June 2006 (Jumadi Al-Awwal/Jumadi Al-Thani 1427) Scholars from across the nation attended the first conference in July 05 in Houston.

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1 June 2006 (Jumadi Al-Awwal/Jumadi Al-Thani 1427) School is over. What now? If you were amongst the audience at the award ceremony at Al- Hadi School on May 25 th, you could feel the excitement in the air. Every student in the hall was looking forward to the summer holidays and seemed to have already figured out the plan for the next couple of months. Now that the school is over, what do you intend to do? asked Br Sami, the headmaster. Hands were up even before the question was posed. I am going to play, I am going to swim, I am going to travel sleep and on and on were the innocent yet sincere responses. After acknowledging the need and the positive aspects of sports, travel, and rest Br Sami emphasized the importance of reading. He pointed out that reading expands our horizons and makes us smarter and wiser; whereas passive activities like watching TV makes us lethargic and dampens our critical thinking potential. He urged parents to control the amount of time spent in front of the TV, playing electronic games on the computer or handheld devices. He wished everyone a healthy and constructive summer. Muslim Congress Conference September 2-3, 06 Houston Scholars from across the nation attended the first conference in July 05 in Houston. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the IEC from the youth activities to the library to outreach programs. Please support your Islamic center and earn the pleasure of Allah (SWT). To get timely information about upcoming events at the IEC please register your address at the website. (Above) Al-Hadi Students watch intently during a PTO organized event at the school. Muslim Congress is conducting its second annual conference here in Houston on the Labor Day weekend. The conference is entitled, Islam: A Comprehensive Solution to Contemporary Challenges. Attendees last year were very impressed with the first conference and are looking forward to the upcoming one. For more information and to securely register please visit Please pick up the conference information and registration brochure from the literature rack at the IEC. Graduation Ceremony Speech By Sr. Saliha Hijazi Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim I want to begin with heartfelt congratulations. Congratulations to everyone, because as graduates, as parents, as friends and supporters each of you has contributed to a major accomplishment in the life of our graduates. You are here today to celebrate the fact that you have obtained knowledge. I am here to celebrate that fact with you. Knowledge of language and history, psychology and physics, algebra and geometry and many other things. All of these things are important, as Allah (swt) holds education in very high regard. Knowledge is, in fact, sacred. It is holy in Islam. For most of us education is a means, not an end. We don t value knowledge for its inherent worth, but rather for what it can get us and in today s world what it can earn us. So the steps we take through high school are with the constant reminder that we must build a resume that makes us look good to colleges. And the work we do in college is often about ensuring lucrative employment soon before or after graduation or building a good resume so that we get into graduate school. It s competitive, hard work. Hard work is good; it builds character. But driving ourselves for the sole purpose of material gain drains our souls and ultimately tests our character and weakens it. continued on the next page June, 2006 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter

2 Graduation Ceremony Speech I want to invite our graduates to look at their career paths from a different perspective. I want you to look instead at your life path, because Allah did not create you for the sole purpose of earning money. You were created to live and to serve. Allah (swt) is Al Jamil; He creates beauty. He created you in beauty and with a beautiful purpose. passed them in that condition and said to his companions, this is the world, so beware of it. A man asked Jesus (as) if he could come with him on his Journey. Jesus (as) told the man that he could, so they set off until they came to the bank of a river and they sat down eat breakfast. They had three loaves of bread. Jesus (as) ate one the man ate one, leaving one loaf over. Then Jesus (as) rose and went to the river for a drink of water and came back. When he came back he didn t see the third loaf. He said to the man, Who took the loaf? The man said I don t know. Jesus (as) didn t say anything further on the issue, they got up and continued their journey until they saw a gazelle mother with her two young kids. He called one of them and it came to him; then he cut