Shaykh Riyadh Ul Haq

al-Bukhārī Completion Ceremony 2022 Final speech delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 30th September 2022 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/xnI7rT9LoIU Al Kawthar Academy hosts its al-Bukhārī completion ceremony to commemorate graduation from the seven-year intensive ʿĀlimiyyah course. Below are some of the topics mentioned in this talk: - Reason for being called a 'Bukhārī' graduation - The technicality of Ṣaḥīh al-Bukhārī - Being selective about the verses of the Quran - The ultimate goal of the Quran - The first ḥadīth of al-Bukhārī and the final chapter - Misunderstandings in religion - The sacrifices of our ʿulamā - The fame and end of Imām Bukhārī - Recitation of the final ḥadīth and dua ********************************************************************** Website: www.akacademy.org YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/alkawtharacademy Facebook: www.facebook.com/alkawtharacademy Twitter: www.twitter.com/alkawthar Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alkawtharacademy ****

Giving Advice (Naṣīḥah) Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 26th February 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/h3oujjEyuz8 We are often presented with the opportunity to give advice to others. How and when we give this advice is vital as it may be considered unsolicited by the receiving party. This topic falls under the wider meaning of "al-dīn al-naṣīḥah". Two types of advice to others are identified: solicited and unsolicited. Regarding the first type, it is deemed an obligation to respond to a request for advice without wriggling out of it. Aḥādīth that enumerate the rights of a Muslim over another are quoted for this reason and expounded on. The exception on giving advice is when the person fears insincerity or lack of wisdom in his advice, in which case it is better to decline. The importance of sincerity is even more emphasized for unsolicited advice. Positive examples of unsolicited advice are mentioned to be that of the prophets of Allah and Jarīr ibn Abdullah r.a

Seeking Advice (Naṣīḥah) Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 21st October 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/Nqh9fySBJkc We seek advice in order to help us make informed decisions. What are the qualities and characteristics we should look for when choosing someone to take advice from? A good advice giver is said to encompass the wider meaning of nasihah; including being a sincere well-wisher. He should be like the one whom one can narrate dreams to, identified in the hadith as being a 'beloved' or 'intelligent' person. On the other hand, caution is given against taking advice from friends. These friends, often giving dismissive advice, or even playing out their own fancies in their advices. As for the seeker of advice, he should be sincere; having an open mind and a clear objective with his consultation. The talk furthermore identifies istikharah as being a dua seeking good from Allah and that this should be done at the side of istisharah from the creation. Istikharah is

Religion is Naṣīḥah Part 2 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 12th February 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/aXczi-glDVE The famous ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī is often translated as, "Religion is advice." However, there is more to the meaning of these words than a simple translation. What exactly is 'naṣīḥah' and how can it be applied to Allāh, His Prophet ﷺ and the believers? This talk continues from the first part of the series and focuses on the latter part of the ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī, especially regarding showing naṣīḥah to the leaders and laity alike. An understanding is presented on how naṣīḥah should be shown to the leaders and why it is so important. This is supported by a number of aḥādīth. The talk then briefly explains the philosophy of wealth in Islām and how a believer should generate and spend their own wealth. Wishing well for others and being sincere to them are part of the rights every Muslim should carry out. A stellar example of this is how Jarīr ib

Religion is Naṣīḥah Part 1 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 15th January 2021 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/rP049YNdlQE The famous ḥadīth of Tamīm al-Dārī is often translated as, "Religion is advice." However, there is more to the meaning of these words than a simple translation. What exactly is 'naṣīḥah' and how can it be applied to Allāh, His Prophet ﷺ and the believers? This talk details the word naṣīhah beyond its common, but partial translation of 'advice'. The word 'nuṣḥ' is explained; including its meaning of extracting pure honey, and several verses in the Qurān containing derivatives of the word are mentioned. Previous prophets, including the Prophet ﷺ exercised nuṣḥ in all conditions and examples of these are explained in this talk. Thereafter the talk explains 'naṣīḥah to Allāh' and how it entails placing Allāh above all else and not being in a deceitful relationship with Him. The sincere believers who remained behind at the battle of Tabūk are mentioned as

The Prophet's ﷺ Gratitude Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 4th December 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/MYUhLiZhE2I The Prophet ﷺ was a leading example when showing gratitude towards the creation and the Creator. Many du'ā uttered by the Prophet ﷺ include words of gratitude to Allāh and he would often pray excessively for those who carried out favours for him. This talk starts by establishing that it is a command of Allāh that we acknowledge Him and that gratitude is a manifestation of that acknowledgement. It shows how previous prophets showed gratitude and how the Prophet ﷺ was told to follow in their footsteps. The Prophet's ﷺ gratitude to Allāh is shown by his ‘ibādah, the wording of his du'ā and his dhikr, all of which are mentioned to be connected to gratitude. Thereafter the gratitude of the Prophet ﷺ to the creation is mentioned, including his genuine generosity. Several examples show how the Prophet ﷺ showed gratitude to the ṣaḥābah and even non-Muslims an

