Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Good Tree Academy
Making Allah's guidance meaningful for everyone is part of the mission of Good Tree Academy, an Islamic school with Pre-K to high school curriculum in learning Arabic, Qur'an and equivalent core curriculum to local public schools. Qur'an Connection seeks to share guidance for everyone seeking it. Support our project at www.goodtreeacademy.org/donate?id=pd
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Islam is a Way of Life that Will Lead You to Find Peace
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
As a new school year begins, Ustadh Michael Wolfender remarks on the blessing of a full audience of students after a year of separation and distance learning. He reminds us how Allah dictates Islam is the only right way:
“Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account.” 3:19 Surah Ali ‘Imran (Family of Imran)
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salât and give Zakât, and that is the right religion.” 98:5 Surah Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof)
Brother Michael shares the story of a visit from Angel Gabriel in human form to prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him and how Allah’s archangel questioned Allah’s messenger on the message of Islam, including the six articles of faith.
Sincerity in seeking to be the best servant to Allah is to worship Him as if you can see Him and to be content with His Guidance, what He provides and the message of truth as delivered by His messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
[Quran translations from Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan]
As a new school year begins, Ustadh Michael Wolfender remarks on the blessing of a full audience of students after a year of separation and distance learning. He reminds us how Allah dictates Islam is the only right way:
“Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. Those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) did not differ except, out of mutual jealousy, after knowledge had come to them. And whoever disbelieves in the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, then surely, Allâh is Swift in calling to account.” 3:19 Surah Ali ‘Imran (Family of Imran)
“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allâh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform As-Salât and give Zakât, and that is the right religion.” 98:5 Surah Al-Bayyinah (The Clear Proof)
Brother Michael shares the story of a visit from Angel Gabriel in human form to prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s Peace and Blessing be upon him and how Allah’s archangel questioned Allah’s messenger on the message of Islam, including the six articles of faith.
Sincerity in seeking to be the best servant to Allah is to worship Him as if you can see Him and to be content with His Guidance, what He provides and the message of truth as delivered by His messenger Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم.
[Quran translations from Muhammad Taqi-ud-Din al-Hilali & Muhammad Muhsin Khan]
08/23/21 • 19 min
A Lesson on the Blessing of Praying on Time
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
The kings who were father and son, Dawood and Suleiman (as), were aware of where their blessings came from, so Allah gave them more because they had the right attitude. In Surat An Naml (27 The Ant), Allah gives examples of these prophets acknowledging their blessings from Allah. In Surat Sad (38 The Letter ‘Saad’), Allah acknowledges the blessing Dawood was provided in his son: “And We blessed David with Solomon—what an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺. (38:30) Allah then describes Suleiman’s love of horses and an incident where he was busy inspecting his horses at Asr time, as Ustadh Michael explains. Recognizing the distraction his love of horses provided, Suleiman ordered to get rid of the horses, preferring not to have anything to distract him from Allah and that praying on time is most important. Allah continues in the 38th surah then describing how Allah gave him more and more, including control of the wind.
This story shares the lesson of controlling your time and giving importance to prayer. Ustadh Michael then references from ayat 15 – 16 of Surat Al Fajr where Allah says: “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!”
Most people are not alert and don't realize blessings from Allah, boasting when they get things they don’t deserve and then complaining when something bad happens to them.
Instead, Ustadh Michael advises following the lesson of recognizing the importance of time and praying on time to earn a place among those Allah acknowledges at the end of Surat Al Fajr in ayat 27 – 30 describing the resulting reward on the Day of Judgment: ˹Allah will say to the righteous,˺ “O tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased ˹with Him˺ and well pleasing ˹to Him˺. So join My servants, and enter My Paradise.”
