Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Saad Al-Azhari

Islam and Modernity: Sunday 13 September Modernity is not just new technology or changing customs. It is a philosophical shift that reaches into how we worship, how we think about ethics, and how we understand our own identity as Muslims. To live as a Muslim today takes more than knowing the rules. It takes understanding the environment we live and grew up in. On Sunday 13 September, we are joined by Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Saad, whose academic work on modernity includes his PhD and Shaykh Abu Aaliyah, author of A Muslim's Guide to Modernity, Together they will explore the frameworks needed to understand the modern world as it truly is, not simply as a set of external changes. This course is open to all and will be both in-person & online. In-person places are limited so please register early. Register: www.ihsaninstitute.co.uk/SummerCourses2026 We hope to see many of you there, please share and spread the word. JazakallahuKhairan

A gift poem on the occasion of Rabi'ul Awwal by Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Saad al-Azhari under the title: O Rasulullah

My Best Mawlid Recording: For the past 20 years, I have been listening to different mawlid recordings and only one has remained in a special place in my heart. Every time, it sounds as fresh as the first time. It is a 1948 recording of Mawlid al-Munawi by Shaykh Taha al-Fashni. Please enjoy this phenomenal 26 minutes recorded in the presence of the then King Farouk of Egypt. Allahumma Salli wa Sallim 'ala Sayyidna wa Mawlana Muhammad Al-Fatiha https://youtu.be/K92rD0Cttrw?is=A-3TF5guGpypZVam

https://youtube.com/shorts/U5XWb5TRtb0?is=SLntxXeD6oFz3dCH

Please join us on Sunday the 23rd for Walking with the Prophet ﷺ with Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Saad. A day dedicated to studying his noble character, description, and conduct ﷺ in the hope of being able to implement some of the prophetic character into our own lives. Online and In-Person. In-person places are limited. Register here: www.ihsaninstitute.co.uk/SummerCourses2026

https://youtube.com/shorts/qejgD0kkSYo?is=cZFx37cH5o1HMdWw

https://youtube.com/shorts/pEnThaCnjnA?is=H2rbwxSWuGwfDoN1

Solar Eclipse: Time to Pray Not to Play Many Muslims are going out to watch the eclipse today. We forget that these God given signs are warnings and reminders to turn to Allah in prayer rather than turn to the telescope and special glasses. It is not about the harm to the eyes but to the hearts. Kusuf or solar eclipse is a sign that requires a special prayer. This prayer has a strange formula (two rukū in every rak'ah) to indicate the heaviness of the event and show it is not time for picnic or fun. It is time for du'a and earnest prayer that Allah lifts His punishment. These are moments when a believer feels how tiny and insignificant he/she is and how magnificent and mighty Allah is. It is time of reflection not wearing reflection glasses and special spectacles. The prayer is normally done in the masjid (unlike Eid) to remind people of the importance of taking refuge in Allah's ultimate protection. " We were with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) when the sun eclipsed. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) stood up dragging his cloak till he entered the Mosque. He led us in a two-rak`at prayer till the sun (eclipse) had cleared. Then the Prophet ﷺ said, "The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's death. So whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah) till the eclipse is over." Note: In the Maliki school it is makruh to do it after Asr but a person should engage in dua and istighfar during that time though. Other Madhhabs that allow prayer at that time should do it though.

