06-2000

"Whereby Allah guideth him who followeth His pleasure, into the ways of peace and taketh them out darkness towards the Light by His will and guideth them to the path (that is) straight.” 5:16

Insights into Acts of Goodness and Earning the Pleasure of Allah
[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]

The Qur’an says in Surah Al-Lail (92:19-20),“And none has with him any boon or blessing for reward, except the seeking of the Countenance or pleasure of his Lord, the Most High.” And in the same Surah (92:4-10), Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) says,“Your striving is surely for diverse ends. Then as for him who gives and keeps his duty, and accepts what is good, We facilitate for him the way to ease. And as for him who is niggardly and considers himself self-sufficient, and rejects what is good, We facilitate for him the way to distress.” Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] said that,“He who is given his portion of kindness (i.e., he who acts with kindness, this being a gift of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)), is given his portion of the good of this world and the hereafter, and he who is denied his portion of goodness, is denied his portion of the good of this world and the hereafter.” He [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] also said,“Shall I tell you about the best among you and the worst among you? The best among you is he from whom good is expected, and from whose evil men are secure; and the worst among you is he from whom good is not expected, and from whose evil men are not secure.”

Mawlid means birth and Al Nabiy refers to Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam). Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) was born in Makkah in the year 570 AD. His father Abdullah, the son of Abdul Muttalib, died before his birth and his mother Amina, the daughter of Wahb, died when he was six years old. Abdul Muttalib is the descendent of Nabiy Ismail (Alaihe AlSalam); the elder son of Nabiy Ibrahim (Alaihe AlSalam). His grandfather Abdul Muttalib looked after him until he died two years later. Then his uncle Abu Talib looked after him. With this life experience, Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) stromgly endorsed caring for orphans, saying,“I and the one who provides for orphans are like this (he should his two fingers pressed together).”

Before Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) revealed to Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) the Divine Revelation, the Message of Islam, people called him As-Sadiq (the Truthful) and Al-Amin (the Trustworthy), the Reliable. He upheld the highest standard of moral and public life. He used to join Uncle Abu Talib on journey to Syria in the year 582 AD to earn a living as a trader. In the year 595 AD, he married Khadijah who was then 40 and they were the parents of six children - four daughters and two sons. In the year 610 AD, Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) received the First Revelation from Angel Jibrail (Alaihe AlSalam) in the Cave of Hirah. Those verses (1-5) from Surah Al-Alaq 96 of the Glorious Qur’an stated,“ Read thy ! (O’ Our RasoolAllah Muhammad!) In the name of thy Lord Who created (Every thing in the Universe). He created man from a clot. Recite (Thou (O’ Our RasoolAllah Muhammad!) And thy Lord is Most Honorable! He Who taught (to write) with the Pen. He taught man what he knew not!”

He ordered the Muslims to emigrate to Abyssinia. In the year 615 AD, the embargo and boycott of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam)'s family and followers by the Quraysh occurred during the years of 617 - 620 AD. By the end of that year, Abu Talib and Khadijah died. This is known as the year of grief.

The physical M’eraj (ascension) of the Nabiy (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) to the highest station occurred in the heaven in the year 621 AD. It is not a vision or dream in sleep or slumber, because even ordinary men see such things in their dreams. It was no doubt a spiritual realization but attained by an actual journey in spirit, and it occurred one year before his emigration. While the Nabiy (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) finished his night Salat in the house of his cousin, the daughter of Abu Talib, the Angel Jibrail (Alaihe AlSalam) came to him with the invitation of the Lord of the worlds to embark on a journey to the highest heaven. Angel Jibrail (Alaihe AlSalam) first took him to the Masjid Al Haram in the Kabah where he washed his heart with Zamazm water, and from there he was taken to the Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. He led several previous Anbia in Salat there, and then riding the steel Burak, he visited the heavens, meeting many Anbia and/or Rasul, and was shown paradise and hell. Finally, in the presence of the Absolute Omnipotent authority of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), separated only by a veil, he received the Divine Commandment for the five daily Salat, among other things. The Glorious Qur'an says in verse 33 of Surah Ar-Rahman 55 that man can cross the bounds of the heavens and the earth if he possesses the authority and has the power (knowledge of the laws enforced by Allah) to do so, and in verse 1 of Al-Israa 17,“Glory be to Him (Allah) Who carried His servant (Muhammad ) by night from the Sacred Mosque (of the Kabah) to the farthest Mosque, which We have blessed its environment, that We may show him of Our Signs; Verily He, is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”

Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) emigrated to Yathrib (Medinah) in 622 AD, which marks the beginning of the Hijrah Calendar. He made a treaty with non-Muslims in that city. In the year of 2 AH, he was ordered by His Creator to change of Qibla. Another treaty was made with non-Muslims in Makkah called the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, in the year of 6 AH. He sent his followers with letters to invite kings and world leaders to Islam and in the year 8 AH, he opened Makkah. The sad demise of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) occurred in the year 11AH.

Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) described him in the Glorious Qur'an as the Noblest Example for the human race, and He sent him with the last universal message of Islam for all of mankind in the entire world. He was a human being of extraordinary merits and endowed with all fine qualities such as patience, courage, wisdom, generosity, intelligence, love, and magnanimity, to show the Muslims how to mould their own lives. He was a perfect example of purity and goodness, and a symbol of truth and justice. He said,“Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up an unpleasant deed with a good one. The good one will wipe the unpleasant one out, and behave well towards human beings.” The Glorious Qur’an says,“We sent thee not but unto all of mankind. And We sent not before thee but men, unto whom We did reveal. Say (O’ Our Muhammad!) ‘O’ ye people, Verily I am the RasoolAllah unto you all.” 34:28; 21:17 & 7:158

Praise belongs to the Lord of the world Who blessed His Elect Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) and blessed his household. O Lord, bless Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam), entrusted by Thee with Thy revelation, distinguished by Thee among Thy creatures, devoted to Thee among Thy servants, the leader of mercy, the leader of good, the key to blessings. O Keeper of promises! O Faithful to Thy word! O Changer of evil deeds into manifold good deeds! Thou art a Great Bestower of Favors, and Thou art the Generous, the Bountiful. You are kind to us through Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) Oh Lord, increase for us Your kindness. O’ Lord, accept our Dau’a, 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 or visit KCIK’s website {you must include a telephone number for matrimonial advertisements and for those who are have missed a loved one, please include his/her full in English as well as your complete address telephone number}. Those who send letters, faxes 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 inform us in this case about the committed name and DC number for ID). 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.”

I read an article about Salat: “M’eraj-Al-Mumineen”. This was very interesting to me and informative. I was never really able to understand M’eraj until I read that article. Insha’Allah I am trying to improve my Salat, my devotion to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala), and I need more information on the subject if you have any. I need all the information on Salat that you have, Nishi’Allah. Jazakallah Khair.

Thank you brother and may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) able all of us to do Salat accordingly. It is reported,“Salat is every pious person’s ascendance toward Allah.” Insha’Allah, we will able in the near future to publish articles on Salat and other aspects of Islam for the KCIK’s Website as well as for the Dawah Program.

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 of the AL-KUFA Newsletter, the KUFA School, and the KUFA Public Library, from within the United States and abroad. 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 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, 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 Maryland, Virginia, and Michigan who respectively donated $10, $2 (from an inmate in Maryland prison); $20 (for AL-KUFA Newsletter), $20 (for KUFA Public Library), $5 (for Dawah program), and $100. Also, the Center received $100 donation from MEF (Muslim Education Foundation).

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 Center, we will publish their donations in the future.

Any donation, small or large, will Insha’Allah be accounted in this life and in the Hereafter. If each Muslim would donate just ($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 whoever they travel. 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.

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. 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. Masha’Allah, many Islamic and human organizations as well as individuals from all around the world distribute the AL-KUFA Newsletter. May He reward them with His Blessings, Ameen.

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.

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, magazines, and newspapers, and other Islamic materials were received from many Islamic institutions. Copies of Islamic book in Arabic received from an Islamic foundation, and Islamic book with English meanings and other material were received from the donations of an inmate from California. 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 donation s 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 restrains his/her low desires, and is patient. He/she forgives for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) and in the way of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala). The Glorious Qur'an says,“And if you punish, then punish ye as ye were afflicted;. But if ye be patient, certainly it will be best for the patient one.” 16:126

O’ Lord, enable the people to utilize this earth for the purpose for which it was created, and we ask You to stop the influence of the transgressing greedy ones who are never satiated, and because of whom the earth is in a great crisis. O’ Lord, accept our Dau’a , Ameen.

Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said,“Allah will put His light in the hearts of those He likes (wishes).”

The Almighty Lord has opened the hearts for those so that he is in a light from His Lord.