A LIFE OF TRIVIALITIES

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www.mosquefoundation.org June 2014 - Sha

Jamal Said Message from the Imam اع لموا أ ن ما الح ف ال م و ال وال م صف را ث ك ون ي و ر ضو ان وم ي لع ب ا اة ي ادل ن ل و ل د ك مث ت ك اث ر ك م و اخ ر ب ين ت ف ة و و و ز ين و ل اه ث يج ي فت ات ه ف ار

)الحديد ) 20 Brothers and Sisters, A LIFE OF TRIVIALITIES طاما ح ي إ ل ا اة ا الحي ادل ن Allah (SWT) states, Know that the life of this world is but a play, a passing delight, a beautiful show, a

Then it withers, and you can see it turn yellow, and in the end is crumbles into dust. In the life to come there is terrible suffering, as well as Allah s forgiveness and His goodly acceptance.

Allah (SWT) describes them as playing, engrossing themselves in things which are not necessarily prohibited, but that are surely of no benefit.

1 June Shaban 1435 Issue 82 In this verse of Surat Al-Hadid, two images are painted for us: one of this life, and one of the life to come. Sh. Jamal Said Message from the Imam اع لموا أ ن ما الح ف ال م و ال وال م صف را ث ك ون ي و ر ضو ان وم ي لع ب ا اة ي ادل ن ل و ل د ك مث ت ك اث ر ك م و اخ ر ب ين ت ف ة و و و ز ين و ل اه ث يج ي فت ات ه ف ار نب أعج الك ب ث غي ن م الل يد وم غف ر ة عذ اب ش د الخ رة و ف متاع الغ ور. )الحديد ) 20 Brothers and Sisters, A LIFE OF TRIVIALITIES طاما ح ي إ ل ا اة ا الحي ادل ن Allah (SWT) states, Know that the life of this world is but a play, a passing delight, a beautiful show, a cause of boasting among you and quest for more riches and children. It is like the rain that causes the plants to grow, and this gives delight to the sowers. Then it withers, and you can see it turn yellow, and in the end is crumbles into dust. In the life to come there is terrible suffering, as well as Allah s forgiveness and His goodly acceptance. The life of this world is no more than an illusionary pleasure. (Al-Hadid:20) The first life consists of humans chasing their wants and desires. Allah (SWT) describes them as playing, engrossing themselves in things which are not necessarily prohibited, but that are surely of no benefit. These timewasters include watching television shows or movies that may not contain questionable content, spending hours surfing the internet doing online shopping or reading random blogs, sitting wastefully in the mall or coffee shops, playing videogames, and watching sports games. This entertainment-addiction develops into an obsession of appearances and boasting as Allah (SWT) mentions in the verse above. This is not limited to how one dresses or the latest gadgets they purchased. This speaks to the general tendency humans develop to value how others perceive them above all else. Every word they say and action they take are carefully compared to the standards and expectations set by others- others who have accomplished little to earn a position of authority in dictating what is right and wrong. And so, they begin to compete with each other about trivial matters and the real competition for the akhira becomes limited to the seasons of Ramadan or Hajj or, unfortunately, the death of a family member. And even in those instances, humans find ways to compete and boast amongst themselves. Posting a picture with a person whom others perceive as a celebrity or posing in a remote location become admirable accomplishments. Spending hours on social media updating comments and photos take precedence over real life interactions and fulfilling the rights of other human beings. PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 107 BRIDGEVIEW, IL Allah (SWT) compares this way of life, this chasing of desires, to a farmer waiting for a heavy rain. The farmer toils and tires over a small seed, planting it deep into the earth, hoping for a cloud to rain on it. He becomes anxious and enthusiastic that once the rain comes and the seed ma 3

continue from page 1 A LIFE OF TRIVIALITIES MF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hussein Ata PRESIDENT Oussama Jammal V.P Abdallah M. Shuaibi B.O.D. Ahmed Kamni B.O.D. Kalid Y. Baste B.O.D. Khalida Baste B.O.D. Jamal Said Imam Fahim Aref B.

