And establish thou, prayer at the two ends of the day, and at the approaches of the night, Verily the good deeds take away the evil deeds; This is a reminder for the (believers who are) mindful (of their Lord). 11:114
[This article is an excerpt from a future book Insha'Allah. The copyright is reserved by the author and this Newsletter. We pray that he will finish this book soon. May the Almighty Lord protect him and reward him for his goodness. He gives success through His mercy to whomsoever of them that works righteousness, Ameen]
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) says in Surat-ul Ahzab (33:35),“Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obedient men and the obedient women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the charitable men and the charitable women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their chastity and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember – Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward.” Islam lays the golden rules of life and behavior, as repeated for both men and women in this verse, starting with submission, and belief in Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala), and then being obedient to Him, and being truthful, and patient, and humble, and charitable, and imploring us to fast, and to guard our chastity, and above all, to remember Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) much.
An Arab of the desert once came to the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam], and said,“Teach me a work that may make me enter into paradise.” The Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] said,“You have asked a great question, although you have cut short your speech.” He then advised,“Set free all breathing beings, and set free the necks of men from servitude. And love thy kinsman who wrongs thee. And if thou art not able to do that, then feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, and bid what is good and forbid what is wrong. And if thou cannot do that, then withhold thy tongue except from that which is good.” Through many sayings, Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] has collectively enjoined the doing of good acts that are pleasing to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala). He would advise,“Be truthful when you speak, fulfill that which you promise, and restore when you are trusted with anything, and guard yourself from immodesty, and lower your eyes to the ground, and withhold your hands from what is wrong. The Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] would say that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) has bidden to fear Him in secret and in public, to speak a just word amidst either anger or pleasure, to seek a middle way between poverty and affluence, to perform duties toward relatives even if they cut off ties with you, to forgive the one who wrongs you, to reflect in silence, to speak with the remembrance of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala), to learn from observation, and to bid that which is just. On one occasion, the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] endeared his companions to act on the following, as well as to teach this to the one who would act accordingly. He said,“Fear to do all forbidden things and you shall become the best servant of Allah among men. Be pleased with what Allah has apportioned to you and you shall become the most independent of men. Be good to your neighbor and you shall become a Mu’min. Love for men what you love for yourself, and you shall become a Muslim. And laugh not much, for verily this deadens the heart.” [To Be Continued Insha’Allah]
In January 2000, brother Ilhan Fuat Gokbudak passed away. The Glorious Qur'an says,“Every soul shall taste of death; Then unto Us (only) ye shall (all) be returned.” 29:57 The KCIK and the editors of AL-KUFA Newsletter send their deepest and most sincere heartfelt condolences, to his family, relatives and friends of their departed ones for loss and also, to all our brothers and sisters who lose their love ones. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala), for sake of His chosen one, give them patience, courage, and strength to accept His Will. We pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) to comfort the deep sorrow for his family, relatives, and friends, especially to our brother and sister Uygur from Florida and Mulhime from Turkey, his nephews and nieces who also survive him. 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 his departed soul, shroud his with mercy and forgiveness and grant his company with the righteous, and appoint for his one of the gardens of Paradise, and rest his soul in peace, and join his soul with that of the true believers,“And join me with the righteous.” We ask our readers to read The Opening of the Glorious Qur'an (Soorat Fateha) and pray for him and his family. Jazakum Allahu Khairan. The Glorious Qur'an says,“Who when, misfortune befalleth them, say, to Allah we belong and to Him is our return.” 2:156
Our special thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters who joined us for Eid prayers, and celebration, and also to those who share, prepared the food for Eid Al-Fitr Al-Mubarak. Insha’Allah, we will see them again soon. Also, we wish to express our heartiest gratitude and gratefully acknowledgment those who sent letters, faxes, e-mails, Eid cards, and called during this holy occasion. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) accept your fasts, prayers, and may He shower His blessings and Grace upon you all. O' Lord, reward us for our good deeds, grant us Your mercy and protect us on the Day when You will provide the only shade, Ameen.
