06-2000

"Allah hath promised unto those of you who believe and do good deeds that He certainly appoint them successors in the earth.” 24:55

[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 Sura 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 Sura (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.”

Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) calls out to us in Sura Al-Inshiqaq (84:6) saying,“Oh man, thou must strive a hard striving (to attain) to thy Lord, until thou meet Him.” Let each one of us ask ourselves if we first of all perform our basic duties toward Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) that are incumbent upon us, and if so, then do we truly strive in the path of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) by going beyond this to seek His pleasure. Let us firmly resolve that we will InshaAllah fulfil our basic covenant with Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) , and beyond this, let each one of us find at least one special act of goodness or service toward Islam that we can perform, and then do it regularly, and do it well. Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] used to exhort Muslims to do what is permissible and to do it efficiently and well, and he used to say that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) loves an act of goodness that is performed regularly. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) grant us of goodness that will benefit us in this life and the hereafter, and protect us from displeasing Him in anything, and forgive us our shortcomings, Ameen.

On Tuesday, June 27, 2000, our brother Luaay Kazim demised. This is sad news for those who were close to him. He suffered with illness of kidney failure. His Mother Fatiamh Sheikh Ali AL-Fartousi, former wife Israa Hajji Yarub Sheikh Abdul Aziz AL-Zubaudi, three brothers, two sisters, nephews and nieces survive him. And on Wedensday, June 27, another sad news of the demise of our sister Roshan Khala. Many remember her kindness and love. Her niece Semeen H. Sherali and Shahnaz Patel survive her. 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 their families, relatives and friends. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala), for sake of His chosen one, give them patience, courage, and strength to accept His Will. The Glorious Qur'an says,“But those who believe and work deeds of righteousness – to them shall We give a home in heaven, - lofty mansions beneath which flow rivers, - to dwell therein for aye; an excellent reward for those who do (good)! “ 29:58

We pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) to comfort the deep sorrow for their families, relatives, and friends. O' Lord, let me not forget to remember them after my ritual prayers, and forgive them through my supplication, Ameen. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) bless their departed soul, shroud them with mercy and forgiveness, and grant them company with the righteous, and appoint for them one of the gardens of Paradise, and rest their soul in peace, and join their soul with that of the true believers. The Glorious Qur'an says,“And join me with the righteous.” We ask our readers to read Surah Fateha (The Opening the Glorious Qur'an) and pray for them and their families. 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 O’ Lord, Let It Be One Of Thy Gates To Thy Forgiveness And One Of The Keys To Thy Mercy And Let Them Abide In Thy Paradise, 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 and for those who are have lost a loved one, please include his/her full name in English as well as your complete address telephone number}. 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 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.”

Segments of two letters from brother Attila in Virginia and from sister Jabria in Illinois:

“I just wanted to thank you for all your help with the funeral of my uncle Ilhan Gokbudak. It was a hard time for all of us , and you helped us get through it.”

“Jazakum Illah Alif Khair for publishing the article about the demise of our brother Hajji Abdul Sahib Al Marhoom Rahimahu Illah. It was very thoughtful of you. Many who received AL-KUFA Newsletter passed the message to his family and friends.”

Thank you. It is obligation and responsibility for the Muslims to give ghusl, kafan, salat, and burial to every dead Muslim. It is also recommended to inform Muslims to join the funeral, and to hasten the burial. Their presence and kindness eased the hardship of the family who had lost their love ones. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) be merciful to them and to those before them, and after him. O Lord, help us with Thy Grace, guide us with Thy Guidance, make the eyes of our minds blind to what is contrary to Thy Love and do not allow any of our limbs activity in disobeying Thee, 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 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.

Masha’Allah, Netsite Inc. donated the cost for our website (www.kufa.org) and for the e-mail accounts. Our thanks to the family from New York who own this company. Insha’Allah, this website will improve our activities, particularly our Dawah program, as well as help to reduce the time for our e-mailing and facilitate our monthly messages and related correspondences. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward them, and increase His gifts to them with His blessings, Ameen.

As we mentioned before, there is a land close to the expressway in Roanoke. The size of it is one acre with two buildings. The price is $375,000.00. Also, there are three tracts of land in Roanoke 4, 3, and 35 acres, two of them at Interstate spur, and the third one at the Interstate. The price is approximately $125,000.00, $95,000.00, and $50,000.00/acre, respectively. All of these properties are visible from the Interstate. Insha'Allah, our brothers and sisters will donate to establish our Center at one of these sites. “It is they who are truly guided.” May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) bless our planning efforts with a successful outcome, Ameen. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said,“He who builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build a house for him in paradise."

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).

Insha'Allah (God Willing), we will report to you the income (receipts) and expenses (payments and/or costs) through the coming months.

Total expenditures: Printing the AL-KUFA Newsletter: $224; Mailing Periodicals: $725.53; Telephone: $67.59.

This report includes donations to other programs and/or other causes. Also, the Center distributed $100 for a needy sister, $100 for a sick sister as well as $2,000 for the poor and needy of the followers of Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam). The Center printed 100 copies more than usual of the AL-KUFA Newsletter because of an increase in requests from inmates in different prisons. We encourage chaplains and/or any representative of any facility to use the new KCIK’s website, to print any material and distribute them to their inmates. O’ Lord, we seek from You succor, protection against straying, correctness of action and Your Assistance, Ameen. Let us pray together that this mission will have a permanent 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 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. [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. We included the previous issues of the AL-KUFA Newsletter with our parcel to prison libraries. 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. Our thanks to those who contact the Center in the behaves of Inmates or the Inmates. Please don’t call collect. Send us a written request from chaplain(s) or officers of that institution(s) with the telephone and/or fax number(s), e-mail addresses and the time, and Insha’Allah, the Center will contact you.

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 books with English meanings were received from the donations of an Islamic Publication. 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 protects the wealth and the life of human beings, and the people are safe from him/her.

O’ Lord, It is the right of our tongue that we should consider it too respectable to utter obscene language, and we should accustom it to good speech and discipline it with good manners.

Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam) said,“Whosoever abandons hope in everything except Allah, He shall care of his means of life."