"Whosoever did good, whether male or female, and is a believer, then We will certainly grant him a life good and pure, and certainly We will give them their return with the best of what they did." 16:97
[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]
Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] said that there are seven people whom Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) will draw under His own shadow on the day of resurrection when there will be no other shadow except His. These fortunate ones are a just leader; a young man who has spent his youth in the service of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala); a man whose heart remains suspended in the place of prayer when he goes out of it until he returns to it; two men who love each other for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala), uniting thereat and separating thereat; a man who remembers Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) alone, his eyes running with tears; a man whom a woman of birth and beauty attracts him, but he says,“Verily, I fear Allah”; and a man who gives charity and hides it, so that his left hand knows not what his right hand expends. The Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] once enumerated three things that lead to salvation, and three that lead to destruction. The actions that lead to salvation are the fear of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) in secret and in public; speaking the truth, whether in a situation of pleasure or anger; and taking a moderate path between affluence and poverty. And he said that the indulgences that lead to destruction are a lustful desire that is followed; avarice that is obeyed; and the wondering of a man at his own self – the last being the most grievous of all (because this amounts to associating a partner with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)).
Eid Al-Adh’ha, the festival of sacrifice, occurs during the highly respected month of Thul Al Hijjah. This is a commemoration of Nabiy Ibrahim (Alayhi AlSalam) who was elevated to the leadership of mankind and his willingness to sacrifice his own son Nabiy Ismail (Alayhi AlSalam) at Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala)’s command.
Ten days following the confirmation of the sighting of the crescent (Hilal) of the month of Thul AlHijjah is the first day of Eid Al-Adh'ha Al-Mubarak. The Muslims will celebrate this auspicious occasion of the Eid (day of “festival”) Eid-Al-Adh’ha with prayers and the exchange of gifts, especially to children. Eid Al-Adh'ah prayers will be Insha'Allah held on Thursday, March 16, 2000, at 9:00 a.m. at KCIK. Breakfast will be served after the prayers. If you have any questions about Eid prayers or Eid celebrations, please call KCIK. We look Forward To Seeing You There, Insha'Allah.
We express our sincere best wishes and heartiest felicitation to Muslims
all around the world on this joyous occasion, and wish them happiness and
all the blessing of the Eid Al-Adh'ha AL-Mubarak. May The Almighty Lord
Repeat These Days with Happiness And Prosperity For This Year And Always.
O' Lord, bring us together in Your shade, Ameen.
Birth: Masha’Allah, many new Muslim males and females joined the ranks of Islam. They include brother Ali, Tariq, Medhi, Sharif, and Mohammad and sisters Hanna, Noor, Fatimah, Randa, Donia, Lina, Dania, Zakiyaa, Amina, and Reem. O’ LORD, INCREASE THEIR TERMS OF EXISTENCE, AMEEN.
Wedding: Six weddings were held by KCIK, brothers and Sisters: Ashraf & Lisa, Salaman & Adibia, Ahmad & Debory, Samed & Avin, Samer & Tanya, and Ali & Meldoy. Ahmad & Wijdan, Hussein & Assel, Hussan & Zina, Zaid & Rada, Ahmad & Jammeela, Abdu Azeez & Walilah, Hanif & Amina, were married. O' LORD! GRANT US FROM OUR WIVES AND OUR OFFSPRING THE JOY OF OUR EYES, AMEEN.
Graduation: Islam honors and respects knowledge, learning and wisdom. Brothers Mohammad A Al-Najadah, Ali H. Halboos, Rasul Ahmed S. Majied, Hanif Abdur Rashid, and Amjed A Ababseh have obtained high school diplomas. Fahad A. Al-Najadah and sister Emina M. AL-Zubaidi have obtained their diplomas, brother Zaid M. AL-Althari has obtained a Master’s degree. Brothers Ahmed N. Al-Hadad, Mohammad F. Younos, and Abdulmoshsen E. Alsayegh have obtained their Doctorate’s degrees. O’ LORD, CAUSE MY MOTIVE TO BE THE BEST OF RESOLUTIONS AND MY CONDUCT, THE BEST OF ACTIONS, AMEEN.
The Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK) and the AL-KUFA Newsletter editors extend their congratulations to them, their parents and families. O Lord, order for me the best in all my affairs, 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 Center {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.”
Segments of a letter received from brother Elias, South Africa:
We are requesting ties with our community, for the sake of spreading
true Islam in our community. We are requesting you to establish relationships
for attracting our youth to enter Islam. May Allah keep us in touch and
we are looking forward to your reply, Insha’Allah.
Thank you. We sent the AL-KUFA Newsletter to you, and you may also
visit the KCIK’s website for more information. May Almighty help us all
to be in the right path to serve Islam and humanity, Ameen.
