Ustadh Michael talks about Surat Muzzamil and the stories of Musa(AS) and Muhammad(SAW) and how they stayed patient and trusted Allah(Swat). The three things he mentions are trusting Allah, keeping your head up, and never giving up.

Support the show

Hear the beautiful recitation of high school student Rayyan. To support students studying the Quran alongside core academics, please donate your Zakat or Sadaqa at https://goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan or Zelle to donations@goodtreeacademy.org

Support the show

10th Grader Ammaar gives a beautiful khutba offering his fellow students a list of important things to act on to help them benefit from the blessed month of Ramadan.

Support the show

Support the show

After beginning his khutbah or the weekly reminder in Arabic for 45 seconds, Senior Student Zakariya Alkhawaldeh recites Surah Al-’Asr where Allah swears by time, indicating that humanity is in loss before ending the surah with the solutions towards ensuring success.

When an angel blows the soul into the growing embryo ensuring life, factors including that individual’s rizq or money and wealth, time on earth including date of birth and death as well as whether that person will live a happy or miserable life due to their actions are all determined and recorded. 

Upon death, each individual faces questioning in the grave, including: 

Who is your Lord?

Who is your messenger? Who did you follow?

What is your religion?

Seek knowledge and Allah will make your path easy. Seek knowledge about Allah by His Names and Attributes. Learn about His prophet by his character, manners and actions. Learn Islam, its purpose and reasonings to be able to share the message of salvation. Apply these learnings in life. Whoever Allah wishes, He will provide that person with understanding of His Religion. Calling people to Islam may not be easy and requires patience beyond exemplary character. The reward of paradise is certainly fitting. 

Support the show

The weekly Friday reminder or khutbah begins in Arabic for one minute before Ustadh Michael Wolfender translates to English means of character perfection. Brother Michael starts with four passages from the Qur’an describing man’s behavior and our fate based on actions. 

Brother Michael begins with referencing from Surah Al-Fajr that blessings include tests from Allah. Al-Fajr (The Dawn 89: 15 - 20): “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!” Absolutely not! In fact, you are not ˹even˺ gracious to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. And you devour ˹others’˺ inheritance greedily”

That is, man is quick to complain when evidently blessings are limited. Rather, among the elements of success are worshiping Allah, thanking Him and demonstrating this with good deeds. 

In the first five ayah of Surah Al-’Adiyat, Allah describes how humans use horses to harm others. This, along with any measure of disloyalty to our Master, coupled with intense love of materialism is a path towards self-destruction. In particular, Brother Michael refers to: Al-'Adiyat (The Courser 100:6): “Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord” with disloyalty, arrogance and disobedience.” 

Surah Al-’Asr references the easy formula humans dig themselves into - complaining when in loss, feeling special when blessed, harming others or not helping others when enjoying blessings from Allah. And Allah also provides the solution in Surah Al-’Asr: believe, do good deeds, encourage each other to truth and patience. 

Al-’Asr (103 The Declining Day): “By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.”

Take ownership of your destiny. Allah has created a palace for everyone in Paradise. Importance in the eyes of Allah is your heart being connected to Him. We have been provided the answers to pass the test that is each of our lives. Brother Michael recites the beginning of Surah Al-Insan (The Man 76: 1 - 3): “Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning? ˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see. We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺ be grateful or ungrateful.”

The disbeliever is ungrateful, as Allah indicates He has provided the answers to passing the test of this life. Half of Surah Al-Insan describes paradise as the reward for winning. Paradise is where Allah serves the winners and He has promised this bounty for everyone. For example, in paradise, branches lower to provide fruit. Allah wishes to serve in Paradise all of the humans He has created.

Support the show

After beginning in Arabic for one minute and fifteen seconds, Ustadh Michael Wolfender declares how Allah has always sent the same message, including with and before prophets Abraham and Moses. Nonetheless, most prefer this life though the hereafter is what will be everlasting. 

Allah guarantees success to those who make a conscious effort to become a better person, remember Him and pray consistently. In Surah Al-A'la (87 The Most High ayat 14-15), Allah says: “Successful indeed are those who purify themselves, (those who) remember the Name of their Lord, and pray.” Do these things and you will get the best forever.

Steps for success include believing in Allah, doing good deeds and accepting Allah’s invitation to speak with Him five times a day.

In Surah Al-Mu'minun (23 The Believers 1-11), Allah promises: “Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer; those who avoid idle talk; those who pay alms-tax; those who guard their chastity except with their wives ... for then they are free from blame, but whoever seeks beyond that are the transgressors; ˹the believers are also˺ those who are true to their trusts and covenants; and those who are ˹properly˺ observant of their prayers. These are the ones who will be awarded Paradise as their own. They will be there forever.”

From these steps, we learn to act before it’s too late, so we are not among those on Judgment Day making excuses trying to talk with Allah when He will refuse. Take care not to waste time now, when on Judgment Day, it will be apparent our lives here will seem as if we stayed on earth but part of a day.

Brother Michael concludes with ayat 99 – 15 from Surah Al-Mu'minun (23 The Believers), which includes a key step for success: “As for those whose scale is heavy ˹with good deeds˺, it is they who will be successful.” We should each check our daily actions to include firm belief, worshipping our One Creator and performing good deeds. 

