Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy artwork

Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy

158 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratings

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

Islam Religion & Spirituality Education islam muslim education qur'an connection holy qur'an michael wolfender ramadan guidance allah prayer
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Episodes

My Path to Islam: Student Council Interview with Ustadh Michael Wolfender

March 26, 2024 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MB

Listen to Ustadh Hafiz Michael Wolfender tell his story about how he converted to Islam and how the Quran transformed his life. Support students studying Quran at https://goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan or Zelle to [email protected]. Zakat donations are accepted for our Tuition Assistance Program. Support the show

Recitation of Surah Tawbah Ayah 60-89 by Unays

March 25, 2024 23:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MB

Eighth-grader Unays shares his beautiful recitation. This Ramadan, support students studying Allah's book. Visit https://goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan or Zelle to [email protected]. Donations are Zakat eligible. Support the show

Student Khutba- Ramadan Action Plan

March 15, 2024 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

10th Grader Ammaar gives a beautiful khutba offering his fellow students a list of important things to act on to help them benefit from the blessed month of Ramadan. Support the show

The Quran and Allah's Test

March 08, 2024 22:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Allah tests us with the Quran. We should give it priority over other activities, especially in the month of Ramadan. Please support our Tuition Assistance Program at goodtreeacademy.org/ramadan.  Support the show

Guard Your Tongue by Sheikh Arsalan Haque

March 01, 2024 22:00 - 21 minutes - 15 MB

Guest Khateeb Sheikh Arsalan Haque gave Good Tree students an important message about watching what you say and that Ramadan is the best time to practice. Support the show

Allah Promised to Preserve His Book

February 23, 2024 22:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MB

Ustadh Michael tells us a very interesting story of how the first Quran was written down and how Allah's promise was kept to preserve it. Support the show

Muhammad the Honest and Trustworthy

February 16, 2024 22:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MB

Ustadh Michael speaks about how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known to be the most honest and trustworthy individual in his community even before he became the Messenger of Allah. Support the show

Being Productive with Your Time

February 09, 2024 21:00 - 23 minutes - 16 MB

Our guest khatib Sheikh Ikrimah speaks to the students about the importance of not wasting the precious time Allah SWA has given us with the coming of every new day. Support the show

The Designer Behind all Science

February 02, 2024 22:00 - 22 minutes - 15.5 MB

Some try to prove God does not exist through science but the Quran makes it clear that the Designer behind all science is Allah (SWA). Support the show

Islam Promotes Diversity

January 26, 2024 22:00 - 22 minutes - 15.8 MB

Ustadh Michael speaks about how the Muslims historically brought people together of different religions to build secure, thriving communities. Support the show

Following Our Prophet's Example

May 29, 2022 04:00 - 6 minutes - 4.63 MB

Good Tree Academy Senior and this year's valedictorian Faizan delivers Jummah Khutba about following the example of Prophet Muhammad (SWS).  Support the show

Where Everything Is Infinitely Better

May 20, 2022 19:00 - 1 minute - 925 KB

Whatever is best doesn’t come easy. It takes work. For those who love, study and learn the Qur’an, upon entering paradise, angels will don these believers with garments and crowns, including their parents who fostered the best learning. Allah has given us some illustrations of the rewards He has prepared in paradise, and they are like nothing we’ve seen. Paradise will have mansions which will look like stars they are so high.  And who will these mansions be for? Principal Wadud Hassan exp...

How the Qur’an helps find your purpose

May 14, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 12 MB

In Surah At Tariq, Allah prompts us to consider our origin: “Let people then consider what they were created from!” (At-Tariq 86:5 The Nightcomer)  Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses this ayat along with examples like IKEA furniture, cow stomachs, birds’ eyes and stomachs to consider advanced design and our purpose. Our purpose is to learn about and worship Allah, as we will return to Him. This life is a test of patience and gratitude for the bounties Allah provides and withholds.  In the seco...

The One Night that’s Better than a Thousand Months

April 22, 2022 18:00 - 10 minutes - 7.29 MB

If you saw a treasure chest wide open permitted for you, would you not take? Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents the reality of the best night of the year with a wild example worth paying attention to. In Surat Al-Qadr (97 The Night of Power), Allah repeats three times which He doesn’t do anywhere else in the Qur’an in this manner. Allah reveals He sent the Qur’an on a night in Ramadan called Laylatul Qadr - the Night of Power.  Then Allah asks the reader to consider what exactly is this nig...

