M A S J I D U M A R B I N K H A T T A B-

Transcription

1 M A S J I D U M A R B I N K H A T T A B- Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM June 2012 Newsletter I S L A M I C A S S O C I A T I O N O F MI N E W S L E T T E R July-August 2012 / Ramadan Volume 2 Issue 3 Address: Racho Road, Brownstown, MI, // Phone: Website: // box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org. Message from the Masjid board Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, we pray that all of us have the opportunity to take advantage of the special blessings found only in this month with good health, patience and strength. Ameen. This is a month of patience, a month of forgiveness, and a month to gain Allah s pleasure through increasing our devotion/sincerity in prayers, Quran recitations, Zikr and remembrance of Allah, restraining ourselves from sinful and wasteful activities, and increasing our charitable actions and service to human-kind. Alhamdulillah, the Masjid expansion is on schedule. We would like to thank all the volunteers and community members that took part in the recent Masjid fundraiser highlighted by Brother Junaid Jamshed. Your efforts are very much appreciated and Insha Allah you will gain the blessings in this life and here-after. AMEEN. The Masjid needs approximately $400,000 to complete this historic expansion. For those that have not paid their pledges, please fulfill any outstanding amounts during Ramadan. Please continue to be generous as Ramadan approaches and fund this expansion to completion. This is a great opportunity to share in the blessings of all the Masjid s activities. Insha Allah, the Masjid will hold special events throughout the month of Ramadan and we ask that the community joins in these activities. Our website and list are easy ways to find out about events at the Masjid. Website: Jazak Allah Khair. Board of Directors, Masjid Umar bin Khattab/Islamic Association of Michigan. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Board Message I Overview of Ramadan 2-3 Imam s Corner 4 Masjid Update 5 Youth s Perspective 6 Community News 7 Kids Page 8-9 Ramadan articles Masjid Contact Info 14 July Prayer Schedule 15 Hadiths of the month: The Messenger (SAW) said, Whoever builds a Masjid for the Sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise. (Sahih Al-Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Majestic and the Exalted said All actions a human being does are for himself except fasting. It is done for my sake so I will give a reward for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied 10 times. (Bukhari & Muslim) Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Sahih Al-Bukhari) It is reported that The Prophet (SAW) was naturally the most generous of people and he used to be more generous than ever in the month of Ramadan. (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

2 Page 2 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Overview of Ramadan We observe Ramadan every year. Do we also listen to it? Ramadan is the most important month of our calendar. It is a tremendous gift from Allah in so many ways. In our current state of being down and out, it can uplift us, empower us, and turn around our situation individually and collectively. It is the spring season for the garden of Islam when dry grass can come back to life and flowers bloom. But these benefits are not promised for lifeless and thoughtless rituals alone. They will be ours if our actions are informed by the message of Ramadan. Today the message of Ramadan tends to get drowned out by much louder voices of the pop culture that have an opposite message. We have become so accustomed to them that many of us remain enslaved to them even during Ramadan. The most important message of Ramadan is that we are not just body. We are body and soul, but what determines our value as human beings is the soul and not the body. During Ramadan we deprive the body to uplift the soul. This is all simple and familiar. But we can understand its significance if we remember that the message of the materialistic hedonistic global pop culture that has engulfed every Muslim land today just like the rest of the world is exactly the opposite. It says that body is everything. That the materialistic world is all that counts. That the greatest happiness if not virtue is in filling the appetites of the body. This message produces endless appetites and consequently endless wars to fill those endless appetites through endless exploitation. It produces endless frustrations since the gap between desires and achievements can never be filled. It produces endless chaos and endless oppression. Yet this trash comes in such beautiful and enticing packages that we can hardly resist it. We equate this slavery with freedom. We consider this march to disaster as progress. And with every movement, we get further and deeper into the mire. The message of the materialistic hedonistic global pop culture that has engulfed every Muslim land today is exactly the opposite of the message of Ramadan. Ramadan is here to liberate us from all this. Here is a powerful message that it is soul over body. Take a break from the pop culture. Turn off the music and TV. Say goodbye to the endless and futile pursuit of happiness in sensory pleasures. Rediscover your inner self that has been buried deep under it. Reorient yourself. Devote your time to the reading of the Qur an, to voluntary worship, to prayers and conversations with Allah. Reflect on the direction of your life and your priorities. Reflect on and strengthen your relationship with your Creator. On the last day of Sha ban, Prophet Muhammad Sallallâhu alayhi wasallam, gave a Khutbah about the upcoming month of Ramadan. It is a very important Khutbah that we should carefully read before every Ramadan to prepare ourselves mentally for the sacred month. It begins: Oh people! A great month is coming to you. A blessed month. A month in which there is one night that is better than a thousand months. A month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer to Allah by performing any of the voluntary good deeds in this month shall receive the same reward as is there for performing an obligatory deed at any other time. And whoever discharges an obligatory deed in this month shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of Sabr (patience), and the reward for sabr is Heaven. It is the month of kindness and charity. It is a month in which a believer s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without the latter s reward being diminished at all. Continued on next page -

