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Tribute To and Story of Imam Siraj Wahhaj

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I love Imam Siraj Wahaj. He’s someone that we need more of, both in the sense that I want more of him as a person, and we need more like him. Seriously, if you’re looking for some sort of Eman boosting in your life, download some Imam Siraj speeches and lectures from either aswatalislam.net or IslamWay Radio, or watch some of his videos on YouTube.

He is, by definition, an Imam for the people. He’s someone who helps guide the people, and someone who you’d want to go to, and not because of some sort of ranking, but because of his character. MashaAllah, may Allah increase him in this world and the next, and give us more like him for years to come.

But enough from me, check out this video. It was a major event at AlMaghrib Institute’s IlmFest 2008 in New York attended by over 900 people. First, AlMaghrib instructors Muhammad Alshareef, Yasir Qadhi, and Mohammed Faqih all give a tribute to our Imam, followed by a speech by himself on his “story.”

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This is one of many great videos from ilmcast.com. Check ’em out and subscribe to their Podcast if you have an iPod!See Also:  A Photographic Window into IlmFest 2008

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

SaqibSaab is an average Desi Muslim guy living in Chicago. He enjoys videography and design as side hobbies, and helps out with AlMaghrib Institute in Chicago, Wasat Studios, and other projects here and there. His go-around vehicle is a 2007 Volkswagen Jetta 5-speed Wolfburg Edition. Originally born in Michigan, he and his wife reside in Chicagoland with his parents who come from Bangalore, India. He blogs personally at SaqibSaab.com.

23 Comments

23 Comments

  1. Pingback: The Story of Imam Siraj Wahaj (Preceded by a Tribute) at HAhmed.com

  2. AbuAbdAllah, the Houstonian

    October 11, 2008 at 4:46 AM

    innalhamdolillah. bismillah. jazak Allah khayr for this post!!! and i found it first by following a link to hahmed.com, where he credited this post. and Allah is the One Who Guides. He separates truth from falsehood. And He Blessed us with Islam. And with scholars, shuyukh, and people of Dawah like Imam Siraaj. :)

    what gems there are on MM these days! wa, wa!

  3. Hamdi

    October 11, 2008 at 9:23 AM

    I love Siraj Wahaj, in addition to him being my Muslim brother and an Imam, because he is someone I used to listen to all the time when I started practising Islam for the first time at around age 12. As soon as I see him on video or hear a lecture by him I get this great nostalgic feeling. May Allah reward him.

  4. Osman

    October 11, 2008 at 2:08 PM

    Imam Siraj Wahaj is great! truly a gift to the north american muslims.

  5. Mirza

    October 11, 2008 at 4:33 PM

    I pray that Imam Siraj be blessed with Jannah. I first met him at an ISNA Conference in 1984 in Dayon Ohio speaking about how he came to Islam. Very Inspirational speech – Masha Allah. I met him last year at TDC 2007. He left his conversation with Shaykh Waleed to embrace me and another Trinidad brother with a huge wonderful smile. It made us feel honoured. He visited Trinidad as well and was well received. Allah bless him for his effots for the Deen.

  6. Zaynab

    October 11, 2008 at 8:26 PM

    I have the same reaction as Shaykh Yasir every time I hear Imam Siraaj. May Allah preserve him and increase him in goodness until he reaches the highest levels of Jannah, Allahumma ameen.

    You what is so beautiful about Imam Siraaj? He always reminds us how easy and simple and beautiful our deen is. He always reminds us of all the DEEDS we can to please Allah, and always encourages us to serve people and help people and invite people to Allah. Wallahi what a sweet and beautiful message!

  7. Nihal A. Khan

    October 11, 2008 at 10:36 PM

    The experience of being there @ IlmFest cannot be compared this video. Everyone could feel the vibe of Imam Siraj @ the event. We could detect that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary lecturethat Imam Siraj would be giving. This was the best session that was held @ IlmFest.

    May Allah (SWT) guide and increase Imam Siraj in his knowledge + wisdom.

    P.S. @ MM….

    Ever thought about making Imam Siraj a writer on the blog?

  8. Amad

    October 11, 2008 at 10:57 PM

    Br. Nihal, Imam Siraj has an open invitation to write for MM anytime he wishes. But I suspect that his effectiveness in speaking and organizing keeps him far too busy to venture into the writing business, although we would be honored if he should join MM in any capacity inshallah.

  9. Brent

    October 12, 2008 at 12:22 AM

    as-salaamu’alaikum,
    Jazaakumullaahu khayra katheera

    :)

    was-salaamu’aalikum

  10. Pingback: Tribute To and Story of Imam Siraj Wahaj « seeker of sacred ilm

  11. Qas

    October 12, 2008 at 1:21 AM

    Assalamualaikum,

    There goes the Shiekh again. The whole room praises him and his efforts and what does he do? He attributes all good to Allah and others like Imam WD. May Allah bless Imam Siraj Wahaj and may Allah allow me to acquire even a bit of his humility, wisdom and good character.