Ustadh Michael concludes with Suleiman’s dua which was prompted by the namesake of the 27th surah (An Naml ‘The Ant’): “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favors which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.” (27:19)
The kings who were father and son, Dawood and Suleiman (as), were aware of where their blessings came from, so Allah gave them more because they had the right attitude. In Surat An Naml (27 The Ant), Allah gives examples of these prophets acknowledging their blessings from Allah. In Surat Sad (38 The Letter ‘Saad’), Allah acknowledges the blessing Dawood was provided in his son: “And We blessed David with Solomon—what an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺. (38:30) Allah then describes Suleiman’s love of horses and an incident where he was busy inspecting his horses at Asr time, as Ustadh Michael explains. Recognizing the distraction his love of horses provided, Suleiman ordered to get rid of the horses, preferring not to have anything to distract him from Allah and that praying on time is most important. Allah continues in the 38th surah then describing how Allah gave him more and more, including control of the wind.
This story shares the lesson of controlling your time and giving importance to prayer. Ustadh Michael then references from ayat 15 – 16 of Surat Al Fajr where Allah says: “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!”
Most people are not alert and don't realize blessings from Allah, boasting when they get things they don’t deserve and then complaining when something bad happens to them.
Instead, Ustadh Michael advises following the lesson of recognizing the importance of time and praying on time to earn a place among those Allah acknowledges at the end of Surat Al Fajr in ayat 27 – 30 describing the resulting reward on the Day of Judgment: ˹Allah will say to the righteous,˺ “O tranquil soul! Return to your Lord, well pleased ˹with Him˺ and well pleasing ˹to Him˺. So join My servants, and enter My Paradise.”
Ustadh Michael concludes with Suleiman’s dua which was prompted by the namesake of the 27th surah (An Naml ‘The Ant’): “My Lord! Inspire me to ˹always˺ be thankful for Your favors which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please you. Admit me, by Your mercy, into ˹the company of˺ Your righteous servants.” (27:19)
12/25/20 • 5 min
Ditching the Game Controller Means Controlling Your Life
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Qur'an will give us cure and is a mercy for believers. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides the example of one of the early believers in Islam, a slave, and how the Qur’an made him strong despite torture he endured for his faith. Ustadh Michael uses this example to illustrate how many are slaves to video games, which inherently, due to addictive behavior, teach you how not to take care of yourself. As stimulating activities, the psychology of video games makes the participants eager for further engagement, primarily due to dopamine release. This chemical release trains the brain to thus determine nothing is more fun than video games. Ustadh Michael explains how the 'triumph circuit' propagates a distortion of reality causing the participant reduced ability to overcome real life challenges, partly because of perceived false senses of victory derived from video games. Anxiety presents itself as the participant misperceives values of social status, sincere friendship and family relationships due to silo’ed activity. The body loses the ability to correctly identify and control emotions, as brain cells are killed. Video games move gray matter from one part of the brain to another. Actual socializing time is reduced, hindering building nurturing relationships. Video games commonly train poor social behavior, instilling blaming, shaming, cyberbullying and foul language. Studies show video games are linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Allah’s Book, The Qur’an, will not make you strong in video games. It will make you strong in life. Ustadh Michael encourages students to leave video gaming and to start by seeking assistance and talking with parents. Replace video games with quality time with family, outdoors and Qur'an. Qur'an will free you so you are in control of your life. Ustadh Michael concludes with two measures of guidance to keep believers on the straight path.
Qur'an will give us cure and is a mercy for believers. Ustadh Michael Wolfender provides the example of one of the early believers in Islam, a slave, and how the Qur’an made him strong despite torture he endured for his faith. Ustadh Michael uses this example to illustrate how many are slaves to video games, which inherently, due to addictive behavior, teach you how not to take care of yourself. As stimulating activities, the psychology of video games makes the participants eager for further engagement, primarily due to dopamine release. This chemical release trains the brain to thus determine nothing is more fun than video games. Ustadh Michael explains how the 'triumph circuit' propagates a distortion of reality causing the participant reduced ability to overcome real life challenges, partly because of perceived false senses of victory derived from video games. Anxiety presents itself as the participant misperceives values of social status, sincere friendship and family relationships due to silo’ed activity. The body loses the ability to correctly identify and control emotions, as brain cells are killed. Video games move gray matter from one part of the brain to another. Actual socializing time is reduced, hindering building nurturing relationships. Video games commonly train poor social behavior, instilling blaming, shaming, cyberbullying and foul language. Studies show video games are linked to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Allah’s Book, The Qur’an, will not make you strong in video games. It will make you strong in life. Ustadh Michael encourages students to leave video gaming and to start by seeking assistance and talking with parents. Replace video games with quality time with family, outdoors and Qur'an. Qur'an will free you so you are in control of your life. Ustadh Michael concludes with two measures of guidance to keep believers on the straight path.
