Yusra Media

22/02/2021

Indeed, with Allah religion is Islām [3:19]

Islam is the best religion and is the only religion that has the capacity to cover all the needs of human beings until the end of time. Let us look at some of the gems that Islam has which are summarised in the mnemonic BEST:

B: Book
The Quran is the holy book of Islam and is the unchanged and actual word of Allah almighty. Allah almighty guides us with this book and thus has himself vowed to protect his word for all of time. That is why to this day and more than 1400 years since the Quran was revealed it remains absolutely unchanged. There is no other religion that can claim such a feat. Look at the Bible for example, there are hundreds of versions of the Bible and yet there are still new versions that are being developed.

E: Examples

Islam provides the best examples to follow – role models that are sinless and morally upright. These role models are the prophets mentioned in the Quran and our beloved Prophet Muhammad and his Ahlulbayt. No other religion gives us such perfect role models that can help guide us in all aspects of life.

S: Science
Islam, unlike other religions, encourages its followers to think, reflect and to use their intellect to reach the truth. It teaches us that all of nature’s workings are signs of Allah Almighty that should be explored and interpreted. Thus, Islam encourage us to learn science and to work towards discovering new scientific principles. The Quran itself has also hinted at some scientific facts. For example, the Qur’an speaks about the Earth shrinking, as well as the universe as a whole expanding. Both these statements have been recently confirmed by science.

T: Teachings

Many religions teach us how to deal with other people - Christianity for example teaches us to turn the other cheek when one acts badly to us. Islam takes this to a higher level and teaches us that when someone treats us in an evil way, we should not reply in an equally evil way, rather, we should reply with what which is best in order that he/she may one day become our friend rather than our enemy. Islam if filled with moral prescriptions that teach us how to be the best people we can possibly be.

Islam therefore is truly the BEST religion and indeed our greatest blessing – one we should always thank Allah for and cherish very closely.

Walhamdulilah rabil alamin

24/12/2020

07/12/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | Reasons for Religion

هُوَ الَّذي يُنَزِّلُ عَلىٰ عَبدِهِ آياتٍ بَيِّناتٍ لِيُخرِجَكُم مِنَ الظُّلُماتِ إِلَى النّورِ ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِكُم لَرَءوفٌ رَحيمٌ
Our Lord and creator’s greatest gift to us is the religion that he has ordained for us – a religion that removes us from darkness to light. Allah SWT describes the message of Islam as "giving us life".
In Surah A’raaf, Ayah 157, Allah Explains that prophet Muhammad was given the message of Islam to guide our lives to four main aspects:
1. Number 1
يَأمُرُهُم بِالمَعروفِ وَيَنهاهُم عَنِ المُنكَرِ
One of the main purposes of the religion of Islam is to establish a moral society for people to live in. Islam teaches us that this can only happen when we all play our part in encouraging good and discouraging evil. Imagine a world where you, your family and your entire community all encourage goodness and all discourage evil. Do you think you would live in a more peaceful and just society?
2. Number 2
َيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ الطَّيِّباتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيهِمُ الخَبائِثَ
Islam guides us to what is good and wholesome for our soul, and advises us to stay away from that which corrupts our soul. Just as we have physical needs like food, and social needs like friendship, we also have spiritual needs that are essential for our happiness. Islam meets our spiritual needs. Just as a parent teaches a helpless baby what is dangerous and what is not, Allah Almighty with his infinite knowledge tells us what is harmful for our souls and what is beneficial for our souls.

Number 3
وَيَضَعُ عَنهُم إِصرَهُم وَالأَغلالَ الَّتي كانَت عَلَيهِم
Islam removes from us the superstitions and negative cultures of previous generations, civilisations and religions. Its teachings are in line with the goodness and intellect that Allah has gifted each and every one of us. Islam does not ask us to perform useless rituals that would burden us or abide by unjust laws that would hurt us or others.
Number 4:
فَالَّذينَ آمَنوا بِهِ وَعَزَّروهُ وَنَصَروهُ وَاتَّبَعُوا النّورَ الَّذي أُنزِلَ مَعَهُ ۙ أُولٰئِكَ هُمُ المُفلِحونَ

Finally, Islam promises those who follow in the footstep of the Holy Prophet and those who abide by the Quran eternal success in this world and the next.
The next time we stand up in prayers and thank Allah almighty as we read the ayah الحمد لله رب العالمين let us remember the greatest gift that Allah has given us and that is the guiding-gift of the religion of Islam.

