South East Asian Crew
Honorary South East Asian member, Imam Zaid, surrounded by his South East Asian/North American students
Posted via Pixelpipe.
Photo taken August 15, 2008 in Berkeley, California.
Left to right:
Sayyid Ahmed Al-Junied, Sayyid Ali Zainal Abidin Al-Saqqaf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Sidi Iskandar Soekardi, Mikael Pittam
Muslims who can’t fast (elderly who are not strong enough to fast, very sick people, etc.) should give Fidya, a compensation for each missed day of fasting. If however an old or sick person gains strength after Ramadan, it is recommended that he/she fasts to make up those days, and the Fidya they paid will count as a sadaqah on their behalf.
What Allah (swt) has said about paying fidya:
" . . . And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know." (Al-Baqarah 2:184)
How does Hidaya distribute fidya?
Hidaya Foundation (www.hidaya.org) distributes Fidya on behalf of those who can’t fast in the form of meals for poor and deserving people..
What is the cost of fidya?
Fidya for each missed day of fasting is US$3.50 according to Hanafi school of thought or US$7.00 according to other major schools of thought.
To donate online via electronic check or credit card for Fidya, please visit:
https://donation.hidaya.org/donation.aspx?projectId=83
You can mail checks payable to "Hidaya Foundation" to:
Hidaya Foundation, P.O. Box 5481, Santa Clara, CA 95056
Sincerely,
Waseem Baloch*
Toll free: (866) 244-3292
E-mail: mail@hidaya.org
Hidaya Foundation is a US based non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with Tax ID # 77-0502583. Its mission is to implement educational, health care and social welfare projects in economically depressed areas of the world.
*Sidi Waseem is a true hero. He is one of the hardest working super men we know. We were blessed to have worked side-by-side with him in the past.
New book release, translation, commentary and notes by Imam Zaid Shakir!
The translation, notes, and commentary of Imam al-Harith al-Muhasibi’s Risala al-Mustarshidin (Treatise For The Seekers Of Guidance) by Imam Zaid Shakir is intended to serve as a layman’s guide to Islamic spirituality. Al – Muhasibi presents most of the major ideas that would both serve as the basis for a full program of spiritual development and comprise an insightful overview of a system of Islamic moral psychology. He examines in great depth and penetrating insight the psychological motivations and justifications for moral thought and action and correspondingly the associated bases of immorality. In so doing, he has provided a road map that any person can follow to overcome the guiles of his fundamental enemies: the world, the ego, the whims of the soul, and Satan.
Reviews
“There is no way to know how much of traditional Islamic scholarship has been lost forever in libraries that have been burned, looted or destroyed. Other manuscripts lay forgotten in dusty archives, unread and untranslated. New literary works such as “A Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance” seek to preserve a part of Islamic heritage and are astoundingly relevant to our homes and society today. –Dr. Noreen Kassem, July 25, 2008
Powerful and magnetic … it is difficult to put this book down. An essential primer for self-rectification and drawing closer to the divine, this is a highly accessible translation of a classical Islamic text that provides ample guidance and advice for souls longing for spiritual nourishment and refinement amid the prevailing state of social and moral disintegration. This book not only offers definitive counsels on rectifying the self and becoming responsible and dignified human beings, but it also showcases the moral and ethical standards which Islam calls to. Imam Zaid Shakir has done a tremendous service in rendering this crucial text into the English language. –Aftab Ahmad Malik, Visiting Fellow – DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE & ETHNICITY, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
About the Author
Imam Abu Abdullah al-Harith bin Asad al-Muhasibi was born in the important Iraqi port city of Basra. No one has ascertained the date of Imam al-Muhasibi s birth with certainty. It is considered to be between 165/781 and 170/786. Scholars are more certain concerning his death, agreeing that he passed away in 243/857 at Baghdad. At the time of his birth, Basra was a city whose bustling port and vibrant intellectual life rendered it a major cosmopolitan center of great significance. However, it is unlikely that Imam al-Muhasibi benefited from the intellectual life of the city for he appears to have moved to Baghdad at an early age. There he received a very thorough education. His writings not only reveal his mastery of Islamic orthodox scholarship and traditions, but also a deep knowledge of the philosophical and rational thought of both the heretical Muslim sects as well as a credible knowledge of Jewish and Christian theology. He would spend his career in Baghdad and be a full participant its tumultuous intellectual activity.
Cover design by IslamCrunch’s Creative Director.
THE SHA’ABAN LETTER
Alhamdulilah, Allah has blessed us to be on the doorstep of Ramadan. Many of the pious predecessors used to spend months preparing for the efforts they were going to exert in the holy month of Ramadan. These are excerpts from the book, "Kanz An-Najah wa As-Suroor" (The Treasures of Success and Happiness) regarding the greatness of Sha’aban and some of the recommended things to do during this month.
1. It is highly recommended to repent frequently (tawbah) and increase in acts of worship, especially fasting. Whosoever prepares themselves with acts of worship and repentance in Sha’aban will reap the benefits of those acts in Ramadan.
