Agenda to Change Our Condition

(7-MP3 Set) by Zaid Shakir and Hamza Yusuf

The Muslim tradition considers taqwa (conscious awareness of our Lord) the primary reason for our existence and the means by which we are ensured continued succor from our Creator.

This MP3 digital download, totaling more than 11 hours of audio material, elucidates a simple yet effective means to increase our taqwa and transform our inner and outer world through spiritual struggle with the soul. These seven sessions, presented by the American Muslim scholars Zaid Shakir and Hamza Yusuf, represent a unique contribution about the vast spiritual dimension of Islam to western world.

Recorded live at various presentations across the country, these sessions are based on an immensely popular Zaytuna publication of the same title.

Session 1 | Introduction: The Primacy of Changing Our Own Selves | Hamza Yusuf

The book Agenda to Change Our Condition was written with the idea that it is our own selves that need to change more than anything else. As a community, we need spiritual excellence and moral capital if we are to enjoin good and forbid evil. Struggling with the self is what we are meant to do while on this earth.

Session 2 | Taqwa: Its Definition and Benefits | Zaid Shakir

God-consciousness (taqwa) is the testament between God and the community of Believers, and must be maintained. Taqwa is the guide to understanding the Qur’an, a source of divine protection, and the key to God’s love. It also empowers the powerless and gives hope to the hopeless.

Session 3 | The Heart and Its Treatment | Hamza Yusuf

Understanding the heart is central to taqwa. What happens in the heart is what emanates throughout the body and motivates the limbs. The heart is the seat of consciousness and can have spiritual and physical diseases.

Session 4 | Practical Steps to Change Our Condition | Hamza Yusuf

Knowledge of individual and collective obligations (fard ‘ain and fard kifaya) as well as their tools is essential. Community outreach is an imperative. One can educate without proselytizing. It is important to find your niche or passion and benefit yourself and the world with it.

Session 5 | Exercises for Attaining Taqwa | Hamza Yusuf

A summary of a series of practical exercises, based on proactive vigilance of the eight inroads of darkness to the heart, designed to help achieve taqwa.

Session 6 | Commentary on Four Hadith | Zaid Shakir

Extracted lessons relevant to taqwa from four key hadiths that emphasize the essential nature of prophetic guidance for our lives as Muslims.

Session 7 | Civic Involvement: An Islamic Imperative | Zaid Shakir & Hamza Yusuf

Religion demands reform for our personal salvation, but also demands we serve our fellow human beings. Serve the Creator while serving your planet’s co-habitants. Muslims are expected to be the best of communities raised up to serve humanity. This final session concludes with an enlightening Q-and-A session.

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