Awakening of the Heart

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Awakening of the Heart"

Percival Oliver
5 years ago
Views:

1 January 24, 2014 Rabi Al-Awaal 23, 1435 MCA NEWSLETTER Muslim Community Association of the San Francisco Bay Area Fajr Duhr Asr Maghrib Ishaa Jumua Jumua Effective 01/25 MCA 6:30 12:40 3:30 Sunset 8:00 12:15 1:30 Masjid An-noor 6:30 12:40 4:00 Sunset 7:15 12:15 1:30 Upcoming Events: SVA Open House TONIGHT see page 5 The Art of Coaching January 25 see page 3 Sadaqah Slam January 25 see page 2 GIS Open House January 31 see page 3 Some people asked Allah s Messenger (saw), Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)? He replied, One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands. (Bukhari) Awakening of the Heart Yes, your physical heart beats. Yes, it is keeping you alive, physically. Yes, it is pumping blood without you ever having to remind it to do so but is that all? What about spiritually? Is your heart spiritually beating? Is your heart keeping your connection with God alive? Is it pumping the spiritual motivation that you need to get through your daily life without falling to pieces without breaking every moral fiber within your being? It is important to ask these questions, because if not, then life will have no meaning no fruit and not a moment of peace. Maybe you remember a time when it was fully alive and thriving. You could feel it pumping the essential life juices from your spiritual heart through your veins and straight to your limbs, making the good deeds easy and making desires easily avoidable. But maybe not. Maybe you do not ever remember it being alive. But you have craved it. You wish that you could feel it, that it would start pumping, beating, so that the emptiness inside you could finally fade away. You wish that it would start working, like you know it should, so that these useless desires that you know you should not be chasing will not seem so, enticing. You just want it to keep you alive. Either way, it is possible. Either way, it is essential. And the fact that you even want it to is a sign, in and of itself, that God wants you to be awakened. He wants you to come back to Him. And how amazing is it to feel that the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth wants you, specifically. Think about it for a moment, let it sink in. The purpose of the heart, is to love, so the most essential step in Reehab Ramadan Suhaibwebb.com bringing it back to life, is to allow it love. Someone once asked me if we can teach our heart to love. The truth is, no we can not. But as Rumi, a poet, once said: Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. Whether we realize it or not, we have all built barriers around the walls of our heart. They may be walls that have accidentally been placed there, over time without our realizing. But sometimes these are intentional walls, which we have built up to protect ourselves from what we conceive to be potential harm. Whatever it may be, we must find out what walls stand between us and embracing the beautiful Love of God that our heart craves and needs. You may be thinking, Well tell me, what are the walls that surround my heart that are preventing me from this love? And I wish I could answer you clearly and precisely. But the thing is, it is your heart. No one knows your heart like you do well no one except God. You must realize that it is essential to get to know yourself. If you know your heart you will know yourself and if you know yourself you will begin to know God. I will not leave you completely clueless. There are numerous barriers that may be there in your heart, but I will name a few to get you started while thinking about yourself. These are not comprehensive, rather simply a spark to ignite the fires of your thought. 1. Arrogance: Only the humble can know God, as they realize that He is everything and they are nothing without Him. When the heart has arrogance, even just a little, this begins to serve as a barrier between His Love and His Light. Humble yourself for God, and He will raise you. 2. Anger: Anger, for other than the sake of God, hardens the heart. It consumes the heart and rids it of the opportunity to feel happiness and love. It prevents the Light of God from flowing in. If you are an angry person angry at people, or at the world in general, get to know that anger. Figure out where it comes from and why it is there, and find a way to rid yourself from it. 3. Ignorance of God: This is a bg one. If you do not know God, how do you expect to love Him? And I do not mean being able to recite 99 of His magnificent names in a song. I mean, know what these names refer to in Him and how that affects us. Specifically, how they affect YOU. If you love a human being, be it an actress/actor, a romantic partner, or any other person you spend time getting to know them. And most of the time, the more you know them, the more you love them. It can sometimes even become an obsession. What then of God? Shouldn t we get to know Him so that the walls of our ignorance that surround our heart begin to crumble and His love is allowed to flow through? Strive to awaken the heart of your spirit and in turn awaken meaning to life. When the heart begins to thrive, doing good deeds become easy, and desires become unattractive and even disgusting. Do not give up on yourself, because God has not. And know that even in this state, you are beloved to God and He wants you close. Imam Al-Shaadhili once said: If you were to open the heart of the disobedient believer, its light would blind the universe. What then of the obedient believer?

