Glory Be To Him Who Carried His Servant (Apostle Muhammad) By Night
From The Holy Mosque (Of The Ka'bah) To The Farthest Mosque, Which We Have
Blessed Its Environment That We May Show Unto Him, of Our Signs; Verily
He Is The All-Hearing, The All-Seeing
Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge
P.O. Box 11771 Roanake, VA 24022-1771 USA
Tel/Fax (540) 563-8471
E-mail us For more information
The tenth of Dhul AlHijjah is the first day of Eid Al-Adh'ha Al-Mubarak
and it is subject to sighting of the new moon (Hilal), the crescent of
the month of Dhul AlHijjah. Ten days following the confirmation of the
sighting of the crescent, the Muslims will celebrate this auspicious occasion
of the Eid (day of "festival"). The administration of the Kufa Center of
Islamic Knowledge (KCIK) and the editors of the AL-KUFA Newsletter express
their sincere best wishes with their heartiest felicitation to Muslims
all around the world. This year, Eid Al-Adh'ah prayers will be Insha'Allah
held on Tuesday, April 8, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. at KCIK. Breakfast will be
served after the prayers. If you have any questions, about Eid prayers,
Eid celebrations, please call KCIK at (540) 563-8471 or e-mail kufa.center@usa.net
Insha'Allah (God Willing), We will see you that day. We wish all
Muslims on this Joyous Occasion, happiness and blessing of the Eid Al-Adh'ha
AL-Mubarak. O' LORD, BRING US TO GATHER IN YOUR SHADE, AMEEN.
It might be interesting to conclude with a brief discussion on genetics and heredity in the context of the present discussion. Science tells us that while we inherit certain characteristics and talents from our parents and ancestors based on how our genes are configured, "random" mutations can change such configurations, and also, the environment can influence physical, physiological, and behavioral tendencies. Scientists agree that genetic conditioning does not imply that heredity is the dice of destiny. In principle, the development of a trait can be manipulated by changes in the environment. The composition of what is inherited and how the individual based on environment manipulates that, which is inherited, is known as the "nature-nurture" problem. In the ongoing debate on cloning humans, for example, scientists acknowledge that if they were to identically duplicate the genes of two individuals such as AL-Kindi, (one of the most distinguished in Islamic science where the development of his ideas lead into the modern theory of relativity), this does not imply that the individual would be a genius in the field of Knowledge such as physics, or be a genius at all. His/her development would be influenced by his/her upbringing and environment.
Of course, this doesn't mean that person with no aptitude for language, for example, can be made into a Meuelana Rumi, that is, there's a balance between nature and nurturing.
In light of the above discussion, given the hereditary genes and the physical environment that Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Ala) has endowed on an individual, this poses the trial or test that this individual faces. The spiritual development of the individual is governed by the consciousness with which the person is inclined toward Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Ala) and toward doing good, regardless of the actual outcomes that evolve. The genes and the environment determine the difficulty of this task.
There is a hadith about a habitual drunk who died in the dirt where he lay most of his life, and the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] asked that he be washed, and he lead the funeral prayer for him.
The sahaba questioned this and the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] replied that while he was drunk all his life, this person had the constant fear of Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Ala) in his heart and would cower with fear when he passed any mosque. It is this inner consciousness that was his, and for which he was evaluated. This should be a moral for those who pass judgment against others. No one knows what is in the hearts of other people, and no one has the right to judge what Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Ala) would decide about the hereafter of anyone, and no one knows the final outcome of anyone, including of oneself, except that which He reveals. We should purify your own hearts and intentions, and incline ourselves toward good, and enjoin good on others, and leave the evaluation process to the Evaluator. May Allah (Subhanu wa Ta'Ala) guide us, forgive us and have mercy on us, Ameen.
A human being should think about his/her world and his/her place in it. He/she should realize that he/she is only one of the numerous forms of life, and that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has made his/her survival depend on the cooperation with his/her fellow creatures. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said: "The successful one who is that who is of greatest benefit to the people."
Everyone should search for facts and the truth following scientific
methods. There is one thing that as necessary if he/she sincerely wants
to embrace the truth, and that is it be received from Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala). The Nabiy (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) authentically
presented this truth to mankind. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi
Wasalam) said: "My followers shall live in welfare as long as they
do not abandon the bidding of good conduct, and forbidding misconduct,
and cooperate with one another in good works. But when they abandon this
program in life, the blessings will be withdrawn from them and some of
them shall be imposed on the rest. As a result they will suffer, but they
will neither find any refuge on the earth, nor any helper will come to
their aid from anywhere." The Glorious Qur'an says:
"Ye are the best group that been brought forth for mankind: Ye enjoin
goodness and ye forbid evil, and ye believe in Allah; And if the people
of the Book had (also) believed (similarly) it had surely been better for
them; of them (only some) are believers and most of them are perverse."