3 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 3 - Continued from previous page The hadith continues and contains many other very important messages. However let us take the time to highlight two of the statements contained above. First, that Ramadan is the month of Sabr. The English translation is patience but that word has a very narrow meaning compared to sabr. Sabr means not only patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties, it also means being steadfast in avoiding sin in the face of temptations and being persistent in performing virtues when that is not easy. Overcoming hunger and thirst during fasting is part of it. But protecting our eyes, ears, minds, tongues, and hands, etc. from all sins is also part of it. So is being persistent in doing good deeds as much as possible despite external or internal obstacles. Ramadan requires sabr in its fullest sense and provides a training ground for that very important quality to be developed and nurtured. Here is a recipe for the complete overhaul of our life, not just a small adjustment in meal times. The highest point of Ramadan is itikaf, an act of worship in which a person secludes himself in a masjid to devote his time entirely to worshipping and remembering Allah. Some in every Muslim community must take a break and go to the masjid for the entire last ten days of Ramadan. Others should imbibe the spirit and do whatever they can. But we must differentiate between worldly pleasures and worldly responsibilities. We take a break from the former and not the latter. Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Abbas, Radi-Allahu unhu, was performing itikaf, when a person came and sat down silently. Sensing his distressed condition Ibn Abbas enquired about his situation, learnt that he needed help, and proceeded to leave the masjid to go out and help him. Now this action does nullify the itikaf, making a makeup obligatory. So the person, though grateful, was curious. Explaining his action, Ibn Abbas related a hadith that when a person makes efforts to help his brother, he earns the reward for performing itikaf for ten years. This brings us to the second statement to consider: that Ramadan is the month of kindness and charity. With those in distress in the millions in the world today, the need for remembering this message of Ramadan cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, today another scene seems to be dominant in some parts of the Muslim world. Here Ramadan is the month of celebrations, shopping, fancy iftars at posh restaurants, entertainment and gossip. People stay up at night but not for worship; they while away that time watching TV or wandering in the bazaar. Ramadan here is more a month of feasting than fasting. No one can take away our Ramadan from us; we just give it away ourselves. And if we realize the utter blunder we have made, we can take it back.

4 Page 4 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Imam s Corner: by Mufti Nayef Patel - Commonly asked Ramadan Questions In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful, Q: Is taking a meal before commencing a fast (suhur) necessary in order for a fast to be valid? A: No, Suhur is not necessary. However, it is a virtuous act of Sunnah that should not be missed unnecessarily. Q: What time does Suhur begin? A: One can take Suhur any time after midnight, but it is more advisable to take it in the latter hours of the night, preferably just before the break of true dawn (al-fajr al-sadiq). Q: Is an intention for fasting necessary and when should one make the intention (niyyah) for the fast of Ramadhan? A: The intention for fasting is necessary but very simple: It is to know in your heart that you will fast that day. It is valid to have this intention any time from Maghrib the night before up to the Islamic midday of the actual day of fasting, for current Ramadhan fasts and voluntary fasts. The Islamic midday is half way between the beginning of Fajr and Maghrib times. (al-fatawa al-hindiyya) Q: What is the difference between a Qadha and Kaffara? A: Qadha (makeup) means to keep another fast in order to make up for the fast which was invalidated, whilst Kaffara (expiation) means to perform an act to expatiate the sin of having broken a fast. Q: In what way is a Kaffara fulfilled? A: A Kaffara may be given in the following two ways: 1) Fasting for two months consecutively without missing a single fast, 2) Feeding sixty poor people. It should be remembered that if one has the ability to fast then one cannot adopt the second method; rather, one will have to fast for sixty days continuously. Q: Does an injection invalidate one s fast? A: No, it does not invalidate one s fast, although it is better to avoid taking injections whilst fasting unnecessarily. Q: Does taking out blood or a blood test invalidate one s fast? A: No, a blood test does not invalidate the fast, as it is merely the taking out of blood. However, it will be disliked if it could weaken one from being able to maintain the fast. Q: Does smoking invalidate one s fast? A: Yes, it does invalidate one s fast. (Ramadhan is a good time to quit smoking). Q: Is it allowed to use an Asthma Pump during the Fast? A: If one has a genuine medical need for an asthma pump that cannot be otherwise fulfilled, then it would be permitted to use it. However, it would break the fast and require that the fast be made up later (Qadha). This is because anything that has a perceptible body breaks the fast if it enters the body through a normal channel. Q: Can one fast whilst travelling? A: Yes, one may fast while travelling. However one should not burden oneself if the journey is long and difficult, for in such situations it is advisable not to fast. Q: Does one have to perform the Qadha fasts immediately after Ramadhan? A: No, however it is recommended to complete the missed fasts of Ramadhan as soon as possible. Q: When can a sick person break his/her fast on the opinion of a doctor? A: When a competent Muslim doctor says that if he/she continues fasting, it will bring danger to his/her life or severely affect the health, then in such a situation it will be permitted to break one s fast. One will not be liable for a Kaffara but will only have to make up for the fast (Qadha).