2 continue from page 1 A LIFE OF TRIVIALITIES MF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Hussein Ata PRESIDENT Oussama Jammal V.P Abdallah M. Shuaibi B.O.D. Ahmed Kamni B.O.D. Kalid Y. Baste B.O.D. Khalida Baste B.O.D. Jamal Said Imam Fahim Aref B.O.D. Habes Abdallah B.O.D. Jafar Ahmad B.O.D. Aisheh Said B.O.D. Jehad J. Matariyeh B.O.D. Marwan Alsafadi B.O.D. Mohammed Hussien B.O.D. Banan J. Said B.O.D. Saleh Abdelrahman B.O.D. Safaa Zarzour B.O.D. Usama Alian B.O.D. EDITORIAL BOARD Hussein Ata Sh. Jamal Said Sh. Kifah Mustapha Tareq Abu-Ammer Aisheh Said Mohamed Chehade Banan Said Abdel Baset Hamayel June 2014 Vol. 05, Issue 82 Copyright 2014 by The Mosque Foundation. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Community Pulse is published monthly in the United States by The Mosque Foundation. Editorial and Executive offices are located at 7360 W. 93rd Street, Bridgeview, IL Subscription rates in U.S. and possessions: 1 year (12 issues) FREE. Send address changes to: The Mosque Foundation, 7360 W. 93rd Street. Bridgeview, IL Printed in U.S.A. tures, he will harvest the most beautiful crop and experience utmost delight, just as a child feels when receiving a new toy. Yet, Allah (SWT) says that this farmer is not able to reap these crops, and they turn yellow before his eyes, and eventually crumble to dust. Similarly, the life of this world crumbles to an end. All things acquired and painstakingly accumulated become nothing at all. The pleasure gained in chasing after the dunya is short-lived and does not lead to happiness. Many humans have accumulated everything one could want from the comforts of this life yet cannot seem to find joy or happiness. Today, those who are perceived to be the elite of society continue to sit in hundreds of hours of therapy and consume tons of anti-depressants attempting to rid themselves of overwhelming feelings of sadness or apathy. The image of the second life Allah (SWT) illustrates for us is an entirely different one. He (SWT) says, In the life to come there is terrible suffering, as well as Allah s forgiveness and His goodly acceptance... This second life does not end, whither, nor crumble. It is one of reckoning, accountability, and eternal reward or intense punishment. The playing is over. The painted masks once worn to boast diminish and ugliness is exposed. The real homes are furnished and ready to welcome their eternal inhabitants. In this verse Allah (SWT) does not direct us to ignore this life, on the contrary, we have a duty to build life on earth. But He (SWT) reminds us to rectify our values and standards and rise above our desires and wants. This type of faith is true and only it can bring about human contentment and happiness. Ramadan is a time during the year Allah (SWT) has blessed us with to focus our lenses on what really matters. To calibrate our compasses and measure our actions according to the standards Allah (SWT) has provided for us. May Allah (SWT) grant us an opportunity to fast the month of the Quran. May He (SWT) guide us to rectify our values and make us among those who strive for the life to come. Sheikh Jamal M. Said Principal Imam & Director 2

Working hand-in-hand to Support Muslim Community Youth On Monday, April 14, 2014, the Muslim Students Association at Alan B. Shepard High School held their very first Islamic Awareness Day.

Shepard s Islamic Awareness Day was an opportunity for non-muslim students and faculty to learn more about Islam and for Muslim students to enrich their understanding of their faith.

3 Working hand-in-hand to Support Muslim Community Youth On Monday, April 14, 2014, the Muslim Students Association at Alan B. Shepard High School held their very first Islamic Awareness Day. The event was a success and drew a large audience composed of both Muslim and non-muslim students and faculty. Shepard s Islamic Awareness Day was an opportunity for non-muslim students and faculty to learn more about Islam and for Muslim students to enrich their understanding of their faith. Guest speakers included Sr. Banan Said of the Mosque Foundation s Youth Advisory Board as well as 4 of the leaders of the Friday Night Live youth program, Yusuf Salah, Omar Tawil, Sabrin Jaber, and Niveen Hilal. Some of the topics discussed during the event were faith-in-action, self-esteem, good character, honesty, and modesty in Islam. Audience members, organizers, and school administrators alike enjoyed the program and are looking forward to the next one. May Allah (SWT) reward all of the youth and youth leaders who worked hard to make this event a success. Ameen. Congratulations for the Completion of yet another Quran Course Alhamdulilah, by the permission and blessings of Allah (SWT), we celebrated the completion of a semester of Quran classes at the Mosque Foundation on Tuesday, May 13, Eleven sisters graduated from beginner courses and advanced courses in Tajweed. May Allah (SWT) reward all those who helped make this possible. 3

different Masajid in the area as well as the national level. The first installment of the Rise-Youth Basketball Camp was by all accounts a resounding success, alhamdulilah.

