Tarbiyah 01-03: Honoring the Final Messenger ﷺ | Insights from Shaykh Ibrahim Zidan | ZAD Academy Audio | Blogpost by Zayd Haji

By Zayd Haji – Student at Zad Academy

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. In this post, I will summarize key reminders about our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his finality, and our duty to follow him, based on Qur’anic verses and authentic hadiths.

1. Praise to Allah and the Prophet ﷺ

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his family, and companions.

We testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad ﷺ is His final Messenger.

2. The Love of the Companions for the Prophet ﷺ

Urwah ibn Mas'ud (RA) said during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah:

"I have visited kings like Caesar, but never have I seen a leader more loved and obeyed by his companions than Muhammad ﷺ."

This shows the deep respect and love the Sahabah had for the Prophet ﷺ — a sign of true belief.

3. Follow the Unlettered Prophet ﷺ

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“…So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in Allah and His words. Follow him so that you may be guided.”

— Surah Al-A'raf 7:158

This verse shows that guidance comes by following Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

4. Finality of Prophethood

Allah clearly states:

“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets.”

— Surah Al-Ahzab 33:40

Belief in his finality is a core part of Islamic faith. Anyone who claims a prophet will come after him is rejecting a clear Qur'anic teaching.

5. Protection from Error

The Prophet ﷺ did not make mistakes in conveying the message. Allah says:

“Your companion (the Prophet) has neither gone astray nor erred.”

— Surah An-Najm 53:2

6. No Religion Accepted Except Islam

Allah says clearly:

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers.”

— Surah Al-Imran 3:85

7. The Prophet’s Final Sermon

In the Farewell Khutbah, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“I have conveyed the message and fulfilled the trust.”

He fulfilled his mission. Allah commands:

“Say: O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all…”

— Surah Al-A’raf 7:158

8. His Message Is for All Humanity

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“There is nothing between the heavens and the earth that does not know I am the Messenger of Allah, except the sinners among jinn and mankind.”

— Musnad Ahmad – Hadith of Jabir

“The previous prophets were sent to their nations only, but I have been sent to all of mankind.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari 335

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:335

Conclusion

As Muslims, we must love, follow, and obey the Prophet ﷺ. His message is final, universal, and the only path to salvation. Let us hold firm to his Sunnah, honor his legacy, and invite others with wisdom

Tafsir 01-03: The Development of Tafsir (Qur’anic Interpretation) | Insights from Shaykh Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin | ZAD Academy Lecture | Blogpost by Zayd Haji #IslamicPodcast #QuranTafsir #IslamicStudies

By Zayd Haji, Zad Academy

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

In this blog, we will explore the development of Tafsir, or the explanation of the Qur’an. Tafsir is essential to understanding the meanings of Allah’s words. The science of Tafsir developed in stages and is based on the Qur’an, Hadith, the sayings of the Sahabah (companions), the Tabi’een (students of the companions), and qualified scholars.

1. Tafsir of the Qur’an by the Qur’an

The first and most authentic source of Tafsir is the Qur’an itself. Sometimes, one verse explains another.

For example, Allah says:

“And those who believe and whose descendants follow them in faith — We will join them with their descendants…”

— Surah At-Tur 52:21 (quran.com/52/21)

This verse is expanded in Tafsir through context, indicating that Allah will unite believing families in Paradise, even if their ranks differ.

2. Tafsir by the Sunnah

The Prophet ﷺ explained many verses of the Qur’an himself. His Hadith clarify legal rulings, meanings, and context. For instance:

“When one of you touches women…” (Surah An-Nisa 4:43, quran.com/4/43)

Here, the word "touch" (lamastum) is explained by the Prophet ﷺ and companions to mean sexual intercourse, not just physical contact. This is proven by Hadith and linguistic analysis.

3. Tafsir by the Sahabah (Companions)

The companions, such as Ibn Abbas and Ibn Mas’ud, were present during the revelation of the Qur’an. Their explanations are based on firsthand experience.

For example, Ibn Abbas explained:

“…And He is the knower of the unseen and the most hidden (akhfa).” — Surah Ta-Ha 20:7 (quran.com/20/7)

He said “the secret” refers to what you do secretly, and “what is even more hidden” means what’s in your heart that you haven’t even acted upon — yet Allah knows.