5 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 5 Masjid Update & News Masjid Expansion Update Architect Rendition Alhamdulillah, Phase 1 & 2 of the expansion project (excavation, foundation, underground plumbing, outer shell, roof foundation, etc) has been successfully completed. The next phase which has begun will need $400,000 to complete the project. Insha Allah, if we receive these funds, this phase will be completed by end of summer These projects will need continuous funding. With Ramadan approaching, this is a great time to donate. It is reported from Sahih Al-Bukhari, The Prophet (SAW) was naturally the most generous of people and he used to be more generous than ever in the month of Ramadan. Actual as of 5/16/12 outer shell Donate to the masjid to assist with regular operations, land purchse, expansion, or special programs: Donate to the masjid on a monthly basis by: 1. Check-o-matic donations. 2. Setting up online payment via the bank. 3. Donate using Google checkout, through our masjid website: Insha Allah, we hope that every single community member will consider setting up monthly donations to the masjid via one of the methods noted above. Please direct any questions to Br.Safder Khan, Treasurer (mskhan2000@gmail.com) or to the masjid box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org. Actual as of 5/16/12 inner shell If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to: Islamic Association of Michigan, Racho Road, Brownstown, MI,

6 Page 6 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Youth s Perspective Strategies to Train Kids this Ramadan BY: SHEHNAZ TOORAWA (EDITED FROM SOUNDVISION.COM) The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) reported to have said "No father has given a greater gift to his children than good moral training." (Tirmidhi) The many aspects of Ramadan - fasting, prayers, moral values, charity, Quran, family, Eid-- provide a valuable opportunity to train kids. Here are some training tips to transform your children's minds and memories this Ramadan: 1. Let them get their Hands Dirty 2. Involve their Emotions 3. Reveal the Purpose 4. Highlight the Big Ideas 5. Let them Lead! 6. Get Excited! 7. Combine Love with Learning Children learn by "doing". The Prophet used to take his daughter Fatima with him when he went for prayer at the Kaba in Makkah. Later, in Madinah, he would bring his grandchildren, Hassan and Hussain, to the Masjid as toddlers. When children get emotionally involved in an activity, they rarely want to leave it. Before you begin any lesson, explain exactly why you are doing the activity and what benefits the children will gain from it. Focus on the big ideas, such as the awareness that Allah is watching us, that we get our rulings from the Quran and the Sunnah, that prayer is a means of self-purification, etc. Children often take responsibilities more seriously than adults. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed young adults like Ali, Anas and Usamah ibn Zaid, young adults, for important assignments that sometimes required them to lead even older and more experienced Companions. Experience often trains better than instruction. Abu Huraira reported that al-aqra' b. Habis saw the Prophet (SAW), kissing Hasan (his grandson). He said: I have ten children, but I have never kissed any one of them, whereupon Allah's Messenger (SAW) said: He who does not show mercy, no mercy would be shown to him. (Muslim) Kids catch on to your enthusiasm. Make this Ramadan the beginning of a memorable and longlasting training experience for you and your children! KIDS ARE US By Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Mehboob As indicated in the important Hadeeth (Sahih -Al Bukhari and Tirmizi), narrated by Kaab bin Ujrah (R.A), we are told that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) told an Asahab to come close to the pulpit. The Asahab followed the orders. When the Prophet (SAW) ascended the first step, he said Ameen., when he ascended the second step, he said Ameen, when he ascended the third step, he said Ameen. The Asahab stated that we have never heard anything like this before. Prophet (SAW) told them when he was on the first step, Jibrail came to him and said Despair upon him who found the blessed month of Ramadan and did not find forgiveness. Upon that, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said Ameen. When he was on the second step, Jibrail said Despair upon him who does not say Durood upon hearing your (Prophet Muhammad) name. Again, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said Ameen. When he was on the third step, Jibrail said Despair upon him whose parents obtain old age and (due to failure to serve them), he is unable to enter Jannah. Again, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, Ameen. We should take this valuable lesson and teach our children that the month of Ramadan is for forgiveness and prayers. During this month, we should do everything possible to fulfill our prayers and seek forgiveness. We should recite the name of Prophet Muhammad, just like Allah (SWT) and his angels do. Finally, if you are lucky to have living parents, respect, honor and love them and teach your children to do the same.

