Assalaamu-Alaykum -Peace be Upon you

Alhumdulillah (all Praise belongs to Allah) I count myself very lucky indeed to have heard the talk by Moulana Zahidur Rashdi in Zakaria Masjid on Sunday 19 April 2009.

It was billed as the challenges facing the Muslims and was indeed a very refreshing, and thought-provoking talk by the scholar.

He focussed on what those challenges actually were for the Muslim as an individual, as a member of his/her local Muslim community, as a member of the national and international Muslim community and finally, as a member of the community of mankind.

And he concentrated on some of the problems like corruption, but, it was what he said at the end that really interested me and, and to be honest, something which I feel really strongly about.

In identifying possible solutions for the challenges facing Muslims in this day and age, he stated that one thing we should always be on top of is what is happening in the world around us.  This means keeping up to date with current affairs locally, nationally and globally.  And my personal opinion about that is, when we have an understanding about what is happening around us, then we will be able to put our Islam into practice in the best possible way and in doing so, not only counter each new challenge as it comes, but also stay away from those things which may be damaging to our Faith.

The other thing that the respected scholar mentioned was that Allah has given each human being unique qualities, and it is these qualities we have – our strengths – which we should be putting to good use to help not only in spreading Islam but also in helping the whole of humanity in general and being of benefit to the societies we live in.

So there you go, it was a talk by an elder scholar which was really refreshing for me.  Why?  Well because it concentrated mainly on the principles and ideologies which I love about Islam.  Principles such as how Islam encourages its adherents to help humanity and not just the Muslims and ideologies such as the interrelationship between religion and politics and how the animal of politics can be tamed when guided by the hand of Islam.

I just hope that Allah keeps on giving us more of these scholars who are driven by nothing other than helping humanity rather than those who continue to do and say as the people want so that their pockets become deeper and deeper….

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

In Islam, one of the steps to understanding God and building your relationship with Him is the concept of fearing Him.

Why fear?

Because as we all know, when any human being fears another, they either try to stay away from that person or do what they can to please them so that there is no retribution or punishment.

So, apply that to the fear of Allah – say that one of the reasons is the fear of Allah’s punishment on Qiyyamah (The Day of Resurrection) or being thrown into Jahannam (Hell), then automatically it will lead a person to stay away from doing all those things which are the cause of Allah’s displeasure and try to do as much as possible to please Him and thereby be saved.

Now it doesn’t end there, and this is another reason why I personally think that Islam is truly designed by the Creator for the creation: Human nature being as it is, Allah knew that if He only told us to fear Him then it would go against our nature probably lead to something like all the Muslims being depressed forever!

But no!

We as Muslims believe that Allah is One but that He has many qualities, and although we believe Him to be the One who punishes, we also have the balancing belief that He is the Most Merciful…..

So now you see the beauty of the way of life given to us by Allah through His Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH), who laid down the Islamic principle that true faith lies between fear of Allah’s punishment and hope in Allah’s Mercy.

That if He wants, there is no one quicker than God in the Reckoning but also nobody to stop Him if He wants forgive His slaves.  We just have to live our lives in between the two, by fearing Him and staying away from the wrong, and having faith in His Mercy and the acceptance of our good deeds by continuing to do them day in day out. And surpisingly, it is through this fear that we as slaves of the Almighty, can actually get so close to Him, that He becomes the eyes with which we see, the ears by which we listen, and the hands by which we do (good deeds).  This means that everything in our life will be according to the command of God, according to the practice of the Prophet (PBUH).

And another benefit of fearing Allah was stated by the Prophet (PBUH) himself when he said that whoever fear Allah, Allah will make everything fear him, but he who does not fear Allah, Allah will make everything a source of fear for him….

Just think about that profound statement for a minute – think about our lives today, think about how quickly and easily we get stressed out about each and every little thing in our lives. Think about how easily our hearts are affected by the actions of others, and how restless our hearts have become…..

This is what happens when the creation loses all sense of humility and forgets to fear the Creator, this is what the Prophet (PBUH) was talking about.

As you will hopefully now see, there is peace and tranqullity to be found for the heart which fears God, and so once again, I invite all my readers to sit, reflect upon, and embrace fully the natural way of Islam – a way which corresponds to the nature of man, not against it.

And Allah knows best.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Ramadhaan Mubarak to all our readers!!

Okay, so I am a little late, but alhumdulillah (all praise belongs to Allah) we have once again found ourselves at the beginning of another special Ramadhaan.

As always, we are beginning to feel the blessings and Allah’s special mercy that this month brings and as usual the increase in the Islamic activities and events happening.

So without any further ado, here’s the posters and details for the programs happening in Masjid-e-Hidayah in Dewsbury:

Masjid Hidayah Ramadan Programmes

Ramadan Programme for Ladies (On receiver – Ladies will be able to text/email/call with questions)

Maulana Ilyaas

Friday 5^th September – After ‘Asr

Zakaat Programme for Men (Projector)

Maulana Ilyaas

Saturday 6^th September – After ‘Asr

Practical Namaaz Demonstration

Maulana Masee-ullah

Sunday 7^th September – After ‘Asr

Weekly Programmes

Thursdays after Taraweeh – 40 Durood Shareef

Saturday after Taraweeh till Late – Youth Gathering

Daily Programmes

Fajr – Remembrance of Death

Zohar – Ramadan of the Elders

Asr – Fadhaa’il of Ramadan

Half hour before Maghrib – Roohani Majlis

Few minutes before Taraweeh – Brief explanation of Qur’aan

sisters-poster1

So, I’m back from Malaysia – alhumdulillah (all Praise belongs to Allah) me and my lovely wife had a relaxing yet refreshing time there and thank Allah for making our trip so easy for us.