its throat and roasted part of it and Al-Nabi Isa (as) and the man ate. Then Jesus (as) said to the gazelle Rise, by the permission of Allah (swt). After it rose and went away Al-Nabi Isa (as) said to the man, I ask you by Him who has shown you this sign, who took the loaf? He replied, I do not know. Jesus (as) didn t say anything further on the issue, they got up and continued their journey until they came to an oasis and An- Nabi isa (as) took the man s hand and they walked across the water together. Then, when they had crossed, An Nabi Isa (as) said to the man I ask you by Him who has shown you this sign, who took the loaf? He replied, I do not know. Knowledge is, in fact, sacred. It is holy in Islam. - S. Hijazi Jesus (as) didn t say anything further on the issue, they got up and continued their journey until they came to a desert and they sat down. An Nabi Isa (as) started digging in the sand and piling it up in a little hill. He then said, Become gold by the permission of Allah (swt). The sand turned into gold and he divided it into three parts and said, 1/3 is for me 1/3 is for you and 1/3 is for him who took the loaf. Then, the man said I am the one who took the loaf. So, Jesus (as) said, it s all yours. Jesus (as) then left the man. The man stayed in the desert for a while and later two men came to him and plotted to take the gold and kill him. The man said to the thieves, there are three of us and we can divide the gold into thirds. One of you go to the village and buy food for us to eat. One of them went and on his way to the village he said, why should I divide this money between the three of us? I will poison the food and kill them and take the money myself. So he poisoned the food and while he was on his way back the two men began talking. They said Why should we give this man a third of the gold? When he comes back we will kill him and divide the money between the two of us. When he returned they kill him. They then sat together and ate the food and died from its poison and the gold sat there in the desert with the three dead men laying beside it. Then Jesus (as) June, 2006 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter That bread represents contentment, when we seek to get more than our fill, more than is truly necessary in this world it sends us down a path toward soul destruction, toward evil. Each of the signs that Nabi Isa (as) pointed out, are signs of Allah (swt) that we ignore when chasing after the dunya, as the thief ignored those signs just for a piece of bread. All the money in the world is useless to you if it kills your soul. A large home, expensive vacations and beautiful furnishings are not the materials you need to create a good life. Not even the ability to donate large amounts of money to the masjid or local charities is enough to create a good life. Money is not the material a good life is made of. It is a tool to be used by us, but more often we become its tool, its slave. Life is complicated and composed of many elements. There is the inner life of the individual, which includes the personal relationship with Allah (swt), our moral conscience, and innermost fears, thoughts and dreams. There is the social life with family and friends and then co-workers and our wider community. There is the pursuit of personal achievement, which is most often measured by the number of letters behind our names, the number of degrees we have, and the number of digits in our paychecks. We have been blessed with a religion of balance, one that recognizes the complexity of human existence and embraces everything good for the good that it can bring. Islam has not told us that in order to be pious that we must be poor or that we must avoid marriage or beauty or enjoyment. What it has done, what Islam is, is the very source of liberation. Islam tells us to seek out a good living, to strive hard to be educated and to spend generously on our families, those we love and those in need. By forcing us, by constantly reminding us that we are servants of Allah(swt) that our first obligation is as a servant Allah (swt) has given us the power to be masters over our own wealth instead of being slaves to it. At the end of the day whether you are referred to as Dr. Khan or Maulana Mohammad or simply Mama or Baba. If your soul has died, if the fire burning in your heart to please Allah (swt) is dead, if your prayers are no more than rushed rituals and your khums and zakat no more than a detail for your accountant to handle then you are just a body going through the motions, the living dead. What renews us and brings us life, what is meaningful in life is that connection to our actions being conscious and aware of the powerful meaning behind the rituals. Prayer is about recognizing goodness, beauty and being grateful for it. It is about connecting with Allah (swt) and staying connected to the source of happiness, of goodness. Zakat and Khums are

