The Nur of Allah

Description of the Prophet and On Celebrating the Prophets Birthday
2x Audio CD Presentation By Hamza Yusuf
Alhambra Productions, California

Love (mahabba) for people arises from three characteristics:
1) their physical outward beauty
2) their inward beautiful character, and
3) the good or the sacrifice they do for us.
To increase and maintain his love for the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), Sayyidina Hassan (the Prophet's grandson) sought descriptions of all three of these aspects of the Prophet because he wanted something to hold on to. Adding his own commentary to these intimate descriptions, Shaykh Hamza, with his usual eloquence, passionately relates what Sayyidina Hassan gathered about the Beloved of Allah, .Shaykh Hamza says, If you knew what the Prophet did for you, you would fall in love with him, and explains that mahabba grows like a seed. For those who desire to fall in love with the Beloved of Allah, this talk is for them.

On Celebrating The Prophet's Birthday One of the calamities of religions is when the Messenger becomes exalted over the One who sent him. .We do not believe the Prophet Muhammad is divine. We have been given the gift of understanding the Messenger in relation to the One who sent him. The Prophet Muhammad is central to teachings of Islam. .You cannot exalt the Creator without exalting His Messenger, and you cannot exalt His Message without exalting His Messenger.We are commanded by God to magnify the Prophet(S).
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf eloquently explains why we must celebrate the Prophet every day of our lives. He also adds at the end an elucidating explanation of how Muslims should emulate the behavior the Prophet Muhammad (S) had during trying times, reminding us that Prophet(S) taught,The believer is one from whose evil humanity is safe and that he was sent only as a mercy to everyone.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf was born in Washington State and raised in Northern California. In 1977, he became Muslim and subsequently traveled to the Muslim world and studied for ten years in the U. A. E., Saudi Arabia, as well as North and West Africa. He received teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects from several well-known scholars in various countries.
After a ten years of studies abroad, he returned to the USA and took degrees in Religious Studies and Health Care. He has traveled all over the world giving talks on Islam. He also founded Zaytuna Institute which has established an international reputation for presenting a classical picture of Islam in the West and which is dedicated to the revival of traditional study methods and the sciences of Islam. Shaykh Hamza is the first American lecturer to teach in Morocco's prestigious and oldest University, the Kairoiuin in Fes.
In addition, he has translated into modern English several classical Arabic traditional texts and poems.

Muslim Theology and Islamic Mysticism I/II - Abdal Hakim Murad (T. J. Winter)
2X DVD

After thoroughly addressing the first dimension of Islam in his first four lectures of this series, Abdal Hakim uniquely explores the final two dimensions in Islam of Iman and Ihsan. This talk, which consists of two parts, is another highly intellectual discourse about a vast religious science. The speaker begins by providing a historical background in an effort to identity the processes that brought this science about. this lecture effectively paints a colourful picture of the nature of the spiritual life in Islam and examines its foundation. What does the Qur'an say about these two types of higher knowledges, iman and ihsan? how does the Muslim come to know GOD if He cannot be seen? And what about the early Islamic controversies of free will vs. predestination and the existence or 'problem' of evil? How does Islam answer the age-old philosophical questions of why the world exists and what the purpose of life is?

Timothy J Winter graduated from Cambridge University with a double-first in Arabic in 1983. He then studied Islam under traditional teachers at Al-Azhar, one of the oldest universities in the world. He went on to reside in Jeddah, where he administered a commercial translation office and maintained close contact with Habib Ahmad Mashhur al-Haddad and other ulama from Hadramaut, Yemen.

In 1989, Tim Winter (AKA Abdal Hakim being his Muslim Name ) returned to England and spent two years at the University of London learning Turkish and Farsi . Also a University Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge, England, and Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College.
His research work focuses on Muslim-Christian relations, Islamic ethics and the study of the Orthodox Muslim response to extremism. He is particularly known for his translations and namely his Al-Ghazali series

The Prophetic Invocations On Protection 2 CD set, 1 hour 46 minutes
Featuring Yahya Hawwa and CD 2 Abu Tayeb
Alif Recordings UK

'The Prophetic Invocations on Protection', is a double CD compilation containing selected Prophetic invocations and verses from the holy Quran, illustrating how and why seeking spiritual protection in Allah, the Exalted, is essential in our daily lives. Although the theme of protection has been prevalent at all times, it is of more relevance now than it ever was: our times are increasingly characterised by suffering from spiritual, social, family and mental health related problems.

These trials or difficulties (bala) may be caused by a range of physical and unseen factors, including individual shortcomings, stressful experiences, oppression from others, transgression towards sin, supernatural afflictions or even divine tests (ibtilah) from Allah, the Most High, to draw out our commitment to Him. All of these have lasting effects on the quality of our relationship with Allah and our functioning within ourselves, with our peers and with society at large.

Numerous examples from the Quran and Prophetic Sunnah indicate the recommended practice in and virtue of remembrance (dhikr) or in making prayer (du'a) to Allah, the Most High, when in difficulty or crisis, of whatever nature, as well as implementing them in our daily lives.