12/11/20 • 21 min
Sheltering In, Strengthening Connections
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
In lieu of Friday jummuah khutba, Good Tree Academy convenes online to share weekly reminders. Among the ayah Ustadh Michael Wolfender refers to include:
Surah 27 An-Naml part of the last ayah (with adjustment of pronouns)
Surah 25 Al-Furqaan ayah 1 - 2
End of the last ayah of Surah 17 Al-Israa
Ustadh Michael advises on how everyone impacted by the COVID-19 affects can use this time to become a better person with an attitude of gratitude, to become more righteous, improve character and use good speech. It is a time beckoning humans to turn to Allah, the Qur'an, honor His Prophet peace be upon him and do your best to become better despite pressure and difficulties. Do not give in to stress and worries. Allah is near. He is our Guardian and Caretaker.
Rely on Allah. He is Our Provider. Appreciate His Favors and know that Allah is in charge.
Brother Michael recites from the sixth surah Al-An'am, translated: “All praise is for Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.” And from Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:185-186): “Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment. Whoever is spared from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise will ˹indeed˺ triumph, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment. You ˹believers˺ will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Scripture before you and ˹from˺ the polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful ˹of Allah˺—surely this is a resolve to aspire to.”
The reminder is that this life is a test and truce success is in the hereafter. What are the tests in this life? Of wealth and self. Be patient and be mindful of Allah by perservering in doing good, restraining yourself and being patient in the face of sorrow, defeat and hardship; bear hardship gracefully and be kind to others.
Brother Michael concludes with a story of companion of our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him who was disobedient and his punishment was isolation. In that quarantine, the companion turned to Allah to become more righteous. We too should use this time to improve relationships, connect to the Qur'an and honor the sunnah of our prophet peace be upon him.
Ustadh Ilir Aliji assists in answering questions including: is this virus a blessing or curse? Brother Ilir advises Allah sends punishment to those deserving and the virus is a mercy for those who believe; for instance, believers earn the reward of a martyr. In answering another question, Brother Ilir replies Allah guarantees paradise for all believers
Other questions to watch and learn from include:
What age does one need to be to lead prayer?
How many people are needed to offer Taraweeh prayer?
How many people are needed to offer jummuah prayer?
Will we get the same reward for offering Taraweeh at home as if they were offered at the masjid?
In lieu of Friday jummuah khutba, Good Tree Academy convenes online to share weekly reminders. Among the ayah Ustadh Michael Wolfender refers to include:
Surah 27 An-Naml part of the last ayah (with adjustment of pronouns)
Surah 25 Al-Furqaan ayah 1 - 2
End of the last ayah of Surah 17 Al-Israa
Ustadh Michael advises on how everyone impacted by the COVID-19 affects can use this time to become a better person with an attitude of gratitude, to become more righteous, improve character and use good speech. It is a time beckoning humans to turn to Allah, the Qur'an, honor His Prophet peace be upon him and do your best to become better despite pressure and difficulties. Do not give in to stress and worries. Allah is near. He is our Guardian and Caretaker.
Rely on Allah. He is Our Provider. Appreciate His Favors and know that Allah is in charge.
Brother Michael recites from the sixth surah Al-An'am, translated: “All praise is for Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.” And from Surah Ali ‘Imran (3:185-186): “Every soul will taste death. And you will only receive your full reward on the Day of Judgment. Whoever is spared from the Fire and is admitted into Paradise will ˹indeed˺ triumph, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment. You ˹believers˺ will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the Scripture before you and ˹from˺ the polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful ˹of Allah˺—surely this is a resolve to aspire to.”