2 2

Granada Islamic School Open House Dates: Friday, January 31 & February 21 8:30 am-11:30 am Location: 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95054 More At: www.

You can find out what makes our program unique, tour our facility and classrooms, and get information about our financial aid options.

3 Granada Islamic School Open House Dates: Friday, January 31 & February 21 8:30 am-11:30 am Location: 3003 Scott Blvd., Santa Clara, CA More At: You are invited to attend Granada s Open Houses and learn about about Pre-K, K and elementary grades 1-8 programs. You can find out what makes our program unique, tour our facility and classrooms, and get information about our financial aid options. The Art of Coaching Learn the art of coaching including some coaching techniques, coaching exercise, active listening and more! Saturday January 25, 2014 Maryam Hall at 1:45pm with Dr. Ali Aiyed., PMP 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 WINTER QUARTER 2014 ARABIC & ISLAMIC SCIENCES (January 12-March 18) Note: All timings will change due to daylight savings time or changes in prayer timings. All courses are both online and onsite. (All times are Pacific Time) Courses Offered at MCA, Santa Clara, CA, Fitness Room SUNDAYS Arabic 6B (online & onsite) o Arabic Grammar and Balaaghah. o Prerequisite: Good knowledge of Arabic Grammar. o Recommended Texts: the Quran, Selections from the Glorious Quran, Intermediate Modern Standard Arabic, Arabic Rhetoric by Hussein Abdul-Raof. o Time: Sundays 11:30-12:40 (March 9-16: 12:15-1:30) o Fee: $145 Arabic 1C (online & onsite) o This class is an introduction to Arabic grammar. It covers modern standard Arabic and classical Arabic but does not touch upon colloquial Arabic. The goal is mostly to eventually give the student the ability to read and understand directly the Quran, hadith and other important Islamic literature. o Prerequisite: Arabic 1A-1B o Text: Elementary Modern Standard Arabic Volume I by Peter Aboud and others. o Time: Sundays 1:00-2:30 (March 9-16: 2:00-3:30) o Fee: $160 Fiqh of Family Relations (online & onsite) o The bulk of this quarter will be about the rights of and responsibilities towards parents. o Prerequisite: NONE o Recommended Text: None o Time: Sundays 2:35-3:50 (March 9-16: 3:40-5:00) o Fee: $145 Fiqh of Islamic Finance (online & onsite) o Auctions, bankruptcy, wills will be discussed this quarter insha-allah.. o Prerequisite: NONE. o Text: NONE. o Time: Sundays 4:00-5:15 (Feb. 16-March 2: 4:30-5:45; March 9-16: 5:15-6:30) o Fee: $145 Hijrah: Issues related to making Hijrah to or residing in non-muslim Lands (online & onsite) o This quarter plans to tackle the final chapter of March s book and a review of Islam and liberal citi zenship; question of taking citizenship in non-muslim lands. o Prerequisite: NONE o Required Text: Islam and Liberal Citizenship by Andrew March o Time: Sundays 7:00-8:00 (March 9-16: 7:45-8:45) o Fee: $130 Register at 8

