Showing posts with label Yusuf Estes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yusuf Estes. Show all posts

Monday, March 29, 2010

Blessings again ...

I shared in the blog a post about a week ago about Yusuf Estes coming to Muscat. I attended two of his lectures here and both were wonderful =) I was so so so excited to see him right in front of me rather than on Youtube like I usually do. He used the same jokes as always but I still ended up laughing anyway LOL xD

During the first lecture, a man reverted to Islam. I believe he was British judging from the accent. I can't tell you how emotional that was for me. I never cry in public, but on that day I found the tears streaming down my face. I kept thinking how fortunate I am to be here, to witness a man who's sins are about to be replaced with mountains of Hasanat. I also felt happiness from the great blessing Allah has bestowed upon this man to give him Hedaya and guide him to Islam. I hear sniffling and turn my head around to find most if not all the women in the row I was sitting in (including my Mama) with tears in their eyes also. Yusuf explained to the man the words of shahada that he is about to say in English, then guided him through the Arabic words. It was wonderful =)

I did not attend the third lecture unfortunaltly, but my cousins did and they told me that four people on the day reverted to Islam, mashaAllah. One before the lecture and three right after it. I was super disappointed that I did not make it =( Al Hamdullah in the end of it all.

Blessings take different forms in our life. There are the super obvious ones, like the people that have reverted back to Islam with the guidance of Allah Subhanho wa Taala. Then there are the less obvious ones, the tiny ones if you may. The day before yesterday, I went for my usual walk in the park with my Mother. At the end of it, I was thirsty and hot and I craved for oranges. As soon as I got my hands on a piece of orange, I bit into it and its sweet juice exploded in my mouth and cooled me off as well as quenched my thirst. I realized how incredible this simple little fruit is, how blessed we are that Allah gave it to us. You must remember that as Muslims, we have to bear in mind that NONE of what we have in this world is ours. Even our own limbs are not ours, but all blessings from Allah. He gave us arms and hands, and did not give others. He gave eyes to see with, and did not give others. He gave us a family and a home, and did not give to others. He blessed us with the ability to eat whenever we want to, rather than starve like many people in the world. It just goes on and on.


وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآ‌ۗ
إِنَّ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ لَظَلُومٌ۬ ڪَفَّارٌ۬

"If you count Allah's blessings, you can never encompass them all.

Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative."

(Surat Ibrahim, verse 34)

Try to think about the blessings in your life, the tiny ones and the big ones. Take a few minutes out of your busy time in the day and think about it. Thank Allah for it all, for bear in mind that the most blessed in this world will be asked the most of what they did with their blessings and if they appreciated and thanked Allah for it. Another thing that is also good to mention is that many people these days seem to think that they are loved by Allah because of their wealth and health and good life ... and therefore better than the people whom are not as blessed. Do not for a second even believe that.

ثُمَّ لَتُسۡـَٔلُنَّ يَوۡمَٮِٕذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

"Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!)."

(Surat Al Takathur, verse 8)

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Yusuf Estes ...

Is coming to Oman!

In accordance with the plan of cultural activities 2010, the Sultan Qaboos Centre for Islamic Culture will organise three lectures in English by world renowned Islamic preacher Yusuf Estes. The first lecture will be on the topic, ‘Islam’s relationship with other heavenly religions’, on March 24 at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Auditorium. Seating will be extended to the mosque courtyard. The second lecture on the topic, ‘Let us come to the common terms’, will be held on March 25 at the city amphitheatre in Qurum Natural Park while the third lecture will be held on March 26 at the same place on the topic, ‘Why preachers of other religions convert to Islam’.

Q&A session

All the lectures will start at 8pm and will be followed by a question and answer session. The organisers have appealed to people of all faith to benefit from Yusuf Estes’ educative and inspiring lectures.

Yusuf Estes, who reverted to Islam, is today engaged in delivering lectures across the world. He was raised in a strong Christian home, educated in Texas and became successful owning music stores, TV shows and used his talents for piano and organ as a music minister while preaching the Bible. Estes converted to Islam in 1991 after meeting an Egyptian man he identifies simply as “Mohammed”, with whom Estes’ father had undertaken business dealings. According to Estes, he learnt about Islam accidentally and gradually while himself in the process of earnestly attempting to convert Mohammed to Christianity.

He served as a delegate to the United Nations Peace Summit for Religious Leaders and US Federal chaplain from 1994 until 2000.

His lectures in universities, institutions, military and public venues are for all faiths — Muslim, Hindu, Christian and Jewish alike. Many preachers, priests and rabbis have complimented his way of presenting a fresh and enlightening picture of the world’s fastest growing religion — Islam. He works to share Islam and its correct message with our youth, new Muslims and others in simple English terms, and he makes it fun and easy to understand, while referring to the Holy Quran and the teachings of Islam.

