00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:16,760 [Speaker 0] “In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” “[All] praise is [due] to Allāh, Lord of the worlds -” (Quran 1:1-2) We praise Him, seek His help, ask for His forgiveness, and repent to Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our own souls and from our evil deeds. Whomever Allah guides, no one can lead astray; and whomever He leads astray, no one can guide. 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:39,040 [Speaker 0] I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger. May Allah send peace and blessings upon him, his family, and all his companions. O Allah, “They said, "Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.” (Quran 2:32) O Allah, teach us that which will benefit us, and increase us in knowledge. 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:59,040 [Speaker 0] O Allah, rectify for us all of our affairs, and do not leave us to ourselves even for the blink of an eye. O Allah, make us guides who are rightly guided, neither straying nor leading others astray. O Allah, beautify us with the adornment of faith, O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor. 00:00:59,800 --> 00:01:14,280 [Speaker 0] To proceed, noble brothers: We will begin, by the permission of Allah ﷻ, starting from today, studying the biography of the noble Prophet ﷺ. 00:01:15,460 --> 00:01:42,860 [Speaker 0] And these lessons will be, with the help of Allah—Blessed and Exalted is He—daily lessons. On the days of the week, except Thursday, they will consist of studying the book Al-Fusul fi Sirat al-Rasul by Imam al-Hafizh Ibn Kathir (RH). 00:01:44,260 --> 00:02:04,420 [Speaker 0] And on Thursday of every week, it will be a study of a very great poem on the Seerah, consisting of one hundred lines, by Imam al-Qadi by Imam al-Qadi Ibn Abi al-'Izz al-Hanafi (RH). 00:02:05,740 --> 00:02:33,460 [Speaker 0] He composed a rajaz poem on the Seerah of one hundred lines that encompasses the main topics of the life of the Prophet ﷺ in fluid language, beautiful verses, and splendid composition, and it is easy to memorize and clear. 00:02:34,260 --> 00:03:01,220 [Speaker 0] And as I mentioned, the reading of this poem will be on Thursday of each week, once a week. And perhaps we can all cooperate in this blessed endeavor—especially fathers and guardians—in encouraging children to memorize this poem. 00:03:02,520 --> 00:03:18,520 [Speaker 0] And I will designate one of the brothers to sit every Thursday after... from after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib call to prayer, for whoever has memorized the poem completely—for whoever has memorized it completely. 00:03:19,260 --> 00:03:45,980 [Speaker 0] The brother will be sitting by this pillar on my right every Thursday, from after the Asr prayer until the Maghrib call to prayer. Whoever has memorized the poem completely should come to him during this time to recite, and the brother will record his name; and by the permission of Allah ﷻ, there will be encouraging prizes for every memorizer. 00:03:47,440 --> 00:04:35,280 [Speaker 0] Studying the biography of the Prophet ﷺ is, in reality, the study of the purest and most fragrant biography. For it is the study of the biography of the master of all the children of Adam and the best of all mankind, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. It is the study of the biography of the most knowledgeable of Allah’s creation regarding Allah, the most God-fearing toward Allah, the greatest of them in fulfilling servitude to Allah ﷻ, and the most fearful of Allah ﷻ. 00:04:36,520 --> 00:05:22,100 [Speaker 0] Studying the Prophet's biography is nourishment for hearts, delight for souls, happiness, pleasure, and a comfort to the eyes; indeed, it is an integral part of the religion of Allah ﷻ, because the life of our noble Prophet ﷺ was a life of sacrifice, giving, patience, perseverance, diligence, striving, and steadfast effort in fulfilling servitude to Allah ﷻ and calling to His religion. 