Shaykh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi passes

Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Illayhi Raji'un.

The Eminent Syrian Scholar, Sheikh Abu Hassan al-Kurdi has left this world.

And we are at a loss with his departure.

He leaves a great legacy for anyone who aspires to study the Qur'an and generations of men, women and children who carry his chain back to our Liege Lord Muhammad, Peace and Blessings be upon Him.

May Allah bestow His grace upon us that we reach the states of the awliyaa', who when they pass from this world, the earth itself mourns their death.

Pray for us and for him, and that we might be with him in the hereafter.

Ameen. Wa biLlahi Tawfiq.

Ramadan Resources

A number of talks preparing one for a spiritually uplifting Ramadan:

Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar:

http://sacredlearning.org/classrooms/ramadan/index.htm

Fiqh of Fasting

1a. All of your Hanafi fiqh questions answered-- by Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf

http://www.zamzamacademy.com/audio.php?audioDir=lessons/al-sawm/

1b. Ramadan Fiqh by - Imam Tahir. Part 1 - Part 2

2. What do we do in Ramadan? Shaykh Nuh. A short and sweet reminder
http://www.halaltube.com/podpress_trac/web/345/0/nuh-ha-meem-keller-ramadan-halaltubecom.mp3

3. Ramadan - Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad
http://www.halaltube.com/abdul-hakim-murad-ramadan

4. Taraweeh - 8 or 20? Shaykh Riyad ul Haq
http://hamzajennings.com//wp-content/downloads/mp3/Taraweeh%208%20or%2020.mp3

5. Moonsighting - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
http://www.halaltube.com/moon-sighting

6. Ramadan Advice - Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
http://www.halaltube.com/ramadan-advice

7. Ramadan and Charity - Imam Zaid Shakir
http://www.halaltube.com/ramadan-and-charity

8. Lectures (19 total lectuers) by Imam Zaid Shakir entitled The Blessings of Ramadan
http://www.zaytuna.org/multimedia.asp?speaker=3

9. The Virtues of Standing in Prayer in the Month of Ramadan - Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
http://media.libsyn.com/media/seekersguidance/Understanding_Virtue_-_020-21_-_Virtues_of_Standing_in_Prayer_in_Ramadan.MP3

The Sacred Month of Rajab!!

According to crescentwatch.org, the new moon of Rajab should be seen tonite. This is one of the 5 special nights where dua'a is not rejected, according to the Prophet (saw) (see below)....Please include my family and me in your dua'as insha'Allah.

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين
و صلى الله على سيدنا محمد و على آله وصحبه وسلم تسليما كثيرا

THE RAJAB LETTER
by Amjad Tarsin

This is an excerpt from the book Kanz Al-Najah wa As-Suroor ("The Treasures of Success and Happiness"), a book highlighting the special qualities of each month. As the blessed and holy month of Rajab approaches (please check your local sightings or mosques to know when the month of Rajab begins in your area - http://www.crescentwatch.org/cgi-bin/Cw/cw.cgi ), hopefully this information will be of use in allowing us all to appreciate it and benefit from it:

[Please also read Mufti Taqi Usmani's article on the month of Rajab: http://albalagh.net/general/rajab.shtml]

So, my dear friend, put forth a great effort in the month of Rajab, may Allah have mercy on you. It is the season of great profits, so take advantage of your time! Whoever is spiritually sick due to their sins - know that the medicine has come.

• Muslims should remember the important events that took place in the history of Islam during this month, such as the Night Journey and Ascension, the Battle of Tabuk, and the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque from the crusaders at the hands of Salah Ad-Din Al-Ayubi (AH 538).

• Rajab is one of the four sacred months mentioned in the Quran (the four months are : Rajab, Dhul Qi'da, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram):

{إن عدة الشهور عند الله اثنا عشر شهرا في كتاب الله يوم خلق السموت والارض منها اربعة حرم}

(التوبة: 36)

{The number of months is twelve according to God, in the decree of God, on the day God created the heavens and the earth; and four of them are sacred} (9:36)

• Observing voluntary fasting in the four sacred months, including Rajab, is recommended. (Fasting is permissible and recommended in Rajab as long as one believes that there is no extra reward for fasting in this month. Please click here.)

• Also, making du'a during the eve of the first of Rajab is highly recommended. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, "There are five nights in which du'a (supplication) is not rejected: the eve of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha'aban, the eve of Friday, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the eve of Eid Al-Adha." [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami'].

