Let the Prophetic Light Pierce the Darkness of the Nafs (the Selfish Human Ego) | Shaykh Faraz Khan: MCC East Bay-August30,2026

 YouTube Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/2354xHmaKDg?si=COggpG1tvQMP1gpU

Prophetic Reality and Divine Connection Prophet Muhammad is described as a piercing star in the Quran, possessing a luminous reality that great imams experienced through years of devotion, service, and remembrance of Allah. The essence of knowing Allah requires distancing oneself from the ego's obsessive desire to control situations while taking practical means and maintaining complete reliance on Allah, as taught by Imam Ibn Ata'illah. The Prophet's actions and presence on earth were so momentous that entire civilizations learned from his every action, which became precedents for civilizations one after another. The Nature of the Ego The nafs (human ego) is by nature dark, stingy, and selfish, requiring the prophetic light to pierce its darkness to cultivate virtues and enable spiritual distancing from it. Taking means with the hand while remembering Allah, the Creator of those means, in the heart is key to illuminating hearts, as obsessively focusing on means diverts from remembering Allah. Prophetic Example of Reliance Prophet Muhammad's hijra to Medina exemplified taking strategic means (cave hiding, diverting pursuers, alternative routes) for protection while maintaining complete reliance on Allah despite Quraysh assassins tracking them closely. Abu Bakr's anxiety for the Prophet's welfare during hijra, circling and checking for followers, was an act of worship, while the Prophet remained still and content, reciting Quran, embodying perfect reliance on Allah. The Prophet's blessed heart was filled with Allah's oneness, undistracted by worldly means, exemplified during hijra when Quraysh pursuers nearly found them, yet he remained focused on Allah's presence. Prophetic Virtues and Roles Contentment with Allah despite pain in trials is a foundational virtue of Prophet Muhammad, who buried six of his seven children, exemplifying this quality through personal tragedy. The Quran describes Prophet Muhammad with five distinct roles: witness, bringer of glad tidings, warner, inviter to Allah, and luminous lamp, highlighting his multifaceted nature and radiant character. Transformative Impact The Prophet illuminated Medina, transforming it from a place of jahiliyyah, illness, and warfare into a civilized city of health and worship, establishing it as al-Medina al-Munawwara (the city par excellence). This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, August 28, 2026. - More Sheikh Faraz: http://mcceastbay.org/faraz Shaykh Faraz Khan is a scholar of Ashʿari and Maturidi philosophical theology with field specialties in Hanafi Jurisprudence, Prophetic Biography, Hadith, and Logic. At Zaytuna College, he has taught Kalam Theology, Creedal Theology, Prophetic Biography, Readings in Muslim Spirituality, and Logic in the Islamic Tradition. Shaykh Faraz also serves as the coordinator of the Honors Program, in which he has taught additional seminars on classical Islamic texts. His research interests center on the engagement of philosophical theology and ethics with the contemporary age. After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Austin, he moved to Amman, Jordan, in 2004 and read classical texts with distinguished scholars in Ashʿari and Maturidi scholastic theology, Hanafi jurisprudence, prophetic narration, logic, and other religious sciences, receiving scholarly authorization (ijazah) after seven years of full-time study. Shaykh Faraz’s most recent book, An Introduction to Islamic Theology: Imam Nūr al-Dīn al-Sābūnī’s Al-Bidāyah fī usūl al-dīn, was published under the Zaytuna College Curriculum Series in 2020. In the work, he translates and annotates a manual on Maturidi theology authored by Imam Nūr al-Dīn al-Ṣābūnī (d. 580/1184), a prominent Muslim theologian from Bukhara, which provides a foundation upon which modern Muslim discourse can be built. The text explains the central tenets of the Islamic creed and refutes erroneous positions of alternative theologies. Shaikh Faraz is fluent in Arabic and has speaking fluency in Urdu. Shaykh Faraz joined the faculty of Zaytuna College in 2013. MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)

YouTube Video:Rabi’ Al-Awwal Mawlid '26: An Najmus Saquib نجم الثاقب (The Shining Star)

https://www.youtube.com/live/qgxOu-OWUY4?si=TRGDBEGUBup1izUx

Aug 28, 2026
The East Bay Annual Mawlid features talks and recitations (Nasheeds) with the theme “An Najmus Saqib ﷺ (The Shining Star).” The East Bay Annual Mawlid features talks and recitations (Nasheeds). We will have talks, counsel, and recitations (Nasheeds) about “The Guiding Light: Muhammad ﷺ” with Shaykh Faraz Khan, Sidi Mahdy Amine, Qari Amar Bellaha, Ustadh Tarif Arabi, and Bay Area Munshids. 6 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. | Friday, August 28, 2026 | MCC Prayer Hall | No RSVP needed to join post-Maghrib Mawlid program (only for pre-Mawlid dinner (capped at 600 guests); no babysitting provided this year | Join in person or watch virtually at mcceastbay.org/live Register for dinner at mcceastbay.org/grand-mawlid San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, Islamic Center of Livermore, Ta’leef Collective & MCC East Bay proudly present this Rabbi’al Awwal Annual Mawlid. Najmus Saqib (Arabic: النجم الثاقب translates to “the piercing star,” “shining star,” or “bright star.” It refers to a star whose light pierces or cuts through the darkness of the night. Surah At-Tariq (86:3): “The piercing star” (an-najm ath-thaqib). Here, it refers to a bright star whose intense light pierces through the darkness of the night. Program Schedule 6 p.m. – Asr congregational prayer 6:15 p.m. – Burda Shareef (Prayer Hall) 6:45 p.m. – Dinner service begins (men in Sunday School parking lot and women in Conference Room/Kindergarten area) 7:50 p.m. – Maghrib prayer, congregational prayer 8:05 p.m. – Qur’an Recitation (Qari Amar Bellaha), Talk, Nasheeds (Sidi Mahdy Amine and team) (no RSVP needed to join this pre-Mawlid program) 9:00 p.m. – Talk with Ustadh Tarif Arabi 9:30 p.m. – Isha congregational prayer 9:45 p.m. – Talk with Shaykh Faraz Khan 10:30 p.m. – Qur’an recitation and closing dua by Qari Amar Bellaha. MCC East Bay (Muslim Community Center)