“And (even) if there were a Qur’an by which the mountains were made to move, or the earth cloven asunder with it or the dead made to speak thereby; Nay! The command is wholly Allah’s.” 13:31
[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]
In many
Qur'anic verses and the traditions tracing to Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu
Alayhi (Waalhi) wa salam] that can be cited. The
importance of intention in Islam, come to the forefront in the understanding our
Religion. the saying of the Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalhi) wa
salam] said,
as related by Umar ibn al-Khattab, the father-law of Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu
Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam],“Actions are but by intention,
and every man shall have but that which he intended”. He then went on to
further explain that,“Thus, he whose migration (Hijra)
was for Allah and His Messenger, his migration was for Allah and His Messenger,
and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman
in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated”. It is reported
that the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa
salam]
said that,“Verily, the creation of each one of you is brought together in his
mother’s womb for forty days in the form of a seed, then he is a clot of blood
for a like period, then a morsel of flesh for a like period, then there is sent
to him an angel who blows the breath of life into him and who is commanded about
four matters: to write down his means of livelihood (his Rizq),
his life-span, his actions (his Amaal),
and his disposition of being happy or unhappy.”
From these
two ahadith, and supported by many others, we understand the connection between
destiny and our accountability. While our actions might be written, we are held
accountable for the intentions with which we perform these actions. The Nabiy
[Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] explained
that we might intend to perform good, but by Allah’s will, the actual action
or outcome of goodness may or may not materialize. In either case, Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala) would reward us for our good
intentions. In one narration, the Nabiy [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa
salam]
explained how on the day of resurrection, three men will be brought before Him
for judgment. One will be a person who was a Qari (a recitor of the Qur’an),
another a great warrior who fought bravely and was martyred in the way of Allah,
and a third who used to give abundantly of his wealth in charity. In each case,
Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)
would ask them what they did, and they would recount their respective deeds,
adding that they did this for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala). And Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala) will tell them that they are liars, and that they
did this so that men would praise them for their actions, and indeed, they
achieved that which they intended. Then Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)
would order that they be cast into the hell-fire. The noble actions that they
performed in their lifetimes were written for them by Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala), and they could have gained from them
by devoting these deeds to the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala) by their hearts. But their intentions
succumbed to the temptation of greed for the praise of men, and they wiped out
the goodness of these deeds from their accounts. In this light, it is also clear
that one must not judge another, even by their actions, because no one but Allah
(Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala) knows the
matters of the heart.
In the Battle
of Uhud during the third year of the Hijrah, the hypocrites deserted the Nabiy [Sallallahu
Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] and stayed behind in Madinah
while the Muslims went out to fight. After the Muslims had suffered a loss, the
hypocrites began saying that if they had a say in this affair, then their
counsel to stay in Madinah would have been followed and this loss would not have
occurred. To this, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’Ala)
replies in the Qur’an (3:153),“Say:
The affair is wholly in the hands of Allah. They hide within their souls that
which they would not reveal to thee. They say: Had we any hand in the affair, we
would not have been slain here. Say: had you remained in your houses, those for
whom slaughter was ordained would have gone forth to the places where they would
have been slain. And this happened that Allah might test what was in your
breasts and that He might purge what was in your hearts. And Allah is Knower of
what is in the breasts.” Again, as Allah says, what He has written will come
to pass, and His purpose is to test what is in the hearts of men.
The Nabiy [Sallallahu
Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam] used to say that destiny is
that by which Allah makes even the miser part with his money. The act of giving
by one person, and the livelihood received by another are interconnected, and
both are ordained by Allah. The intention, manner, and spirit with which this
action is performed constitutes the basis by which we will be judged. Islamic
jurisprudence says that even while fasting, if a person definitively intends to
break the fast, then the fast becomes void although the person might not
actually eat or drink anything, because the intention is one of the pillars of
the fast.
So,
in the good that we do, let us be sure that our intentions are for the right
purpose, and in any sinful actions, let us be fearful of Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala) and sincerely remorseful. May Allah (Subhanahu
wa Ta’Ala) forgive us and grant us the
goodness of our actions and protect us from His displeasure, Ameen.
[Continued
From Vol.6, No.6]
A Muslim
woman may wear whatever she pleases in the presence of her husband and family or
among women friends. But when she goes out or when men other than her husband or
close family (not legal for marriage) are present, she is expected to wear a
dress which covers all parts of her body, as stated before, and which should not
reveal the figure. These relevant verses above are directed to men and women
alike. It exhorts women to cover themselves when they go out and urges both men
and women to lower their gaze and behave modestly in the presence of the
opposite sex. The Glorious Qur'an says,“And the men who guard their private
parts and the women who guard (their private parts), and the men who remember
Allah much and the women who remember Allah (much), for them hath been prepared
forgiveness and a great recompense.” 33:35
Islam has no
fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must
wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is
that the aforementioned parts of the body must be covered. Islam has two sources
for guidance and rulings: first, the Qur'an, the revealed word of Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta'Ala) and
secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Nabiy (Sallallahu
Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) who was chosen by Allah
(Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) to
be the role model for mankind, and whose sayings, teaching, and life are also
part of the revealed word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa
Ta'Ala).
