Date: August 26, 2020
Assalamu Alikum WaRahmatullahi WaBarakatuhu, As we approach the end of 2015, we’re humbled to be able to serve the community through Alim’s comprehensive platform. We first thank Allah SWT, who has enabled us so that we can carry on this work of Da’wa. Secondly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank our generous donors for their continuous support and encouragement. This past year, Alim Foundation has achieved many milestones, including improved web portal with added functionalities and new contents, new translations, new Tafaseer, as well as , new versions of Android and Apple apps to name a few. We were able to do many of these enhancements because of donors like you. Take advantage of the tax break before the year end, please donate(https://www.alim.org/donate/) generously to help us continue this noble work. Alim.org is a non-profit 501 c organization, and your donations are tax deductible. Act before December 31st 2015 to take advantage of 2015 tax break. Please visit us at www.alim.org(/) to donate and support us! Wassalam Walaykum WaRahmatullahi WaBrarakatahu The Alim Team
"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
Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam. The word Zakat means purification and growth. Quran promotes feeding hungry people and helping the poor. Since, the month of Ramadan is termed as the very month of forgiveness, blessings, helping others, prayers and thanks giving. Zakat is an activity connected with prayer and compassion towards the poor people. Allah says that provide Zakat with prayers and it will make you and the receiver blessed. Conditions for Zakat Giving If you are possessing property in excess of a minimum exemption limit, you must give Zakat to the needy. Another term is that if your wealth equal to or in surplus of Nisab in the beginning and at the end of the lunar year, you must give Zakat. At the same time, at the end of the lunar year if the wealth is less than the Nisab, it is not necessary to give Zakat. It says that Zakat is due on all the gold and silver ornaments, jewellery. All bank deposits and provident fund will fall under the Zakat giving. It is also said that if one has agriculture land irrigated by rain water or by natural water channels or if the land is wet due to a nearby water channel, the yield of the land must be provided as Zakat. Zakat is obligatory on goats, sheep, cows, buffaloes and camels which graze on wild grass, plant leaves and on some feed, now and then given by the owner, and on the above animals meant for sale. Do Not Give Zakat to these People * To a person who owns minimum 7 1/2 tolas of gold or 52 1/2 tolas of silver or equivalent wealth in cash, kind or in trade goods. * To one’s mother, father, paternal and maternal grand-parents, great grand-parents, etc. * To one’s offspring-sons, daughters, grand-children, great grand-children, etc. * to spouse * To other relatives such as brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc. * To Sayyeds(descendants of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). * To domestic or other servants as wages. * Zakat cannot be given for repairing or maintenance of mosque. * Do not pay Zakat to meet the funeral expenses.
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 MoreOctober 29, 2020 Praise be to Allah, the Exalted, the Creator & the Sustainer of the worlds, the Supreme. He (SWT) created humans as His best creation and guided the first couple, Adam & Eve, directly to obey Him and follow His Commands. Later He sent His Messengers and Prophets to continually refresh His guidance to human beings. Finally, He sent Mohammad (PBUH), as His last messenger who accomplished his mission over a period of twenty-three years (610-632 AD). All Muslims are required to learn and follow the teachings of our prophet who exemplified and lived the Quran. Mohammad (PBUH) was born (and passed away) on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal, 570 AD of the Islamic calendar. This day will fall on October 29, 2020. Although not firm, this date is generally accepted among the scholars and celebrated by Muslims across the world. It is important to note that public celebration, commemoration, or festivals of Mohammad�s birthday was not known until the early 12th century AD. It is said to be started in Iraq and was strengthened and expanded in the 13th century AD during the Fatimid Dynasty of Egypt. Today, we see extraordinarily large gatherings, celebrations, and processions that Mohammad (PBUH) would never approve of. Muslims universally love the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It is observed time and again that they love him above themselves, their parents, their families to the best of their understanding. This love must translate into true following of the Prophet (PBUH). This could only be achieved through studying the Quran, authentic Hadith, Seerah, self-evaluation, and good companionship that guides to the right path. True success for a Muslim entail pleasing Allah with his or her life. This is the only way to achieve success in the hereafter and requires knowledge and practice of the teachings of Mohammad (PBUH). May Allah guide us towards that path. Ameen. The Alim Foundation: NMS / NH; October 25, 2020
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