The reminder is that this life is a test and truce success is in the hereafter. What are the tests in this life? Of wealth and self. Be patient and be mindful of Allah by perservering in doing good, restraining yourself and being patient in the face of sorrow, defeat and hardship; bear hardship gracefully and be kind to others.
Brother Michael concludes with a story of companion of our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him who was disobedient and his punishment was isolation. In that quarantine, the companion turned to Allah to become more righteous. We too should use this time to improve relationships, connect to the Qur'an and honor the sunnah of our prophet peace be upon him.
Ustadh Ilir Aliji assists in answering questions including: is this virus a blessing or curse? Brother Ilir advises Allah sends punishment to those deserving and the virus is a mercy for those who believe; for instance, believers earn the reward of a martyr. In answering another question, Brother Ilir replies Allah guarantees paradise for all believers
Other questions to watch and learn from include:
What age does one need to be to lead prayer?
How many people are needed to offer Taraweeh prayer?
How many people are needed to offer jummuah prayer?
Will we get the same reward for offering Taraweeh at home as if they were offered at the masjid?
04/03/20 • 39 min
Take Ownership of Your Destiny
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
The weekly Friday reminder or khutbah begins in Arabic for one minute before Ustadh Michael Wolfender translates to English means of character perfection. Brother Michael starts with four passages from the Qur’an describing man’s behavior and our fate based on actions.
Brother Michael begins with referencing from Surah Al-Fajr that blessings include tests from Allah. Al-Fajr (The Dawn 89: 15 - 20): “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!” Absolutely not! In fact, you are not ˹even˺ gracious to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. And you devour ˹others’˺ inheritance greedily”
That is, man is quick to complain when evidently blessings are limited. Rather, among the elements of success are worshiping Allah, thanking Him and demonstrating this with good deeds.
In the first five ayah of Surah Al-’Adiyat, Allah describes how humans use horses to harm others. This, along with any measure of disloyalty to our Master, coupled with intense love of materialism is a path towards self-destruction. In particular, Brother Michael refers to: Al-'Adiyat (The Courser 100:6): “Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord” with disloyalty, arrogance and disobedience.”
Surah Al-’Asr references the easy formula humans dig themselves into - complaining when in loss, feeling special when blessed, harming others or not helping others when enjoying blessings from Allah. And Allah also provides the solution in Surah Al-’Asr: believe, do good deeds, encourage each other to truth and patience.
Al-’Asr (103 The Declining Day): “By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.”
Take ownership of your destiny. Allah has created a palace for everyone in Paradise. Importance in the eyes of Allah is your heart being connected to Him. We have been provided the answers to pass the test that is each of our lives. Brother Michael recites the beginning of Surah Al-Insan (The Man 76: 1 - 3): “Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning? ˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see. We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺ be grateful or ungrateful.”
The disbeliever is ungrateful, as Allah indicates He has provided the answers to passing the test of this life. Half of Surah Al-Insan describes paradise as the reward for winning. Paradise is where Allah serves the winners and He has promised this bounty for everyone. For example, in paradise, branches lower to provide fruit. Allah wishes to serve in Paradise all of the humans He has created.
The weekly Friday reminder or khutbah begins in Arabic for one minute before Ustadh Michael Wolfender translates to English means of character perfection. Brother Michael starts with four passages from the Qur’an describing man’s behavior and our fate based on actions.
Brother Michael begins with referencing from Surah Al-Fajr that blessings include tests from Allah. Al-Fajr (The Dawn 89: 15 - 20): “Now, whenever a human being is tested by their Lord through ˹His˺ generosity and blessings, they boast, “My Lord has ˹deservedly˺ honored me!” But when He tests them by limiting their provision, they protest, “My Lord has ˹undeservedly˺ humiliated me!” Absolutely not! In fact, you are not ˹even˺ gracious to the orphan, nor do you urge one another to feed the poor. And you devour ˹others’˺ inheritance greedily”
That is, man is quick to complain when evidently blessings are limited. Rather, among the elements of success are worshiping Allah, thanking Him and demonstrating this with good deeds.
