"Soon will We show them Our signs in the horizons (of the world), and in their own selves until it becometh manifest unto them that He is the truth." 41:53
The foregoing characteristics relate to different aspects in a human’s life. Embedded within all of this, and underlying its essence, is one basic driving force that strongly controls our thoughts, words, and actions. This is the instinct of "self-survival". In all of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)’s living creations, including animals and even plants, there is an endowed primary mechanism of this instinct of self-survival that often overpowers everything else. In man, in particular, this takes the form of a formidable trial. Many of the sinful acts of man such as lying, cheating, stealing, dishonesty, betrayal of trust and covenants, taking a life unjustly, and even associating partners with Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Aala) are often driven by this instinct of self-survival. Faced with a situation when truth might hurt, or being honest might mean a lost opportunity for a gain, or being faithful to a commitment might entail hardships, or being obedient to Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)'s commands might accompany a sacrifice in fleeting worldly pleasures, or not being subservient to one who has an authority over him, [although this violates the principles of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)], might result in a loss of livelihood, man will often fail the trial and go with his survival instinct rather than have faith and trust in Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala). The instinct of self-survival was bestowed on man for his benefit to steer him away from harm, but man lets it control him and steer him along destructive ways of damnation.
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.
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 you all.
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 Syed Mohammed in California:
I very much appreciate to the article on Muharam on the occasion of
“Ashoora”, the day of assassination of Hussein ibn –eAli, the grandson
of the Nabiy.
Thank you brother. It is a noteworthy point worth-mentioning that one of the greatest examples of remaining steadfast on the right path in the hour of a most arduous trial was set by the grandson of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam), Hussein and Yahya, the son of Nabiy Zakariya (Alayhi AlSalam). The example of voluntarily, willingly, and readily sacrificing lives, property and children in the cause of Allah was shown, set and established in Karbala on the tenth day of Muharram, which the day of Ashura and is also a Holy Day. On Ashura in the 61st year of Hijrah, Hussein and his companion were vying with one another to give their lives in the cause of Allah. On that day he and his companions were all martyred. Children and women were among those killed and taken prisoners, with the exception of his twenty-two year old son who was very ill and unable to move, namely, Ali Ibn Hussein. Zaynab, Husayn’s sister was also taken prisoner. Muslims are obligated to love the household of the Nabiy (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam). The Books of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) condemn any harm to any human being by humanity. Mankind is exhorted to be just, to oppose corruption, and to ease suffering and hardships. The ignorant have always rejected those who preach the message of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala), and the representatives of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) had suffered relentless persecution and torturous deaths. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said,"Whoever hurts a believer, hurts me; whoever hurts me, hurts Allah; and whoever hurts Allah is the accursed of Torah, the Gospel.
Hussein was the grandson and Raihana of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam). {Raihana was a term used by Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) in respect of Al-Hasan and Al-Hussein, and denote the one much beloved to him]. Hussein was also the son of Ali Bin Abi Talib, Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam)'s cousin and the husband of his daughter Fatimah. The Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam).said,"Hasan (the oldest brother to Hussein) and Hussein are the Leaders of the youths of paradise." Hussein, along with the faithful band of seventy-two comrades and companions was brutally massacred even a baby of six months was spared, in the killing hunger and thirst of three continuous days under the scorching sun of the flaming Summer on the banks of the flowing river (Euphrates). Anyone who studies closely the history of these lessons, will find many similarities with our times of today and this is a lesson for life. We pray for the removal of fear, the establishment of authority for the overall good and welfare of the people, the freedom of religion, and peace and security in connection with the administration of human society in this world. O my Lord! Be Merciful, and Oft-forgiving to those of Thy sincere servants who are less careful in Thy obedience. O my Lord! I seek Thy help to keep me steadfast to the utmost degree in this hour of service to Thee in a manner which shall please Thee the most, 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.
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.
Our thanks and appreciation to our brothers and sisters from Illinois,
Virginia and Pennsylvania who donated $50 (for AL-KUFA Newsletter); $10
(from an inmate in Virginia’s prison); and $2 (from an inmate in Pennsylvania’s
prison). Also, the center received donations from two organizations, Voice
in the Wilderness, and Tawheed Institution Inc. donations of $20
and $2,000 [for the poor and needy of the followers of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu
Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam)] respectively. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala)
reward them for their good deeds for their kindness and may He protect
them all, Ameen.
