President Hamza Yusuf on the Mindful Messenger ﷺ

Introduction

The speaker thanks Allah for the gathering and introduces the topic of mindfulness.

Mindfulness and its Origins

• Mindfulness is a relatively recent word that has become popular in recent times.

• The term comes from Buddhism, specifically from the Buddha's lecture on mindfulness called Sati pathana.

• The original Pali word for mindfulness is Sati, which means remembrance of the Sacred Scriptures.

• Muslims have written about Buddha and his teachings, with some even arguing that he predicted the coming of Prophet Muhammad.

What is Mindfulness?

• One of the most interesting things about modern mindfulness is that it involves self-remembrance or vikurones.

• With so many distractions in our modern age, it's important to ask ourselves what we are being mindful of.

Distraction and Attention

In this section, the speaker discusses how distraction can create mental distress and how what we give our attention to determines our reality. He also explores the meaning of attention in English and Arabic.

The Problem with Distraction

• Distraction is a problem because it can lead to mental distress.

• There are many merchants out there trying to advertise and turn your attention towards something.

• Social media was designed to keep you on it, so distraction is prevalent.

What You Give Your Attention To Determines Your Reality

• What you give your attention to will determine your reality.

• If you're always watching news about crime, you'll think that crime is far more prevalent than it actually is.

• God asks us to give our attention to Him.

The Meaning of Attention

• Attention has many interesting meanings in English, including courtesy, devotion, and concern.

• In Arabic, one of the words for attention is "ilha," which means "to pull somebody into entertainment."

• Yakova is another word for attention in Arabic; it means "to be awake and aware."

Wake Up Now

In this section, the speaker talks about coming to attention before being brought to attention. He also discusses mindfulness as a way of being attentive and aware.

Come To Attention Before Being Brought To Attention

• The Prophet (SAW) said: "Die before you die." This means come to attention before being brought to attention.

• Mindfulness is about coming to one's senses and being present in the moment.

Time as a Source of Distraction

• Nietzsche noted that people think with their watches in hand; everything is done with the clock.

• Time can be a source of distraction, and people often feel rushed and stressed because of it.

Conclusion

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of being attentive to what's important and giving our attention to God.

• He encourages listeners to wake up now and come to attention before being brought to attention.

The Dictatorship of the Clock

This section discusses how pre-modern people used to think about eternity and death, while modern people tend to ignore the inevitability of death. The speaker talks about how distraction is a way for people to avoid thinking about death.

Pre-Modern People's Understanding of Time and Death

• Pre-modern peoples talked about death a lot and saw time as a reminder of their finitude.

• Sundials in pre-modern times often had Latin phrases reminding people that they will be seized by death.

• The Prophet Muhammad encouraged remembrance of death through meditation and poetry.

Modern People's Relationship with Time and Death

• Modern people tend to ignore the inevitability of death, which leads them to desire distractibility.

• Distraction preoccupies people from thinking about what is inevitable - that they will die.

Paying Attention Defines You

This section discusses how what you pay attention to defines who you are. The speaker references Seneca's "The Shortness of Life" and explains how distracted people aren't really choosing anything at all.

What You Pay Attention To Defines You

• Seneca wrote that what you pay attention to will define you.

• Distracted people aren't choosing anything - they're surfing everything that pulls their attention.

Tasawwuf: A Foundational Book in Islam

This section discusses tasawwuf (Islamic mysticism), specifically the book known as "The Risala" by Imam al-Qushayri. The speaker explains how tasawwuf is an integral part of Islam.

Tasawwuf and "The Risala"

• "The Risala" by Imam al-Qushayri is a foundational book in tasawwuf.

• Tasawwuf is an integral part of the religion of Islam.

Understanding Time in Islam

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of time in Islam and how it is perceived by Muslims. He talks about how time is associated with human experience and how it can be both illusory and substantial.

The Verifiers of Religion

• Imam Ghazali's chapter on time highlights that people who have had realization are the verifiers of religion.

• These people have penetrated the reality of religion and confirmed its truth through their experiences.

• They show that practicing religion yields consistent results, making it a science rather than an illusion.

The Nature of Time

• Time is not tangible but is associated with something substantial.

• We don't know if we will have the next minute, so planning for tomorrow is uncertain.

• Humans will never be still until they realize that the only time they have is the present moment.

The Human Experience of Time

• Time is essentially what overwhelms humans; it's our experience.

• The clock has taken away our understanding of time as a non-quantifiable entity.

• Allah is time; he stands still in the eternal now.

Attentiveness to Time

• Time can cut us down if we're not attentive to it.

• Our ego focuses on what we give attention to; focusing on good preoccupies us from harmful thoughts.

• Every day takes a part of us, giving remorse for wasted time.

Overall, this section discusses how Muslims perceive time as an essential aspect of human experience. It emphasizes being mindful and attentive to make use of every moment.

The Importance of Mindfulness

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of mindfulness and how it relates to time.

Mindful Time Management

• The intelligent person is mindful of their time and gives it its due.

• Being in the hakika or Sharia depends on what time it is.

• People give their attention to different things, such as football matches or religion.

Celebrating the Birth of Prophet Muhammad

• Muslims celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad and should be joyful about his coming into the world.

• Prophet Muhammad's name is proof of who he is because people all over the world praise him.

Common People and Religion

• Common people should aspire to rise up higher than their position.

• Common people are not necessarily those without degrees or education.

• People have impulses towards religion that can sometimes lead to violence.

Blessing Abraham

• By blessing Abraham, Muslims fulfill a commandment from Genesis that says God will bless the nation that blesses Abraham.

The Prophet's Moderation

This section describes the Prophet's moderation in every aspect of his life.

The Prophet's Appearance

• The Prophet was described as having a moderate appearance, inclining towards a reddish light brown color.

