In the name of Allah, The most Merciful, The most Kind. The West London

Islamic Post

‘Verily this Issue 3● February 2005 ● Shawwal/Dhu Al-Qa’adah 1425 AH brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood and I am your Lord and Cherisher: EID MUBARAK TO ALL therefore serve Me (and no other)’ BROTHERS & SISTERS Al-Qur’an 21:92

In this Issue: We would like to wish all Journey to the Hereafter, A Brief Note on Eid ul-Fitr: • Worship Allah not brothers and sisters a happy Muhammed (pbuh) a Role The celebration and feast Ramadan Eid Mubarak. Alas the month Model for Mankind, of Eid ul-Fitr is well of blessings has gone for Examples from the Lives of deserved for those who • Calling Upon Allah another year, may Allah (swt) the Pious Predecessors and succeeded in fulfilling their Alone accept all our Siyam, our Lessons from Ramadan. The obligation to their Lord

Salah, our Du’as and our talks will be available in the during the month of • Boxing classes efforts and may he keep us bookshop on video shortly. Ramadan. May we remind Re-start. Every Thursday 7-9pm & steadfast on his Deen and The centre is grateful of the our brothers and sisters Sunday 2.30-4pm grant us the opportunity to service given by our that the message of benefit from another respected Imams Atta-ur- Ramadan is to discipline • 20% Discount on Ramadan, Insha’Allah. Rahman and Abdur-Rahman our lives according to the all Goods in and thanks to all the Will of Allah. Therefore Eid A number of programmes Al-Kitab Bookshop Musaleen brothers and should be celebrated in were presented at the centre especially the sisters who the manner the Prophet by Dr Ahmed Abdel Khaliq supported and dutifully (pbuh) celebrated it, which and Dr Kemal Helbawy, West London Islamic assisted the Masjid means refraining from whom the Masjid admin Centre Eid Milan throughout the month of mixed gatherings, exces- would like to thank. The Gathering on Sunday Ramadan. May Allah (swt) sive indulgence, ‘coasting st lecture topics included, The the 21 of November. grant you peace, prosperity the high streets’ and Ascension of Prophet The programme will and success in this life and becoming a slave of ones Muhammed (pbuh), The include lectures and the Hereafter, Ameen. own desires. begins at 5.00pm after Maghrib Salah Guests of Allah: A Journal of I’tikaf

Br Ibn Sayeed performed for some ten days every together) in the mutual Total Funds Collected I’tikaf in the Masjid along Ramadan. In the year that teaching of truth, and of for Zakat, Sadaqah, with ten brothers during he died, he performed it patience and constancy.” Ramadan. Here he informs for twenty days. This is Al’Asr 103 Masjid and Appeals us about the significance and related by al-Bukhari, Abu experience of I’tikaf. Dawud and Ibn Majah. In I’tikahf we find the only £33,938 empty space left in this I’tikaf means to stick to By retreating to the busy world to contemplate something, whether good or sanctuary of the Masjid, the amount of spiritual loss bad, and to block out we find the silence of and its destructive everything else. I’tikaf during space. The soul is in sources, in order to try and Published by UKIM the last ten days of constant loss as Allah minimize it. It is amazing West London Ramadan symbolises ta’ala says in the Qur’an, that most people would be Islamic Centre, seclusion and staying in the frightened of reflecting in Brownlow Road, mosque with the intention of “By (the token of) Time darkness, but we find most becoming closer to Allah. All (through the ages), Verily of the answers and London W13 OSQ scholars agree on its man is in loss. Except solutions to life within the Tel: 020 8840 4140 legitimacy, and the Prophet such as have faith and do stillness of the darkest www.ukim.org (pbuh) would perform I’tikaf righteous deeds. And (join nights. (Continued on P4)

The Islamic Post Page 2

Worship Allah not Ramadan!