7 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 7 Bulletin Board / Community News Daily Schedule: After Fajr & Isha prayer: Imam reads Hadith After Magrib prayer: Taleem (10-15 minutes) Weekly Schedule: Monday-Thursday: Kid Quran Classes (1 st ) 4:30pm-5:45pm and (2 nd ) 5:45pm-7:30pm Tuesdays: Muslim visitations (Joula & Bayyan) Saturdays: Quran Tafsir Maulana Qari Ilyas after Zhur (Urdu). Sundays: Quran Tafsir - Mufti Patel after Zhur (English) Educational Programs in the Masjid: 1. Children's Quran classes conducted by Mufti Patel. 2. Full time Hifz program for boys. 3. Hifz and Nazira program for girls and women. 4. Boys after school hifz program. 5. Full time and part-time Alim program for students in high school and above. 6. Arabic classes for adults, conducted by Mufti Patel. PLEASE SEE MUFTI PATEL OR BR.SHAKEEL FOR DETAILS. Upcoming Special Events: July 28: Iftar sponsored by the Bangladeshi Muslim community. Sponsors welcome for other Saturdays/Sundays in Ramadan. Please check the masjid / website / bulletin board for any changes to the events listed above. If you would like to inform the community of any special news or events, such as matrimonial, births, condolences, achievements, degrees, promotions, etc Please send an to: box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org *** To advertise in the newsletter or questions about ads, please box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org ***

8 Page 8 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter KIDS Page Cross-word puzzle Newsletter Youth Quiz & Prizes The first individual to get the correct answers will receive a dollar gift card. The winner will be announced on our website and in the next newsletter. Rules for the quiz: 1. No one is allowed to ask the Imam for answers. 2. Age group: less than Restrict to one winner per family/year. 4. Send answers to: box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org. LAST NEWSLETTER WINNER(S): Sabit Islam!!

9 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 9 Ramadan reward chart for the kids

10 Page 10 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Virtues of Ramadan reprinted from FAZA'IL-E-A'MAAL 1. Abu Hurayrah relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said, "My Ummah were given five things for Ramadan which were not given to anyone except them. For them, the smell from the mouth of a fasting person is more sweeter to Allah than the fragrant smell of musk. On their behalf the fish in the sea seek forgiveness for the fasting persons until they break their fast. Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday and then says (to it), "The time is near when faithful servants shall cast aside the great trials of the world and come to you". In this month (for them) evil-minded Shaytaan is chained so as not to reach unto those evils to which they normally reach during other months besides Ramadan. On the last night of Ramadan they are forgiven". The Sahaabah R.A. thereupon enquired, "0 Messenger of Allah, is that last night Laylatul Qadr? Rasulullah (SAW) replied, "No. But it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his service". Reported by Ahmad, Bazzaar and Bayhaqi Laylatul Qadr Amongst the nights of Ramadan there is one called Laylatul Qadr a night that is noted for its great blessings. The Qur aan Kareem describes it as being greater in blessedness and spiritual virtue than a thousand months which in turn means that it is greater than eighty three years and four months. Fortunate indeed is that person who attains the full blessings of this night by spending it in ibaadah of Allah, because he has then attained reward for ibaadah of eighty three years and four months and even more. Indeed the granting of this night to the faithful Muslim is a great favour. 2. Abu Hurayrah reports Rasulullah S.W. said, Whoever stands in prayer and ibaadah on the night of Power with sincere faith and with sincere hope of gaining reward, his previous sins are forgiven Reported in Al Targheeb from Bukhari and Muslim. 3. Anas reports, Once when Ramadan commenced, the Messenger of Allah said, A month has verily dawned over you wherein lies a night better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its blessings has indeed deprived of (almost) all good. And none is deprived of its good except he who is completely unfortunate. 4. Aa ishah radhial-laahu an-haa reports that Rasulullah (SAW) said, Seek Laylatul Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. Reported in Miskaat. Sunnat- Itikaaf (Seclusion in the Masjid during Ramadan) It used to be the general practice of Rasulullah (SAW) to perform Itikaaf in Ramadan. At times he remained in the masjid for the whole month and during the last year of his life he was in Itikaaf for twenty days. Because he always secluded himself in the masjid for the last ten days, the ulama consider it sunnah mu akkadah to perform Itikaaf for that period. From the above it can be deduced that the major object behind Itikaaf was to search for Laylatul Qadr. What better manner can there be than to be in Itikaaf, because one is considered to be in ibaadah all the time, whether one is awake or asleep. Furthermore, one in Itikaaf is free from all daily tasks and thus has all the time to devote to zikrullah, (the remembrance of Allah) and meditation, throughout Ramadan. Rasulullah (SAW) exerted himself to increase his ibaadah and when the last ten days came along, he had no limit in exerting himself. He himself remained awake throughout the night and awakened his family for the same purpose.

