On Friday, December 12, 1997, Hajjia Om (mother) Yarub, daughter of Sheikh Ali AL-Fartousi passed away after the morning (Fajr) prayer at her house. She was a good mother. She taught her family to be patient and to be thankful. Her funeral rites, and burial prayers were held on the same day. Ayatullah Sayyidd Hussain Bahr AL-Oloom lead the prayers. Three days of Al-Fateha started the next day in her city as well as other places where Muslims scholars and others read part of the Glorious Qur'an. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Every soul shall taste of death; Then unto Us (only) ye shall (all) be returned." 29: 57

We pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) to comfort the deep sorrow for her family, relatives, and friends. Her spirit still lives in the minds of her family, especially our brother Hajji Amer A. AL-Zubaudi from Virginia, and also her daughter Kifaya. O' Lord, let me not forget to remember them after my ritual prayers, forgive them through my supplication and their devotion toward me with unfailing forgiveness, Ameen. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) bless her departed soul, shroud her with mercy and forgiveness and grant her company with the righteous, and appoint for her one of the gardens of Paradise, and rest her soul in peace, and join her soul with that of the true believers. The Glorious Qur'an says: "And join me with the righteous." We ask our readers to read Fateha (The Opening the Glorious Qur'an) and pray for her and her family.
 Soorat Alfatiha

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Rahim [In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful]
Alhamdu Lillahi Rabbil Aalameen [(All praise is (only) Allah's, the Lord of the world]
Ar Rahmanir Rahim [The Beneficent, the Merciful]
Malike Yawwiddin [Master of the Day of Judgment]
Iyyaka Na'abodo Wa-E-Yaka Nastaien [Thee (alone) we worship, and of Thee (only) we seek help]
Ih Dinas Siratal Mostaqim [Gide us (O'
Lord) on the Right Path]
Siratal La Thee Na An Amat Alaihim

Ghairal Maghdhoobi Alaihim Wa La Dhalleen [The path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed Thy bounties, not (the path) of those inflicted with Thy wrath, nor (of those) gone astray] Ameen. Jazakum Allahu Khairan. O LORD, LET IT BE ONE OF THE GATES TO THY FORGIVENESS AND ONE OF THE KEYS TO THE MERCY AND LET THEM ABIDE IN THY PARADISE, AMEEN.

Her family is very thankful to all of those who shared in this sadness by sending prayers, presents, faxes, letters, cards, flowers, and donations in her name to the Kufa Center Of Islamic Knowledge. O' Lord, reward them for their goodness, Ameen.
The KCIK members and the editors of AL-KUFA Newsletter extend their heartfelt, deepest and most sincere condolences to her family, relatives and friends for their loss. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala), for sake of His chosen one, give them patience, courage, and strength to accept His Will. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Who when, misfortune befalleth them, say, to Allah we belong and to Him is our return." 2:156

Al-Hamdulillah, a (Mohsin) from Virginia denoted the cost of purchasing a new computer system 200 Gateway PC and donated check toward Dawah and another one for the AL-KUFA Newsletter (total is = $2900). May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) reward him for his good deeds. O' LORD, REWARD THOSE WHO ACT RIGHTEOUSLY WITH GOODNESS AND BLESSINGS FOR ALL THAT HE HAS CONFERRED UPON THEM OF HIS HAS CONFERRED UPON THEM OF HIS RECURRENT FAVORS, AMEEN. Jazakum Allahu Khairan. The Glorious Qur'an says: "And Allah gave them the reward in this world and the excellent reward of the hereafter; Verily Allah loveth those who do good (to others)." 3:147 Insha'Allah, this system will improve our program and enable us to improve our program and enable us to serve Islam and humanity in the best way. Be one of those (Mohsineen) to become forward and donate for this cause, making every effort to help us to fulfil our objective. O' Lord, record our good deeds and leave us delighted with what they have written down concerning them (good deeds), Ameen. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Whoever intercedeth with a good intercession shall have a share therefrom." 4:85

 Definitions And Fundamentals:
 Saum: Fasting
 [Continued From Vol. 4, No. 1, December, 1998]

