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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Taqwa and a Muslim's Priorities
| Khatib : |
Munir Qtaish |
| Khutbah No: |
139 |
| Khutbah Date: |
03/04/05 |
Allah gives us reminders in the Qur’an, the book we should read daily, the book that we should conduct our lives according to, the book of guidance. The motto of our lives, the slogan we revolve our life around should be Taqwa.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَO you who believe! Fear Allah, and let every soul look to what (provision) He has sent forth for the morrow. Be mindful of Allah for Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that you do. [Qur’an 59:18] - Allah knows all that you do in secret and public.
- What have you prepared for tomorrow, the Day of Judgment? What have you done for Allah?
The Companions of the Prophet (pbuh) were once sitting and socializing when Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) walked in on them. He asked them “What are you discussing together?” The replied, “Oh Prophet of Allah, we are talking about the Day of Judgment.”
- The Companions were concerned with the real life after death and not this one. We are often caught up with this materialistic world and forget what is important.
- A shortcoming of Muslims is that their priorities are not straight.
- On the Day of Judgment, each person will be held accountable for everything in their life; what they say and what they do. For the Sahabah (companions of the Prophet), what concerned them was this Day of Judgment. What is it that occupies your mind?
In Kufa, Iraq there was a group of children playing and having a good time. One child, 7 years old, was not playing with the rest of the children. A man walking by noticed this little boy not playing so gave him a dinar (currency) to buy whatever he wanted and encouraged him to play with the rest of the children. The child’s response was “Is it for that reason Allah created you and I?” (meaning just to play around). The scholar asked “What pushed you to say such a thing?” The boy replied, “I have been watching my mother cook for quite some time and noticed she uses the small pieces of wood to start the fire before adding the larger pieces. And I am afraid that the fire of Hell will begin with small bodies like mine.”
- This child, only 7 years, was concerned with the life after death.
- Although playing and having a good time is encouraged, our priorities should be kept straight.
There are two types of people in the Hereafter: the
Shaqee and
Saeed. The
Shaqee lives a miserable life in the Hereafter, whereas the
Saeed is happy. Of which type do we want to be? The first priority of Muslims should be the Final Destination where we will live for eternity. There are only two options for our final destination: Hellfire or Heaven. The second priority of Muslims is their role in the Muslim Ummah (group). We often watch news and see Muslims around the world suffer. But we become desensitized. “The Ummah is like one body; if one part of it hurts, the rest of the body is overcome with pain.” Muslims should be concerned with the affairs of other Muslims. We are like one body where one part affects the other. If you get a cut on your hand, would you amputate your hand to not feel the pain? Obviously not; instead you would get the best treatment to heal it. Why is it that when one part of the Muslim Ummah is aching across the world we just amputate it and not concern ourselves with them? The very least we can do is make
dua’a/pray for them. Aisha once awakened in the middle of the night and did not see Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) sleeping. She found the Prophet praying, in
sujud/prostration, crying. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was making dua’a for us. He asked Allah to have mercy on his nation. We can each contribute to the Muslim Ummah by participating, making dua’a, and most importantly, taking action.
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