Qur'an Connection by Good Tree Academy
165 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2 ratingsMaking 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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Episodes
Juz 15: It’s all from Allah
May 21, 2019 00:00 - 9 minutes - 4.3 MBUstadh Michael Wolfender focuses on one of the lessons Allah teaches us in Surah Al-Kahf, the 18th chapter in the Holy Qur’an - that poverty and wealth come from Allah. Do you face the tests Ustadh Michael describes: comparing yourself with others, equating success with materialism, a false confidence of stability without attribution to Allah or even a misguided sense of your ultimate destination because of your current circumstances? This is why we are encouraged to read Surah Al-Kahf, or...
Juz 14 Thank you, Allah
May 20, 2019 03:00 - 6 minutes - 2.83 MBBeing grateful makes you positive. Allah helps believers prompt this connection, with His blessings which He recounts in Surah An-Nahl. Hear just one example Ustadh Michael Wolfender explains and check if you had considered just this one blessing. Ustadh Michael also explains how, while we’ll never fully appreciate all of Allah’s blessings, He is the most forgiving and it is His mercy which will accommodate our inability to thank Him for all He provides. Allah lists His blessings in the 16...
Juz 13 Rewards of Goodness
May 19, 2019 03:00 - 6 minutes - 2.97 MBToday’s Qur’an Connection carries a special significance because Ustadh Michael Wolfender, department head at Good Tree Academy, shares the parable of the good tree as Allah describes how to grow long lasting goodness. Are you planting roots by studying Allah’s words in the Qur’an and taking action with good deeds to reach high into the sky like the branches of a good tree? Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but takes lots of care and consistent action, such as connecting often with the Qur’a...
Juz 12 Listening to Learn
May 18, 2019 02:00 - 7 minutes - 3.5 MBUstadh Michael Wolfender tells us in Surah Hud Allah uses stories of the examples of His prophets to demonstrate sincerity, humility and patience. Our goal is to emulate these prophets’ examples, but many people don’t and reject this sincere message. Use fasting to make yourself among those who aren’t stubborn and refuse to listen to the proof from Allah. The first ayah of the eleventh surah explains the relevance of the parts of the prophets stories relayed in the Qur’an. The second ayah c...
Juz 11 Clear Proof
May 16, 2019 17:00 - 7 minutes - 3.57 MBUstadh Michael Wolfender details the character believers should strive for – understanding that Allah has provided clear proofs, looking for the balance and wisdom in Allah’s creation, and always seeking to learn more. This way of building character provides purpose and perspective against those simply seeking enjoyment in this world, neglecting Allah’s signs. The tenth surah is named after Prophet Yunus, though his story is not described in detail. Rather, Allah speaks about His Signs. Lik...
Juz 10 Allah's Wisdom
May 16, 2019 02:00 - 7 minutes - 3.37 MBWould you like some direct encouragement from Allah? Ustadh Michael Wolfender relates ayat from Surah Al-Anfal on the dividends of standing firm and remembering Allah. Allah’s plan is the best. He is with the patient. The eighth surah uses the Battle of Badr and its real life lessons for our learning backdrop. In ayah 42, Allah relates how the Muslims planned to intercept a trade caravan but it went another route. Instead, their destiny was to fight an army assembled of their Meccan foes. ...
Juz 9 Staying Positive
May 14, 2019 22:00 - 7 minutes - 3.3 MBA commanding character is built through mercy for imperfections. Ustadh Michael Wolfender completes his look at the seventh surah and how forgiving weaknesses and promoting the strengths of those around you paves your path to Paradise. Do you wish for the Final Day to be your Day of Mercy from Allah? Then He expects you to demonstrate that every day. If you wish for Allah to shower His mercy, He expects you to start the positive chain reaction. Look for the good in people, their manners a...
