With Allah s Name, The Merciful Benefactor, Merciful Redeemer MASJID AL- MU MINUN

Transcription

1 With Allah s Name, The Merciful Benefactor, Merciful Redeemer MASJID AL- MU MINUN 1127 HANK AARON DRIVE, SW ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 2014 Ramadan: Marks A Most Important Event Contributor: Imam Muhammad Harisuddin With Allah's Name, The Merciful Benefactor, The Merciful Redeemer Ramadan is the Month in which was sent down the Qur'an...Dear Muslims, as we enter the Month of Ramadan, I advise you as I advise myself, don't underestimate the importance of this great month in the history of humanity. Some of you may disagree but, I believe that Ramadan commemorates the second most important event in the life of mankind on this earth. I believe the first great event is pointed to in HQ 2: when Allah (swt) announces to the angels that I will create a Khalifah fil Ard (ruler in the earth). (HQ 2:185) He taught Our Father Adam the Nature of all things (placed in Adam all human possibilities). These human possibilities, first given to Adam, included the possibilities for both good and evil and this even frightened the angels who said: "what are you creating one to create mischief and shed blood"? Allah (swt) then told them about the second part of His plan for His new ruler in the earth. He said to them, that when He has shaped our souls in due proportion and breathed into it "of my spirit," then you bow down! IWDM (ra) describes this shaping of the human soul in his explanation of PM(saw)'s Ascension where He is shown as being taken up into the seven level of the heavens. He said that the Prophets who were visited on the various levels represents the "Prophets of the Development!" Each prophet represents a step toward completing the "due proportion" of the human soul mentioned to the angels by Allah (swt). Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (ra) stated further that Prophet Muhammad (saw) visiting other prophets at their various levels is symbolic of His reconciliation of the works of the earlier prophets. Of course, we recall that Allah (swt) said to the angels and when He has shaped the Khalifah in due proportion and breathed into him of His spirit, then the angels (creation) is to make obeisance to him. Ramadan commemorates the fulfillment of step in Allah's promise made at the onset when He said, "I will create a vicegerent! By now, we have the Aql (human intellect), freewill, and a soul shaped in due proportion. Those things represent to the first of the two most important events in the history of humanity. The second most important event is considered by some to be more important the event just described. I call this event, [the sending down of the Qur'an to Prophet Muhammad (saw)], commemorated in this Month of Ramadan, the second most important because if man's creation and development had not occurred then there'd be no need for the Qur'an being sent down! HADITH OF THE MONTH: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, There are two statements that are light for the tongue to remember, heavy in the Scales and are dear to the Merciful: Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdihi, Subhan-Allahil-Azim [Glory be to Allah and His is the praise, (and) Allah, the Greatest is free from imperfection). [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] AYAT OF THE MONTH: And We said, "O Adam, dwell, you and your wife, in Paradise and eat therefrom in [ease and] abundance from wherever you will. But do not approach this tree, lest you be among the wrongdoers. Holy Quran: 2:35 SALAH TIMES Fajr 5:03 Zhur 1:39 Asr 5:24 Maghrib 8:41 Isha 10:15 Article Continued on Page 2 1

2 Ramadan: Marks A Most Important Event Article Continued Dear readers, the Holy Qur'an is the pure, undiluted word of G-d(Allah) and when these words come into the purified human heart, it produces the kind of spirit in the human soul that Allah (swt) promised the angels when He announced, I will make a Khalifah Fil Ard (ruler in the earth). The promise of Allah is completed. It was completed in the person, in the human person, Mohammed Ibn Abdullah (better known as Prophet Mohammed (saw). He is a mercy from Allah (swt) to all the worlds (Rahmati-lil-alameen). and Allah(swt) says of him in His Book, HQ 33:21...Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern of conduct, for anyone whose hope is in G-d and the Final Day; and who engages much in the praise of G-d! Ramadan Reflections: Ramadan Greeting Contributor: Imam Tariq Najee-ullah During Ramadan, we have a customary greeting. Ramadan Mubarak! When we greet, some respond Ramadan Kareem. Others respond Ramadan Mubarak. When we study Qur'an, we find nothing in the Qur'an associating Ramadan with Kareem. Even when we examine the language of Muhammad the Prophet, we don't find anything associating the word Ramadan with Kareem. We find in his language "Sharun Mubarak" meaning a month with many blessings. In the Qur'an, we find "the Night of Power" therein descend the angels and the spirit, sending blessings. Also in the Qur'an, we find "Sharu Ramadan alathee unzila fehil Qur'an" meaning The Month of Ramadan is the month that the Qur'an was revealed or sent down as a blessing to mankind. Allah tells us that the best response is one that is equal or better. We know that saying Kareem is just saying we are noble. Allah tells us in the Qur'an that all the children of Adam are created honorable. We are all Kareem. Where do we get the language from, "Ramadan Kareem?" We don't find it in the Qur'an or in the well-known, mashroor hadith of Muhammad the Prophet. We find the emphasis being on the blessings of Ramadan. So we believe the proper response is Ramadan Mubarak. So in this month, we don't emphasize kareem. We are all kareem. What we need in this excellent and blessed month is more blessings. Don't wish us kareem. We need all of the great blessings of Allah. We need the blessing of our sins to be forgiven. We want to blessed with a better spirit to serve G-d. To be a better Muslim, better person, better student, better engineer, better scientist, better chef, better worker, better businessman, better professional, better teacher, better lawyer, better doctor, better husband, better wife, better father, mother, brother, sister, son, or daughter. We need the blessings to be a better human being. So we say "Ramadan Mubarak!" And when you give that back equally, you say "Ramadan Mubarak!" Alhamdulillah! Attribute of the Month: As-Salaam The Perfection and Giver of Peace He is God, besides Whom there is no other god, the King, the Holy, the Peace, the Securer, the Guardian, the Mighty, the Compeller, the Exalted. Glorified be God above what partners they ascribe! (HQ 5: 23) Allah is the source of peace this is in Surah Hajr (verse 8), and this is the only place it is found. This source of peace, Allah has provided us with Al-Islam, which has two meanings, to submit your will to Allah and the way of peace. Once you submit to Allah you will have peace and once you have peace you can provide peace for others. Al-Islam is the deen of peace. Deen is Al-Islam. The greeting of the Muslims is as-salam and Muslims are those who receive this peace. This is adds more to the point that Allah is free of all impurities, Al-Qudoos, and Allah will also greet the believers in paradise with peace as stated in Surah Yasin. For the believer this should insure you that you will not be denied the fruits of your struggle. The believer has to live in a self-imposed prison in this life, the believer has to make sacrifices, were they must deny themselves certain things, the name As-Salaam insures the believe that this struggle is not in vain. People assume that Islam is about don t, don t, don t but in reality there is just a small amount of things we can t do and the forbidden things are few, but shaitan has made us to believe that we must do these few things. In reality there is not that much sacrifice but with the way society it is, it is hard. But this name gives us confidence and reassurance that we will be receiving a great reward. Secondly, this adds to the point that only through Allah s remembrance to hearts find ease. We need to look to Allah for happiness, safety and well-being. People will spend their whole life trying to find happiness and contentment in the material world, where material will bring them nothing, only peace comes from Allah. If look at this on a human level, as Allah provides us with peace and security we should provide this for the world and especially our Muslim brothers and sisters. We need to be a source of Salaam although Allah is the ultimate source of Islam. The true believe is the one whom people feel secure regarding their wealth and person. A [true] Muslim is he from whose tongue and hand are free from other believers. 2

3 Tips for Ramadan Based on commentary of Imam W. D. Mohammed Sahoor (Early Morning Meal): We should wake up and eat a small meal before Fajr prayer. The verse eat or drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread does not mean eating until sunrise. We are to eat until about 10 minutes before the athaan of Fajr. If we have not made our intention to fast the night before, we should make our intention to fast before Fajr. The du'a in this booklet is best, since you make the du'a to break the fast and your intention to fast the next day in the same prayer. Fasting: Allah says in Hadith Qudsi "Fasting is Mine and I alone will reward for it." Fasting is not to lose weight, slim down, or for any other reason except to obey G-d. Iftar (Breaking the fast): It is the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to break the fast with water and an odd number of dates. If you do not have dates, some other fruit is best to