I saw a T-shirt that said, "Do What Makes You 'Saeed,'" or "happy." While it made me chuckle, it also made me think: Should we do what makes us happy? Or, rather, should we do what makes God happy?

Qur'anic verse cited: https://quran.com/16?startingVerse=97

In this episode, we go over chapter 12 verses 5-23, the first part of the wondrous story of the Prophet Joseph, upon whom be peace.

The translation is from The Study Qur'an.

No matter what we’ve done, there is always hope for redemption and salvation. And nothing better exemplifies this than the story of the conversion of Umar ibn Al Khattab (may God be pleased with him).

Qur’an verse quoted in beginning: https://quran.com/12/87

Story of the conversion of Umar (R): https://www.al-islam.org/khadijatul-kubra-short-story-her-life-sayyid-ali-asghar-razwy/chapter-10-umars-conversion-islam

Dr. Hassaballa discusses the deadly danger of pornography and how to combat its destructiveness. Sermon recorded live on August 11, 2023.

Qur'an Verses quoted in sermon:

Chapter 17, Verse 33: https://quran.com/17?startingVerse=32

Chapter 24, Verse 30: https://quran.com/24?startingVerse=30

Learn about the dangers of pornography here: https://www.yourbrainonporn.com/ and https://fightthenewdrug.org/

We are studying the first 22 verses of Chapter 76 in the Qur'an, Surah Al Insan.

Link to Chapter: https://quran.com/76

The translation I am using is from the Study Quran

The proper question to ask is not, “Are other Muslims safe from me?” The proper question, rather, is “Have I made life better for each and every person that interacted with me today?” A popular Hadith of the Prophet, upon whom be peace, needs to be looked at in a new light.

Hadith referenced in this episode: https://hadeethenc.com/en/browse/hadith/10101

Whenever we succumb to our weaknesses and fall into sin, Satan then follows and tries to convince us that we are defined by our sin. It is an age-old trick, and we cannot give him the satisfaction of falling for it.

Read the accompanying article at https://drhassaballa.substack.com/p/you-are-not-defined-by-your-sin. Subscribing is free.

We are not able to be among those who made the first Migration in the path of God 1445 years ago, which we commemorated this month. At the same time, we are able to migrate spiritually on the path from sin to righteousness. And the best part? God will be there the entire way. Friday sermon delivered July 28, 2023.

Quran verse referenced in the episode: https://previous.quran.com/4:100?font=v1&translations=131%2C20

Hadith: https://hadeethenc.com/en/browse/hadith/10101

Read more at www.godfaithpen.com

We can achieve miracles in our daily lives, just like Moses did with the Red Sea. All we need to do is reach out to God, and He will meet us more than half way. Friday sermon delivered on July 7, 2023.

Qur'anic verse cited in the episode: https://quran.com/26?startingVerse=61

Hadith about the serial killer: https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3470

The last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, offers timeless advice for believers. We should heed them for our own good. Friday sermon delivered on June 30, 2023

Link for the Prophet's Last Sermon: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/muhm-sermon.asp

This is the first episode of "Al Imam Al 'Asabee," or The "Passionate Pastor," podcast. The podcast will house all my Friday Sermons which I give on a regular basis. Satan plays a deadly long game. We need to be ever vigilant against it, lest we fall prey to it. Friday sermon delivered on May 26, 2023.

The story recounted in this sermon can be found here.

Quranic references: Surah Ibrahim, Surah A'Araf 19-23, Surah Isra'.

Hadith reference: https://hadeethenc.com/en/browse/hadith/8305

I know, O Lord, the anguish of the woman at the grave

We can fully embrace our Islam and our Americanness without any disquiet in our hearts. 

The Prophet Muhammad’s enemies tried to negotiate with him, tempting him with worldly riches so he can stop preaching. They were, in effect, saying, “What’s your angle?” He had no angle, except our salvation. 

The Qur’an tell us to always live our values, to always walk the talk. 

Qur’anic Verse: https://quran.com/41/33 

It is natural and normal to want to fit in. And that should never come at the expense of our values.

Because with God belongs the power and status…always. 

Qur’anic verse discussed: https://quran.com/63/8 

Some people learn the lesson of ingratitude the hard way. Let us never be one of those people. A reflection on the parable of the two men in Surah Kahf. 

As opposed to the human realm, where the “House always wins,” and the game is rigged against you; with God, the game is always rigged in your favor. 

It’s not necessarily wrong to ask God questions, and it wholly depends on the attitude behind them.

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