Juz 8 When Admitting Wrong is Right
May 14, 2019 02:00 - 5 minutes - 2.62 MBIn Surah Al-A’raf, Allah recounts the original story of forgiveness, and from this we learn a powerful dua Ustadh Michael Wolfender encourages us all to use in calling out to our Master. The first step towards gratitude is learning to admit wrong. See how that’s the right thing to do in today’s Qur’an Connection. The seventh surah in the Holy Qur’an contains the story of the devil (Ibliss) and Adam. Ibliss, after refusing Allah’s command, testified to the efforts he will consistently demons...
Juz 7 Allah's Endless Mercy
May 13, 2019 00:00 - 6 minutes - 2.97 MBAllah is our Master and Muslims, as believers, must love Allah and be mindful of Him as his obedient slaves. For this, Allah promises His Endless Mercy. Ustadh Michael Wolfender shows us the evidence from Surah Al-An’am, the sixth surah in The Holy Qur’an, where Allah indicates the mandate He has placed on Himself that He will be merciful. A clear message from this surah: you should believe in Allah. Allah gives us time to find Him and believe in Him. His Mercy will end if you choose not to...
Juz 6 Keeping Clean = Pure Faith
May 12, 2019 00:00 - 5 minutes - 2.72 MBUstadh Michael Wolfender turns to Surah Al-Ma’ida to show how keeping clean leads to pure faith. Keeping clean grows your faith. Washing purifies sins, character and connections. This surah has a message of the value of keeping clean, including instructions for wudu or ablution (washing before prayer). As Brother Michael says, purifying yourself prepares you for Allah to fulfill His Blessing on you so we may be grateful. Ayat 7 - 8 discuss physically purifying the body expiates sins. This...
Juz 5 Obeying Allah
May 11, 2019 02:00 - 6 minutes - 3.03 MBUstadh Michael continues our connection with the Qur’an by examining ayat from Surah An-Nisa which teach lessons on legitimate leadership and who we should follow. Obeying is Worship. Learn how Islam promotes followers as leaders. The best leaders are the best followers. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is the best follower of Allah and we should follow him. In Ayah 78, Allah refers to the battle of Uhud as the Muslims established community in Medina. This foundation would set the stage for the growth...
Juz 4 How to Get the Best Reward
May 09, 2019 21:00 - 7 minutes - 3.63 MBIt’s important to keep our end goal in mind. Ustadh Michael Wolfender presents Allah's perfect example how focusing on Jannah lifts the spirit of the believer through tough times. The answer is in working for the best reward. Swallowing anger, forgiving mistakes and seeking Allah’s forgiveness is just part of the solution Ustadh Michael details in this episode on how to achieve Allah’s promise. We’re now on the 4th juz and Surah Ali ‘Imran (Family of Imran) which teaches keeping the end go...
Juz 3 Seeking Certainty from Allah
May 08, 2019 22:00 - 7 minutes - 3.7 MBJuz 3’s highlight is Surah 2 Ayah 260 where Brother Michael focuses on the question: How does Allah bring life back to the dead? This is a common obstacle to belief for many. Belief is a foundation. Qur’an comes from Allah. And the Qur’an provides proofs of Allah throughout. Firm belief comes from clear proof. Ayah 260 provides a method to seek certainty, which we see in Allah providing Prophet Ibrahim a personal miracle. Among His Qualities, believers defer to Allah’s Command, Authority, ...
Juz 2 Focusing on Success
May 08, 2019 02:00 - 8 minutes - 3.83 MBIn just over six minutes, Ustadh Michael covers instructions Allah provides in Surah Al-Baqarah which will bring believers the ultimate reward. The second juz or part of the Holy Qur'an focuses on success. We receive instructions from Allah on actions for believers such as the pilgrimage (haj) and fasting during Ramadan. In Ayah 156, Allah guides believers to be patient because He will test with trials and tribulations. A solution is to focus on the Hereafter when we will return to Him. In...
Juz 1 Allah is Our Teacher
May 06, 2019 23:00 - 7 minutes - 3.49 MBBorn 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 wa...