break the fast. We do not break the fast with potato chips, fast food, or a large meal. Just some water and a small bit of fruit to satisfy the hunger. Then we immediately make the Maghrib prayer. After Maghrib, we hurry to our Iftar meal. It is good to invite Muslims to our homes or come out to the Masjid for Iftar. This builds our Ramadan spirit, our spirit of brotherhood, and our shared faith in G-d. Eating during Ramadan: "We should eat the meal of a poor person during Ramadan. We are not to stuff ourselves and eat the most expensive cuts of meat and luxurious meals in this month." "We should increase in our giving of charity in this month." "We should increase in our good deeds this month. Excerpts from the Adult Teachings of W. D. Muhammad, Ramadan section Let's Not Fall Victim to the Schemes of Shaitan Contributor: Anees S. Fardán In the Health and Wellness Committee, we are basing our activities on Six Components of Wellness: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Occupational, Social, and Spiritual. We know that Allah has created the human being in this physical world and has given us the task to work on our internal make-up to find a balance that will allow us success in the world. "Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change the condition of their own souls/disposition/selves." In one of our previous articles it was shared, "How you see the problem, is the problem!" and I'd like to reiterate this relating to our reaction to the social events that continue to occur and challenge our need for moral balance. We must be firm in our goodness and work hard to enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong. Just because people are engaged in wrong doing, don't mean we have to get emotionally engaged in that wrong. The more energy you put towards a thing the more power you give to that thing. Spending hours going over how bad a situation, person, thing or condition is. Asking the question, "Why?" is detrimental to your soul. Our Imam W. D. Mohammed said we need to, "Correct our perception of the world." At the time he was telling us to stop our focus on racism and its effects on us and develop a focus on business development, changing our mind-sets to building true community life and staying focused on our goals and aspirations. Article Continued on Page 4 3

4 The killing of African Americans by police and those frightened by our presence; homosexuality and the frequent display of their inappropriate behaviors on television; the disrespect of President Obama and the refusal of Congress to work with him; the greater divide between the wealthy, the shrinking middle-class and the poor; the increasing sense of "us against them" that seems to define our present times and increase our fears about people who are different from us. All these perceptions and consequent emotions continue to feed our negativities and force upon us hurts, hatred, anger, despair and other psychologically discouraging attitudes. You gotta ask, "Isn't this one of the schemes of shaitan (satan)?" According to scripture, the job of shaitan is to keep our minds, hearts, base-desires and spirit (the components of the soul) pre-occupied with worldly concerns. The enemy of man wants to keep us so pre-occupied with the negativities of life, that we lose the proper spirit and attitude of service, humility, gratitude, and praise of the Almighty. Our Imam W. D. Mohammed taught us that you don't fight shaitan directly, but through his schemes. We have the Quran, the recorded character of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) as an example of how to apply revelations and a community of people striving to achieve the straight and even path. So, we have to be careful not to fall into the same traps as average Americans or those without faith. It is absolutely critical that we support each other in establishing and maintaining strong community life. To break this down, we have to clearly see the difference between complaining and being a problem-solver. A complainer is a person who can easily see what is wrong with a situation, a person, a thing or a condition. They use most of their energy scrutinizing all that is not right, how unfair things are, and why they believe it's unfair, but put very little effort into taking the responsibility to make the change. They really feel defeated, oppressed or too weak to be able to do anything about it. They blame outside sources for their condition. They see life as a "suffering" and try to cope with it. A problem-solver on the other hand, is a person who is able to S.W.O.T. the situation, person, thing or condition and honestly look at what need to be changed within him/herself to move forward and create progress. To S.W.O.T. is to look at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that are presented in a situation, person, thing or condition; analyze each and