April 28, 2025

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📅 Registration Opens:
Saturday, May 3rd | 1:00 PM Eastern Time

We are excited to announce that registration for the Al-Maqasid Summer Family Retreat will officially open on Friday, May 3rd at 1:00 PM (ET).

The retreat will take place from Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025 at Camp Weequahic in Lakewood, Pennsylvania. The retreat is designed for individuals and families of all ages. Programming includes daily lessons & reflection sessions, Q&A, children’s and youth programming & activities, breakout sessions, outdoor activities, and spiritual gatherings.

Spaces are limited — make sure to mark your calendars!

📍 Learn more:
🔗 almaqasid.org/summer-family-retreat-launch

We look forward to welcoming you and your family this summer, Insha’Allah!

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Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Quran? Apply now to join the vibrant community of students at Al-Maqasid Seminary!

Our program provides students with a comprehensive education in Arabic and Islamic studies that is taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors.

Take a step towards seeking sacred knowledge and spiritual growth by submitting your application today!

Visit our website www.almaqasid.org/seminary for more information and to apply.

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As-Salaamu ‘Alaykum,

Alhamdulillah, Jazakum Allahu Khayran to all our guests—whether you traveled from near or far, joined us in person or online, attended every session, or just listened for a while. We are truly humbled and honored by your presence.

May Allah accept your intentions and efforts in seeking knowledge, and may He grant you the ability to put what you’ve learned into practice for the benefit of your families, loved ones, and communities. Ameen!

We would love your feedback on your experience at the retreat, On Disciplining the Soul. Please take a moment to answer a few quick questions by following this link: Feedback Form

If you missed any sessions or would like to revisit the lessons, you can find the full playlist here: Retreat Playlist

We hope to see you again at future programs, Insha Allah. Please keep us in your du’as!

announcements

SUBJECT: AL-MAQASID CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS & SEMINARY CLASSROOM SPACE

Assalāmu ʿAlaykum wa Raḥmatullāh,

As part of the Seminary’s regular schedule, classes are held throughout the day in the Ribat Musalla (Monday - Friday) as well as the adjoining lounges. To help preserve a focused and respectful learning environment, we kindly ask our local community members who attend the daily congregational prayers to depart after completing their Sunnah prayers. This allows our students the necessary space and privacy for their studies.

For those wishing to spend more time in worship at Al-Maqasid, we warmly encourage you to visit during the evening hours between Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ. During this time, the Ribat and lounges remain open and available until closing.

The Ribat is also open for worship Saturdays & Sundays.

With the ongoing construction and limited space, we sincerely appreciate your cooperation and understanding. Your support ensures that our Seminary students can continue to benefit from a conducive environment for learning and spiritual growth.

Jazākum Allāhu Khayran

MOON SIGHTING SHAWWAL 29, 1446

📅 Date: Monday, April 28th
🕦 Time: 7:40PM - 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Hills at Lockridge Bandshell, 7100 Scenic View Drive, Macungie, PA 18062

We encourage the community to look for the crescent moon of Dhul-Qadah this evening up to 30 minutes after Maghrib at Hills at Lockridge Bandshell.

The intention is to follow the sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as he said, “The best of Allah’s servants are those who observe the new moons and shadows as a way of remembering Allah.” -Related by Imam al-Hakim.

May Allah bless us in the remainder of Shawwal, accept our fasts, and allow us to conclude it in the best of state. Amin.

Upcoming programs

The Al-Maqasid Texas Regional Retreat is now live!

Join us for a spiritually transformative experience at the Al-Maqasid Retreat: On Disciplining the Soul*, taking place from *Friday, May 23rd to Sunday, May 25th in Trinity, TX (90 mins from Houston).

🔗 *Register here:* https://buytickets.at/almaqasid/1656320

Registration will remain open until the end of April or until capacity is reached.

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🔔 Please Note:

This is an Intensive Retreat — designed for focused spiritual development and *not to be confused with the more family-oriented Risala Family Retreat in November*.
Every attendee must purchase a ticket, regardless of age.
Appropriate for ages 7 and above. There is no childcare provided.
After securing your ticket, be sure to complete the follow-up form that appears upon registration.

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🧭 *Retreat Schedule Overview*

Friday Evening (Opening Night)

Kicks off with dinner, opening sessions, and spiritual invocations to set the tone for the weekend.

Saturday (Full Immersion Day)

A rigorous, structured day beginning pre-dawn with devotional practice and continuing through a full program of spiritual teachings, group reflections, and prayer.
Includes interactive sessions and communal worship through the evening.

Sunday (Closing Day)

Continues the deep spiritual program with more teaching, prayer, and guided reflections.
The retreat concludes mid-afternoon with a closing session and farewell gathering.