2. Sha’aban is the month of the Prophet, peace be upon him, for he said, "Sha’aban is my month." "?????? ????"
It was in this month that the famous verse regarding sending blessing and peace on the Prophet was revealed:
{?? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ??????}
{Allah and His Angels send their blessings upon the Prophet, O you who believe send blessings upon him and salutations of peace}
Therefore, it is highly encouraged to increase sending one’s salutations upon the Prophet, peace be upon him. Scholars have said, "Rajab is the month of repentance, Sha’aban is the month of sending salutations upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an."
3. The 15th Night of Sha’aban (Which coincides with the 16th of August after Maghrib):
On the relation of ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, "On the 15th night of Sha’aban the Angel of Death, peace be upon him, copies down the names of all those who will die from that Sha’aban to the next Sha’aban…and there is no night after Laylat Al-Qadr better than the 15th night of Sha’aban."
Other hadiths also describe the 15th night as being the night in which Allah decrees everyone’s provisions, even afterworldly provisions (Paradise, Hell), therefore it is important to bring that night to life through Prayer, reading Quran, and repentance.
Related by Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "There are five nights on which dua is not turned back: the night before Friday, the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’aban, Laylat Al-Qadr, and the nights before both Eids."
It is also recommended to say the dua:
????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?? ????? ??????? ???????
Allahuma innaka ‘Afuwun Karimun tuhib al ‘afu fa’afu ‘ani, Allahuma inni as’aluka al-’afu, wa al-’afiyah, wa al-mu’afat al-da’ima, fi al-din wa al-dunya wa al-akhirah.
It is also highly recommended to read Surah Ya-Sin 3 times that night, each time with a specific intention:
1. The first time with the intention of Allah increasing the length of your life in worship and good deeds.
2. The second time with the intention of Allah protecting you from tribulations.
3. Lastly, with the intention of Allah not making you reliant on other people.
Clarification: Giving life to the night is said to be staying up most of the night in worship, although other scholars have said just one hour. Others have said just be determined to pray Isha in congregation and Fajr in congregation and that will fulfill "giving life to the night."
May Allah bless us all and the whole Ummah throughout this whole month and bless us even more in Ramadan.
?????? ??? ?? ????????
Notes provided by Sidi Amjad Tarsin, a dear friend and beloved brother. Originally shared on Facebook.
Sidi Amjad also provided this: Month of Rajab: Virtues and Acts of Worship
There was a lot of hype and excitement about the release of the Iron Man movie. It has garnered a lot of rave reviews and publicity. We were not impressed with the way Muslims were portrayed in the movie. It was like a subtle repulsor blast to the face: "Look, Muslims again! Shooting, bombing, kidnapping and scowling too!"
Yes, Tony Stark is tough and yes, he built an awesome suit of armor.
However, we know who the REAL Iron Man is….
During the battle, two links from the metal chainstrap of the Messenger of Allah’s helmet had been forced into his cheek. Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah removed one link from his face and a front tooth fell out; he pulled out another link and a second tooth fell out. Thus he lost both of his front teeth.
Source: http://ourislamonline.tripod.com/10histislam.htm
In the battle of Uhud, the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) fell on his face against a rock; his incisor fractured and his face became covered in blood. The disbeliever, Abdullah Bin Qami’a, struck him on his helmet with a sword. The helmet embedded into his face and became stuck in his cheek. Its metal tips penetrated the Prophet’s cheekbones. His companions tried to pull it out, but to no avail. Abu Bakr said, "Let me pull it out off the Prophet’s face".
"No Abu Bakr! No one should pull it out but me! Lay down, Apostle of Allah," said Abu-Ubaida Ibnul-Jarrah. With metal still clinging to his face, the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) laid down. Abu Ubaida held the Prophet’s blessed head and started to pull the metal rings out with his teeth until his teeth became broken – he lost his teeth for the sake of Allah. The pointy tips were out, and the Prophet’s face was bleeding heavily. With blood covering his face, the Prophet (may peace and blessings be upon him) said, "O Allah, grant my people guidance and forgive their ignorance."
Source: http://www.amrkhaled.net/articles/articles1351.html
‘Utbah bin Abi Waqqas pelted him with stones. One of the stones fell on his face. His lower right incisor Ruba‘iya (i.e. the tooth that is between a canine and a front tooth) was injured. His lower lip was wounded. He was also attacked by ‘Abdullah bin Shihab Az-Zuhri who cleaved his forehead. ‘Abdullah bin Qami’a (Qami’a means ‘a humiliated woman’), who was an obstinate strong horseman, struck him violently on his shoulder with his sword; and that stroke hurt the Messenger of Allâh (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for over a month — though it was not strong enough to break his two armours. He dealt a heavy blow on his cheek. It was so strong that two rings of his iron-ringed helmet penetrated into his holy cheek.
Source: http://www.rasoulallah.net/subject_en.asp?hit=1&parent_id=164&sub_id=1981
The Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was wounded on the face by the rings of his helmet piercing his temples, his lower lip bled, and one of his teeth was broken.
Source: http://www.lastprophet.info/en/content/view/196/1010/
To read more about these events and the bravery of the Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and the companions, please click on the links.
