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Announcement

Prayer Times-May 11th: Fajr-4.30am, Zuhr-1.30pm, Asr-6.30pm,  Maghrib 8.35pm, Isha 10.20pm

Prayer Times: May 11th, 2018

Fajr: 4.30am

Zuhr: 1.30pm

Asr: 6.30pm

Maghrib: 8.35pm

Isha: 10.20pm

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Announcement

Summer Student Jobs at SNMC

SNMC is looking to hire 3 student positions for summer jobs this year. Tasks listed below.

Please apply to info@snmc.ca with a resume and a cover letter explaining why SNMC should hire you on or before Monday, May 15, 2018.

Working hours at SNMC: Monday to Friday 1 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.  (35 hours per week)

The positions are for 8 to 10 weeks from Monday June 18 to Friday  August 25, 2018.

Only Grade 12 and returning university students will be considered.

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Summer Student Employment Program, you must satisfy the following criteria:

  • be legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • be between 15-30 years of age
  • be enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary program or institution of higher learning on a full-time basis and;
  • Must be returning to full-time studies in the next academic term

1-YOUTH EVENT COORDINATOR

Number of hours per WEEK: 35

Rate: $14

Task and Responsibilities

Assist in carrying out existing youth events; plan next year’s youth events; identify opportunities for new events and fundraising activities to fund SNMC’s activities; gather information and resources to carry out the events; serve as liaison with vendors on event-related matters. Manage event details such as coordination of volunteers, resources, and scheduling, assisting with space bookings, AV equipment set-up, event signs, and food and beverage orders. Assist with event set-up and wrap-up, annual summer events organized by SNMC.

2-Community Outreach Coordinator

Number of hours per WEEK:35

Rate: $14

Task and Responsibilities

Contact existing donors to seek feedback and update contact information. Maintain donor records and database. Interact with donors in person and increase organizational visibility. Address donor concerns and questions. Develop and conduct the survey. Provide administrative support as needed. Most of SNMC donors/patrons are members of visible minorities.

3-Funding Officer

Number of hours per WEEK: 35

Rate: $14

Task and Responsibilities

Play the lead role in researching and developing a comprehensive understanding of the national, regional, and local sources of funding to support SNMC programs.  Take a lead responsibility for the preparation and submission of high-quality applications to grant-distributing bodies. Ensure that all monitoring reports required as a result of successful applications are completed and returned accurately and on time.

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Announcement Featured

SNMC Daily Basic Iftars before Magrib Prayers in Ramadan

Ramadan is soon! As usual, SNMC will arrange daily Iftar at main entrance and women entrance for those who’d like to perform Magrib prayers in Jamah at SNMC during the Ramadan.

Water, dates and some savory and sweet items will be served.

We will get 27 times by 70 times rewards for each salah.

You have the opportuity to donate $500, or $200 or $100 for daily Iftar to get rewards for feeding hundreds of fasting brothers and sisters.

Donate online a www.SNMC.c or at office and also can give your Fidya  ($300+) and Zakat al-Fitr  ($10+) to SNMC.

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Announcement Featured

Donate for SNMC’s Ongoing Maintenance in Ramadan

Dear SNMC Brothers and Sisters,

Please donate to build a reserve for ongoing maintenance of SNMC Center this Ramadan. Target is to collect $300,000.

Now, you can donate online at https://www.snmc.ca/donation/

Let us remember charity does not decrease wealth. Also, Allah (swt) will return 10 times every dollar we donate in this life and many folds in the life hereafter. May Allah (swt) accept our effort, time, and money. We will be successful if Allah (swt) accepts our efforts.

Let us seek His forgiveness and pray for His acceptance of our efforts.

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Announcement

How to maintain the Divine Link: Khushu’ in Salah-Lecture by Shaykh Dr. Reda Bedeir

Lecture: How to maintain the Divine Link: Khushu’ in Salah

Speaker: Shaykh Dr. Reda Bedeir

Date: Sat May 12

Location: SNMC Main Prayer Hall

Time: Maghrib to Isha 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm

*Please note that the lecture for all (men & ladies) at the main hall

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Announcement

SNMC 22nd Annual Community Pot Luck Iftar on May 26

SNMC 22nd Annual Community Iftar Pot Luck at 7.30pm on Saturday May 26, 2018.

Please join 22nd Annual SNMC multi-ethnic community Iftar Potluck at SNMC Community Hall.

It is an opportunity to socialize and bring our own ethnic dishes in two trays one for brothers and one for sisters.