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 ($1) a month, we would soon have an 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. May the Almighty Lord reward all of you in this life and in the Hereafter. Jazakum Allah Khair (May Allah Reward You With Goodness).
Financial Report Summary
January through March, 2000
Insha'Allah (God Willing), we will report to you the income (receipts) and expenses (payments and/or costs) through the coming months.
Total receipts (Rebate $4+ Bonus $25+ cash $171+checks $1667): $1877.00
Total expenditures: Printing the AL-KUFA Newsletter: $287; Mailing
Periodicals Mail: $633.54; Telephone: $66.97; Rental box in the Post Office
for the year $64; Eid Gifts for the Children $20.00; Copies $5.21; Scotch
Tapes: $10.49; Correcting Tapes $7.48; Membership: $30; Fabric $18.72:
$1143.47
This report includes donations to other programs and/or other causes and also includes any rebate, credit, award and other resources. AlHamdulillah, with the benefit of the Mailing Periodicals, the Center received credits from the Postal Service and we would like to thank those who worked to obtain the approval of this Periodicals mail. The Center printed 100 copies more the AL-KUFA Newsletter last month because of an increase in requests from inmates in different prisons. Also, the Center distributed $100 for a needy sister, $50 for a sick sister, $300 for needy/sick families. O’ Lord, we seek from You succor, protection against straying, correctness of action and Your Assistance, Ameen.
Any donations for the victims, needy/sick individuals and/or families, KUFA Scholarship and for purchasing the land have been excluded from this report and will be published in the future, Insha’Allah. Let us pray together that this mission will have a place, and that the AL-KUFA Newsletter and messages, KUFA Scholarship and KCIK programs will continue to serve the Muslims and the entire world. O' Lord, fulfill our desire from vastness of Thy Grace and do not cut off our hope by refusal, Ameen.
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 three Islamic foundations. Also, the Center were received a shirt from Open School, an Islamic book with English meaning from our brother in California. One of the books was published by a young man of age eighteen. 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.
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).
Historically, it is reported that Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) migrated in the Fall of 622 AD toward Madinah during the month of Rabi Al-Awwal. Actually, after the demise of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam), the Muslims chose Muharram to be the first month of the Hijrah Year, although this month does not coincide with his migration from Makkah to Madinah. The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar year and it advances ten days every year. There are twelve months in the Islamic Year. The actual length of each lunar month in the Islamic calendar depends on when the new moon is sighted. The sighting of the new moon marks the beginning of the month and the sighting of the next new moon marks the end of the previous one, and the beginning of a new month. Each Hijrah month contains 29 or 30 days and occasionally 28 days. Incidentally, in Islam according, each day begins at sunset, and ends at the next with the week starting at sunset on Saturday.
Religious leaders and scientists must use all available valid methods to make this determination. We pray for those who lead the Muslims to be united, and for the Ummah to have the same day for all occasions and also to obey the commands of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala).
We give thanks to the Almighty Lord Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) what
He has provided with His Kindness to all His creatures. Never does He oppress
anybody, and likewise, He does not wish injustice for any of His creatures.
He established a system of life and the law of cause and effect, and set
a particular line of action for every creature. He never discriminates
against His creatures or nations. His expectations from them are in accord
with their obligations and responsibilities. Similarly His reward or punishment
is also based on justice for all. He has taken into consideration the respective
capabilities and capacities of each creature so that there is no partiality
or injustice done to anyone of His creatures. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala)'s
grant the Muslims in this Hijrah Year great blessings life and the ability
to attain what pleases Him. O’ Lord give Your creatures a correct guidance
to follow the right path with the Divine commandments. We pray that this
new year bring to the world kindness, and humane relations among humans,
and for Muslims a true brotherhood. O’ Lord, enable us to become conscious
of Your Benevolence and Mercy, and induce in us the desire for equality,
freedom, truthfulness, piety, and justice. Let us pray this year and for
all years to come to have peace with respect, justice and equality
for all the people of the world, Ameen.
“O Lord! Do not leave me on my own.”
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam),“If anger draws a man towards doing an evil thing and he controls himself, he actually is as strong as a wrestler.”
If people become familiar with Islamic guidance they would be easily inclined towards it.