26/11/2020

أَفَحَسِبتُم أَنَّما خَلَقناكُم عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُم إِلَينا لا تُرجَعونَ
Did you suppose that We created you aimlessly, and that you will not be brought back to Us?’

Everything we do in life must have a purpose, a reason and an end goal. What then is the purpose of life itself? Like most things in life there are different layers that address this question.
Let us explore 4 of these layers as discussed in the Holy Quran:
1. The First layer: To worship Allah almighty:
وَما خَلَقتُ الجِنَّ وَالإِنسَ إِلّا لِيَعبُدونِ
Allah almighty simply and clearly states that He has not created mankind except that they should worship Him. Ask yourself – do you make sure that all your actions, transactions and rituals are done for Allah almighty?
2. The second layer: To be tested:

الَّذي خَلَقَ المَوتَ وَالحَياةَ لِيَبلُوَكُم أَيُّكُم أَحسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ العَزيزُ الغَفورُ
In this beautiful verse in surah al-Mulk Allah explains that he created life and death so that he may test us to see who will be the best in action and conduct. Let us ask ourselves then do we embrace the difficulties of life with patience? do we make the right decisions to become the best people we can be?

3. The third layer: To live in harmony with the system of Allah Almighty:
تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ السَّماواتُ السَّبعُ وَالأَرضُ وَمَن فيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِن شَيءٍ إِلّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمدِهِ
Everything in existence; the heavens, the sun, the stars, the earth and everything within them glorifies Allah by submitting to the laws of His divine system. By following Allah’s laws in doing the obligatory actions and avoiding the prohibited acts our existence as human beings can also fall into line with this Godly system.

4. The fourth layer: To represent Allah almighty:
أَمَّن يُجيبُ المُضطَرَّ إِذا دَعاهُ وَيَكشِفُ السّوءَ وَيَجعَلُكُم خُلَفاءَ الأَرضِ ۗ
The fourth and highest layer in why we live is to represent Allah in this life. We do this by demonstrating his beautiful attributes in the way we live our lives and the way we interact with the world around us. Ask yourself - Do you act kindly to others as Allah is kind? Are you just and fair to others as Allah is just? Are you loving and forgiving to family and friends as Allah is loving to his creation?

Now that we have learnt these reasons for why we exist let us try to live our lives with more purpose and more direction - striving to get ever closer to Allah and to our perfection as human beings.

05/08/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | Imam Ali - A guide to the path of Prophet Muhammad

وَمِمَّن خَلَقنا أُمَّةٌ يَهدونَ بِالحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعدِلونَ
“and among those We have created are people who guide by the truth and do justice thereby.”
Imam Ali (AS) is one of the most important personalities in Islam and in all of human History. His Faith, Knowledge and noble character is second only to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (S).
Imam Ali (AS) is a man that can be studied from many angles. Whichever angle you examine him from, you will find perfection and righteousness to the utmost degree, making him the ideal role model upon which we can base our lives.
Let us try to get to know our role model by having a look at 6 of these angles:
1. A miraculous birth – Allah almighty caused the ka’bah to split allowing Imam Ali’s mother inside to give birth to him, making him the only human ever to be born in the ka’bah. No other person in history has been given this honour.
2. Never a mushrik – Imam ali came from the core of the hashimi tribe whose forefathers chose to remain true to the teachings of prophet Ibrahim. He never dabbled in the evil ways polytheism and at a very young age was the first to stand by the prophet when the revelation came.
3. A protector of the prophet and his message – it was always imam Ali who took the initiative to protect the prophet and his message. He was the hero of many wars and on numerous occasions put his life on the line to protect the prophet and his message.
4. He was sinless – history attests to the fact that out of all the companions of the prophet Imam Ali was the purest with no sin ever recorded against his name. he never engaged in the practices of the jaahilyah and was always a pious believer
5. He perfected all virtues – Imam Ali was the bravest, the wisest, the most loyal, the kindest and the most just. Incredibly he was the only companion able to combine and gather all good virtues without having to compromise on others.
6. Imam Ali was the only man worthy of marrying the greatest lady in history – Sayyidah Fatima the daughter of Pr Muhammad and in this holy marriage they gave birth to our beloved role models Imam Hassan and Imam Hussain a.s.
If ever we want to make the right decision, if ever we want to check whether we are following the way of our holy prophet then let us look at the example of Imam Ali first for surely in him we will find only purity and utmost loyalty to Allah almighty and his beloved prophet Muhammad.

