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1 For t h e on lin e n ew slet t er w it h f u ll color visit A L-H A D I ISLAM IC CEN T ER OF BOISE Issue 2 Date: June 15, 2018 Shawwal Eid ul-fitr Edition Contact: alhadi.icb@gmail.com QURAN 10 :57-58 "O mankind, there has to come to you instruction fromyour Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers. Say, "I n the bounty of A llah and in H is mercy - in that let themrejoice; it is better than what they accumulate." HADITH MESSAGE FROM THE ICB PRESIDENT Asalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters in Islam, It w as t au gh t by Pr oph et M u h am m ad (PBUH) t h at Welcome to the revival of the ICB community newsletter? Al-Hadi. This f or given ess is h igh ly valu ed. newsletter is the result of the joint effort by community members. We thank Accor din g t o Abu Ayyu b, h e on ce everyone involved in making our newsletter a reality. said, " It is n ot law f u l f or a The intent of this newsletter is to promote awareness and educate the ICB and M u slim t o boycot t h is br ot h er f or Islamic community in the greater Boise area. This newsletter will be a forum in m or e t h an t h r ee n igh t s, w h en which community members can express themselves. It will also be a place where t h ey m eet each ot h er an d t u r n community events and masjid programs can be addressed. We encourage any aw ay f r om each ot h er. Th e ideas on building our community. Al-Hadi will serve our community by improving bet t er of t h e t w o is t h e on e w h o the communication between the various people, tribes, countries, and ethnic in it iat es t h e gr eet in g of peace." groups, as we build our community. It has been established that communication is the key to understanding, and understanding promotes cooperation. The assistance, mercy, and support of Allah is with those who gather and act in groups for His sake. Br. Muntaga President ICB - EC Eid-al Fitr at Jama Masjid in New Delhi Page 2- Eid-ul Fitr: A Time to Focus On Fun or Discipline Page 3- Ramadan is Over... Now What? Page 4- Idaho Muslim's Self-Financing Funeral Program, Editor 's Corner, Upcoming Events Page 5- Islamic Crossword Puzzle and Raffle Page 6- Sponsors 1

2 EID-UL FITR: A TIME TO FOCUS ON FUN OR DISCIPLINE? By Omar Abdelnaby As we all know, Eid ul-fitr is a festival marked to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the month of Shawwal. Typically, the day of Eid ul-fitr starts bright and early at the site of the prayer, where the people who arrive early make Takbeer over and over, while handing donations to the volunteers who walk with the appropriate boxes. Eventually, the prayer begins, ends, and the khutbah is given. For the last few years at least, the khutbah for the ICB has been about preserving the discipline we have gained during the month of Ramadan, and a passionate imploring that we do not slip back into our old ways before the blessed month of Ramadan. We are human however, and mistakes will inevitably be made, but the most important thing to do when this happens is to Arabic graffiti by artist el Seed in a South African slum. The calligraphy translates to a quote by Nelson seek forgiveness and not repeat the mistake again Mandela, "It seems impossible until it's done" So then, this begs the question: Is Eid ul-fitr a time to focus on having fun and letting loose, or is it a time to buckle down on the discipline we have gained over this last month? The answer should really be both. In our lives, Allah has commanded us to live in moderation. In this instance, this would mean moderating our fun, but also acting with a semblance of knowing what is right and what is wrong. We should live our lives in moderation, while practicing discipline and avoiding sins. That being said, there are situations in which having fun must take a back-seat to doing the right thing. Imagine, if for a whole month of the year you were able to stop yourself eating, drinking, and sinning for around eighteen hours a day, then why can you not prevent yourself from committing wrong outside the month of Ramadan? While it should be easier to avoid wrongdoing than to fast, why can we still not prevent sin? The short answer is that humans do make mistakes. Again, and again, and again. It is in a human?s nature to sin, but the point of Ramadan is to ensure that we minimize the wrong that we as humans make. Otherwise, what is the point of putting our bodies through thirty consecutive days in which, for the majority of those hours, we do not eat or drink? Do not forget, either, that fasting isn?t simply refraining from food and drink, it holds much more meaning and weight. Fasting is valuing what we have, not throwing away or wasting any excess food. Fasting is being truthful, rather than backstabbing, stealing from, or cheating the people around you. Fasting is a reminder to not be abusive to anyone or anything, as all that can come out of such abuse is harm. It is, ultimately, doing the best one can do. Sound familiar? It may, as this is what we should strive to do whether Ramadan is upon us or not! As I once heard in the Masjid,?At a point in time, you will be wise enough that when you hear the word?ramadan?, you will not associate it with not eating or drinking, but you will associate it with reading Quran, and prayer.? This brings into account the good in avoiding sin, though it does mean one would now be neutral on a scale of success for Ramadan. If avoiding sin by itself, which is already difficult enough to do, is only enough to become neutral, then you become righteous by reading Quran, praying, and performing Taraweeh. So, then, is Eid a time to focus on discipline or fun? 2

