Here you can find my personal summary of my favorite lectures by Nouman Ali Khan. I also put the youtube link 🙂
#1. Islam is easy but unfortunately we made it hard
“Islam is easy and we made it hard. It’s time to change the way we see Islam.”
“Islam is not asking people to reach the destination of perfection
Islam asks us to go on the right path. And people has their own pace. We should not comparing our progress to others but to ourself.”
“The progress takes time. It doesn’t happen overnight.”
“We don’t know the condition of each person. What happen inside them. So, don’t judge the inside of people from the outside”
“Never give up on people or on yourself. Keep on giving good words to your friends and stay beside them. In the end, it is not our words that change people, but Allah’s will.”
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#2. Context & Meaning in the Quran – Khutbah by Nouman Ali Khan
This lecture is based on Surah Al-Isra ayah 36. Here I give you the translation based on Asad translation.
“And never concern thyself with anything of which thou hast no knowledge:Â verily, [thy] hearing and sight and heart – all of them – will be called to account for it [on Judgment Day]!”
Three terms used in ayah: hearing, seeing, emotional response in a way our heart is overwhelm in emotion by something.
What is the connection between these 3 terms?
Put it simply, “what you hear is necessarily impacts the way you see things. If we listens and understand Alquran, then we will see the world in a way Alquran wants us the see it”
Our perception is a big deal, so “Don’t excessively following thing you don’t exactly know what is about.” Furthermore, “Beware of people of bias. Because of bias, people can’t make point objectively. So, people just quote some ayahs from Alquran just for their pleasure and purpose. That’s a crime to Allah and to Alquran.” Remember that “Both sides who make wrong news and who take it easily are wrong”
“When we listen to Alquran, listen and understand it dearly, not just artificially”
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#3. Islam and Ego
In this lecture, NAK talked about Muslim people on their religious journey especially in western countries.
There are two main challenges:
1. Ego/arrogance
2. The heart that become hard.
For the first point:
Some are so passionate to learn the religion. But unfortunately they become so rigid while their surroundings don’t take a similar journey that makes friction happens.
Then, in some cases, our thinking that we are more superior makes us arrogant.
For the second point:
You are not feeling anything when you pray or listen to Alquran.
But you cover it. So, you look good outside but inside you are not. This is really hard to be solved since it’s only you who know that you have a problem.
But, don’t give up. At least, there are 3 main solutions:
1. Remembering Allah
2. Find better company
3. Speak a good word
For the first point:
If Allah can bring life out of death earth, He can soften your hard heart too.
So, remember Allah.
Put a thought and reflect on it. Remember that changes don’t happen overnight so don’t push yourself too hard. Take your time.
For the third point:
When you see your friends do bad things, remind them in a good way. Don’t be arrogant. Don’t think you are better person than them.
Remembet that Muhammad SAW reminded people for 10 years and Allah saying to him to keep on reminding them.
The ayah related to this matter is:
1. Ayah 14 from Asy-Syura
“And they did not become divided until after knowledge had come to them – out of jealous animosity between themselves. And if not for a word that preceded from your Lord [postponing the penalty] until a specified time, it would have been concluded between them. And indeed, those who were granted inheritance of the Scripture after them are, concerning it, in disquieting doubt.”
The point is:
They didn’t disaggree to each other until the knowledge came. But, after the knowledge came, they still disagree to each other because of ego. Don’t be like these people.
2. Ayah 159 from Ali Imran
“So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him].”
This ayah particularly address people who are in the position of leadership and have more knowledge than others.
The point is sahabah of Muhammad SAW will run away from the prophet if the prophet is too tough or too hard.
This ayah shows the importance of how we deliver our message.
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#4. A Quranic Lesson in Religious Psychology
In this lecture, NAK started by talking about Ramadhan since this lecture happened during Ramadhan.
NAK said to not give up on muslim people who haven’t pray yet.
“Reach them with your good word. Show them that you pray. Soften the heart of them. Don’t give up on them.”
Then, NAK continued by discussing religious psychology. Especially on nation that was given a religion. There are particular disease has happened to them.
Disease of someone who can be very religious when it comes to rituals. They are so observant and strict in their prayer, recitation, halal n haram food. But, when it comes to business or financial dealing, you will find different personality. It’s like those people have double standard.
Allah SWT reminds us regarding this matter in surah Al-Baqarah ayah 188.
And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is unlawful].
The practical translation is:
Don’t consume your money without purpose.
Don’t corrupt using people money
Don’t prevent people to get their own money
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#5. Lesson from the story of Musa AS
His story is mention is several surah in Alquran, among others Surah Taha (20) and Syuara (26).
Parts of Surah Taha tells a story of Musa AS had conversation with Allah SWT.
On journey with his family he saw fire in top of the hilland he said “you stay here I will get the fire.”
The surah suggest that only Musa saw the fire.
“Maybe I will bring some spark from it” he said it in a sense of urgency. It’s for his family whose in the dark of dessert.
He climbed there hurriedly. It was quite a struggle. He never thought that he would get a guidance of life.
Imagine, you are on top of the hill, alone, in the dark. Then somebody called you “Musa!” by his name!
“I am your master” Allah said then continued by saying “Take your shoes off”
Musa was in confusion.
“It is that I have selected you”
In Surah Taha, Allah mention “I” two times which emphasize exclusivity in choosing Musa.
Start from how he was in the basket. Then he punched a person until that person died. Then, how he is in the top of the hill in that particular time. It’s all planned.
“I have chosen you because I see the good in you. So listen carefully to what’s being reveal.”
This a conversation with epic proportion in human history. A conversation between Allah and human. And it’s initiated by Allah.
Allah mentioned Musa later in the sentence with softness “What is in your hand, Musa?”
Now, Musa is calm and since this a totally rare opportunity to be able to speak directly to Allah.
He said “this is my staff. I lean on it sometimes and I have other things I can do with this too” as he want to prolong the conversation.
Allah said “throw it Musa”
Then it transformed into a gigantic snake and it moved around.
Allah said “grab it and don’t be afraid”
Its shows Allah expecting obedience first by saying “grab it” then giving courage second by saying “don’t be afraid”
That when Musa grabbed it, it turned into a staff again
Here, just by one sentence, Allah teaches us 3 things: obey, courage, and trust. So, don’t be afraid when you face Firaund. Allah will take care of it.
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Looking in large perspective, the stories in Alquran are often repeated. Especially the story of Musa, Ibrahim, and Bani Israil. They are scattered and repeated. What’s is the point to make it like that?
The point of it is: the stories are not being told for the purpose of the story but they are being told for the lesson of that surah. Only the important part of story will be mentioned. There is no detail of dates, names, etc because those details are not the purpose. The stories become a supporting evidence.
The Thousand Pieces of Me 