Zaid Shakir – Seek the Means to Nearness

Zaid ShakirNovember 30, 20110 comments

Share:

Death & Afterlife Dunya & Akhirah Dhikr Quran Taqwa Tafsir Iman Jihad

About this lecture

In this khutbah, Imam Zaid Shakir reflects on the Quranic verse "Seek the means of nearness to Allah" (Al-Ma'idah 5:35), exploring the meaning of taqwa, the wasila (means of nearness), and the four keys to success as a believer: firm faith, taqwa, righteous deeds, and striving in the path of Allah. He challenges listeners to prioritize the remembrance of Allah over worldly distractions, warning against letting the dunya dull the heart, and calls the community to a life of active devotion, love for the Prophet ﷺ, and purposeful struggle in service of Islam and humanity.

Imam Zaid Shakir is an American scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. Born in Berkeley and raised in housing projects in Georgia and Connecticut, he embraced Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He earned degrees in international relations and political science, then studied Arabic and the Islamic sciences for years in Egypt, Syria, and Morocco. A former imam of Masjid Al-Islam in New Haven, he teaches at Zaytuna and lectures nationally on Islamic spirituality, social justice, and the Black American Muslim experience. He is regularly listed among the most influential Muslims in the world.

All lectures by Zaid Shakir →

Enjoyed this lecture?

It's free because of sponsors. Join 6 sponsors — every contribution is sadaqa jariya.

Comments

Log in to share a reflection or question.

No comments yet. Be the first to share a reflection.