3 RAMADAN IS OVER... NOW WHAT? By Umm Ammarah The Month of Ramadan has come to an end and the transition from Ramadan to Eid and thereafter should be a path that brings us closer to our Creator and a path that treads the Sunnah following the way of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). After a month of sacrifice, Allah Ta?ala takes it upon Himself to reward His faithful servants, being the Most Generous and Most Benevolent. Indeed, Allah Ta?ala?s generosity multiplies in Ramadan. Allah Ta?ala sees His servants carry out all their duties faithfully and strive to gain closeness to Him through fasting, salat (prayer), patience, recitation of Quran, zikr, dua, and controlling of even permissible desires and needs like food, drink etc. The then comes the joyous day of? EID-UL-FITR: Celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar, at the completion of Ramadan. Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day for the believing men and women. On this day, Muslims show their real joy for the many blessings Allah Ta?ala has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan. Indeed this joyous day can cannot pass by without remembering the poor and destitute? SADAQATUL FITR: Islam has prescribed a simple yet graceful way to observe this happy day. First of all well off Muslims start their day by giving charity Sadaqatul Fitr to the poor of their society, so that the less endowed can also enjoy their day along with others. Ibn Abbas (RA) said that the Messenger of Allah Ta?ala (PBUH) enjoined Sadaqatul Fitr so that those who fasted may be purified of idle deeds and shameful talk committed during Ramadan and so that the poor may be fed. Whoever gives it before salaah will have his obligation accepted, and whoever gives it after salaah it will be an ordinary charity. (Hadith, Abu Dawood) TIPS ON HOW TO SPEND THE DAY OF EID: - Keep in mind the pleasure of Allah Ta?ala and upholding Shari'ah at ALL times. - Adorn yourself and your family modestly in the best of garments (not necessarily new). - Avoid overeating and other festivities that have no benefit. - Visit the poor, needy, orphans, elderly and sick. - Try to compromise and accommodate each other. - Maintain and strengthen family bonds- Rasulullah (PBUH) is reported to have said, "Anyone who wishes to have his means of livelihood enlarged and a prolonged life, should treat his relatives with kindness." - Don't forget the suffering, oppressed, poor and needy Muslims in all parts of the world in your du?as and charity. - Be punctual with your acts of worship and on this joyous day. BE CAUTIOUS! Avoid excessive indulgence of any kind and stay away from places where the laws of Islam are violated. It is a joyous occasion indeed and let it be spent in ways that are pleasing to our Creator. Use the day profitably to earn the pleasure of Allah Ta?ala and continue to do so everyday. Let us save the changes that we all made in our lives during the month of Ramadan. Let Ramadan not be a final destination but a stepping stone to greater good from now on. Let it be that we come out stronger and better servants of Allah Ta?ala? AMEEN! Eid Mubarak! Originally published by Voice of the Cape We appreciate feedback on our articles. Please send feedback or any constructive comments to: feedback@eislam.co.za 3

