JazakAllahu Khairun dear Brother Suhaib Webb for this post. I feel like I am just beginning to grasp
some of the basic lessons of the Qur’an that I had no idea truly existed until just recently. It’s truly a
remarkable journey in trying to apply the Qur’an to life. I spent most of my time trying to call family members to
the book itself ensuring them that the answers are there. The interesting thing Alhamdulillah is that in our discussions,
we find that the lessons we learn from calamities and obstacles we face just living has been in the Qur’an the entire time.
I think sometimes because of that we may feel are experience is more or just as beneficial and that Allah will guide whom He please.
Allahu Allum. I try to argue the point and convince myself as well as my family members that learning from The Reminder inshaAllah
will prevent us from having to learn from so many calamities. You never know which one of those calamities will be your last, or the one that
changes something permanently in your life. Allahu Allum. Why not try to learn and prepare before they come?
I don’t want to say unfortunately,but by the Permission of Allah, I haven’t been able to set aside the time or even find
proper teachers to help me in journey through the Qur’an. Me, being from the Hood, I guess you could call it a halaqqah,
my cousins and I,and my parents, when we do have religious discussion,build upon what we’ve come across in our studies and experiences.
All of which brings us back to worshipping Allah.
The problem that I believe we face is disorganization. We cannot commit and organize properly in order to learn, even from each other
no less an sheik or someone that has more knowledge. And then even if we do that, how do it stop ourselves from
falling into two traps that I see, which are worshipping the Sheik, and or Averting from the Sheik and his knowledge
because ” who is this Sheik?” and “What make what he says right?” Do you understand what I mean?
I’m trying to figure out how to combat our own personal and group arrogance as well as not being to gullable. Maybe
it’s a confidence issue with us(us being my family and I) as African American muslims, who basically had to work our
way through this religion by seeking knowledge on our own,really by the Grace and Mercy of Allah.
We have to stay clear from feeling unworthy and stupid when we are corrected and at the same time stay clear from being
arrogant and foolish as if did it all by ourselves.

Please forgive me Sheikh, I’m rambling but these are my some of my concerns when it comes to the deen and it’s application.
JazakAllahu Khairun

May Allah be pleased with us and guide us all aright inshaAllah

AsSalaamu Alaikum

I think this article requires a whole string of related pieces giving use awam some direction and practical steps, perhaps afew ayats showing how one can implement them. I think some of the things are a little exhagerated but one has to do things like that to address a problem. I have no idea how things are overthere in the USA (assuming you are still there) but here in England in many places the da'wah scene is a little “dead” and very little steps are taken to tackel this duty collectively. Could you possible write something abotu how to form a jama'a to focus on da'wah specifically. Also many brothers and sisters are finding problems locating possible husbands or wives, and the materialistic mind set is quite strong here in the UK in both brothers and sisters. Would you be able to write afew pieces or lectures on how to tackle the materialistic focus of people in a practical way.

Jazakallahu Khayran
(perhaps ive asked for afew too many articles but you can take your time if you wish)

w.salaam

I found this article really helpful and practical. Inshallah I will read the Quran everyday, and try to write down some personal notes about what I learnt.
I can testify what Imam Webb is talking about. I used to have the translation of the Quran for a long time, but it used to sit on the shelf (or tabletop) with only limited reference. At those times if I had doubts or desires, there wasn’t much I could do about it, because I was not really looking into the proper sources. Listening to or reading different things that cause fitna would create serious doubts in my mind, or there would be serious existential crises that would go on inside my heart, but in the end I would be left with darkness, and confusion. Ultimately, Allah saved me from all that, so all thanks to Allah (swt). But what really helped later on was reading the Quran more often. Whenever there would be doubt, or problems or difficulties a reading of the Quran would always provide answers to deal with the situation internally then and there.
So honestly, brothers and sisters, for believers coming to the Quran with a soft heart and full hope and trust that there would be answers, can indeed work miracles. I once heard someone or read somewhere that the Quran is not a book that should be just read, it should be interacted with.
I read elsewhere that if one uses the Quran as a mirror it really helps. Mirror in the sense that when I read the Quran I think, is this verse talking about me? or How does this verse apply to me. If we come across a verse that talks about things not to do, or attitudes not to have we look into our heart and see where we stand, we look at that verse and ask am I that person? Then if we find ourselves to be the person the Quran does not want us to be we make a dua and effort to change. While if we find ourselves acting in a way that the Quran recommends, then we give all the credit to Allah and thank him abundantly for giving us guidance.
I hope Allah forgives me and guides me, May Allah guide us, guide through us and make us the guides of the guided. May Allah preserve Shaikh Sohaib Webb and let us take all the good he has to give to us.