The Arabic word Sabr is a comprehensive term. It means persisting with to one's duty and mission in the face of great hardships; in other words; steadfastness, firmness of purpose, patience, perseverance, the power to bear difficulties and sorrows with a strong will and unwavering faith. Fasting has a direct positive effect on a person's psychological, social, and physical being by changing his/her habits and emotional attitude, bringing communities together, and developing compassion toward the hungry and the needy. It also makes the one who is fasting hardy and strong-willed to become better able to face the hardships of life. The Glorious Qur'an says: "O' ye who believe! seek help with patience and prayer; Verily Allah is with the patient ones." 2:153

Saum of the month of Ramadhan has a great spiritual experience. Mere hunger and thirst do not constitute a fast. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said: "For everything there is a Zakat (purification), and the Zakat of the bodies is fasting." He also said in the famous Hadith Qudsi in which the Almighty Lord says: "Fasting is Mine and it is I who give reward for it." Praise to be Allah who ordained His month, the month of Ramadhan, the month of fasting, the month of Islam, the month of purity, the month of purification and the month of standing up (for prayers) in which the Qur'an was made to descend, which is a guidance for mankind. He gave excellence to one of its nights over a thousand months and named it the night of Qadr, wherein descend the angles at the spirit by permission of their Almighty Lord, for every matter, peace of everlasting blessing till the dawn of the morning to whomsoever of His servants He Will, according to the decree confirmed by Him. O' Lord, help us to observe its fasts by restraining our limbs from disobeying Thee and employing them in that which would please Thee, Ameen.

The month of Ramadhan is the month of giving. It also has innumerable hygienic, economic and social benefits which are perceived only by those who perform it with a strong belief and sincere faith.

One final comment about fasting. Unfortunately, some Muslims simply invert their night and day schedules during the month of Ramadhan, eating, drinking, and working (but also praying) all day long. This defeats the purposed to devote extra time for prayer during the night, but also rest in order to be able to fulfil the responsibilities and obligations during the day. Moreover, fasting is supposed to provide a Muslim with a state of mind that is focused on the duties toward Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala), so that the Muslim can train himself or herself to turn daily though, words, actions, and emotions in accordance with the pleasure Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). Hence, it is important to accommodate the fast which performing the regular duties of daily life, trying to correct and improve oneself, so that this improvement remain with the individual once the month of
Ramadhan has passed. We ask of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) to protect us from the Fire. Also we ask Him to accept our fasts and reward us with the best rewards in this life and in the hereafter, Ameen. [To Be Continued Insha'Allah

Acknowledgement
Thanks For Your Support!

Our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who sent letters, faxes, postcards, or phone calls, or came in person to the Kufa Center Of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK), and for their support of the AL-KUFA Newsletter, the KUFA School, and the KUFA Public Library, from within the United States and board. The kind expressions of the readers, encouraging us to continue this Newsletter is especially appreciated. As for the financial help, our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters among our generous readers for their support. Please note: you may specify the purpose of your donations(s), unless you give us permission to use your donations(s) wherever they are needed most and where your donation(s) can most effective assist, especially for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. All donation(s) and gifts are acknowledge with a tax deductible receipt (unless otherwise requested) and we thank you for sharing your gifts from Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala)  with us. As the fruit of this mission begins to blossom. Insha'Allah, large numbers will receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter.

We are very gratefully to all sources who sent us publications, their communications about Islam, Muslim community affairs, and educational articles, individuals and institutions in the United States and abroad. Ma-Sha'Allah, these publications are all excellent and those who have borrowed them have enjoyed reading them. These publications are inventoried in the KUFA Public Library and some have been mailed to our brothers and sisters in the prisons and other places.
In addition, our thanks for all brothers and sisters who took the time to write or call KCIK and inform us about the change of their addresses or their desire to receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter. REMEMBER IT COSTS US TO DISTRIBUTE THIS NEWSLETTER TO THOUSANDS OF READERS. Please be aware of this and send your donations to cover the cost for mailing, etc., to AL-KUFA. Please also inform us of any change in address. When a newsletter is returned to us, it costs $0.32 or $0/50, or $0.76, or $1.60 if different cases. This is a waste of resources. Please, let us avoid this loss.
Our special thanks and appreciation to our sister from Illinois, and two brothers and sister from Virginia for their donations of $50; $20, $249.62 and $2 respectively. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your donations and support. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) reward all of you in this life and the hereafter. The Glorious Qur'an says: "You will never attain piety unless you spend on others out of what you dearly cherish." 3:92.

