“Had We Sent Down This Qur’an On Mountain, Thou (O’ Our Apostle Muhammad!) Wouldst Certainly Have Seen it (The Mountain) Humbled It And Rent Asunder For The Fear Of Allah .” 59:21
“As you sow, so shall you reap.”
Masha’Allah, many new Muslim males and females joined the ranks of Islam. They include brother Zaid, Osama, Ahmad, Ali, Sadiq, Asad, Qusai, Shafik and Sharif and sisters Fajr, Amal, Shima, Zainab, Hajir, Lina, Reem, Zakiyaa, Fatimah, and Zahraa. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said: “None of you believes till I am dearer to him than his father, his child and all mankind.”
The Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge (KCIK) members, and the AL-KUFA
Newsletter editors extend their congratulations to their parents and families.
We pray that may Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) grant them good health and
raise them in good hands to be His faithful servants. Allah (Subhanahu
Wa Ta'Ala), He is the best to guide and sustain. Every Muslim should ask
Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) to bless them with progeny, and should thank
Him after they have had a child. Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi
Wasalam) said: “And if she (wife) gives birth to a baby: no one knows what
an apple of the eye the gift of Allah will be, and how delighted a life
the husband and wife will be given.” The Glorious Qur'an says: “O my Lord!
make me establish prayer and (also) some from my offspring (to do the same);
O' Our Lord! accept thou my prayer.” 14:40 O’ LORD, INCREASE THEIR
TERMS OF EXISTENCE, AMEEN.
Gratitude
[Continued From Vol.4, No.10]
[This article will be part of a book in future InshaAllah. The copyright is preserved by this Newsletter as well as upon the request of the author. We pray that he will be finish this book soon. May the Almighty Lord protect him and reward him for his goodness. He gives success and showers His mercy on whosoever of them works that righteousness, Ameen].
Second only to the gratitude we owe to Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala), and in fact, tied intimately with it, is the gratitude we owe to our parents. There is nothing that we can ever do that could possibly come close to repaying them for their favors on us.
Indeed, we must serve our parents with due sincerity to the best of our ability without even thinking of, much less speaking of, repaying them. For not only is fully repaying them beyond our reach, but by the law of nature, the grace continues to constantly descend in the direction from parents to their children. Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala) instructs us in Surah Bani Israel (17:23, 24), "And Thy Lord has decreed that you serve none but Him, and do good to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with thee, say not "Oof" to them, nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say : My Lord, have mercy on them, as they brought me up when I was little." As Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala) says in Surah Luqman (31: 14, 15), and as we learn from the behavior of Nabiy Ibrahim [Alayhi Salam] toward his sire, that even if our parents ask us to associate a partner with Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala) , while we should not obey this, we ought to keep kindly company with them in this world. When Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas submitted to Islam, his mother swore that she would not eat or drink until he reverted to disbelief. And Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala) revealed the verse (29:8) in Surah Al-Ankabut, "And we have enjoined on man goodness to his parents. But if they contend with thee to associate partners with Me of which you have no knowledge, obey them not. To Me is your return, so I will inform you of what you did".
When Rasul’Allah [sallallahu Alaihe (Waalihi) wa salam] was asked who
has the greatest right on a person, he replied, "His mother". When asked
who is next in this ordered scheme, he again replied, "His mother". He
repeated this for a third time, and the next time, he replied, "His father".
There is a story that has been related of a young boy who performed some
household chores, and he made out an invoice for his services and handed
the bill to his mother. His mother quietly took the piece of paper and
with tears in her eyes, wrote an invoice of her own and handed it to the
child. It read, "For carrying you in my womb for nine months: No charge.
For bringing you forth in pain: No charge. For feeding and weaning you
of the sustenance of my body: No charge. For teaching you to read and write,
and what is wrong and what is right: No charge." And the list could have
gone on and on. As life has it, we do not remember the very early days
of our existence, but as Allah (subhanu wa Ta'Ala) reminds us in the verses
quoted at the beginning of this essay, our later experiences and maturity
should make us realize the truth in faith, and we should constantly be
aware and grateful for it. We all learn from experience, but the wise learn
through observation and reflection, before being forced to realize through
experience once it is too late. If our parents are alive, we must serve
them with love and gratitude, and not leave words of apologies or gratitude
or even a simple "I love you" to be uttered only at their graveside.
This is an important lesson for us to learn and to especially teach our
children.
[To Be Continued Insha’Allah]
Definitions and Fundamentals:
A Mu'min: Genuine Believer
[Continued From Vol.4, No. 9]
A genuine believer is a companion to his/her fellow man and woman. Nabiy
Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said: “Love for others what
you love for yourself.” He also said: “The best of friends is he who is
best in behavior and character.” The Glorious Qur’an says: “Verily, Verily,
your guardian is (none else but) Allah and His Nabiy (Muhammad) and those
who believe, those who establish prayer and pay the poor-rate, while they
be (even) bowing down (in prayer). Whoever taketh Allah and His Apostle
(Muhammad) as his guardian, and those who believe, verily, (he hath
joined) Allah’s battalion; They are those that shall (always) be triumphant.
