Podcasts by Sacred Text Messages

Happy New Year? from 2022-01-08T09:15

For many, the new year signifies new beginnings and a chance for a lifestyle reset. For many Muslims, however, there is confusion regarding how we should respond to the modern-day new year greet...

The Company You Keep Determines the Rewards You Reap from 2021-12-12T05:00

The company you keep leads to your success or failure depending upon what type of companionship you choose. Abū Musā al-Ashʿarī narrated a beautiful hadith of the Prophet Muhammad where he liken...

Be Aware of the Dog: Imam al-Bukhari’s Advice from 2021-12-05T05:15

Season 4 of Sacred Text Messages continues with an episode that warns of the Devil's favorite discourse, ghībah (backbiting). Today, the online and social media platforms allow for this...

In the Prophetic Emergency Room: Treating Variantitis from 2021-11-26T05:00

One of the most common debate points against Muslims centers around the Qur'an's ten recitations (qirā’āt) that have been codified and preserved by qualified scholars since the time of ...

Eat Berries, but Don't Forget Al-Bari! from 2021-11-05T04:45

Sacred Text Messages returns in the blessed month of Rabi' al-Awwal with a profound discussion on a prescient hadith related in Imam al-Bayhaqi's collection: “The Messenger of God ﷺ is reported ...

The Clarity of Dr. Cleary from 2021-08-20T05:00

Dr. Thomas Cleary performed the task of hundreds of men. He mastered Greek and Latin in his teens and went on to master Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Pali, Sanskrit, French, Bengali, Gaelic...

From Gangbangers to Game Changers from 2021-08-06T05:00

When the Prophet, God’s peace and blessings upon him, entered Medina, he counseled his fledgling community, “Spread peace, feed the poor, maintain kinship bonds, give a portion of the night to p...

A conversation with the man who gave me shahada. from 2021-07-30T06:15

In life’s mysterious journey, most of us will experience a transformative event that forces us to reevaluate and reorient ourselves. God asks in the Quran, “So where then are you going?,” a remi...

They Call Me Mr. Tubbs: Dignity in a Degrading Place from 2021-07-16T05:15

The 1967 film “In the Heat of the Night” represents one of the first major motion pictures in which a black man has the leading role and is portrayed with dignity. Sidney Poitier plays Virgil Ti...

Beware of the Habits You Inhabit from 2021-07-09T05:00

The global online pornography industry is currently estimated to be nearly $40 billion and growing. Its pervasive nature remains a key destructive force in both the spirit of the individual and ...

God Won, Satan 0̷ from 2021-07-02T05:00

Season 3 of Sacred Text Messages continues with the second part of Shaykh Hamza's insightful commentary on Imam al-Ghazali's analysis of the nafs. In this episode, we learn the secret t...

When the Preacher Needs a Teacher from 2021-06-25T05:00

We're excited to start Season 3 of Sacred Text Messages, with an analysis of the nature of the nafs (lower self or ego) and its devilish inclinations. Shaykh Hamza navigates us through the core ...

Meaning: Less or Full, You Choose from 2021-04-24T05:00

Our Ramadan journey continues with more wonders from the Book of Allah. In this episode, Shaykh Hamza explains the linguistic miracle of the Qur'an, analyzing the fourth verse of Sura al-Muzammi...

"Do Americans Know Anything About Qadr?" from 2021-04-18T05:00

As we enjoy the blessings of these first few days of Ramadan, Shaykh Hamza reminds us that this is indeed the month of the Qur’an, the revelation replete with the best of all sacred text message...

The Qur'an: God's Banquet from 2021-04-10T05:00

As Ramadan approaches us once again, we're blessed with another opportunity to respond to God's great invitation, drawing near to Him through our worship and remembrance. In this special episode...

When the Famous Become Infamous, Remain Faithful from 2021-03-26T05:00

Throughout history, there have been many religious charlatans. For those who have been deceived by them, the personal and community impact is devastating. Some even lose their faith in God and l...

Don't Be Triggered from 2021-03-19T05:00

The word "triggered" is used to describe a strong emotional response to an upsetting event that reminds one of past traumas. The term has become popular for its colloquial use of feeling offende...

As the Earth Diminishes from 2021-03-12T05:00

"Haven't they seen how we have diminished the earth from its edges?" This week's sacred text message focuses on this extraordinary verse from the 13th chapter of the Quran entitled Ra'd or Thund...

Poisoned Meat from 2021-03-05T05:00

The Digital Age has provided unprecedented convenience in communication and information sharing; it has also allowed for critics and self-proclaimed experts to share their unsolicited opinions a...

Part 2: Quran and the Content of Character from 2021-02-05T05:00

The journey through the sacred messages of the Noble Quran continues as Shaykh Hamza explains the universal lessons on brotherhood, forgiveness, and Divine love.

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Part 1: Quran and the Content of Character from 2021-01-30T05:15

God tells us in the Qur’an that the origin of the human story began with the binary—Adam and Eve. God then assigned us nations and tribes in order that we might come to know one another and dist...

The Mystery of Diversity from 2021-01-22T05:00

The vast diversity we see all around us constantly reminds us of God’s greatness. This week’s Sacred Text Messages podcast discusses the Qur’anic imperative to respect the diversity of human bei...

Maintaining A House of God from 2021-01-15T05:00

In this first episode of Season 2, Hamza Yusuf reminds us of the sacred text messages from the Quran on maintaining the houses of Allah. What are our obligations as caretakers of these sacred sp...

The Wise Person Knows All Things from 2020-11-27T06:00

Throughout human history, great philosophers, leaders, and thinkers devoted their lives toward the pursuit of wisdom. Countless pages and lines of poetry extol the qualities of the wise person. ...

A Little Bit of Quran is A Lot from 2020-11-20T06:00

God revealed the Qur'an as the light of guidance and the criterion to judge between truth and falsehood. In this week's episode, Hamza Yusuf discusses the key to our well-being and success—a reg...

Dunya: A Zero-Sum Game from 2020-11-10T06:00

The Quran addresses one of humanity's perennial questions: Why are we here, and where are we going? In this episode, Hamza Yusuf elucidates the Quranic conception of this life and the prophetic ...

Liberty and Mercy for All from 2020-11-03T06:00

The recent tragic events in France once again bring to the forefront the age-old debate over government and the limits of allegiance. This episode examines the current crisis through the lens of...

God's Prescription for Anxiety from 2020-10-27T06:00

God tells us in the Quran that man was created in a state of angst, uneasy in both fortune and misfortune. What is the spiritual remedy for this? Tune in and discover the sacred prescription for...

Abandon the Groups and Cling to the Roots from 2020-10-20T06:00

In the perpetual battle between good and evil, how do we avoid the seductions of false gods and the pitfalls of groupthink? This episode expounds on the prophetic tradition that reveals the spir...

From the Cradle to the Grave from 2020-10-13T06:00

Since the dawn of our species, the pursuit of knowledge can be found at the core of the human endeavor, and the greatest of all knowledge leads inevitably to the divine. In this episode, Hamza Y...

When No News Is Good News from 2020-10-06T06:15

The Information Age has brought us unprecedented convenience but at a heavy price. Rumors, slander, and lies have the ability to spread across vast spaces, leaving individuals and communities re...

School of Eternity from 2020-09-29T06:15

What is the purpose of this world? How do we respond to trials and tribulation? In this episode, Hamza Yusuf discusses the school of eternity, where human suffering can teach obedience if we res...

Transcending Tribe: The Race to Humanity from 2020-09-20T22:14

In this first episode, Hamza Yusuf discusses race, tribalism, and the universality of Islam.

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