This retreat offers a unique opportunity to disconnect from the noise and distractions of daily life and reconnect with your soul in a focused, nurturing environment, led by Shaykh Yahya Rhodus, Ustadh Amjad Tarsin and others.

📅 Limited capacity – we can’t wait to welcome you in Trinity, TX.

WAYFARERS TO GOD - A SISTERS SERIES ON SULUK

📅 Date: Saturday, May 3rd
🕦 Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Al-Maqasid (Green Barn)

Please join us today, Saturday, May 3rd at 12:00 PM for our Wayfarers to God - A Sisters Series on Suluk with Sayyida Nejma Davis at Al-Maqasid in the Green Barn.

Childcare is available in the Stone House for women who would like to attend the class.

Reminder this is a ladies (16+) only class.

HEART TO HEART

📅 Date: Sunday, May 4th
⏱️ Time: 10:30 AM
📍Location: Al-Maqasid (Green Barn)

Heart to Heart is a monthly discussion over coffee and brunch. We seek to come together as a community and discuss topics related to Islamic spirituality.

Our discussions are centered around the book ‘The Path of the Worshipful Servants' by Imam al-Ghazali, which is a unique book that discusses the ways to overcome the obstacles on the spiritual path.

For parents with young children, we kindly urge you to include your blessed children only if they can sit quietly next to you.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

Indeed, we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.' (Qur'an 2:156)

click here to watch

Stay connected with us on social media!

LOVING THE BELOVED ﷺ

This weekly Majlis includes a recitation of the prophetic biography in poetry form followed by a counsel intended to connect the listener to the Prophet ﷺ and his teachings. The more we know about his life, character, and way, the more we will come to love and follow the one beloved to Allah.

Allah ﷻ is Al-Wahhab — the Ever-Bestowing — granting immense blessings even to those unworthy. As Allah says:

"Indeed, Allah is the Possessor of Bounty for all people, but most people do not give thanks." (Qur'an 2:243) Through the story of a devoted companion who served the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ with love and selflessness, we learn how true proximity to the Messenger ﷺ is the highest aspiration. When given the chance to request anything, the companion asked for nothing worldly — only to be with the Prophet ﷺ in Paradise. This profound moment reflects the Hadith:

"You will be with those whom you love." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6169)

"Indeed, Allah is Most Merciful to the people." (Qur'an 2:143) The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught:

"From the excellence of a person's Islam is leaving what does not concern him." (Hadith - Tirmidhi 2317) If we truly lived by this principle, backbiting, prying into others' affairs, and unnecessary conflicts would disappear from our lives. Through the story of a pious Imam who embodied this Hadith so fully, we are reminded of the immense openings and divine gifts that come with sincere practice. The Prophet ﷺ also said:

"Be keen on what benefits you." (Sahih Muslim 2664) Gatherings of remembrance, learning, and mercy are among the greatest sources of lasting benefit. As we move beyond Ramadan, may Allah make our lives reflect the spirit of Ramadan — lives of devotion, mercy, and seeking only that which pleases Him.

The righteous predecessors (Salaf) would pray six months in advance to reach Ramadan, and six months after for their deeds to be accepted — understanding its immense value. Allah ﷻ says:

"And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near." (Qur'an 2:186) The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

"Actions are only by intentions, and every person will have what they intended." (Bukhari & Muslim) Reflecting on the life of Imam Nawawi رحمه الله, we see how blessed times like Ramadan shaped his pure intention and lifelong impact. He would begin and complete his books during sacred months and nights, weaving blessing into every word — works that continue to benefit the Ummah centuries later. As we leave Ramadan behind, we are reminded to seek out Allah’s special mercies daily, weekly, and yearly — through prayer, devotion, and sincere works. May Allah accept our Ramadan, our Eid, and our small efforts, and may He place endless barakah in all we do.

JUMU’A KHUTBA

The weekly Jumu'a, or Friday, Congregational prayer is live streamed from Al-Maqasid from 12:15pm-1:10pm.

The Ripple Effect of Prophetic Character - amjad tarsin

“We have a nafs, and our purpose and mission in life is to refine and discipline and purify that nafs.”

Allah Ta’ala tells the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in the Quran that “you are truly of magnificent character” (khuluqin ‘azeem). [Quran 68:4) And the Prophet ﷺ tells us, "I was sent to perfect good character."

In this khuba, Amjad Tarsin provides relevant and concrete examples of how to exhibit good character in our times by following the example of Allah’s beloved, the best of creation, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Amjad also explains how small changes in our own character can bring about great benefit and great change in the world.