05/08/2020

Qur'anic Wisdoms | The Event of Ghadir - An Undeniable Divine Order
يا أَيُّهَا الرَّسولُ بَلِّغ ما أُنزِلَ إِلَيكَ مِن رَبِّكَ ۖ وَإِن لَم تَفعَل فَما بَلَّغتَ رِسالَتَهُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعصِمُكَ مِنَ النّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَهدِي القَومَ الكافِرينَ
Surah 5 ayah 67
This ayah from Surat Ma’ida was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw) towards the end of his life, a few months before his death. It commands the Prophet to deliver a very important message from God, and emphasises that if he did not deliver this message, then it is as if he has not delivered the entire message of Islam!
The Ahlul Bayt (as) have clearly told us in the narrations that this important message was that of appointing Imam Ali (as) as the successor to the Prophet and the leader or ‘wali’ of the Muslims, and that this appointment of Imam Ali (as) was most clearly announced during the event of Ghadeer. A number of Sunni narrators and scholars also narrate that this special message was in relation to Imam Ali (as).
The Prophet received this ayah on his way back from the Hajj pilgrimage. After its revelation, he commanded all the Muslims returning from Hajj to stop in the one place and prayed with them in congregation. He then addressed them:
“Who has more right upon you than your own selves?”
In other words, “who is your leader and the one you totally submit to?”
Three times they replied: “Allah and His Messenger.”
Immediately after this, the Prophet (saw) took the hand of Imam Ali ibn abi Talib (as) and said:
“Whoever I am his Leader then Ali is his leader. O Allah, be a guardian to whoever takes Ali (as) as a guardian, and be an enemy for whoever takes Ali as an enemy. Support whoever supports him, and forsake whoever forsakes him. For he is from me, and I am from him. His relation to me is the relation of Aaron to Moses, except that there will no prophet after me.”
We can see that on the day of Ghadeer, the Prophet (saw) made it very clear to the Muslims that Imam Ali (as) was the Divinely appointed leader of the Muslims after the Prophet, and that he was to be his undisputed successor. This event is mentioned in both the Holy Qur’an and in so many recurrently narrated (mutawatir) narrations, to such a point that it leaves us with no doubt that this event did indeed take place and that imam Ali was indeed the appointed successor after our holy prophet.

15/07/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | The happy and the Miserable
يَومَ يَأتِ لا تَكَلَّمُ نَفسٌ إِلّا بِإِذنِهِ فَمِنهُم شَقِيٌّ وَسَعيدٌ
The hereafter is made up of multiple stages and in the particular stage
described in the verse above none shall speak except with the leave of
Allah and mankind will be divided into 2 groups – one happy and the
other miserable.
Let us ask ourselves then in which group do we want to be categorised?
In this transient physical life will we make good decisions that identify us
with those who will be happy in the final resurrection or bad decisions
that will identify us with those who are unhappy and miserable.
فَأَمَّا الَّذينَ شَقوا فَفِي النّارِ لَهُم فيها زَفيرٌ وَشَهيقٌ

As for the unhappy, they shall be in the Fire: they will spend their eternity
groaning and sighing in pain and in regret. Despite their arrogance in
this physical world they will be humiliated in the next, their heads cast
down, their food will be thorns like serpent’s heads, their drink boiling
water and pus and their skin and flesh scorched by a fierce fire because
of the evil and arrogant ways in which they carried out their lives.
۞ وَأَمَّا الَّذينَ سُعِدوا فَفِي الجَنَّةِ خالِدينَ فيها ما دامَتِ
السَّماواتُ وَالأَرضُ
As for the happy, they will be in paradise and they will remain in it for
eternity. they lived their physical lives with humility, patience and
submissiveness before Allah and as a result they will be honoured
eternally in majestic gardens, served with whatever their souls desire.
They will eat of the finest food, they will drink from rivers of milk and
honey and they will lounge about in each other’s company in utmost
peace and the most beautiful speech.
The next time you make a decision between right and wrong, good and
evil think about whether this decision will make you of the happy or
miserable in this life, and more importantly, the next.
Wa aakhiru da’waana anil hamdulilah rabbil ‘alamin

06/07/2020

Islamic E-learning: Our Fundamentals | Death

Death can come at any time, any place and in any state. It is a transition to an eternal life. It is the time when we find out the results of the great test of life. It is a time of regret for most. We must do all that we can to prepare for a successful life in eternity.