Ungrateful to the Creation: Ungrateful to the Creator Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 6th November 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/Ba_1Gnt-ipA Gratitude is an important part of our lives which should not only be shown to the Creator, but also to the creation. Many aḥādīth emphasise the need to express gratitude towards others and how this can be done is explained in this talk. The first step is identified as expressing verbal gratitude and making du’ā’ for the person. But even before that, it is emphasized that we must develop the ability to recognize favours in the first place. This is because ingratitude, and the selfishness it stems from, is part of human nature. A number of verses of the Qur’ān are cited to show this ingratitude, as well as real life examples of human self-entitlement, even in religious matters. All of this occurs despite being recipients of other people’s favours. Simple deeds such as smiling and pouring water from a jug are mentioned as acts

Gratitude Part 2 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 30th October 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/HHNTt61nhwY Gratitude can be shown in every part of our daily life; from the food we eat, to the health and wealth that Allah has blessed us with. This two-part series explores a variety of blessings we should be grateful for, how to express gratitude and the dangers of ingratitude. This talk starts by emphasising our fundamental blessings such as food and health and how one should not equate their differing degrees of blessings to their own good deeds, or lack thereof. Rather both Allah's giving and withholding are a test and thus two sides of the same coin. Also, being tested in mental health should be seen without stigma, in the same way as when a person is tested in physical health. Ahadith and verses of the Quran are quoted to show pious individuals being grateful to Allah for their good deeds rather than ascribing them to themselves. A sense of satisfaction for one

Gratitude Part 1 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 9th October 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/iyCUFViNH5o Gratitude can be shown in every part of our daily life; from the food we eat, to the health and wealth that Allah has blessed us with. This two-part series explores a variety of blessings we should be grateful for, how to express gratitude and the dangers of ingratitude. This talk begins with the connection between ingratitude and disbelief and how these are explained with examples from the Quran. Ingratitude towards other people and the origin of the word 'kufr' are explained in this context. The talk also emphasises our many blessings, including the gift of life itself, and how well-off we are compared to many others. Gratitude is explained to be part of a healthy lifestyle also by worldly practitioners; having a positive impact on one's mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. The negative consequences of ingratitude, such as envy, are contrasted to

Five Traits of Hypocrisy: A Commentary on the Prophetic ﷺ Ḥadīth Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 14th February 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/8btJV4hutIg Various traits of hypocrisy are understood at face value. However, many of these traits stem deeper than their outward appearance. This talk aims to explore the roots of these traits and what believers should do to avoid them. The talk starts by enumerating five traits of hypocrisy from two main ḥadīth on the topic. Lying, being the first of the traits of hypocrisy, is placed in the wider context of the person being false of character – of which speech is just a part. This, as opposed to ṣidq, which denotes the person being true, something praised in several verses of the Qur’ān. It is shown how lying can cause a person's character to become false and the consequences of lying are described as being destructive. This includes destroying relationships, barakah and reducing ones blessings in trade. Worldly gain fro

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 7/7 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 31st January 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/JyVvV8lrRXU This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. The final part of this series lists some of the remaining traits of hypocrisy. The first of these discussed is laziness in ‘ibādah. It is explained how a munāfiq prays for show and emphasis is placed on being devoted as believers during prayer, while not treating it as a burden. Secondly, the traits of poisoning the minds of believers and encouraging others to sin are discussed. The psychology behind why we prevent others doing good - especially in families - is explained. Comparison is made here regarding people with personality disorders (PDs) who pull others down to not feel alone in their inner turmoil. The PD’s projection of guilt and projective identificat

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 6 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 14th January 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/fnLaAkqRdSw This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. The sixth part of this series recaps on the traits of hypocrisy identified in verses 204-206 of Sūrat al-Baqarah; especially emphasizing the importance of avoiding arrogance, controlling one's anger and sincerely apologising. Thereafter the contrasting verse 207 and the life of Suhayb al-Rūmī r.a, about whom the verse was revealed, is discussed to the extent of how Umar r.a appointed Suhayb as a temporary imam during his final days. Thereafter the topic moves to verse 118 of Surat Āl 'imran, in which the Muslims were told not to keep munāfiqūn as their confidants, with various signs of a munāfiq being mentioned in the verse. The talk here emphasizes the purity of t

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 5 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 17th January 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/XMM0jm2MZE4 This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. The fifth part of this series covers verses 204 - 206 of Sūrat al-Baqarah. A reason for people being argumentative is identified to be from our own inner insecurities. These insecurities can have an effect on those around us including our close relatives. The psychological process in the head of a person who is corrected when wrong is explained; how he may interpret even a minor imperfection pointed out to mean that he is worthless, and therefore puts on a mask of arrogance as a defence and becomes angry. As a contrast, the reaction of an emotionally stable person when corrected is mentioned; how such a person, through his balanced view of himself, takes criticism

