Shaykh Faraz Rabbani leads a special session of SeekersGuidance Canada’s Coffee and Connections discussion circle on why we remember Allah. In addition to discussing a variety of benefits, he explains that the main reason for our remembrance is Allah’s remembering us when we remember Him.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reminds of the gift of the guidance of the Qur’an, which provides the answers to the fundamental questions of life. He advises that we use Ramadan to reflect on the gift of the Quran and reconnect with Allah’s Book, and reminding of the great rank and virtue of “the people of the Qur’an” described in Prophetic traditions.

Shaykh Faraz advises that we establish a sustainable goal of recitation of Quran in Ramadan that we maintain after. He encourages us to take advantages of opportunities to recite, listen, and learn the Qur’an for eternal joy. He closes by giving pointers on how we should make our relationship of the Qur’an a relationship of love.

In this comprehensive seminar, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and Ustadha Shireen Ahmed offer guidance on how to improve our connection with Allah in Ramadan and make this holy month like no other.

Shaykh Faraz starts off by explaining the five key aims of fasting and Ramadan, found in the Qur’an (2.183-186): its being the month of the Qur’an, nurturing mindfulness, becoming grateful, magnifying Allah, and realizing the closeness of Allah. He sheds light on these principles and offers practical means to bring them into our lives.

Next, Shaykh Faraz talks about five neglected sunnas of Ramadan: suhur, daily intentions, night worship, the sunnas and social aspect of breaking the fast, and establishing routines in Ramadan. He connects these with examples from the teachings and example of the Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) and gives keys on how to bring these sunnas into our practice.

Finally, Shaykh Faraz discusses five key devotions of Ramadan–fasting, prayer, Qur’an, remembrance, and charity–and how to make the most of them. He sheds light not only the outward forms of these acts of worship, but the meanings we should invoke within ourselves as we strive to undertake them.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani delivers a series of workshops about the joys and challenges of family life and the critical matters in family that we can leverage as a means to draw closer to God and attain God’s pleasure.

In this four-part series, Shaykh Faraz covers:

1. The purpose and potential of married & family life
2. The perfect model of a successful marriage based on Prophetic teachings
3. Keys to successful parenting
4. Insightful Prophetic teachings to overcome common challenges in married and family life

This workshop was delivered at the Muslim Community Center – East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California.

In this timely reminder after the New Zealand mosque shootings, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersGuidance (https://www.seekersguidance.org) sheds light on how the believer should respond to the tragedy. While one feels pain for the loss of life faced by the victims and their families, one grounds oneself in one’s faith in Allah and one’s certitude that the victims are ultimately with Him in a better state.

Shaykh Faraz relates this to a relevant passage from the Qur’an:
“Do not think of those who have been killed in God’s way as dead. They are alive with their Lord, well provided for, happy with what God has given them of His favour; rejoicing that for those they have left behind who have yet to join them there is no fear, nor will they grieve; rejoicing in God’s blessing and favour, and that God will not let the reward of the believers be lost.” (3.169-171)

This talk was taken from a Friday sermon (khutba) delivered at Sayeda Khadija Centre (http://www.skcentre.com/).

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani speaks about the cause and confusion that causes religious extremism and the cures through education for “ugly Islam.” This sermon or talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center – East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on June 1, 2013.

Why is it important for Muslims to send prayers and peace upon the Messenger Muhammad (s)?

Shaykh Faraz provides a welcome and introduction to Rabiʿ al-Awwal, the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), who is the means to our having every good.

To introduce the series on the Great Praises of the Prophet from around the world, Shaykh Faraz explains why we praise the Prophet. He highlights praise of the Prophet and sending blessings on him as an expression of gratitude for the Prophet’s struggles on our behalf and his concern for us.

Shaykh Faraz gives advice on how to renew one’s relationship with Allah’s Messenger in the month he was brought into this world. He closes by shedding light on some of the history behind praise of the Prophet, starting with the poetry composed by his own companions and family—while acknowledging that no poetry can fully capture the amazing reality of the Prophet.

In this reminder, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani warns against mere religious fantasizing as contrary to contentment with decree. He cites two stories where companions advised people not to wish to be where Allah did not place them. These companions reminded that one does not know what one’s state would be had one been in the life of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) for example, facing the intensely arduous circumstances the companions faced.

Shaykh Faraz explains in light of these narrations that one should focus instead on turning to Allah where He has willed for one to be. He counsels not to imagine that any situation other than where Allah placed one would be better.

One of the key sunnas of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is that he was always positive and full of hope in Allah Most High. It didn’t matter what was happening to him or around him, the Prophet’s positive attitude and hope were unconditional.

In this Friday khutba, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani highlights Allah’s call to all believers to have unconditional hope. He explains how the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) maintained unconditional hope in Allah.

Shaykh Faraz points out that most people are hopeful only when matters seem to go according to their plan or seem to be in their control. However, he explains that the reason behind the Messenger’s unconditional hope was the complete realization that ultimately all matters are absolutely in Allah’s control. Allah is the Lord who is absolutely Merciful, Caring and Cherishing.

Shaykh Faraz encourages us to place our trust and hope in Allah and call upon Him while bringing to our consciousness those meanings. He calls us to not at all have fear or lose hope about how things are. Allah promises in the Qur’an that “whoever places their trust in Allah, then Allah is their sufficiency” [Surat al-Talaq, verse 3]. Therefore, to the extent one places their trust in Allah, to that extent He will be sufficient for them.

