A Shia Islamic centre in Holland Park, London — serving the community since 1974.
Founded in London in 1974 by the late Grand Ayatollah Haj Seyyed Mohammad Reza Mousavi Golpayegani, the Association is one of the oldest official Shia centres in Europe and has been promoting the teachings of Islam for over half a century.
Our work runs in three directions: religious ceremonies and gatherings, education and teaching — a 20,000-volume library and the Atrat Quran school — and social services for the needy and the vulnerable.
Sermons are delivered in Persian, Arabic and English, and published here in English every week.
Imam Ali (a.s.) in Sermon 131, which I had quoted last week, talked about the complex and contradictory qualities of the Kufian who shrank away from the truth when actions and sacrifices were needed. He also highlighted his core aims of…
August 21, 2026
I quote below Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 131 from the Nahjul Balagha, which highlights the grounds for accepting the Caliphate and the qualities of a good Islamic ruler and governor, which I will study in my forthcoming session:
August 14, 2026
Further to last week’s discussion on leadership qualities, I quote below relevant references from the Holy Quran in Ayah 54-56 of Surah Yousuf and Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 69 provided in the Nahjul Balagha:
August 8, 2026
The two significant qualities for leadership mentioned by Imam Ali (a.s.) in his Sermon 173, which I had quoted last week, are profound knowledge and physical capability. I quote below Ayahs 246 and 247 of Surah Al-Baqarah, which…
August 1, 2026
Having discussed Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 133 at great length I quote below an extract from Sermon 173 which was delivered by the Imam to his followers, during a period of intense civil strife (the First Fitna) within the early Islamic…
July 25, 2026
The excerpt from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 133, which I had quoted earlier, highlights that the Holy Quran is the ultimate spiritual remedy that brings light and clarity to the soul. The sermon imparts several core spiritual lessons:
July 17, 2026
As explained earlier, Imam Ali (a.s.) viewed this worldly life (Dunya) as an illusion or a fleeting passage, rather than our permanent home. According to him, true reality begins when the soul transitions from this mortal existence to the…
July 10, 2026
Further to last week’s discussion on Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 133, I quote below 2 more paragraphs from the sermon:
July 3, 2026
Today I will continue with my discussion on Imam Ali (a.s.)’s Sermon 133 wherein he distinguishes between the enlightened person (looker), who gathers spiritual provisions for his eternal home, with the materially focused person (blind),…
June 26, 2026
The Book of Allah is among you. It speaks and its tongue does not falter. It is a house whose pillars do not fall down, and a power whose supporters are never routed.
June 19, 2026
Further to last week’s discussion on the first part of Imam Ali (a.s)’s Letter 3 in the Nahjal Balagha, I quote below a powerful text (second part) from it. It is a satirical sale deed addressed to Shurayh ibne Al-Harith, his Chief…
June 12, 2026
As explained earlier every individual will be given a “letter of deed” or a book containing his life’s actions on the Day of Judgements, when he will be held accountable for his deeds. The Holy Quran states: “Whoever does evil shall be…
June 5, 2026
Further to my discussion of last week, I would like to point out that the Holy Quran, focuses on the final destination (heaven and hell) by grouping people into two broader categories based on their ultimate outcome:
May 28, 2026
The Register of deeds mentioned by Imam Ali (a.s) in his sermon refers to the recording of every word, action and even minor expressions of each and every individual, documented by angels, to serve as evidence on the Day of Judgement.…
May 22, 2026
The afterlife is not random; we are responsible in this life for all our actions and deeds and we will be questioned about every single one of them on the Day of Judgement.
May 15, 2026
Imam Ali (a.s)’s core message in Sermon 237 is that time is the primary capital of man. It is dynamic and does not wait for him to get ready for death, which is the silent visitor that arrives without an appointment. Hence he must not…
May 8, 2026
In Islam, repentance (Tawbah) is a central act of worship that signifies returning to Allah (s.w.t) after straying through sins. It is a direct matter between an individual and Allah (s.w.t), requiring no intercession or public confession.…
May 1, 2026
I quote below Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 237 from the Nahjul Balagha regarding the transient nature of this world, the urgency of repentance and the necessity of preparing for the afterlife while one still has the chance.
April 24, 2026
Further to last week’s discussion I would like to add that the concept of guidance is fundamentally rooted in Allah (s.w.t), who is the ultimate source of truth and direction. This divine guidance is then manifested through the prophets…
April 17, 2026
The powerful passage from Imam Ali (a.s)’s Sermon 87, which I had quoted last week, was delivered when people were being deceived by worldly powers who were deceitful. In the sermon, the Imam highlights the following core theological…
April 10, 2026
I quote below an extract from Imam Ali (a.s.)’s sermon 87 from the Nahjul Balagha wherein he expresses his concern about Muslims who go astray despite the fact that they can attain clear guidance from the Holy Quran and the Ahlul Bait.
April 3, 2026
In continuation with my discussion on divine guidance, today I will talk about Hadith Al-Thaqalayn (Hadith of the Two Weighty Things); a highly significant tradition in Islam which has been accepted as authentic by both Sunni and Shia…
March 26, 2026
With reference to my discussion last week on divine guidance, I quote below further evidence from the Holy Quran relating to it:
March 20, 2026
Guidance (Hidayah) in Islam is the divine direction provided by Allah (s.w.t), primarily through the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (s.a), enabling believers to distinguish truth from falsehood and live according to divine…
March 13, 2026Repairs and improvements — the Association's bilingual brochure.
Friday prayer is held every week. Please check the prayer timetable for the current time, and arrive a few minutes early.
