والصلاة والسلام على رسول النبي الكريم أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Heartfelt Dhikr & Salawat: A Loud Assembly of Remembrance This episode presents a full session of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and Salat al-Nabi (sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ), performed loudly in congregational style across many centers. It includes a special, heartfelt du'a at the end and offers listeners the option to request written copies of the dhikr and supplication. The recording explains the virtues of loud (jahr) zikr and Salat al-Nabi ﷺ, citing hadiths and examples: multiplied rewards, angels bearing witness, increased barakah, spiritual healing, and communal benefits. It highlights recitations such as Bismillahirrahmanirrahim, Surah Al-Fatihah, Surah Al-Ikhlas, and the powerful names Ya Hayy Ya Qayyum. The episode also shares stories and practical examples demonstrating spiritual and physical benefits—healing, protection, and steadfastness—encouraging regular practice, sincerity, and joining communal remembrance for greater reward. Listeners are invited to seek tawfiq (divine help) to keep up consistent dhikr, to make use of these practices at home and in gatherings, and to pray for the community and those in need.

Pleasing Allah, Not People: Family Life & Spiritual Tests This episode is a Saturday morning Ta'alim talk (March 23, 1996) that explores how Allah tests believers through wealth, health, spouses, and children, and emphasizes the need for purification and surrender to Allah. The speaker explains the difference between seeking one's haq (right) and seeking satisfaction for the ego, urging listeners to pursue the pleasure of Allah and the Prophet ﷺ rather than trying to satisfy people. Using the Prophet's ﷺ endurance during the Meccan boycott as an example, the lecture highlights patience (sabr), the limits of human responsibility for others' salvation, and the concept of tawfiq — that guidance and success come from Allah. The talk also outlines basic obligations (salah, fasting, zakat, hajj) as minimums, stresses that spiritual guidance and community practices should not be enforced by force, and encourages attachment to Allah and sincere following of the shaykh for clarity and mercy in family life.

Beyond the Illusion of "I": Embracing the Witness In this episode (July 25, 1996), the teacher explores how to transcend the false self or ego through the practice of dhikr. He explains three states of consciousness: deep sleep, dreaming, and waking, and contrasts the fleeting, changeable waking state dominated by the illusion of "I" with an unchanging, blissful no-awareness witness that always remains. Using examples from sleep, dream, and spiritual practice, the talk shows how sincere remembrance (Ya Raheem and La ilaha illa Allah) can return attention to the inner witness and to the eternal reality beyond the body and mind. The witness watches thoughts and desires without identifying with them, allowing inner states to surface without struggle. The speaker emphasizes negating the illusion of ownership and control—recognizing that everything belongs to Allah—and cautions against result-orientation while practicing dhikr. Practical guidance includes watching thoughts as a witness, returning to the no-awareness state through regular zikr, and trusting that when one is established in remembrance, Allah’s mercy guides the rest.

Beyond the Self: Transcending "I"-ness to Find Allah This episode records a Friday/Saturday gathering with the blessings of our Shaykh Hazret Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali قَدَّسَ اللّهُ سِرَّه الْعَزِيز  , focusing on spiritual purification and the transcendence of ego (the "I"-ness). The Shaykh explains that believing in a separate inner entity causes suffering and prevents total submission and peace. He teaches that the body and mind are a psychosomatic machine and that true realization is recognizing Allah as the only source of power and action. When the purified intellect (aql) surrenders, one sees that all energy and deeds come from Allah, and the individual is a witness rather than the doer. The talk introduces the idea of collective consciousness, contrasts temporal life with Allah’s eternity, and emphasizes practical guidance: divide one’s day, pursue lawful (halal) earning, and repeatedly remind oneself that Allah is the doer. With patience and sincere belief, the Shaykh says, Allah will "ripen" the believer and grant deeper realization.

Awaken from the Dream: Understanding the Ego and True Self This episode—recorded at a Friday night meeting—explores the Islamic understanding of the ego (nafs) and the heart’s diseases, stressing that insight must become practice. The speaker explains that our true identity is the eternal soul, not the changing body, mind, or social labels. Key ideas include the distinction between soul, mind and body: the soul is changeless, formless, and rooted in love and compassion, while the mind stores memories that create the illusion of a personal identity. Memories and habitual thinking project past and future into the present and trap us in an unreal dream-like life. The talk offers practical tools: witness your thoughts without reacting, use zikr and stillness to quiet the mind, distinguish work (service) from mere activity driven by desire and fear, and practice detachment by repeatedly reminding yourself who you are and who you are not. The speaker highlights obstacles—desire and fear—as the main hijab between us and our true nature. Pain belongs to the body; suffering to the mind. Freedom and contentment come from relinquishing cravings, trusting Allah’s provision, and reducing emotional attachment to memories and outcomes. Ultimately, waking up from the dream means restoring harmony among soul, mind, and body: living in mindful awareness, free from clinging, experiencing peace, love without possessiveness, and a steady, practical path of purification.