• Rajab is Allah's month in which He pours His Mercy upon the penitent and He accepts the actions that people have done for His sake. The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, "Rajab is the month of Allah, and Sha'aban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah." (Imam Al-Suyuti in Al-Jami).

• Scholars say: Rajab is the month of repentance (istighfar), and Sha'aban is the month of sending peace and mercy (salawat/durood shareef) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Qur'an.


• One highly recommended act to do is say 70 times after the Fajr and 'Isha prayers every morning and night of Rajab:
  
  
  "اللهم اغفر لي وارحمني وتب عليَّ"
  
  
  Transliteration: "Allahuma ighfir li wa Arhamni wa tub 'alayya."
  
  Translation: Oh Allah forgive me, have mercy upon me, and grant me repentance.


• Sayyidna 'Ali, may Allah be well pleased with him, used to allocate extra amounts of time for worship on four nights - the first night of Rajab, the nights before the two Eids, and the 15th night of Sha'aban.


• It is also highly recommended to say the following Prophetic prayer (known as Sayyid Al-Istighfar or the Master of Repentance) 3 times every morning and every evening in Rajab:
  
  
  اللهم أنت ربي، لا اله الا أنت خلقتني وأنا عبدك، وأنا على عهدك ووعدك ما استطعت، أعوذ بك من شر ما صنعت، أبوء لك بنعمتك عليَّ وأبوء يذنبي فاغفر لي فإنه لا يغفر الذنوب الا أنت
  
  
  Transliteration: Allahuma anta rabi la ilaha illa ant, khalaqtani wa ana 'abduk, wa ana 'ala 'ahdika wa wa'adika ma astata'at, 'authu bika min shar ma san'at, abu'u laka bi ni'matika 'allaya wa abu'u bi dhanbi, faqhfir li fa'innahu la yaghfir al-dhunub ila anta.
  
  Translation: O Allah, you are my Lord, and there is no god but you. You created me and I am your servant, and I am upon the convenant to the best of my ability. I seek refuge in you from the evil I have brought upon myself. I admit all the blessings you have given me and I admit my sins, so forgive me, for no one can forgive sins save You.
  
  
  And success is from Allah!

Gift of Pregnancy & Motherhood::Garden Grove, CA!

A must attend for all sisters!! (Mothers and Future Mothers-to-be!!)


The Gift of Pregnancy & Motherhood:
An Amazing Opportunity to Get Closer to Allah (s.w.t)!!

with Ustadha Sajeda Patel
& Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed (moderator)

Date: Saturday, May 30th

Location: Masjid Al-Rahman (ISOC)

1 Al-Rahman Plaza, Garden Grove, CA 92844

Multi-Purpose Room

Schedule: 10:30-10:45am Registration

10:45-1:00pm Inspiring Talk!

12 Noon: Refreshment break

Please be on time!

Sisters ONLY.

Please spread the word!!

Sisters' Event:: Garden Grove, CA!

Pre-register today!!

A must-attend event that you won't regret--
Less than 2 weeks left to have your love & knowledge of the Mothers of the Believers increase insha'Allah!

Pre-register today!!

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The Rahmah Foundation is pleased to present:

2 Day Sisters' Only Program!!

Sat, June 6-Sun, June 7

10am-5:30pm

Embodying the Sunnah:

A Sister's Guide to Inspiration
With Ustadha Shamira & Ustadha Eiman Sidky
ISOC (Garden Grove Masjid). 9752 13th Street, Garden Grove, CA.

Registration Fee: $20 by June 5. At the door: $25.

PLEASE reserve tickets beforehand via website:
www.lilmuslim.com/rahmah-tickets.html
or contact: roohenaz@gmail.com

Lunch will be available onsite. Refreshments will be provided.

Sorry, no babysitting services provided.

Special Guest Lecturer: Ustadha Eiman Sidky

Ustadha Eiman was an Islamic Studies and Quran Teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Alexandria, Virginia from 1985 through 2002. She is also in active dawah for the past 15 years in different mosques and countries around the world. Ustadha Eiman has studied with Shaykh al-Habib Umar and the Habaib in Tarim. She has taught Seerah classes both the U.S. and in Egypt. She is loved by all those who meet her and has an amazing way of instilling the love of prophet, Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam, in the hearts.