4. Tafsir by the Tabi’een (Successors)

The Tabi’een were the students of the Sahabah and also explained the Qur’an based on their teachers. Sa’eed ibn Jubayr and others explained difficult verses with great care.

For example, they clarified the above verse (52:21) by saying Allah raises the ranks of the descendants to join the righteous without reducing anyone’s reward.

5. Tafsir by Scholars

Later scholars such as Imam al-Tabari, Ibn Kathir, and Imam al-Qurtubi compiled Tafsir using all the above methods. They used Arabic grammar and context without contradicting the meanings passed down.

“Whoever says something about the Qur’an without knowledge, let him prepare his seat in Hell.”

— Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2950 Grade: Da'if (Darussalam)

https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:2950

This hadith warns against interpreting the Qur’an without knowledge or proper sources.

Key Notes:

• Tafsir follows a chain: Qur’an → Sunnah → Sahabah → Tabi’een → Scholars.
• It must follow authentic and contextual understanding.
• Interpreting the Qur’an without knowledge is sinful.
• Allah rewards those who explain His words truthfully.

May Allah grant us correct understanding of His Book. Ameen.

Seerah 01-03: The Early Life and Divine Protection of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ | Insights from Shaykh Assim Al-Hakeem | Zad Academy Audio | Blogpost by Zayd Haji

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

I am Zayd Haji, a student at Zad Academy. In this blog post, we explore the early life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, focusing on divine signs, his noble character, and Allah’s protection—long before he received revelation.

1. Childhood and Allah’s Protection

At age four, the Prophet ﷺ experienced the miraculous event of chest-splitting by Angel Jibreel (Gabriel), where his heart was purified with Zamzam water. This event purified him from Shaytaan’s influence and occurred again before the Night Journey (Isra wa al-Mi'raj).

Soon after, his mother Aaminah passed away during a trip to Yathrib (Madinah), leaving the Prophet ﷺ orphaned at age six. His grandfather Abdul Muttalib took custody and showed deep affection for him. Upon Abdul Muttalib’s death two years later, the Prophet ﷺ was cared for by his uncle Abu Talib, despite the latter’s poverty.

2. Character Before Prophethood

Though surrounded by idol worship and immorality in Meccan society, Allah protected the Prophet ﷺ. He never touched idols, never drank alcohol, and never attended gatherings of immorality. Once, when he tried to attend a musical gathering, he fell asleep—divinely protected from such behavior.

“Indeed, you are of a great moral character.”

— Surah Al-Qalam 68:4 (quran.com/68/4)

3. Hilf al-Fudul – Pact of Justice

The Prophet ﷺ participated in a noble alliance known as Hilf al-Fudul, which was formed to uphold justice and protect the oppressed in Makkah. He later said:

“I witnessed a pact of justice in the house of ‘Abdullah ibn Jud’an that was more beloved to me than red camels. If I were invited to something like it in Islam, I would accept.”

— [Musnad Ahmad 1655] (authenticated by Al-Albani)

This shows Islam encourages cooperation in justice, even with non-Muslims, as long as it does not contradict Shari’ah.

4. The Value of Guiding Others to Islam

During the Battle of Khaybar, the Prophet ﷺ emphasized that guiding someone to Islam is more valuable than wealth:

“By Allah, if a single person is guided through you, it is better for you than red camels.”

— Sahih al-Bukhari 2942

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:2942

This was said to Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), showing how da'wah holds immense reward.

5. Early Exposure to Trade and Global Interactions

The Prophet ﷺ traveled with Abu Talib on a trade journey to Syria in his youth. Although some stories (like the monk Bahira) are unauthenticated, the Prophet’s exposure to international trade laid a foundation for his later dealings and trustworthiness.

Important Takeaways:

• Allah protected Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from birth.
• His early life reflects honesty, purity, and service.
• Islam supports justice and alliances that promote it.
• Guiding others to Islam is greater than worldly wealth.

May Allah allow us to embody these lessons and spread truth with wisdom.

— Zayd Haji, Zad Academy