WEEKLY LESSONS ON THE QURAN AND HADITH
In January 2026, the live weekly sessions on the Quran and Hadith conducted under the auspices of the Ghamidi Center continued. In the Quran sessions, Javed Ahmed Ghamidi delivered lessons on Surah Al-Muminun (verses 44–118) and on the first two verses of Surah An-Nur. In the Hadith sessions, discussion centered on narrations related to the rulings of ritual purity (taharah).
Some of the key issues addressed in these Hadith sessions included: “Performing ritual purification before touching the Quran,” “An objection related to water affected by major ritual impurity (janabah),” “Is it obligatory to perform ghusl immediately after janabah?” and “Does a person become intrinsically impure in the state of janabah?” Recordings of these Quran and Hadith lessons are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
WORLD RELIGION PODCAST
Last month, Muhammad Hassan Ilyas recorded a program titled World Religion Podcast. Its primary objective is to foster intellectual harmony through dialogue among major world religions, particularly between Islam and Hinduism. Rather than viewing religion solely through a traditional lens, the program seeks to understand it on rational and logical grounds.
Some of the key questions discussed include: “What is Islam and when did it begin?”, “What is the definition and reality of Islam?”, “Is Islam fundamentally different from other religions?”, and “The challenge of atheism in the modern age.” The recording of this program is available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
AFKAR-E-GHAMIDI (THOUGHTA OF GHAMIDI)
Syed Manzoor-ul-Hassan’s weekly YouTube program Afkar-e-Ghamidi serves as an important medium for presenting Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s ideas in an accessible and comprehensible manner. The program explains his intellectual positions in clear and simple language.
In the January 2026 episodes, notable topics included: “What is the language of knowledge?”, “Ghamidi’s advice: Become sincere students,” “Can the state intervene in personal matters?”, and “Is it correct to label a scholar’s call as the call of religion itself?” Recordings of these programs can be viewed on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ISTIFSAR: WITH DR. AMMAR KHAN NASIR
In January 2026, several sessions of the popular Q&A series Istifsar: With Dr. Ammar Khan Nasir, broadcast from the Ghamidi Center platform, were held. Some of the significant questions discussed included: “What are the limits of tradition and renewal?”, “Why do exegetes differ in their interpretations?”, “Who are meant by Ahl al-Bayt in the Hadith of Ghadir Khumm?”, and “What is meant by avoiding sectarianism?” Recordings of these sessions are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ASK GHAMIDI
To provide direct guidance on religious and ethical issues, the Ghamidi Center organizes a monthly online session titled Ask Ghamidi. The purpose of this session is to allow participants to ask questions arising in their minds directly to Javed Ahmed Ghamidi.
In the January 2026 session, prominent questions included: “Does performing only ‘Umrah fulfill the obligation of Hajj?”, “What are the etiquettes of visiting a graveyard?”, “Is spiritual tranquility possible without Sufism?”, and “Why is the denial of prophethood not considered blasphemy?” Recordings of these sessions are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
TIPU SULTAN AND THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD: TWO FIGURES, TWO APPROACHES, TWO OUTCOMES
In this article, Muhammad Hassan Ilyas compares two distinct historical Muslim approaches—emotional resistance and pragmatic strategy—through the characters of Tipu Sultan and the Nizam of Hyderabad. He writes that while Tipu Sultan’s bravery created an enduring romantic ideal of martyrdom, the Nizam of Hyderabad, by recognizing changing realities, sought the survival of his people through institution-building and the promotion of knowledge.
The central thesis of the article is that lasting honor and stability for nations are not achieved through emotional slogans alone, but through long-term strategy, education, and the establishment of strong institutions. This article can be read in the January 2026 issue of Ishraq (US).
THE MEANING OF CONDITIONING OBEDIENCE TO GOD UPON OBEDIENCE TO THE PROPHET
This article by Mr. Manzoor-ul-Hassan is derived from a discourse by Javed Ahmed Ghamidi, in which the concept of linking obedience to God with obedience to the Messenger (PBUH) is explained. The article clarifies that the sole authentic means for humanity to receive divine guidance is through the person of the prophets, as access to revelation and unseen realities is granted only to them.
On earth, the final and exclusive source of religion is the person of Muhammad, the Messenger of God (PBUH), and guidance until the Day of Judgment can be obtained only through his words and actions. This article appeared in last month’s issue of Ishraq (US).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH HASSAN ILYAS
In January 2026, several important questions were discussed in Ask Hassan Ilyas, a program hosted by Mr. Muhammad Hassan Ilyas on the popular YouTube channel Muslim Today. These included: “Is suicide a crime or an act deserving compassion?”, “What is the correct method of divorce?”, “Can an individual declare the implementation of Shariah?”, and “Is our belief in God without evidence?” The recording of this program is available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
QUARTERLY JOURNAL SALIHAT
The latest January–March issue of the quarterly women’s journal Salihat, published under the platform of GCIL, has been released. This journal features engaging articles in simple Urdu on intellectual, literary, and social topics specifically for women.
Notable contributions in the current issue include Mr. Hassan Ilyas’s article “Disciplining Women: Is the Husband or Society the Addressee?”, Ms. Nasreen Khan’s travelogue Dil Darwazay, Ms. Thaubia Noreen’s article “Quarrels and Disputes”, and Ms. Fabia Ehsan’s article “Prohibitions Related to Divorce,” along with other writings. The editor of this issue is Mr. Naeem Ahmed Baloch, with Ms. Wajiha Hassan Wahidi serving as Deputy Editor.
