Your Support Is Needed
Alhamdulillah, we were able to raise funds thanks to those of you who attended our fundraiser, however, the amount we raised is significantly less than last year. As you can see around you when you visit ICOI, we have been serving about 3,000 of you at Taraweeh, especially since many of you have come from far to hear the Sh. Mishary recite. You are all more than welcome, and we hope your experience at ICOI has been a pleasant one. Honestly, this whole program and our masjid has operating costs that exceed what we collected at our fundraiser.
We are addressing those of you that didn't have a chance to come to the fundraiser and those of you that have come from far, we need your help specifically. Insha'Allah, we are doing a fundraising drive starting now and culminating in a fundraising night on the night of 23rd, Saturday before Isha. Insha'Allah, we will be collecting funds and passing out pledge forms for a few minutes before Isha. PLEASE, bring your checkbooks. If you haven't donated yet to ICOI, please bring your checkbooks next Saturday and don't forget. Next Saturday we need your help, bring your checkbooks to help out this place that you have enjoyed during Ramadan and the year. Insha'Allah, may Allah SWT allow your reward to multiply during one of the last odd nights of Ramadan.
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Community & Solidarity
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan and Yassir Fazaga |
| Khutbah No: |
176 |
| Khutbah Date: |
12/02/05 |
[b]عليكم بالجماعة فان يد الله مع الجماعة[/b] [i]Support the Community (in matters of righteousness) for the support of Allah is with the Community[/i][b][Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)] [/b][b]Foundation and Basis of Islamic Community[/b]The Islamic Community is not founded nor defined in terms of race, nationality, locality, occupation, kinship or special interests. Islam based on a communal notion, hence the significance of concepts such as …[list][*]jamaa’ah (congregation)
“The Prayer in jamaa’ah is twenty seven times superior to the Prayer offered by a person alone.” [Prophet Muhammad] [/*][*]ummah (global community of Faith) , This
ummah is one community. [Qur’an] [/*][*]
mu’aamalah (societal interaction).
Deen (Islamic way of life) is
Mu’aamalah [Prophet Muhammad] [/*][/list] [b]Historic Mission of Islamic ‘Community’[/b]The Ideal Islamic community should be a happy, untroubled by conflicts or doubts, strong, united and prosperous because Islamic community is the community that invites to all that is good, seeks what is right and forbids the wrong and evil: [i]“Let there be a community among you, advocating what is good, demanding what is right, and enjoining (forbidding) what is wrong.” [/i][b][Al-Imran:104] [/b][b]Historic Role of Islamic ‘Community’[/b]The historic role of the Islamic community is to be a true embodiment and example of the virtuous, the wholesome, and the noble. A true Islamic community is the alert guardian of virtue and the bitter enemy of vice. It must set the highest standards of performance and be the reference point for others. Allah says… [i]“We have made you a middle nation, a well integrated community, a balanced Ummah, so that you be witness over other people and the prophet a witness over you.” [/i][Q 2:143] [b]The Identity of the Islamic community[/b]centers upon the principles of:[list][*]faith[/*][*]consistent balance [/*][*]consistent balance [/*][*]unity of purpose [/*][*]reciprocity of feelings [/*][*]solidarity [/*][*]equity. [/*][/list] [b]Muslim Community in USA[/b]Before September 11, American Muslims were on top of the world. Mosques were coming up in every major city in North America and so were Islamic schools and Islamic political action committees. Islam was the fastest growing religion in America, in Europe, in Australia with 1.4 billion adherents worldwide and there were now over six million Muslims in America.The consequences of 9/11 on the Muslims in the US have been dramatic and traumatic. Things seemed to have changed overnight. Attacks on civil rights came in the form of various programs and legislations such as the USA Patriot Act, and American Muslims were never prepared to fight a major civil rights battle. In addition, the daily experiences of Muslims in schools, workplaces, public areas, and airports have often included incidents in which they were singled out, denied religious accommodation and otherwise discriminated against by reason of actual or perceived religion and ethnicity. The community does not dream of new victories anymore. Defending and preserving the existing achievements and assets such as the nearly 2000 mosques, the 300+ Islamic schools, charities and access to media and government itself seems like an uphill task. Not only has the community seemingly lost developmental momentum but it seems as if most of its hard earned good will has dissipated and now it faces hostility and prejudice as never before. The shattering of the American Muslim dream and the crisis of civil rights has the community in total disarray, many Muslims ended up afraid, confused and extremely insecure about their future. [b]Halt the Prejudice [/b]People of Conscience call on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release Abdul Jabbar Hamdan; who has been unfairly held in custody since July 2004 on minor immigration infractions; this call is based on humanitarian grounds. People of conscience are getting a little tired of this kind of treatment of people, where vague allegations are made and actions are taken against individuals and organizations without any recourse to reproach. People need to know what the allegations are and where they are coming from. This kind of prejudice is further exacerbated by about 1,000 talk shows in this country spew their poisonous venom against Islam and Muslims. This increases the nightmare for six million Muslims in America, who fear continued harassment, discrimination, violence and intimidation on the nation's playgrounds, schools and offices. Muslims today are the last to be hired and the first to be fired. [b]Courage of Conviction[/b]Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said; [b]
ُخلُقان يُحبُهُمَا الله ، و خلقان يُبغِضُهُمَا الله ؛فأما اللذان يحبهما الله ، فالسخاء و الشَجاعة ؛فأما اللذان يبغضهما الله ، فسوءُ الخلُق ِو البُخلُ .[/b][i]Allah loves two human qualities and dislikes two;The two qualities Allah loves are generosity and courage:The two qualities Allah dislikes are bad character and miserliness.[/i]Wise ones have said that[i]moral courage is the courage of one's convictions, the courage to see things through. The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It's the age-old struggle--the roar of the crowd on one side and the voice of your conscience on the other.[/i]Courage motivates one to do what is best despite the challenges. In the absence of courage, cowards would rule everything, for remember; [i]all that is needed for evil to triumph, is for good people to do nothing[/i]Courage is indeed a cornerstone of good character and an integral part of our faith.If we do not have the courage of our conviction to stand up for what is just we should not expect the Mercy of Allah, nor the support of others when we are in such dilemma ourselves. In these times of trial and tribulation, let us remember a favorite prayer of our beloved Prophet (pbuh) …
[b]اللهم اني اعوذ بك من الهَم و الحُزن و العَجز و الكَسَل و البُخل و الجُبن و ضَلَع ِ الدين و غلبة الرجال[/b][i]O Allah! I seek refuge in Thee from anxiety, grief, incapacity, laziness, stinginess, cowardice; from the burden of debt and from the domination of people. [/i]
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