Difficulty

Asalaamu Alaikum

Sorry for the lateness of this post. I'm happy to be able to write to you all and very excited about getting to see Nabil et. al. at the end of the month. We have all been out of touch for too long. Anyways, Things are going well for me I don't have a lot to report just enjoying my family and trying to be a better me. I'm sure we have all heard "after difficulty comes ease" I've had the opportunity to really reflect upon that recently. In my experience, a setback or "personal tragedy" doesn't become truly painful until we begin to feel sorry for ourselves. When we process an even or chain of events or we endure them until they are irrelevant our logical mind demonstrates that we were placing ing undue burdon upon ourselves and we imagine that power has been transfered from the true source of power (Allah swt) to the event or outcome that did not go in our favor. I emplore you all keep remembrerance of Allah in the times of difficulty and in times of ease. Also remember that power will always be in the hands of Allah and that power cannot be resisted. I love you brothers for the sake of Allah

Narrated Ibn Abbas
Allah's Apostle used to say at the time of difficulty, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Majestic, the Most Forbearing. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, the Lord of the Heavens and the Lord of the Honourable Throne.

When feeling down

Salaams brothers. The other day at work there was a special seminar on depression in the workplace. The seminar discussed how workplace depression is on the rise and things that employees can do if they start to feel depressed or notice colleagues displaying signs of depression. Remedies range from talking to counselors to taking anti-depressants. this got me thinking about what Islam has prescribed for us when we start to feel depressed, or low on imaan.

Everyone suffers from weak imaan once in a while, it's completely normal. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Imaan wears out in one’s heart, just as the dress wears out (becomes thin). Therefore, ask Allah to renew Imaan in your hearts.” [Mustadrak Al Hakim]

When we are suffering from weak imaan and sorrow, and one of the best cures is repeating duaa. One such duaa was narrated by the Prophet (pbuh) in Saheeh Bukhari:

Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-hammi wal-Ḥuzni wal-’ajazi wal-kasli wal-bukhli wal-jubni wa ḍala’id-dayni wa ghalabatir-rijal.

O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.

Anpther duaa is narrated by the Prophet as one of the supplications of the distressed:

Allahumma rahmataka arju fala takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘aynin wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu la ilaha ila anta

O Allah, it is Your mercy that I hope for, so do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for a blink of an eye, and rectify for me all of my affairs. None has the right to be worshiped except You.

So if you or every feeling down, or low on your imaan, remember that it is part of being human. Seeking refuge in Allah swt and making duaa is something we should remember during these times.

Take care bros,
Azim

A new start

Salaams,

So I graduated from UVA a little more than a week ago, and inshallah
this summer I will be headed to Detroit for a research fellowship at
Henry Ford Hospital. It should be interesting since I've never been
to Detroit before, and I've heard great things about the Muslim
community there. Last week I happened to be in Baltimore during
Hopkins' graduation, and met up with some of the Jhuma alumni and
current members at the post-grad dinner at Oh's Place. It was really
awesome seeing everyone, and I'm looking forward to our next
Jhuma-brothers hangout!

I was at a talk the other day and the speaker was talking about
shariah, and I heard this hadith, which I'm sure most of you have
heard before:

"It is necessary upon a Muslim to listen to and obey the ruler, as
long as one is not ordered to carry out a sin. If he is commanded to
commit a sin, then there is no adherence and obedience." (Sahih
al-Bukhari)

I just thought it was a nice reminder during a time when many Muslims
around the world don't understand such a simple concept. By agreeing
to live within a land and taking what that land offers to you
(security, food, wealth, etc.), you agree to abide by it's rules and
laws, provided they do not go against the Quran and Sunnah. The
Prophet (SAW) did not mention that it had to be an Islamic state.
True believers keep their promises and do not break agreements, no
matter who they are made with.

--Zain

Charity

Asalaamu Alaikum,

Insha Allah this reaches you all in good health and iman. Alhamdulilah things are going very well for my family. My wife got the job she really wanted and is happily teaching at a small islamic school in Baltimore. My daughter Amira also attends that school and is doing well, she's learning arabic very fast and is starting to learn a few suras. Musa is getting big and he's eating foods now. He loves to play and smiles a lot he has an uncanny awareness and seems eager to particpate in the mobile world.