• He was neither too tall nor too short, and had wavy hair that was neither straight nor kinky.

• Everything about him was moderate, including his color and height.

The Prophet's Teachings

• The Prophet's teachings were also characterized by moderation. He preached the middle way and made Muslims a moderate nation.

• The Prophet heard things that others couldn't hear because he was a Saint. Similarly, all the Sahaba who heard the tree trunk moan were Saints.

• The gift of our Prophet to us is mindfulness in an age of utter distraction. His path leads to becoming awakened.

Humor

• Although the Prophet had a beautiful sense of humor, he believed that humor should be like salt - it shouldn't be the whole meal.

Mindfulness and Remembrance of Allah

The importance of mindfulness and remembrance of Allah is discussed, along with ways to become more mindful.

Importance of Reminders

• Being reminded helps believers become more mindful.

• Prophet Muhammad's name includes "the one who reminds" because he brought people back to their mindfulness and remembrance of Allah.

Habituating Ourselves to Supplications

• A teacher wrote a book on supplications that can help us become more mindful.

• Regularly doing these supplications can lead to being written in the good books of Allah.

Perfect Prayers for Different Occasions

• Prophet Muhammad taught perfect prayers for different occasions, such as going out, relieving oneself, eating food, and going to bed.

• Saying certain things before sleeping can lead to dying on the fitra (true nature).

Attentiveness to Time

• We should not expect to wake up in the morning when we go to sleep at night. People die in their sleep or natural disasters can occur at any time.

The Prophet's Daily Practices

This section discusses the daily practices of the Prophet Muhammad.

Morning Routine

• The Prophet would recite Alhamdulillah and verses from Ali Imran upon waking up.

• He would also look at the stars and recite those verses.

• After completing wudu, he would say a beautiful dua.

Mindfulness in Daily Life

• A man's perception of reality determines whether he is in an expansive or confined place.

• When entering or leaving a home, Bismillah should be said.

• When heading to the Masjid, a specific dua should be recited.

• Upon hearing the Adan, a specific dua should be recited.

Importance of Language and Respect

• The Prophet is referred to as Sayed by some Muslims out of respect for him.

• It is important to use respectful language when addressing others and not assume familiarity with them.

Foreign

The speaker mentions foreign languages and how they can be used to protect a child.

Importance of Speaking Foreign Languages

• Speaking foreign languages can be useful in protecting a child.

• If you're going to be intimate, then speaking in a foreign language is something that can protect the child.

Tajweed Books and Awrad

The speaker talks about the importance of writing books on tajweed and awrad.

Writing Tajweed Books and Awrad

• Many scholars have written small books on tajweed and awrad to teach people.

• Anyone who learns how to read the Quran from a book gets the reward of all their recitation.

• Writing books on tajweed or awrad is one way for authors to gain blessings from Allah.

Reflections from Precious Pearls

The speaker recommends reading "Reflections from Precious Pearls" by White Thread Press.

Recommended Book: Reflections from Precious Pearls

• "Reflections from Precious Pearls" by White Thread Press is a beautiful book recommended by the speaker.

Dementia, Alzheimer's, Anxiety, Fear, Stinginess

The speaker discusses various topics such as dementia, Alzheimer's, anxiety, fear, stinginess etc.

Hadith Related to Fear Juban

• Fear juban is related to fear because you're afraid to give out your money. In one it's minutes so the ajis is the one who wants to do something but they can't the kaslan is the one who is able to do it but doesn't want to do it so he sought Refuge from both.

Dua for Anxiety

• The speaker mentions a dua for anxiety.

Quran Reading

The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading the Quran.

Importance of Reading Quran

• The best ibadah that you can do is reading the Quran.

• Every Muslim should do a khatam of Quran every month.

• If you're not doing a juz' of Quran a day then and you're doing other things, set aside those other things and focus on doing the juz' a day.

The Power of Istikhara

This section discusses the importance and power of istikhara, as exemplified by a true story about a car accident in Jordan.

Istikhara and its Power

• Istikhara is important and powerful.

• A true story from Jordan illustrates the power of istikhara. A driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into a telephone pole. His son was in the car and thought his father was seriously injured due to all the blood. However, his father squeezed his arm and said "Allah don't worry I did a stihara before this trip."

• The prophetic teaching of istikhara allows one to be in a state where they are not perturbed by worldly events.

• People need to have strong iman (faith) and be connected to Allah, especially as we enter into a new phase on this planet.

Edith Stein's Example

This section discusses Edith Stein's example during her time in Auschwitz.

Edith Stein's Example

• Edith Stein was comforting people while she was imprisoned in Auschwitz.

• Her example shows that people with strong iman can deal with difficult situations.

• Turks who were imprisoned with Americans during the Korean War did not succumb to interrogation because they recognized the hilarity of human beings' attempts at brainwashing. They also appointed an Amir to keep them together.

Writing for One's Children

This section discusses how writing for one's children can make one's work more powerful.

Writing for One's Children

• Imam al-Busiri wrote a beautiful poem about the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

• Imam al-Haddad's books were powerful because he wrote them for his son.

• The Sunnah is for the son to pray over their parent when they die because nobody will pray with the fervor that a son will pray for their parent.

Poem for the Prophet

In this section, the speaker talks about his limitations in praising the Prophet and how silence can sometimes be the best form of eloquence. He then recites a poem he wrote for the Prophet.

Poem for the Prophet

• The poem describes how all of creation acknowledges and praises the greatness of the Prophet.

• Various creatures and objects express their gratitude to the Prophet for his kindness towards them.

• The Black Stone, Pebbles, Mountains of Mecca, Medina, and Humanity all express their love and admiration for him.

• The poem ends with God telling Ahmed (the Prophet) that his community will be granted until they are content.