Whilst sat in anticipation for the Shaykh to arrive, I looked around and could see the love people had in their eyes for the noble Shaykh. All I could hear were conversations between people asking each other when the Shaykh would arrive, and how much they were longing to hear and see him again. People had travelled hundreds of miles just to be there. I even bumped into a few friends who had made it all the way from America (West Coast), just to be part of this blessed gathering; just to gaze at and have the honour of being in the company of the Ahlul-bayt- the family of the beloved Prophet (salla’Allahu `alayhi wasalam).

Shaykh Munawwar (Ateeq) commenced the evening by giving a heart-warming introduction to Shaykh Muhammad. In order to highlight the importance of having the Ahlul-bayt around to guide us, he narrated the hadith about holding steadfast to the Qu’ran, the Sunnah and the Ahlul-bayt. Shaykh Muhammad had previously given him ijaza to narrate this particular hadith.

Shaykh Muhammad began his talk by pondering on “introductions”. He said that you do not need to introduce a father to his children, or friends to friends, or parents to their children; likewise he does not need to be introduced, as he knows we all know and love him and he loves us too - we are all part of his family/tribe. This statement lit many faces and made us all feel extremely privileged.

The Shaykh then made a point of how there are several ways of knowing someone, but first and foremost, we need to know Allah subhanahu wa t`ala. He assured us that if we want to know Allah subhanahu wa t`ala, we can witness him; but in order to do that, we need to have complete belief in our hearts that He is the One! This belief will shine in our hearts and ultimately on our faces, which will also give us strength.

Although Shaykh Muhammad had come from the blessed lands of Syria mainly to launch his tafsir on surat Yasin, the actual lecture was based on knowing and loving Allah subhanahu wa t`ala, through the Prophet (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam).

Shaykh Muhammad thought of the title of the talk whilst in the car on his way to Ghamkol Sharif Mosque. He named the talk: “The key to know Him is to know him”. He pointed out that the first “Him” is with a capital ‘H’ which is referring to Allah subhanahu wa t`ala, and the latter is with a small ‘h’ which is referring to RasulAllah (salla’Allahu `alayhi wasalam). 

Throughout the evening, the noble Shaykh emphasised on how we need to know Allah subhanahu wa’ tala, and the best way is to go and see who knows Allah subhanahu wa t`ala the best. He said that we need a guide who should know the best way, and the beloved Prophet (salla’Allahu `alayhi wasalam) is the best guide.

He swiftly moved on and spoke about how one of the Prophet’s (salla’Allahu `alayhi wasalam) names is “Al-Hadi”, which is also one of Allah subhanahu wa t`ala’s names. The difference is that Allah subhanahu wa t`ala is “Al-Hadi”, the One who creates guidance; and the Prophet (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam) is the one who shows guidance.

Shaykh Muhammad elucidated that the Prophet (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam) knew that Muslims in this generation would be under great difficulty. He (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam) has provided enough solutions for us to live and that his message was for all people, of all times and until the end of times!

To conclude his speech, Shaykh Muhammad briefly touched upon the importance of surat Yasin and how it’s the most frequent surat recited after prayers, it’s merits and all the various reasons it is recited for. 

Despite being unwell, the noble Shaykh spoke in such a powerful way and woke many hearts up from their spiritual slumber. In addition, many were woken up by the light that emanated from his blessed face.  I left the mosque that night feeling refreshed and overwhelmed by the whole experience of being able to have the opportunity to participate in such a blessed gathering, despite being unworthy of it. My heart was at peace and content; after all, I had been in the company and presence of this great Shaykh whose direct lineage goes all the way back to our beloved Prophet (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam). When the Ahlul-bayt are present amongst us, there is most definitely a different atmosphere, which words cannot describe but hearts can feel; and we come to the understanding that the closest we can be to the Prophet (sallaAllahu `alayhi wasalam) in our times is only through a member of his family (sallaAllahu ‘`layhi wasalam).