Fear and Hope, Motivation and Pressure

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Allah tests us with the Quran. We should give it priority over other activities, especially in the month of Ramadan. Please support our Tuition Assistance Program at goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan. 

Guest Khateeb Sheikh Arsalan Haque gave Good Tree students an important message about watching what you say and that Ramadan is the best time to practice.

Ustadh Michael tells us a very interesting story of how the first Quran was written down and how Allah's promise was kept to preserve it.

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known to be the most honest and trustworthy individual in his community even before he became the Messenger of Allah.

Our guest khatib Sheikh Ikrimah speaks to the students about the importance of not wasting the precious time Allah SWA has given us with the coming of every new day.

Some try to prove God does not exist through science but the Quran makes it clear that the Designer behind all science is Allah (SWA).

Ustadh Michael speaks about how the Muslims historically brought people together of different religions to build secure, thriving communities.

Good Tree Academy Senior and this year's valedictorian Faizan delivers Jummah Khutba about following the example of Prophet Muhammad (SWS). 

Whatever is best doesn’t come easy. It takes work.

For those who love, study and learn the Qur’an, upon entering paradise, angels will don these believers with garments and crowns, including their parents who fostered the best learning.

Allah has given us some illustrations of the rewards He has prepared in paradise, and they are like nothing we’ve seen. Paradise will have mansions which will look like stars they are so high. 

And who will these mansions be for? Principal Wadud Hassan explains it is for those who will be told to recite Qur’an. The more you recite, the higher and higher levels the reciter will rise. When the reciter stops determines the level of his or her home in paradise. 

Heaven will contain tents like hollowed pearls 60 miles from each side. 

These rewards are especially for the believers who apply the perfume of Qur’an to your soul. It’s a smell palpable to angels. 

Earning paradise means hard work, worship and deeds like fasting, reading Qur’an and exhibiting good character. The next time you face a challenge, like waking up on time for Fajr prayer, think of the treasure Allah has waiting for you and work hard in this short life for that eternal happiness. 

In Surah At Tariq, Allah prompts us to consider our origin: “Let people then consider what they were created from!” (At-Tariq 86:5 The Nightcomer) 

Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses this ayat along with examples like IKEA furniture, cow stomachs, birds’ eyes and stomachs to consider advanced design and our purpose.

Our purpose is to learn about and worship Allah, as we will return to Him. This life is a test of patience and gratitude for the bounties Allah provides and withholds. 

In the second half of Surah At-Tariq, Allah advises of the guidance He has sent in His Book: “Surely this ˹Quran˺ is a decisive word and is not to be taken lightly.” (86:13 - 14) The Qur’an advises us of our purpose, in our faith and path in this life with guidance for earning eternal happiness.