share the results in a way that clarifies and takes away the obstacles we are facing. They take responsibility for their condition. They see life as a struggle and embrace it. To do this takes practice and focus, because we have been trained for the most part to just react to things. Reacting is spontaneous, without much thought, instinctual. A problem-solver is focused on using the S.W.O.T. process and is therefore responding and getting long-lasting results. We have the Quran and the life example of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH), so let's work hard at finding peace within and sharing it with those closest to us. Let's work hard not to complain, find fault with or in one another, be engulfed in a spirit of discouragement, despair and hopelessness. Let's rather be a problem-solver, seek solutions in all 6 areas of wellness and embrace a spirit of encouragement, achievement and a strong sense of excellence in ourselves, family and community. We have what it takes to "Remake this World" so let's bring it into reality. Ramadan Recipe: Spinach and Orange Breakfast Smoothie A delicious, protein and fiber packed smoothie that is perfect for suhoor (the morning meal eaten during the Holy Month of Ramadan). Chia seeds are omega 3 and fiber packed and are easily added to any recipe. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups Chobani Greek Yogurt 1 cup baby spinach 2 cups fresh orange juice 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger 2 tablespoons Chia Seeds Directions Using the blender of your choice, mix spinach, Greek yogurt, ginger and orange juice until smooth. Pour into a tall glass. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon Chia seeds over top of each glass. 4

5 The Challenge of Fulfilling Work and Family Responsibilities Contributor: W. Muhsinah Abdullah Today, women all around the world have become active participants in the global workforce. This is also true of talented and astute Muslimahs who possess or are in the process of acquiring the academic and technical skills needed to maintain full or part-time jobs or careers outside the home. In addition to this group are those women who possess the entrepreneurial savvy to establish successful home-based businesses of their own. As believers, these working Muslimahs also understand the importance of marriage and family life and the role it plays, or will play, in their decision to engage in income producing activities inside or outside the home. "And among His signs is this: That He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest, peace of mind in them, and He ordained between you love and mercy. Lo, herein indeed are signs for people who reflect." [Noble Quran 30:21] According to a World Bank report (2013), females make up about percent of the world s labor force. Women in Middle Eastern countries, however, average about half this number due to the legal and social barriers in these areas. Nevertheless, many of them do generate income from home-based businesses in order to augment the family income. The female workforce in Asia, in general, and in some African countries, fare much better in terms of the percentage of women involved in the workforce (according to the latest economic reports) and fall in the upper spectrum of world labor statistics for women. Western countries are closer to the 50 percent range for women in the overall global workforce. The irony is that in many countries there are a higher number of females than males obtaining college degrees, yet fewer participate in the workforce. Considering the amount of time and energy expended in simply maintaining a balanced home and family life, it is admirable that women are also able to engage in full or part-time income-generating activities. In fact, today many women find themselves in this position due to the current economy, financial constraints, a personal desire to pursue a career outside the home, or all of the aformentioned. In fact, almost half the women in the workforce in America are wives and/or mothers. Untold numbers of Muslimahs are among these. Now ten years into retirement, this Muslimah still recalls the sometimes daunting task of juggling the requirements of employment and family life, and having one of these necessities get the short end of the stick. This was not the usual outcome, Alhamdullilah; however, such situations did occur more often than I would have liked, as is the case with many working Muslimahs who also have families and homes to which they are committed. Although Muslimahs regard their dual role of wife and mother as their number one priority in life, Alhamdullilah, and they understand the significance of their charge in ensuring the perpetuation of a strong and balanced ummat, there is no edict or injunction in Islam that forbids a Muslimah from seeking employment outside the home, particularly when it serves