Shaykh Hamza Yusuf delivered this khutbah on February 20, 2009 in San Ramon, California. This is in response to Aasiya Hassan’s death.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Sandala Productions presents: Refinement of the Hearts, a 15 audio CD set. This is Shaykh Hamza’s translation and commentary of Imam Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi’s classic text, Tasfiyah al-Qulub.

With special thanks to Sandala Productions, we are glad to offer a special coupon code for IslamCrunch readers for this new release. Use crunch15 when purchasing the CD set to get 15% off. This gives you a savings of US$9.74 bringing the total to US$55.21. That’s the best price currently available online! You won’t find this deal elsewhere. This coupon has a limited lifespan, so use it quickly. Don’t forget to mention that IslamCrunch sent you.

About this CD set:

In the City of the Prophet, peace be upon him, Hamza Yusuf delivered this series of lectures on this lesser known work, Refinement of the Hearts. The author of the text, the 8th century Spanish master of the Islamic sciences and martyr, Imam Ibn Juzayy al-Kalbi, presents an unassailable Sufism thoroughly grounded in the Book of God.

This small but powerful treatise is one of the finest pieces of Islamic spiritual literature in Muslim history. Hamza Yusuf’s illuminating and engaging reflections bring it to life for any modern Muslim in search of the keys to refining his or her heart in a world that seduces the hearts of humanity.

Doomsday’s singular preparation is to use the opportunity of the world to refine our hearts, for it is a “Day when nothing avails a person, neither wealth nor progeny, only one who brings to God a sound heart.” This wonderful treatise helps us with practical and effective means to do just that.

Essentially dealing with the adornment and the beautiful qualities of the heart.

All praise is due to Allah, and may endless peace, mercy, and blessings shower upon His Beloved Messenger Muhammad, his Kin, and his Companions

{And remind them of the days of Allah} (14:5)

These are excerpts taken from the book Kanz Al-Najah Wal-Surur, a book that focuses on the special qualities of each month and what devotional acts are recommended during those particular months and days. Please note that these recommended acts for the month of Safar have been suggested by many of the Righteous scholars and people of insight and have proved beneficial to many over the centuries.

Safar:

Many of the Saliheen state that Allah sends down the trials and tribulations that will occur throughout the year on the last Wednesday of the month of Safar (which is Wednesday, 29th of Safar – February 25th, 2009). Those trials and tribulations are spread out accordingly and apportioned to specific people. It has been recommended to make certain duas and perform certain devotional acts seeking Allah’s Mercy and Gentlessness during this time to avoid being apportioned any trial or tribulation.

What to do on the last Wednesday of Safar:

• Pray 4 rak’ahs (other than an obligatory/fard prayer)
• In each rak’ah recite the Fatiha, then Surat Al-Kawthar (Chapter 108) 17 times, then Surat Al-Ikhlas (Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad – Chapter 112) 5 times, then Surat Al-Falaq (Chapter 113) once, and finally Surat Al-Naas (Chapter 114) once.
• Repeat this in each rak’ah.

After saying the salaam after the 4th rak’ah, this dua should be recited:
Bismillahi Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem, wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammadin wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim. {Allahuma} ya Shadeed al-Quwa, wa ya Shadeed al-Mihaal, ya ‘Azeezu dhallat li ‘izzatika jamee’ khalqik; ikfini min jamee’ khalqik, ya Muhsin, ya Mujammil, ya Mutafaddil, ya Mun’im, ya Mukrim – ya men la illaha illa Anta, bi Rahmatika ya Arham Ar-Rahimeen. {Allahuma} bi sirri Al-Hasan wa Akheeh, wa Jaddihi wa Abeeh, ikfini sharra hadha al-youm wa ma yunzilu feeh, ya Kaafi. {Fasa yakfeekahumu Allahu wa Huwa As-Samee’u Al-’Aleem}. Wa Hasbunal Allahu wa na’am al wakeel, wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi Al-’Alee, Al-’Adheem. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidna Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa sallim.

The Translation:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. May the peace and mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon our Master Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions. {O Allah} the One of Intense Power, the One of Intense Perspicacity. O Glorious One, Your entire creation is humbled before your Might – protect me from your entire creation, O Charitable One, O Beautifier, O Gracious One, O Giver of Blessing, O Generous One – there is no god except You, we ask your Mercy, of Most Merciful. {O Allah} by the secret [blessing you have given] Al-Hasan, his brother [Husayn], his grandfather [may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon him!], his father [Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him] – protect us from the evil of this day and from what descends on this day, O Sufficient Protector! {Allah will suffice you against them, He is the All-Seeing, All-Knowing}. Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, and there is no might or power except Allah’s, the Exalted, the Mighty. And may the peace and mercy of Allah be upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Also, it is highly recommended to read Surat Ya-Seen (Chapter 36) on that day, and when reaching the verse:

{Sallamun qawlan min Rabbin Raheem} (Verse 58) to repeat that verse 313 times.

After finishing the Surah, then read this dua:
{Allahuma} Salli ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammadin salaatan tunjeena biha min jamee’ al-ahwaali wa al-afaat, wa taqdi lana biha jamee’ al-hajaat, wa tutahirruna biha min jamee’ al-sayyi’aat, wa tarfa’una biha ‘ala ad-darajaat, wa tubalighuna biha aqsa al-ghayaat, min jamee’ al-khayraat, fi al-hayaati wa ba’ad al mamaat. {Allahuma} isrif ‘anna sharra ma yanzilu min al-samaa, wa ma yakhruju min al-ard, innaka ‘ala kul shayy’in qadeer. Wa Salla Allahu ta’ala ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa Sallim.

Translation:
O Allah, send mercy upon our Master Muhammad, a [prayer of] mercy with which You save us from all threats and calamaties, and by it [the prayer for mercy] You fulfill all our needs, and You purify us from the entirety of our sins, and You raise us by it to the highest levels, and You allow us to reach our greatest aspirations, in this life and after death. O Allah, avert from us the evil that descends from the heavens, and from [the evil] the comes from the earth – indeed, You are in power over all things. And may Allah send His Mercy upon our Master Muhammad, his Family, and Companions.

Finally, it is recommended to make dua for one’s spiritual needs as well as one’s worldly needs, then ask Allah for protection and good health.

May Allah give us all the success to benefit from each month, each day, and each moment. May Allah continue to bless you all, your families, and the entire Ummah.

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This article was provided by our beloved brother, Sidi Amjad Tarsin. Originally posted in Facebook, graciously allowed to be shared here.

For those of you who were not able to attend the “I’m Mad as Hell and I Can’t Take it Anymore” – Turning Anger into Positive Action event with Habib Ali al-Jifri, Sidi Mas’ud Khan and his nieces have provided a Twitter (microblogging) feed of the event. You can see the full feed here: http://search.twitter.com/search?max_id=1205701831&page=8&q=%23rmw-ha1

You have to read from the bottom to the top and then click ‘Newer’ to see the proper sequence of tweets.

Read more about this on Sidi Mas’ud’s blog:

Live Twitter Notes from Habib Ali’s event at Friends’ House

On October 25, 2008, Imam Zaid was invited to speak at Muslim Alliance of North America (MANA) event in Santa Clara, California. Imam Zaid gave advice on how to conduct yourself during an economic crisis. He also reminded us about the importance of charity especially in difficult times. Advice was  also dispensed in regards to remain steadfast in our worship and have complete trust in Allah.

New Islamic Directions MediaCast: Economic Anxiety? Give Charity and Remain Steadfast.