Support the show

After starting the first minute of his weekly khutbah or sermon before students at Good Tree Academy in Arabic, Ustadh Michael Wolfender declares Allah as Most Forgiving, referencing the beginning of Surah Mulk (The Sovereignty 67:1-2): “Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. ˹He is the One˺ Who created life and death in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.”

Life is a test to test us so we can do the best deeds. We don’t know the outcome of the test but we each determine the outcome based on our choices, decisions and actions. Allah will show us the result of these tests in this life and on the Day of Judgment. 

In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds 51:56-57) Allah tells us the purpose of life: “I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me.” 

Our purpose here is to worship Allah; how many of us understand our purpose? Particularly by checking in with Him five times a day in prayer?

In Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Wind-Curved Sandhills 46:33), Allah provides a description of how it is not hard for Him to create: “Do they not realize that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth and did not tire in creating them, is able to give life to the dead? Yes ˹indeed˺! He is certainly Most Capable of everything.”

Contrast this to the challenges humans face in creating: rockets which fail to reach beyond the atmosphere, airplanes which fall from the sky, bridges which tumble with travelers trying to cross. Allah doesn’t need our worship. We make things to serve us. Notwithstanding, Allah is our Provider; He is serving us. We actually benefit ourselves in worshiping Allah, as He states in Surah Fatir (Originator 35: 15-16): “O humanity! It is you who stand in need of Allah, but Allah ˹alone˺ is the Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy. If He willed, He could eliminate you and produce a new creation.”

We are slaves to Allah and Allah is our Master who gives us everything. This life is a test and we can use natural disasters as an example of how Allah keeps everything in control; He is the Force of Stability so oceans are not constantly in tsunami forces, volcanoes are not continually erupting wreaking havoc and the earth isn’t shaking constantly in violent earthquakes. These forces are tamed by Allah and not left to run wild, showing the value of struggle contained and the value of struggle endured with a foundation of the power of forgiveness. Brother Michael references the beginning of Surah Mulk (The Sovereignty 67:1-2) again: Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. ˹He is the One˺ Who created life and death in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.” 

Do the best deeds and be forgiving. Brother Michael offers a personal example of why Allah provides tests and how realizing this helped him quell frustration and anger. Understanding our relationship with Allah recognizes that we are slaves to Him for our own benefit. This realization makes life easygoing and encourages being forgiving to others. Material things don’t provide happiness. One’s relationship with Allah and understanding our true purpose here equals the true meaning of happiness. This feeling guides us to our Creator. 

Support the show

The Qur’an as a book of guidance requires training and study to understand. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides lessons from Surah Al-Waqi’ah (56 The Inevitable) with context to help understand and be guided by Allah’s Words. 

Allah provides humanity the power of reason. Arrogance is failing to recognize this or rejecting it in favor of relying on anything other than Allah. Scientists, in their zeal and excitement of discovery, have at times rejected God. Time and reason, however, have shown the truth of recognizing and bringing God clearly into the equation of discovery, science and creation. 

Surah Al-Waqi’ah begins referencing the Day of Judgment. Science correlates this with the trajectory of the sun inevitably crashing into another solar system. As such, science verifies the temporary nature of this world. Science also has discovered the fact that Yellowstone, the famous national park, is sitting on an eventual eruption, which is overdue. Muslims are not overly concerned about such calamities, given the confidence Allah provides believers. Among the series of events prior to the Day of Judgment, Brother Michael explains, is that believers will have their souls removed before the melee of endtimes. 

Verses 1 - 14 of Surah Al-Waqi’ah describe three categories of people on the Day of Judgment: those who will have ease, those who are believers and righteous and those who have earned Allah’s Displeasure. This last category sadly partakes in excess, extravagance, insists and persists with sins, questioning the Day of Judgment. 

In verses 57 - 74, Allah reminds of His Design, illustrating how His Creation clearly provides proper order, with examples of seeds growing and wood provided for fire. Science corroborates this with processes such as photosynthesis and heat energy created from fires in combustion. 

In verses 77 - 82, Allah attests to the Guidance in His Book and asks what are you doing with your life? We can choose which of the three categories we’ll fall into on the Day of Judgment. Brother Michael explains the surah concludes that winners are those who are righteous, care for others, and strive to assist others. Allah says these will be few; and it is up to each of us, given the only creatures endowed with reason, to seek His Guidance and how we chart the course of our eternal destination. 

Support the show

After the first thirty seconds in Arabic, Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides a translation in English praising our Master, the Creator of the Universe. In tough times, we look for answers, for peace. Often without such solutions in sight. These worldly tests can help us achieve our place in paradise, based on our response. It is exactly these circumstances, Brother Michael explains, that brought Prophet Muhammad ﷺ the best news ever - that his ﷺ enemies would be cut off and he ﷺ would receive a gift to help quench believers’ thirst on the Day of Judgment. 

In Surah Al-Kawthar, Allah declares Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as the final messenger for all mankind. And we learn the benefits believers receive when accepting this. On Fridays especially, send salaam and peace on our prophet ﷺ. Those who do, earn ten times the benefit. Angels deliver these messages directly to his ﷺ grave.

To help explain this, Brother Michael uses modern inventions of computers, DNA testing and lie detectors - and how they illustrate actions described more than 1400 years ago during the Qur’an’s revelation, such as being able to see your eternal destination as you await the Day of Judgment. 

