Message From the Imam

 

A New Year: An Opportunity for Reflection and Remembrance

 

My dear brothers and sisters,

This year, the Muslim month of Muharram coincides with the solar Gregorian month of January, each signifying a "new year." It's especially relevant, then, to quote a verse of the Quran that clearly prompts the human soul to reflect on time itself, its brevity, and our responsibility therein. "O you who believe, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it sends forward for the morrow. And fear Allah, for He is aware of what you do. And do not be as those who forget Allah, such that He causes them to forget themselves. These are the doers of evil. The inmates of the Fire and the dwellers of the Garden are not equal. The dwellers of the Garden are surely the triumphant." (59:18-20) What is meant by "forgetting" here is not the casual lapse of memory but an active disregard for what is essential in life and in the Hereafter. Forgetfulness also implies a strange devotion to what has no lasting value and is often harmful to ourselves.

 

The last month of the Muslim year, Dhul-Hijjah, will shortly end, and our brothers and sisters who performed the Hajj Pilgrimage should be properly congratulated upon their return. As Muharram arrives, however, we should honestly and privately evaluate what we have done during the last year and resolve ourselves to enrich our lives. But whenever we think of our "lives," it's important to remember our "days." True enrichment involves consistency in remembering Allah and human conduct that is full of light, joy, and dignity. And when we occasionally fail, we should never despair. Rather, we should immediately rebound and move forward again trusting in the mercy of Allah.

 

It's true that "time does not wait" for anyone. It moves swiftly. There is great favor and wisdom that days and months have names, and that years are numbered. This way we are constantly reminded of the passage of time, just as mirrors and old photos remind us of our age and our journey.

 

A new year is upon us, which really must be a point of reference and not some opportunity for frivolous celebration and the mimicry of those who welcome the new year by losing their minds and their dignity. As Muslims, we take the beginning of a new year as an opportunity for candid reflection. Just as any corporation evaluates its financial health each year, we should likewise conduct an audit of something far more precious than finances: our faith and our deeds. Let us count our successes and our failures with complete honesty, no "fixing the books." Once the day folds into night and you lay your head to rest, you have bid that particular day farewell, and you will never be able to change what has occurred. You can, through Allah's mercy, attain forgiveness for sins you may have committed, but you cannot reclaim lost time to gain good deeds.

 

As we have read in the Quranic verse quoted above, Allah commands every soul to evaluate what deeds it has prepared for tomorrow (the ultimate "tomorrow" being the Day of Judgment, when every soul will be judged according to its beliefs and actions). It is gracious beyond imagination that our Lord asks us to do what benefits us, for He has no need of our contemplation and remembrance. It is completely for our advancement.  We can study and learn every aspect of this faith, but that knowledge is useless without the power of action. With the passing of each day and the coming of each of our birthdays and the folding of each year, we must remember that the Day of Judgment draws near, and we will unquestionably answer for every action we take in this life.

 

We should teach our children this concept. But this is not possible when they see their parents engage in senseless celebration on New Year's Eve. Some Muslims are misguided to attend midnight parties in which alcohol is served and guests are encouraged to join in indecency. Many parents encourage their children to celebrate with fireworks and other forms of disruption without purpose. Let us be smart. Look at your children now and remember how just "yesterday" you were like them. The passage of time is among the greatest signs of God!

 

For Muslims, the Islamic calendar (known as the "Hijri" calendar) should not be a mere documentation of the lunar passage of time, but rather a representation of the history of the Islamic message since its birth with the hijrah or migration of our dear Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Yathrib, later named "Madina." It is a brilliant record of Muslim history, victories and defeats, strengths and weaknesses, and how Islamic civilization reached every part of this globe. Every time we use the Hijri calendar we should feel a heavy responsibility to fulfill our duty and purpose as Muslims. The Hijri months, like Ramadan and Dhul-Hijjah, remind us of the fantastic opportunities to improve our lives and souls with special devotions that are accepted only during those times. We should remember: "You are the best community that has ever been raised for humankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil, and you believe in God." (Quran, 3:110) To be a model community requires that we be aware of special times. I do not mean to say that we should not use the Gregorian calendar. Rather I am confirming the need to never forget (nor underestimate) special openings in time and the great history they record.

 

In closing, my brothers and sisters, we should take pride in our heritage and history, as they have unfolded in the months of the Hijri calendar. We should strive to learn from both successes and failures. It is through consciousness of this history and tradition that we become individuals who are contemplative and with purpose. I would like to leave you with the words of the great scholar Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim: "Your life in the present moment is in between the past and the future. So what actions you have taken in the past can be rectified by repentance. Repentance is something that will neither tire you, nor cause you to toil as you would with strenuous labor. Rather it is an action of the heart. As for actions of the future, they can be made right by withholding yourself from sins. This abandonment is merely the leaving of something and to be released from it. This too is not an action of the limbs, which requires you to strive and toil. Rather this is a firm resolve and intention of the heart - which will give rest to your body, heart, and thoughts." (Al-Fawaa'id, p. 151-152, Al-Istiqaamah, No. 2)

