Aarij Anwer: Recent Episodes
Muslim Central
Shaikh Aarij Anwer is a specialist in morphological tafsir and Arabic. He was born in Karachi, grew up in the Greater Toronto Area and serves as an imam at Khalid Bin Al-Walid Mosque in Toronto. He holds a Bachelor of Islamic Sciences from Al-Madinah International University of Malaysia. He continues to study advanced Arabic, Fiqh and Hadith with scholars from Egypt.
He has taught Arabic to over 500 students from across the world and published a complete Arabic curriculum for Islamic schools. He’s the founder of Qutoof Academy for advanced Arabic studies.He has also published a book on the Prophet’s (S) supplications. As an AlKauthar institute instructor, he travels internationally to teach tafsir.
A registered religious official, he presides over marriages. Once a year, he leads an umrah group with a special focus on seerah and tafsir on site. Aarij Anwer lives in Brampton, Ontario with his wife and three daughters.
Loving the poor and being close to them Being grateful by looking at those who have less Keeping family close Not to ask anything of anyone Speak the truth, even if it’s bitter Not to fear criticism Remember Allah a lot by saying La Hawla Wa La Quwwata Illa Billah
Sadaqah Jariyah (Continuous Reward) – Please consider donating, to help cover our running costs and future projects. Become a Patreon Donate via PayPal Donate via PayFast I really think this is one of the greatest causes one could support. Mufti Ismail Menk (co-director) To watch video by Mufti Menk or learn more, click here. We ... Read more
“Good and evil deeds are not equal. Repel evil with what is better; then you will see that one who was once your enemy has become your dearest friend,” (41:34)
There is no compulsion in faith! The story of a sahabi who wanted to force his children to accept Islam.
A Juz A Day (30th): A Third of the Qur’an Link to the notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes This last juz has 37 surahs of the Qurâan (almost a third of the surahs). These are short, rhythmic, impactful and easily retainable surahs. This juz has the first revelation Al-Alaq (96) and the last complete Surah Al-Nasr (110). The ... Read more
A Juz A Day (29th): The Hereafter is Imminent www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes This juz includes Surah Al-Mulk (67), Al-Qalam (68), Al-Haaqqah (69), Al-Maâarij (70), Nuh (71), Al-Jinn (72), Al-Muzzammil (73), Al-Muddathir (74), Al-Qiyamah (75), Al-Insaan (76) and Al-Mursalat (77). All Makkan surahs except Al-Insaan. Two major themes of the 29th Juz 1) The Hereafter is imminent. 2) ... Read more
Link to notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes This juz includes Surah Al-Mujadilah (58), Al-Hashr (59), Al-Mumtahinah (60), Al-Saff (61), Al-Jumuâah (62), Al-Munafiqoon (63), Al-Taghabun (64), Al-Talaq (65), Al-Tahrim (66). Theme of the 28th Juz â Faith, Family and Community All Madinan surahs. Largest collection of consecutive Madinan Surahs in the Qurâan. – Lots of âOh you who believe!â ... Read more
A Juz A Day (27th): Allah Gives and Takes Link to notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes This juz includes Surah Al-Dhariyat (51), Al-Tur (52), Al-Najm (53), Al-Qamar (54), Al-Rahman (55), Al-Waqiah (56) and Al-Hadid (57).