A large number of requests, through phone calls, letters, and in person, have been received from those who are interested in the AL-KUFA Newsletter, Dawah program, the Prayer Time-Table and also from those who filled the Free Subscription / Cancellation Form for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. Insha'Allah, the Center will continue the prayer time-table for each month in the KCIK’s website. If you receive more than one copy of this newsletter via a duplicate mailing, you can help us correct this by informing us and we thank you for that. Please share this newsletter as well as other material you receive from us, including the Glorious Qur'an with others, Jazakum Allah Khair.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of you. Because of the large numbers of letters that AL-KUFA has received, we will acknowledge and publish only some of these letters each time, and we are unable to include references due to space limitations. Our purpose of publishing these letters is to (a) make a certain plea known to the public in order that they might respond for the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), (b) make us all aware of certain circumstances, or (c) to share a joyous news as well as to make Dua'as and Prayers for those who are ill or have lost a loved one, and also for the one they have lost. NOTE: For those who are interested in announcing the birth of a child, sponsorship of orphan/child, graduation, wedding, death, or to publish matrimonial or employment interests, please contact the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge {you must include a telephone number for matrimonial advertisements}. Those who send letters and e-mails, please also provide the Center with your telephone numbers. In addition, brothers and sisters who are requesting of us various Islamic materials and messages, please provide us with a full name, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address. If this is to be sent to an institution, please ensure that the institution will accept such material(s), even if it is just the AL-KUFA Newsletter. Please type your request(s) and sign the paper. Insha'Allah, we will continue sending this newsletter to whoever wishes to receive it. Also, we request readers to let us know their new addresses when they relocate. Thank you brothers and sisters, and may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward all of you. Jazakum Allah Khairan.
AL-KUFA received letters, e-mails faxes and telephone calls. Our special thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters who took the time to call the Center with their prayers, support and substance. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward them and shower His blessings on all with His protection, Ameen.
They started their letters with the Name of Allah,“BISM-ILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-lR-RAHIM” and their greetings,“Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh”, and they ended their letters with the greeting,“Wa Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh.” Letters received from brothers and sisters: Jamil, Asief, John, Mohammad, Ali, Vincent, Jaffer, Saleh, and Zakaria respectively. Thank you for your letters, and your kind words and suggestions. Thank you for your letters, and your kind words and suggestions. We have clearly stated in our previously monthly message as well as in the AL-KUFA Newsletter that all religions encourage obedience to the AlMighty Lord and share His Gifts with others. Islam recommends to help the poor and the needy, Muslims and non-Muslims, all around the world. We encourage Muslims to donate toward programs which benefit not only Muslims, but also the world. If each person whatever his/her belief, came forward to help the one in need to his/her ability, the world would be a peaceful place to live in. Muslims believe in all previous Divine religions and His messengers, and Islam is the final religion, which perfect the message of Allah to mankind and superseded all previous messages and religions. To others who asked questions and/or related information Islam and on schools to attend, Insha’Allah, we will try to help them. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) bless us and keep us steadfast in our good deeds, Ameen.
Our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who sent letters, faxes, e-mails, postcards, publications or phone calls, or came in person to the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK), and for their support.
The kind expressions of the readers, encouraging us to continue this Newsletter are especially appreciated. As for 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 effectively assist. All donation(s) and gifts are acknowledged 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. The Glorious Qur’an says,“(Say): We feed you only for the pleasure of Allah; we desire from you neither reward nor thanks. And they spend (benevolently) of what We have provided them with, secretly and openly, and they repel evil with good; for these is the (happy) attainment of the (Eternal) abode.” 76:9 & 13:22
We are very grateful to all sources that sent us publications, their communications about Islam, Muslim community affairs, and educational articles, and to many individuals and institutions in the United States and abroad. Masha’Allah, these publications are all excellent.
In addition, our thanks to all brothers and sisters who took the time to write or call KCIK, and informed us about the change of their addresses or their desire to receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter. Remember that it costs us to distribute this newsletter to thousands of readers, and only a few continue their support of it. 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. This is a waste of resources. Please, let us avoid this loss.