I've been reading a lot about charity lately and general thankfulness. I'm striving to be more thankful in my everyday success and more humble as i grow.
One day some one asked me for money and I didn't have any cash to give at the time and then another and then another. by the end of the day several people had asked me for charity and i refused them all not because I didn't want to give but because I didn't have the cash at the time and I chose not to get any althogh i could have easily gone to an ATM. By the end of the day my conscience had gotten to me and I decided to take some money out in the even that someone would ask me for help, and noone did. I acctually drove around for a while looking for someone who may need some money (which is pretty dumb, I'm aware) and I didn't really see anyone. The whole experience forced mwe to think about the way I show my appreciation for all the good things that I have. I don't know if we should always carry money for situations like that but I've resolved to be better in giving charity. All that said, here are a few hadith think about


The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone gives in charity something equal to a date from his honestly earned money--for nothing ascends to God except good--then God will take it in His Right (Hand) and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, until it becomes like a mountain...Nothing ascends to God except good." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Number 525B
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Blessed is the wealth of a Muslim from which he gives to the poor, to orphans and to needy travelers." - Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 544
The Prophet also said: "Charity given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both charity and a connecting link." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 606
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 589

Seeking Guidance from Allah in Decision Making

Assalamualaikum brothers. Apologies for the delayed posting. Inshallah, those of you on the East Coast dealing with the numerous blizzards have been safe. Things have been going very well for me recently, alhamdulillah. I was just offered a position at a lawfirm in DC that specializes in food, drug and pharmaceutical law (the area I want to focus on). I will be accepting the offer and starting in March, inshallah.

While I was applying and interviewing for the position, and trying to figure out if I was making the right decision to leave my current firm, I found it very helpful to pray salah tul istikhara, as a way to seek help from Allah in my decision making process.

The Prophet Muhammad said, "If one of you is concerned about some practical undertaking, or about making plans for a journey, he should perform two raka nafl prayer." Then he/she should say the following du'a:

Allahumma inni astakheeroka bi ilmik. Wa'astaq-diroka biqodratik. Wa'as'aloka min fadlikal-azeem. Fa'innaka taqdiru wala aqdir. Wata lamo wala-a lam. Wa'anta-allamul ghuyoob. Allahumma in kunta ta lamu anna (hathal-amra*) khayul-lee fi deenee wama ashi wa ajila amri wa'ajilah, faqdorho lee, wayassirho lee, thomma-barik lee fih. Wa'in konta ta lamo anna (*mention the matter*) sharrul-lee fi deenee. Wama ashi. Wa ajila amri. Wa'ajilaho. Fasrifho annee. Wasrifnee anh. Waqdur leyal-khayr haytho kan. Thomma ardini bih.

Translation:
Oh Allah! I seek Your guidance by virtue of Your knowledge, and I seek ability by virtue of Your power, and I ask You of Your great bounty. You have power; I have none. And You know; I know not. You are the Knower of hidden things.
Oh Allah! If in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is good for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then ordain it for me, make it easy for me, and bless it for me. And if in Your knowledge, (this matter*) is bad for my religion, my livelihood and my affairs, immediate and in the future, then turn it away from me, and turn me away from it. And ordain for me the good wherever it may be, and make me content with it.

See: http://www.islamicacademy.org/html/Dua/How_to_do_Istakhara.htm

jazakallah khair,
Azim

Working for this life

Salaams all,

Sorry for the delay in my posting to the blog, I've been way behind on
all my emails. Fourth year is going well alhamdulillah, and interview
season is coming nearly to an end. It's nice that the business of
traveling back and forth to places to interview is over, but now I get
the worry and waiting for match day. Duas and prayers would be
appreciated from everyone. Other than that, I'm just finishing up
electives and trying to have as much fun as I can this last semester
of med school since I know I won't get this kind of a chance again.

I was having a conversation the other day with some friends and the
following hadith came up, and I thought it would be nice to share some
of the thoughts that I had about it:

"If the Hour is about to take place while any one of you has a sapling
in his hand, which he can cultivate before it takes place, let him
cultivate it for he will be rewarded for it."

What I thought was most amazing about this hadith was a slightly
different aspect of Islam that perhaps is not dealt with as much as I
think it should be. We are constantly reminded that this life is only
a test and a path towards the hereafter, which is eternal. As
muslims, we do everything in this life to gain a better position in
the afterlife. However, this hadith (and much of the Prophet (SAW)'s
life) points out that it is important to continue working for this
life in a positive way. The Prophet (SAW) did not sit in a cave all
day and pray. He was a leader, a statesman, a general, an imam, a
businessman, a father and a husband, and he is our role model for EACH
of those roles. Although we cannot hope to become perfect in each
area of life, we should strive to be the best for both this life and
the hereafter.