In the first five ayah of Surah Al-’Adiyat, Allah describes how humans use horses to harm others. This, along with any measure of disloyalty to our Master, coupled with intense love of materialism is a path towards self-destruction. In particular, Brother Michael refers to: Al-'Adiyat (The Courser 100:6): “Surely humankind is ungrateful to their Lord” with disloyalty, arrogance and disobedience.”
Surah Al-’Asr references the easy formula humans dig themselves into - complaining when in loss, feeling special when blessed, harming others or not helping others when enjoying blessings from Allah. And Allah also provides the solution in Surah Al-’Asr: believe, do good deeds, encourage each other to truth and patience.
Al-’Asr (103 The Declining Day): “By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.”
Take ownership of your destiny. Allah has created a palace for everyone in Paradise. Importance in the eyes of Allah is your heart being connected to Him. We have been provided the answers to pass the test that is each of our lives. Brother Michael recites the beginning of Surah Al-Insan (The Man 76: 1 - 3): “Is there not a period of time when each human is nothing yet worth mentioning? ˹For˺ indeed, We ˹alone˺ created humans from a drop of mixed fluids, ˹in order˺ to test them, so We made them hear and see. We already showed them the Way, whether they ˹choose to˺ be grateful or ungrateful.”
The disbeliever is ungrateful, as Allah indicates He has provided the answers to passing the test of this life. Half of Surah Al-Insan describes paradise as the reward for winning. Paradise is where Allah serves the winners and He has promised this bounty for everyone. For example, in paradise, branches lower to provide fruit. Allah wishes to serve in Paradise all of the humans He has created.
02/28/20 • 21 min
This is What's Worth Working For
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
A special khutbah from a Good Tree Academy senior illustrating the eternal reward everyone should strive for. In His Book, Allah gives glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds as these are the two means to earn eternal success in gardens and palaces with rivers flowing under. We learn of the levels of paradise, the everlasting company we will keep with those we love and neverending enjoyment.
A special khutbah from a Good Tree Academy senior illustrating the eternal reward everyone should strive for. In His Book, Allah gives glad tidings to those who believe and do righteous deeds as these are the two means to earn eternal success in gardens and palaces with rivers flowing under. We learn of the levels of paradise, the everlasting company we will keep with those we love and neverending enjoyment.
01/10/20 • 18 min
Strong Body, Focused Intellect and Healthy Emotions
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Ustadh Michael Wolfender’s khutbah discusses the premise and challenges of purifying before prayer, the importance of oral hygiene and nutritious diet. Moving your thumbs on a digital device is easy today, when early Muslims built sound minds and bodies with archery, horse riding and swimming. Allah is our Light and has provided our souls connections to Him. Science shows how animals emit particles of light from the heart and the brain.
Ustadh Michael Wolfender’s khutbah discusses the premise and challenges of purifying before prayer, the importance of oral hygiene and nutritious diet. Moving your thumbs on a digital device is easy today, when early Muslims built sound minds and bodies with archery, horse riding and swimming. Allah is our Light and has provided our souls connections to Him. Science shows how animals emit particles of light from the heart and the brain.
10/11/19 • 21 min
Purpose in Revelation
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the process of learning Qur'an's messages, starting with the shorter surahs to connect with messages of guidance. Next steps are to learn the meaning of individual words and how sentences work. See how Brother MIchael refers to this with the last six surahs at https://youtu.be/bPBEWbtBVcM. In particular, Brother Michael refers to learning techniques used at Good Tree Academy and how students learn to understand surahs Al-Ghashiya (88 The Overwhelming) and Al-Fajr (89 The Dawn).
Ustadh Michael Wolfender describes the process of learning Qur'an's messages, starting with the shorter surahs to connect with messages of guidance. Next steps are to learn the meaning of individual words and how sentences work. See how Brother MIchael refers to this with the last six surahs at https://youtu.be/bPBEWbtBVcM. In particular, Brother Michael refers to learning techniques used at Good Tree Academy and how students learn to understand surahs Al-Ghashiya (88 The Overwhelming) and Al-Fajr (89 The Dawn).