The clothing must be loose enough so as not to reveal the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over the other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness of clothing is also a requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers, or the shape of the body (Muslim). Another requirement is an overall dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements: For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner. Men have been instructed to restrain their eyes and guard their morals against indecency. Women have not only been enjoined like men to observe these commands, but they have been given some additional instructions for their dress. The Divine Commandment does not mean that men and women should always look down and should never look at each other. Men and women can interact within the confines of Islam, and have been enjoined by the Shari’ah (Islamic Law) to look at each other (as permissible in regard to clothing) before marriage.
Hijab is considered as a blessing, and those who wear it earn the respect of the society they live in. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said,“You should all adopt the manner of Allah.” O’ Lord, do not uncover my secret. Do not divulge my ills in the balance of equity. Do not expose my faults before the eyes of the people and hide from them my shame, and protect me from the same. O’ Lord, guide me and guard my inward secrets, forgive my ill actions and help me in my trials. If not for Thy covering me, I would have been among the disgraced, and if not for Thy helping me, I would have been among those overcome. O’ Lord, give me amply of Thy lawful provision; bestow upon me well- being in my body and my religion.
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
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even if it is just the AL-KUFA
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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 a
letter received, from inmate brothers Eric in Pennsylvania, Sa’eed in New
York, Mustafa in Utah, Deric in Virginia respectively:
I am
interested in furthering my education, I need to focus more on my Lord, being a
new converted Muslim. I haven’t much money here in the Sijjin (prison), I make
about $6 as a baker per week but I am willing to send half of this payment to
the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge,
so that I may be able to receive Qur’an, books, literature, periodicals, and
other materials that I may be able to learn, Insha’Allah. I would like to
request some information for the people who ask me if I am a Black power Muslim.
I tell them that Islam has no color. I have already taken the Shahadah and
Insha’Allah, I will able to receive the AL-KUFA
Newsletter. I have got approval
from our facility to receive items, such as a Prayer rug and Kufi. I will
Insha’Allah come by the next Summer to visit and perform Salat with you.
Thank
you brothers. At the present time, we accept donations only when the financial
situation and the time allows individuals to send this. InshAllah, your good
intentions are sufficient for now, and we will try and send what we can. For
specific items, you may contact other Islamic institutions. There is no
differences between a man and a woman in Islam except with their deeds and piety
on the basis of Islam. An individual become a Muslim, he/she express the Islamic
Declaration of Faith ‘Shahadah’ and Nabiy Muhammad [Sallallahu
Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam] who warning to Muslims not to
loosely call each other Kafir without knowledge, which is something that many
Muslims unfortunately ignore. It is reported,“If people become familiar with
Islamic guidance they would be easily inclined towards it."
Nabiy
Muhammad
[Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam] said,“You
Muslims are equal to one another no matter if you belong to one or the other
tribe, race or language." The Glorious Qur'an says,“The most honorable
among you in the sight of Allah is
the most pious of you.” 49:13
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, 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. 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.
Momineen and
Mominaat who Insha’Allah, want to donate toward the purchase of a land for the
Center, please send your donation to the Kufa
Center of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK); P.O. Box 11771; Roanoke, VA 24022-1771,
USA. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) reward
you, and increase His gifts to you with His blessings, Ameen. Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta’Ala) has described the true believers,“And
prefer over their own selves, though their own lot be poverty.” 59:9
There is a
land close to the expressway. The size of it is one
acre with two buildings. The price is $375,000.00. Also, there are three
tracts of land of sizes 4, 3, and 35 acres. Two of them at Interstate spurs, and
the third one at the Interstate. The prices are 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 supported 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.
Other
donations and Islamic due and voluntarily charity such as Sadaqa, we will
publish their donations. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala)
reward them for their good deeds for their kindness and may He protect them all.
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 institutions and missions, 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.
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.
Islamic
newsletters, Bulletin of Affiliation, magazines, and
newspapers, and other Islamic materials were received from many Islamic
institutions. Copies of the Glorious Qur’an and Islamic books with English
meanings were received from the donations of a sisters from Virginia and an
Islamic Publication and two foundations. Any donation(s) will aid us in our
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,
please return them when you finish reading them. O’
Lord increase our knowledge and guide all of us to the right path, Ameen.
Jazakum Allah Khair (May Allah Reward You With
Goodness).
A genuine believer is compassionate to all forms of life and he is committed to remove suffering from this earth.
O’ Lord, I
beseech Thee by Thy mercy which encompasses all things, and by Thy power by
which Thou overcometh all things. All things submit to it, and before it, all
things humble. Thy authority spans over all things.
Nabiy
Muhammad [Sallallahu Alayhi (Waalihi) wa salam]
said,“A moment of justice is better than seventy years of worship in which you
keep fasts and pass the nights in offering prayers and worship to Allah."
Justice
is the essence of the people's welfare as well as part of the adherence to the
Divine path".