108th Urs-e-Ala Hazrat | Live from Preston UK

This program outlines the proceedings of the 108th Urs of Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan, detailing the schedule of recitations, speeches, and communal meals. The discourse emphasizes the spiritual significance of the Urs as a time for self-rectification and reflection on the teachings of the Ahl-e-Sunnat. It highlights the necessity of guarding one's senses—specifically the eyes, ears, and heart—against the corrupting influences of modern consumption and digital media. The work further explores the nature of the heart, distinguishing between the dead, the diseased, and the sound heart, and identifies the dhikr of Allah and the love of the Prophet Muhammad as the primary means of spiritual purification.

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Key topics & takeaways

Program logistics

• Event facilities — the venue provides designated fire exits and bathroom facilities for attendees ▸0:08
• Communal dining — langar is served at the conclusion of the program, and attendees are encouraged to participate out of consideration for those who funded the meal ▸0:25
• Event schedule — the program includes Quranic recitation, naat in praise of the Prophet, multiple speeches by scholars, Maghrib Salah, Qul Sharif, Shajra, and Fatiha Al Dua ▸0:49

Spiritual discipline

• Accountability of senses — the Quran teaches that the ears, eyes, and heart will be questioned on the Day of Judgment regarding what they consumed and perceived ▸12:40
• Dangers of digital consumption — constant exposure to modern media and "doom scrolling" manipulates moods, incites sinful desires, and creates dependency on dopamine spikes ▸14:31
• The sinful glance — following the guidance of Sayyiduna Isa, the work warns against the "sinful glance," noting that repeated looking at forbidden things hardens the heart and makes it difficult to turn away ▸14:49
• Desensitization to sin — frequent exposure to forbidden content in movies and social media normalizes haram acts, leading individuals to lose the ability to recognize or abhor sins like kufr ▸19:38
• Wasting time — the life of this world is described as play and pastime, and the work warns that precious time is squandered through the improper use of one's eyes and ears ▸21:45

The state of the heart

• Three types of hearts — the work categorizes human hearts into the Qalb-e-Mayyit (dead heart of a disbeliever), Qalb-e-Marid (diseased heart of a sinning Muslim), and Qalb-e-Salim (sound heart) ▸23:38
• Polishing the heart — every sin leaves a black mark on the heart, which can only be removed by turning to Allah in repentance ▸24:20
• Dhikr as medication — the heart finds tranquility solely through the dhikr of Allah, which includes the remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad ▸25:34
• The status of the Prophet — citing the Quranic verse wa rafa'na laka dhikrak, the work teaches that remembering the Prophet is a form of remembering Allah, as Allah has linked the two ▸26:49
• Seeking forgiveness — the work affirms that when one oppresses themselves through sin, they should go to the court of the Prophet to seek Allah's forgiveness, as the Prophet will also seek forgiveness for them ▸29:12
• Devotion in love — the heart of Ala Hazrat is presented as an example of one fully engrossed in the love of the Prophet, to the point where his heart was said to be a permanent resident of Madinatul Munawwara ▸33:05

Commemoration of Ala Hazrat

• Legacy of remembrance — the Urs is a reminder that Allah makes those who remember Him known and remembered among the people ▸36:03
• Service to the Deen — Ala Hazrat is recognized for teaching millions the love of the Prophet and the correct method of performing dhikr ▸36:35
• Endurance of the Hanafi Madhhab — the work notes that the Hanafi Madhhab is destined to endure until the Day of Judgment, a status supported by the scholarly contributions of figures like Ala Hazrat ▸49:03

Words the reader recites

• Durood Sharif — recited in the court of the Prophet to seek blessings and peace

  ﷻ Dua· Durood Sharif

  اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا وَمَوْلَانَا مُحَمَّدٍ مَعْدِنِ الْجُودِ وَالْكَرَمِ وَآلِهِ وَبَارِكْ وَسَلِّمْ

  O Allah, send blessings upon our master and our patron Muhammad, the mine of generosity and nobility, and upon his family, and bless him and grant him peace. ::: ▸12:31