Please don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle!

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Announcement

SNMC Friday Night Lecture on May 11th  – Fiqh of Fasting (Ramadan)

SNMC Friday Night Lecture on May 11th  – Fiqh of Fasting (Ramadan)

WHO:     Shaikh Youssef Berrada and Imam Zijad

WHAT:  Fiqh of Fasting (Ramadan)

WHEN: Friday night, May 11th (after ‘Magrib prayer SHARP)

WHERE: SNMC Masjid/Mosque

All are welcome to join this seminar and gain knowledge about the basics of Fiqh of Fasting and thus gain more chances to benefit from the month of Ramadan, Insha Allah!

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Articles

Imam Zijad’s Corner: SOME BENEFITS OF FASTING IN RAMADAN

SOME BENEFITS OF FASTING IN RAMADAN

Let us remind ourselves of some of the lessons (benefits) which we learn or gain in this great school of the month of Ramadan. Fasting, as will be explained, is not only a physical but also a spiritual exercise that has many lasting benefits and the best one is spiritual. Here are just a few of these great benefits that fasting persons gain in the month of Ramadan:

1. At Taqwa (awareness of Almighty Allah, mindfulness, consciousness) that translates into self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline and self-evaluation).

Almighty Allah informs us in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those nations before you that you may attain a quality of At Taqwa.” (Al Baqarah 183)

Fasting helps one to become less preoccupied with bodily appetites and enables the heart and mind to become free to reflect over deeper spiritual matters, such as one’s relationship with God and with fellow human beings.

It enables a person to develop sustained consciousness of God – “Taqwa”.

That is to say, fasting instills in the hearts of the Saimin (the fasting persons), the essence of consciousness of the Creator, moral courage both in secret and manifest, guarding the heart and the seat of emotions from spoilage and moral indecency.

2. As Sabr (Patience). The school of the month of Ramadan gives to the Saimin practical lessons which will affect positively the heart, soul and the body of the Saim.

Fasting helps in conditioning the heart, soul, and body on the virtues of patience and firmness in the face of adversity.

As Sabr turns the phrase ‘I can not’ into ‘I can’.

It is an inner and psychological conquest over things perceived by others as impossible.

It fills the mind and soul with the necessary powers to function effectively in life.

As Sabr, in Islam, is considered as the most important possession of a believer and one of the greatest lesson fasting people learn from Siyam.

As Sabr is a response or a result of fasting! Saim controls three aspects of his/her body which are the root cause of human downfall, namely the stomach, the private parts, and the tongue.

The lessons of Sabr in the month of Ramadan are thus obvious.

The Saim is well aware of the words of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S): “Ramadan is the month of As Sabr (Patience). And the reward for As Sabr is Jannah (Paradise).” (Ibn Khuzaymah)

3. Behavioral modification and especially cleansing the tongue from backbiting, mocking, lying, slandering, yelling, screaming, shouting; keeping our eyes in restraint from unlawful look; the ears from listening to an idle talk, etc.

One of the important things that fasting offers the Saim (observer of fasting) is helping him/her control or change his/her habits.

To change or control a habit is to wage a war on oneself. The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) advised us as follows: “Sawm is a shield (or a screen or a shelter from the Hell-fire). So, if a person is Saim, he/she should not engage in foolish behavior or shouting or yelling. If someone offends or fights him/her, he/she should just remind himself/herself and others: ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

If fasting for a whole month with the prayers, do not prove their effect on the whole behavior of the Muslim, especially in developing self-control and strengthening the will, they are rejected by Almighty Allah since they have been fruitless.

The Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S) warned us that one who prays without being influenced by the prayer, may not gain anything from his/her prayers except the physical exertion of standing, kneeling, and bowing; and similarly, whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action then Allah the Mighty and Majestic has no need that he/she should leave his/her food or drink. (Bukhari)

4. Social benefits. Fasting is an expression of solidarity with the poor, the family and the whole community.

In the school of Ramadan this lesson of solidarity is well understood. Even in N. America, the days of Ramadan are the days in which the rich brothers and sisters have first-hand experience of what it is to be poor.

Fasting instills in the hearts of rich brothers and sisters the virtue of Rahmah (Mercy), which is important in terms of social well-being and good harmony among people.

Besides being the month of As Sabr it is the month of mutual help and support and the month in which the Rizq (provision) is multiplied for the believers, as the Messenger of Allah said in the Hadith reported by Ibn Khuzaymah.