3 about recognition that we are not individuals or only families, but connected to communities that we are responsible for one another s well being. Those are the materials for building a good life. We all want to live comfortable lives, we all want the security of knowing that we can provide a high material standard of living for ourselves and our families. No one wants the stress of wondering if you can provide yourself with safe, clean housing, adequate food or if you can provide your children with quality education. Imam Ali (as) said, I have considered everything that humiliates the one who is respectable and breaks him and I have not seen anything more likely to humiliate and break than poverty. He also tells us, Gratitude is the adornment of wealth. And ultimately what we do or do not earn in this dunya is up to Allah (swt). It is good to work for the survival of your family and for their comfort, but there is a good even higher than that. It is better to build within a tradition of taqwa and leave for your family an inheritance of humility. I ask Allah the same for you and for all of us. I ask Allah (swt) to grant that along with all the biology and sociology and engineering classes, that amongst the English and Arabic and Psychology that along with all the knowledge of things great and small of ideas and technical craftsmanship that Allah (swt) in his infinite grace grant you wisdom. Knowledge is understanding; wisdom is understanding how to apply what you know to the benefit of all. I ask that Allah (swt) bless you with constant remembrance so that on the day that will come to all of us when we look back over our life we see more than the accumulation of wealth and status, but we see a community that speaks good of us because of the good we have done, that we have children who are devout Muslims who continue the legacy of goodness, that we are surrounded by love, by kindness, by charity and justice. Let this be a beginning of wisdom so that you may end with grace. The Wahdat team thanks and appreciates Sr Saliha Hijazi for providing the transcript of her speech. SAKINA S CORNER Children s Book Reading/Arts & Crafts SATURDAY, JUNE 3 RD, 2006 Starting June 3rd, 2006 from 11 a.m. 1 p.m., every Saturday, there will be alternating Children s Book Reading Program and a Arts & Crafts Program. The first session will be a Book Reading Session. Day: Every Saturday Time: 11 a.m. 1 p.m. Location: Al-Zahra Library As you start on the next leg of your life s journey into adulthood, into greater responsibility, into the challenges of the larger world you must begin with a conscious Bismillah. Bismillah is not only in the name of Allah, and the blessing is not only in the words. Bismillah is beginning with the name of Allah (swt) and for the sake of Allah. Bismillah is an offering and a recognition. And it s blessing is in the conscious effort to fulfill the purpose of your creation, to serve Allah sincerely and in beauty. It is a recognition that you are a servant and that all of your deeds are in service to your Master, to your Lord to Allah (swt). In the beautiful and eternal words of du a kumayl we ask Allah (swt), I ask you by your glory and your honor by your supremely high attributes and by your names to cause me (and this is the key because it is the entire reason for our existence) to use my time, day and night, in your remembrance, by engaging myself in serving you and your cause and to let my deeds be so acceptable to you so much that all my actions and offerings are transformed into one continuous and sustained effort and my life may take the form of constant and perpetual service to you. Cost: Book Reading Session Donations appreciated Arts & Crafts Session- $1.00 per child, this will cover the cost of materials Please be on time to pick up or drop off your child. Children under 5 years will need to be supervised by a parent. If a child is left unattended the parent will be contacted immediately to come for pick-up. For more information contact: Sr. Sukaina Naqvi...naqvi05@sbcglobal.net Br. Hyder Syed.syedalihyder@gmail.com June, 2006 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter

4 JUNE 2006 SPECIAL EVENTS AT I.E.C. Tue, June 1 st Wiladat of Hazrat Zainab (AS) (5 th Jumadi Al-Awwal) Speech: Moulana Shabbiri Maghribain Dua Tawassul Tabarruk 7:30 pm 8:36 pm 9:00 pm 9:30 pm Sat, June 3 rd Death anniversary of Imam Khomeini (RA) (June 4 th 1989) Sheikh Hashim Alauddin will be visiting us from California on this special occasion. Speech: Sheikh Hashim Alauddin Maghribain Dinner 7:30 pm 8:37 pm 9:00 pm Sat, June 10 th Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima (AS) (14 th Jumadi Al-Awwal) Speech: Moulana Shabirri Maghribain Tabarruk 7:40 pm 8:40 pm 9:10 pm Thu, June 29 th Martyrdom of Hazrat Fatima (AS) (3 rd Jumadi Al-Thani) Speech: Moulana Shabirri Maghribain Tabarruk 7:45 pm 8:45 pm 9:10 pm June, 2006 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter

