising how one can preserve a sense of self while growing closer to Allah. Shaykh Mus’ab also reflects on turning to the life of the Prophet ﷺ for steadiness and meaning during times of collective hardship. A conversation that invites deeper reflection, clarity of purpose, and a more rooted faith.


Mecca Books: Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah: By Muhammad Ibn Alawi al-Maliki Ahmad Shaist Khan (translator), Musab Penfound (translator):Imam Ghazali Institute
In a world increasingly driven by materialism and immediate gratification, Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah offers a glimpse into the divine promise that awaits the faithful. This beautiful work by Sayyid Muhammad b. 'Alawi al-Maliki, translated into English by Shaykh Ahmad Shaist, unveils the Islamic vision of Jannah, a realm beyond human imagination. By compiling the numerous vivid descriptions of Jannah in the Qur'an and Hadith, this text brings the reader on a profound journey, which instills hope and provides both solace and much-needed perspective.

In his inimitable style, the late Sayyid weaves together the different descriptions and discusses them both as reality and as metaphors for spiritual fulfillment and eternal closeness to Allah, providing a nuanced understanding of the afterlife that transcends literal interpretations. "What No Eye Has Seen," or as rendered in this translation, “Heaven Explored”, is a compelling read for anyone interested in acquainting themselves with the nature of Jannah for the believers. This book is more than an academic treatise; it is a journey towards understanding the divine promise that lies at the heart of a believer’s journey to Allah – the promise of a Paradise beyond the limits of human imagination, meeting the Beloved of Allah ﷺ by the Pond, and seeing Allah, the Exalted.

Heaven Explored: A Description of Jannah goes beyond theological exploration, presenting Paradise as both a future abode and a guiding principle for living a righteous, purposeful life. In this edition, Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki’s insights are brought to life through Shaykh Ahmad Shaist's meticulous translation, making the work accessible to a global English-speaking audience. As Sayyid Zain al-Haddad and Shaykh Musab Penfound write in the foreword, this work is "a beacon for those seeking to comprehend the profound mysteries of the Hereafter"

YouTube Video: The Traits of the Righteous | Shaykh Mus'ab Penfound: Nur Sa’aadah:Feb 8, 2025

Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya ʿUlum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences) is one of the most important books of Islamic spirituality authored by the 11th century scholar, Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ghazali. Our introductory classes explored the importance of the book, and how we can traverse the path of knowledge. The Revival Retreat is Nur Sa'aadah's annual retreat in the UK. This year we covered the Book of Knowledge from Imam al-Ghazali’s Ihya ʿUlum al-Din (The Revival of the Religious Sciences). We also held gatherings of remembrance, congregational prayers, and opportunities to benefit directly from our teachers through reflective and interactive sessions.

YouTube Video: Imam al-Haddad's treatise on Good Manners - Shaykh Musab Penfound - Part 1 of 2 -Al Hikam Australia:Nov 12, 2018
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eiz8as03bCg
Part 2: https://youtu.be/I2pjuc0Etvs?si=BwSzbtA3B4kO3Tse

Imam `Abdullah bin `Alawi al-Haddad's 'Kitab Adab Suluk al-Murid' (The Treatise on the Good Manners of the Spiritual Disciple) taught by Shaykh Musab Penfound. This is the first of two sessions taught in Brisbane, Australia on the 20th and 21st October, 2018.

Art of Dawa: Shaykh Musab Penfound - Creative Seedlings Art Blog - May 12, 2020

Importance of Intensions:Shaykh Musab Penfound- Creative Seedlings Art Blog - April 9,2022

Biography: Shaykh Musab Penfound 

Thursday, January 1, 2026

Dr Zachary Wright:Talking With Teachers Season 6 Episode 3: Interview by Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali: Lamppost Education Initiative: Dec 15, 2025

 YouTube Video:

https://youtu.be/dPzlbCFLQkQ?si=n-P5VpK0vATVj0mz

In this powerful episode of Talking With Teachers, Dr. Abdullah bin Hamid Ali sits down with Dr. Zachary Wright, an esteemed scholar of Islam and African Muslim intellectual history, for a rich and illuminating conversation on spirituality, scholarship, and tradition. Dr. Wright reflects on his early influences in Islam, the scholars and teachers who shaped his spiritual and intellectual journey, and his path within the Tijani Tariqah. The discussion explores the importance of maintaining the wird, its role in spiritual discipline, and how structured remembrance of Allah cultivates consistency, humility, and presence of heart. This episode also highlights the often-overlooked legacy of African Islamic scholarship, emphasizing Africa’s central role in preserving, transmitting, and enriching Islamic knowledge across generations. Dr. Wright sheds light on the depth of West African scholarly traditions, Sufi lineages, and the enduring relevance of African Muslim contributions to global Islam. Listeners will gain valuable insights into: The spiritual foundations of the Tijani Sufi path The significance of regular dhikr and wird The continuity of African Muslim scholarship The relationship between spiritual practice and intellectual rigor Lessons for contemporary Muslims seeking rooted, authentic tradition This conversation is essential listening for anyone interested in Islamic spirituality, Sufism, African Islamic history, and living scholarly traditions.