06/20/19 • 3 min
Juz 1 Allah is Our Teacher
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Born in France, Ustadh Michael Wolfender accepted Islam in 2009 after earning his master's degree in engineering the previous year. In 2013, Brother Michael graduated at the top of his class from Bayyinah Dream, a full-year Arabic intensive program. Since then, he has been teaching at Good Tree Academy in north Texas, leading Arabic curriculum development as Hifz Department lead.
In this episode, Brother Michael recounts his first reading the Qur'an when he misunderstood a major point and was disappointed. He shares how he learned the Qur'an is a book of guidance on how to find answers. "Allah doesn't spoonfeed us," he says, sharing how Allah tells us "This is the book that has guidance" for those who have the right intentions.
In forthcoming episodes, Brother Michael provides highlights from each part or juz of the Qur'an.
In Ayah 30 of the second surah or chapter, we begin to understand the story of Allah guiding our first father and how Allah guides us to understand the creation of mankind through His teaching Adam with the guidance He provides. Adam, like all of his descendants, has the ability to learn. We are to balance acquired knowledge and revealed knowledge from Allah. Those who follow Allah's guidance will not grieve and will achieve worldly and eternal success.
Ayah 252 of Al-Baqarah (The Cow) underscores Allah is the source of all knowledge. And in Ayah 282, we learn connecting to Allah, being mindful of Him and He will teach us. We can learn from many sources, including teachers and books, but some knowledge we will only attain from Allah in the guidance He provides.
Support Qur'an Connection at quranconnection.org/support?id=pd
Born in France, Ustadh Michael Wolfender accepted Islam in 2009 after earning his master's degree in engineering the previous year. In 2013, Brother Michael graduated at the top of his class from Bayyinah Dream, a full-year Arabic intensive program. Since then, he has been teaching at Good Tree Academy in north Texas, leading Arabic curriculum development as Hifz Department lead.
In this episode, Brother Michael recounts his first reading the Qur'an when he misunderstood a major point and was disappointed. He shares how he learned the Qur'an is a book of guidance on how to find answers. "Allah doesn't spoonfeed us," he says, sharing how Allah tells us "This is the book that has guidance" for those who have the right intentions.
In forthcoming episodes, Brother Michael provides highlights from each part or juz of the Qur'an.
In Ayah 30 of the second surah or chapter, we begin to understand the story of Allah guiding our first father and how Allah guides us to understand the creation of mankind through His teaching Adam with the guidance He provides. Adam, like all of his descendants, has the ability to learn. We are to balance acquired knowledge and revealed knowledge from Allah. Those who follow Allah's guidance will not grieve and will achieve worldly and eternal success.
Ayah 252 of Al-Baqarah (The Cow) underscores Allah is the source of all knowledge. And in Ayah 282, we learn connecting to Allah, being mindful of Him and He will teach us. We can learn from many sources, including teachers and books, but some knowledge we will only attain from Allah in the guidance He provides.
Support Qur'an Connection at quranconnection.org/support?id=pd
05/06/19 • 7 min
Putting our Trust in Allah
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
Ustadh Michael talks about Surat Muzzamil and the stories of Musa(AS) and Muhammad(SAW) and how they stayed patient and trusted Allah(Swat). The three things he mentions are trusting Allah, keeping your head up, and never giving up.
Ustadh Michael talks about Surat Muzzamil and the stories of Musa(AS) and Muhammad(SAW) and how they stayed patient and trusted Allah(Swat). The three things he mentions are trusting Allah, keeping your head up, and never giving up.
10/15/24 • 20 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy have?
Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy currently has 164 episodes available.
What topics does Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy cover?
The podcast is about Islam, Religion & Spirituality, Prayer, Podcasts, Muslim and Education.
What is the most popular episode on Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy?
The episode title 'Where Everything Is Infinitely Better' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy?
The average episode length on Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy is 15 minutes.
How often are episodes of Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy released?
Episodes of Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy are typically released every 6 days, 15 hours.
When was the first episode of Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy?
The first episode of Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy was released on May 6, 2019.
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