For many, the new year signifies new beginnings and a chance for a lifestyle reset. For many Muslims, however, there is confusion regarding how we should respond to the modern-day new year greetings and celebrations. In this insightful episode, Shaykh Hamza broadens the discussion with insights from great scholars of the past, such as Imam al-Juwayni, on the importance of time-keeping and calendars. Reflecting on the orderly motions of the sun and the moon allows us to see God's mercy and...

The company you keep leads to your success or failure depending upon what type of companionship you choose. Abū Musā al-Ashʿarī narrated a beautiful hadith of the Prophet Muhammad where he likened one's company to either a seller of musk or a blacksmith. The seller of musk will leave you with perfume or a pleasant fragrance, whereas the blacksmith may cause burns and leave you with malodor. Expounding on this important prophetic parable, our scholars identified eight types of people that you...

Season 4 of Sacred Text Messages continues with an episode that warns of the Devil's favorite discourse, ghībah (backbiting). Today, the online and social media platforms allow for this discourse to spread like never before and are nearly impossible to erase from the virtual world. God commands us in sura al-Ḥujurāt to avoid mockery, one of the worst forms of backbiting, and He likens ghībah to eating the dead flesh of your brother. Shaykh Hamza expounds on these verses and reminds us that...

One of the most common debate points against Muslims centers around the Qur'an's ten recitations (qirā’āt) that have been codified and preserved by qualified scholars since the time of the Prophet’s companions. Detractors often use the linguistic variations as means to confound Muslims into doubting the immaculate authenticity of God's Book. In this powerful episode, Shaykh Hamza clears the confusion by unequivocally proving that the secret of the Qur'an's pristine preservation lies in God's...

Sacred Text Messages returns in the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal with a profound discussion on a prescient hadith related in Imam al-Bayhaqi's collection: “The Messenger of God ﷺ is reported to have said, ‘The hearts rust, and they rust like iron will rust when exposed to water.' The Companions asked, 'How do we remove that rust?' He ﷺ replied, 'By much remembrance of death and recitation of the Qur’an.'" In modern terminology, rust is commonly referred to as oxidation, a phenomenon that...

Dr. Thomas Cleary performed the task of hundreds of men. He mastered Greek and Latin in his teens and went on to master Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Pali, Sanskrit, French, Bengali, Gaelic, Urdu, and several other languages. He then went on to translate some of the most important works in many of these languages, including a remarkable translation of the Qur’an. More than a gifted linguist, however, he was also a spiritual master of immense depth and insight. His comments on some verses...

When the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings upon him, entered Medina, he counseled his fledgling community, “Spread peace, feed the poor, maintain kinship bonds, give a portion of the night to prayers, and you will enter Paradise in peace." In this podcast, you will hear from a group of brothers whose mission in life is to realize this hadith. Hamza Yusuf converses with a group of men whose journey of transformation will inspire you and may even ignite your soul to action. Join us in this...

In life’s mysterious journey, most of us will experience a transformative event that forces us to reevaluate and reorient ourselves. God asks in the Quran, “So where then are you going?,” a reminder for us to avoid the distractions of this world and to remain steadfast on His path. In this special episode, Haroon Sugich joins Shaykh Hamza in conversation about their own journey to Islam and the incredible lessons they’ve learned on the way. About the Sacred Text Messages podcast: In this age...

The 1967 film “In the Heat of the Night” represents one of the first major motion pictures in which a black man has the leading role and is portrayed with dignity. Sidney Poitier plays Virgil Tibbs, a man falsely accused of murder. After a racist cop arrests Mr. Tibbs and brings him in for questioning, the police force of this small town discovers that Mr. Tibbs is a highly distinguished police detective from Philadelphia. The racist police chief makes a snarky remark: “Virgil? That’s a funny...

About the Sacred Text Messages podcast: In this age of material excess and spiritual privation, grounding ourselves in divine guidance has never been more critical. The Sacred Text Messages podcast with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf provides an antidote to the modern madness by reconnecting us with God and His Messenger ﷺ. Listen to timeless wisdoms from sacred sources and rediscover Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. Read more about https://sandala.org/hamza-yusuf/ (Hamza Yusuf). Visit us online at...

Season 3 of Sacred Text Messages continues with the second part of Shaykh Hamza's insightful commentary on Imam al-Ghazali's analysis of the nafs. In this episode, we learn the secret to winning the battle with our lower self: we need God. That realization alone is the critical first step toward success. No matter how strong we think we are, the inner jihad is a lifelong battle that requires complete reliance on God. For those ready to arm themselves with divine guidance, this is not an...