Fasting’s Feast of Rewards

April 15, 2022 18:00 - 11 minutes - 7.98 MB

Principal Wadud Hassan shares some of the rewards from fasting, including:  Allah has created a special gate in paradise called Al Rayyan for those who fast Fasting is a shield which will protect you from hellfire on the Day of Judgment Charity and night prayer extinguishes fire Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for believers on the Day of Judgment Fasting one day removes a believer seventy years away from hellfire When those fasting are in the company of those who are eating, ange...

Preparing for the Angels’ Visit

April 08, 2022 18:00 - 8 minutes - 5.93 MB

Once a year, the earth is crowded with angels. Allah announces: “That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.” (Al Qadr 97:4 The Power) This night is in the last ten nights of Ramadan and it’s among the ways Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares how we can get close to angels and earn Allah’s Pleasure.  Jummuah means congregation in Arabic and Fridays are when Muslims meet together for the congregational prayer in the middle of ...

A Habit to Develop in Ramadan: Remembering Allah

April 01, 2022 18:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

All of His books Allah revealed in the month of Ramadan, while most Muslims may only consider the Qur’an’s revelation to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ  in the cave of Mount Hira. This is among the reasons Ramadan is a special month with increased blessings. Allah closes the doors to the hellfire and opens the doors to paradise. Prayers increase in reward 70-fold. Optional prayers are elevated to the reward of obligatory prayers. Beyond rewards as an incentive, Ramadan is a month to develop and build yo...

Become the Best You Can Be in Ramadan

March 29, 2022 17:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

Allah doesn’t expect perfection. He expects to worship only Him, talking to Him in prayer and doing your best. Allah sent us His Book, the Qur’an, beginning its revelation in the month of Ramadan where He commands fasting: “Ramaḍân is the month in which the Quran was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ ...

Be Proud of Who You Are

March 12, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

Allah created all humans as equal. But modern times and history show example after example where humans disobeyed the universal value of treating each other equally. Such racism has ignited wars, spurring sinning behavior Allah detests. As a means of recognition, society can then single out certain people to ‘honor,’ such as with Black History Month. Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains the conundrum this displays on ensuring we each recognize the value of one another every single day by seeki...

10 Ways to Feed Your Soul

March 05, 2022 03:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MB

Taking care of your soul is as important, if not even more, than taking care of your body. Emotions come from and impact your soul. How do you feel when you're angry? A purpose of anger is protection, not to adversely impact others. So, as Principal Wadud Hassan advises, the best way to respond to anger is with patience, compassion, and forgiveness. He shares the example of how our prophet Muhammad ﷺ respnded to a bedouin who grabbed the prophet ﷺ by his collar as a means of introduction an...

How to Benefit from Two Treasures from Allah

February 26, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MB

As a parent looking for an Islamic school, a key criteria to look at is the Quranic curriculum. At Good Tree Academy, the Qur’an’s lessons are integrated into the curriculum, which also means the school does not qualify for state funding.  If we want treasures from Allah, we must strive for them in the decisions we make, including ardently supporting institutions such as Good Tree Academy. “O humanity! Indeed, you are laboring restlessly towards your Lord, and will ˹eventually˺ meet the con...

How to Benefit from Two Treasures from Allah

February 26, 2022 03:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MB

As a parent looking for an Islamic school, a key criteria to look at is the Quranic curriculum. At Good Tree Academy, the Qur’an’s lessons are integrated into the curriculum, which also means the school does not qualify for state funding.  If we want treasures from Allah, we must strive for them in the decisions we make, including ardently supporting institutions such as Good Tree Academy. “O humanity! Indeed, you are laboring restlessly towards your Lord, and will ˹eventually˺ meet the con...

Holding on to the Qur'an

February 20, 2022 15:00 - 20 minutes - 14.5 MB

Brother Wadud Hassan reminds us to hold on to the Qur'an and always turn to it especially in times of need. Support the show

Did life happen by chance?