Finally, we are very much thankful to our generous readers and members who continue to send their donations, gifts, publications and so on. The Glorious Qur'an says: "(Say): We feed you only for the pleasure of Allah; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. And spend (benevolently) of what We have provided them with, secretly and openly, and they turn evil away with good; for these is the (happy) attainment of the (Eternal) abode." 76:9 & 13:22
Just remember that any money you pay to support KCIK, KUFA School, KUFA Public Library and AL-KUFA Newsletter is paid to strengthen the word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and for the sake of spreading Islam. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) bless you all, give you courage and provide you with resources to continue your support. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Say (O' Our Apostle Muhammad!)' If ye do love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you." 3:30 Jazakum Allah Khair (MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU WITH GOODNESS).

The Kufa Center Of Islamic Knowledge is entirely dependent on your financial contributions. The AL-KUFA Newsletter especially needs your support to cover its monthly costs. So, please share with us a fair contribution for this newsletter to enable it to continue.

In addition, we receive a large number of requests for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. If you don't receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, it is only because we don't have enough fund to cover the costs, especially for overseas shipping including Canada. [Note to our brothers and sisters in prison: please check with your institutions if you did not receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter. We included the December issue of the AL-KUFA Newsletter with our parcel to prison libraries.]
In addition, it is our responsibility to bring to your attention, our dear readers, that we are in desperate need for a place to teach and in need of resources {Qur'an, Hadith, Fiqh, and other Islamic books (we are in particular need of English translations of the Glorious Qur'an)}. Copies of the Glorious Qur'an with English meaning and Islamic books were received, from the donation of two Islamic foundations. Also, Islamic Book Shop and Open School donated books and tapes. These donations will aid us in our Dawah program as well as benefit the KUFA Public Library. Insha'Allah, many individuals and publishers wll participate in this Dawah program. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Also, we are in need for several items in order for you to receive this newsletter in time, such as copy-machine, a type-writer (particularly, an Arabic type writer), scanner and other items. Please donate these or the costs of these items. Also, we don't have a software to enable us to write in Arabic. Insha'Allah, you will be one of the (Mohsin) who will donate for the cause of Islam and humanity. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) reward you for your efforts and enable you to do good deeds in this life and bless you in the hereafter. Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Insha'Allah, the AL-KUFA Newsletter will be distributed on the internet (please see the editorial page for our and web page information). Jazakum Allahu Khairan. The Glorious Qur'an says: "That Allah may give them the best recompense for what they have done and increase for them, out of His grace; And Allah provideth sustenance for whomsoever He willeth without measure." 24:38

For the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala), we therefore request you to assist us financially or materially (by donating money, books, tapes, etc.). We particularly request you to bring this plea to the attention of your community, and encourage them to donate their Islamic charities to this cause. Jazakum Allah Khair (MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU WITH GOODNESS).

Insha'Allah (God Willing), we will report to you the income (receipts) and expenses (payments and/or costs) through the coming months.

Receipts: October: $195; November: $208.56: December: $1,661.62. Total: $2,065.18
Expenditures: October: Printing the AL-KUFA Newsletter: $70; Bulk Mail: $121.64; Stamps: $164.40; Telephone: $23.34; Labels: $19.99; Copies: $6.90. Total: $406.27
 November: Printing the AL-KUFA Newsletter: $70; Bulk Mail: $118.40; Stamps: $122; Telephone: $32.53; Small Labels: $3.69; Copies: $2.76+$2.64; Fax Papers: $9.99, Envelopes: $4.99. Total: $367.00
December: Printing the AL-KUFA Newsletter: $83; Bulk Mail: $105.03; Telephone: $25.36; Copies: $51.21; Correction Pen: $3.99. Total: $268.59
Total Expenditures = $1041.86
Balance: (October through December, 1997) = $2,065.18-$1,041.86 = $1,023.32
Balance: from the previous nine months = $9.33
The $500 donation spent from it for Dawah [Labels: $18.99; Envelopes: $52.12; Masking tapes: ($5.99+6.88); Fiqh Books: $47.45; Copies of the Glorious Qur'an: $112; Postage Meter Deposit for Stamps (Meter): $250. Total = $493.43