9 IONA Santa Clara Chapter Presents THEMES OF THE QURAN Introduction to Quraan (Aqeedah, Tazkiah, Seerat-un_Nabi) ( Sunday) -& - Quranic Meanings, Vocabulary & Grammar through Quran Forty Ahadith (compiled by Imam Nawawi), (Saturday only).. Location: MCA Game Room (MCA located at 3003 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054) Every Saturday 10:30 am 1:15 pm & Every Sunday 9:20am 12:20pm Fall Semester : Weekend after Labor Day to Mid Dec Spring Semester: Weekend after NewYear to Mid June Light snacks with hot tea are served Instructors: Br. Mamadou Ibrahim & Others Contact: Abdul Rehman Markar, am@complus.com Rizwana at ranjumusa@gmail.com Cosponsored by MCA Da'wah MCA & IONA Santa Clara Chapter Present Arabic for Beginners With emphasis on Arabic Grammer Location: MCA-Ibraheem Conf. Room (MCA located at 3003 Scott Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054) Every Sunday 9:30am 11:30pm Fall Semester : Weekend after Labor Day to Mid Dec Spring Semester: Weekend after NewYear to Mid June Light snacks with hot tea are served Instructors: Mohamed Waseem & Nadeem Masood Contact: Abdul Rehman Markar, am@complus.com Rizwana at ranjumusa@gmail.com Cosponsored by MCA Da'wah 9

10 10

GIS High School Vice-Principal Job Opening Minimum Requirements: Educational Leadership Credentials Minimum of 2-3 years of supervisory or leadership experience

Ability to work with staff and students of different cultural backgrounds.

Must be a proficient MS Office user. Fluency in English, with Arabic being a plus. Must be eligible to work in the United States.

11 GIS High School Vice-Principal Job Opening Minimum Requirements: Educational Leadership Credentials Minimum of 2-3 years of supervisory or leadership experience in an Islamic school. High School Experience is a Plus. Prior experience in classroom teaching is a must. Ability to work with staff and students of different cultural backgrounds. Must be self-motivated and able to respond quickly and effectively to changing priorities. Solid written, oral and presentation skills. Must be a proficient MS Office user. Fluency in English, with Arabic being a plus. Must be eligible to work in the United States. Success ful candidate must be able to pass a background check and drug test. GIS Offers: High competitive wages Health Insurance Discount on children s tuition Personal and Sick Days Off Paid National and Islamic Holidays Career Development Reimbursement For more information, please visit Please your resumes to jobs@granadaschool.org 11

QURAN(QMC) *Summer Program* Registration: Open, Early

March 31st Two day program 10 :00am to 1:00pm Mon and wed

from babysitting room in MCA Request registration form by

12 QURAN(QMC) *Summer Program* Registration: Open, Early registration discount 20% off Early registration deadline March 31st Two day program 10 :00am to 1:00pm Mon and wed Tuition: $ 250 June 16th to July 17th Qmc Office is across from babysitting room in MCA Request registration form by qmcbayarea@yahoo.com Quran recitation Memorization Islamic Studies 12

