Date: May 29, 2016
The author Jameel Syed expresses his experience in Umrah that he witnessed while his pilgrimage. He says nobody can walk empty handed from this place of purification. He first visited Umrah in the month of Ramadan in 1998. The pilgrimage journey was a gift from his parents for graduating from the University of Michigan. Pilgrims chanted loud and loud as they moved closer to the object of desire. His heart beats started to beat faster and faster when he reaches the place of Allah. His eyes started to fill with tears and while walking towards the object of desire he was in a dreamy state. Finally he stopped and he knew that he was in the presence of majesty. People come from far and near to have their prayers heard. Different people believes in Islam with different skin colors eat different foods, speak different languages, wear different clothes and practice different customs all gathered in one place to celebrate peace, brotherhood and unity. The pilgrimage places like Mecca and Madinah have their own flavors. Both cities carry the wonderful air of devotion and humanity and both are complimentary to one another. Both cities make you feel safe and privileged. While the trip to Madinah, he could meet many notable personalities who are working for Islam and its teachings. Qalam Institute, Ustadh Wissam Sharieff, Imam Dawood Yasin, Imam Khalid Latif, imam Omer Bajwa, Ustadh Jameel Besada were some among them. The ever loving and memorable thing that the author could do was being given the permission to raise the adhan in two masajid of the holy city: Darul Hadith and the famed Islamic University of Madinah. Since this greatest thing happened, he believes that nobody can walk away from this place empty handed.
"The best of what a man leaves behind are three: a righteous child who supplicates for him, ongoing charity the reward of which reaches him, and knowledge that is acted upon after him."
Sunan Ibn Mājah
"Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.'"
Sahih Bukhari
It was on 8th July 2014, that Israel launched a military operation in the Hamaz ruled Gaza. Terrible seven weeks of Israel bombardment and massive brutal attacks on Gaza people. More than 2,200 people lost their lives, 10,000 became homeless and more brutality towards mere public. Alas, it’s been six months on from the attacks and pledges have not been fulfilled, reconstruction has stalled and hope is draining away. This month we learnt that just over 5 percent of the money pledged to rebuild Gaza after last summer’s devastating 51-day conflict with Israel has been delivered. What does this say about the international community’s commitment to the beleaguered territory and its 1.8 million residents? Author expressed his anxiety on the condition of current Gaza and he is sad and angry on the government’s careless turn towards Gaza rehabilitation. The health services are struggling to cope. They are overburdened and under-resourced. There are, once again, severe shortages of drugs and consumables as the supplies delivered in the war run out. Many of the staff has not been paid for months, others are receiving only 60 percent of their salaries as a result of the Palestinian Authority’s financial crisis which has been compounded by Israel’s withholding of tax revenues. Donors must deliver on their pledges. The PA and Hamas must settle their differences for the greater good of their people and for the possibility of peace. Israel must live up to its responsibilities as the occupying power and lift the siege. Egypt, too, must play its part by reopening the Rafah crossing on a regular and reliable basis. Considering the horrors of what we saw last July and the very real possibility of it being repeated, we must start fresh new efforts to return hope to Gaza.
Read MorePraise be to Allah. Every year Muslims celebrate two major religious Holidays- Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Both celebrations commence after completing an obligational worship prescribed by Allah. Eid al-Fitr follows 30 days of fasting during Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha is celebrated after the Hajj. Fasting and Hajj are the third and fourth pillars of Islam. Eid al-Fitr will fall on May 23rd or 24th this year and many of us are unsure of what to do given the current pandemic situation causing a shutdown of all places of worship. Most of us are currently praying Jumah and Tarawih at home and will likely do the same or Eid prayers. Some of us are holding socially distanced, family visits outdoors, while others are doing drive-bys. Some families may continue with virtual visits through video calls. Islamic scholars have issued multiple fatwas on mosque closures, Friday, daily, Tarawih and Eid prayers. Please visit the following links to read details about the Islamic, legal opinions and decisions in the US: 1. The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA): https://www.amjaonline.org/fatwa/en/87736/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak-on-the-congregational-services(https://www.amjaonline.org/fatwa/en/87736/impact-of-covid-19-outbreak-on-the-congregational-services) 2. Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) / Islamic Society of North America (ISNA): http://fiqhcouncil.org/fatwa-regarding-%e1%b9%a3alat-al-eid-in-light-of-covid-19-lockdown/(http://fiqhcouncil.org/fatwa-regarding-%e1%b9%a3alat-al-eid-in-light-of-covid-19-lockdown/) For other countries, please search for proper authorities and websites in your respective locals. The Alim Foundation Inc.: NMS/NH: May 19, 2020
Read MoreThe month of Rabi-ul-Awwal is famous for the birth and passing of the Holy Prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. Did you know that there are some of historic events that also occurred in this month. Here are some of the few highlights. •The Holy Prophet migrated from Makkah to Madinah Munawwarah. •Battle of Buwaat took place in the year 2 A.H. •Battle of Saf'vaan took place in the year 2 A.H. •The first Caliph Abu Bakr (RA.) was appointed. •Mother of the believers, wife of the Holy Prophet Zainab (RA.) passed away in the year 4 A.H. •Ibrahim (RA.) the son of Maaria Qibtiya & of the Holy Prophet passed away in the year 1O A.H.
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