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 4 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 10th January 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/LGXMC9ca3k8 This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. The fourth part of this series begins by covering verse 204 of Sūrat al-Baqarah. From this, quarrelsomeness is deduced as a trait of hypocrisy. It is explained how hypocrites will go to various lengths in trying to convince others of their position – whilst being verbose, excessively swearing oaths and even doing so falsely. This is explained to be a consequence of the hypocrite seeing his objective rather than the truth as important. The opposite is the conduct of a believer and encouragement is given to follow it. Benefits of being silent and minimizing arguments are proven through the sunnah as well as real-life observations; such as argumentative people not bei

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 3 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 20th December 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/iWDfgz3zUVc This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. Continuing on the topic of hypocrisy, this talk covers verses 16-20 of Sūrat al-Baqarah. The trait of short-sightedness within the hypocrites is identified. It is shown here how shallow a munāfiq is and how he sacrifices even basic principles for short-term gains in the dunyā; thereby squandering salvation in the hereafter. Throughout the talk, a mu’min is described as having opposite qualities to that of a munāfiq, such as keeping his sight on the hereafter. Two interpretations are given to the example brought of those lighting a fire, each interpretation referring to a different type of hypocrite. Another trait of hypocrisy was here identified as not being able

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 2 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 13th December 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/uF4VnohkCKQ This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. The talk continues on the topic of hypocrisy by covering verses 11 to 16 in Sūrat al-Baqarah. The attributes of the hypocrites in Madīnah are brought so that we avoid these ourselves and avoid labelling others as hypocrites. Refusing to accept mistakes is a trait of hypocrisy. When the hypocrites were challenged, they would often lie and never accept they were in the wrong. Honesty and admitting mistakes is part of the qualities every believer should have. By admitting we are wrong, a person can then find the path to true repentance. Another trait of hypocrisy identified in this talk is being two-faced. A person can never please everyone and it will often lead th

Traits of Hypocrisy Part 1 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 6th December 2019 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/uJRY-n9eppI This seven-part series details the different types of hypocrites and their various traits. The dangers of adopting these traits is emphasised so that the believers identify and avoid them. There are many verses in the Qurān which mention the hypocrites and their behaviours. The first verses outlined in this talk are those of Sūrat al-Baqarah, many of which speak about nifāq (hypocrisy). Before explaining each verse, a general introduction to nifāq is given. A division is then made into nifāq of faith and deeds; with nifāq in deeds possibly leading to nifāq in faith. The concept of deeds having a momentum is then discussed in relation to this. Three different types of hypocrites in faith are then discussed; two of these types started off as believers and eventually fell into hypocrisy. The Ṣaḥāba, despite having firm belief and some even being promise

Envy: The Inferno Within Part 3 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 6th March 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/gDq2fUrQS5k This three-part series details the causes, effects and how an individual can safeguard themselves from falling into the sin of envy. The third part of this series first focuses on the ill effects envy has on the envious person and his victim, as well as the incompatibility between envy and īman. A remedy for envy is then identified to be dropping it like burning coal. The brain is likened to a car and modern science is quoted on how controlling one’s thoughts can have a physical effect on the brain. A second remedy identified is praying for the person envied. It is emphasized that the dunyā cannot make us happy and examples are given of people having wealth and leadership but still committing atrocities due to their inner turmoil. It is also emphasized that Allah's distribution in the dunyā was never meant to be equal but that it is the Hereafter

Envy: The Inferno Within Part 2 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 28th February 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/kyTsT5K6BNE This three-part series details the causes, effects and how an individual can safeguard themselves from falling into the sin of envy. The thinking of an envious person is warped and where this thinking stems from is detailed. It is said that envy neither has any benefit in the dunyā, where it destroys individual and social peace, nor in the ākhirah, due to it entailing rejection of Allāh and His wisdom and leading to further sin. It is mentioned how the Prophet ﷺ was a victim of envy in Makkah and Madinah and how this led various people to reject his message, including some who were convinced of his prophethood. A number of couplets about envy are cited and it is mentioned why several poets, as well as the Prophet ﷺ, have likened envy to fire. In this context, oud and its burning is also described with a likening to envy. As a contrast to an e

Envy: The Inferno Within Part 1 Delivered by Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq on Friday 21st February 2020 at Al Kawthar Academy, Leicester Video: https://youtu.be/LjfqSVELPWQ This three-part series details the causes, effects and how an individual can safeguard themselves from falling into the sin of envy. The destructive nature of external sins is clearly understood by many, but what about the internal sins we commit? Envy is included among the internal sins and has the ability to extinguish our good deeds. All of us have the ability to envy others as well as being envied ourselves. Several examples are given on how the prophets suffered ill effects of being envied and how envy made people reject their message. One protection suggested against being envied is that we remain silent and private; including being restrictive in narrating our dreams. Examples are given of the widespread problem of dreams being interpreted by unqualified people. As for the negative effects of our own envy, these are described as being