February 19, 2022 23:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MB

Ustadh Michael wolfender talks about the origin of the popular idea that life on earth happened by chance and states that although this idea is popular, it is the most illogical explanation. He explains how the most logical explanation is that there is a Designer, a Creator of the heavens, the earth and all in between. Support the show

Got it rough? Allah has The Solution

February 01, 2022 16:00 - 17 minutes - 12.3 MB

Everyone faces times of difficulty and may think life is not fair. We might look around and see others around us do not have the same responsibilities we have or are not struggling like we may be. Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites the beginning of 90:1-4 Surah Al-Balad (The City) where Allah announces everyone at some time on this earth will face hardship. We are not alone in this test. Allah is the Most Just. He is not unfair to anyone. This is all a part of our test to make us worthy for th...

The Rewards of Patience

January 25, 2022 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

We should think of ourselves as a soul with a body instead of a body with a soul. It is in our nature to know who Allah is, to know the truth but sometimes we lose our way. Principal Wadud speaks about what Allah says in 16:125 Surah An-Nahl (The Bee) “Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord alone knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is rightly guided.” If you know someone who has lost their way...

The Rewards of Patience

January 25, 2022 01:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MB

We should think of ourselves as a soul with a body instead of a body with a soul. It is in our nature to know who Allah is, to know the truth but sometimes we lose our way. Principal Wadud speaks about what Allah says in 16:125 Surah An-Nahl (The Bee) “Invite all to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and kind advice, and only debate with them in the best manner. Surely your Lord alone knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is rightly guided.” If you know someone who has lost their way...

The Qur’an is a Mercy to Humanity

January 14, 2022 19:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MB

Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares the story of the first revelation. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was in secution, thinking, pondering when the angel Jibreel (Gabrial) came to him with and said Icra, read (Surah Alaq (96) The Clot). The Qur’an is the ultimate reading, the ultimate recitation that has great power to transform the lives of people, to elevate their humanity, to guide them to a better way of life.  Allah chose a person, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, who was known to be trustworthy to give the respon...

Practicing Kindness Through Our Tongues

December 17, 2021 18:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

Principal Wadud Hassan reflects on how remembering Allah in our hearts can control our tongues. When our time is up in this world, we will return to Allah and we must be wary of how we spend our time and resources before we meet Allah SWT. Allah will grant us what we desire in the hereafter if we follow what he desires in this world. Therefore, we must be mindful of how we speak to others and ensure that we are always speaking kindly to each other even during disagreements. Our Prophet peac...

The Importance of Showing Gratitude

December 13, 2021 15:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MB

Thank you for all of the support at our end of year fundraiser! In this khutbah, Principal Wadud Hasan shares how we can grow gratitude, expressing it at times like when we wake up, when we close our eyes, eat and pray. In surah Ibrahim (Abraham) 14:7, Allah says “And remember when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful I will surely increase you;” Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was always beaming with gratitude. Even when he had the worst day he was always grateful as reflected in his smile, his ch...

Having Tawfik and Bringing Our Hearts Closer to Allah

November 23, 2021 01:00 - 25 minutes - 17.7 MB

As Muslims, sometimes we have to go on a journey to get closer to Allah by visiting the houses of Allah SWT in Mecca and Madina. When you visit Masjid al Nabawi in Madina, the prayer of one rakaa is equivalent to 50,000 rakaa and when you pray one rakaa at Masjid al-Haram, it is equivalent to one hundred thousand rakaa. According to several historians, the earth was all water and the first piece of land started at the Kaaba where today, Muslims circle around to bring themselves closer to All...

Good Behavior and Characteristics of the Prophet to Follow

November 15, 2021 01:00 - 19 minutes - 13.6 MB

The people of Mecca knew who Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was, what he was like, his kind character, how he was well-trusted and loved, and how he interacted with people. However, when he came with the message of Allah and truth, they rejected him and what he was preaching. This was a test for the people of Mecca because they were used to worshipping idols.  Allah SWT tells us about the struggle of the people of Mecca in Surah Al-Qalam (68 The Pen) which was one of the first surahs th...