4 BASKETBALL Camp Scores Big with Youth! The Mosque Foundation recently sponsored its first basketball camp with One! Athletics, which is a non-profit organization focused on supporting youth to develop positively through sports and providing them an outlet to meet, grow and compete in an Islamic environment at different Masajid in the area as well as the national level. The first installment of the Rise-Youth Basketball Camp was by all accounts a resounding success, alhamdulilah. Held every Saturday for 5 weeks from 3-6 pm at Universal School, participants were coached on the fundamentals of basketball from dribbling, shooting and passing in an Islamic atmosphere. Former High School standout, Ayman Atieh, led the drills along with Coaches Haron Saadeh, Farhan Khalique and Mohammad Atieh. Fida Zoubeidi enrolled her son, Sharif Zoubeidi (10 years old). She says of the camp, The basketball camp was a safe environment for my son, Sharif. He was able to enjoy the sport as well as learn lessons of good sportsmanship and teamwork. The coaches are dedicated and committed to nurturing young Muslim boys with patience and gentle guidance. My son and I will be looking forward to the next camp, insha Allah! Parents were kept informed with weekly s from the coaches. The structure of the program was balanced and organized. The camp-day typically started with an open gym, followed by stretching and warm-ups. The campers were then divided into four groups that rotated between several stations: dribbling, shooting, defense, and passing. The campers then switched off to snacking and played half or full court games. The day wrapped up with Salat, a short khatera, and open gym until pick-up time. Be on the lookout for the next Rise-Youth Basketball Camp starting August 2nd insha Allah! Check for updates and news at and Submitted by: Mosque Foundation Youth Advisory Board 4

الثالثة 3 rd PLACE RAMADAN QUR AN& Tajweed COMPETITION 2014/1435 الجواي ز PRIZES الثانية 2 nd PLACE 1 st PLACE العمر AGE السورة ا ولى $40 $60 $80 SURAH 15 surahs Al-'Adiyat (100) through An-Nas (114)

(16) 16-19 years 20 + years $50 $100 $200 The Qur'an, in its entirety Hafeth P L E A S E N O TE Young participants may enter older age categories, older participants may NOT enter younger age

If you have already memorized the Surah associated with your category, please contact us for further information at: abasetmail@gmail.com to discuss your case.

Winners will receive prizes on 8/2/2014, 5pm at MFCC. Grading Scale: 70% for memorization, 20% Tajweed, and 10% for performance.

5 الثالثة 3 rd PLACE RAMADAN QUR AN& Tajweed COMPETITION 2014/1435 الجواي ز PRIZES الثانية 2 nd PLACE 1 st PLACE العمر AGE السورة ا ولى $40 $60 $80 SURAH 15 surahs Al-'Adiyat (100) through An-Nas (114) (by 7/19/2014) Under 8 years $50 $100 $150 $50 $100 $150 As-Saf (61), Al-Jumu'ah (62) and Al-Munafiqun (63) As-Saffat (37) 8-12 years years $50 $100 $150 $50 $100 $200 Al-Furqan (25) Annahel (16) years 20 + years $50 $100 $200 The Qur'an, in its entirety Hafeth P L E A S E N O TE Young participants may enter older age categories, older participants may NOT enter younger age categories older participants will NOT be allowed to participate in younger participants surah. Winners must attain a grade of 90% or above. If you have already memorized the Surah associated with your category, please contact us for further information at: abasetmail@gmail.com to discuss your case. (children under 12 years of age are exempt) Register on or before 7/18/2014 (9pm) at the MFCC or at MF office or reg.mfcc@gmail.com Judging will take place on Saturday 7/19/2014, 2 pm at MFCC. Winners will receive prizes on 8/2/2014, 5pm at MFCC. Grading Scale: 70% for memorization, 20% Tajweed, and 10% for performance. Grading Scale for participants under the age of 7: 90% for memorization and 10% for performance. MFCC FUNTASTIC RAMADAN CAMP summer camp June 16 th through July 31st, 2014 Ages: 5-10 boys and girls Schedule: 6/16-6/26, Monday through Thursday 10am-2:30pm 6/30-7/17, Monday through Thursday 11:30am-2:30pm 7/18-7/29, Break 7/30-7/31, 10am-2:30pm Fees: $270/1st Child, $260/2nd child, and $250/3rd and beyond all trips and supplies are included in the fees. Register at: MFCC West 93rd St., Bridgeview, IL everyday M-Sat. 4-9pm, or us at: funtastic.camp@gmail.com QURAN CRAFTS TRIPS HADEETH SWIMMING 5