5 HAQQ IEC YOUTH PUBLICATION Surely today you are the youth of the nation, and tomorrow, you will be the leaders of the community, thus, it is incumbent upon you to seek knowledge Imām Ḥasan ibne Alī al-mujtabā (a.s) Graduate Recognition On May 21 st, IEC youth council held a special Graduate Recognition Program. Al-Hamdulillah, many youth graduated this year. We wish them well in their bright future! May Allah bless them. Class of High School Graduates Zainab Alhassan Reema Shahin Sarah Zaman Uzma Murtaza Khadijah Shabazz Madiha Abbasi Butet Donahue Abdullahi Hassan Mohamoud Ali Farhaan Merchant Sarah Mariam Kerawala Sana Khwaja Asad Ali Ghori Murtaza Aziz Nadir Zavari Samira Irani Abdullah Ali Shoayb Nasser Aymond Nasser Mehdi Ali Abbas Syed Ali Reza Abedi Syed Ahmed Naqvi Syed Yasir Jafri Zuheir Abbas Ambreen Ali Ali Reza Somji Tabish Agha Shana Momin Sana Ali Sana Adeel Zaidi Nahid Kermali Syed Mohammad Hussain Abedi Alief Kerr High School St. Thomas High School Lee High School CY-falls high school CY-falls high school CY-falls high school Lamar high school Westchester High school Tylor High school Memorial High School Stratford High School North Shore High School Bellaire High School College Graduates Bently College - Boston, MA Sr. Saliha Hejazi addressed the graduates on May 21, 2006 at the IEC Knowledge There are two types of knowledge. Alhamdulillah, many have completed the stages of the worldly knowledge, which we are asked to pursue by Islam. But we need to keep in mind the knowledge of our religion, Islam, which we must also strive for. The Holy Prophet (S) said: "The Qur'an is Allah's university; so, learn as much as you can in this university." "Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. It decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge, the more it increases. What you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you." Imam Ali (A.S.) Imam Ali (a) used to say: O seeker of knowledge, knowledge has many merits. (If you imagine it to be a human being then) its head is humbleness, its eye is freedom from envy, its ear is understanding, its tongue is truthfulness, its memory is research, its heart is good intention, its intellect is the knowledge (ma`rifah) of things and matters, its hand is compassion, its foot is visiting the learned, its resolution is integrity, its wisdom is piety, its abode is salvation, its helmsman is well-being, its mount is faithfulness, its weapon is softness of speech, its sword is satisfaction (ridha), its bow is tolerance, its army is discussion with the learned, its wealth are refined manners, its stock is abstinence from sins, its provision for journey is virtue, its drinking water is gentleness, its guide is Divine guidance, and its companion is the love of the elect.

6 Hazrat Fatima(a.s.) We are commemorating Hazrat Fatima s (a.s) death this month. There are two narrations on the date of her death. It is either 75 days after Prophet s death, 13 th Jumadi al-awwal, or 95 days after, 3 rd Jumadi al- Thani. Hazrat Fatima was a role model to all of humanity, especially women. Below is a passage from Fatima is Fatima, a book by Dr. Ali Shariati In the history of all Muslim nations and among the deprived masses of the Islamic community, Fatima is the source of the inspiration for freedom, the desire of that which is a right, the seekers of justice, the resisters of oppression, cruelty, crime and discrimination. It is most difficult to speak about the personality of Fatima. Fatima is the woman that Islam wants a woman to be. The concept of her visage is painted by the Prophet himself. He melted her and made her pure in the fire of difficulties, poverty, resistance, deep understanding and the wonder of humanity. She is a symbol in all the various dimensions of being a woman. The symbol of a daughter when facing her father. The symbol of a wife when facing her husband. The symbol of a mother when facing her children. The symbol of a responsible, fighting woman when facing her time and the fate of her society. She herself is an Imam, a guide, that is, an outstanding example of someone to follow, an ideal type of woman and one who bears witness to any woman who wishes to 'become herself' through her own choice. She answers the question of how to be a woman with her wonderful childhood, her constant struggling and resisting on two fronts, inside and out, in the home of her father, in the home of her husband, in her society, in her thoughts and behavior and in her life. It s more than an 8-hour night s sleep: Are You Prepared? By Madiha Zaidi Inna lillahee wa inna ilayhee ra ajioon (2:56) We are Allah s and unto Him we return. We have been advised to recite this verse of the Holy Quran upon hearing of someone s death. Yet do we know