Purifying Our Hearts in Becoming Our Best Selves

November 09, 2021 18:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MB

There is no one else that deserves our unconditional obedience but Allah SWT and on the day of judgement, when we meet our Creator, our wealth, children, and things of this world will not be with us. Therefore, we should not forget the real purpose of being in this life and in this world is to worship Allah and focus on our hearts for the sake of reaching our best selves.  On the day of judgement, we want to come before Allah SWT with a heart that is pure and peaceful. Prophet Muhammad peac...

Learning from the Best on How to Treat Those Around Us

October 29, 2021 17:00 - 16 minutes - 11.2 MB

Ever had difficulty dealing with those around you? Allah sent us His messenger, Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, as the best example for us to learn how to be kind, courteous, respectful, understanding and merciful to those around us.  Ustadh Michael Wolfender asks students to think of a time when you felt special because someone did something special for you. Naturally, you would love that person and be appreciative of the things they do for you. This is one of the reasons why we love o...

Loving the Prophet SAW

October 25, 2021 17:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MB

Principal Wadud Hasan explains the importance of our love for Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and how following the ways of the Prophet, allows us to love Allah SWT. In Surah Tawbah (The Repentance) 9:128 of the Quran, Allah says that He has sent a prophet that loves us so much, our suffering distresses him. Our prophet loves his believers so much that when we are not happy, he is not happy.  Through prayer and thikr, we are able to love the prophet and feel his love in our hearts. If we...

Practices of Mercy by the Messenger

October 19, 2021 17:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MB

In Surat Al-Anbya (21 The Prophets), Allah subhanallah wa ta’ala tells Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him: “We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world.” (21:107) Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares examples from the prophet’s mercy many times throughout his life and more so during the worst and most difficult day of his life. The prophet ﷺ told his wife Aisha that the hardest day of his life was when he went to Dtahif and the people stoned him and chased him until his feet ...

Practices of Mercy by the Messenger

October 19, 2021 17:00 - 18 minutes - 13.1 MB

In Surat Al-Anbya (21 The Prophets), Allah subhanallah wa ta’ala tells Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him: “We have sent you ˹O Prophet˺ only as a mercy for the whole world.” (21:107) Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares examples from the prophet’s mercy many times throughout his life and more so during the worst and most difficult day of his life. The prophet ﷺ told his wife Aisha that the hardest day of his life was when he went to Dtahif and the people stoned him and chased him until his feet ...

Surah Ad-Duhaa: Finding Our Light

October 10, 2021 17:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him, grew up as an orphan and Allah SWT took care of him and made sure he was taken care of. However, there were times when the prophet ﷺ faced hardships in the society he lived in, being perturbed by the prevalence of idol worship, inappropriate taking of life and ill treatment of orphans among other wrongs. So the prophet ﷺ would isolate himself in a cave to have time to think and that is when the Angel Jibril visited Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and revealed to him t...

Hijra of the Heart: Our Journey to our Higher Selves

October 05, 2021 19:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MB

1,443 years ago Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, made the first Hijra or journey from Mecca to Madina. The prophet ﷺ and his companions made that hijra to practice Islam and for the sake of Allah SWT. In His Book, Allah explains His Command for this journey to escape difficulty, even though making it was risky, hazardous and uncomfortable (Surah Al Baqarah 2 : 218 and Surah Anfal 8:74). إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا وَجَاهَدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ  أُولَٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ ...

Choosing the Company You Keep

September 21, 2021 15:00 - 16 minutes - 11.5 MB

All of Allah's messengers had the same message of Islam - Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, David, Jesus, Muhammad, peace be upon them all, are among those mentioned in the Qur'an. In Surah Al-Ma’idah (5 The Table Spread), Allah declares,  “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion.” (5:3) To make this guidance applicable, Allah's final messenger Muhammad ﷺ advised to be careful who you follow, be careful who yo...

Who is Allah?

August 27, 2021 15:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MB

Each of the prophets sent by Allah delivered the same message: believe in one God. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shares from Allah’s Book how He reveals Himself to us. In particular, Ustadh Michael references the short surahs from the end of the Qur’an, such as Surat Al-Ikhlas (112 The Sincerity), to help believers connect with Our Creator in worship. Ustadh Michael concludes with the message of love and hope in the first surah, Al-Fatihah (1 The Opener) where Allah answers the believer when each...