The verses of the Quran and duas are recited in Arabic by Yahya Hawwa (Jordan) and Abu Tayeb (London) in the Hafs form for clarity,
easy grasp and learning. They are followed by English translation by Ehsan Abdullah Hannan and are accompanied with Hadith
and sound effects to assist contextualisation. The materials used throughout the project have been carefully selected for their
authenticity.

Al-Yunus (10:57) quran recitation

Protection in the adhan du'a

Protection upon leaving the mosque

Seeking protection from the evil of seeing, talking, hearing, and desires and passions

Seeking protection from the discomfort of death and seeking ease in the daily affairs of this life and in the hereafter.

Ar-Rad (13:28) quran recitation

Contents

CD 1 - Featuring Yahya Hawwa

1 Introduction
2 Al-Fatiha
3 Translation, Hadith 1 & 2
4 Al- Baqarah (2: v1-5)
5 Translation, Hadith 1
6 Al-Araf (7: v205)
7 Ayatul Kursi (2: v255)
8 Translation, Hadith 1, 2 & 3
9 Al- Baqarah (2: v256-257)
10 Translation & summary
11 Al-Baqarah (2: v284-286)
12 Translation, Hadith 1
13 Al-Kahf (18: v1-10)
14 Translation, Hadith 1 & 2
15 Al-Ahzab (33: v41)
16 Al-Muminun (23: v115-118)
17 Translation, Hadith 1
18 Ar-Room (30: v17-19)
19 Translation, Hadith 1
20 Al-Hashr (59: v20-24)
21 Translation, Hadith 1 & verse 7:180
22 Al-Mu'minun (23: v97-98)
23 Al-Mulk
24 Summary, Hadith 1 & 2
25 Al-Ikhlas
26 Translation, Hadith 1 & 2
27 The Al-Mu`awwidhatayn:
Al-Falaq & Translation, An- Nas & Translation
28 Hadith 1, 2 & 3
29 Al-Imran (3: v173-174)

CD 2 - Featuring Abu Tayeb

1 Al-Bakarah (2: v152-157)
2 Protection against Satan upon waking up from sleep
3 Protection when entering the toilet
4 Protection when exiting the toilet
5 Protection after wudu
6 Protection when wearing new garments
7 Protection upon leaving the house
8 Al-Anfal (8:v2)
9 Protection in the azan dua
10 Protection upon entering the mosque
11 Making dua between adhan and iqamah
12 Protection upon leaving the mosque
13 Protection upon entering the house and before eating
14 Yunus (10:v57)
15 Protection against evil in the morning and evening
16 Protection against anxiety, sorrow, helplessness, miserliness, burden of debts and tyranny of men
17 Protection against the punishment of Hell fire, the punishment of the grave, the evil of wealth and poverty and from the trials of Dajjal
18 Protection from harm and seeking mercy, guidance and sustenance
19 Ar-Rad (13:28)
20 Protection against heedlessness
21 Protection against the corruption of the heart and seeking support in Allah for it's control and guidance
22 Seeking protection from the discomfort of death and seeking ease in the daily affairs of this life and in the hereafter.
23 Protection from evil committed and yet to be committed
24 Al-Munafiqun (63:9)
25 Seeking protection from the evil of seeing, talking, hearing, and desires and passions
26 Protection against the evils within oneself and seeking inspiration from Allah
27 Protection against sinning and seeking success in attaining Jannah and safety from the fire
28 Ayats from Suratul Yaseen (36:v1-10)
29 Protection against the whisperings of Satan and doubt in matters of faith
30 Protection against inflicting evil eye on oneself and others
31 Protection for children from ill health and evil eye
32 Protection from inappropriate anger and temperament
33 Al-Isra (17:v82)
34 Protection against people who ones fears harm from
35 Protection against grief
36 Protection against a difficult period/circumstance
37 Protection against misfortune and seeking the reward from it
38 Protection against the misfortune of others
39 Ayats from Suratul Waqiah (56:1-26)
40 Protection during sleep

Alif Recordings is a medium specialising in the promotion of audio based Islamic education and Quranic recitation

The 4 Great ImamsDr. Hesham al-Awadi
13 CDs, 780 mins, October 2004
13 CDs, 780 mins
Awakening Media October 2004

The Four Great Imams - Abu Hanifah, Malik, Shafi'i and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, have been traditionally presented as the founders of Islamic Jurisprudence or Fiqh. This series seeks to introduce a new dimension to the way their lives are viewed today, by focusing on their characters, and their personal interaction with their families, teachers, students, and society at large. It aims to re-emphasise their strong relevance to a wider Muslim audience who might possess interests beyond the sphere of Fiqh. This series reflects on the various stages of the lives of the Four Great Imams, as teenagers, students, teachers, fathers, and active members in their communities, and as contemporary 'role models', particularly to the young generation Muslims living in the West. The series also offers a fascinating insight into the golden era of Islamic history, with prime attention given to the factors and institutions that led to the emergence and development of the Four Great Imams.