3:110
Today, with our complex civilization, even the simplest problems have so many interrelationships, and we have merely further complicated the problems and made them more difficult to solve. The great extent of these problems leads one to become a constant victim of sorrow and distress. One of these problems lack of mutual trust, respect, and cooperation. It is the responsibility of the administration, educational institutions, executive authority as well as individuals to uphold this trust, respect and cooperation to guarantee a safer and lasting peace.
If we work together through cooperation, and mutual respect, we will first collect all the facts that can be assembled from every available source. Then we shall be able to follow a just plan, and we shall be in a better position to make decisions. Also, the solution of these problems is impossible without patience, forgiveness, sacrifice, and kindness, which are based on cooperation. These enable us to attain happiness and to live peaceful together as members of a collective human family. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Allah and His Apostle; These it is that are the truthful ones." 59:9
It is important to point out that the faith is a source of comfort to others. The relationship between one with another should be based on sincere reciprocal sympathy, love and cooperation. Personal desires, a businesslike attitude and materialism make life miserable and cause darkness for others. Every man/woman, undoubtedly depends upon Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala)'s provision even for his/her own sustenance.
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) Said: "The best works near Allah, is to make happy your brother in faith by relieving him of hunger, distress and sorrow." The Glorious Qur'an says: "Righteousness is rather one who believeth in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book, and the apostles, and giveth his wealth out of love for Him." 2:177
When the actions in life proceed on truth, success will ultimately yield its fruits, and then, the world's civilization will fully attain its goals, if it please Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). The Glorious Qur'an says: "Allah and His Apostle; These it is that are the truthful ones. O' ye people! Ye are the needy unto Allah; and Allah is He Who is the self-sufficient, the Most" Praised One." 35:15. O' Lord, we have placed our problems before You. Please do not deny us Your Love and support.
Verily, Thou art merciful to him who prays unto Thee and answers him who invokes Thee. O' Lord, lets us achieve success by adopt Your path to obtain the useful fruits in this life and the hereafter, Ameen.
It Is Recommended To Contact An Islamic Institution Close To Your Location
For More Details Regarding The Hijrah Year.
Letters To AL-KUFA
Share With People Their Experiences
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, the Prayer Time-Table and also for those who filled the Free Subscription / Cancellation From for the AL-KUFA Newsletter. 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.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation are given 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 letter each time.
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.
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.
Segments of a letter received from brother Ali in Maryland
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
I' m writing as a seeker of proper guidance and knowledge of our ways
of life, i.e., AL-Islam. Can you please donate to me on loan until I'm
solvent enough to relinquish the necessary funds to order the following
books:
1. The Qur'an in Arabic;
2. Islamic Jurisprudence in Arabic; and
3. Arabic grammar books.
Thank you very much for your assistance and may
Allah reward your every effort.
Thank you brother. We do have few hard copies of the Glorious Qur'an.
Would you please check with your institution, if they allow you to
receive a hard copy first and second, we would like to have an official
in your institution receive your package, in case they change your place
and/or your status. This package will be for the prison library, i.e.,
everyone will share. As your request for other books, Insha'Allah, you
will receive them too.
Faxes and Letters in Arabic and donations from brothers A. Mohsen and Jamal from Virginia, Hashem and Qalib, and sister Zahra from Michigan, and from sister Dr. Jabria and Faisal from Illinois, and sister Ahalm from Denmark, and brother Abdul Aziz, Sisters Sarah and Latifa from United Arab Emirates, brothers Sabra and Dr. Mohammad from Romania and brother A. Hasan from Germany. They commend our work and they pray to continue this newsletter. Brother A. Mohsen wrote,"May Allah reward you to serve His right religion and to bring the banner of Islam. Salam and Dua'as with success for all of you. I am enclosed simple donation to support your efforts to serve Islam." He also asks us to pray for him.
Brother Jamal asks us to send the prayer's timetable for each month. He prays that may the Almighty Lord reward you with the best and the highest reward if He will for your assistance." Brother Faisal wrote,"Please accept this from us." He kept a box wherein he and his family put some donations to support us, especially the AL-KUFA Newsletter. They asked the Almighty Lord to reward us to spread His Words and perform good efforts. Sister Jabria wrote,"Thank you for your newsletter, which is as long as there are true believers like you who devoted their life for the sake of the right religion. May Allah reward your efforts."