He uses the latest in website technology on the Internet and offers hi-tech technology like DVDs and CDs to encourage us all to share the message of “Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God”.
Source

This piece of news really drew a huge smile on my face ... I am so looking forward to going to the lectures! (InshaAllah) I've become such a fan of this grandpa and his way of speaking out to people with such wit and humor (I guess this blog is evidence of that =P) May Allah reward him for all his efforts and keep him safe during his journey.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Yusuf Estes - Priests and Preachers entering Islam

The title is a little misleading with this lecture. Although Sheikh Yusuf does mention a little on the topic of the title, he mostly concentrated on it from his point of view (he used to be a protestant music minister). It's a really lovely talk, where he talks in detail on his coming to Islam, as well as the people around him (friend, wife, father). I always learn something new from Sheikh Yusuf's talk (even if his jokes are kinda repeated alot xD) and feel so inspired that such a human being exists on this Earth =)

Enjoy! Here are the YouTube links

Yusuf Estes - Priests and Preachers entering Islam

Yusuf Esters - Priests and Preachers entering Islam (Q&A)

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Beauties of Islam - Relationship between human beings and Almighty Allah

Even though this series is mostly aimed at people who are new to Islam or are curious about it, I did find it very lovely to watch. I'll post the videos I epically liked. Here is the first one, where Sheikh Yusuf explains our relationship with Allah.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Yusuf Estes - Why Should We Believe in God?

Another incredible lecture from this Texan Grandpa. I can totally imagine him jumping up and yelling "Yeeha!" xD This video is part of a Malaysian tour the Sheikh did last year, there are many more incredible lectures from the tour that I am yet to share. Also many more I am yet to watch myself. This particular lecture takes place in the Kuala Lumpur Islamic Studies Academy.

I noticed that he gets asked the Hijab and Beard question in every single lecture of his I've watched so far. It's pretty much the same answer, but worth listening to coz he sometimes elaborates with more points.

The lecture has two parts to it, I'll include the playlist to both. Enjoy it as much as I did =)

YouTube Playlist: Yusuf Estes - Why Should We Believe in God? Part 1

YouTube Playlist: Yusuf Estes - Why Should We Believe in God? Part 2



Saturday, August 22, 2009

Yusuf Estes - Discovering Ramdan

I've got so many lectures of this Sheikh that I want to share, but I'll take it one step at a time rather than flooding this place. This lecture takes place in New Zealand!

The Sheikh talks about his discovery of what Ramadan is during his first month of it after coming to Islam, and he ties it with how alot of Muslims are yet to discover Ramadan themselves. My favourite part of the lecture is when he talks about what Taqwa really is, and how Ramadan is a chance for us to increase our Taqwa.

I thought it would be a nice lecture to share, what with we are still in the first day of Ramadan and so still have the chance to achieve our best during it =)

Btw, the Sheikh looks so adorable with the green sweater worn on top of the Thowb xD

YouTube Playlist: Yusuf Estes - Discovering Ramadan

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Yusuf Estes - The Beauty of Islam

Ok, enough with the Sulaiman Moola spamming =P I gots a new favourite Sheikh, and am probably gonna be spamming his videos on here in the upcoming days xD Sheikh Yusuf Estes.

First a little about him, the following are little text chunks from his official biography. If you wanna read the whole thing it's here

Sheik Yusuf Estes was born in the midwest United States 1944 to a religious Christian family. They to Houston, Texas in 1949 where he grew in the Disciples of Christ and was baptised into the church in 1956. Over the years he completed his studies in music and became a music teacher, well known entertainer and businessman and finally a music minister calling people to the Lord with his music and Bible.

During his business career he built up a chain of music stores and even had his own television series called the "Estes Music Jamboree". He and his father owned businesses and worked together in spreading religion and politics, all at the same time.

Although he had great wealth, Sheik Yusuf continued to seek the Lord while calling people to Jesus and Christian salvation.

His first encounter with a Muslim occured in 1991 when his father introduced him to a man from Egypt. When he discovered the man was a Muslim he began immediately trying to convert him to Jesus and join the church. However, the Muslim brought about a new understanding about the world's fastest growing religion and a real awakening to true Islam. While trying to convert the Muslim to Christianity Sheik Yusuf learned an important lesson about life, religion and God Almighty: You do not guide the one you love, but it is only God Almigthy Who Guides to His Way, whomever He Wills.

After three months of debates and dialogs with the Egyptian he watched as a Catholic priest friend of his, Father Peter Jacobs, accepted Islam and became a Muslim near Dallas, Texas. Then he, his father, his wife and children all became Muslims.

I came across a lecture of his today morning, called (The Beauty of Islam). The reason why I clicked on the video is because he reminded of my grandfather (may Allah have mercy on his soul) when I looked at the thumbnail image of the video. I kinda felt a bit of nostalgia, and hoped perhaps the old guy in the video would talk like my Hababu (what I used to call Grandpa). Well, I got what I kinda got what I hoped for and even more =D

The same sense of humor as my Hababu! I found myself smiling throughout most of the videos. Also the same method of intresting story telling way of explaining points, mashaAllah. The Sheikh starts out by telling us about the misconception some people have that if you are a pious muslim, life would be dandy all the time. That's not so at all. Allah said in the Holy Quran that he will test the muslims to see who is the truthful and has truly submitted to Allah's will from those who lie. The Sheikh explains this point to us using himself as an example, telling us what happened to him after the time he became a muslim (basically, he lost everything).

I urge you to watch the lecture, it's truly heart warming. And there is a beautiful surprise in the 7th video =P

YouTube Playlist: Yusuf Estes - The Beauty of Islam

(The first video's embbed feature has been disabled, sorry about not including the playlist videos here as well =( )

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