Transcending the Ego: A Mystic's Journey in the Jungle of the Heart This episode (Friday evening meeting, October 19, 1995) explores the Sufi path of transcending the ego through extracts from Shaykh ul Azzam Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali قَدَّسَ اللّهُ سِرَّه الْعَزِيز Words of Wisdom, Manifestations of the Stages of Blessing (Vol. 2). Using the symbolic account of a journey through a dark jungle, the Shaykh unfolds stages of spiritual practice: constant zikr (remembrance of Allah), complete seclusion, patient silence, dignified non-engagement, truthfulness, and freedom from jealousy. Guided by metaphors and Qur’anic injunctions, the narrator emphasizes total reliance (tawakkul) on Allah, the dissolution of the false ‘I’, and the realization that all causes ultimately belong to Allah alone. The episode connects classical Sufi stories and teachings—on sainthood, repentance, and annihilation of self—with practical guidance for inner transformation, culminating in an invitation to persist in these practices to attain true tawhid (unity of God).

Transcending the False Self: From Witnessing to Divine Presence This recording from a Friday evening gathering (October 12, 1995) explores the spiritual process of transcending the false self. The speaker explains the real nature as a receptive mind, body, and a silent soul, and describes "witnessing" as a transitional practice used to see the ego from outside and begin letting it go. The talk emphasizes that the ego-driven self is an illusion that pushes and motivates action; once transcended, the soul remains as a peaceful witness while all movement and guidance come from Allah. True realization is not scholarship or external knowledge alone but the inner surrender where the word "I" fades and Allah acts through the servant. The episode outlines practical landmarks: avoiding attachment, learning to relinquish desires ("die before sensory death"), and recognizing that holding on prevents spiritual freedom. Using vivid analogies (a stick in the ocean, a monkey with peanuts), the speaker urges wholehearted letting go so the seeker becomes a passive instrument in Allah’s hands and attains spiritual immortality.

The Benign Watcher: Unmasking the False Self In this episode a spiritual teacher explains the difference between the real Self (the benign, non-judging witness) and the false self (the illusion of an independent “I”), and why that illusion causes suffering. He describes the natural state of mind and body as submissive to the Divine, how the false self hijacks that nature through desire and fear, and how this leads to sin, anger, and destruction when pleasure is pursued and pain avoided. The speaker emphasizes acceptance and awareness as the cure: accepting pain without resistance, watching the mind without judgment, and uncovering the roots of fear and desire. This process dissolves the false self and restores access to true, abiding joy and compassion. Finally, the episode reminds listeners that genuine help for others begins with inner purification: a balanced, purified presence radiates healing more powerfully than words or actions alone.

Transcending the Ego: Finding Your True Self in the Present This episode explores the Islamic spiritual teaching on the ego, showing how our sense of personality is an illusion formed by memories and projections. It explains that the real self (the soul) is changeless, without memory, and only truly exists in the present moment. The speaker describes how attachment to past pleasures, pains, guilt, or future fears binds us to a false self, while purification brings the mind (Aql-e-Saleem) and heart (Qalb al-Saleem) into harmony as aids to the soul. He emphasizes that our sensory world is a mental projection and that reality is timeless and found in Allah and the true self. Practical guidance includes releasing cultural, ancestral, and ego-based identities, abandoning excessive desire and anxiety, trusting Allah for provision, and practicing witnessing of thoughts: reminding yourself "I am not the mind or body" and returning to the pure "I am." The result is inner peace, automatic right action, and the bliss of self-realization.

The Witness Within: Rediscovering the Ruh This Friday evening talk (6th in the series) explores how the soul (ruh) as a silent witness can transform the mind and body through unconditional love and compassion. The speaker explains the law of Allah governing influence, and why force breeds resistance while calm compassionate presence invites harmony. Using vivid analogies—the calm surgeon in a chaotic ward, the mirror and the moon—the lecture contrasts the kingdom of the nafs (ego, mind, and body) with the kingdom of the ruh (soul, Aql Saleem, and Sukun). The ruh is described as peace, love, and witness; when it prevails the heart finds sakina and itminan. The talk offers practical guidance: regularly witnessing thoughts without judgment, repeating “I am the witness,” and cultivating compassion for the body and mind as Allah’s gifts. With sincerity and patience, the listener is encouraged to gently clean the mirror of the heart so the ruh’s calm and healing presence can be seen and felt.