The Prophet (pbuh) said, behaved during Ramadan, in eager anticipation for the person performs without the “Imaan (faith) wears out in the giving up smoking, girlfriends, arrival of the next prayer and person you taught losing heart of you just as a dress boyfriends, swearing etc, but as a meeting with our Lord. We anything! The same applies wears out. So ask Allah to soon as Ramadan is over we should try and attend the to all other good deeds as renew Imaan in your hearts.” give up trying to remain on the Masjid as regularly as well. Remember this also good we have been on for the possible, making it an works in the reverse, so Ramadan is a time when we all previous month, instead we integral part of our daily those who introduce people try our best to renew our faith choose to listen to the whispers routines. to vice and evil deeds will and increase in doing good of shaitan. Did we really take a carry their sin and the sin of deeds. Typically we follow it up lesson from Ramadan? Our purse strings should all those they introduced to by losing that enthusiasm stay loose for the sake of the sinful act. straight after Eid! Nevertheless, “O you who believe, fasting has Allah all the months of the we have proved to ourselves been prescribed upon you as it year, as a means of purifying It is never too late to change that we can be better was for those before you so that ones wealth, alleviating the our ways for the better. We for a month, so we have no you may become God-fearing pain of the suffering and just have to turn back excuse to slip back into our old (have Taqwa).” Al-Qur’an 2:183 achieving closeness to Allah. completely to Our Lord with habits as many of us do. And we should strive to do sincerity and commitment to When we have this true fear of righteous deeds in every His Book and the Sunnah of Let us take a few examples: we Allah then we can avoid sinning passing hour and day our beloved Prophet (pbuh). pray all five compulsory and do good deeds. knowing that Allah is ever prayers and the optional watching. We should Taraweeh prayers too, and we “Indeed those who have Taqwa, encourage our youngsters find the Masjid seems closer! when an evil thought comes to and relatives to do likewise. “Say, O my servants How can we then say we have them from Satan, they We know that the Messenger no time to pray just the five remember (Allah), and they see of Allah (pbuh) said, who have transgressed compulsory prayers after aright.” Al Qur’an 7:201 “Whoever guides to a good against their own souls! Ramadan? We give in charity deed will get the reward Despair not of the Mercy freely hoping for the reward in We should try to read the similar to the one who Ramadan, then we become Qur’an with the translation in a performs it.” [Muslim] of Allah, for Allah stingy for the other eleven language we understand forgives all sins, for He months? We read the Qur’an throughout the year, our guide What this means is that if is Oft Forgiving, Most for a month and then we leave from the Master of the Universe. you were to teach someone it to collect dust on the We should make the prayer the to pray, you would get the Merciful.” bookshelf. We become well- cornerstone of our lives, waiting reward of every prayer that Al Qur’an 39:53

Mosque Open Day 2004

The UKIM Mosque open day held at the beginning of October, attracted a number of local residents, officials and Muslims throughout the day. The event was held in most of the UKIM’s 45 sister branches across the country, with thousands of people attending. Visitors at the West London Islamic Centre included Steve Pound MP, Paul Botang MP, The Mayor of Ealing, local councilors, church members and family’s.

A beautiful opportunity for interfaith discussion, the attendees were shown around the mosque, had refreshments, watched a video presentation on and were all presented with an information pack which included a copy of the Noble Qur’an and an array of Islamic literature. The Masjid admin would like to thank all the volunteers on the day. Page 3 The Islamic Post

Calling Upon and Supplicating to Allah Alone

Among the two most and cuisine to open the fast at that life is better for me. beneficial and practical things the end of the day. We enjoyed And give me death when You The Prophet (pbuh) said, we can do to help ourselves, and celebrated this blessed have known that death is better “The Muslim’s prayer for the Muslim community and month with our families and for me. Ummah is to make du’a and friends whilst sleeping soundly his brother without his O Allah! And I ask You for Your give charity. Du’a is our in our comfy beds at night. knowledge is surely fear in the unseen and the supplication, which can only answered. An angel is Indeed this tranquil existence seen, and I ask You for the be directed to Allah and none appointed with such a causes us to neglect and forget word of truth in pleasure and in besides Him: person, whenever he the plight of our fellow brothers, anger. And I ask you for “And your Lord says, ‘Call on sisters and peoples who are in resolution in poverty and in prays for the good of his

Me and I will answer your distress. Some open their fasts affluence. And I ask You for the brother the appointed

prayer’”. Al-Qur’an 40;60 with a few morsels of food, consolation for the eye which angel says, ‘Ameen, and have no roofs over their heads, does not cease to continue. One should show humility, for you is the same.’” their families are lost or killed And I ask You for the pleasure desire and fear while making and they are living in constant after the decree. And I ask You [Muslim] du’a as decreed by Allah: fear of tanks, bombs, arbitrary for the coolness of the life after “Remember your Lord in your arrest and unlawful detention. death, and I ask You for the heart with humility and fear” They are the ones that pleasure of the look at Your Al-Qur’an 7:205 exemplify the verses of the Face, and the love for the The Prophet (pbuh) said, Qur’an: meeting with You, without any The supplication should be “The most incapable damaging adversity, nor any done all of the time with “Those to whom the people trial with the possibility of going person is the one who consistency, resolve and said,’ The people have astray. does not make du’a, and certainty that it will be amassed against you, so fear the most miserly person answered. The Messenger of them!’ But it only increased O Allah! Beautify us with the Allah said, ‘The one who likes them in Imaan and they beauty of Imaan and make us is the one who does not Allah to answer him in said,’Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal- the guided leaders.” [An-Nisai] give salaam.” adversity and hardship, then wakil.’” (Enough for us is Allah, let him increase in making and what a good protector!) du’a in times of ease’ Al-Qur’an 3:173 [Tirmidhi] Let us raise our hands and Abu Ayyub al-Ansari reported that The Prophet of Allah further keep them and humanity in our the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, “The servant’s du’a will du’as constantly and contribute be answered provided he towards their welfare by said: “Whoever fasts during the does not ask for what is sinful donating time and money month of Ramadan and then follows or for breaking off relations, generously throughout the and also if he does not show year. Remember the advice it with six days of Shawwal, will be impatience?” He was asked, that Prophet Jacob gave to his rewarded as if he had fasted the “O Messenger of Allah, what sons, when he told them never is impatience?” And he to give up hope in Allah’s entire year.” replied, “That the servant Mercy: (Muslim) says, I invoked, but I do not “Certainly no one despairs of think it was answered, snd he Allah’s Mercy except those becomes disappointed and who disbelieve.” abandons du’a”. Al Qur’an 12:87 SPECIAL OFFER AT AL-KITAB BOOKSHOP Recent on-going events are Finally a dua from the leader of 20 % OF ALL ITEMS- bringing Muslims to their the Prophets, the Final senses and Insha’Allah Messenger of Allah, who increasing our commitment to Zakar Naik, Harun Yahya & Ahmed Deedat sought refuge in Allah from Islam as our only form of Video’s on offer at discounted rates trials and used to say, salvation in this life and the £3 for 1 Cassette Hereafter. This Ramadan we “O Allah! By your knowledge of £10 for 4 Cassettes kept our fasts for the sake of the unseen, and Your Power Allah, knowing there would be over the creation, keep me numerous culinary delights alive for as long as You know The Islamic Post Page 4

