The Barakah Effect

Surah Al-Asr is the third shortest surah in the Quran, containing only 3 verses and therefore making it a favourite for worshippers often times to recite it in their prayer when they are short for time. While it uses simple and direct words, it also has deep and comprehensive meanings, containing sharp and direct reminders for all mankind to adopt in avoiding the true catastrophic failure. In other words, Surah Al-Asr defines the criteria to earn minimum success.So much so, that our great Imam Shafi'ee once mentioned that if Allah had only revealed this Surah, it would be sufficient mankind! The short powerful nature of this surah made it a regular practice for the sahabah (companions of Rasulullah ﷺ) to recite it whenever they depart from a gathering. Ibn Qayyim even includes all the criterias in this surah as the basis of our personal jihad (struggle) against our whims and desires.So, what are the minimum success criteria? How can we put them into practice and plant it as our life slogan? What was the wisdom that was so profound about these ayat that the sahabah would recite it so regularly? Join us for this conversation on another episode from Treasures from Quran, as we share some reminders from this powerful Surah. See you there, in sha Allah! Barakallahu fikum

Rasulullah ﷺ once asked the great companion Ubayy ibn Kaab رضي الله عنه : what is the greatest verse in the Qur'an? Ubayy immediately recited ayatul Kursi: " اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ" Out of over 6,000 verses in the Quran, Ubayy chose this ayah, verse number 255 from Surah Al Baqarah. Acknowledging his response, Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “by Allah, you are indeed favoured with knowledge ya Aba Mundhir!” (Muslim)It is no coincidence that we find this verse mentioned in countless statements of our Prophet ﷺ such that it becomes entrenched and often recited as part of our daily practice as Muslims striving to follow in the footsteps of Rasulullah ﷺ.✅ What makes this verse so profound such that Rasulullah ﷺ acknowledged it as the greatest verse of the Quran?✅ What key reflections, lessons and gems can we derive from this single verse that may enrich our understanding behind our daily practice of this verse?✅ Practical lessons: What are some daily activities which we are encouraged to recite this verse? Join us on Facebook / YouTube live on The Barakah Effect page on Sunday, 16th March 2025 as brother Reeza takes us on an inspirational journey to uncover these gems and together, we let's unearth these treasures from Quran!

Does a struggle-free life exist? Is true happiness to achieve a life that is free from stress or trials? Life is not always easy—stress, anxiety, and challenges are part of the journey. Yet, these struggles can become opportunities to strengthen your faith and character.Join us this coming Sunday at 11:00 am (GMT +8), in our second live session for our series of "Treasures from Qur'an" for Ramadan this year, where brother Aziz helps us explore these profound questions and uncover the wisdoms of Surah Al-Balad from the Quran: Of how they provide a roadmap for navigating life’s challenges with faith, compassion, and purpose - ultimately, reminding us that struggles are not only inevitable but also transformative when approached with the right mindset and actions. See you there! BarakAllahu fikum

Ahlan ya Ramadan! This year, 2025 / 1446AH, The Barakah Effect team's Ramadan Tadabbur series, Treasures from Qur'an, returns with our sessions on reflections, uncovering and sharing some key inspirations, practical applications as we discover of some of our favorite surah from the Book of Allah.The Prophet ﷺ said,مَنْ حَفِظَ عَشْرَ آيَاتٍ مِنْ أَوَّلِ سُورَةِ الْكَهْفِ عُصِمَ مِنَ الدَّجَّالِ "Whoever memorizes the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal." (Muslim)Kicking off our series this year by Brother Faisal on the 1st Day of Ramadan, is about a special surah which Muslims are encouraged to recite every Friday, one which serves as an important protection against the worst calamity in the history of mankind: Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal. What is the significance of this surah - especially in the opening 10 verses - relating to protection against Dajjal? What are the key, important lessons and wisdoms that every Muslim needs to extract from these words of Allah that can protect us against the worst trial happening towards the End of Time which was warned by every single Prophet sent by Allah?Tune in and join us on Sunday, 2nd March 2025 @ 1st Ramadan 1446AH as we uncover these treasures together!