Total receipts, expenditures and blance for the 1997, including donations for Dawah program as well as any credits and/or awards is = $6,346.35 - $5,247.55 is = $1,098.80. The cost of the new computer and the donations and/or the gifts for the KUFA Scholarship will not included in this annual report. Let us pray together that the AL-KUFA Newsletter will continue to help those in need and to serve the Muslim and the World. O' LORD, FULFILL OUR DESIRES FROM THE VASTNESS OF THY GRACE AND DO NOT CUT OFF OUR HOPE BY REFUSAL, AMEEN.

Before we begin any discussion in Islam, we must bear in mind that the main sources of legislation in Islam are the Glorious Qur'an and Sunnah of Nabiy Muhammad [sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam]. When we formulate any theory that has a religious bearing, we should be able to support it with the Glorious Qur'an and Sunnah of Nabiy Muhammad [sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam]. The Glorious Qur'an says that "they believe not until they make thee a judge of what's in dispute between them." 4:65 and that "if you 'quarrel' (debate) about anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger if you believe in Allah and the last day. This is best and more suitable to achieve the end." 4:59 It is reported that "Give up my word for the word of Allah. Give up my word for the word of the Messenger of Allah."

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) created us as souls before our existence on earth. As souls, some of us knew each other and we were close to some and dislike others. This tends to persist when these souls spend their time on earth. These souls were introduced into earthly bodies in the wombs of our mothers, and the angle who does this is commanded to write down four matters: our livelihood, our life span, our actions, and whether we would be happy or unhappy.

While a person's actions are written, the accountability of the person comes from his or her intentions. Nabiy Muhammad [sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] said that,"Actions are but by intention". He then went on to explain that the people who performed hijra with him, for example, those who did it with the intention of marriage or some worldly reason, their hijra was for that reason, whereas those who did it for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and His Messenger, their hijra was for that purpose. [To Be Continued Insha'Allah]

The time has come for the Kufa Center Of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK) to welcome new members. We invite you to be a member or honorary member or you may choose from the following: 1) Active Member (Muslim), 2) Adjunct Member (any individual who is interested in Islam), and 3) Honorary Member. The annual dues for membership in 1998 shall be as follow: 1. Student (individual or family $12); 2. Others (individual $18 and family $20). [Honorary members do not pay dues.] The payment is due in January, 1998. However, for any individual who is unable to pay this, part or all of due may be waived. Jazakum Allah Khair for becoming a member of KCIK. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) reward you for your good deeds. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Those who spend their wealth in the path of Allah, (and) thereafter follow it not with obligation or injury, for them is their reward with their Lord, and neither shall have (any) fear and nor shall they grief." 2:274

Insha'Allah, those who interested in serving on the Project Committee, please let know. The Board of Directors of the Project Committee consists of nine directors to supervise the following committees: education, publications, library, program activities and public relations, maintenance, children and youth programs, membership, fund raising, and ladies programs. The terms of service will be for one year. For further information; please feel free to write to KCIK or call at (540)563-8471. You may also contact the center on the Network in the editorial page in order to inform us of your e-mail.

We also urge each and every member of KCIK to inform us about any individual who is interested in becoming a KCIK member. You, brothers and sisters may want to send us more names and addresses of your relatives, friends, colleagues, or neighbors, whom you think would like to join KCIK as active or adjunct members and/or have their names added to the KCIK mailing list or directory. We appreciate your kind help in this regard. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Such advise is given to him who believes in Allah and the Last Day. And for those who fear Allah, He always prepares for them a way out." 65:2
May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) strengthen our local community and increase our commitment to serve the cause of Islam and the growth of the entire Muslim Community over the world. O' Lord, Reward Those Who Acted Righteously With Goodness, Ameen.