  12. sincethestorm

    October 12, 2008 at 3:12 AM

    I don’t know where I have been all these years. I’ve heard Imam Siraj Wahaj twice. Masha-Allah, he’s an amazing speaker. I understand his popularity. May Allah SWT grant us the ability to give our brothers and sisters in Islam the benefit of the doubt and to continue practicing our deen regardless of the circumstance. ameen

  13. simplynusaiba

    October 12, 2008 at 5:31 PM

    “she is the fatima of my children”.. (not sure if its the EXACT words)
    That was the most beautiful statement a parent could ever say about their child, mashaAllah.. May Allah enter Imam Siraaj and his family into Alfirdaws without hisb. Ameen!

  14. phil

    October 12, 2008 at 6:45 PM

    Wow….just Wow

  15. Ashmin

    October 12, 2008 at 9:55 PM

    Subhanallah….what a touching tribute. May Allah SWT accept all of his works and increase him in all that he does. Ameen

  16. Joyhamza

    October 13, 2008 at 1:34 AM

    Salaam ‘Alaikum,

    Brother Amad, I once heard you guys will regularly post shaykh Jamaal Zarabozo’s articles which he will write for MM. Any development ?

  17. QasYM

    October 13, 2008 at 3:22 PM

    I think I can safely say I have heard Imam Siraj speak live at least 100 times. And each time I listen with the same amount of zeal and attentiveness. He always keeps you at the edge of your seat. He’s simply AMAZING! Truly the reviver of the deen of our times. May Allah preserve him as well as all the AlMaghrib Instructors and all of the Imaams and Shuyookh who work had to bring the deen to His slaves.

  18. Rafia

    October 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM

    Masha Allah, it is good to know our history and how these Imams contributed to Islam. We are where we are today because of those who came before us and pave the way for us. May Allah reward them for their efforts. Ameen. May Allah grant Imam Siraj the tawfiq and the strength to carry on the message of the Deen to all people. Ameen.

  19. Sirat

    October 14, 2008 at 7:32 PM

    Alhamdullilah for Siraj Wahaj and his works. However, the excessive praise of the imam especially in front of his face and in the presence of a big crowd was something I didn’t particularly appreciate. Had I been in his place, I’m not sure how I would have managed to ward off feelings of riyaa from shaytan. May Allah grant them more and more sincerity in their efforts.

    – Sirat

  20. AbuAbdAllah, the Houstonian

    October 14, 2008 at 11:15 PM

    innalhamdolillah. bismillah. alhamdolillahi Rabbil aalameen.

    you know, Sirat, what’s so beautiful, so amazing, mashaAllah, about Imam Siraj Wahaj vis-a-vis your post?

    few imams of masajid and few people who give dawah are such public figures in the Muslim Ummah. alhamdolillah, he is under constant scrutiny by the ummah at any given time.

    yet, every year, despite making so many appearances at masjid fundraisers and other events (like TDC) all over the country, mashaAllah, you never find a comment about him that suggests he has anything but humility and taqwa in his heart.

    in fact, in contrast especially to politicians, most people have only ever seen Imam Siraj Wahaj a few times because he does not covet the attention of people.

    you’re not sure how you would have warded off feelings of riyaa? i can only imagine that Allah gives a man like Imam Siraj Wahaj such strength because of his ikhlaas (sincerity), his tawakkul (reliance) on Allah, and living every day “la ilaha illAllah.”

    may Allah Guide and protect from riyaa all the Muslim leaders and shuyukh, and all of us as well.

  21. Fawzia

    October 15, 2008 at 11:35 AM

    SubhanAllah- this was such an emotional and powerful session. The video can’t compare to having been there though. May Allah swt continually bestow his mercy and blessings upon Imam Siraj and his family for all that he has accomplished for his community and many others. And may Allah swt give him the tawfeeq to continue his work for as long as he possibly can. Ameen.

  22. Zunaira

    December 29, 2008 at 8:13 PM

    Salaams,
    Well, i don’t know if u can do this, but can you write up his speech plus the tribute? I dont have speakers or sound on this computer…. and I cant find a write-up any where on the ‘Net. If anyone knows wjere I can find it… Thanks!
    Jazak allah khair

  23. Salaam Abdur-Alamin

    December 27, 2010 at 7:06 PM

    Salaam Alaikum Rahmatullahi Barakatu-Al Hamdullahi Rabbil Alamin- May Allah have mercy and bless Imam Siraj Wahhaj, a great brother whom I admire and respect.

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