Anyway, back to business, and although this is a bit last minute, some of you may already know about this because the posters have already been up for a week or so:

Event – An Evening with Moulana Shoaib Desai

Venue – Masjid-e-Hidayah, Caledonian Road, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 9NU

Date & Time – Saturday 30th August 2008, between Asr and Maghrib – Asr @ 7:00pm

Details – Food will be provided after the event insha-Allah (with the Will of Allah) and it is a men only event.  Sisters can listen on the receiver – Freq: 454.812

So try and make it down please, it promises to be truly inspiring taking into account the credentials of the speaker and the nearness of the blessed month of Ramadhaan.

Ma’as-salaam – With Peace

Alhumdulillah (all Praise belongs to Allah) the program on Saturday went ahead and everybody seemed to enjoy it.

We were enlightened by words of wisdom from Moulana Imran and uplifted by the Qur’an recitation, Nazams and Arabic Nasheeds from the students he brought down with him.

Jazakallah (may Allah give the best recompense) to them for taking the time out and coming down, to the Imam of Masjid-e-Hidayah for arranging it and last but not least to the chef for the wonderful food afterwards!

Please click below for the introductory Qur’anic recitation, Nazams and Arabic Nasheed:-

love-of-the-prophet-pbuh-intro.WMA

And stay tuned in for up and coming local community events that are in the pipeline.

Ma’as-salaam

Insha-Allah (with the Will of Allah), Moulana Imran is coming down from Leicester to deliver a talk on the Seerah (life) of the great Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH). Here are the details:

Program: Love of the Prophet (PBUH) in Faith and Practice

Date: Saturday 15 March 2008 after Maghrib salah

Venue: Masjid-e-Hidayah, Caledonian Road, Dewsbury, WF12 9NU

Please try and make it down and pass the message on.

Sisters can listen on the receiver – Frequency:454.812

Ma’as-salaam

This is no ordinary house!!

“Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah builds for them a house in Paradise.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Abdullah ibin Qais Al-Ash’ari (Radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
A tent (in Paradise) is like a hollow pearl which is thirty miles in height. On every corner of the tent the believers will have a family that cannot be seen by the others. (Narrated Abu Imran in another narration, (The tent is) sixty miles (in height). [Sahih al-Bukhari]

Still interested in purchasing one??

As many of you will be aware, alhumdulilah (all Praises belong to Allah) the Masjid at the top of Caledonian Road, Dewsbury – Masjid-e-Hidayah has been built and five time prayers take place on a daily basis. Alhumdulilah there is a full time Imam, classes for Hifz (memorization of the Qur’an) takes place and classes for little children to learn to read the Qur’an also.

Alhumdulilah a number of activities also take place, such as Durood Shareef gathering every Thursday after Isha (sending blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) and the praying of Hadith (Traditions of the Prophet PBUH) everyday.

As you are aware there is a cost in running the mosque and it would be very helpful to the Masjid and the locality if people could donate towards this. The mosque has been built but it still has £100,000 pounds outstanding (Karz-e-Hasna).

Therefore, the locals and the committee members make this humble request that brothers and sisters help towards this noble cause. Our spending in the path of Allah will not mean less money for us, but quite the opposite, Allah the all beneficent will give us more Barakah (blessings, abundance – there is no direct English translation of this word) in our lives and wealth.

If through our spending, a child is taught how to read the Qur’an,then that means that every time he reads for the rest of his or her life, we will be rewarded for it.

So please, brothers and sisters, dig deep for the pleasure of Allah, and help this cause.

“Whoever provides ease for someone who is burdened with debt, Allah will provide ease for him in this world and the Akhirah (Hereafter).” [Sahih Muslim]

Spend your wealth for the cause of Allah, and make not your hands contribute to your destruction; and do good. Lo! Allah loves those who are beneficent. [Al-baqarah: 195]

For more info please see the Masjid-e-Hidayah website on:

www.masjidhidayah.co.uk/page6.htm

And once again may Allah bless you in your health, wealth and time.

Jazakamulah khairan (may Allah give you the best recompense).

Ma’as-salaam

Alhumdulillah (all Praise belongs to Allah) I met the Imam of Masjid-e-Hidayah, Dewsbury (he is also my friend!!) this weekend.

He gave me a little present, but said that I could only have it on one condition…

The condition being that I share it with everyone else! So, just click on the following link to receive the Shaikh’s little gift and may Allah reward him for all the good work:

the-month-of-muharram.doc

And Allah knows best

Ma’as-salaam

Event Title:
A speech on how to perform the rites of Hajj according to the Sunnah

Speaker:
Maulana Abdur-Raheem Sahib (Lecturer of Hadith at Darul-Uloom Bury)

Description:
There will be a speech on how to perform the rites of Hajj according to the Sunnah at Masjid Al-hidayah this weekend. There will also be food served after. Everybody is welcome.

Date:
Saturday 17th November 2007 after Maghrib Salaah (approximately 4pm)

Venue:
Masjid Al-Hidayah
Caledonian Road
Dewsbury
WF12 9NU

For more information call:
07779711402

The official poster is also available for download by clicking here.

Well as the title suggests, insha-Allah on Sunday 7th October 2007, volunteers from Dewsbury are helping to give Dewsbury Cemetery a good ‘ol clean!

The initiative is organised by Savile Town Community Centre and we are still looking for a few more volunteers (the more of us there are, the less time it’ll take!!)

If anybody is interested, then please leave a comment below or contact us through e-mail.

Ma’as-salaam