Facing the Ego: Fear, Consumption, and the Path Inward In this Friday evening talk on purification, the speaker completes the seven characteristics of the ego, focusing on three: the ego as cowardly (rooted in fear), as driven by consumption and external validation, and as essentially insane because it leads us away from what is best. He explains how fear thrives on generality and confusion, and how attaching to outward necessities perpetuates dissatisfaction. The speaker urges turning inward to identify with the Ruh (the true self) rather than the body or mind, practicing silence to experience reality beyond words. When the Ruh governs the body and mind, a person finds rest and harmony with Allah; otherwise the body rules and one remains in toil. Practical guidance emphasizes shedding illusory habits, seeking internal validation, harmonizing with the laws of Allah, and cultivating the Ruh so it may guide the body — a path toward lasting peace and spiritual authority.

Transcending the Ego: Discovering Your True Essence This episode covers a guided talk from a Friday night gathering on the spiritual process of purification. The speaker explains that true purification means understanding and transcending the ego—recognizing what we are not so we can experience our real, formless essence. Using a simple analogy of a defective radio, the lecture shows why external identities (name, profession, appearance, memories) prevent us from receiving and experiencing the Divine presence. The essence is described as eternal, silent, formless, and already complete—requiring no beautification, food, or validation. The episode explores why we were given bodies and minds: to know ourselves by contrast and to learn through experience. As we eliminate false identities and identify with the inner witness, the speaker describes how inner life shifts so that speech, sight, and action become expressions of the Divine presence. Practical warnings and guidance are given: beware procrastination, desires, fear, and attachment to results. The talk emphasizes living fully in each moment, cultivating inner awareness, and practicing detachment so the witness can watch thoughts and impulses without reacting. In conclusion, the path is one of sustained inner work—recognizing illusions, strengthening trust in God, and aligning body and mind with the essence so the seeker may discover Allah and perform sincere worship.

Breaking the Ego: Mastering Your Thoughts for True Freedom In this episode a teacher explores the illusion of the ego (nafs) and explains how it shapes our reality through repetitive thoughts. Using the apple-seed analogy, he shows how small positive seeds planted in the mind can grow into lasting change when nurtured with patience and effort. The talk emphasizes human responsibility and free will: thoughts become intentions, intentions become actions, and we have the power to change our thinking. Practical guidance includes replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations, practicing muraqaba (inner watchfulness), and using zikr and durood to strengthen the soul. Key themes include living in the present moment, following the Rasulullah ﷺ as a model for transformation, seeking forgiveness, and treating oneself with compassion while persisting in spiritual practice. The overall message is hopeful: the ego can be transformed and true freedom is found in submission to Allah and inner growth.

Breaking the Illusion: Understanding the Ego and True Self In this episode a speaker explores the ego as an idea and a false identity that emphasizes the physical self. He lists common ego traits—lust, greed, pride, arrogance, fear, aggression, possessiveness, criticism, laziness and deception—and explains how they build an inner wall that separates us from our true self. The talk stresses that knowledge alone cannot remove the ego; purification (yuzakkihim) must come first, and wisdom (hikmah) is a gift from Allah received through the purified soul. The soul is described as the eternal essence that connects us to Allah, while body and mind are transient and must be guided by the soul. The speaker warns against extreme mystical claims of merging with Allah and emphasizes responsibility, humility, and the danger of seeking external success symbols or specialness. He urges listeners to seek inner connection with the soul, cultivate communal bonds, and engage in the great struggle (Jihad al-Akbar) to attain inner peace and true worship.

The Mirror of the Ego: Finding Your True Self Within This episode explores the nafs al-ammarah (the ego) as an illusion that makes us see ourselves backwards, like a mirror image, and keeps us searching outside for satisfaction. The speaker explains how the ego and a ‘parent mind’ voice create constant inner conflict, and how these false selves block our knowledge of our true spiritual essence. He presents the practice of witnessing and muraqabah (watchful inward attention) as the way to recognize the silent observer within, detach from the ego and parental conditioning, and turn toward Allah found inside us. Ritual acts become true worship when they flow from the essence rather than mere outward doing. Through examples, metaphors, and references to the Prophet’s ﷺ example, the talk emphasizes becoming rather than doing, the purpose of life as giving, and practical spiritual tools like sincere dhikr and imagining the Prophet ﷺ in the heart to develop inner presence and know Allah experientially.