what we are saying and really take it for all it means? Many of use have the impression that our life will be as the world has perceived it to be---even when people die in high numbers everyday, every hour, and every minute here and around the world. There is no guarantee that each and every human being will live through the whole life cycle and live to see old age. There are many questions which can rise in our minds when we think about this concept of not knowing when our souls will return to our Creator. Many people begin to ask questions such as should we even be planning the rest of our lives? Should I worry about what will happen in 20 years? Islam teaches us to always be prepared and use our knowledge to excel. Just because we do not know when we will pass away, it does not mean we should not give importance to our lives. Islam teaches us to never forget death, which in effect will lead to a constant reminder that we are all the same when it comes to reality, and the fact is that death will overcome us all at an unknown time no matter what our social status, ethnicity, gender, etc. A regular thing as sleeping, which we do every night, is the biggest reminder of death. In the Holy Quran it states: And He it is Who takes your souls at night (in sleep), and He knows what you acquire in the day, then He raises you up therein that an appointed term may be fulfilled; then to Him is your return, then He will inform you of what you were doing. (6:60)

7 Many of us, especially those who are youth, have this plan to improve ourselves and put our best efforts into correcting our actions and practicing our religion to our best ability when we are older. How can we say this when we as Muslims believe that we never know when our souls will be return? We have been put on this Earth for a reason. We have even been blessed with an instruction manual (the Quran). We have been given the most perfect and excellent role models. Why can we not accept these blessings and do as we have been commanded. We need to constantly keep in mind the fact that we be judged for our actions and that every action we perform is a step closer to death. What! Did you then think that We had created you in vain and that you shall not be returned to Us? :115 It is our duty, and in our benefit, to remember that our lives are not forever. Just like the young child who has died in Palestine, or the old grandmother in Iraq, we will never know when the angel of death will come to take our souls. Allah (SWT) has made these clear signs for us, and is still, and will always be giving these signs, just as we see everyday, has this no effect on us? It has come to point in our lives where we have forgotten the simple things that our Creator has instructed us to do. For example, we need to act just as we do when we have an important meeting at school, with our child s teacher, or our boss, we will be in constant fear and anxiety of forgetting or not being late or missing that appointment. This is simply what Allah (SWT) has given us command to do--- don t forget our appointment with Him. And since we are not aware of what time we are to meet Him, shouldn t it be on our minds at all times? Just as we think of the many chores around the house, we need to write death on our to-do list. It is even recommended to hang our kafaan (burial shroud) in our closets in order to help us to remember we can be wrapped in it at any moment. And as Muslims we need to always keep in mind that dying is nothing to be feared, it should be looked forward to just as our young martyr, Hazrat Ali Akbar, in Karbala had looked forward to it by saying death is sweeter than honey. It will be a passing from this shameful and problematic impermanent life, which day by day is beginning to be full of sorrow and pains. What is there not to look forward to when it is a meeting with our Beloved Creator and Master who is the One who has given us this life we are living? Shouldn t we be anxious for this meeting? If we fear it, it is because of our ill deeds; therefore we are instructed to repent continuously because at any given moment, it can be our last chance. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was once asked a series of questions by a man who wanted to know what he should do in each situation. One time the man stated I wish to be enlightened and have peace of heart. The Prophet (SAW) replied: Remember Death. Such a simple answer to a situation we all long for. Let us not be of those who say, O My Lord! Send me back (to life) in order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected. 23: to which Allah (SWT) has said about those people: By no means! It is but a word he says. Before them is a Barzakh till the Day they are raised up. Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another. 23: We need to live up to our duties as Muslims. Be the Muslims that represent the same Islam our dear Imam Hussain (AS) gave his life for and the same Islam our Awaited Imam Mahdi (ATFS) is waiting to instill all over the world. If we keep in our mind that our lives can end anytime, that death surely is around the corner, our actions will become beautiful, and when our actions become beautiful, our Creator is pleased---and this is the purpose of our life. Every breath you take is a step towards death. --- Imam Ali (AS)