Shaykh Faraz counsels us to have trust and hope in Allah by seeking the good from Him and then taking the means to attaining that good. Whether the matter is personal, communal or global, one should first direct themselves towards Allah and asking Him for the good.

Finally, Shaykh Faraz highlights lessons from the hijra (migration) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as an example of true hope in Allah. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) took the means outwardly to preform the migration. And all while there were multiple dangers on the way, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had absolute trust in Allah and reassured Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) with what was revealed to him from The Lord of the worlds, “fear not, for Allah is with us”.

This Friday khutba was delivered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani in March 2017 at the the Jame Masjid Oakville, Noor-ul-Haram.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani highlights six key lessons for seekers of nowledge from six beautiful stories from the life of Imam Abu Hanifa (Allah be pleased with him).

These six practical lessons are relevant for everyone who wishes to become a true seeker of Islamic knowledge, and to fulfill the true purpose of knowledge–namely, seeking Allah’s pleasure, and living and spreading the light of the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses the importance of planning and careful consideration when raising children.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani reads and explains Imam Subki’s poem of counsel to his son Muhammad on the proper path and etiquette’s of seeking Islamic knowledge.

The counsel of Imam Subki is an important work that clarifies what is a sound traditional Islamic understanding of knowledge; how it is sought; and the methodology of learning and knowledge that Muslims should follow. Emphasis is given on the purpose of knowledge; acting upon it; sincerely seeking the pleasure of Allah through it; following the way of the inheritors of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); and manifesting the fruits of knowledge in one’s life–faith, piety, worshipfulness, and excellence of character and conduct.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani answers the question: who do we take knowledge from? He details the advice of al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, from his work al-Faqih wa’l Mutafaqqih, which revolves around three main points: (1) consulting the scholars experts in the discipline, (2) following those who act on what Islam entails, and (3) following those who learned with scholars and not through only reading books.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani explains the communal obligation to server those who are in need of help and distress.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani addresses a question asked at a session in SeekersHub Toronto, “Is ISIS justified in its ritual slaughter of its enemies and its burning of prisoners and others on the basis of prophetic teachings, specifically in regards to the hadith where the Prophet (saw) is reported to have said, O Quraysh, I have come to you with slaughter?”

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses key lessons he observed and learned from his teachers and fellow seekers. He speaks about Shaykh Adib Kallas, Shaykh Abd al-Rahman al-Shaghouri, Shaykh Nuh Keller, Mufti Mahmoud Ashraf, Shaykh Muhammad Qaylish, Shaykh Jihad Brown. A question and answer session follows.

In this khutba, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani discusses how Allah (Most High) has commanded us to rush to the Friday prayer with a certain purpose, that purpose is the remembrance of Allah. The rush in here is the rushing of concern, not the physical rush.

He further goes into detail about what is meant by the ‘remembrance of Allah’; it entails two senses:
[1] The remembrance of Allah itself because the prayer IS an act of remembrance of Allah.
[2] That which reminds of you Allah, i.e. the khutba, that which reminds you of how to rectify your relationship with Allah (Most High).
The key to rectifying one’s relationship is the quality of taqwa, of having mindfulness of Allah.

What is the Straight Path we ask for in Surat al-Fatiha when we say: “Guide us to the Straight Path.” [Qur’an, 1.6] Why do believers–people of guidance–ask Allah for guidance?

In this insightful khutba, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani of SeekersHub Toronto (http://www.SeekersHub.org/) explains what guidance is; that the straight path is the direct way to the desired goal; what the believer seeks in life–Allah’s closeness and pleasure, and eternal success; the relationship between the straight path and the good of this life and the next… and more.

Shaykh Faraz emphasizes that this seeking of the straight path relates to seeking Allah–and making the right choice–in every life circumstance.

This Friday sermon was delivered at the Brampton Islamic Centre.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani looks at the key elements of a successful marriage. By looking at the the Qur’an, Prophetic teachings, and scholarly wisdom, Shaykh Faraz shares clear and practical guidance that we can uphold to have marriages that fulfill the worldly and spiritual potential of what the Prophet (peace be upon him) referred to as “Half the religion.”

In this memorable, moving Friday sermon (khutba) at IMO (http://www.imooftoronto.com/), Shaykh Faraz Rabbani begins by mentioning the Qur’anic verse, “We have raised your mention,” [Quran, 94.4] and then highlights aspect of the beauty of the appearance, conduct, and character of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk).

He mentions narrations from leading companions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace)–including Ali, al-Bara’, Ibn Abbas, A’isha, among others (Allah be pleased with them)–that give us beautiful glimpses of the stunning appearance (khalq) and beautiful character of the Beloved Messenger of Allah (peace & blessings be upon him & his folk).

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spoke on the absolute impermissibility of domestic violence, the importance of the rights of others, the grave consequences of wrongdoing, and upholding the excellence of character in his Friday Sermon at the Brampton Islamic Centre, December 09, 2011. He shows clearly how there is absolutely no place for domestic violence–nor any unjust or wrongful conduct–in the religion of Islam; and that the Prophetic way is to uphold excellence of character, as a means of seeking the acceptance and pleasure of God.

Friday sermon at Occupy Toronto (28 Oct, 2011)

Courtesy of United For Change.  From the United Against Malaria event.

Courtesy of SeekersGuidance

Courtesy of Wasat Studios

From MSA EZ / Muslim Students’ Association East Zone Conference in 2009.

Courtesy of Seekers Guidance