Islam is a Way of Life that Will Lead You to Find Peace

August 23, 2021 16:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

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 A...

Appreciating Allah’s Design and the Purpose of His Book

June 03, 2021 22:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MB

What do IKEA furniture, LEGOs and nature have in common? Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains how they can help us appreciate and understand Allah’s Design, including how Allah references in Surah At-Tariq the falling of rain and evaporation (86:11).  As the school year concludes, Ustadh Michael encourages students and each of us to value our time together and not individually in front of screens. Connect with Allah’s Book and His Guidance. Interested in learning to understand and pronounce th...

The Dividends of Spending Time with The Qur’an

May 28, 2021 22:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

Ustadh Michael Wolfender has words of encouragement for Good Tree Academy students to spend their summer building on what they’ve learned this school year from Allah’s Book. The Qur’an is Allah’s Book with benefits from reciting its verses. It is the final revelation from Allah complete with His Words. The Qur’an brings humans from darkness to light. The Qur’an is a cure and protection and it makes you a better person.  Listen as Ustadh Michael shares the story of an early accepter of Islam...

7 Ways to Receive Protection from Angels

May 14, 2021 21:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MB

Ustadh  Michael Wolfender reminds us how angels will visit us when it is our time to return to Allah. It can be a time to be happy to see and meet them, especially if you’ve taken advantage of seven times when angels pray for you: When you are eating suhoor, the pre-dawn meal prior to fasting, angels mention you to Allah based on your intention, as Allah says fasting is between Him and His believer.  Arrive early to be in the first row at the masjid Sit after salah and remember Allah as a...

Unseen but not Unreal: Preparing for the Annual Visit from Angels

May 09, 2021 16:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MB

Ustadh Michael Wolfender recites from five surahs in the Holy Qur’an where Allah explains, among other aspects of angels, the protection He provided the delivery of His Book by Angel Gabriel.  Al-Qadr (97 The Power) discusses the one night every year in the last third of Ramadan when Allah floods the earth with angels and why this night carries the power of 1000 months. Even Angel Gabriel descends on earth that night, though his mission of delivering the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is compl...

Learning to Seek and Understand Our Creator

May 01, 2021 21:00 - 16 minutes - 11.3 MB

Ustadh Michael Wolfender uses surahs Ar-Ra’d (13 The Thunder) and Ibrahim (14 Abraham) and their explanations to help teach the unending value of learning to seek and understand Allah, as this brings true relaxation and peace.  All of the messengers Allah sent delivered the same message that Allah is our Provider, place your trust in Him and that He controls all. Our job is to worship and please Allah.  Verses 32 - 34 of Surah Ibrahim describe Allah and His Might with some examples includi...

How Ramadan Makes You a Better Person

April 16, 2021 22:00 - 17 minutes - 11.9 MB

The Muslim lunar calendar means Ramadan moves back about 10 days every year. Ramadan is a month where Muslims fast, staying away from food and drink during the daytime as primary items per Allah’s Command. When you are strong enough to stay away from food and drink during the daytime, you realize you have the power to stay away from what you're not supposed to do and to withhold yourself from something you really want.  The most successful Ramadans begin with a plan, which correlates to tak...

Asking for Forgiveness and its Bounty

April 09, 2021 13:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MB

Guest khateeb Hammad Qasim Siddiqui describes why Allah created each of us imperfect, prone to error. This creates our opportunity to ask for His Forgiveness and understand how close He is to each of us.  In Surah Al-Furqan (25 The Criterion): Allah says: “Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (25:70) A key to closeness to Allah is through dua ...

The Power of Ramadan

March 26, 2021 18:00 - 15 minutes - 10.8 MB

Allah explains the significance of the month of Ramadan starting in the second surah of the Holy Qur’an: "Ramaḍân is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as a guide for humanity with clear proofs of guidance and the standard ˹to distinguish between right and wrong˺. So whoever is present this month, let them fast. But whoever is ill or on a journey, then ˹let them fast˺ an equal number of days ˹after Ramaḍân˺. Allah intends ease for you, not hardship, so that you may complete the presc...