Support the show

Do you find it difficult to begin finding and counting the blessings we enjoy, including the gift of prayer Allah has provided? Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents several considerations, including an analogy of the power Allah presents in traffic and intersections to illustrate the Guidance He provides and His Protection. Allah is full of kindness to those who are devout to Him. He prevents harm. Being mindful of Allah, eager to please and avoiding disappointing Him are ways to develop a relationship with God. 

In Ayah 207 of Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah refers to people who dedicate their lives seeking His Pleasure. And in the next verse, there is guidance on how to do this: Enter into Islam wholeheartedly. As the surah continues, Allah references the innumerable clear signs He provides of His Existence. 

Brother Michael provides the example of pulsar stars recently discovered as making a knocking sound in the universe. More than 1400 years ago when Allah revealed the Qur’an, He explained exactly this in Surah Tariq. Further, Brother Michael explains how the Big Bang theory is also described in the Qur’an hundreds of years before it was articulated by scientists. All inventions are simply understanding how Allah made things. 

The clear path to answering doubt is by turning to Allah, His Book and the guidance of how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ lived and those traditions recorded known as hadith.

Support the show

A special khutbah from a Good Tree Academy senior illustrating the eternal reward everyone should strive for. In His Book, Allah gives glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds as these are the two means to earn eternal success in gardens and palaces with rivers flowing under. We learn of the levels of paradise, the everlasting company we will keep with those we love and neverending enjoyment. 

Support the show

As a religion upholding social justice and peace, Ustadh Michael Wolfender looks through Islam's history and guidance in Islam to address how Muslims and Islam upholds and even rooted the values in the U.S. Constitution. 
The best Muslims are those adhering to taqwa, i.e. being mindful of Allah and understanding that He is All-Knowing and The Provider of Success. Those upholding taqwa do so with honor and dignity. It was this character trait which earned early Muslims positions of responsibility and this was a very different approach than the practice at the time, which relied on heritage and tribal relations (not dissimilar from modern social class distinctions). 
This early focus in Islam on social justice resulted in a faction being sent to seek protection with a Christian king in Africa. It also seeded constitutional values based on agreements struck with people of other faiths to uphold mutual rights. Unlike growth of other empires, the Muslim empire grew without a large army in comparison. As an example, Jews and Muslims conquested Spain together. The majority living in the Muslim empire initially were not Muslims, but the numbers grew as those in the region accepted the religion over time. Origins of the U.S. Constitution emanate from European visits to the Ottoman Empire where human rights were a primary focus. This heritage draws towards today, providing purpose to be proud Muslims and proud Americans.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Allah tests us with the Quran. We should give it priority over other activities, especially in the month of Ramadan. Please support our Tuition Assistance Program at goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan. 

Support the show

A true Muslim submits willfully to Allah with love and knowledge as, in Islam, there is no coercion in religion. This is how a believer achieves a full Islam to enjoy. Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents the case of Black Friday and the stress capitalism induces in seeking the 'best deal.' Capitalism's zero sum game promotes winners over losers whereas Islam teaches sharing and wanting for others what we wish for ourselves, i.e. not to win over others in order to get the best deal. Thanksgiving is the opposite of Black Friday and does promote the perspective of Islam, which has the cure to stress and worries. 
Continuing to chase this world and what is worldly will reap misery. In Surah Kahf, we learn everything on earth is a beautification. This is all a test to see who will be the most righteous, as all that is worldly will go away.
We cannot control stressful circumstances, but we can control our emotions. Islam teaches a perspective of gratitude, remembering Allah's blessings, believing in Him, His Decree and Wisdom, and being patient.
The Qur'an is full of cure for stress, such as declaring the perfection of Allah. Be grateful: praise and thank Allah. This relieves stress. Prostrate before Allah. 
Surah Nahl contains another reminder that whoever performs good deeds and has faith, Allah guarantees a happy life. This results in contentment.
Allah has preserved the Qur'an in its originally revealed language. As a result, we have a means, among others, to understand the right perspective on life and ways and cures to de-stress. The mindset believers learn from the Qur'an counters many values inherent in capitalism and Black Friday, such as FOMO (fear of missing out).

Support the show

You've heard the statement: Don't blindly follow. In the Qur'an, Allah articulates humans as being created the only creatures with reason and that we should use that reason to seek the truth and believe in it. 90 seconds after the Arabic introduction, Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes in English how Allah, over time, sent prophets with the same message: believe in One God. Today, there are Christians, believing in Jesus' original, true message, who support Muslims' belief in monotheism. 
Ustadh Michael describes how, after Jesus, people changed the religion and the message he delivered. Indeed, Jesus completed the message delivered to the children of Israel. He declared that after him a final messenger would arrive for all of mankind and to follow Moses' message. Why? Because God has sent the same message for all mankind: worship One who is our Creator. 
The superpower in Jesus' time was the Roman Empire, who worshiped idols such as Venus, Neptune, Jupiter and so on. These people added to the religion Jesus brought, including to worship him as God's son. 300 years after him, they made Christianity the state religion with these added beliefs; though, in the Bible, Jesus is recorded saying to 'worship your Lord, He is One.' 
To this day, there are Christians who don't agree with perversions to the original Christian message. Brother Michael includes the story of his relatives, as Christians and their beliefs, along with the stories of two early believers in Islam and three duas which helped, in the early days of Islam, to uphold and spread Allah's message.

