DeenStrong

Take a listen, then make dua for the brother.

Friday Night program at SALAM Islamic Center in Sacramento, CA. Quran recitation in Arabic: Qari Irfan Sabeer English translation: Qari Ridhwan Sabeer Lecture revolves around Surah Fussilat, Verses 30-33

Qari Irfan Sabeer | Maghrib Prayer | Salam Center | Sacramento, CA | 11.4.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 13 | Arrogance and the heart. by Bilal Elsakka

Light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes, it's not about someone struggling reaching out, but you reaching in. Think of Surat ad-Duha (Ch. 93) as a Quranic antidepressant. It has 4 sections: 1. Allah swears that He is not upset with the Prophet. The first priority is the emotional state of the Prophet. Divine medicine is offered for that. 2. The lense of the Surah then shifts from the present at that time to the future: things will get better. 3. The lense then adjusts to the past: Allah reminds the Prophet of 3 critical challenges He helped him overcome; being an orphan, seeking guidance, and struggling financially. 4. The focus then shifts again, this time from the past to the present: just as I helped you with those 3 specific challenges in your past, try to help others with those in the present. In the last 6 verses of the chapter, there is a perfect mirror: Cluster 1 ABC, then Cluster 2 ABC. A: you grew up as an orphan, so pay it forward and help orphans today. B: you were seeking guidance, so pay it forward and help others seeking guidance. C: you struggled and things improved, so now talk about the blessings you have received. In each of these 3 points, the past is directly tied to the present. So for you and I, here and now, let us reflect. How has Allah helped us in the past? And how can we produce a positive action item as a result in the present? Jumuah Mubarak. May Allah bless your Friday. #quran #medicine #healing

Heart Therapy | Hadith 12 | Greed and the heart. by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 11 | Good character and the heart. | 10.18.2022 by Bilal Elsakka

Jumuah Khutbah: Alhamdulillah, To The One Who Removed All Sorrow | SBIA, San Jose, CA | 10.14.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Jumuah Khutbah: Celebrating the Blessings of Allah | Burlington Masjid, NC | 10.7.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 10 | 10.11.2022 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 9 | 10.04.2022 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 8 by Bilal Elsakka

Ustadh Imran Abedrabbo Adhan by Bilal Elsakka

Step one, is for us to take a little bit of time, in piecemeal, and slowly but surely learn more about Prophet Muhammad. Learning about him is a never-ending process for the Muslim. If you finish one Seerah book, pick up another. If you finish one Seerah podcast series, begin another. Keep that wheel turning, and you will always benefit insha Allah. Step two, as that learning increases and deepens, is to put what you practically can into practice. To live something from what you have learned. Don't overwhelm yourself, but start somewhere, and try to be consistent. May Allah make it easy. Step three, reflect. What has the fruit been from your quest of learning more about The Beloved? Is that fruit sweet for you and those around you, or bitter? Some may think they are coming closer to The Prophet, however if they have become more harsh and their character more ugly, if they have become more spiritually arrogant and exponentially further from humility, then what has truly come out of their efforts of watering that fruit tree? And for those who have become more kind, generous, and beautiful especially internally because of their journey, they are deserving of glad tidings. Would anyone disagree? Because their character has become like sweet musk, both for them and those around them, regardless of how spiritual those around them may or not be. Because their hearts have become like bright lanterns, that not only offer illumination for them first and foremost, but they also become sources of guidance for those around them, regardless of how spiritual those around them may or may not be. May Allah, The Most Loving, Al-Wadud, guide us and forgive us. May He increase us in love for Him and His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.

MCA Bay Area | Friday Family Night: The Muslim's Guide | 9.23.22 by Bilal Elsakka

MCA Bay Area | Friday Sermon: Between Stesdfastness And Seeking Forgiveness | 9.23.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | Hadith 7 | 9.13.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Jumuah Khutbah: Prioritizing Coming Generations by Bilal Elsakka

Friday Sermon: Passing The Baton | 9.9.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | 9.6.22 by Bilal Elsakka

How do you treat those in society who may be disenfranchised? How do you treat those with special needs? How do you look at them, with both your eyes and heart? Do you save space for them as the Prophet did? Do you make them feel loved and welcome? Ihsan is to treat people with excellence, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Regardless of their connections. Regardless of their appearance. Treat people as a Muhsen because it's a reflection of who you are. How do you treat others? Sincerely, or superficially? In God's eyes, do you truly reflect Ihsan? He loves the Muhseneen.