Our thanks and appreciation to all many individuals and institutions in the United States and abroad, 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 KCIK, and for their support to us. 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, especially for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. 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 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
In addition, our thanks to all brothers and sisters who took the time to write or call us, and informed us about the change of their addresses or their desire to receive the 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. When a newsletter is returned to us, it costly, and this is a waste of resources. Please, let us avoid this loss.
Our thanks and appreciation to our brothers and sisters from New York, Illinois, and Virginia who donated $300 [$250 (Sadaqah for the needy) and $50 (for AL-KUFA Newsletter)]; and $5 (from an inmate in Virginia’s prison). 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. 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 believing 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
Just remember that any money you pay to support us 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. We ask you to support this mission, even with your prayers. The Glorious Qur’an says,“Say (O' Our Apostle (Nabiy Muhammad!)' If ye do love Allah, then follow me, and Allah will love you. You will never attain piety unless you spend on others out of what you dearly cherish.” 3:30 & 3:92 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 KCIK is entirely dependent on your financial contributions and the 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. 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 bookstores, institutions and foundations. Any donation(s) will aid us in our Dawah program as well as benefit the KUFA Public Library. Insha'Allah, many individuals and publishers will participate in this Dawah program. 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.
Our special thanks to those who visited the Center and/or borrowed books and other material. 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).
Hajj is according to Islam one of the very oldest true and pure religious rituals. It is obligatory for all-Muslim adults, man or woman, to be performed once in a lifetime, if health and material well-being permit. It is also one of the religious pillars in Islam. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) advised that it should be undertaken as early in one's mature life as possible. Hajj is to be performed during the days of Hajj while Umrah can be performed anytime during the year. A pilgrim must enter a state of ritual purity before reaching Makkah by performing ritual bathing and wearing the special garment of the pilgrim, the “Ihram”. The pilgrim then carries out a set of rites. These rites include the intention of self purification “Niyyah”, circumambulating “Tawaf” seven times around the Ka'bah, two Rak’ah at Maqame (Station of) Nabiy Ibrahim (Alayhi AlSalam), drinking water from the well of Zamzam, “Sa'i” between the Safa and Marwah hills, traveling to Mina, then to Arafat, and standing on the plain of Arafat next to Muzdalifah at sunset, where the pilgrim pray Maghrib and Isha together and collect 21 pebbles, and then goes to Mina the next day, and stone shaitaan’s symbolic offers sacrifice by slaughtering an animal, shaves or cuts hair. This is the 10 of the Thul Al Hijjah. Then the pilgrim returns to Makkah to perform the final Tawaf, prayer, drinking Zamzam and performing Sa’i. The pilgrim changes from the Ihram and stays two to three day in Mina. Most of pilgrims visit Madinah’s Mosque where Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam)’sTomb lies, and they may visit other places.
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) explains the importance of Hajj. It is a
great experience.
Hajj is the Muslim's evolution toward Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala).
It is also a display of brotherhood, unity of the Ummah (individual, community,
nation), and oneness of humanity of mankind before the eyes of the Creator.
Annually, Muslims from all over the world participate in the Hajj to join
together to worship the Almighty, Lord of the Worlds, and to purify their
souls in a pilgrimage to Him. Everyone is considered equal, regardless
of whether that Muslim is a man or a woman, young or old, black or white,
poor or rich. We pray Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) to help us all obey and
fear Him, and we pray for the acceptance of the Hajj performed by all Muslims,
and for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) to facilitate it. Surely, Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta’Ala) is the Facilitator and Guide to the right Path, Ameen.
O Lord, this is a blessed day and Muslims are gathering in regions of Thy earth; such of them as have a request, those that seek something, those that love something, and those who fear, are all present, and Thou art attending to their wants. Therefore, I beg Thee, on account of Thy Bounty and Generosity, to make my request blessed for Thee to grant. O Lord, bless whose who perform their duties that they owe You, and gift all Muslims on the day of Eid, a day which Thou hast ordained to be a festival one of joy, of gathering, and of congregation for the people of Thy creed. O Lord, the Lord of Adam, Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, we are assembled here today in a house of Yours for uniting our hearts with your love and mercy. All religions were once united; they anticipated one another; they validated one another; Oh, Our Rabb, let that be so again, Ameen.
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam),“The accepted Hajj - there is no less a reward for it than Paradise. So he must be aware of what many are affected by because of their ignorance or misguidance.”
O Lord of the worlds! Place the rest of my life seeking Thy face. Make my heart trust in what is with Thee. Appoint for me a resting place with Thee where I may seek haven in serenity. Be toward me as Thou art toward the righteous. Let me find the coolness of Thy pardon and the sweetness of Thy mercy, Thy repose, Thy ease, and the garden of Thy bliss!