13 13

14 14

15 CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISE WITH US VISIT OUR WEBSITE: MCA, c/o Newsletter, P.O. Box 180, Santa Clara, CA Disclaimer: MCA does not endorse and is not responsible for products and services in the ads section of the MCA newsletter. MCA holds the right to reject or accept ads submitted. No ads dealing with a business deemed to be in conflict with Islamic principles wll be i accepted. DENTISTS/MEDICAL PEDIATRICS Farda Quershi, M.D. Medical Ear Piercing For App. Call: , 500 E. Remington Dr., #15 Sunnyvale Tykeisha Muhusin, DDS General Dentist muhusinfamilydental.com 5150 Graves Ave, Suite 11E, San Jose (408) Open Tuesday-Saturday, 8a-5p Sarah Azad, MD Obstetrics & Gynocology DoctorAzad.com 2490 Hospital Dr. #300 Moutain View, CA Saturday Appoitments Available Syed Dental Care Cosmetic and General Dentist 1150 Scott Blvd Suite A-2 Santa Clara Open! Sunday- Thursday Hesham Amer - Board Certified Orthodontist Professor at the University of the Pacific Braces $ Invisalign $4900 Zero interest payment plans (408) PRODUCTS/SERVICES Weekend Nanny Needed Looking for a Nanny to watch kids during weekends in Palo Alto. Need someone who is English speaking and has a car/can drive as needed. Please contact for more information. KEBAB HOUSE Pakistani restaurant. Delicious, fresh food. Lunch buffet, Dinner from the menu Clear lake Ave, Milpitas, CA /2882 We do Caterings! Medical Biller/ Certified Coder Wanted Administrative Assistant Wanted Preferably women with experience Contact hajeraali@gmail.com Looking for weekend babysitter in Santa Clara for 4 & 7 yr old, Arabic speaking preferred DESIGNER PERFUME OILS Designer perfume oils now available in MCA bookstore Women: Angel, Beautiful, Chanel, Pleasures & White Diamond Men: CK One, Cool Water, Drakkar Noir, Eternity, Hugo Boss Dist. By Salam Collections Welcome@SalamCollections.com Bhuiyan & Associates, CPA 2118 Walsh Ave, Suite 110 Santa Clara, Ca motin@bhuiyancpa.com , Fax Cell Cal Micro, Inc. is a Manufacturer Authorized Notebook Repair Center for IBM, Lenovo, Sony, Fujitsu & Toshiba. Cal Micro technicians are certified to work on your notebook, including in-warranty (typically free) and affordable out-of-warranty repairs. FREE Diagnostics. (408) technician@calmicro.net Auto Haus EL Camino Complete Auto Repair & Service All work guaranteed 3100 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA Saranmoe@yahoo.com INSURANCE CONCISE Need Affordable Coverage? AUTO HOME COMMERCIAL HEALTH For a quote call Salah (408) Visit us 1 block from MCA Walsh Ave, Ste. B-2, Santa Clara LAW AESCHLEMAN LAW, Family Law Practice Nicole Aeschleman & Tristan Aeschleman Divorce Support Custody Visitation Property Division Prenuptial Agreements Services: Advice Planning Mediation Document Preparation Court Appearances Free & Reduced Rate Consultations Location is 10 min. from MCA in San Jose (408) MATRIMONIAL Seeking Hyderabadi religious doctor boy (28-30yrs) for an immigrant hyderabadi doctor girl 24yrs, fair 5 4 beautiful hijabi girl,currently in s\ Santa Clara. Pls contact via at jyushydfamily@gmail.com. Seeking a respectful and responsible spouse for my afghan sister who lives in Australia. Ages 38-45, divorced or widowed is ok. Must reside in bay area. Contact farahm30@yahoo.com or Seeking for a Hyderabadi match for my sister in India, 21yrs, Pursuing Masters in Applied Mathematics. Family oriented with good Islamic values. Boy residing in Bay Area only. Contact sameenakhanam2007@gmail.com or call Seeking Hyderabadi boy,(under 28 yrs) for my very beautiful 20yr old niece, currently in Hyderabad in final year Bachelors in Commerce and accounting. Please at mkarnal@hotmail. com or call REAL ESTATE/INVESTMENT/RENT Build new homes, additions, remodel, and general construction. R&L Constructions. Contact Rashid License #: Omar Yassin At Sun Rise Realty Omaryassin1@Gmail.Com Helping the Muslim comunnity since 1985 and providing the same free cosultaions, free list of the reo bank owned properties, and short sales. As for sellers, I can bring the top dollar, don t hesitate in calling or ing, and ramadan mubarak. Mohammad Alazzah RE/MAX Luxor Realty License # Residential, Commercial & 1st time home buyer program. Certified Distressed Property Expert. (408) malazzah@remax.net. Shan Saigal, Broker Referral Realty Silicon Valley: Ask for Free Guide On:(1)Buy; Sell; Short Sale; Foreclosure; Prop. Management; Investments; Commercial.(2)1% Fee to Sell Your Home: ; Dre # ; SiliconValleyHomePrice.com NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS Hidaya Foundation Donate Zakat and Sadaqah for the poorest of the poor. Read about our 30+ projects at or call us at Rahima Foundation Help Us To Help The Needy Calle Del Mundo, SC, CA mail@rahima.org 15 Please discard this newsletter in a respectful manner as it includes the names of our Lord and our Prophet.

Difficulty or Ease? By AbdelRahman Mussa Suhaibwebb.com

Difficulty or Ease? By AbdelRahman Mussa Suhaibwebb.com January 17, 2014 Rabi Al-Awaal 16, 1435 MCA NEWSLETTER Muslim Community Association of the San Francisco Bay Area Fajr Duhr Asr Maghrib Ishaa Jumua Jumua Effective 01/18 MCA 6:30 12:40 3:30 Sunset 8:00