In this next session, Skaykh Yahya discusses two more character traits of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: (1) to break a nonobligatory fast to make your brother or sister happy; and (2) to bring happiness and joy in your relationships with others. With respect to breaking a nonobligatory fast, Shaykh Yahya explains the larger significance of this trait and why service to others is the quickest way to receive spiritual openings. He also begins the session with a beautiful discussion on ihsan (beautiful character) using a system of trees as a metaphor. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry)

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Break a Nonobligatory Fast to Make Others Happy

In his book Kitab al-Futuwwa, Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) states that it is from Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) to view what remains from one’s wealth as what was spent in charity and not what was withheld. Shaykh Yayha mentions that this great character trait derives from a faith-based perspective and is found in all of the Prophets, starting with the Prophet Adam, alayhi as-salaam. Several examples from the Qur’an and Hadith are mentioned, providing a clear and illuminating explanation.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To View Wealth As What One Gives

The next trait of Futuwwa discussed in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, is to begin eating only after everyone else has started eating. Although this trait may appear to be small and easy, Shaykh Yahya explains why you cannot have a leader without this fundamental etiquette. He then discusses the meaning of leadership with examples from the Qu’ran and Hadith. Additionally, a story about a righteous scholar, a rope, and a stone is told, providing a beautiful lesson on consistency.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Begin Eating Only After Everyone Else Has Started

In this session on Futuwwa based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya continues with the next great trait of spiritual chivalry: showing good hospitality and honoring guests. He mentions the story of what Sayyida Khadijah, radi allahu anha, said to comfort the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, after he received his first revelation: specifically, the five traits that the Prophet (saas) possessed, including receiving guests hospitably. Shaykh Yahya also explains how the prophetic methodology can be found in these five traits. Short discussions on why prayer is our “primary occupation” and why the entire earth is a masjid are also provided. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Show Good Hospitality and To Honor Guests

This next session on Futuwwa based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, states that the real work is with rectifying one’s inner state. As part of the discussion, Shaykh Yahya mentions that when the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, taught, he sometimes wore nice clothes and sometimes wore simple clothes, and Shaykh Yahya discusses the wisdom behind that. Also, two examples from the life of Muhammad Ali are related which show the strength of his inner character and explain why so many people loved him.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Rectifying One’s Inner State

Shaykh Yahya continues his discussion on Futuwwa based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa with the next character trait: speaking truthfully and fulfilling trusts. The six different levels of truthfulness are mentioned, with a focus on the first level—always maintaining truthfulness in speech and being careful with what we say. He also discusses the virtue of fulfilling trusts in the context of a hadith that lists four traits that if possessed, it does not matter what someone misses from the dunya. Prior to the discussion on Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya relates a beautiful story about the Prophet’s, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, great-great-grandson, Ja’far al-Sadiq. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Speak Truthfully and Fulfill Trusts

In this next session on Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya first translates a poem by Al-Habib ‘Ali Bin Muhammad Al-Habashiyyi, which teaches us how to implore our Lord and which can be found in the book Al-Khulasah (The Cream of Remembrance). Afterwards, Shaykh Yahya discusses the next two character traits mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: (1) to love and visit each other for the sake of Allah, Ta’ala, and (2) to love and care for strangers. The concept of “stranger” is explored through several ahadith.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Love and Visit Each Other and To Care For Strangers

In this session Shaykh Yahya first translates a beautiful poem about Hababah Khadijah al-Kubra, radi Allahu anha. the beloved first wife of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wasallam. He then discusses the next character trait of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: to show compassion to your brothers (sisters) and to share your possessions with them. We are encouraged to give things away in accordance with the sunnah and provided practical advice on how to make this trait a reality in our own lives.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Show Compassion and Share Your Possession

In this especially powerful session, Shaykh Yahya discusses the next character trait of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: To be generous of soul and pure of heart. Someone may not be a person of knowledge or worship or be able to do what other people do, but acquiring this trait is a door for everyone to draw near to Allaah, Ta’ala. Several relevant ahadith are discussed and a particularly beneficial du’a is provided.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): To Be Generous of Soul and Pure of Heart

In this next session, Shaykh Yahya shares some beautiful insights about the deen, specifically discussing how to benefit from the night and day of Jumu’ah, including the hour during which supplications are answered according to the well-known hadith. He then discusses two more traits of Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) as mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa. Shaykh Yahya first gives a lengthy discussion on respecting one’s friends and moving for them, and the corresponding ayah in Surah al-Mujadila (58:11). The session then concludes with a discussion on being upright as forth in the hadith, “Say, ‘I believe in Allah and then remain upright.’” Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Respect Your Friends and Move For Them; Remain Upright

According to Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) in his book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, it is from futuwwa to (1) to allow your brother (sister) to use your wealth as if it were his own and (2) to love having guests and showing hospitality. In this session, Shaykh Yahya explains these two additional traits of spiritual chivalry (futuwwa) through numerous ahadith and stories of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu alaihi wa salam. He also explains why Prophet Ibrahim, alaihi as-salam, was called “The Father of Guests.” Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Sharing Wealth with Friends and Hospitality

 In this ninth podcast on Futuwwa, Shaykh Yahya first discusses some of the blessings associated with gathering for knowledge and/or remembrance and how Futuwwa is the “glue” that holds hearts together. He then explains two additional traits of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa: (1) helping and getting along with friends and (2) caring for your brother (or sister) more than you care for your own family. With respect to this second trait, Shaykh Yahya provides a detailed explanation of its implementation and limits.  Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Helping, getting along, and caring for friends

In his book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) starts with “It is from Futuwwa…”. As Shaykh Yahya discusses in this eighth lecture, it is from Futuwwa (1) not to count you friends mouthfuls of food when you are eating with them and (2) to be lenient with your friends on matters that are clearly not sinful. Shaykh Yahya also explains the outward and inward meanings of facing the Qibla and translates a beautiful poem of Imam al-Haddad. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Don’t count your friends’ mouthfuls and be lenient with them

In this seventh lecture on Futuwwa (spiritual chivalry), Shaykh Yahya first discusses the particular provision that different aspects of our being (i.e., physical body, mind, spiritual heart, and spirit) need to thrive. He then looks at two traits of Futuwwa mentioned in Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book, Kitab al-Futuwwa, that demonstrate selflessness: (1) Maintaining old relationships and (2) Keeping friends’ interests at heart and caring for one’s neighbors. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Selflessness towards friends and neighbors

Shaykh Yahya continues discussing futuwwa (spiritual chivalry) based on Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami’s (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) book Kitab al-Futuwwa. In this lecture he discusses the trait of familiarity and closeness among Muslims, and what one can do if one has an aversion to another person. The second trait discussed is the aspect of generosity where one gives freely. Shaykh Yahya also mentions the benefits of imagining oneself with special people and at blessed places, and how to get the reward of 50 martyrs. Subscribe to Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry) on Soundwise

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry): Ulfa – a Deep Sense of Love, Familiarity, and Togetherness

In this series of lectures, Shaykh Yahya introduces Futuwwa, roughly translated at “spiritual chivalry,” as set forth by Imam Muhammad ibn al-Husayn al Sulami (d. 412 AH, 1034 CE) in his book Kitab al-Futuwwa.

hubhopper

Futuwwa (Spiritual Chivalry)

hubhopper