 

Sh. Jamal Said

 

 

The Quran calls itself Bayyan, a Book that is clear and also a Book that makes things clear. It is a "clear declaration" of the reality about God and our role in His world and what awaits us in the Hereafter. Never can anyone claim that these truths were shrouded in mystery or kept in the possession of a secret order of men, to whom then people entrust their understanding of religion. The Quran communicates the most vital of matters in the clearest of ways and in a language (Arabic) that is built to withstand the pressures that have caused other languages to disappear or mutate. The core tenets of Islam are told in the Quran in such a way that all people -- no matter their education or profession -- can understand. The Quran is also furqan,the criterion by which people should live and judge new situations. Blessed is He who has sent down the Criterion upon His servant, so that it may be a warning for the worlds (Quran, 25:1). The Quran confirms what God has revealed to the prophets of old. The Quran's essential message is ancient and has been revived and affirmed by every prophet and messenger from the day Adam first walked on earth. The mind shaped by the Quran is connected with a larger and glorious history of spiritual men and women, whose struggles made it possible for us to receive God's guidance today. What this understanding does is ground the Muslim in prophetic history and thus frees him or her from any attachment to race, ethnicity, or anything else that others try to find solace in. The fellowship of Islam connects with all those who confirmed their belief in God and were eager to take His path.

 

 

"Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, La Illaha Illallah, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Wa Lillahil Hamd."  As the blessed words rang out through the loud speaker, thousands of voices joined in at the Mosque Foundation, Wednesday, December 19, 2007, at the Eid al-Adha prayer service.  We celebrated Eid with the Hujjaj, many from our own community; relatives, neighbors, and friends, blessed to have stood on Arafat the day before.  We repeated the words along with millions of Muslims all over the world, united in celebration of the sacred pilgrimage, and in remembrance of our prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) and how he was tested.

 

The Mosque Foundation held two Eid prayer sessions to accommodate the large number of worshippers.  Sh. Jamal Said, Imam and Director of the Mosque Foundation, led the two prayer sessions, each followed by an inspirational sermon.  

 

Insha Allah the next Eid prayer in the Mosque Foundation will accommodate all the worshippers to pray behind one imam rather than having to split into the two adjoining schools from the lack of space.  By the grace of Allah, and your generosity, the Mosque Foundation expansion project is close to completion.  We are less than $500 thousand from meeting our financial goal for the completion of the new facility.  If you haven't yet fulfilled your pledge, now is the time.  Please donate generously.

And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned." Surah Al-Rum, Verse 22

 

On Sunday, December 2, 2007, the group of sisters gathered once more for the regular Sunday lecture in Spanish.  What made this particular lecture different from other gatherings was that it was delivered in English by Sister Aisheh Said.  The theme was "Following the Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH), reviewing the steps of Prayer."

 

The sisters listened attentively as Um Albara explained each step in detail.  They learned to say the proper du'a for each movement of the prayer.  They also had the opportunity to ask questions and clear some of the misconceptions they may have had concerning the way to perform the prayer correctly.  Alhamdulillah, they were all eager to correct, and immediately put into practice what they had just learned right after the lecture when it was time to pray duhr.

 

If you are a Spanish speaking sister and would like to join the Sunday lectures, you are more than welcome!  The sisters will make you feel at home, as they were once welcomed to join the group as newcomers.  Come join us!  Bienvenida!  Remember, every Sunday at noon downstairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reuniones de Hermanas de Habla Hispana Cada Domingo

 

Y entre Sus portentos esta la creación de los cielos y la tierra, y la diversidad de vuestras lenguas y colores: pues, ¡ciertamente, en esto hay en verdad mensajes para quienes poseen conocimiento (innato)! Sura Ar-Rum (Los Bizantinos/Los Romanos) Versículo 22

 

El domingo 2 de diciembre el grupo de hermanas que se reúnen cada domingo para compartir y aprender del Islam en español, se reunían una vez mas.  Lo que hizo deferente esta ocasión, fue que el tema presentado fue en ingles y lo dio la hermana Aisheh Said, y traducido al español.  El tema fue "Siguiendo la tradición del Profeta Muhammad (que la paz y bendición sean con el), repasando los movimientos de oración."

 

Las hermanas escucharon con vivo interés como la hermana Um Albara daba la lección explicando detalladamente cada paso del proceso. Así mismo, hicieron preguntas y aclararon dudas que tenían acerca de la manera en que alguna gente efectúa su salah.  Alhamdulillah, después de finalizada la sesión, tuvieron las hermanas la oportunidad de corregir y a la vez practicar lo que habían aprendido, ya que después de la lección era tiempo de rezar el duhr.

 

Hermana, si estas leyendo esta nota en español, y desearías al grupo hispano de los domingos, estas cordialmente invitada, las hermanas te ayudaran y te darán la bienvenida, axial como a su vez ellas llegaron al grupo.  Te esperamos, todos los domingos a las 12 del mediodía.  ¡Bienvenida hermana!