A Juz A Day (25th): Inviting to Allah as a Minority (the Ha Meems) Link to notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Begins: Fussilat 47 Ends: Al-Jathiyah end This juz includes Surah Fussilat (41), Al-Shura (42), Al-Zukhruf (43), Al-Dukhaan (44) and Al-Jathiya (45). This juz has five out of the seven Ha Meems. The Muslims were a minority when ... Read more
A Juz A Day (24th): Sincere Devotion and Dawah Link to notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Al-Zumar â Sincere Devotion to Allah Surah Ghafir â Dawah to Allah Ha Meems â 7 surahs 1) All Makkan Surahs 2) All begin with Ha Meem 3) All speak about the greatness of the Qurâan 4) Musa (AS) is mentioned ... Read more
A Juz A Day (23rd): Optimism and Learning from Mistakes This juz includes Surah Yaseen (36), Al-Saffaat (37), Saad (38) and Al-Zumar (39). Surah Yaseen â Be Optimistic Surah Al-Saffaat â Allahâs Threats Will be Fulfilled Surah Saad â Everyone Makes Mistakes
A Juz A Day (22nd): The Prophet (S); Submission to Allah Link for notes: www.tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Begins: Al-Ahzab 31 Ends: Yaseen 27 This juz includes Surah Al-Ahzab (33), Saba (34), Faatir (35) and Yaseen (36). Surah Al-Ahzab â The Prophet (S) Surah Saba and Fatir â Submission to Allah is Success
This juz includes Surah Al-Ankaboot (29), Al-Room (30), Luqman (31), Al-Sajdah (32) and Al-Ahzab (33). All four of 29, 30, 31, 32 begin with اÙÙ . Surah Al-Ankaboot â Fitnah Fitnah means a test that is severe (like a burning oven purifies metal). Surah Al-Room â The Signs of Allah are Clear Signs of Allah â ... Read more
A Juz A Day (20th): Is there a god besides Allah? Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Begins: Al-Naml 56 Ends: Al-Ankaboot 45 This juz includes Surah Al-Naml (27), Al-Qasas (28) and Al-Ankaboot (29). Surah Al-Naml â Is there a god besides Allah? The phrase âIs there a god besides Allah?â repeats 6 times in 6 ... Read more
A Juz A Day (19th): Expose of Rejection; The Mighty, The Merciful Link to Notes: http://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes 19th Juz Begins: Al-Furqan 21 Ends: Al-Naml 55 This juz includes Surah Al-Furqan (25), Al-Shuaâaraa (26) and Al-Naml (27). Surah Al-Furqan â Rejection of the Truth Surah Al-Shuaâara â Your Lord is the Mighty, The Merciful
A Juz A Day (18th): Believers are Successful, Allah’s Law is the Light Link to notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes This juz includes Surah Al-Moâminoon (23), Al-Nur (24) and Surah Al-Furqan (25). Surah Al-Moâminoon â Believers Are Successful Surah Al-Nur â Allahâs Law is A Light
A Juz A Day (17th) – The Prophets, Their Patience and Dua + Ibrahim Link to notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Anbiya â The Prophets, their patience and dua Allahâs Oneness â the Central Message of Prophets Allah Tests the Prophets Dua of Prophets Surah Hajj â Hajj and Ibrahimâs Legacy
A Juz A Day (16th) – Trials and Tribulations, Faith and Family Link to notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Al-Kahf – Trials and Tribulations of life Surah Maryam â Faith and Family go hand-in-hand Surah Taha â Faith is Happiness, Not Grief
A Juz A Day (15th) – The Glorious Qur’an is the Solution Surah Al-Israa â The Glorious Qurâan The word Qurâan is mentioned 11 times in the Surah. Surah Al-Kahf – Trials and Tribulations of life
A Juz A Day – 14th Juz Surah Nahl â Allah is the Protector and Provider Surah Nahl â Thanking Allah for His blessings
A Juz A Day (13th): Allah Has a Plan for You! Link to notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Link to Structure of Surah Yusuf: https://imamaarij.com/2020/05/05/structure-of-surah-yusuf/ We cover today Surah Yusuf, Ra’d and Ibrahim.