22/06/2020

Allah Says in the Holy Quran in Surah Ankaboot
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ثُمَّ إِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
29:57 Every human being is bound to taste death, [and] in the end unto Us shall all be brought back:
Every living thing will taste death, and this is an undeniable reality. Yet it is feared by most. But what is death ? Does it mean annihilation? Do we disappear? No! Far from it!
We know that our soul is eternal. In this material world of Dunya,the physical body is like a clothing for the soul. When we die, our soul does not die. Rather, it moves to another, spiritual, realm. This movement of the soul from this physical realm to the next spiritual realm of Barzakh is called death.

Why then are most people afraid of death?
Firstly, we may not understand death. Islam is the only religion that has given us a tremendous amount of information about the life after death. We know, for instance, From ayaat of the Holy Quran and the ahadith of the Aimmah, that for some, death is like a warm embrace and a pleasant experience, while for others it is harsh and painful. Death therefore should not be feared rather howe die and where we end up should scare us to be good!
Secondly, we may be too attached to this physical world! Death is more difficult for the one who is heavily attached to this world. Imam Ali (as), in describing the pious people says, “لَوْ لاَ الاْجَلُ الَّذِي كَتَبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمُ لَمْ تَسْتَقِرَّ أَرْوَاحُهُمْ فِي أَجْسَادِهِمْ طَرْفَةَ عَيْن، شَوْقاً إِلَى الثَّوَابِ، وَخَوْفاً مِنَ الْعِقَابِ” If there had not been fixed periods (of life) ordained for each, their spirits would not have remained in their bodies even for the twinkling of an eye because of (their) eagerness for the reward and fear of chastisement. These muttaqeen have fulfilled their purpose in this world and are now ready to move on! Just like when one has slept enough and their body naturally wakes them! The more we remind ourselves of the hereafter and of death, inevitably we will disconnect more from this physical world and will eagerly await what Allah the Almighty has promised us.
May Allah azzawajal give us the patience die with dignity having fulfilled what we had to do in this world

03/06/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | What does Islam say about death?

Death is the final

الَّذي خَلَقَ المَوتَ وَالحَياةَ لِيَبلُوَكُم أَيُّكُم أَحسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ العَزيزُ الغَفورُ

He, who created death and life that He may test you [to see]which of you is best in conduct... (Quran- 67:2)

Death is a reality that none of us can deny and that none of us can escape.

Q1. So what does Islam say about death? is it destruction & nonexistence or is it a change and transition from one world to another?

Death is a continuation of life and a transition from this temporary world to the eternal here-after. As the ayah above suggests , Death which is the separation of the soul from the body takes us to another stage of life which rewards us with pleasure or punishment depending upon the good or evil actions and decisions that we have accrued in this temporary world.

Death therefore is the final seal of how we have invested our time in this very temporary and transient physical life and therefore a very important aspect of our life that we must always remember. this is covered in the other two talks, can we think of something else to put instead?

Q2: Where and how are we going to die?

وَمَا تَدْرِي نَفْسٌ بِأَيِّ أَرْضٍ تَمُوتُ

A2: In part of this ayah in surah Luqman Allah almighty warns us that no person knows how he/she will die. Do we know where we will die? at home, at school, at work, in a different city or even in a different country? Will we die in a good place and in a good state or in a place of sin and in a sinful state? As the Quran teaches us, we must strive to die only as Muslims!

وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ

Q3: How can we prepare for death?

A3: One practical advice that we can practice right now to help us prepare for our next life is to take account of our actions before it is too late.

Imam Musa al-Kadhim (as) said: “He is not from us, he who does not keep the account of his/her action…

So tonight before going to sleep set aside a few minutes while you are in bed and reflect on the good actions and on the bad actions that you have performed during your day.We should take ourselves to account before we stand to account for our actions in front of the Almighty Judge Allah.

We should then thank Allah for the good and seek forgiveness and protection from the bad we have committed.

16/05/2020

Who are the ahl-al-bait?
Why does Allah tell us about them?
How do we benefit from taking them as role models?

15/05/2020

15/05/2020

In this video we will explore 3 aspects of the concept of Imamah, namely: infallibility of Imams, divine appointment of Imams, and the special character and identity of Imams.

11/05/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | Imamat in the Quran
Here we pose 4 questions that help us explore the concept of this divine tradition in the Holy Quran.
"And you will never find in the way of Allah any change" (33:62)

05/05/2020

Islamic E-learning: The Holy Quran

What is the Quran? why should we read it? what are it's benefits?
This video will explore the importance of the Quran in our lives and why we should strive to build an unbreakable bond with the words of our creator.