--Zain

ICNYU Conference: Building Momentum in Mainstream Culture

Salams-

You should register for this event: www.icnyu.org/conference

ICNYU Conference 2010: Building Momentum in Mainstream Culture
Co-sponsored by Islamic Relief

**UPDATE: Tickets are still available for Friday night

**UPDATE: The Islamic Center at NYU will be working with Islamic Relief at our upcoming conference to raise funds for the recent earthquake in Haiti. Islamic Relief has launched a $1 Million Campaign and proceeds from the conference will go towards it.

A specific main session on Saturday will be dedicated to raising funds in addition to other opportunities to support the cause, including ticket sales. Program details will be up by the end of the day inshallah.

Please keep the people of Haiti and all people who have been afflicted with tragedy and conflict in you du'aa at this time. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala forgive us and forgive all people for their shortcomings and mistakes of this world, may He grant patience, strength and perseverance

For more information on the Islamic Relief Campaign or to donate please visit www.islamicreliefusa.org/emergencies/haiti-earthquake
__________________________

The Islamic Center at New York University invites you to hear leading American Muslims engage the pressing challenges of our present and the great potentials of our future. Over a course of two days, thinkers, scholars, leaders and artists will debate, discuss and explore our embrace of the mainstream. Hosted in New York, this first of an annual series will become a critical moment on our calendars, a conference of introspection, dynamic exchange, fresh ideas and spiritual reconstruction.

For more information or to register please visit www.icnyu.org/conference
__________________________

Friday, January 22nd, 2010
Doors Open at 6pm
Sessions 6:30pm - 11:00pm

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010
Doors Open at 8:30am
Sessions 9:00am - 10:00pm

New York University Kimmel Center
60 Washington Square South
New York, NY 10012

Early Registration Cost by January 19th, 2010: $60.50
Late Registration Cost after January 19th, 2010: $70.50

*please note that this cost includes an unavoidable $5.50 convenience fee charged by ticket central for every ticket sold
**Lunch on Saturday will be provided through NYU's Halal Catering
__________________________

Confirmed Speakers
Siraj Wahhaj
Zaid Shakir
Mokhtar Maghraoui
Ingrid Mattson
Yaser Birjas
Haroon Moghul
Khalid Latif
Musa Syeed
Madeeha Mir
Ali Reza Malik
Maryum Khawaja
Raymond Brock-Murray
Ali Shehata
G. Willow Wilson
Omar Mullick
Aman Ali
Bassam Tariq
Shahed Amanullah
__________________________

REGISTER TODAY by visiting www.icnyu.org/conference
Due to seating capacity, only the first 500 people to register will be given admission to Friday Evening's sessions

__________________________

The Islamic Center at NYU is dedicated to fostering a sense of awareness, activism and scholarship amongst the Muslim community both on and off campus.

For more information about our clubs, events, staff and podcasts, please visit: http://www.icnyu.org/
__________________________

The Islamic Center at NYU
What Community Should Feel Like

Salaam From Gerald

I dont have a lot of time to say what I really want to say so I'll try to do as well as I can. First of all, many things have occured as of late to make me think about the many blessings of this world that I can should be thankful for and as of late many things have reminded me of the things that I have taken for granted over time, time being one of the most glaring. The finite nature of time is the one guarentee that we do have in this life and I have realized several times over I have not used my time as beneficially as I could have. I recently returned from an extended trip to visit a sick relative so much of this message has been delayed but I think it still has a place.

You are all my brothers and I love you for the sake of Allah. I was married this year and had a son, through those events my brothers have been there for me and i really appreciate that. whether you were there in person or just wanted to be there, you were there for me. If you made dua for me and my family or had the intention to make duas for my family you were there for me. When I was dealing with situations that brought distress on me you all were with me.

I just want to say thank you for your love and generosity and my family does as well. I know at times I can be aloof or absentminded but please understand that does not reflect my apreciation and admiration of the brotherhood we have created.

thank you again and insha' ill be seeing you all soon. Included are some pics of Musa Nasir Rasheed

to say insha' Allah

Asalaamu Alaikum

Isha' Allah this email reaches you all in good health. The following is a hadith that has weighed quite heavily on my mind.

Narrated Abu Huraira: (The Prophet) Solomon son of (the Prophet) David said, "Tonight I will go round (i.e. have sexual relations with) one hundred women (my wives) everyone of whom will deliver a male child who will fight in Allah's Cause." On that an Angel said to him, "Say: 'If Allah will.' " But Solomon did not say it and forgot to say it. Then he had sexual relations with them but none of them delivered any child except one who delivered a half person. The Prophet said, "If Solomon had said: 'If Allah will,' Allah would have fulfilled his (above) desire and that saying would have made him more hopeful.