4 EDITOR'S CORNER Despit e having been in t his com m unit y t he ent iret y of m y life, I have yet t o gain full know ledge on t he varying view s w e each hold from our unique perspect ives. Wit h t he opport unit y for anyone t o m ake a subm ission, w rit ing on any com m unit y relat ed t opic, I am excit ed t o hear from people I?m not necessarily acquaint ed w it h. I t ruly hope t his new slet t er can be used as a sort of forum in w hich com m unit y m em bers can express t heir opinions and ideas w it h an am plified voice, so I highly encourage anyone int erest ed t o subm it w rit ing. Wit h Ram adan finally over, be sure t o enjoy Eid and eat t o your heart 's cont ent. Eid Mubarak Haadiya Tar iq UPCOMING EVENTS - Youth computer programing - Youth life skills classes - Free health clinic / screening - Counseling - CPR classes - Monthly Halaqas These programs are currently being established so if you are interested in participating, contact the Islamic Center of Boise Executive Committee. If you are interested in helping these plans come to fruition, or have ideas for other programs, please let the ICB know. In times when families are coping with the deaths of their loved ones, often community members are having to focus on the massive costs of funerals instead. The rapidly escalating costs of funerals, currently $3,000 - $4,000 per funeral, is beyond the reach of many ICB (Islamic Center of Boise) community members and has put a severe financial burden on many families who, in spite of their financial burdens, are reluctant to ask for charity. The ICB has been helping such families, though the current method used to provide funeral services is severely in need of change. A way to honorably fund funerals and lessen the financial burden on families without shifting the burden to the ICB is critical. Historically, the ICB has been assisting or paying funeral expenses by using funds from charitable donations designated as charity and/or Zakat. Given today?s harsh economic climate, the large refugee population in the ICB?s community, and the increasing demands on the ICB?s funds, a self-funded funeral program will enable the ICB to economically serve a larger portion of the community and do so more consistently. The proposal is for a program for participating members of the ICB, the?idaho Muslim?s Self Financing Funeral Program?, where funeral expenses are covered by funds drawn from a pool of money funded by these participating members. Each member participates through a fee structure of contributions triggered by a funeral. A member would be considered as either a single individual or a household. IDAHO MUSLIM'S SELF-FINANCING FUNERAL PROGRAM The objective is to have families commit to join this program and agree to pay an initial fee of $100 to start establishing minimum proposed balance of $16,000, enough for 4 funerals. Participating members are guaranteed that their or their loved one?s funeral expenses will be covered by a common pool of funds. The program will be administered under the ICB Executive Committee and the funds will be managed by the ICB Treasurer. The funds will be held in an exclusive noninterest bearing ICB account to be used only and exclusively for the purpose of funeral expenses for this program members. Should the fund?s liquidity fall below $16,000. All members will be required to make a due payment to bring the fund back to the minimum level of $16,000. Any registered member of the ICB community is eligible to join the program. However, only members registered in the program and having paid the acceptable fees in time shall be eligible to receive the benefits of this program. The program?s structure, rules and bylaws will be developed at a later date. For any questions or suggestions please contact us at alhadi.icb@gmail.com Originally published in 2012 newsletter Interested in submitting an article for our next upcoming newsletter? Or would you like to submit art and photography? If so, contact us through mail at alhadi.icb@gmail.com and we'll let you know more when we begin to work on the next edition! If there are any other inquires, still feel free to us. 4

5 Islamic Cr osswor d Puzzle Across 1 Means?exertion? or?struggle? to follow the will of Allah. 3 The Quran and this go hand-in-hand. 5 Sweet fruits often used to break fast. 7 Month of fast. 9 Pillar associated with charity. Down 2 Largest Muslim nation. 4 Fifth pillar of Islam associated with a journey to Mecca. 6 Fertile place in middle of dessert. 8 The city in which Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born. 10 How many stairs are in front of the masjid? CROSSWORD RAFFLE If you finish the crossword correctly, you may enter to win a $5 Starbucks gift card. Simply send us a photo of the completed crossword puzzle at alhadi.icb@gmail.com and you will be entered in the raffle. All submissions are due by June 24. We will let you know if you are a winner by June 27. 5

6 SPONSORING AL-HADI YOUR AD Social Media Website Location To continue to publish the newsletter, we will need sponsors. If you are interested in advertising contact us at The online version of the newsletter will include links that can provide further information about your business Buyer: Free Consultation Market Analysis Before You Buy Real-estate Agent with over 15 years of Experience Seller: Comprehensive Market Analysis Yard Signs Color Flyers Professional Photos of your Home Buy or sell through us and give back to the community. For each house bought, we will donate $1000 t o t he ICB. And for each house sold we will pay $500 t o t he ICB on the buyer or seller's behalf. Cont act us: (208) or visit w w w.ihelpuow n.com Tariq Mian: (208) Tariq@ihelpuow n.com Adin Cat ovic: (208) Adin@ihelpuow n.com 6