When Moses first speaks with God, he is shown a glimpse of God's power in two ways. First, with his staff. And second, with his hand. Then when God instructs him to go to Pharaoh due to his tyranny, he responds with a beautiful supplication, primarily focusing internally. In his supplication, he makes sure to ask God to assist him through his brother, Aaron. As strong as Moses was, both in his stature and personality, he requested support. And God answered him. #quran an #oasis of #inspiration

Be blessed wherever you are. Because of the Quran. Be a blessing wherever you are. Because of the Quran. Don't just look to receive blessings. Look to produce them. Look to be one. That is what it means to be like Jesus (Quran, 19:31). That is what it means to befriend the Quran. Can you start today, and take one baby step towards the Book of Allah? With self-love, kindness, and compassion? This book is filled with mercy. Are you?

Humility in the early hours. Your spirituality should lead to more humility, and kindness towards others. Your religiosity should soften your heart, not harden it. Have you gravitated closer towards becoming a better person, or the opposite? Reflect.

MCA Friday Night: Investing In Our Youth | 8.19.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Masjid Al-Noor (MCA) | Friday Sermon: A Ray Of Hope | 8.19.22 by Bilal Elsakka

MCA Bay Area | Friday Sermon: Divine Timing | 8.19.22 by Bilal Elsakka

Do You Know What The Greatest Verse In The Quran Is? by Bilal Elsakka

Friday Sermon: Be Good With Your Words, Neighbors, And Guests by Bilal Elsakka

Priority 1: Passing The Torch To The Next Generation by Bilal Elsakka

As Muslims, Have We Abandoned The Quran? by Bilal Elsakka

On that day, nothing else will matter. Not gold, nor silver. Nothing worldly. Except... A sound heart. Which requires constant effort, And purification. Step one, is to learn who God is. Next, is to try to live graciously within that framework of understanding. Free of envy, free of evil. Filled with peace, and purpose. Do you love for others what you love for yourself? If yes, is it more than a claim, supported with action? May God grant us hearts that are clean and pure, and help us to constantly cultivate them in a way pleasing to Him. And protect us from the opposite, and those treading that thorny path.

"My Lord Is With Me" by Bilal Elsakka

Fasting is supposed to be more than one-dimensional. It's supposed to be both external and internal, both physical and spiritual. When it comes to the sacred day of Ashura this coming Monday (8/8/22) - the day in the Islamic Hijri calendar that Moses and his people were saved from Pharaoh and his henchmen - in order to properly and fully benefit from it, a person must reflect deeply and reflect critically internally: am I treading the path of Moses or Pharaoh? And if the silent claim is that Mosaic footsteps are being taken, reflect even deeper: is that claim sincere and clear, or hypocritical and cloudy? This day also commemorates the day Sayyidna Husayn, the beloved grandson of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, was mercilessly martyred. Again, an instance between good and evil - similar to Moses and Pharaoh. He intended to tread a Mosaic path of justice vs injustice, and paid the ultimate price in the end. Moses triumphed through victory. Husayn triumphed through martyrdom. We love and learn from both. May God gather us with them in paradise.

Are You More Like Moses Or Pharaoh? by Bilal Elsakka

This Life Is Temporary by Bilal Elsakka

Carry Something From Jumuah Each Week by Bilal Elsakka

MAS-SSF Event: Depression, Anxiety, and Well-being in the Quran and Sunnah by Bilal Elsakka

Friday Sermon: "And Within Yourselves, Do You Not See?" by Bilal Elsakka

Does The Quran Affect You? by Bilal Elsakka

Sincere Submission To The Sustainer by Bilal Elsakka

Hidden Blessings | 22-27 by Bilal Elsakka

Guidance Is Intertwined With Mercy by Bilal Elsakka

May Allah have mercy on him, and grant him paradise.

Secrets In Salawat by Bilal Elsakka

Heart Therapy | 5 | 7.5.22 by Bilal Elsakka

What Is Your "Ismail?" by Bilal Elsakka

Hidden Blessings: 14-17 by Bilal Elsakka

Prophet Ibrahim: Sincerity Coupled With Responsible Action by Bilal Elsakka

Do Good, But Be Humble by Bilal Elsakka