Support the show

In Surah 92 Al-Layl (The Night), Allah swears by the day and night as opposites, just as life can be divided between those who give and those who don’t. The first category of people are those who give, are mindful of Allah and the consequences of actions, believing, following and adopting the truth when seen. For this, Allah says he will ease such a believer to ease, provide success and make it easy to achieve. Allah guarantees this. 

The second category of people are those who are selfish, refuse to give and thinks for themselves. Relying on themselves, when truth is presented, the response is: ‘I have a better way,’ denying the best and preferring to handle matters of their own accord. To this, Allah says He will make it easy for such to fail, fall on hardship and face failures. 

Wealth and materialism carry no benefit beyond this world and can pave a path to doom, while a sharing heart gives to others, thinking of their benefit. A true believer loves for another what s/he loves for him or herself, dedicating choices to ensure they please Allah. 

Allah says to follow His Way to earn success, as His plan is to make His servants happy. In searching for a leader, the simple answer is to follow Allah and His Messenger ﷺ

To earn eternal happiness, as a believer, you will face tests. The answer is to put trust in Allah by turning to Him. Asking of Allah, worshipping Him and making dua (asking of Him) is pleasing to Him. 

As an example, Allah relays the story of the teenagers of the cave and the test they faced in Surah Kahf (The Cave) and how they turned to Allah, knowing that confidence in following Allah is the right way. Be bold and strong in knowing this is the right way. These teenagers worshipped Allah as One while those around them worshipped idols. They were called to their king’s court and required to profess that they would worship idols as the rest of their community did. But this went against their faith. So they made dua to Allah and Allah says ‘we made them firm, strong and not scared’ because they believed in the truth. But they faced the test to worship idols or be sentenced to death. The teens professed faith in Allah as One, the Master of the Universe and that they would never worship any other. Their boldness then also spurred them to prompt those making them do this to bring the idols they worshipped forth and profess themselves why they should be worshipped.. Of course, inatimate objects could not.

The teens fled. Allah provided miracles as assistance and recompense.  The correlation for us is the stronger we hold to Allah when tested, the stronger His Help will be for the believer. 

We would be lost without the Guidance from Allah. We each have the opportunity to demonstrate truth to humanity and strength in belief. Allah provided the teenagers of the cave the miracle of sleep for 300 years and a dog to protect them.

Ask Allah to make you strong. Turn to the Qur’an and sunnah for guidance. This relieves worry and hardship, replacing it with contentment. The test won’t be removed, but the unnecessary concerns will be. 

Allah, we are at your service. Your Decree and Judgment is Fair to us. We ask Allah to make His Qur’an a means for us to be happy and content, to be a Light in our heart.

Support the show

Stress is inherent in current society. Ustadh Michael Wolfender relates ‘pills are not the solution,’ though 1 in 6 Americans uses antidepressant medication. Qur’an has antidotes for stress. In Surah Al-Hijr, Allah says those who didn’t accept His message will wish they did. We are instructed to serve Allah until we reach death. Praising and declaring the perfection of Allah is a means of handling stress. And the reward for enduring this life is illustrated in Surah Fatir (translated as Originator) verses 33 - 35. Until we earn that reward, we can alleviate stress by reciting the last three surahs. Say this at night three times, blow on your hands and wipe them over your body. 

When a person (leaving their home) says:  بسم الله توكلت على الله ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله “In the name of Allah, I have placed my trust in Allah, and there is no opportunity and no power except with Allah,” the Angels reply: ‘You have been protected, you have been sufficed, you have been guided.’

In Surah An-Nahl (translated as The Bee) verse 97, we learn by performing good deeds and keeping faith, Allah will make sure such a believer has a happy life. 

Finally, whoever feels some sort of stress and says the following dua, Allah will remove it and turn it into happiness:

Oh Allah, I am Your slave, the son of Your slave, my forelock is at Your hand, Your decision is a done deal for me, Your decree is fair to me. I asked You by all Your names, that You have given Yourself, that You have revealed in Your Book, or that You have taught any of Your creation, or that You have kept secret with You in Your knowledge of the Unseen, that You make the Qur'an the spring (joy) of my heart, the light of my chest, the relief of my sadness, and the removal of my worries.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي عَبْدُكَ، ابْنُ عَبْدِكَ، ابْنُ أَمَتِكَ، نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ، مَاضٍ فِيَّ حُكْمُكَ، عَدْلٌ فِيَّ قَضَاؤُكَ، أَسْأَلُكَ بِكُلِّ اسْمٍ هُوَ لَكَ سَمَّيْتَ بِهِ نَفْسَكَ، أَوْ أَنْزَلْتَهُ فِي كِتَابِكَ، أَوْ عَلَّمْتَهُ أَحَدًا مِنْ خَلْقِكَ، أَوِ اسْتَأْثَرْتَ بِهِ فِي عِلْمِ الْغَيْبِ عِنْدَكَ، أَنْ تَجْعَلَ الْقُرْآنَ رَبِيعَ قَلْبِي، وَنُورَ صَدْرِي، وَجَلَاءَ حُزْنِي، وَذَهَابَ هَمِّي

[This related in Musnad Ahmed, rated sound by Ibn Hajar and by al-Albani]

Support the show

Most of our duas fall into one of two categories: seeking to remove a problem and future benefit. It’s important for believers to always remember and call upon Allah, and it is also natural and appropropriate when one is bearing an increase in problems, to increase worship and dua. Duas are accepted and responded to immediately, over the course of your life or in the hereafter. So when a believer doesn’t see an immediate acceptance, this is not a reflection of Allah’s immediate view of you and His Happiness with His believer. 

