SoulFood FM

[Part 2 of the Night Journey & Heavenly Ascent] After the Night Journey to Jerusalem, the Prophet ﷺ begins his ascent through the seven levels of Paradise to the Lote Tree––and then is given a vision of his Lord the Blessed and Exalted. In this episode, we cover: • The Seven Heavens • The Lote Tree • The Divine Meeting Additional Resource: • Seedlings of Paradise: Subḥān Allāh, al-ḥamdu lillāh, wa lā ilāha illā Allāh, wa Allāhu akbar––wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh [Glorious is God, all praise belongs to God, there is no deity except God, and God is the Greatest––and there is no power nor might except by God] Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

The greatest spiritual journey occurred on the night when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was taken to Jerusalem, then ascended to Paradise. In this episode, we cover: • Purity of the Prophet’s Heart ﷺ • Blessed places • Manifestations of the Unseen • The Imam of the Messengers Additional Resource: • 'The Night Journey & Heavenly Ascent' by Al-Sayyid Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki (translated by Gibril Fouad Haddad): https://www.meccabooks.com/1388-prophet-s-night-journey-heavenly-ascent.html?search_query=night+journey&results=44 • Dua for Protection: Aʿūdhu bi-wajhillāhi al-Karīm wa bi kalimātillahi al-tāmmāt al-latī lā yujāwizuhunna barrun wa lā fājir min sharri mā yanzilu min al-samāʾ wa min sharri mā yaʿruju fīhā wa min sharri mā dharaʾa fil-arḍ wa min sharri mā yakhruju minhā wa min fitani al-layli wal-nahār wa min ṭawāriq al-layli wal-nahār illā ṭāriqan yaṭruqu bi-khayrin yā Raḥmān Translation: I seek refuge in Allah’s Noble Countenance and in Allah’s perfect words which neither the righteous nor the disobedient overstep from evil that descends from the heavens and evil that ascends to it and evil that is created in the earth and the trials of night and day and the visitors of night and day save the visitor that visits goodness upon us, O Most Merciful! Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

When you commit to learning the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), your heart fills with light. In this episode, we cover: • The importance of learning Hadith • Sitting with scholars • Disseminating knowledge Additional Resources: • Nawawi's 40 Hadith Explained: https://www.seekersguidance.org/courses/nawawis-40-hadith-explained-in-depth-explanation-of-the-essential-wisdom-of-prophetic-teachings/ • Riyad al-Salihin [English Commentary]: https://www.amazon.com/Riyad-al-Salihin-English-Commentary-Set/dp/062060249X/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FS2FRSSR45MSDV3P7XGS Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

Sacred knowledge is the foundation for true spiritual development, which is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Whoever goes out on a path seeking knowledge, by that Allah the Exalted makes easy for him the path to Paradise.” [Muslim] In this episode, we cover: • The virtues of seeking knowledge • 'True' knowledge • Traveling to acquire sacred knowledge Additional Resource: • SeekersGuidance Courses: http://www.seekersguidance.org/course-catalog/ Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) taught us to be at the forefront of every good action, but he also warned us of showing off. So how do we find the balance? In this episode, we will cover: • Hiding acts of goodness • Public benefit • Finding the balance Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

What's your strategy to fulfill your spiritual goals? In this episode, we will cover: • The strong believer • The potential for change • A spiritual plan Additional Resources: • WOOP Method: http://woopmylife.org/woop-1/ • WOOP Activity: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5980a22e9de4bb9ca8bce449/t/59fc996fe31d1952e7173ebf/1509726575351/Character+Lab+WOOP+student+activity.pdf

The Way of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the way of the most sublime honor. In this episode, we will cover: • The purification process • Safety of the Sunna • The conformity of the Companions Additional resource: • Reviving the Neglected Sunnah: https://www.meccabooks.com/1474-reviving-the-neglected-sunnah-9780620756754.html Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

