NEW RABI AL-AWWAL COURSE
A Communal Spiritual Journey Through Rabiʿ al-Awwal
“I was sent only to perfect noble character.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
This Rabi al-Awwal, join poet and teacher Baraka Blue for a month-long journey into the life and character of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — in order to draw near to the heart of the human being behind the message of Islam.
Each day, we will study a hadith of the Prophet ﷺ and meditate upon its meanings and implications for our lives. Through reflections and commentary, we will focus especially on his way with people: his tenderness with his companions, his mercy, his humor, his lightness of heart, and the way he brought joy and compassion even in the most trying circumstances.
ABOUT THE COURSE
When his wife Aisha رضي الله عنها was asked about the character of the Prophet ﷺ, she said he was the Qur’an walking. He embodied the way of surrender in every breath and in every interaction — carrying light, compassion, and beauty into each encounter, with people of every background and in circumstances of every kind. As he said of himself, “I was sent only to perfect noble character.”
This Rabi al-Awwal, the month of the Prophet's ﷺ birth, we will spend our days in his company. Each day, we will turn to a particular narration from the Prophet’s ﷺ life — a hadith that reveals his soft heart, his deep care for people, his joyous disposition, his emotional intelligence, or his sense of humor — and sit with it through a guided meditation and reflection. We will contemplate the grace and wisdom with which he moved through the world, and see how he cultivated a community of companions who were quick to smile and to meet one another with compassion and generosity no matter the trials they faced.
The purpose of this course is simple: that each of us might connect more deeply with the Messenger of God ﷺ, to walk his path within the world — carrying something of his light and compassion into our every breath and every interaction — with hearts that are fully present with the Divine.
Along the way, we will reflect on his teachings on the good life and on cultivating joy and eternal happiness. We will learn how he interacted with his family, his companions and his enemies. We will study the way that he modeled contentment and perfect surrender to God in moments of joy and in times of tribulation.
With each hadith we will come to more fully grasp the way the Prophet not only received and transmitted the Qur’an, but fully embodied its outer and inner dimensions and modeled the way to live its deepest wisdom with every breath.
COURSE COMPONENTS
Daily Hadith Meditations
Thirty audio lessons — daily throughout Rabi al-Awwal — each centered on a teaching or story from the life of the Prophet ﷺ. Baraka draws out the wisdom of each narration and guides you through a meditation and reflection, so that the Prophet’s ﷺ character becomes not just something you learn about, but something you contemplate and carry throughout the day.
Daily Writing Prompts
Thoughtfully crafted prompts that turn reflection inward — inviting you to deepen your contemplation and connect the Prophet’s ﷺ example to your own life.
Live Sessions with Baraka Blue
Live Zoom gatherings exploring lessons from the Prophet’s ﷺ life, followed by Q&A and open conversation with fellow seekers. Recordings will be shared with all participants, so you can join live or catch up later.
Live Zoom Session Schedule:
All sessions are at 9 AM LA/ 12 PM NY / 5PM UK / 8 PM UAE
Saturday — August 15, 2026
Sunday — August 30, 2026
Sunday — September 13, 2026
All live sessions are held via Zoom in a focused, interactive seminar format. Students are asked to join on time, keep their microphones muted during the teaching portion of the session, and keep their video on when possible to support a sense of shared presence and engagement. There will be breakout rooms and questions and discussion are welcomed at designated points throughout each session.
A NOTE ON THIS COURSE
A Month With the Prophet was previously offered under the title Does God Laugh? The course has been updated and re-envisioned but the heart of it remains the same.
TOPICS COVERED
• Meeting the Prophet ﷺ Through His Character
• His Humor, Gentleness, & Mercy
• His Courage, Trust, & Steadfastness
• Love in the Home, Compassion in the World
• The Secrets of Ṣalawat and Love for the Prophet
• Living the Sunnah in Everyday Life
• Becoming an Embodiment of Prophetic Character
COURSE CURRICULUM
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Day 1 — A Lord Who Laughs
Day 2 — Theophanies of Laughter
Day 3 — Last Man to Enter the Garden
Day 4 — Water of Purification
Day 5 — As Long As You Are Not Displeased With Me
Day 6 — The Charity of Feeding One's Family
Day 7 — A Man Who Forgives His Brother -
Day 8 — The Smiling Prophet
Day 9 — A Comedian Amongst the Companions
Day 10 — His Way With Children
Day 11 — Smiling Through Hunger
Day 12 — When Ugliness Is Turned to Beauty
Day 13 — A Prayer for His Ummah
Day 14 — The Women's Response to ʿUmar -
Day 15 — Poetry and Smiles
Day 16 — A Prayer That Makes Her Laugh With Joy
Day 17 — Laughing From Shyness
Day 18 — Its All Good
Day 19 — Cursed or Blessed?