Allah provides the examples of His prophets for believers to learn from. Noah (as) preached for 950 years. And we get frustrated often in seconds or minutes!

Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him continued to offer dua on behalf of his relatives who did not accept Islam. Allah reminds us those we pray for do not automatically receive guidance because of duas made for this purpose. 

Jacob (as) had 12 sons and he lost his youngest, Joseph, as a child; he made dua and cried over losing his son. So much so that he lost his eyesight. After many years, Jacob was reunited with his son.

Moses’ mother put him in a basket and threw him in the river Nile. Upon consideration, we’ll understand there is nothing on this earth like a mother’s love for her child. Moses’ mother made dua for her son. And he was returned to her within hours. 

The reason we make dua is we expect a return. But we must first understand that the word ‘dua’ means to call, invite and cry out. Duas do include requests and demands. They are from a slave turning to his Master, to beg of Allah of Him and His Bounty. That you ask Allah is most important and engage in conversation with Him. 

Joseph (as) was falsely accused and jailed. However, if he had never made it to Egypt, he never would have been brought before the king and earned a position in his court, leading to reunion with his family. 

Pain is provided for a reason: to learn, be patient and ask of our Master, balanced by thanking Him for the blessing He continually showers us with.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses his own story of finding Islam, the father of a victim of murder and historical prophethood references to emphasize the power of AIM and being happy, pleased and content.

Allah Has given us the gifts to understand who He is We don’t always understand everything that happens to us.

Learn the Arabic phrase reflecting being content, happy and pleased with Allah’s decree.

No hardship comes to you except that it is the plan of Allah. Those who accept this have their heart strengthened. Allah knows your troubles. Allah wants good for you.

We hear how the father of a victim of murder forgave the murderer, helped him and hugged him.

We also hear of struggles Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him faced and continued to forgive, acting with mercy and contentment with the decree of Allah, despite the loss of six of seven children and others including his best friend and supporter. He did not question Allah’s wisdom and instead found the strength to forgive.

AIM to be content; this creates true inner strength. 

Support the show

Those who believe, do good deeds, encourage each other to the truth and encourage each other to be patient and to act with patience achieve success. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains the guidance in Surah Asr, including how early believers in Islam recited this to each other upon leaving one another. Allah has only given humans intellect, for us to realize, understand and believe in His Guidance. Belief in the unseen is the measure of a believer. Obeying Allah and His messenger ensures success and wards against the distractions of wanting more and more. 

Support the show

The month in which Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was born offers a time to share lessons every human should learn to build character and please our Lord. Referenced are 20 advices from our prophet peace be upon him: talk softly, walk humbly, eat sensibly, breathe deeply, sleep sufficiently, dress properly, interact politely, act fearlessly, work patiently, think truthfully, believe correctly, behave decently, learn practically, plan orderly, earn honestly, spend intelligently, sacrifice regularly, worship dedicatedly, serve parents happily, show love passionately. Muslims should know our prophet peace be upon him, love him, honor him and follow him. He was the first to carry his name and millions of parents have since honored him by bestowing his name on their progeny. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him is known as the bringer of good news, merciful, full of piety and a mercy to the worlds. Listen to how he consoled a palm tree and a lesson from the battlefield which teaches us to follow his guidance today. Be more interested in your character than your reputation. Learn how you prepare for, manage and address challenges and controversy demonstrates character. Be positive, optimistic and strive hard in life. Those to dare to fail will achieve greatly. Understanding this means believers can implement and share Qur’an’s guidance. 

Support the show

Did you know prayer was provided as a gift from God? 

Listen to how the original command to pray 50 times a day was reduced to 5, but still retains the reward of 50. Washing before prayer cleanses the worshipper of sins. Prayer itself is an expiation. Learn about the purpose in actions during worship and praying in a private conversation with Allah, as He responds to each verse in the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an. In Surah Fatihah, worshippers ask Allah to ensure they stay on the straight path, which can be referred to as: truth, Islam, guidance from Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and the Qur’an itself. 

Allah answers this prayer in the opening chapter with the beginning of the following chapter, indicating the Qur’an is the guidance worshippers are seeking. It is provided for believers to cling to, recite and act on its contents. 

Prayer includes prostrating before Allah, which brings the believer closest to His Creator. Upon completing worship, let it linger in remembering Allah until the next opportunity to prostrate. Use the time in between prayers to make dua in asking Allah, as He loves for believers to ask of Him. 

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender advises our purpose is to realize who Allah is and appreciate Him, but most don't. Ask Allah of His blessings and be in His service. However, most don't appreciate His Abundance. For those who pursue a goal of learning Arabic and the Qur'an, the purpose is to learn about Allah, the Power of the Universe. He guides those who seek and want to know more and has gifted humans with intelligent appreciation. 

Support the show

Guest Khateeb Sheikh Arsalan Haque gave Good Tree students an important message about watching what you say and that Ramadan is the best time to practice.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender’s khutbah discusses the premise and challenges of purifying before prayer, the importance of oral hygiene and nutritious diet. Moving your thumbs on a digital device is easy today, when early Muslims built sound minds and bodies with archery, horse riding and swimming. Allah is our Light and has provided our souls connections to Him. Science shows how animals emit particles of light from the heart and the brain. 