30/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | The Qur'an - The Best Decision Maker!
Making good decisions is one of the most important aspects of being successful in life. Good decisions lead to progress and tranquility, while bad decisions lead to failure and regret.
The Holy Qur’an introduces itself as a guide that helps us make the best of decisions. Whenever we come to a significant milestone or a major decision in our life, the Qur’an promises us that it will guide us to that which is best.

29/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | 3 Ways we can benefit from the Holy Quran

26/04/2020

Dua al Iftitah | Recited by Haj Mohammad Abbas Virjee

This du'a has been prescribed for believers to read on every night of Shahr Ramadhan and is one of the greatest gifts passed down by our beloved Imam Mehdi. An intimate supplication to our creator and a hopeful prayer for the reappearance of our awaited Imam.

Du'a Al-iftitah, Imam Mehdi

25/04/2020

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a sea of virtues and moral traits. In this video we will examine 5 of these traits as described by Imam Ali, aiming to apply at least one of them to our individual lives.

21/04/2020

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19/04/2020

To love our Prophet means to follow closely in his footsteps. Prophet Muhammad was Allah's greatest creation and greatest the example given to mankind.

15/04/2020

Munajat Shabaniyah (part 1) | Recited by Br Mohammad Abbas Virjee

One of the most valuable Jewels given to us by Imam Ali for the month of Sha'ban - "“This is the confidential prayer of Imam `Ali Amir al-Mu'minin and the Holy Imams (a.s.) who used to recite it in the month of Shaban.”
We are advised by the ahlulbait to read it often and with presence of Heart during this holy month.

O Allah, bless Muhammad and the Family of Muhammad, and hear my appeal when I call You, and listen to my call when I cry out to You! Turn to me when I entreat You, for certainly I flee to You as one seeking refuge, and stand before You as one who lowers his sights before You, entreating You, putting hope in the reward that lies with You! You know what is in my heart and are aware of my need! You know my hidden thoughts, and no matter pertaining to my transitory life and my ultimate goal is hidden from You, nor what I wish to express though my speech and what I want to put into words of my need and what I expect with regard to my afterlife!

My Master, Your ordainments have taken effect concerning that which will happen to me till the end of my life-span of my private and public matters! And in Your hands - not in those of anyone else - lie my profit and loss, my increase and decrease!

O Allah, if You deprive me, then who will provide me? And if You forsake me, then who will come to me help?!

My God, I take refuge with You from Your wrath and Your displeasure!

My God, should I be unworthy of Your mercy, You are worthy of showing me generosity out of the grace of Your bounteousness!

My God, I figure to myself as standing in front of You, my soul covered by the shade of my trust in You, and You say to me [treat me] what [as] is worthy of You and cover me with Your pardon!

M God, if You pardon me, who is more worthy of doing that than You? And if my term has approached its end without my works having brought me anywhere close to You, I make the admission of my sin expedient to obtain Your pardon!

My God I have wronged my own soul in neglecting to take proper care of it; woe to it, if You should not forgive it!

My God, You have never ceased in Your kindness to me through the days of my life; so do not cut off Your kindness toward me in the hour of my death!

M God, how shall I despair of Your kindly care after my death, when You have never treated me except with gracious attention throughout the course of my life?!

My God, treat me in accordance with that which is worthy of You, and resume your grace toward a sinner submerged in his ignorance!

My God, You have covered my sins in the world, while I have a greater need of Your concealing them in the Hereafter.

15/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | Social Justice In Islam

Islam is a religion which places immense emphasis on the importance of upholding social justice. Without social justice Islam would be incomplete and unrecognizable as the religion taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

14/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | The Law of Trials and Tests

Trials and tribulations are an essential and unavoidable part of life - it is what we make of them that matters. For a believer trials are embraced as blessings that cause one to grow in character and faith.

12/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Our Fundamentals | Justice of Allah

In this video we will go through the basics of Divine Justice. We will discuss the relativity of justice and injustice, good and evil, light and darkness. We will also explore the wisdom of the experiences one perceive as difficult or bad and how they ameliorate one's character.

09/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Our Fundamentals | Tahweed Part 2

In this video we will be discussing God's infiniteness, and how the unique order of the universe, point to a unique creator.

07/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | It's Easier to be Good!

Allah has programmed us to be good - all that is required of us to be good is that we incline towards, and listen to, our nature.

04/04/2020

Islamic E-learning: Qur'anic Wisdoms | Respecting Parents - A Must!
This video will show us that without respecting our parents we cannot have true belief in Allah Almighty.

31/03/2020

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27/03/2020

In this video we will be going through a basic definition of the concept of Tawheed and 3 proofs that help us prove tawheed from a theoretical point of view