Performing a few actions with sincerity is better than performing many acts of worship without sincerity. In this episode, we will cover: • The perspective needed for sincerity • Hadiths about sincerity • Acting upon knowledge Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

As the birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ falls very close to the time many people celebrate the birth of Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him), we decided to re-release this episode of SoulFood from 2015. This episode focuses on the story of Lady Mary (peace be upon her) and the miraculous birth of Jesus ﷺ in the Quran. In this episode, you will learn: • The Family of 'Imran • The Lady Mary ﷺ • The Birth of Jesus ﷺ • His Life and Miracles • Relationship between Prophets Jesus and Muhammad (upon them both be peace) Recommended Links: • Lessons from the Life of Jesus ﷺ by Habib Ali al-Jifri (http://seekershub.org/podcast/2015/12/23/life-of-prophet-jesus/) • "The Muslim Jesus" by Tarif Khalidi (https://www.amazon.com/Muslim-Jesus-Literature-Convergences-Inventories/dp/0674011155) • "Mary: the Blessed Virgin of Islam" by Aliah Schleifer (https://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Virgin-Islam-Aliah-Schleifer/dp/1887752021/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543685255&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=mary+the+blessed+virgin+of+islam+allah+schleifer) Intro and outro music by Nader Khan (www.naderkhan.com)

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ translates spiritual realities into practice. His Way is the path to God the Exalted. In this episode, we will cover: • The obligation of following the Prophet ﷺ • Overcoming desires • Purification from lowly qualities Intro and outro music by Ahbab al-Mustafa

The Grand Covenant we took with God is fulfilled in this world by our covenants with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In this episode, we will cover: • The Grand Covenant with God • How to fulfill that Covenant in this life • The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ Additional Resource: • Formula of Salawat: اللهم صلِّ على سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمّدٍ وآلِهِ وصَحْبِهِ وسَلِّم Transliteration: Allāhumma ṣallī ʿalā Sayyidinā Muhammadin wa Ālihi wa Ṣaḥbihi wa sallim. Translation: God, send Your blessings upon our master Muhammad, and upon his Family and Companions, and prayers of peace.

The greatest happiness is experienced when attaining everlasting honor in the Hereafter. In this episode, we will cover: • The 20 gifts given to righteous servants in the next life • The 4 qualities we must hold to • Conclusion to Season 5 SoulFood FM is brought to you by the Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto. Support their programs and services today by donating at www.mcuoft.com/donate Special Eid Takbiraat intro and outro by Dr. Omar Mahmood. Listen to the full track at https://soundcloud.com/omar_mm/takbiraat-of-eid

Out of His generosity and mercy, God grants a special honor to His righteous servants. In this episode, we will cover: • The 20 gifts given to righteous servants in this life SoulFood FM is brought to you by the Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto. Support their programs and services today by donating at www.mcuoft.com/donate Intro and outro music by Sidi Ibrahim Nass

Good things don't come easy, as the price on the spiritual path is immense. But it's very much worth it. In this episode, we will cover: • Why the stakes are high • Safety in both worlds • Honor in both worlds SoulFood FM is brought to you by the Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto. Support their programs and services today by donating at www.mcuoft.com/donate Intro and outro music by Sidi Ibrahim Nass

Even at this advanced stage on the spiritual path, you must be careful of pitfalls and constantly ask God for steadfastness. In this episode, we will cover: • How adab (good etiquette)brings an increase • Seeking protection from failure • Distance on the spiritual path Additional resource: رَبَّنَا لاَ تُزِغْ قُلُوبَنَا بَعْدَ إِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ رَحْمَةً إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْوَهَّابُ Transliteration: Rabbanā lā tuzigh qulūbana baʿd idh hadaytanā, wa habb lanā min ladunnka raḥma, innaka anta al-Wahhāb. Translation: ‘Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy: You are the Ever Giving.’ SoulFood FM is brought to you by the Muslim Chaplaincy of Toronto. Support their programs and services today by donating at www.mcuoft.com/donate Intro and outro music by Sidi Ibrahim Nass