We're excited to start Season 3 of Sacred Text Messages, with an analysis of the nature of the nafs (lower self or ego) and its devilish inclinations. Shaykh Hamza navigates us through the core tenets of Imam al-Ghazali's brilliant text Mizan-al Amal (The measure of actions), from which we learn about the states of the nafs, its critical role in steering our actions, and how to tame its whimsical pursuits. Tune in to a new season, with timeless lessons from sacred sources that illuminate the...

Our Ramadan journey continues with more wonders from the Book of Allah. In this episode, Shaykh Hamza explains the linguistic miracle of the Qur'an by analyzing the fourth verse of sura al-Muzzammil where God commands us to "recite the Qur'an slowly and distinctly." This measured recitation allows for a deep reflection of the words of Allah, instilling a sacred monotony in our practice that prepares us for eternity.

As we enjoy the blessings of these first few days of Ramadan, Shaykh Hamza reminds us that this is indeed the month of the Qur’an, the revelation replete with the best of all sacred text messages. One of these extraordinary messages is from the sura entitled “The Moon” in which God says, "We have made this Qur’an easy to recite and remember, so will anyone take heed?" (54:17). Tune in as Shaykh Hamza discusses this miraculous facilitation and the timeless wisdoms that guide us through the...

As Ramadan approaches us once again, we're blessed with another opportunity to respond to God's great invitation, drawing near to Him through our worship and remembrance. In this special episode, Shaykh Hamza discusses the secrets of this extraordinary month and the centrality of the Qur'an as God's banquet for the believers, where the guest never leaves unsatiated and the Host never disappoints.

Throughout history, there have been many religious charlatans. For those who have been deceived by them, the personal and community impact is devastating. Some even lose their faith in God and leave their religion. In this episode, Shaykh Hamza untangles this sensitive subject by reminding us that true faith is not rooted in the fallible nature of man but the timeless truths found in God's Book, the message of His prophets, and the rightly-guided teachers who mirror them.

The word "triggered" is used to describe a strong emotional response to an upsetting event that reminds one of past traumas. The term has become popular for its colloquial use of feeling offended or hurt. Learning to handle negative or stressful situations is key to living a life of emotional and spiritual balance. In this episode, Shaykh Hamza discusses the sacred messages from the Quran which provide the antidote to negativity, teaching us to break free from the shackles of our base desires...

"Haven't they seen how we have diminished the earth from its edges?" This week's sacred text message focuses on this extraordinary verse from the 13th chapter of the Quran entitled Ra'd or Thunder. Though the geological realities of the verse are obvious for us today, the early masters of Quranic exegesis interpreted the diminishment of the earth as the passing of the great men and women of knowledge and piety. Listen to Shaykh Hamza as he delves deeper into this exposition with a eulogy on...

The Digital Age has provided unprecedented convenience in communication and information sharing; it has also allowed for critics and self-proclaimed experts to share their unsolicited opinions and rebukes without censor or recourse. What do our sacred texts say about the rules of criticism and argumentation? God reminds us in the Quran: "Say, ‘How can those who know be equal to those who do not know?’ Only those who have understanding will take heed." In this episode, Shaykh Hamza discusses...

The journey through the sacred messages of the Noble Quran continues as Shaykh Hamza explains the universal lessons on brotherhood, forgiveness, and Divine love.

God tells us in the Qur’an that the origin of the human story began with the binary—Adam and Eve. God then assigned us nations and tribes in order that we might come to know one another and distinguish ourselves through virtue. Don’t miss this important Qur’anic lesson that Shaykh Hamza focuses on in this week’s Sacred Text Message taken from the 13th verse of the 49th chapter of the Noble Qur’an. Hear how these Qur’anic truths are as relevant today as they were over 1400 years ago.

The vast diversity we see all around us constantly reminds us of God’s greatness. This week’s Sacred Text Messages podcast discusses the Qur’anic imperative to respect the diversity of human beings in our races, religions, and tribes. In a time where hate and division have risen to new heights, this lesson serves as a much needed reminder to practice prophetic benevolence and reason over rage and violence. أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ أَنْزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ ثَمَرَاتٍ...

In this first episode of Season 2, Hamza Yusuf reminds us of the sacred text messages from the Quran on maintaining the houses of Allah. What are our obligations as caretakers of these sacred spaces, and how can we make parts of our homes sacred as well? Join the journey of sacred wisdom once again as we start the New Year with hope and gratitude.

Throughout human history, great philosophers, leaders, and thinkers devoted their lives toward the pursuit of wisdom. Countless pages and lines of poetry extol the qualities of the wise person. In this podcast, Hamza Yusuf explains the Quranic definition of wisdom and the prerequisite knowledge to achieve it.