Reviving the Sunnah: Purpose & Practice from 'Itabud Amr al‑Sunnah' Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. In this episode dated 11 May 1995, Shaykh Abu Anees Muhammad Barakat Ali قَدَّسَ اللّهُ سِرَّه الْعَزِيز discusses the purpose and blessing behind his compilation Itabud Amr al‑Sunnah (also known as Kitab al‑Amal al‑Sunnah or Durti‑yusharif) and why it guides Muslims toward a strong, practical Islamic life. The Shaykh explains the difference between dawah/tabligh (calling broadly to Islam) and ta'aleem (teaching those who come seeking knowledge), emphasizing that teaching seekers has precedence and that both roles are essential. He urges readers to internalize and practice the Prophetic sunnah, not only to read it. He highlights the importance of authentic hadith (sahih) and the scholarly work behind verifying narrations (including asma al‑rijal), so that the Ummah can accurately model the Prophet’s life in daily routines and deeds. The episode outlines how the book arranges hadith to form a practical daily routine and concludes with three keys to the health of the deen: enjoining good (amr bil ma‘ruf), forbidding evil (nahi anil munkar), and constant remembrance of Allah (dhikr). The Shaykh closes with prayers of gratitude and dua for those who compiled and preserved these teachings, encouraging listeners to implement the guidance and invite others by example.

Kitab al‑Amal: The Highway to the Sunnah — New Series Begins In this episode (Thursday evening meeting, 4th of May) we introduce a new series based on Shaykh Muz\'zilluhu\'s Kitab al‑Amal (also known as Kitab al‑Amal al‑Ma\'ruf / Kitab al‑Amal bil‑Sunnah / Tartib Sharif). The Shaykh presents the book as a practical, lifelong guide to reach Paradise by following the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). The talk explains that the work is a carefully compiled collection of the Prophet's actions, duʿas, and nawāfil that require study and memorization. The presenter notes the power and beauty of the Shaykh\'s Urdu prefaces and the challenge of fully translating them into English, while assuring that the core sunnah and Qurʾanic citations can be rendered clearly. Key themes include sincere tawfīq from Allah to follow the sunnah completely, turning fully toward the Prophet\'s example as the true highway to Allah, the importance of wasīlah (seeking means to draw near to Allah), and the spiritual hierarchy of guides (anbiyāʾ, ṣiddīqīn, shuhadāʾ, ṣāliḥīn). The episode closes with dedication and blessings for the Prophet and mentions continuing the series after prayers.

Al-Kanuzul Qur'an Al-Azim: The Key to Allah’s Names and Power This episode launches a new series, Al-Kanuzul Qur'an Al-Azim, beginning with Al-Miftah (the Key). The host introduces the author and explains that the series will present the Names and Attributes of Allah directly drawn from the Qur'an. The episode reviews many Qur'anic verses (from Surahs such as Al-A'naam, Yunus, Ar-Ra'd, Al-Ahzab, Fatir, Al-Hajj, Al-Mu'min, Al-Jinn, Al-Baqarah, An-Nisa, and others) which emphasize that only Allah can give or remove harm and mercy, and that no one can save or protect from Allah except by His will. It also explains the correct understanding of these verses regarding shifaʿat (intercession): no one can independently save another from Allah’s decree, but Allah may grant the Prophet ﷺ and certain righteous servants permission to intercede. The episode warns against following desires over divine guidance and stresses reliance on Allah alone. The host concludes by noting these teachings are for guidance and announces the continuation of the series in the next episode.

From Small Vessels to Divine Wisdom: The Path of Spiritual Capacity This episode explores how divine wisdom is passed from Allah to the Prophet ﷺ , then to the awliya and students, using the image of small vessels growing in capacity through contact with greater reservoirs of spiritual light. It emphasizes the essential adab (manners) of learning: trust, obedience, patience (sabr), and avoiding judgment or impatience toward teachers. The speaker contrasts book knowledge with direct experiential knowledge received from a wali and explains why shortcuts or compulsion block spiritual growth. The talk also covers the reality of tests and struggles—both external and internal jihad—as necessary parts of the journey of purification, and reminds listeners that true progress comes through sustained effort, surrender, and the guidance of the shaykh.

Musk-Scented Graves & Preserved Bodies: Miracles of the Awliya Date: August 25, 1994 (Friday evening). This episode continues the series on the virtues (fadayl) of sending Salawat on the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), focusing on muhadditheen and awliya whose spiritual states and miracles became evident during or after their lives. The lecture recounts the life of Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Suleiman al-Jazuli, author of Laylat al-Khayrat, describing reports that his grave remained filled with the scent of musk and that his shroud and body appeared miraculously preserved when exhumed 77 years after his passing. Another account concerns the famous mystic Sahl al-Tustari, whose funeral procession was reportedly accompanied by angels; a Jewish onlooker witnessing this phenomenon is said to have embraced Islam after seeing the signs. The speaker also relates stories about Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi (referred to as Mujaddid), connected to the Naqshbandi silsila, including numerous karamat. One notable tale describes a murid saved from a tiger when the Shaykh appeared with his staff; other stories mention dreams, living presence in the grave, and unusual signs at the time of burial like a smiling face and preserved posture. Overall, the episode presents these narratives as examples of extraordinary signs tied to deep devotion and the spiritual benefits of Salatul Nabi, as shared by the lecturer without further commentary.