Asalamu’alaikum,
Ramadan Mubarak!
It has been a long time since we posted. Jazak’Allah Khair for all the love, support, and patience. This past year has been quite a long road for many of us. Such trying times, but blessed times as well. So, Allah SWT wanted to spend some quality time with us. We hope that this year has been fruitful and that we all have taken these trials as invitations from Allah SWT and worked towards mending, growing, and learning in His Way, Insha’Allah.
Recently, I was asked where one should begin when they come to or come back to Islam. It is such a simple question, but I haven’t really thought to ever put it down on paper. Usually, when someone would ask me something like this, I would send a few videos and some advice, but this time was different. I wrote out a response and really brainstormed about those initial days and what we studied and who we listened to. I am sharing it here for Ramadan in the hopes that it will give someone some benefit, Insha’Allah.
The most important thing when beginning our journey of knowledge is to be patient and to set goals which are achievable. This will not only going to help us to retain what we are learning, but it will keep us from being overwhelmed and losing focus, Insha’Allah.
If you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them! Please do leave a comment or email us.
Here are some Scholars and resources that really helped us understand the Qur’an, Sunnah, and Seerah in a comprehensive and approachable manner, Alhamdulillah. May Allah SWT reward them and guide us to the straight path, Ameen.
Dr Zakir Naik – hands down, so many questions were answered from his lectures as well as his famous Q and A sessions, Alhamdulillah. Always inspirational and we come away with answers that we didn’t even know we had doubts about, Subhan’Allah.
Quran: Should It Be Read With Understanding?
https://thechoice.one/al-quran
Unity of the Muslim Ummah:
https://thechoice.one/unity-in-the-muslim-ummah/
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf – For basic teachings, I highly recommend this series from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Insha’Allah. Although, Shaykh Hamza isn’t always easy to understand when we are just beginning to study Islam, this series is meant to be a foundational course, Insha’Allah. Also, the lecture, “In the Footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad SAW”, is very inspiring, some good old school Shaykh Hamza, Alhamdulillah.
Foundations of Islam:
https://thechoice.one/foundati
In the Footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad SAW:
Purification of the Heart:
https://thechoice.one/purification-of-the-heart-audio-mp3/
Shaykh Anwar al-Awlaki – We also listened to this series from Shaikh Anwar al-Awlaki (RA). This was one of those life changing series that really helped us understand how the Prophets AS and their stories could help us in this time, Alhamdulillah. It is brilliant and can be enjoyed by adults and youth alike, Alhamdulillah. His Seerah series on the life of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW is also beautiful and should be listened to by all Muslims. Highly recommend it! May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him a high order in Jannah, Ameen.
Lives of the Prophets AS:
https://thechoice.one/lives-pr
The Seerah:
https://thechoice.one/the-life
Understanding the Qur’an:
https://thechosenone.info/understanding-the-quran/
Ustadh Bilal Assad – he is from Australia and is so beloved to us and our children. There were certain scholars that we began listening to, but didn’t continue because of one reason or another, but Ustadh Bilal is always good and he really connects the Qur’an and Sunnah to this time seamlessly, Alhamdulillah.
What are your priorities in life?
The End Series:
https://thechoice.one/end-seri
Shaykh Khalid Yasin – The Purpose of Life by Shaykh Khalid Yasin was a huge eye opener and really helped us put everything into perspective, Alhamdulillah.
The Purpose of Life:
https://thechoice.one/the-purp
Ustadh Muhammad Tim Humble – he is an underrated Scholar from the UK, but he has really been a great teacher to us and such a solid guide. He has made a huge impact on our lives and especially in matters of the Sunnah and Ruqyah. Any of his lectures are enlightening and his demeanour is exactly what we look for in a good teacher, Alhamdulillah. This lecture is a must for all Muslims.
Doubts pertaining to Shirk:
https://thechoice.one/kashf-as
Ruqyah Workshop:
https://thechoice.one/ruqyah-workshop-iii-muhammad-tim-humble/
The Reality of Easter:
https://thechosenone.info/the-reality-of-easter/
Dr Israr Ahmad – the day I discovered this Tafseer of the Noble Qur’an six years ago by Dr Israr Ahmad RA was life changing. So many gems in this series and just goes to show how much knowledge he truly had and how much we missed while he was still with us. These rare recordings are so precious, Alhamdulillah. May Allah forgive him and grant him a high order in Jannah, Ameen.
Bayan-ul-Qur’an:
https://thechoice.one/bayan-ul
What is True Success:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1547711645473978/permalink/2816260128619117/
Maulana Modudi – I am including this, because I truly believe that it is a key to the Qur’an that is such a blessing in this time, Alhamdulillah. Maulana Maududi was gifted with the ability to connect the Qur’an, Sunnah and the Seerah to help open the student’s mind up to not only the meaning of the Qur’an, but the ability to develop the intellect and act on the Ayat. May Allah forgive him and grant him a high order in Jannah, Ameen.
The Meaning of the Qur’an in English:
https://thechoice.one/maududi-
The Meaning of the Qur’an in Urdu:
https://thechoice.one/tafheem-ul-quran-urdu-translations-tafseer-moulana-syed-abul-ala-moududi-ebook-pdf/
Shaykh Ali Hammuda – He is a very knowledgeable and he has a very open way of explaining the Deen strict to the Qur’an and Sunnah, Alhamdulillah.
On Social Media:
Dr. Jeffrey Lang – He is a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Kansas and his journey to Islam is so interesting and very logical, Alhamdulillah. It’s interesting and the way he captures his thought process working through all the elements of his childhood, to his personal relationship with religion, and his final surrender is beautiful and captivating, Masha’Allah. Shaykh Hamza Yusuf also wrote a blog about him and his journey, it’s just that good, Alhamdulillah.
The Purpose of Life:
https://thechoice.one/purpose-life-hour-half/
Winning our Children Back to Islam:
https://thechoice.one/winning-our-children-back-to-islam-by-dr-jeffrey-lang/
May Allah SWT grants us ease, inspires us to come closer to Him, and helps us all to work in His Way for His Pleasure, Ameen.
Note: The Choice (www.TheChoice.one) and The Chosen One (www.TheChosenOne.info) are our Sister Sites. Please do visit them and share the Blessings, Insha’Allah.