Salah No matter how busy Al-Siddiq School s schedule gets during the day,

performed wudu before attending to prayer.

About 250 students assemble into beautiful prayer lines in the gymnasium.

of praying and discusses how to avoid common errors.

behavior during salah. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

6 Salah No matter how busy Al-Siddiq School s schedule gets during the day, the time of salah halts everything as everyone rushes to gather in the gymnasium to pray Salat al-dhuhr. Each teacher takes great care to ensure her students have properly performed wudu before attending to prayer. Beginners practice alongside a teacher or teacher s aid. About 250 students assemble into beautiful prayer lines in the gymnasium. Once the salah is complete, a young student demonstrates the correct way of praying and discusses how to avoid common errors. Al-Siddiq School is very proud of their students for their dedication and behavior during salah. Jazakum Allahu Khairan. Al-Siddiq School s Spelling Test On March 23, 2014 Al-Siddiq School held its Annual Spelling Test. Each teacher was assigned to a different classroom where they tested the spelling proficiency of students. Once the tests are evaluated, the class that displays the highest scores is recognized. May Allah (SWT) bless the students and teachers and expand their knowledge! 6

Prophet Muhammad (S): A Forgiving Man Sara Hussein, Al-Siddiq School Student, 15 Years Old It is really difficult to use words to describe a man who was the greatest man to ever tread upon this earth.

7 Prophet Muhammad (S): A Forgiving Man Sara Hussein, Al-Siddiq School Student, 15 Years Old It is really difficult to use words to describe a man who was the greatest man to ever tread upon this earth. Prophet Muhammad (S) was kind, forgiving, well mannered and a great leader who guided people to do good and abstain from evil. A story about Prophet Muhammad (S) that has especially resonated with me is about how he treated a man who lived in a house neighboring his own. This man did not like what the Prophet (S) preached and wanted to harm him in any way he could. He would place garbage on the front steps of Prophet Muhammad (S) s home every day. The Prophet (S) would calmly remove the garbage. This went on for days until one day the Prophet (S) was surprised to find that no trash was placed in front of his home. So he (S) decided to visit the man and found he was sick. The man was bewildered at the Prophet (S) s actions after all the harm he has caused him. Allah (SWT) says, There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often. (Al-Ahzab:21) We must follow in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (S) who forgave people who harmed him. We should treat people the way we would like to be treated and lead by example. أخبار املدرسة: وفاة والد األخت وفاء العدوي ( إن ا لله وإن ا إليه راجعون( وفاة والد األخت سوزان صالح ( إن ا لله وإن ا إليه راجعون( وفاة والد األخت غصون سنكري ( إن ا لله وإن ا إليه راجعون( Local Collection. Local Distribution. Q: Who is responsible for helping the needy Muslims of Chicago? A: The Muslims of Chicago. For over 10 years, Zakat Chicago has helped needy Muslims in our community. Zakat Chicago provides funding to local Muslim food pantries, weekend schools in low income areas and directly to the needy through local mosques. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said to Mu adh (R): inform them that Allah has enjoined on them the zakat. And it is to be taken from the rich amongst them and given to the poor amongst them. (Bukhari: ) Please visit ZakatChicago.com to use an online zakat calculator, get answers to FAQs, and to see a list of supported projects. You can pay your zakat online or by mail. Zakat Chicago, 231 S. State St., #300, Chicago, IL

BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS

BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS www.mosquefoundation.org May 2014 Rajab 1435 Issue 81 WWW.MOSQUEFOUNDATION.ORG is the most God-fearing of you. Indeed, God is all-knowing, all-aware} 49:13. Imam Al-Aloosi says: {So that you may [come