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender has a reminder of the reward we’re striving for as he references some of his favorite ayat from Surah Al-Mursalat (77 The Emissaries). The Day of Judgment can be a happy day. Brother Michael explains the reminder Allah provides that is so eminent it was the last ayat our Prophet peace be upon him led prayer with.

Believers accept the will of Allah. We accept His direction in how He guides us to worship Him. Belief in the Day of Judgment is one measure to keep Muslims seeking to journey in this life on the straight path. Watch Brother Michael’s video of this podcast at https://youtu.be/PmKkWJqa7hU

Support the show

Believers learn the balance between fear and hope. Ustadh Michael Wolfender outlines how motivation and pressure can push you to the ultimate reward. A balance of fear and hope keeps believers on the straight path. Life is a test to become a better person. This would not occur without challenges and pressure. Brother Michael refer to Surah Al-Humazah (104 The Traducer) which has many references to the hellfire as the other surahs around it do address paradise. We hear an anecdote of a student’s ability to connect to the Qur’an and a technique you can strive toward. 

Support the show

To encourage completing six days of fasting before the month of Shawwal ends, Ustadh Michael looks at the power of the Qur’an, the protection Allah provides for it and the focus He endowed our Prophet peace be upon him. Brother Michael references Surah Al-Jinn (72 The Jinn) to reflect on faith in the unseen. This message helps us focus on what is real and worth pursuing.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the process of learning Qur'an's messages, starting with the shorter surahs to connect with messages of guidance. Next steps are to learn the meaning of individual words and how sentences work. See how Brother MIchael refers to this with the last six surahs at https://youtu.be/bPBEWbtBVcM. In particular, Brother Michael refers to learning techniques used at Good Tree Academy and how students learn to understand surahs Al-Ghashiya (88 The Overwhelming) and Al-Fajr (89 The Dawn).

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender relates the story of a 7th grader’s realization from four pages in Surah An-Naml (27 The Ant). Hear how a prophet’s numerous miracles continue to prompt him to always turn back to Allah with humility and gratitude. 

Throughout time, humans have questioned belief, including the miracles from prophets which defeat science. Allah answers this in the Qur’an, as Allah is The Source of Science. Brother Michael refers to Allah’s qualities referenced in Ayat al-Kursiyy, the 255th verse of the second surah. 

Ultimately, belief relies on trust. 

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows how to learn effective words in the Qur'an to build a connection with Allah’s Book. Brother Michael shares the link in why surahs are placed in the order they are. As an example, Prophet Ibrahim’s dua is mentioned early in the Qur’an and is answered at the end, showing precise placement of surahs and words. See the Arabic vocabulary document referred to at https://youtu.be/rdK0WiKcYa0 or QuranConnection.org

Support the show

Ramadan is a blessed time of sacrifice and worship. Did you know Allah extends that blessing? Learn how as Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the benefits of six bonus fasts. Ustadh Michael has a short message for each additional day of sacrifice for Allah - each one of those days equals another ten days reward of fasting. 

For this episode, Ustadh Michael recites from Surah Taha, Ayah 102 where Allah discusses time and Surah Al-Muddaththir (74 The Cloaked One) Ayah 37 on making use of time. 

One way we can make best use of the time that we have is to reap the rewards of fasting the entire year, even though it only takes six more days beyond Ramadan.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender concludes his 30-part review of succinct messages from the Holy Qur’an, delivered in conjunction with daily fasting during Ramadan. 

Many feel some sadness as the month ends, reflecting on the sacrifice and worship offered to please our Master. Ustadh Michael explains the oath Allah swears by in Surah At-Takwir (81 The Overthrowing) Ayat 15 so we can see that Ramadan is really a fresh beginning on the journey to connect with Him: 

"We cannot let this end of Ramadan be the end of our connection with the Qur'an. This last day of Ramadan is not the end. It's only the beginning. It's only the beginning. And this month of Ramadan taught us to find the patience and consistency to do some everyday. We have to keep  it up. A little bit every day consistently.”

What a gift Allah revealed to humanity and our Prophet peace be upon him in this blessed month with His guidance in the Holy Qur’an. A gift of guidance to help us achieve success in this life and for eternity.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender spends less than five minutes with a lesson from Surah Mulk (67 The Sovereignty) on making the most of every moment and Allah’s perfection. His creation is perfect. We are imperfect. Allah wants us to win. He forgives our shortcomings, when we fall short of praising Him, when we fall short in our worship, when we fall short in our interactions with each other. 

Brother Michael says Allah “forgives when we fall short of praising Him. He forgives when we fall short of obeying Him. He forgives when we fall short of our interactions with people. He forgives when we fall short in our aspirations and our patience and our gratitude to Him. He forgives all of that. So yes He's in charge. But He also forgives."

Support the show

Ustadh Michael tells us a very interesting story of how the first Quran was written down and how Allah's promise was kept to preserve it.

Support the show

Allah tests those he loves. Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah At-Taghabun (64 The Mutual Disillusion) explaining that no situation happens except with the permission of Allah. Whoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart. Continue to obey Allah and His messenger ﷺ. 

We can achieve contentment and happiness in this life, even with hardships which can make us better.

Support the show

Allah is everywhere. Look up and you will see His creation in the sky, feel the wind, the smell of everything organic is from Him, hear His guidance and connect with His words from the Qur’an.