00:05:23,840 --> 00:05:56,180 [Speaker 0] In studying his biography, there are immense benefits and numerous advantages. Perhaps it is good and fitting that I mention them, so as to rekindle resolve, for patience, perseverance, and attentiveness to studying the biography of our noble Prophet, may the peace, blessings, and grace of Allah be upon him. 00:05:57,740 --> 00:06:26,140 [Speaker 0] Among the benefits of studying the Seerah is that our Prophet ﷺ is an exemplar for all of humanity and a role model for them — in creed, worship, and character, as Allah Glorified and Exalted says: “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allāh an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allāh and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allāh often.” (Quran 33:21) 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:43,780 [Speaker 0] And attaining emulation of him and following his guidance ﷺ depends upon knowing his biography and his noble guidance, peace and blessings be upon him. 00:06:45,360 --> 00:07:01,180 [Speaker 0] Thus, studying the Seerah helps the servant achieve this great goal—namely, emulating and following our noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. 00:07:03,340 --> 00:07:40,020 [Speaker 0] Secondly, the biography of the Prophet, The Prophet ﷺ and his upright guidance serve as a scale against which deeds are measured: whatever accords with his guidance and conduct, peace and blessings be upon him, is accepted, and whatever does not accord with his guidance, peace and blessings be upon him, and conduct is rejected. 00:07:41,210 --> 00:08:06,940 [Speaker 0] Regarding this meaning, Sufyan ibn Uyaynah (RH) said—as reported by Al-Khatib Al-Baghdadi in the introduction to his great book Al-Jami' Li-Akhlaq Al-Rawi wa Adab Al-Sami'— Sufyan ibn Uyaynah (RH) said: "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the ultimate benchmark. 00:08:07,740 --> 00:08:28,180 [Speaker 0] The Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the ultimate benchmark: all things are presented against his character, biography, and guidance; whatever accords with them is the truth, and whatever opposes them is falsehood.' 00:08:30,140 --> 00:08:50,820 [Speaker 0] Thirdly, studying the biography of the noble Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, helps in understanding the Book of Allah ﷻ, because his entire life, peace and blessings be upon him, was an application of the Quran and practice of it. 00:08:51,840 --> 00:09:14,400 [Speaker 0] When the Mother of the Believers, Aisha (RA), was asked about his character, peace and blessings be upon him, she said: "His character was the Quran." And Allah Almighty has said: "And indeed, you are of a great moral character." What is meant by "moral character" here is religion—that is, upon a complete and perfect religion. 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:38,400 [Speaker 0] Thus, his character ﷺ was the Quran, meaning that he ﷺ fulfilled in the most complete manner the commands of the Quran by practicing them, its prohibitions by avoiding and abstaining from them, and the etiquette and manners mentioned in it through active application. 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:59,100 [Speaker 0] Thus, his life ﷺ and his biography are a complete implementation and perfect application of the Book of Allah, Blessed and Exalted. Therefore, through studying the Seerah, the Muslim is aided in understanding the Book of Allah, Mighty and Majestic. 00:10:00,290 --> 00:10:26,900 [Speaker 0] And when you examine the books of exegesis, especially the reasons for revelation, you find the connection between the verses of the Noble Quran and their revelation according to the events and occurrences of his biography, which demonstrates the need to study the biography of the Prophet ﷺ to properly comprehend the Book of Allah, Exalted and Majestic. 00:10:28,700 --> 00:10:51,860 [Speaker 0] The fourth point is that studying his biography ﷺ deepens love for him. And he ﷺ said: "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, none of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his father, his child, and all of mankind." 00:10:52,800 --> 00:11:07,340 [Speaker 0] And it is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari that 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) said, "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, by Allah, you are certainly more beloved to me than everything except my own self.' 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:22,600 [Speaker 0] Whereupon he ﷺ said: 'None of you truly believes until I am more beloved to him than his own self.' So 'Umar said, "By Allah, now you are indeed more beloved to me than my own self." He ﷺ said, "Now, O 'Umar!" 00:11:24,060 --> 00:11:47,120 [Speaker 0] Deepening this love, consolidating it, and strengthening it in the heart requires the servant to study the biography of the Prophet ﷺ, and to learn about his fragrant accounts and blessed life, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. 