CD1: An Introduction and Historical Context
The Umayyad and the Abbasid Periods
Islamic Groups and Trends
The Muslim City: Kufa, Baghdad and Madina

CD2: Imam Abu Hanifah: the Person
His Household
His Mother
Kufa
His Turning Point
Characteristics: Self Control, Brave, Organised, Devout.

CD3: Imam Abu Hanifah: Teachers and Students
His Teacher:
Hammad and Etiquettes of Respect
His Students:
Abu Yusuf and Al-Shaibani
The Etiquettes of Love and Care for Sacred knowledge

CD5: Imam Malik: The Person
His Household
His Turning Point
Veneration of the Sunnah

CD6: Imam Malik: Teachers and Students
His Teachers:
Al-Ra'i: Elegance
Hormoz: I Don't Know!
Nafi': Patience
Zuhari: Dedication
Al-Sadiq and al-Minkadir: Piety
His Students
Al-Qasim: Independence
Ibn Wahab: Focus

CD7: Imam Malik: Society
Attitude toward the Rulers
Respect for Scholars and Scholarship
Imprisonment and Torture

CD8: Imam Shafi'i: The Person
A Noble Orphan
A Patient Mother
His Turning Point
His Meeting with Imam Malik
A Man of Insight

CD9: Imam Shafi'i: Teachers and Students
Teachers from Mecca, Baghdad and Egypt
His Love and Care for Students
His Illness and Death

CD10: Imam Shafi'i: The Society
A Man of the People
Generous
A Man of Possessing a Sense of Humour

CD11: Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Person
An Orphan Who Loves His Mother
As a Teenager
His Sons
A Man of Independence and Self Control

CD12: Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Ordeal
The Creation of the Qur'an
Arrest and Torture
Death

CD13: Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Society
His love for the People
His Love for the Poor
Social Manners
Political Attitudes

I would like to thank Allah the Exalted for His blessing that allowed me to complete this project, and I pray that He accepts it as a work of sincerity and benefit. I would like to thank Dr. Tariq Suwaidan for his valuable advice, Imam Anwar al-Awlaki for his continuous encouragement, and to every brother and sister who helped bring this production into being. I would request that listeners of the CDs pray for me, my parents and family.

Good Character: Reforming the Inner Self (2XCD's)
by Shaykh Abdurrahman ibn Yusuf
Publisher: Al-Rashad Productions (2003) Santa Barbara California
Running Time: 120 minutes
Format: CD

The talks are primaraly based on the Ihya 'Ulum al-Din [Revival of the Religious Sciences] of Imam Ghazali and other traditional works.

This set of lectures were delivered in the form of short talks over five Fridays during the spring of 2001. Topics range from the Prophet Sallallahu alayhi wasallam's profound effect on the Companions and their outstanding character; the importance of reforming the self and nurturing the heart; and the importance of correcting ones inner three faculties: knowledge ['ilm], anger [ghadab], and desire [shahwa], upon which depends good character.

Titles of Lectures:
1. The Outstanding Character of the Companions.
2. Nurturing the Heart and Soul.
3. The Making of Good Character.
4. Reforming the Self.
5. Controlling the Desires.

He then traveled to Syria, where he received a second certification in Qur’anic recitation and memorization, this time from Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaq al-Halabi, who possessed a short, unbroken chain of transmission [sanad] to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) in this subject. He also received a certification from Shaykh Adib Kallas after reading Mulla ‘Ali al-Qari’s Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar and attending lectures on other classical texts of Islamic creed [‘aqida].

He spent the following year in Saharanpur, India, where he received formal authorization to issue legal rulings [fatawa], which required a close study of part or all of a number of classical jurisprudential texts, including, among others, Ibn Nujaym’s Al-Ashbah wa ’l-naza’ir and ‘Allama Haskafi’s Al-Durr al-mukhtar (along with its commentary, Radd al-muhtar, by ‘Allama Ibn ‘Abidin al-Shami). During this time, Mufti Abdur-Rahman also attended classes on the principles of hadith [usul al-hadith], studying ‘Allama Lakhnawi’s Al-Raf ‘ wa ’l-takmil fi ’l-jarh wa ’l-ta’dil and parts of Imam Suyuti’s Tadrib al-rawi.

1)The Nur of Allah & the Darkness of Kufr
2)True Contentment: Only Through His Remembrance

By Shaykh Abdur-rahman ibn Yusuf
Publisher: Al-Rashad Productions (2003) Santa Barbara California
Media: Audio CD (1)
2 Talks in one CD Total running time: 62 mins

This lecture, delivered at the Annual Youth Tarbiya Conference, is built around the verses of Sura Nur (24:35–40). The intricate examples given by Allah in these verses concerning His ultimate Light and the darkness of kufr [unbelief], are expounded upon.

The means of seeking contentment are many and varied, and often a tumultuous and incomplete path. This lecture compares humanly devised means with what Allah has so simply declared in the Holy Qur’an: “And with the remembrance of Allah do the hearts gain contentment” (13:28).

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do you know who will go first on the Day of Resurrection to the shade of God?. . .Those who when given what is right accept it, when asked for something give freely, and who judge in favor of others as they do for themselves."
Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1042