Link to notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Hud â Donât Give Up Makkan surah, âHud and itâs sisters have made me oldâ Recognizing Allah
Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Begins: Al-Tawbah a. 93 and Ends: Hud 5 Surah Tawbah â Truth v. Falsehood: The Prophet and the Hypocrites Attitude of true believers v. attitude of hypocrites Surah Yunus â Allah is the Truth Makkan surah; the word âاÙØÙâ repeats 23 times Name comes from a. 98, the people of ... Read more
Truth v. Falsehood Part 3 feat. Prophet/Quraish + Prophet/Hypocrites 10th Juz Begins: Al-Anfaal a. 41 Ends: Al-Tawbah a. 92 Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Al-Anfaal â Truth v. Falsehood: The Prophet and Quraish Surah Tawbah â Truth v. Falsehood: The Prophet and the Hypocrites Surah Anfaal â revealed after first major battle (Badr) Surah ... Read more
The 9th Juz begins with Al-Aâraaf a. 88 and ends with Al-Anfaal a. 40. Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Story of Shuaib, a. 85-93 (financially corrupt) Physical intimidation and barring of people Some lessons and commentary, a. 94-102 Tough times to break arrogance, a. 94 Isnât there significant lesson in the stories of these fallen ... Read more
The 8th Juz begins with Al-Anâaam a. 111 and ends with Al-Aâraaf a. 87. Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Al-Anâaam â Recognize Allah, Worship Him Exclusively Surah Al-Aâraaf â Truth v. Falsehood From Time
The 7th Juz has the last part of Surah Maidah and the first part of Surah An’aam. Link to the notes: https://tinyurl.com/AJuzADayNotes Surah Maidah â Fulfilling Our Commitments Some righteous followers of Easa from Abyssinia, a. 82 Some important rulings (our commitments to Allah) – Not making halal things haram – Alcohol, gambling, astrology and ... Read more
Surah An-Nisaa â Justice and Mercy Injustice should be spoken about Unjust statements about Allahâs Prophets and chosen – Musa – Maryam – Easa Consequences of injustice = loss of blessings – But not all were bad people! The Prophets of Allah were warners and bringers of good news Extremism is injustice Ends with ruling ... Read more
Justice and mercy to the historically oppressed, a. 1-28 Allah is merciful to us and wants to make our lives easy (esp in light of rulings above) Barriers to justice and mercy Establishing justice Reminder to establish justice even if against yourself/family/relatives (part of faith)
Remainder of 3rd Juz – What is True Faith? A truly faithful Family â the Family of Imran – Good and bad are from Allah – Jesus the son of Mary – Miraculous how detailed the Qurâan is about Jewish theology – Interfaith dialogue: similar word = Ibrahim Donât stereotype other members of other faiths ... Read more
True faith is… – Understanding Allah (Ayatul Kursi) – Not forced – Understanding Resurrection after Death – Spending for the sake of Allah – Ethical Business Practices – Pillars of faith (2nd last ayah) – Fruit of faith (last ayah) – Preferring the Life of the Next World – Islam, submission without compromise – Following ... Read more
Taqwa means linguistically: 1) A shield 2) To leave something 3) Seeking shelter Fasting is a shield from Allah’s punishment. Fasting teaches us to leave something halal, training us to leave haram. Fasting is a shelter from fitna.
A Juz A Day (2nd): Being Tested, Showing Restraint – Ibrahim (AS) from the first juz – Change of Qiblah – Tests of life – Fasting – Hajj – Family Law – Taloot, Dawood and Jaloot (David and Goliath)
Three hadith of the Prophet (S) give us the clear understanding that we need to be hopeful, not despairing in these difficult times.
The vices of racism: After learning that Abu Dharr (RA) used a racial slur, the Prophet (S) said to him, “You haven’t yet fully embraced Islam.” That’s because racism has no place in our faith.
If a girl is prevented from getting married by her wali (father/brother) for no legitimate reason, what can she do? Can she find another wali? “When you divorce women and they have reached their set time, do not prevent them from remarrying their husbands if they both agree to do so in a fair manner. ... Read more
A man came to the Prophet (S) and said, “Oh messenger of Allah, remind me but be concise”. The Prophet (S) replied, “When you stand up to pray, then pray like the one bidding farewell. Don’t say something today that you have to apologize for tomorrow. Don’t expect what is in the hands of the ... Read more
3 Lessons from the Death of Abu Talib 1) Value the gift of Islam 2) Show gratitude for this gift by action 3) Protect this gift from fear of others’ perception
The Prophet (S) said, “The one who is deprived of the night of power has been deprived of all good.” The khutbah touches upon the importance of the night of power, the magnitude of it and how to not be deprived of its blessing.
The last ten nights of Ramadan are the opportunity to seek redemption. Some recommendations.
Usama b. Zaid asked the Prophet (S), “Oh Messenger of Allah, I notice you are fasting a lot in Shaban.” The Prophet (S) replied, “This is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people ignore. It’s also the month when deeds are raised up to Allah. So I love that my deeds are raised up ... Read more
In light of Surah Sharh (94) and the Sunnah of the Prophet (S), how do we cope with confusing and dark times? Two main lessons: 1) being optimistic 2) understanding Allah’s promise.