the best interest of her family at any given point in time, she and her spouse are in harmony with this decision, and it is in keeping with the prescriptions of Islam, subhanallah. World statistics show that Muslimahs the world over are active participants in the labor force. Let us recall that Khadijah bint Kulaywid (ra) assumed control of her father s business following his death. A wise and respected business woman, her skills and discretion in effecting profitable business transactions and employing the services of numerous skilled agents who bargained on her behalf resulted in her becoming one of the most successful businesspersons among her people at that time. Lady Khadijah (ra) was actively engaged in trade during her previous marriages, as well as after her marriage to Prophet Muhammad (saw). She also had several children at the time and was able to fulfill her parenting and wifely duties while carrying on a profitable business. It is reported that Saudah bint Zam'ah, the second wife of Prophet Muhammad s (saw), also contributed to the economy in her time; she earned a substantive income from her leather works business. A key point regarding married women working outside the home is that a consensus a mutual understanding with one s mate regarding employment outside the home, should be sought as the primary responsibilities of maintaining the home is usually assumed by the mother. If a woman is working prior to marriage or decides to do so afterwards, the ramifications should be explored and agreed upon by the believers beforhand. The spouse and children should also be supportive of a Muslimah who works full or part-time outside the home and earns additional income that benefits the family as a whole. Although Muslim wives are not required to contribute to the family financially, in such situations, good will and the best interest of the whole should be the guiding principle, Alhamdullilah. Men shall have a benefit from what they earn, and women shall have a benefit from what they earn. (4:32) 5

6 The Challenge of Fulfilling Work and Family Responsibilities Article Continued... A thorough discussion with respect to household duties, the care and supervision of the children, and financial responsibilities is essential so everyone has a clear understanding and is in agreement with expectations. Neither spouse wants to feel they have to shoulder an undue amount of the responsibility of maintaining the family, and both spouses have to be flexible enough to work through the inevitable challenges that are bound to occur over time. Whether a Muslimah is generating income from within the home (the computer is a great resource for this) or outside the home, the challenge of maintaining an acceptable degree of order and well-being within the home environment can become quite overwhelming. How can Muslimahs deal with the inherent stress of being a working mother and wife? How does she successfully balance the demands of her vocation while simultaneously meeting the needs of her husband and children? Careful planning is essential whenever we find ourselves with a variety of complex tasks to accomplish in a timely manner. It is imperative that husband and wife are of like mind, in the trenches together, and both committed to working in the best interest of the family as a whole. One Islamic Internet site at ( productivemuslim.com/ ) offered a variety of helpful suggestions. Before listing these, one key factor in maintaining order in the home is to organize, organize, and organize! Brief excerpts from the article follow: 1. Plan Meals Ahead Families can cut down on time by planning and preparing some meals ahead of time, and by making a weekly schedule of meals. 2. Shop Online In this day of technology, to save time and to make shopping more efficient, consider purchasing items for the family online from reliable sources and only buy what is needed. They re often discounted and only take a few days for home delivery. 3. Delegate Tasks - Running a household takes a household! The Prophet Muhammad is the perfect example of how husbands should take an active role in completing the tasks of the home. Narrated by Al-Aswad bin Yazid: I asked 'Aisha "What did the Prophet use to do at home?" She said, "He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan (call for the prayer), he would go out."[sahih Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 64, Number 276] This hadith clearly shows that a male helping his wife in the house is not an unnatural thing. Although a majority of the responsibility falls on the mother, know that a team effort from everyone will make life more manageable for all. 4. Make Prayer a Priority- Whatever your schedule is, make sure prayer is a priority. If the time of prayer has started when you get home from work, then pray first before starting your household chores. [Prayer inclines our heart toward what is right and renews us physically and mentally.] 