Student Testimonials of Ustadha Eiman's programs:

"a really tite program for sisters! don't miss out!! ustahda eman is AWESOME!!!!"

"All of the teachers are, mashallah, amazing in their own right and i can say that from being around them before. But i specifically wanted to recommend Ustadah Eiman Sidky. I had attended her class on the seera of the prophet Mohammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam and subhan allah, i have never had seera in that manner. It is as if she has been there and is narrating what she has just experienced. I think i don't even have the words to describe the way she brings the blessed seera. You just have to attend it to experience it."

"...I am not kidding you when i repeat what everyone else has already said --- she makes the stories of the prophets, sahabah, awliya come alive in a way i've never witnessed before. i felt like i was watching a movie."

Sisters' Talk in Glendale Heights, IL

Returning to Allah: Mercy & Forgiveness and Balancing between Hope & Fear

A sisters-only event taught by:

Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 6:30PM @
MSI
1758 Bloomingdale Road
Glendale Heights, IL
Sisters Prayer Hall

Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Talk

Living Between Hope and Fear

Reflections on Death & The Afterlife

with Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed

Saturday, May 9

ICIE (Rancho Masjid), Multi-Purpose Room

9212 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Schedule: 10-10:30am Registration

10:30-1:00pm Talk

Noon: Refreshment break

Please be on time

Sisters ONLY. No babysitting provided.

Please spread the word!

Living Between Hope & Fear:

Fear makes us careful in avoiding sin, while hope makes us diligent to follow after righteousness and is a motivator to do good.

The Almighty says, "Your Lord is swift in retribution, and He is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (7:167); The Seal of all prophets, Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him, said "The Garden (al-Jannah) is nearer to you than your own sandal strap and it is the same with the Fire." (Bukhari)

In this motivating talk Ustadha Shamira will discuss the reality of trusting in Ar-Rahmaan (the Most Merciful's) Mercy, yet at the same time fearing His punishment. The eternal abodes of Heaven and Hell and the stages of death will be narratively illustrated, and the diametrically opposite qualities of hope and fear in God will be discussed. Practical applications will be shared in order to create a balanced outlook on life, and emphasis laid on the importance of striving for the Eternal Pleasure of God the Almighty.

Ustadha Shamira Sisters-Only Weekend Intensive, New York!

March 29, 2009

Salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!

Insha’Allah this Friday, April 3rd, SBU MSA is blessed to have Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed come for a 3-day intensive!

On Friday, April 3rd at 7:00 PM, Ustadha Shamira will be lecturing on “A Beautiful Balance: balancing between hope, fear, knowledge, and action” at Masjid Hamza in Valley Stream, NY. Insha’Allah refreshments will be served. Be sure to register here to attend!

Insha’Allah on Saturday and Sunday, April 2nd - 3rd from 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Ustadha Shamira will be giving a 2-day intensive on “Balancing Between Hope and Fear" And "Living the Sunnah & Loving the Prophet (SAW)” at ICLI Masjid in Westbury, NY! Breakfast and registration is at 10 AM, and Lunch will be also be served later in the day - be sure to register here to attend!

Kansas City Sisters' Lecture

A Special Halaqah for Women

Guest Lecturer: Shamira Chothia Ahmed

Topic: Repentance: "Turning and Returning to Allah"

Where: Islamic Center of Johnson County 9001 W. 151st St. O.P., KS 66223

When: Monday, March 16th at 6:45pm-8:30pm

Girls ages 12+ welcome!

Islamic Center of San Gabriel Valley presents:

The Real Ticket to Popularity


An event for girls (10 yrs old - college aged)

with Ustadha Shamira Chothia Ahmed
of Zaytuna Institute

Saturday March 28th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at ICSGV
19164 E Walnut Dr N, Rowland Heights, CA 91748


Ever wonder what the hype is all about trying to be cool and be accepted by your friends and/or classmates? What does it really mean to be popular and what is the result of it? Being a Muslimah in the West, it may sometimes seem difficult to reconcile our deen (religion) and fitting into society -- is there a solution to this? Can we do both successfully, and how? In this motivating sisters-only talk, Ustadha Shamira brings these important issues that face our youth to light and creates a forum for open discussion and thought-provoking questions


Please join us to explore the concept of popularity -- concerning our relationship with Allah the Almighty,
and with our fellow human beings.

For more information: Call (626) 262 1288

Or visit the online invitation here: www.socializr.com/event/941836916