What is zakat, why is zakat so important, who gets Zakat, who pays Zakat, how to calculate Zakat.
The early Muslims made unprecedented progress in race relations inspired by the Qur’an and the actions of the Prophet (S). In this khutbah, 3 examples of how the Prophet corrected racial discourse are presented, along with 2 examples from after the time of the Prophet (S).
The Prophet (S) said, “Dua is worship.” An explanation of how dua is the crux of worship, most of our rituals are centered around dua and a brief explanation of the Prophet’s favorite dua.
The Prophet (S) visits his companion Saad when he falls extremely sick. This brief visit holds a treasure of lessons: the care of the Prophet (S) for others, the incredible mindset of the sahaba, the nature of religious discourse and more.
The dua the Prophet (S) would make most frequently is mentioned in Surah Baqarah, ayah 201. This lecture explains the meaning of this dua, what does “hasanah” mean and how we should look at life and spirituality.
Dealing with Disabilities. Last Friday, I gave khutbah on dealing with disabilities in light of the story of Ayub (Job) in the Qur’an. His story teaches us to rethink how we look at suffering, pain and disability. Once we do so, we gain the strength to cope. We don’t say, “God, why me?” Instead we ... Read more
“We have sent you only as a mercy for all of mankind”. The Prophet (S) is misconstrued as someone who was vengeful and violent. To the contrary, he was the most forgiving and most compassionate of people.
People of Jannah, as mentioned in ayaat 15-17 from Surah Ale Imran, and how Ramadan presents a unique opportunity to become a person of Jannah. Say, “Shall I tell you of something better than all of these? For the God-fearing, there are Gardens in nearness to their God with rivers flowing through them where they ... Read more
Fiqh of Fasting and Welcoming Ramadan. Some questions that we discussed were: 1) Does a pregnant/nursing woman have to fast? If she doesn’t, then how does she make up for the fasting? 2) What happens if I have to travel during Ramadan? 3) How old does a child have to be before they start fasting? ... Read more
– Why is Ramadan so important? Why do we talk about it so much? – Preparing your heart: forgive others – Preparing your mind: restart and reestablish habits of worship – Preparing your soul: start making dua
The Prophet (S) said, “Indeed Allah looks upon the people on the 15th of Shaban and forgives everyone except a polytheist or a mushahin” (Narrated by ibn Majah, authenticated by Sh Al-Albani) This khutbah explains why we must forgive others in Shaban to be forgiven by Allah: – Who is a mushahin? Like the ship ... Read more
The Sunnah of Miswak: – Miswak or siwak? – Highly recommended action at all times, particularly before praying and after waking up from sleep – “The miswak is purifier of the mouth, pleasing to the Lord.” (Hadith) – The Messenger (S) used to do miswak when he entered his house – One of the last ... Read more
A brief look at: – how Islam, the texts of Islam (Qur’an and Hadith) and the necessity to practice Islam inspired a scientific movement – how this movement was never in conflict with Muslim scholarship (in fact, a number of scientists were also religious scholars and vice versa) – the success stories of scientists such ... Read more
Yusuf (AS) was betrayed by those who were supposed to love and protect him. That did not make him bitter or thirsty for revenge. We need to act the same way when someone hurts us. Khutbah delivered at London Muslim Mosque.
The greatest gift we’ve been given is Islam. Understand the value of it, learn how to value and cherish it.
Overcoming Struggles – The Quran’s Advice How do we find solace in difficult moments? How do we navigate tragedies? We look for answers from the Qur’an. Recorded at Sydney Madinah, Sydney.
How to approach learning Arabic? What’s the best curriculum? What are some strategies? Talk delivered at Twins of Faith conference in Melbourne, 2018.
Talk at the Twins of Faith 2018 conference in Melbourne, based on the hadith of the Prophet (S): Abdullah bin Masood asked the Prophet (S), “What does Allah love the most? ” He replied, “Prayer on its earliest time.” “Then what?” “Being loving and courteous with the parents, doing things to please them.” “Then what?” ... Read more