5. Schedule Time for Yourself - In the midst of it all, it is very easy to forget to schedule time for one s self. This includes getting adequate sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, fitting in time for light exercise (like walking) and unwinding with a hobby or simply reading a book. [You can t provide water if your own bucket is empty!] 6. Limit Screen Time - Unfortunately, it is all too easy to waste precious minutes and hours watching TV or scrolling on your PC, tablet, or cellphone. It really is crucial to utilize that time wisely, given that we don t have a lot of down time. 7. Find Reliable Childcare - Finding backup childcare in advance is key for every working Muslimah. Enlist the help of another Muslimah or family member who lives close by. This is helpful even if you work in the home as you may need a backup plan at short notice. 8. Stay in Touch With Other Mothers- Having good companionship is extremely important. Get to know other Muslimahs in the community, particularly those in or near your area. This provides an opportunity to share ideas about common parenting issues. There is no other person who will understand you better [or provide more helpful tips] than another Muslim mother who has been, or is going through, the same situation. 9. Make Good Use of leave Time - It is very easy to over -work yourself. Thus, it is essential to take a break from work in an effort to rejuvenate yourself. If you work outside the home, make sure to utilize your leave time wisely. Schedule days off to get the most consecutive days off possible. 10. Set Realistic Goals - Finally, the key to any aspect of productivity is to keep your life simple; aim high, but don t over-book yourself and realise that sometimes you won t do a perfect job. But that s okay! Learn to let go of perfection: your house will not always be clean and you may not always be on time for appointments. You don t have to feel guilty about these things at all; you have a lot going on and you should give yourself some credit you re doing the best you can! 6

7 RAMADAN SESSIONS 2015 WHEN July 3-5, 2015 Featuring: Imam Yahya Abdullah Imam Qasim Ahmed Imam Hatim Hamidullah WHERE Masjid Al-Mu minun 1127 Hank Aaron DR SW, Atlanta, GA SUBJECT: The Qur an: Man s Evolution and His Continual Advancement PRICE: FREE! All are welcome to attend and bring a friend. For more information contact Kasib Mateen (404) TIMES: Friday July 3: Jumah at 1:45 pm 5:30 pm Maghrib SaturdayJuly 4: 11:00 am Maghrib Sunday July 5: 11:00 am Maghrib

8 Organic Medjool Dates Are Here! ORDER YOUR ORGANIC MEDJOOL DATES FROM MASJID AL-MU MINUN The Ultimate Energy Food for Ramadan. Dates have a special significance in Muslim culture and tradition. There is a limited amount of dates available at the Masjid. The organic dates are packaged in 11 lb cases, priced at $ They also come in 32 oz. containers at $10 and 16 oz. containers at $5. The quality (amount of dates per case) is large enough for two small families. Which gives you an option of splitting an order. May Allah continue to bless our efforts. CONTACT PERSON: AHMED NAJEE-ULLAH ANTHONY KHALID Muslims customarily break fast with a date. Referenced many times in Al Qur'an, date palms are said to have sheltered and sustained Mary while she was giving birth to Jesus (A.S.), and dates formed the basis of the diet of the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his companions (RA). The Medjool date is rich in both vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A, A1, C, B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6. It also is rich in magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, protein and fiber. Ramadan Mubarak!

9 Daily All five daily Salat (Prayers) Every Friday Jumuah Prayer at 1:45PM STREAMING rg Every Sunday 8:30AM - Beginning Arabic Class 10:00AM - Tajweed Arabic Class Imam Furqan Muhammad, Assistant Imams Muhammad A. Harisuddin, Muttaqi Ismail, Dawud Mahdi, Kasib Mateen, Jesse Sabir, Tajiddin Ahmed, MASJID LEADERSHIP Board of Trustees Ahmed Najee-ullah, Masjid Treasurer Gaidi Reese, Secretary of Board Position vacant Members Tajiddin Ahmed, Muttaqi Ismael, Angela Brown, MASJID COMMITTEES Anees Fardan Health & Wellness aneesfardan@gmail.com Abdullah Akbar Dawah dawahabdullah@yahoo.com Anthony Shabazz Hospitality & Security anthonysndrs716@gmail.com Zakiyyah Ahmed The Voice of Mother zakiyyahahmed@yahoo.com Kasib Mateen Fundraising kasibibn@gmail.com Kasib Mateen Education kasibibn@gmail.com Angelina Dixon Girl Scouts & Event Coordinator ali.angelina@gmail.com 1127 HANK AARON DRIVE, SW ATLANTA, GA Masjid Events Every Sunday Project S.M.I.L.E 11:30a-3p For children of all ages Community Brunch 9a-2p All are welcome! Are you interested in submitting a newsletter announcement? your information to masjidnewsletter@gmail.com 8