11 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 11 3 Grades for Fasting Excerpt from Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam Abu Hamid al-ghazali It should be known that there are three grades of Fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special. 1. Ordinary Fasting means abstaining only from food and drink. 2. Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet, + all other organs, free from sin. This is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment: I. SEE NOT WHAT DISPLEASES GOD: A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be God's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of God will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart.' Jabir relates from Anas that God's Messenger, on him be peace, said: 'five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze.' II. III. IV. SPEAK NOT...: Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making it observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of God, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. The Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, I am Fasting!"' HEAR NOT...: Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: 'The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin.' DO NOT...Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast -- to abstain from lawful food - only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: 'How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!' This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. V. AVOID OVEREATING: Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one's belly. The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces which are Satan's means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined VI. LOOK TO GOD WITH FEAR AND HOPE: After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with God, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship. 3. Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but God, Great and Glorious is He. To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of God.

12 Page 12 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Ramadan and its Virtues Allah Ta ala says in the Holy Quran, Ramadan is the month in which we revealed the Quran as a guide to mankind. (Al Baqarah) The Prophet (SAW) said, There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Rayyaan and those who observe fasting will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. (Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) said, If someone draws near to Allah Ta ala during Ramadan with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month and he who fulfils an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfils seventy obligatory duties in another month. (Tirmidhi) The Prophet (SAW) said that Allah the Majestic and the Exalted said All actions a human being does are for himself except fasting. It is done for my sake so I will give a reward for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied 10 times. (Bukhari & Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained. (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, Every servant of Allah who observes fast for a day in the way of Allah, for every day that he kept a fast Allah will distance his face the Fire of Hell to the extent of seventy years. (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)" (Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) said, "If somebody eats something forgetfully while he is fasting, then he should complete his fast, for Allah has made him eat and drink." (Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever observes night prayer in Ramadan as an expression of his faith and to seek reward from Allah, his previous sins will be blotted out. (Bukhari) It is reported that The Prophet (SAW) was naturally the most generous of people and he used to be more generous than ever in the month of Ramadan. (Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) said This is the month of charity in which a believer s sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds a fasting person or gives a fasting person a single date or a sip of water, to break the fast, for him there shall be forgiveness of his sins and he will be saved from the fire of hell, and for him shall be the same reward as the fasting person. (Tirmidhi) The Prophet (SAW) said, Eat a little before dawn (Sehri) as there is blessings in taking meal at that time. (Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten in breaking the fast (Iftaar). (Bukhari & Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates, but if he cannot get any, then with water, for water is purifying. (Abu Dawud) The Prophet (SAW) said, The breath of the observer of fast is sweeter to Allah (SWT) than the fragrance of musk. (Bukhari & Muslim) The Prophet (SAW) said, There are three whose supplication is not rejected, one who has just ended a fast, a just imam, and one who has been wronged whose supplication is raised by Allah above the clouds and for which the gates of Heaven are opened. Allah says, 'I swear by my might that I shall certainly help you, though it be after some time.'" (Tirmidhi) Allah Ta ala says in the Holy Qur an (97:3), The night of power is better than a thousand months".