00:11:48,060 --> 00:12:19,610 [Speaker 0] For reading his biography increases the reader's heart in love for the Noble Prophet ﷺ. During his life ﷺ, a man would come to him while there was no one on the face of the earth more hated to him than he, yet no sooner would he see him and observe his biography, guidance, and conduct, than he would instantly transform, with no one on the face of the earth more beloved to him than he. 00:12:20,750 --> 00:12:39,870 [Speaker 0] For it is a biography abundant in mercy, gentleness, kindness in treatment, and excellence of manners and character. “So by mercy from Allāh, [O Muḥammad], 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 Allāh. Indeed, Allāh loves those who rely [upon Him].” (Quran 3:159) 00:12:41,350 --> 00:13:14,210 [Speaker 0] When Allah ﷻ blesses His servant with a sincere love for His Prophet ﷺ, this love drives them to every virtue, and it aids one in achieving true adherence to this noble Messenger ﷺ and his upright path, just as the Companions (RA) were, along with those who follow them in righteousness. 00:13:16,150 --> 00:13:35,990 [Speaker 0] The fifth benefit of studying the biography of our Prophet ﷺ is that studying the Seerah is a means of increasing and strengthening one's faith. Allah ﷻ says: “Or did they not know their Messenger, so they are toward him disacknowledging?” (Quran 23:69) 00:13:37,450 --> 00:13:59,030 [Speaker 0] Thus, knowing the Messenger ﷺ—and knowing his guidance, manners, and noble character—necessarily brings faith to whoever acquires this knowledge if they do not yet believe, and it brings an increase in faith for one who already believes. 00:14:00,630 --> 00:14:25,410 [Speaker 0] How many people have entered the religion of Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, through studying the biography of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, and his perfect manners, virtuous character, and sublime dealings—may the blessings, peace, and grace of Allah be upon him. 00:14:27,050 --> 00:14:47,270 [Speaker 0] Sixth: Studying the Seerah aids in understanding the entire religion—creed, worship, and character— because his life, as I mentioned earlier, was a practical embodiment of this religion, establishing it and calling to it. 00:14:48,010 --> 00:15:08,630 [Speaker 0] For in studying his Seerah ﷺ is knowledge of the creed, because his entire life was sacrifice, diligence, striving, and struggle to champion this creed, which is the head of the matter and the foundation of the religion of Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He. 00:15:09,660 --> 00:15:31,410 [Speaker 0] Whoever examines his Seerah ﷺ finds that when he first began his call, he began by calling to the creed and tawheed, and he spent many years of his life doing so, calling only to the creed as Allah commanded him, calling only to tawheed. 00:15:32,230 --> 00:16:00,110 [Speaker 0] Then after that, the obligatory duties and commands came gradually, step by step. Thus, studying the Seerah is a study of the creed, a study of the stages of legislation, a study of the revelation of obligations and acts of worship, and gaining knowledge of them through the practical application of the religion of Allah, Blessed and Exalted be He—in creed, worship, and character. 00:16:02,210 --> 00:16:24,850 [Speaker 0] Seventh: The Seerah contains instruction in the correct methodology in calling to Allah ﷻ. And those who truly call to Allah ﷻ are those well-versed in his guidance, his methodology, and his biography ﷺ. 00:16:26,190 --> 00:16:51,510 [Speaker 0] Allah ﷻ has said: “Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allāh with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allāh; and I am not of those who associate others with Him.” (Quran 12:108) Calling to Allah, Glorious and Exalted, upon clear insight necessarily requires knowledge of his guidance and methodology—may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him—in calling to Allah, Mighty and Majestic. 00:16:52,390 --> 00:17:36,690 [Speaker 0] The Prophet's Seerah encompasses an explanation of his guidance, peace and blessings be upon him, in calling to Allah—in terms of what he, peace and blessings be upon him, began with, in terms of his method and approach, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, in calling to Allah, Mighty and Majestic, in terms of his character, manners, interactions, gentleness, and kindness, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, as well as other factors that constitute essential elements for calling to Allah, Blessed and Exalted. 