TAFHEEM AL-ATHAR SERIES
The scholarly program Tafheem al-Athar, conducted by the Ghamidi Center, continues its series on explaining reports attributed to the Companions and Successors, along with related Q&A sessions. The program is hosted by Dr. Syed Muti-ur-Rahman, with Dr. Ammar Khan Nasir participating as a guest.
In the January 2026 sessions, key topics included: “Ali and the transmission of Hadith,” “Sayyidah Aisha and Hadith narration,” “Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah and Hadith narration,” and “Will every verse of the Quran be acted upon at some point?” Recordings are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
SALAT AL-TASBIH IN THE LIGHT OF FIQH AND HADITH
In this research-based article, Dr. Aamir Gazdar critically examines the narrations related to Salat al-Tasbih attributed to Umm Salamah, Sayyiduna Abbas, and Fadl ibn Abbas (may God be pleased with them). Through a detailed analysis of the chains of transmission, he demonstrates that due to the presence of fabricators, abandoned narrators, and unknown individuals in all these chains, the narrations do not reach the level of proof and are academically classified as either fabricated or weak.
Consequently, from the perspective of the science of Hadith, it is entirely impermissible to use these narrations as evidence for establishing Salat al-Tasbih. This article can be found in the January 2026 issue of Ishraq (US).
MAULANA ISLAHI’S EDUCATIONAL MISSION AND ABU SALIH ISLAHI: REMINISCENCES
In the January installment of Hayat-e-Amin, Mr. Naeem Ahmad Baloch discusses Maulana Islahi’s scholarly engagements and recounts significant events from the life of his son, Abu Salih Islahi, including his tragic death in a plane crash. The article explains how Maulana Islahi prepared the modern educated class for the intellectual front through a comprehensive curriculum encompassing the Quran, Hadith, and classical Arabic literature, enabling them to confront atheism with intellectual rigor.
The article also mentions the passing of the renowned journalist Abu Salih Islahi in a plane crash in 1965 and refers to Agha Shorish Kashmiri’s moving condolence essay, which reflects Abu Salih’s professional excellence and moral integrity.
FAITH AND BELIEFS
To introduce English-speaking audiences to the discussions of Mr. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s book Meezan, Mr. Shahzad Saleem’s Meezan Lecture Series continues. In January 2026, two lectures on the topic of “Faith and Beliefs” were recorded and are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
GHAMIDI CENTER’S ONLINE KHANQAH
Mr. Moiz Amjad conducts a weekly training session titled Online Khanqah under the Ghamidi Center platform, aimed at the moral and spiritual reform of the human self. Along with self-reform, participants’ questions are addressed in a satisfactory manner.
In last month’s sessions, several important topics were discussed, including: “What does manifestation mean?”, “The human faculty of imagination,” “The impact of environment on human potential,” and “The lack of self- awareness.” Recordings of these sessions are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ISLAM STUDY CIRCLE
Dr. Shahzad Saleem organizes a monthly session titled Islam Study Circle, in which he discusses various religious, ethical, and social issues in the light of the Quran and Hadith. The session consists of three parts: in the first, a topic is selected from Quranic verses and explained; in the second, selected Prophetic Hadith are discussed; and in the third, a passage from the Bible is examined. The session concludes with answers to questions related to the topic. Recordings are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ILM O HIKMAT: GHAMIDI KAY SAATH
In January 2026, four episodes of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s weekly program “Ilm o Hikmat: Ghamidi Kay Saath” (Knowledge and Wisdom: With Javed Ahmed Javed Ahmed Ghamidi) were broadcast on Dunya News: three on the topic “Principles of Reflection on Religion,” and one on “Islam and the State.”
Some of the important questions discussed included: “To what extent can Hadith assist in reflecting on religion?”, “Is adopting the Gregorian calendar an act of shirk?”, “Is the state a natural reality or a modern invention?”, and “Does the present form of the state reflect human nature?” Recordings of these programs are available on the institution’s YouTube channel.
SHAHZAD SALEEM’S ONLINE PRIVATE COUNSELING SESSIONS
A series of online counseling sessions by Mr. Shahzad Saleem for resolving social and family issues continues. In more than 30 sessions held last month, discussions focused on addressing parental challenges and the psychological and developmental difficulties faced by the younger generation. These sessions have become an important resource for individuals seeking sincere guidance in their personal matters while remaining within religious and ethical boundaries.
ISSUANCE OF FATWAS BASED ON RELIGIOUS OPINIONS
The Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning, Al-Mawrid US, has become an important center for guiding Muslims worldwide on the legal applications of Shariah-related issues. Last month, numerous fatwas were issued concerning marriage and divorce, inheritance, and various economic and social matters. These fatwas, prepared by Mr. Muhammad Hassan Ilyas in the light of Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s thought, should be understood as religious opinions rather than legal decrees or judicial verdicts.
TEACHING OF “AL-BAYAN” IN ENGLISH
Continuing the series of teaching Javed Ahmed Ghamidi’s Quranic exegesis Al-Bayan in English, Dr. Shahzad Saleem delivered lessons in January 2026 on Surah Al-Araf (verses 31–46). This initiative aims to enable English- speaking scholars and students to benefit from an understanding of Al-Bayan. Video recordings of these sessions are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.
ASK DR. SHAHZAD SALEEM
Dr. Shahzad Saleem holds a monthly live Q&A session in which he responds to questions on various religious, ethical, and social issues. Participants may ask questions in both Urdu and English. Recordings of these sessions are available on the Ghamidi Center’s YouTube channel.