Our thanks and appreciation to our brothers and sisters from Maryland and Virginia who donated $100 and $1,000. For the Momineen and Mominaat who donated toward the purchase of land for the Center, and/or support the Center may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) gift them houses in Heaven, Ameen. Insha’Allah, those who donated toward a place for the Center, we will publish their donations in the future. The Glorious Qur’an says,“Verily, your guardian is (none else but) Allah, and His Nabiy (Muhammad) and those who believe, those who establish prayer and pay the poor-rate, while they be (even) bowing down (in prayer). Whoever taketh Allah and His Apostle (Nabiy Muhammad) as his guardian, and those who believe, verily, (he hath joined) Allah’s party. They are those that shall (always) be triumphant. And the believer men and women, they are guardians of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil and they establish (regular) prayer and pay the poor-rate and obey Allah and His Nabiy (Muhammad). Allah will bestow on them His mercy; Verily Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” 5:55-56 & 9:71 May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) make the pure things of sustenance flow unto all, Ameen. Blessings of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) upon you all now and always. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your donations and support. May the Almighty Lord reward all of you in this life and in 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
Just remember that any money you pay to support KCIK 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. Any donation, small or large,
will Insha’Allah be accounted for in this life and in the Hereafter. If
each Muslim would donate just one ($1) a month, we would soon have one
Islamic Institution in each city. This would help bring the Muslims together
and spread the Word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), as our brothers and
sisters would find a place of worship wherever they travel. May Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta’Ala) bless you all, give you courage and provide you with resources
to continue your support. We ask you to support this mission, even with
your prayers. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) make the pure things of sustenance
flow unto all, Ameen. Blessings of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) upon you
all now and always. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your donations and support.
May the Almighty Lord reward all of you in this life and in the Hereafter.
Jazakum Allah Khair (MAY ALLAH REWARD YOU WITH GOODNESS).
The Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge is entirely dependent on your financial contributions. So, please share with us a fair contribution for this newsletter to enable it to continue.
In the past, when non-Muslims took the Shahadah and became Muslims, the Center gave them a copy of the Glorious Qur’an, a prayer rug, and a head cover for women (Hijab), if they didn’t already have it. We invite you to support this mission to continue. If you don't receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, it is only because we don't have enough funds 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 receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, and if you received it, then please share it with other brothers and/or sisters. Those in any prison who haven’t received their packages including a copy of the Glorious Qur’an, please request your chaplain and/or any representative of that facility to contact the Center, and Insha’Allah, we will be able to send it. Also, as part of Dawah program, brothers and sisters who would like to have someone visit them and/or call them on the telephone (for about 20 minutes) to talk about Islam, please request the chaplain/officer of that institution to contact the KCIK. We can arrange (at our expense) for people to call specific individuals, or to call a group of Muslims over a speaker phone, at an appointed time to provide lessons or answer questions on Islam, Insha’Allah.
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}. Islamic newsletters, Bulletin of Affiliation, Islamic magazines, newspapers and other Islamic materials were received from many Islamic institutions.
Any donation(s) will aid us in our Dawah program as well as benefit the KUFA Public Library. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward you for your efforts and enable you to do good deeds in this life and bless you and your family in this world and in the Hereafter. O’ Lord increase our knowledge and guide all of us to the right path, Ameen. We request donations to aid us in our Dawah program as well as for the KUFA Public Library. Thank you, and may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward you with goodness.
For the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), we therefore request you to assist us financially or materially in all of our programs. 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).
A genuine believer truly believes in Islam and tries to implement it in his/her life. A true believe declares submission to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), and fulfills the requirements of such a submission in word and deed. O’ Allah, make us realize the true sense of the word "submission" would Insha’Allah, in our hearts. YourGrace dictates that every single good action that we do will be credited to us and we be given its reward in full. You are always inclined to forgiveness and compassion. You accept the first step fromYour servants, and rewards us for obedience. Please to give us the chance and guidance to appreciate the true nature of faith and accept Your message to mankind, Ameen
O Lord, grant me strength for toil, and patience in time of trials. Let me be of those who invoke Thee sincerely, in prosperity, as do the afflicted ones in time of their hardships. Verily Thou art Praiseworthy and Great. Let me be, in all my circumstances, preserved, guarded, defended, covered, protected, sheltered and secure, Ameen.
Beware, Paradise is lawful only for a believer, and that they (the people) should gather for prayer.
Be obedient to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), and remember Him with love, and picture to yourself that you are walking toward Him, while He is running you. He wishes to embrace you with His forgiveness and to conceal your faults with His kindness. Do not turn your back on Him and towards others. Certainly, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) is Great, the Powerful Who is so generous, and how weak are you and still so bold to disobey Him although you live in His protection and undergo changes of life in the expanse of His kindness. He does not refuse you His kindness and does not remove His protection from you. In fact you have not been without His assistance and kindness even for a moment, whether it be a favor that He conferred upon you, or a sin of yours that He has concealed, or a calamity that He has warded off from you. Imagine your status and condition if you obey Him.