And the believing men and women, they are guardians of one another; they
enjoin good and forbid evil and they establish (the regular) prayer and
pay the poor-rate and obey Allah and His Nabiy (Muhammad). Allah will bestow
on them His mercy; Verily Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise. Allah hath promised
to the believing men and the believing women; gardens beneath which flow
rivers, to abide in them, and excellent mansions in the gardens. But the
good-will of Allah is the greatest; that is the grand achievement. ” 5:55-56
&9:71-71 O’ Lord, be my trustee among my friends, let us who
know our rights and let us display friendship in company and in absence,
sincerely loving to see each other in prosperity, and let me deem a duty
to them which I deem to my kindred, and have for them that regard
which I Have for my chosen ones, Ameen.
In addition, Islam also gave other forms of importance to women. It
shaped for her a special dress in order to keep her dignity and preserve
her personality against losses and corruption. Hijab protects the purity
of a woman and closes the way to any action which might exploit and lead
her to fall into the marshes of vices.
In addition, Islam requires men and women to lower their gaze and forbids
the wanton mixing of non-mahram men and women. [To Be Continued Insha’Allah]
Acknowledgment
Thanks For Your Support!
Our thanks and appreciation to all brothers and sisters, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, who sent letters, faxes, e-mails, postcards, publication 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. 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 repel evil with good; for these is the (happy) attainment of the (Eternal) abode.” 76:9 & 13:22
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 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 us up to $1.60 in some cases. This is a waste of resources. Please, let us avoid this loss.
Our special thanks and appreciation to a couple from New York who donated $5 and stamps to KUFA Public Library and AL-KUFA Newsletter. A non-Muslim woman visited the center, then she and her husband who is a Muslim visited the center. They enjoy the books they borrowed and the activities of the KUFA school. May Almighty Lord grant happiness, Ameen. Also, our thanks and appreciation to our brother from Virginia and sisters from Illinois and Michigan who respectively donated $10; $50 and $5. Blessings of Allah 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 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
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).
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 receive the AL-KUFA Newsletter, and if you received it, then please share it with other brothers and/or sisters. 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}. Islamic newsletters, Bulletin of Affiliation, magazines, newpapers and other Islamic materials were received from many Islamic institutions. An Islamic book in Arabic was received from the donation of one foundation. This donation 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 do not have any software to enable us to write in Arabic or computer CDs of the Qur’an, Hadith or an Arabic dictionary. 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 and your family in this world and 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). One of our brothers from Germany is starting the distribution of the AL-KUFA News through the Internet in Germany. Also, An Islamic Library for Dawah, is extending its distribution of the AL-KUFA News in Africa, Europe and for inmates in North America. 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. 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).
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 Form 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 letters 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.
NOTE: For those who are interested in announcing the birth of a child, graduation, wedding, death, or matrimonial interests, please contact the Kufa Center of Islamic Knowledge. Those who send letters, please also provide the center with your telephone numbers.
In addition, brothers and sisters who are requesting of us various Islamic materials, 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.
NOTE: We were unable to mail the Newsletter to most of our readers in the states of Texas and California as well as to our brothers and sister in prisons. Insha’Allah, we will able to do so in the future.
Segments of a letter received from Dr. Mohammed in Ireland:
BISM-ILLAH-IR-RAHMAN-IR-RAHIM
Praise is to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala), the Lord of the World, and the Salat and Salam is upon His Messenger, Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wasalam), and all his family. Assalamu Alaikum.
I pray to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) when you receive this short letter, it finds you in good health, Insha’Allah. Enclosed, please find a check for KCIK. Would you please accept this small amount as it come short hand at present time. Also, excuse me to put this on you how to distribute it to benefit the need of the center and the community. May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) guide us all how to distribute His gifts. Do not forget us in your Dua’a. My salam to all of you.
Thank you brother Mohammed for your trust in your nice letter. Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said: “A nice word is charity.” And Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala) says in the Glorious Qur’an: “Unto Him (only) ascend all good words.” 35:10
Also, we thank you for your donation. Insha’Allah, the amount you donated will be used to benefit all purposes of KCIK activities, especially to spread the Word of Almighty Lord of the World. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Verily, the mercy of Allah is well-nigh unto those who do good.” 7:56 Jazakum Allah Khair.
May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'Ala) bless you all and He may also reward
you in this world and in the hereafter for your support of KCIK, Ameen.
The Glorious Qur’an says: “Verily, this Qur’an guideth unto that which
is the most upright and announceth in is glad tidings unto the believers
who do good that they shall have a great reward.” 17:9 Our Dau’as with
Salam to all, and please also remember us in your prayers And dau’as.
Wassalamu Alaikum.
Allah the Exalted said: “And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to you by shaytan, seek refuge in Allah, He is the One Who hears and knows all things.”
Nabiy Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Waalihi Wa Salam) said: “He who is
not trustworthy has no Faith, and he who does not keep his Covenant has
no religion.”
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