This live discussion dives into thriving during Ramadan as a young professional. The hosts emphasize viewing Ramadan's efforts as investments rather than sacrifices. They explore transforming daily responsibilities into acts of worship and the importance of quality over quantity in deeds. Strategies to avoid burnout and maintain consistency throughout the month are highlighted. Practical tips for balancing work and spirituality, along with cultivating a meaningful connection with the Qur'an, are shared to inspire listeners.

Hasannuddin Saidin, the CEO Coach and founder of Rubah Associates, helps senior leaders transform their professional and personal lives. He explains the crucial distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and teaching. Listeners learn about the emotional dynamics of coaching, handling clients with a victim mindset, and the vital principle of HOPE. Hasannuddin also highlights the synergy of spirituality with productivity, emphasizing the importance of empathy and effective communication in fostering personal growth and development.

Are Muslims losing? When - and how - is victory going to come for our ummah? The situation appears bleak across the Muslim world today. Conflicts, suffering, oppression, and isIam0ph0bia are all so rampant that muslims feel there is little hope, and as a result some have lose confidence in their Muslim identity, and even begin to have doubts in their faithFrom the angle of politics, economy, military, media - it appears that Muslims are losing. .. Or are we?Perhaps it is a matter of perspectives; is there something more than meets the eye?  In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Hassan Akbar from Brooklyn, NYC to discuss these issues, and how can we gain a better understanding on:✅ What is success? How can we achieve victory as an ummah? Defining what "success" truly means, as a Muslim. ✅ Many Muslims feel like they are losing hope in Allah. How should we address them? ✅ How we can be more mature at accepting an apparent defeat, towards a greater long term goal✅ What part are YOU playing in restoring the glory of the ummah? ✅ Correcting wrong perspective of "success" ✅ Should we tie our faith to an outcome or the result? BIOGRAPHY: Hassan Akbar Dr. Hassan Akbar, born and raised in New York City, is a distinguished Islamic scholar and youth mentor. he earned his Bachelor's in Telecommunication Engineering from New York City College of Technology, before pursuing Islamic studies at Arees University in Malaysia, where he completed his Masters and received certification in Islamic Inheritance. He earned a PhD in Islamic Studies with a focus on Aqidah at the American University for Islamic Sciences. In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Akbar is the author of five books, including the notable "A call for Unity: Guidance of the Prophet Muhammad" and his most recent publication, "Guided By Stars: The benefits of Honoring Parents". Dr. Akbar is also a full-time Khateeb an international islamic lecturer, making significant contributions to Islamic education and community outreach.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Dr. Sajid Umar, a beloved teacher and expert on visionary leadership from an Islamic perspective, shares insights on raising future leaders. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and aligning it with Islamic values. Dr. Umar tackles the challenges parents face in cultivating visionary mindsets in their children, particularly during tough times like COVID. He also highlights the distinction between contemporary self-help concepts and genuine aspirations grounded in faith, urging us to look beyond immediate gains.

Ustadz Suffian Samsuddin, founder of Jayyid Quran Academy, specializes in making Quran education exciting for kids. He shares his inspiring journey from business graduate to educator. Listeners will learn how to balance Quranic and contemporary education. Ustadz Suffian emphasizes the importance of enjoyable, gamified learning experiences and emotional connections in teaching. He also discusses parental roles in facilitating love for the Quran, proving that gentle teaching can be just as effective as strict methods.

Overwhelmed by the noise around you? In today's fast-paced, distraction-filled world, maintaining focus on what truly matters can feel like an overwhelming challenge, so much so that our productivity and responsibilities in nurturing our families, excelling at work, and being productive suffers. How can we overcome this dillemma? Join us in this episode as we explore actionable insights on how to navigate distractions, nurture productivity, and align our actions with purpose, to achieve success in this world and the Hereafter.