Islam in the Media
Delivered 2015.
Discussion of the portrayal of Islam in the media, prompted by the Chapel Hill shootings. Useful statistics and images.
Islam’s Election Manifesto
Delivered 2015.
The imagined election manifesto an ‘Islam Party’ might put forward!
Islamic Influences on Society
Delivered 2013.
Some of the contributions made by Muslims to science, medicine and culture, and their influences on Western society today.
Why doesn’t Happiness Last?
Why doesn’t Happiness Last? Have you noticed that no feeling lasts. Our moods are fluctuating constantly and moments of happiness evaporate into thin air. Why is happiness so transient? And why does life often feel like a struggle? And We certainly sent Musa with Our signs, [saying], ‘Bring out your people from darknesses into the…
Kindness
Delivered 2015.
The importance of kindness, and how to be kinder.
Loving your Parents
Delivered 2018.
Discussing how special parents are, and the importance of loving and looking after your parents.
Belonging to Respected Professions
Why Teachers should belong to Respected Professions In the lengthy introduction of Sahih Muslim, Imam Muslim makes mention that it is impermissible for knowledge seekers to humiliate themselves. They should avoid entering professions that are viewed by the general public as lowly professions or looked down upon. E.g. like a street sweeper. This reflects badly…
How the Reward for Teaching depends on Intention alone
The Importance of having the Right Intention Purity of intention is one of the most important ingredients a teacher requires. He must be honest with himself and sincere with Allah Almighty about the true purpose of his acquiring knowledge. The moment a teacher takes a step in the circle of knowledge, he is looked upon…
2:74 How Can I Tell the Condition of my Heart?
When, even after that, your hearts were hardened, as if they were rocks, or still worse in hardness. For surely among the rocks there are some from which rivers gush forth, and there are others that crack open and water flows from them, and there are still others that fall down in fear of…
Materialism vs Everlasting Reward
The Connection between Abstinence and Knowledge Counter intuitively, instead of pursuing material gain, the best teachers of deen practice zuhud; abstaining from the quest for the perks of worldly life and possessing little of its luxuries. Ibn Abi’d-Dunya was told by some scholars: ‘The scholar should praise Allah for having deprived him of the luxuries…
Lessons From a Year at Cambridge
Delivered 2019.
Reflections on being a Muslim at Cambridge University, and the importance of balance when studying.
Protecting our Children from Atheism
Why Belief has to be Coupled with Thought Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and the night are evidence (of the existence of God) for people of reason. It is these who remember God while standing, sitting, or resting on their sides and who think…
Malcolm X
Delivered 2012.
A biography of Malcolm X, and the many lessons we can learn from his life.
Malcolm X – condensed version
Delivered 2016.
A condensed version of Malcolm X’s story, and the lessons his life can teach us
Miracles
Delivered 2014.
Some of the miracles given to prophets and mentioned in the Quran.