In response to the fear and concern brought about by the recent spread of the Covid-19 virus, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus reminds us of the importance of seeking protection with Allah's Name. In this important and timely reminder, Shaykh Yahya comments on the following prophetic duʿa (supplication) and encourages everyone to recite it daily: بِسْمِ اللهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ “In the name of Allah, with Whose name...

In this episode, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains  the prophetic hadith: “A believer is not one who eats his fill while his next-door neighbor goes hungry.” (Bukhari; Adab al-Mufrad). Shaykh Yahya goes on to remind the believers of the importance of one's neighbors and the prophetic counsel and concern towards one's neighbors. Some of the rights toward one's neighbors being: 1) Bearing any harm from them, 2) While doing good things to them, and 3) Showing excellence toward them when...

In this episode, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus explains  the prophetic hadith: “A believer is not one who eats his fill while his next-door neighbor goes hungry.” (Bukhari; Adab al-Mufrad). Shaykh Yahya goes on to remind the believers of the importance of one's neighbors and the prophetic counsel and concern towards one's neighbors. Some of the rights toward one's neighbors being: 1) Bearing any harm from them, 2) While doing good things to them, and 3) Showing excellence toward them when...

In this episode, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus expounds on the prophetic hadith: “God condemns a man who dresses like a woman or a woman who dresses like a man.” (Al-Hakim) The distinction between genders – complementary pairs – is one of the signs of Allah, the truly and only One. To blur or erase this distinction is to cover up the signs, and to destroy the fitra. To preserve the distinction is part and parcel of preserving the truth of religion. The Content of Character is a remarkable collection...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus warns of the prohibition of usury (riba). Allah condemns, and literally curses, the one who pays, witnesses, or notarizes usury. This Hadith can be found in Imam Ahmad and Abu Dawud. This is an example of a prophetic prohibition. There are two types of people Allah has waged war on, as mentioned in the Hadith. 1) His close friends, 2) The one engaged in usury. There is an intense warning of usury . If Allah wages war against one the person will be ruined,...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights some of the etiquettes regarding graves. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "Allah censures women who frequent graves, as well as those who take them as prayer sites or places where they place lamps." In order to understand this narration, Shaykh Yahya starts by explaining what life and death mean for Muslims. Death is the departure of the soul from the body. The purpose of life is to prepare to meet God. In...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights how repeating everything that one hears is a blameworthy trait. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "It is sufficient for a man to be considered to have sinned if he [simply] repeats everything he hears." Shaykh Yahya explains that what this narration tells us, is the importance of verifying and ascertaining the truth from falsehood of what we hear from people. This is especially emphasized when it relates to...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights how a kind word is charity. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "A kind word is charity." Shaykh Yahya begins by explaining that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is expanding our understanding of charity, and not limiting it to just the giving of wealth. Any good deed is a charity. In that light, any word of kindness is a charity. So any time we rectify between people, or clarify something for...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the character trait of contentment. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "You must embody contentment, for it is wealth that does not deplete." Shaykh Yahya begins by explaining the linguistic meaning of qana'a (contentment), which the Arabic word used in the related narration. He explains that it means to be content with the apportioned provision, or with that which is enough to get by with. This word is also...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the preeminence of scholars in Islam. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "One beneficial scholar is better than a thousand worshipful devotees." Shaykh Yahya begins by explaining that the beneficial scholar referred to in the narration is primarily one who has knowledge of the religion (shari'a). The knowledge of the scholar benefits many people by guiding them, as opposed to the worship of the devotee which...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights some of the benefits for fasting. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "Fast and be healthy." Shaykh Yahya begins by remarking that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed us to all good and all that is of benefit. Being healthy is one of the many benefits of fasting. There is much that is being discovered by modern science about the many health benefits of fasting. Shaykh Yahya then makes an...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the importance of prayer in congregation. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "Prayer in congregation surpasses individual prayer by twenty seven degrees." Shaykh Yahya begins by pointing out this call to pray in congregation follows the consistent theme of community found throughout Islam, and the importance of relationships with people. He explains that what is meant by surpassing, is an increase in reward....

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights prayer as being the central pillar of religion. He quotes Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: "Prayer is the central pillar of religion. Prayer is the key to every good." Shaykh Yahya begins by explaining that the Arabic word for prayer is "salah", which comes from the root word "silah" meaning connection. The at the heart of the meaning of prayer is that it is a connection to Allah Most High. He then goes to explain how...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights some of the etiquettes of eating as taught be Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He quotes the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as he teaches one of the young companions by saying: "Say bism Allah, eat with your right (hand), and eat what is close at hand." Shaykh Yahya points out that such etiquettes are best taught to youngsters as they are growing up. He then goes to explain each of the three commands in the narration...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the grave consequences of vilifying, cursing another Muslim, and murdering a fellow Muslim. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "vilifying a Muslim is sinful, and murdering him is disbelief". Shaykh Yahya explains that Muslims have rights upon one another. The usage of Muslim here extends to all the different factions that identify as Muslim. He also highlights that the Qur'an calls the believers to not speak...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the consequences of sin, and particularly of unlawful sexual relations (Zina), which is a severe sin. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Unlawful sexual relations beget poverty." Shaykh Yahya first reminds us that one of the names of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is al-Nathir, The Warner. His warnings carry great mercy for us, as they help protect us from that which distances us from...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights one of the most central teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), which is to show mercy. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Those who show mercy have the Mercy of Allah Most High shown to them. Have mercy for those on Earth and The One in Heaven will have mercy on you." Shaykh Yahya explains that one of the important aspects of this narration is that it is traditionally the first narration related...

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In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding the benefit of speech and the safety of silence. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "may Allah have mercy on a servant who spoke well and gained good, or kept silent and avoided harm". Shaykh Yahya explains the gravity of speech and what is consequent of it. Therefore one must be very considerate of what emanates from one's tongue. Shaykh Yahya...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights directing others to good, as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) calls us to do so. He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "he who directs others to a good deed is as the one who did it, and assuredly Allah loves the act of aiding the distressed". Shaykh Yahya explains what it means for the one who points to good is as the one who did it. It is from the bounty of Allah that one gets rewarded without actually...

In this episode Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights leaving all that causes doubts, from the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He narrates that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "set aside what causes you doubt, for what does not". This narration and others points us to a fundamental teaching in religion, which is scrupulousness and religious caution. Shaykh Yahya calls us to build our religion upon certainty. He explains that there are enough clear matters...

In this Episode, Shaykh Yahya Rhodus highlights from the teaching of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) some qualities that a believer should not have, and by contrast some qualities that the believer should have. Shaykh Yahya relates that the Messenger of God (peace be upon him) said: "Two qualities are never coupled in a believer: miserliness and immorality". He also presents other supporting narrations that show the qualities never to be found in a hypocrite: carrying oneself in a good...