I say all of this because alhamdulilah my wife has given birth to a healthy boy, Musa Nasir Rasheed. This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. My family and I have been praying heavily for some time about him alhamdulilah so far it seems that everything has turned out well. I hope I have not offended my brothers with my virtual silence in this matter if I have please accept my apologies. One of the greatest challenges of the last few months has been to not think too far into the future and stay grounded because all things are possible only through Allah's will. Seeing Musa has shot my ieqaman through the roof and I advice my brothers to pray for the experience if they have not had any children. As I'm sure you all can tell I feel great and my family is doing well insha Allah you all will get to meet my son one day. I also apologize for slowing up the chain but I'm sure you all understand my time has been quite limited. Please keep us in your prayers as I keep you all in mine. May Allah make him righteous and wise. Insha' Allah I hope to speak to you all soon,

Asalaamu Alaikum

Eid Mubarak! & more fasting

Assalamu alaikum Brother, Eid Mubarak!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Ramadan.

Alhamdulillah for me this was one of the better Ramadans in recent memory. Much thanks to the advice I got for getting an easy schedule during Ramadan. I hope you guys benefited as well.

I brief reminder about maintaining the the practice of fasting after Ramadan.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whosoever observes fast in Ramadan and then follows up with six fasts in Shawwal, will be regarded as though he had been fasting every day." (Reported by Ahmad, Muslim, Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)

May Allah accept our fasting and prayers and duas!

Salam,
-Safi

Stand out firmly for justice

Assalamu Alaikum brothers,

I hope you have all been able to enjoy and gain many rewards during this blessed month. Things for me have been very busy for me, but also very rewarding, alhamdulillah. As some of you already know, I won my first pro bono trial a couple of months ago. My client, Santos, is a 13 year old boy who fled El Salvador because he was being threatened by the MS-13 gang. The gang had killed Santos’ older brother and had attacked my client many times before he finally was able to get away and come to the United States. Santos had no other choice but to come here illegally, of course, and was caught at the U.S-Mexico border. Although he pleaded with the immigration officials not to send him back because he would be killed by the gang, Santos was immediately placed in deportation proceedings. Subhanallah, Santos had relatives in the Maryland area, so was moved here to be with them while the government prepared to deport him. The case came to me last September when another lawyer at my firm received an email from the National Center for Immigrant Refugee Children seeking a pro bono lawyer to take on Santos’ asylum case before the immigration court. Santos and his family could not afford to pay for a lawyer to take on his case, so we decided to help. After a very long year, I took the case to immigration court and proved, with the help and guidance of Allah SWT, that Santos’ claim for asylum was valid. Santos now never has to fear being returned to the people who promised to kill him, and will one day become a U.S. citizen, inshAllah. I am now working on the asylum cases for Santos’ mother and brother, and inshaAllah, will have a similar result. I also just found out that the Baltimore Sun may publish a feature article about Santos’ case. If they do, I’ll be sure to post a link here, inshaAllah.

Working on this case reminded me of this simple, yet powerful ayat:

"O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both...Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do..." [Quran 4:35]

Please keep Santos and his family in your duas.

Jazak Allahu Khair,

Azim

Brotherhood in Islam

Salaams all,

I keep looking at the various web albums that people have put up after
various weddings and events, and I can't wait until the next get
together with all of you. As for me, I'm in the middle of residency
applications, and as you might imagine, it's not fun haha. For all of
you that aren't going through it, it's very much like any other
application cycle, only a bit more streamlined and actually easier
from a work standpoint. But I think the stress comes from the fact
that you are (finally) picking out the one thing that you want to do
for the rest of your life, and it's very difficult to do that without
atleast some minor hesitation. It's amazing how helpful it is at
times like these to put everything aside and pray. The reminder that
Allah (SWT) is in control of everything and that He will do what is
best for everyone is a soothing thought. Also, dua would be greatly
appreciated, as I will need all the help I can get to match in
dermatology.

So after reminiscing about our time in LA not that long ago, I found a
nice hadith on brotherhood, narrated by Anas ibn Malik, and
transmitted by Muwatta:

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said "Do not be angry with each other and do
not envy each other and do not turn away from each other, and be
slaves of Allah, brothers. It is not halal for a Muslim to shun his
brother for more than three nights."

This reminded me of the small talk we had in the lobby of the LA hotel
right before we left for Bakersfield. One of the reasons why our
little blog/group is so great is that we lack a lot of the problems of
many social groups. I've never seen any backbiting, slander or envy
amongst our group members, and there is never any "drama" of someone
being angry with someone else. And that is why, even though we do not
physically see each other that often, we can still get together as the
best of friends. Inshallah we will continue to do this as we grow in
numbers.

--Zain