00:17:38,750 --> 00:18:03,450 [Speaker 0] The eighth point is that the Seerah of the Prophet may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, is itself a sign among the signs of his prophethood, and an indicator of the truthfulness of what he, peace and blessings be upon him, brought, and it is the greatest aid to believing in him and having faith in him, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. 00:18:04,770 --> 00:18:39,980 [Speaker 0] Indeed, many of his enemies testified to his truthfulness due to the perfection of his Seerah, peace and blessings be upon him, both before his mission and after his mission, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. Thus, the Seerah itself is a miracle and a sign indicating the truthfulness of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, and the truthfulness of what he brought, and this is one of the avenues through which the truthfulness of the Messenger, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, is recognized. 00:18:41,100 --> 00:19:02,340 [Speaker 0] The method of recognizing the truthfulness of the Messenger and the truthfulness of what he brought is through several matters, including knowing his Seerah and what he called to. How was his treatment of people? What was his guidance, what were his manners, and how did he interact with others? 00:19:03,900 --> 00:19:24,560 [Speaker 0] Anyone who studies his biography finds a fragrant life—a life filled with goodness, giving, noble character, refinement, generosity, and open-handedness, along with other virtuous traits and perfect etiquette. 00:19:26,680 --> 00:19:55,750 [Speaker 0] Ninth: Studying the biography of the Prophet ﷺ is a grand, blessed gateway to happiness. Indeed, true happiness is dependent upon knowing the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ; there is no happiness except by following his path and adhering to his guidance, may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him. 00:19:56,520 --> 00:20:27,440 [Speaker 0] Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) said in his book Zad al-Ma'ad fi Hady Khayr al-'Ibad: "And from this, you realize that a servant's need to know the Messenger ﷺ and what he brought is above every necessity, and to believe what he conveyed and obey what he commanded. For there is no path to happiness and success, neither “Assuredly, that to which you invite me has no [response to a] supplication in this world or in the Hereafter; and indeed, our return is to Allāh, and indeed, the transgressors will be companions of the Fire.” (Quran 40:43) 00:20:28,100 --> 00:21:04,260 [Speaker 0] ...except through the hands of the Messengers—may Allah's blessings and peace be upon them—" until he said: "‘And since a servant's happiness in both abodes is tied to the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, it is incumbent upon everyone who wishes well for themselves and desires their own salvation and happiness to learn enough of his guidance, biography, and affairs to remove themselves from the ranks of those ignorant of him, and to be counted among his followers, adherents, and party. 00:21:05,460 --> 00:21:19,460 [Speaker 0] People in this regard range between those who take little, those who take much, and those who are deprived; and bounty “[This is] so that the People of the Scripture may know that they are not able [to obtain] anything from the bounty of Allāh and that [all] bounty is in the hand of Allāh; He gives it to whom He wills. And Allāh is the possessor of great bounty.” (Quran 57:29) 00:21:21,120 --> 00:21:44,260 [Speaker 0] Furthermore, my noble brothers, anyone who looks at the reality of people regarding their devotion to the biography of the Noble Prophet ﷺ finds that their condition, as Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) mentioned, is between those who take little, those who take much, and those who are deprived. 00:21:45,400 --> 00:22:21,800 [Speaker 0] In fact, in this regard, a person is either afflicted with neglect and harsh detachment towards the leader of creation and the role model for all people, so you find his days passing, and his life and time slipping by, without perfuming or sweetening them through studying the guidance and biography of the best of servants—which is a provision, a provision that leads to the pleasure of Allah ﷻ. 00:22:22,940 --> 00:22:35,740 [Speaker 0] And to this Ibn al-Qayyim (RH) alludes in the title of his book, Zad al-Ma'ad fi Ma'rifat Hady Khayr al-'Ibad (Provision for the Hereafter in Knowing the Guidance of the Best of Servants), because this knowledge is provision—provision for the Return. 