Fasting encourages compassion and charity. When fasting, one should think of those in need who may be fasting but have no food at the start or the end of their fast, those whose tiny children are also having to go hungry, out of poverty. The Prophet Muhammad described Ramadan as “the month of Mercy”. His companions observed: “The Prophet (Muhammad) was the most generous of people, but he would be his most generous during Ramadan…”. (Bukhari)

Fasting promotes Community Spirit. During Ramadan the one who fasts has heightened concerns for the well-being of the community, both rich and poor, intellectuals and labourers.

Community spirit is promoted as people start fasting at the same time and break their fast at the same time, they reflect together through longer prayer and deeper devotions.

It is greatly encouraged that families invite each other to break their fast together.

Zakatul Fitr has been prescribed on the believers as means of getting rid of the bad effect of vain talks and useless speeches in Ramadan, any shortcomings or un-Islamic act as well as to help the needy on the day of Eid and make them happy.

As it can be seen, the wisdom behind this institution is individual and social as well. Besides these two components or benefits, let us mention that being generous during the month of Ramadan is the tradition of the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (S).

We were taught by the example of the Messenger of Allah. Ibn Abbas (r.a) said: “The Messenger of Allah was the most generous person among all people, particularly during the month of Ramadan he used to be extraordinary generous when he met the angel Jibril. During this month the angel Jibril used to visit him every night and recite the Qur’an to him. At this time the normal generosity of the Messenger of Allah used to be very much increased, faster than the rain bearing wind.”  {Bukhari, Muslim}

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Announcement

SNMC Heritage Imam  al-Shāfiʿ

SNMC Heritage Imam al-Shāfi

Abū ʿAbdullāh Muhammad ibn Idrīs al-Shāfiʿ (767-820 CE, 150-204 AH) was theologian, writer, and scholar, who was the founder the Shafi’i school of fiqh (or Madh’hab). He was the most prominent student of Imam Malik ibn Anas and he also served as the Governor of Najar. Born in Gaza Asqalam, Syria, He also lived in Mecca, Medina, Yemen, Egypt, and Baghdad.
Apprenticeship under Imam MālikAl-Shāfi‘ī moved to Al-Medinah was taught for many years by the famous Imam Malik ibn Anas, who was impressed with his memory, knowledge, and intelligence.
The Yemeni FitnaAl-Shāfi‘ī nat age of 30, was appointed as the ‘Abbasid governor in the Yemeni city of Najran. He proved to be a just administrator but soon became entangled with factional jealousies. In 803 CE, al-Shāfi‘ī was accused of aiding the ‘Alawīs in a revolt and was thus summoned in chains with a number of ‘Alawis to the Caliph Harun ar-Rashid at Raqqa. Whilst other conspirators were put to death, al-Shafi’i’s own eloquent defense convinced the Caliph to dismiss the charge. Other accounts state that the famous Hanafijurist, Muḥammad ibn al-Ḥasan al-Shaybānī, was present at the court and defended al-Shāfi‘ī as a well-known student of the sacred law.
Apprenticeship under Al-Shaybānī, and exposure to Hanafī JuristsAl-Shāfi’ī traveled to Baghdad to study with Abu Hanifah’s acolyte al-Shaybānī and others. It was here that he developed his first madh’hab, influenced by the teachings of both Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Malik bin anas
Departure to Baghdad and EgyptAl-Shāfi’ī eventually returned to Baghdad in 810 CE. By this time, his stature as a jurist had grown sufficiently to permit him to establish an independent line of legal speculation. Caliph Al-Ma’mun is said to have offered al-Shāfi’ī a position as a judge, but he declined the offer.
In 814 CE, al-Shāfi’ī decided to leave Baghdad for Egypt. And he would meet another tutor, Sayyidah Nafisah bint Al-Hasan.
Death: One authority states that al-Shāfi’ī died as a result of injuries sustained from an attack by supporters of a Maliki follower. Al-Shāfi’ī died at the age of 54 on the 30th of Rajab in 204 AH (20 January 820 CE), in Al-Fustat, Egypt, and was buried in the vault of the Banū ‘Abd al-Hakam, near Mount al-Muqattam.
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Announcement

Weekly Verse

God Almighty describes Ramadan as follows:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَانِ ۚ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِّنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۗ يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ بِكُمُ الْيُسْرَ وَلَا يُرِيدُ بِكُمُ الْعُسْرَ وَلِتُكْمِلُوا الْعِدَّةَ وَلِتُكَبِّرُوا اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَاكُمْ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbir (Allahu Akbar; Allah is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (Al Baqarah 185)