Day 20 — A Smile Is Charity
Day 21 — A Man Stumbles With His Tongue
Day 22 — Laughing at Someone's Appearance -
Day 23 — If You Knew What I Know You Would Laugh Little
Day 24 — Precious Playfulness
Day 25 — Smiling Even When People Are Rude
Day 26 — Remembrance of God
Day 27 — Joking to Teach
Day 28 — How Not to Joke
Day 29 — When Fatimah Wept
Day 30 — With Whom You Love
THE HEART OF THIS COURSE
This course turns toward a deeper set of questions that we will contemplate and explore:
How do we walk in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ?
How do we live the Muhammadan way in a world so far from his own?
How do we reflect his light in our homes, our work, our encounters with strangers?
How do we carry the prophetic legacy — as a living inheritance, and a spiritual practice?
How do we move from learning his character to embodying it?
A TASTE OF THE DAILY PRACTICE
Below is one of the daily hadith meditations, offered in full. This is what each of the thirty days looks like: a narration from the Prophet's ﷺ life, its wisdom drawn out, and guided reflections to carry it into your day.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is for people of all ages, all paths, and all faith backgrounds who are interested in learning about one of the world’s most beloved and influential spiritual teachers.
Whether you’ve studied the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ life before or are encountering his teachings for the first time, this course offers an opportunity to reflect on his example—particularly his embodiment of joy, compassion and resilience – even in the face of hardship.
One need not be a scholar, academic, writer or poet. Writing is simply used in this course as one of the tools of contemplation and reflection. Tips for cultivating a simple writing or journaling practice will be offered, but no previous experience is required.
One need not speak Arabic; references to original Arabic sayings (Hadith) will be given, but all Arabic words and passages will be translated into English.
Registration DETAILS
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
25% OFF UNTIL AUGUST 1
USE HABIB25 AT CHECKOUT
Payment can be made as a one-time registration fee of
$197 $147.75
Early Bird Discount 25% OFF
Payment plan available:
2 monthly payments of
$99 $74.25
Early Bird Discount 25% OFF
Note: Payment is processed automatically and remains due regardless of course completion.
($148.50 total with Early Bird)
Terms & Conditions
All sales are final. — exchanges. only
Payment is processed automatically and is required regardless of course completion.
Course access may be shared only with immediate family members residing in the same household.
You will have access to the online course for 1-year FROM REGISTRATION.
Unauthorized distribution or sharing of course materials outside your household is not permitted.
Access to course content is for personal, non-commercial use only.
By enrolling in Rumi Center’s online courses, you agree to these terms.
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about your teacher
B a r a k a B l u e
Baraka Blue is a poet, educator, and founder of the Rumi Center for Spirituality and the Arts. His work explores the intersection of poetry, spirituality, and the inner sciences of the soul.
He holds a BA in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and an MA in Islamic Studies, where his academic work focused on classical Islamic thought, Sufism, and the rich literary traditions of the Persian and Arabic worlds. Alongside his academic training, he has also studied with Sufi teachers across the Muslim world, gaining direct exposure to living traditions of spiritual practice and transmission.
For more than two decades he has studied the works of Rumi, Ibn ʿArabī, al-Ghazālī, and other masters of the Sufi tradition, exploring how their insights illuminate the perennial questions of human existence: the nature of the self, the meaning of love, and the path to spiritual awakening.
As a poet and performer, Baraka Blue has shared his work internationally through concerts, lectures, and retreats. His creative work bridges classical spiritual wisdom with contemporary artistic expression, bringing the teachings of the great traditions into dialogue with modern life.
Through the Rumi Center, he offers courses, retreats, and programs devoted to the study of the world’s great wisdom texts and the cultivation of spiritual insight through art, literature, and contemplative practice.
His teaching approach combines close reading of classical texts, philosophical reflection, and practical spiritual insight, helping students engage these teachings not only as historical works but as living guides to the transformation of the self.
TESTIMONIALS
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"My deen no longer feels like a checklist but a journey of healing and love—where every step toward the Prophet ﷺ is truly a step closer to Allah."
— Sumayyah K.
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"If you are seeking nearness and love, this course is your rope. If you feel lost in this world of mirages, this course will be your compass home. If you are heartbroken, lonely or need solace, this course is your soul balm."
— Tasneem K.
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"The course equips one with a Prophetic way of lightness in being that supports and nourishes one's interior life. Truly a transformative experience."
— Arshi S.
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"This class calmed my heart and brought me peace. The sunnah is medicine—and now I'm putting the medicine to use."
— Rahma J.
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"Since I reverted a little over a year ago, I felt there was something I was missing in Islam. This course came as an immediate answer. These meditations have changed my heart radically."
— Iinea-Minea L.
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"The more the Prophet ﷺ becomes known through the diversity of his companions, the more he becomes human, near me, and the more I love him. It was like a present you unwrapped daily."
— Khadidja