00:22:37,620 --> 00:23:45,800 [Speaker 0] And another group in this matter is afflicted with exaggeration and exceeding the proper bounds, so that the biography and attention to the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ become for them a form of excess and forbidden eulogizing, along with introducing innovations for which Allah ﷻ has sent down no authority, and instituting seasonal occasions designated at certain times of the year to recite poems or praises, or sometimes to read something of the biography of the Prophet ﷺ, alongside clear shortcoming and obvious negligence in following his guidance and adhering to his path ﷺ, to the extent that some of them even neglect the obligatory duties—foremost among them the five daily prayers—while never neglecting or missing those invented innovations. 00:23:47,720 --> 00:24:14,490 [Speaker 0] And another group—who are the best of people—take a middle ground in this matter: neither extremism nor neglect, nor exaggeration nor shortcoming. It should be known that studying the Seerah—the biography of the Prophet ﷺ— is not limited to reading books authored under this title, The Biography of the Prophet ﷺ. 00:24:15,080 --> 00:24:44,580 [Speaker 0] Rather, these books were arranged, refined, and carefully prepared by the scholars to make the subject accessible. But when you study, for example, Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, the Six Books, and other Hadith literature, this is in reality a study of his guidance, life, biography, and call, may the peace and blessings of Allah ﷻ be upon him. 00:24:46,200 --> 00:25:20,320 [Speaker 0] Likewise, other Hadith collections, and books of Tafseer—explanation of the Noble Quran— all of these are sources for learning the prophetic Seerah. Therefore, the more a person cares for and adheres to the Quran and Hadith in knowledge, action, and practice, the greater the good he attains in this realm— the realm of studying the biography of the noble Prophet ﷺ. 00:25:22,220 --> 00:25:50,380 [Speaker 0] However, these concise and unabridged books written by scholars make the benefit accessible and organize the subject chronologically according to his life ﷺ, starting from his birth, upbringing, commission ﷺ, and migration, up to the remaining events of this grand, blessed Seerah. 00:25:51,720 --> 00:26:21,960 [Speaker 0] By the permission of Allah ﷻ, we will begin tomorrow with reading Al-Fusool fi Seerat ar-Rasool by Imam Ibn Katheer (RH). And every Thursday, we will read Al-Urjūzah al-Mi'iyyah—a hundred-line poem— a hundred-line poem by Ibn Abi al-'Izz (RH) on the biography of our noble Prophet ﷺ. 00:26:22,700 --> 00:26:47,800 [Speaker 0] Before beginning this study, I advise myself and my brothers regarding two matters. The first matter is correcting one's intention, for he ﷺ said: "Actions are only by intentions, and every person shall have only what he intended." The meaning of his ﷺ statement, "Actions are only by intentions," is that actions are judged by their intentions. 00:26:48,820 --> 00:27:07,660 [Speaker 0] Seeking knowledge—including studying the Sirah—is an act of worship and a means of drawing close to Allah ﷻ, so it requires a righteous intention, wherein one intends through seeking knowledge to draw close to Allah. 00:27:08,540 --> 00:27:39,750 [Speaker 0] He should intend through studying the Sirah to draw close to Allah ﷻ, counting it among the acts of devotion by which he draws near to Allah Almighty, so that this study may be included among his righteous deeds. However, if there is no righteous intention or purpose of drawing close to Allah ﷻ through this work, it will not count among a person's righteous deeds, even if he spends his entire life studying the Sirah. 00:27:41,580 --> 00:28:13,340 [Speaker 0] For actions are judged by their intentions; indeed, actions are judged by their intentions. The second matter is that one should make it his purpose in studying the Sirah to attain the benefits we have discussed, and to have the resolve to act upon it, apply it, and be guided by the guidance of the noble Messenger ﷺ. 00:28:14,600 --> 00:28:45,840 [Speaker 0] I ask Allah the Generous to grant us all success in doing what He loves and is pleased with, and to bless us with proper adherence, good emulation, and sound knowledge of the biography of our Prophet. noble Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and that He accept from all of us this gathering of ours, and place it on the scale of our good deeds; for He, Blessed and Exalted is He, is All-Hearing of supplication and worthy of hope, and He is sufficient for us and how fine a Trustee. 