Thank you for your nice faxes, letters and donations and we pray that
He reward all of you for your good deeds and guide you all, especially
your young children. Also, we received many requests for prayer's
timetable, Insha'Allah, we will continue sending prayer's time table each
month for those who request it Our Salam and Dua'as to all of you, please
you remember us too. O' Lord, Complete For Me Every Blessing, Ameen. Nabiy
Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said: "Prayers is a
means of spiritual elevation for the believer." The Glorious Qur'an says:
"Verily prayers is (imposed) upon the believers as a timed Ordinance."
4:103
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 aboard. 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 AL-KUFA Newsletter.
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 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, 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 $0.32 or $0/50, or $0.76, or $1.20 or $1.60 in different cases.
This is a waste of resources. Please, let us avoid this loss.
Our special thanks and appreciation to our brothers from Virginia, New York and Illinois for their donations of $10, $20, and $100; $100; and $100 respectively. Also, we received $85.16 for compensation for the third quarter (July through September) of 1997 and $100 through KUFA Library. Jazakum Allahu Khairan for your donations and support. May Almighty Lord 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 they 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).
Summary Financial Report
January through March 1998
Insha'Allah (God Willing), we will report to you the income (receipts)
and expenses (payments and/or costs) through the coming months.
Total receipts for the three months are: $665.16
Total expenditures for the three months are: Printing the AL-KUFA
Newsletter: $210; Bulk Mail: $160.6 (an estimate); Stamps: $285.20;
Telephone: $57.68; Copies: $4.99; Envelopes & Labels $23.98; Bulk
Mail
Fee for the year $85; Rental box in the Post Office for the year $58;
Printing the AL-KUFA' s envelopes $53.50. Total is: $684.77
The cost s of the Bulk Mail Fee, Rental box and Printing the AL-KUFA'
s
envelopes are not included in this summary (These costs for the whole
year).
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.
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 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 not receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter or let another brother or sister who shares the newsletter received it. 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 historical books in Arabic and a series of Islamic books for
beginners with English meaning and other Islamic books and tapes were received,
from the donation of two different of Islamic groups, two Islamic foundations,
Islamic bookshop and Open School. There are easy and excellent books to
read. These donations 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.
Jazakum Allahu Khairan.
Also, we are in need for several items in order for you to receive this newsletter in time, such as a copy-machine, a typewriter (particularly, an Arabic typewriter), audiocassette duplicator, and other items. Please donate these or the costs of these items and the cost of the access to the network. Also, we don't have 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 e-mail 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).
Definitions And Fundamentals:
Hijrah Year
The first year of the Hijrah or Islamic calendar is based on the lunar year. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Allah is (the One) Who made the sun a radiation and the moon a light and planned them into stages that ye might know the number of years and the reckoning (of time); Created not Allah (all) this but for truth; (Thus) doth Allah make His signs manifest (clear) for a people who know (Understand)." 10:5
The migration of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) from Makkah to Madinah marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar. This tradition of migration to ensure the ability too freely practice Islam should be practiced by Muslims whenever necessary. Duty to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, should have importance and priority and one must be prepared even for being exiled, especially to escape persecution, hatred, and animosity." The Glorious Qur'an says: "O' My servants who believe! Verily My earth is vast, therefore Me alone should ye worship!" 29:56
This description may apply to the true believers in all subsequent ages.
Those who do not possess these excellent qualities are out of place with respect to faith and humanity. The Glorious Qur'an says: "Imposeth not Allah, on any soul but to its (individual) ability; for it shall be (the good) what he hath wrought; O' Our Lord! Punish us not for what we forget or make a mistake; O' Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden as thou didst lay on those before us and lay not on us that which we have not the strength (to bear): pardon us; forgive us, and have mercy on us; Thou art our Lord, so help us." 2:286 O' Lord, grant the true believer in this New Hijrah Year and in the Hereafter, a great blessing and the ability to attain what pleases You, Oh Almighty Creator, Ameen.
Know that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) is merciful toward you and that
He has rights against you, and that these encompass you in every movement
through which you move, every rest through which you rest, every way-station
in which you reside, every limb you employ, and every instrument which
you put to work. Some of these rights are greater and some less.
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said: "Know that
what has passed you by was not going to befall you and that what has befallen
you was not going to pass you by. And know that victory comes with patience,
relief with affliction, and ease with hardship."
SEASON'S GREETINGS Of Eid Al-Adh'ha AL-Mubarak
We Wish To Express Our Sincere Best Wishes To Muslims All Around The World For The Blessing Of Eid Al-Adh'ah And The Hijrah Year. May The Almighty Lord Repeat There Days with Happiness And Prosperity For This Year And Always, Ameen.