13 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 13 Support our Advertisers Let them know you seen the ad in the Masjid newsletter. Eye Surgeons Associates, P.C. M. Hanif Peracha, M.D. Meiraj A. Siddiqui, M.D. Comprehensive Eye Care Center of Excellence (734) K's Optical Eye Glasses Service (734) North Monroe Street Monroe, MI Shish Garden Downriver's Premier Halal Mediterranean Restaurant Open 7 days a week Dine In/ Carry Out/ Catering Available Located across from Meijers -Woodhaven Phone: Fax: *** To advertise in the newsletter or questions about ads, please box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org *** *** To advertise in the newsletter or questions about ads, please box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org ***

14 Page 14 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Masjid s Contact Info Masjid Board Member s (Elected) Contact Info President: Br.Shakeel Munawar Vice President: Br. Khurshid Bhatti Secretary: Br. Nazir Ahmed Treasurer: Br. M. Safdar Khan Masjid Board Member s (General Members) Contact info Br. Ibrahim Shareef Dr. M. Iqbal Mehboob Br. Muhammad Siraj ul Haq Br. Tahir Khan Br. Tariq Khan Masjid Trustee s Br. Iftikhar Iqbal, Br. Muzammil Hayat Malik, Dr. A.K.Mussani, Dr. Hanif Peracha and Dr. Rafiq Newsletter & Advertisement Contacts: Br. Nazir: or box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org Subscription: Free Submit request for new subscription, cancellations and/or address changes to Br. Nazir: or box@masjidumarbinkhattab.org Advertisement Rates 1/4 Page: $ 50 / issue, 1/2 Page: $ 100 / issue, Full Page: $ 200 / issue Make check payable to (Mail or drop-off at): Islamic Association of Michigan Racho Road, Brownstown, MI: Masjid Committees: Names in Bold are head of the committee. Zakat Committee Br. Ishfaq Peracha, Dr. Anwar, Br. Iftikhar Iqbal, Dr. Mehboob, Mufti Patel, Br.Shakeel Youth Committee Mufti Patel, Br. Mohammed Zia Ur Rahman, Br. Ghulam Mohideen, Br.Uzair Virk, Br.Aurangazeb, Br.Mobeen, Br.Tahir Advertisement Disclaimer: Masjid Umar bin Khattab (MUBK)/Islamic Association of Michigan (IAM), its Board of Directors, members and its designees do not accept any responsibility for the content of the ads or its accuracy. Religious Affairs Committee Newsletter committee Maintenance Committee Community Outreach Pledge committee Education Committee Expansion Committee Mufti Patel, Br.Nizam Khan, Hafiz Osama, Br.Shakeel Br. Nazir, Hafiz Osama, Mufti Patel, Br.Tahir, Br.Tariq Br.Khurshid, Br.Nazir, Br.Safdar, Br.Akthar Azhar, Br. Ibrahim Shareef Ubaidullah Ahmed, Dr. Mehboob, Br. Mohammed Siraj ul Haq, Ibrahim Shareef Dr. Mussani, Br. Shakeel, Br.Khurshid, Br. Mubeen, Br. Tariq, Br.Ishfaq Peracha, Br.Naseeruddin Br.Shakeel, Mufti Patel, Dr. Muqtada Hussain, Dr. Junaid Ghadai, Dr. Mehboob, Br. Nazir, Br. Tariq Khan Dr. Rafiq, Br.Shakeel, Br. Asif, Br. Iqbal Mehboob, Br. Khurshid While every effort will be made to publish the ads as accepted by MUBK/IAM, changes may be made to make the ad conform to the newsletter/ web page. The advertiser agrees to this condition as part of publishing their ad with MUBK/IAM newsletter. No guarantees, expressed or implied are made to the advertiser, about favorable outcomes due to the publication of their ad in the MUBK/IAM newsletter. Masjid Policies: The masjid website has information on privacy policy, announcement policy, guest khutbah policy,volunteer use policy and table tennis table usage policy. Community members are requested to review and become familiar with these policies that have been developed for the smooth operation of the masjid. The Islamic Association of Michigan (IAM) constitution is also available on the masjid website. This information is available under the 'Masjid' link of our website

15 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter Page 15 JULY 2012 Prayer Schedule Please check Masjid or Website for exact Ramadan timings

16 Page 16 Masjid Umar Bin Khattab-IAM July 2012 Newsletter We re on the Web! Visit us at: Website: Islamic Association of Michigan / Masjid Umar bin Khattab Racho Road, Brownstown, MI, Non Profit org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit number 121 Wyandotte, MI. Name Street Address City, ST ZIP Code