00:28:46,700 --> 00:29:07,560 [Speaker 0] It is customary each year, around this time, to announce a scholarly competition on the subject we are currently studying, along with the guidelines and conditions for participating in it. 00:29:08,700 --> 00:29:44,400 [Speaker 0] The purpose of this competition is to cooperate in righteousness and piety regarding this great, blessed topic. So I invite the brothers now to listen to the competition details and its conditions, and whichever student of knowledge feels capable of participating, let him seek Allah's help and begin, and ensure submission by the designated deadline being announced now. Yes. 00:29:46,180 --> 00:30:10,840 [Speaker 0] All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His noble Prophet, and upon his family and all his companions. To proceed: May Allah reward our Shaykh with the best reward, bless him, and grant benefit through his knowledge. The scholarly competition for the summer of the year 1431 AH: Commentary on Al-Urjuzah al-Mi'iyyah by Ibn Abi al-Izz al-Hanafi (RH). 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:34,290 [Speaker 0] Study of the book, which includes the following: A brief biography of the author. Verification of the attribution of Al-Urjuzah al-Mi'iyyah to Ibn Abi al-Izz. Description of its manuscript copies, if any, collation between them, and documentation of variations. 00:30:35,950 --> 00:31:21,890 [Speaker 0] The title of the poem. The importance and scholarly value of this poem, alongside the praise of the scholars for it. Vocalization of the text with complete vowel markings, followed by the commentary on the poem, which includes the following: documentation of the references of the ahadith included in the poem; explanation of obscure terms; brief biographical notes on the prominent figures; referencing events of the Sirah from their reliable sources; and a general commentary on each line. 00:31:24,070 --> 00:31:47,570 [Speaker 0] Note: The deadline for submitting the research paper is the 15th of Ramadan, 1431 AH. Please repeat it a second time, as the brothers are writing. Okay, whoever missed something can catch up. The Scholarly Competition for the summer of the year 1431 AH: Commentary on Al-Urjūzah al-Mi'iyyah by Ibn Abi al-'Izz al-Hanafi (RH). 00:31:48,870 --> 00:33:05,240 [Speaker 0] Study of the book, which includes the following: a concise biography of the author; verification of the attribution of the poem to Ibn Abi al-Izz; description of its manuscripts, if any, collating them, and documenting the variations; the title of the poem; the importance and scholarly value of this poem, along with mentions of praise by scholars for it; fully vocalizing the text with vowel markings; commentary on the poem, which includes the following: documentation of the references of the ahadith included in the poem; explanation of obscure terms; brief biographical notes on the prominent figures; referencing events of the Sirah from their reliable sources; a general commentary on each line. Note: The deadline for submitting the research paper is the 15th of Ramadan, 1431 AH. 00:33:06,930 --> 00:33:33,950 [Speaker 0] My brothers, the book is now available and will be distributed—both the book and the poem. I have a request for everyone to remain calm; the quantity is sufficient and more than enough. Meaning, if we gave each person ten copies, it would be enough, so everyone can rest assured, insha'Allah, and receive their copy without pushing or crowding. Please, everyone calmly receive their copy without making any noise and without any crowding. 00:33:34,590 --> 00:33:56,080 [Speaker 0] I ask all the brothers to remain calm while receiving their copies, and as I mentioned, the quantity is sufficient and plentiful—even if we gave each person ten copies, it would be enough, Allah ﷻ willing. So calmly, everyone will receive their copy. May Allah ﷻ reward you with goodness; and may Allah ﷻ send peace and blessings upon His servant and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and upon his family and all his companions.