Allah has prepared everything we need. Rushing to prayer is rushing to Him.

Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51 The Winnowing Winds) ayah 47 describing the creation of the sky where Allah says ‘We are expanding it,’ i.e. expanding the universe alluding to the reference made in an earlier episode to the Big Bang theory.

The surah continues directing rushing to Allah, declaring and believing there is no god but Him. And to embody rushing to Allah by rushing to prayer. 

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender focuses on growing the right relationship with Allah. The word ‘slave’ typically has a negative connotation. Yet, believers are happy to be slaves to the right Master.

Our service doesn’t bring Allah any benefit. Yet, we are benefiting ourselves by serving Him. No other slave or master relationship is the same. A master does and should take care of his servants.  Allah is close, tolerant and He loves us. He has built a home for each of us in paradise. It’s simply up to us to choose His path.

Brother Michael explains, "The ayah of the purpose of creation” where Allah says, “I didn't create jinns and humans except for one purpose: that they serve and worship Me." 
In Surah Al-Ahqaf (46 The Wind-Curved Sandhills) ayah 33, Allah reminds He can bring life back to the dead. 

Compare the process humans use to create. We make things due to need. 

It is not tasking for Allah to create, as He did with the universe and everything in it. And He doesn’t need anything from His creation. 

Our purpose is to worship Allah. We serve Allah; we follow His instructions. We benefit ourselves by serving Allah. For a believer, being a slave to Allah is the highest level of happiness.

Support the show

Admit it - you’ve compared what you have to what someone else has, whether as a child or an adult. That’s human nature. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains why Allah distributes wealth, education, knowledge, talent, skill and even family ties evenly, though we may often be envious or not understand a perceived imbalance.

Brother Michael is referring to Ayah 31 of Surah Az-Zukhruf (43 The Ornaments of Gold) where we learn the mercy of Allah is better. He distributes blessings accordingly and it is best to focus on what we do have. 

Brother Michael says, "If you've been going to the mosque, to the masjid during the month of Ramadan, there's a lot of fundraising going on. Sometimes you might be wishing that you could be raising your hand to give a lot of money like other people do. But Allah knows your intention. Allah knows what's inside the heart. And the person who has two dollars and gives one dollar has given fifty percent. The person who has two thousand dollars and gives twenty has given a lower portion. Allah knows the intention. Allah accepts the intention."

Do the best with what you have instead of being selfish by comparing yourself to others or making fun of those who have less. 

Allah could have made everyone rich; the differences Allah provides us is intended for us to better appreciate.

Support the show

Everyone wants to be on the winning team. As believers, our number one priority is to ensure Allah is on our side. Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses an analogy to illustrate why Marvel’s superheroes have nothing on our Creator.

We hope these podcasts help you speak sincerely to Allah. He knows our troubles, is the Forgiver of all sins, accepts repentance, is severe in consequence and is our Unending Giver. Our final return will be to Allah, who will provide the fairest judgment to all oppressors. 

Brother Michael takes us through Surah Ghafir (40 The Forgiver), starting with ayat 1 - 4 explaining Allah knows the troubles believers endure. He accepts repentance. He is severe in meting consequences. He gives without measure. All will return to Allah and on the Day of Judgment all will see oppressors being overcome by Allah. To help illustrate His Grandeur, Allah describes the angels carrying His Throne. 

As movie-goers, we’re used to special effects. So Brother Michael describes, "Hollywood has got nothing on Allah. SubhanAllah. Allah is going to take the universe and fold it up until there's not a sound, there's nothing left, kind of like how the universe was before the big bang. And He's going to say 'To whom belongs the kingdom now? Whose is the kingdom today?'”

Hollywood’s special effects are no match for the Day of Judgment. Understanding this perspective helps share the superpower of belief.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender focuses on a popular surah, the guidance in Surah 36 Ya-Sin, where Allah indicates His Book is a revelation of His Mercy. 

Allah has sent His messengers as a mercy to mankind and His Revelation full of wisdom. Yet His messengers are mocked by their communities. In this surah, Allah lists examples of what we should be thankful for, illustrating why we should recognize Allah as our Provider. 

Allah reminds us we are quick to turn to Him when in need, with a reminder that believers are always thankful, too. Brother Michael explains a comparison Surah Ya-Sin, often referred to as the heart of the Holy Qur’an, makes of people who do not acknowledge Allah as our Caretaker with unyielding ground. 

Support the show

Believers take time to ponder the wonders of Allah, knowing that the power of belief relies on faith. Rather than taking for granted expectations, we appreciate Allah’s design and order. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains what he calls the ‘Director’s Cut’ detailing what we don’t see but has Allah’s Hand in everything. 

In the first two ayah of Surah Saba (34 Sheba), Brother Michael explains Allah’s commands and mercy come down from the sky and angels carry our deeds up, similar to rain falling from the sky as a mercy quenching plants and water evaporating and returning to clouds.

Brother Michael says, "Every day, every second, as we speak, angels are moving back and forth. Allah is sending angels to do what He told them and to implement His command. And, every second that we speak, there's angels recording everything that's happening. And there's angels making dua to Allah for the believers. All of this is happening coming up and down from the sky. So Allah's command comes down from the sky through the angels, and the deeds of the people go up to the sky through the angels."

