Shaykh Abdallah talks about how women and men who are shaped by Islamic ideals relate to one another in the dynamics of marriage in Islam.

 

Citing exemplary examples from our Islamic tradition, Shaykh Abdallah approaches the topic of raising our children by focusing on two points: Children as mercy and children as trusts (amana) from God.

 

Shaykh Abdallah addresses the applicability of shari'ah (Islamic Law) in the context of its eternality and its view on the spirit and the body as inseparable entities. Submission to the divine law becomes the means by which the physical and spiritual realms can coexist in the Muslim, in this life and the next.

 

The Empowerment of Women in Islam

In light of the Qur'anic decree that “all empowerment, sense of pride, and strength comes from Allah,” Shaykh Abdallah discusses how the empowerment of women in Islam as an extension of the one, transcendent divine power of Allah. Only through the obedience of Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) do women actualize true strength, pride, and empowerment.

 

The Prophet's Warnings: Reflections on the Last Days

This lecture reflects on the last days based on the knowledge of what Allah and our most beloved Prophet have revealed (peace and blessings be upon him). Shaykh Abdallah puts this topic in perspective, as the discussion of the last days provides the lens through which Muslims live and promote goodness in this world.

 

The Adab of Qur'an

Shaykh Abdallah speaks about the manners in which to approach the Qur`an. By focusing on the lessons that the scholars of traditional learning have transmitted in understanding the words of God, we can learn how to benefit from the divine guidance embodied in the Book of Allah.

 

Islam, Gender,
and Spirituality

In this lecture series Shaykh Abdallah explains that the role of a human being in society, whether male or female, is to surrender to Allah; an act which is not gender-specific. Our surrender to Allah is an acknowledgement of the fact that our souls are a creation and that as spiritual beings our bodies, our needs, our desires are just part of our limitations meant to remind us that we have to stop and refuel on this journey called life.

Shaykh Abdallah also addresses the concept of slave-hood in Islam followed by an elucidation of the reasoning behind the Shari'ah rulings on polygamy.

 

The Nature of Women
in Islam

Shaykh Abdallah begins by presenting the definition of human nature in the Quran in order to address the concept of the nature of women in Islam. He further elaborates this point by contrasting the Islamic view of women with views found in
other traditions.

Shaykh Abdallah explains that men are the backbone of society and have a responsibility to stand up for truth and maintain righteousness and justice in society. Whereas women are the anchors of society- they are, as the word in the Arabic language implies, elements of stability for all those around them.

 

Islam and Feminism

Shaykh Abdallah discusses the concept of feminism in the West contrasted with Islam. He first points out that in discussing feminism in the West, we must acknowledge the struggle that the feminists underwent, for what is proclaimed to be their struggle, needs to be acknowledged and respected as a 'human struggle'.

 

Gender Relations

In this ground-breaking series of lectures, Shaykh Abdallah discuses issues of gender, marriage, sexuality, and the interaction of male and female in a way that is both contemporary and deeply grounded in traditional Islam and classical scholarship. The topics presented in this series are as varied as gendered language in the Qur'an, the limits of male-female interaction, the process of getting married and the role of spirituality in married life. This series is essential listening for all Muslim families and students of Islamic knowledge.

 

Sacrifices in Islam

In this lecture Shaykh Abdallah explains that Islamic tradition on the authority of the Prophet Muhammad (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) has reached us today only by the sacrifice of many and enumerable grand luminaries of the ummah, men and women who truly sacrificed for this deen to be where it is today.

 

The Prayer of Women

In this series of talks, Shaykh Abdallah addresses the worship as performed by women including prayer, fasting and other forms of worship. These lectures explores the idea that women are of a higher spiritual essence than men and the impact this notion has on a woman's worship.

 

Rethinking Romance: Love, Marriage and Islam

In this two part lecture Shaykh Abdallah discusses how Hayaa, modesty, is the emblematic quality of Islam and is the essential driving force behind sensuality in dignified marriage. Thereafter, he defines the words romance and romanticism and explains the reasoning behind the modern manifestation of romanticism in our era making it imperative on every Muslims to understand. Finally, he closes with the ideal description of marriage in Islam as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

 

Romance in Islam

Shaykh Abdallah starts off discussing Romance, Love, and Marriage in Islam around the oneness of human origin, “...being from one soul (ruh)...” and continues by heightening our sensitivity and appreciation to the topic of Romance in Islam by connecting us the intricate linguistics of the Arabic language.

 

Purifying the Self

In this series of lectures, Shaykh Abdallah takes us through the essential ways in which we can purify and refine ourselves through the study of the self (nafs). He points out that purification (tazkiyyah) of the self is not only something that the hearts inclines towards but a trust (amana) from Allah, as we have been raised above the rank of angels by virtue of knowledge in order that we may elevate in closeness to Allah (honor and sublime beauty).