Episode 326: Lecture 3 M2025: Distractions on the path towards God

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil, why it is challenging and needed today and how to do it effectively by making love the foundation   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG  

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, after reviewing our journey into exploring Istiqama thus far, we turn to learning from Sayyada Zaynab [as] who is an embodied model of resistance. We look at her sermons in Kufa and Damascus and see what lessons we can learn from them in the modern world   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of having Tawakkul in Allah swt, what are some of the preconditions, why it is so important and then we discuss how to develop Tawakkul in our hearts   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of standing up to injustice and how we unknowingly be the problem   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In this episode, we continue our exploration of ways to strengthen our relationship with God and focus especially on developing Khasiya or Awe in our hearts. We end the discussion by exploring 5 ways we can experience Awe in our everyday lives     For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   After completing our discussion on distractions on the path towards God, we start our discussion on building our relationship with Allah by looking at His proper name   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   After reflecting on what we can do to build personal resilience, we begin the topic of building our relationship with Allah swt as this is the foundation for Istiqamah. Many of us report feeling disconnected from Allah swt these days. In this lecture, we uncover some of the things in modern life which make it so hard for us to connect to Him.    For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG  

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In order to have the stance of istiqamah, standing strong, we need to have resilience. In this episode, we explore the meaning of resilience, talk about the purpose of trials in our lives and discuss the secrets of resilient people who are able to withstand the challenges of life and are in fact, stronger because of them   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG

In this episode, we reflect on the verse from Sura Fussilat where Allah swt says:    [41:30] (As for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden which you were promised. We start exploring the need for idea of resistance as stance towards injustice. We also explore the meaning of Imam Hussain [as] mission and the idea that the mission of Azadari cannot be different than the mission of Imam Hussain [as].  We start exploring the meaning of Istiqamat For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit www.livingthequran.org for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG  

📌 Episode Summary: This episode continues the narrative of Surah Maryam with the miraculous moment when the newborn Isa (as) speaks from the cradle to defend his mother and declare his prophetic mission. You unpack the meaning and significance of each part of his speech—from affirming his identity as Abdullah (servant of Allah), to describing his mission of prayer, charity, and respect for his mother. From there, the discussion expands into the theological disputes surrounding Isa (as), clarifying the Islamic stance on his nature and role. The Qur’an rebuts both the Jewish rejection of Isa and the Christian deification of him. With tenderness and firmness, the Surah reasserts the essence of Tawheed (oneness of God) and draws our attention to a future day of “intense regret” (Yawm al-Hasrah)—a reminder to live purposefully and mindfully today. The episode ends by introducing the next section: the story of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and his dignified but heart-wrenching dialogue with his idol-worshipping father—another example of truth delivered with compassion and courage. 🧭 Key Takeaways: Isa’s First Words Define His Identity: As a newborn, Isa (as) declares: “I am the servant of Allah”—refuting any claim to divinity. His speech reaffirms key values: servitude, prophecy, worship, charity, and respect for one’s mother. Emotional Protection of His Mother: In speaking up, Isa (as) not only defends his own identity but also shields Maryam (as) from slander—modeling how children can become a source of honor for their parents. A Call to Monotheism: The Surah addresses theological disputes about Isa (as), stating clearly that Allah does not beget or is begotten. Any deviation from this is an error rooted in ego, not revelation. Truth Is Simple, Misguidance Is Complicated: While Isa’s (as) words are direct and clear, the man-made constructs (e.g., the Trinity) are convoluted—reflecting the distortion of truth by intellectual arrogance. Faith Means Trust in Divine Power: The phrase Kun fa-yakoon (“Be, and it is”) reminds us that divine will transcends natural law. When we believe in Allah’s power, miracles no longer surprise us—they reinforce our awe. Yawm al-Hasrah – The Day of Regret: Whether believer or not, many will regret missed opportunities for good on the Day of Judgment. Like the parable of the travelers in the cave, we’ll wish we had done more. Living in a State of Ghafla (Heedlessness): Modern distractions and spiritual forgetfulness are examples of ghafla, which the Qur’an warns against. We’re called to awaken and become conscious of our purpose. 💡 Reflection Prompt for Listeners: What do you want your soul to “witness” on the Day of Regret? What small steps can you take today to collect more light for that journey?