Ustadh Michael Wolfender explores what we don’t see, considering how Allah’s commands and mercy come down and our deeds are carried up.

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender from Good Tree Academy has the perfect reminder for us on working in this world for what we need here and in the hereafter. Allah knows what we are looking for. He hears us ask and He provides.

How often do you consider that less in this world may mean more in eternity?  Brother Michael explains how Allah rewards those who are patient and trust and rely on Him.  In ayah 56 - 60 of Surah Al-’Ankabut (29 The Spider) Allah commands to only worship Him. Every soul will taste death and we will all return to Allah. 

We all face ups and downs in life. Allah is indeed taking care of us. Paradise is the reward for those who are patient and rely on Allah. 

In ayah 60, Allah illustrates that animals look as if they have nothing. Everyday they go out and they are provided for by Allah. We are the same. Allah knows our condition. He hears us and provides.

We must be patient, if things don’t go according to our plan. Be thankful. Allah has His plan for each of us. 

Brother Michael explains, "We want things for this life and we don't plan much for the hereafter. Sometimes Allah gives us what we need for this life less than what we aspired to or wanted. And yet, that's because He wanted us to, He wants us to get more from the hereafter."

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender ponders Ayat 73 of Surah 28 Al-Qasas (The Stories) and the balance Allah provides us in splitting night and day. The times we are required to pray guide our day. Allah says the day is for work and the night is to rest and stand in prayer to speak with Him. Appreciating this balance, observing and obeying His order expresses gratitude and belief.

Brother Michael says, "The source of believing is to be grateful. To start appreciating Allah, to get to recognize Allah's signs, Allah's design and appreciate Him for those." 

Allah provides guidance for balance in our lives and the examples of this abound in the day and night. 

Support the show

Everyone loves a winner! Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares Allah’s open guidance to winning in today’s Qur’an Connection, looking at Surah Ash-Shu’ara (26 The Poets). This surah contains stories with lessons from civilizations who didn’t heed Allah’s message, with opportunities to learn from the justice and mercy of Allah.

Allah provides us a simple formula for success: be mindful of Him and obey His messenger. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows us what happened to five civilizations after Allah delivered guidance and patience. Time passed and they still didn’t listen.

Allah has created a home for everyone in Paradise and He defends the oppressed. All we need to do is remember Him as He’s directed and observe the guidance His messenger provides.

Brother Michael says, "He says whoever purifies his soul, pushes it to the taqwa side, being mindful of Allah and being mindful of consequences, that person is guaranteed success."

Support the show

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known to be the most honest and trustworthy individual in his community even before he became the Messenger of Allah.

Support the show

What happens when one light meets another light? Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares with us how Allah’s guidance can make believers shine as He brings them out of darkness into light, with an explanation beginning from Ayah 35 of Surah An-Nur (24) The Light. 

Allah’s guidance is a light. Anyone who is guided receives that direction from Allah. The Qur’an is His guidance and a source of light. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares what happens when these lights of guidance from Allah and the Qur’an meet.

Brother Michael explains, "Becoming a Muslim was an enjoyment for me. But the real light came, that feeling of light, that 'okay, I'm doing the right thing' only comes when you go to the Qur'an. That's where the light really comes.”

Allah is the light of the heavens and the earth, both physically and in guidance. Faith is like a light, a shining star in your heart enclosed in your chest. Qur’an is the light from Allah, the guidance of Allah. Everyone has this light and it becomes light upon light when connected with the Qur’an. Allah guides whomever He chooses. It is upon us to seek this guidance. This light is available for everyone. 

Support the show

Ustadh Michael Wolfender told us in Episode 1 how the Qur’an is a book of guidance for one who seeks to find answers. In this episode on the 17th juz, Ustadh Michael gives us a specific example with the realm of science. The first premise refutes the idea that religion is antagonistic to science. 

Five minutes in, Ustadh Michael explains Allah clearly addressing what we call the Big Bang theory today. In the 21st surah, Al-Anbya (The Prophets) and ayah 30 Allah describes the heavens and the earth used to be one entity and then ‘We separated them’ followed by ‘from water, We made every living thing.’

As Brother Michael explains, "Religion and science are meant to go together. Islam brought the whole world out of darkness into light in the golden ages of Islam and that's because Islam makes scientific research as a virtuous act. A virtuous endeavour. You get rewarded for trying to find out about the creation of Allah."

Allah is the creator of the universe and Allah is the author of the Qur’an so they are aligned. The Qur’an is not a book of science. Qur’an is a book of guidance on how to find knowledge. Scientific discovery requires testing. The more we find in science, the more we need to reference the Qur’an. 

Support the show

Allah mentions one of His prophets more than any other in His Book of Guidance and teaches us many dua at the tongue of this prophet. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows how achieving perfection comes through obedience aligned with dua in Surah 20 Taha. 

See how asking of Allah can also be seeking to please His direction. As Brother Michael says, "Throughout the Qur'an, what we see from Musa is that he makes dua and he does his best. He makes dua and he does his best. He's trying to please Allah. Nothing else. Everything he does is about good deeds and pleasing Allah. And then, he keeps talking to Allah, like a student who keeps coming to the teacher.  'Did I do well? Did I do well? Help me out on this. Help me out on this!' He wants to please the teacher and he keeps talking to the teacher to see how he did."

Ustadh Michael tells us the story behind the famous dua from the prophet Allah details the most in His Book. 

Support the show