YouTube Video: Dr Zachary Wright Speaks About Sheikh Ahmed Tijani RTA Liverpool -faydatv -May 21, 2024- Abdullah Quilliam Society

https://www.youtube.com/live/OqgMDeENfUg?si=5JOBiU5U87-8fx-E

Mecca Books: On The Path Of The Prophet: Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and the Tariqa Muhammadiyya - Dr Zachary Wright- Fayda   https://www.meccabooks.com/

About The Book

This is the first exhaustive work of one of Islam's most influential figures. He is the leader and founder of the most populace Sufi Tariqas in the Islamic world Shaykh Ahmad Tijani (1737-1815).

He was one of the central figures of eighteenth-century Islamic reform and Sufism (Islamic mysticism). The Sufi order that bears his name, the Tijaniyya, today claims millions of adherents all over the Muslim world, especially in West Africa.

Known by his followers as the Qutb al-Maktum (the Hidden Pole), Shaykh Ahmad Tijani has remained for many an enigmatic and sometimes controversial figure. Here for the first time in the English language is an exposition of his life and doctrine based on primary sources and interviews with prominent Tijani leaders in Senegal, Morocco and Egypt.

About The Author

Zachary Wright, PhD, is assistant professor in residence at Northwestern University in Qatar, with joint appointments in history and religion from Northwestern's Evanston campus. Wright received his PhD (history) from Northwestern University, with a dissertation focusing on Sufism and the history of Islamic knowledge transmission in West Africa. He also has an MA in Arabic studies, Middle East history, from the American University in Cairo, and a BA in history from Stanford University.
He teaches classes on Islam in Africa, modern Middle East history, African history, Islamic intellectual history and Islam in America. He has authored and translated several books, among which are: On the Path of the Prophet: Shaykh Ahmad Tijani and the Tariqa Muhammadiyya (2005), The Removal of Confusion (2010), the latter a translation of a West African Arabic text, Kashif al-ilbas, by the Senegalese Muslim leader Shaykh Ibrahim Niasse, another is What the knowers of Allah have said about the Knowledge of Allah (2015), which he translated for Imam Cheikh Tidiane Cisse,who is the Imam and spiritual heir of Shaykh Ibrahim Niass.

Amazon:Living Knowledge in West African Islam: Zachary Wright,

Living Knowledge in West African Islam examines the actualization of religious identity in the Muslim community of Ibrāhīm Niasse (d. 1975, Senegal). The realization of Islam was achieved through the enduring West African practice of learning in the physical presence of exemplary masters.

Amazon: Jihad of the Pen:The Sufi Literature of West Africa by Rudolph Ware (Author), Zachary Wright (Author), Amir Syed (Author)

A richly annotated survey of writings by four of West Africa's most renowned Sufi scholars
Outsiders have long observed the contours of the flourishing scholarly traditions of African Muslim societies, but the most renowned voices of West African Sufism have rarely been heard outside of their respective constituencies. This volume brings together writings by Uthman b. Fudi (d. 1817, Nigeria), Umar Tal (d. 1864, Mali), Ahmad Bamba (d. 1927, Senegal), and Ibrahim Niasse (d. 1975, Senegal), who, between them, founded the largest Muslim communities in African history.

Jihad of the Pen offers translations of Arabic source material that proved formative to the constitution of a veritable Islamic revival sweeping West Africa in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Recurring themes shared by these scholars—etiquette on the spiritual path, love for the Prophet Muhammad, and divine knowledge—demonstrate a shared, vibrant scholarly heritage in West Africa that drew on the classics of global Islamic learning, but also made its own contributions to Islamic intellectual history. The authors have selected enduringly relevant primary sources and richly contextualized them within broader currents of Islamic scholarship on the African continent.

Students of Islam or Africa, especially those interested in learning more of the profound contributions of African Muslim scholars, will find this work an essential reference for the university classroom or personal library.