8 Welcome aboard Air Janazah When we are leaving this world for the next one, it shall be like a trip to another country. Where details of that country won't be found in glamorous travel brochures, but the Holy Qur'an and the Hadiths. Where our plane won't be Indian Air Lines, British Airways, Gulf Air or Emirates but Air Janazah. Where our luggage won't be the allowed 30 kgs but our deeds no matter how heavy they weigh. You don't pay for excess luggage. They are carried free of charge, with your Creator's compliment. Where our dress won't be an Armani suit or the like but the white cotton shroud (kafin). Where our perfume won't be Chanel or Hugo, but the camphor and attar. Where our passports won't be Indian, British, French or American but Al Islam. Where our visa won't be the 6 months leave to stay or else but the "La Illaha illallah". Where the airhostess won't be a gorgeous female but Azrael (Angel of Death) and its like. Where the in-flight services won't be 1st class or economy but a piece of beautifully scented or foul smelling cloth. Where our place of destination won't be Heathrow Terminal 1 or Jeddah International Terminal but the last Terminal Graveyard. Where our waiting lounge won't be nice carpeted and air-conditioned rooms but the 6 feet deep gloomy Qabar. Where the Immigration Officer won't be Her Majesty's officers but Munkar and Nakeer. They only check out whether you deserve the place you yearn to go. Where there is no need for Customs Officers or detectors. Where the transit airport will be Al Barzakh. Where our final place of destination will be either the Garden under which rivers flow (Jannah) or the fire of Hell (Jahannam). This trip does not come with a price tag. It is free of charge, so your savings would not come in handy. This flight can never be hijacked so do not worry about terrorists. Food won't be served on this flight so do not worry about your allergies or whether the food is Halal. Do not worry about legroom; you won't need it, as your legs will become things of the past. Do not worry about delays. This flight is always punctual. It arrives and leaves on time. Do not worry about the in-flight entertainment program because you would have lost all your sense of joy. Do not worry about booking this trip, it has already been booked (return) the day you became a fetus in your mother's womb. Ah! At last good news! Do not worry about who will be sitting next to you. You will have the luxury of being the only passenger. So enjoy it while you can. If only you can! One small snag though, this trip comes with no warning. Are you prepared? DEATH Sayings of Imam Ali (A.S.) Prepare yourself for it and do all that you can for Paradise. Certainly this world has not been made a place of permanent stay for you. But it has been created as a pathway in order that you may take from it the provisions of your (good) actions for the permanent house (in Paradise). Be ready for departure from here and keep close your riding animals for setting off. Sermon 132 Perform (good) acts while such acts are being raised (in value), repentance can be of benefit, prayer can be heard, conditions are peaceful and the pens (of the two angels) are in motion (to record the actions). Hasten towards (virtuous) actions before the change of age (to oldness), lingering illness or snatching death (overtakes you). Certainly, death will end your enjoyments, mar your pleasures and remove your objectives. It is an unwanted visitor, an invincible adversary and an unaccounting killer. Its ropes have entrapped you, its evils have surrounded you, its arrowheads have aimed at you, its sway over you is great, its oppression on you is continuous and the chance of its missing you is remote. Sermon 230 When you have to depart from this world and have to meet death (eventually), then why wish delay (why feel nervous about death). In this world, man is a target of death, an easy prey to calamities, here every morsel and every draught is liable to choke one, here one never receives a favour until he loses another instead, here every additional day in one's life is a day reduced from the total span of his existence, when death is the natural outcome of life, how can we expect immortality? Death is never very far. We would like to thank those who have contributed to this month s and previous Haqq newsletters. If you would like to write for or contribute articles please YouthCouncil@iec-houston.org