كلام دقيق ومضبوط https://youtube.com/shorts/21W3LJ_sOEo?is=Z8Wei21L82l_aqdz

https://on.soundcloud.com/NNVfgy2tFF6Quvt9TS

https://on.soundcloud.com/BfRotbn92RnGaCzXse

Spoiled by Options: Man's ability to choose functions only when they have a limited number of options and they have qualifications necessary for the choosing process. Otherwise, one makes disastrous decisions (if they do not have qualifications) and their ability becomes maimed and restricted (if they have unlimited number of choices). Modern culture of "multiplicity" and "unbridled options" creates human beings completely devoid of will, despite thinking that they have full capacity to choose. Spoiled by "options" and a flood of "advertisements" that address every sense and awaken every desire, the modern human is controlled by big corporations and mega business that use him as an "experimentation object" for their new products and unending line of crazy inventions. Such inventions, not only poison his body and soul, but divorce him from nature and any ultimate truth. They reduce him to a lowly creature living for here and now; unable to choose and therefore unable to travel towards his destination. The Qur'an strikingly tells us of many of those nations and communities who were spoiled by manyness and decline was thus their inevitable path. In the next post, we will speak about some of those Qur'anic narratives inshAllah. Stay Blessed. Dr. Ahmed Saad al-Azhari

Addictive Habits: The core of the Islamic faith is to liberate human beings from their habits and attachments so that they become true servants of God. Anything other than Allah that you become attached to leaves you one day and thus will be harmful for you sooner or later.

Gratefulness & Acknowledgement: Those who know me closely, know that I prefer not to comment on events in public specially those related to political figures. This is due to multiple considerations of which is my deep belief that religious scholars and teachers are not political analysts and, despite being entitled to personal opinion, they lack deep knowledge of the complexities of the political scenes. Thus, damage outweighs benefits when they make a public comment. This moral position I have taken is not a passivist one; it is well-thought and calculated. It is not for political gain or privilege but for 'focussing on what I know best' and holding my tongue from engaging in the detrimental desire of talking. However, a recent visit of His Majesty King Charles III to Cambridge Central Mosque attracted my attention and affirmed a very long term positive views I had about the Monarch since he was the Prince of Wales. His Majesty's commitment to diversity and the moral values of acceptance and unity have long been a cornerstone of why Britain continues to be one of the best societies for Muslims in the West. Muslims contribute to this society; it is their home, it is where they belong as love of land where you can practice your faith is praiseworthy and recommended religious commitment. At times of division and tension where ignorant or ill-intended voices tend to use some political failures and difficult economic conditions, among other things, to promote hate and discord, the monarchy's gesture comes to calm down the scene, send positive message and affirm why the British Muslim community are gifted and blessed. Divisive voices come at times of desperation and uncertainty and 'traditional authority' (here the monarchy) performs its expected role as a soft power that brings the society together and restore confidence that gets shaken at times of unease. God bless us all.

Romanticising the Respectable: Often times, we hear students or rather modern murīds of contemporary sufī turuq romanticising their Shuyūkh in a way that is far from the regal and awe-inspired nature of the relationship. While I am not against praising your teachers and -despite not being not a personal preference- understand the need for a sentimental connection, I do find that approach neither proper or reflective of the true nature of teacher-student/murīd relationship; one that should be based on respect and looking beyond face and attire. The current situation where the shift is made from the inward to the outward and the focus on that manipulates the discussions, reflects a sense of shallowness and a deep distraction. In an age full of deep-fake and fame-seeking and dominated by focus on presentation and celebrity culture, the last thing one would love to see is a spiritual path romanticised and diverted from its core and serious purpose. Of course, beauty is something that captures attention. But let internal beauty of the soul be our focus so that it is the soul - not the eyes- that gets captured and becomes connected to the Divine. At the same time, remember that respect has its own beauty that combines both jamal (beauty) and jalal (majesty) together. Stay blessed.

How well do you know the Prophet Muhammed ﷺ? Walking with the Prophet ﷺ is a one-day course with Shaykh Dr. Ahmed Saad to help you understand the traits and magnificent character of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: how he spoke, how he dealt with people, and how he carried himself in various settings. Understanding his specific traits and actions helps us to exemplify his blessed way of living in our own lives. 🗓 Sunday 23 August, 10am to 4pm 📍 In person and online via Zoom Limited in person places available. For more details and registration: www.ihsaninstitute.co.uk/SummerCourses2026. Please share and spread the word!

https://youtu.be/Cz1XuyyjoZQ?si=PmzfNcvinnDXHbq9