Al-Kita b: A 20% Discount on all Goods for a Limited Period

Al-Kitab Bookshop has a special 20% discount offer on all goods until the end of November 2004. New stock is available at low prices, Brothers and sisters the knowledge is available, why not buy your loved ones a gift they can cherish forever. The Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said,

‘He who treads the path in search of knowledge, God will make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those people who An Essay on Servitude is an Stories of the Prophets is a assemble in one of the enlightening book written by magnificent rendition compiled houses of God (masjids), one of the most famous from the great works of the recite the Book of God, and scholars of Islam, on the famous Muslim exegete and learn and teach the Koran. important subject of servitude. historian Ibn Kathir. The There will descend upon In this book Shaykh-ul-Islam stories of the Prophets and all them tranquility, mercy will defines the the events in their lives have cover them, the angels will concept of worship in Islam been supported by the surround them, and God will and explains that to be a true Quranic verses and the mention them in the ‘slave of Allah’ is a status of of the Prophet (pbuh). A must presence of those near Him.’ both virtue and nobility. for all households. [Related in Muslim]

Guests of Allah: A Journal of I’tikaf Continued UASIE79 LTD Cargo Service & Whereas, the bright lights of with prayers, reciting the reminder of their purpose in Nationwide Removals society and materialism act Qur’an, glorifying and life and clarity in living it. as constant distractions from praising Allah, extolling His May Allah grant us SEA●AIR●ROAD the ultimate goals and the Oneness and His greatness, understanding and His Airfreight, Excess natural course of life which asking His forgiveness, blessing to implement what we were created for. That is sending salutations on the we learn. Baggage, Shipping to worship the One who Prophet (pbuh) and & UK Removals created us and to ensure we supplicating to Allah, all “If anyone does a righteous obtain his pleasure before actions which bring one deed, It is for the benefit of For Unbeatable our inevitable end arrives. closer to Him. his own soul. If he does evil it Prices Call Today: works against (his own soul). We need to remember what The feeling of brotherhood In the end will ye (all) be 0800 0281822 or exactly I’tikaf is about. The during these ten days is bought back to your Lord” 020 8606 8844 sole purpose of ‘seclusion’ is overwhelming. Congregatory Al Qur’an 45:15 to have time to one-self, to prayers, eating, lectures and be able to think thoughts and discussions all add to the reflect, to fully understand feeling of camaraderie. REGULAR MASJID ACTIVITIES certain situations in our lives. Brotherly affections and love Why did that happen? What for the Ummah as a whole • Dars-E-Qur’an & Hadith on Saturdays 6pm is going to happen now? are profound. The answers to all of these • Islamic Study Circle for brothers (English) Mon questions usually present All together I’tikaf is a unique 7.30pm themselves in such and satisfying experience • Islamic Study circle for brothers & sisters (Somali) contemplation. This thinking which leaves a person on Sundays 1.30pm is considered as an act of sprititualy satisfied, • Sisters Quranic Circle 10am-12.30pm (Monday and worship and the best time to refreshed, content and Saturdays) perform this is within the grateful of Allah’s countless • Childrens Quranic Classes (Monday to Friday 5pm- month of Ramadan. blessings and decree. 7pm & Saturday mornings from 10am-1pm) Essentially the one who is All should seek seclusion for • Study Circle for brothers (English) on making I’tikaf attempts to contemplation during the Thursdays at 7.30pm perform as many number year and perhaps even for a • Keep-fit Boxing sessions on Thursday 7.00pm and of supererogatory acts of few minutes a day. This Sundays 2.30pm (Brothers) worship and occupies himself gives the individual a • Mother & Toddler Group Tuesday 10-12pm