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Founder’s Corner: Dr. Emdad Khan

Justice

Our Creator addresses the human beings, He created us from one single male and female. He made us in different nations, tribes, so that we know each other as diverse and inclusive communities.

 Indeed, Almighty God loves those who establish justice in society and deals justly with all human beings irrespective of faith, ethnicity, origin, color. He loves who establishes justice in his dealing with each one and in society.

Prophet’s final sermon at Hajj in Makkah, 1500 years back, “O people, all mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, or a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab. Also, a White has any superiority over a Black, nor a black has   any superiority over a White except by piety and good action.

The invisible micro virus is controlling human lives as individuals, as family, as community, as country, in the whole world.  Many human beings all over the world have become caring, humble. Takes care of the needy, vulnerable, as individuals, community, and country.

 Still, unfortunately, we see in the USA, UK, Europe, even in Canada more hatred, racism against Black, African, Latin and Asians. This is also visible in some South Asian countries, hatred and racism against different faiths, tribes, and ethnicities. 

With a black person dying under the custody of a white police officer, a large anti- racism, demo is being held in large cities in many countries all over the world. In Ottawa, even PM Trudeau attended one such demo, in front of parliament Hill.

Many now think what is going on in the USA, and a bit less in the UK, Europe and even here in Canada. This is also true in many South Asian and African Countries, even in Arab countries. People are discriminated against based on place of origin, color, language, faith.  Unfortunately, in those back-home countries, in the same country, different segments of society are not treated on equal footing.

Look at our own neighborhood, our own ethnic group, our own large families, and relatives, are we treating fairly and equally.

 Look at our own professional organizations, our work, or our faith organizations, are we treating everyone on equal footing?

Look at ourselves, in our own day to day dealing, in shopping, in busing, in driving, in our masjids or faith gathering, we ourselves should  look in the mirror and change our attitudes, each and every one.

 In many countries, for the last 2 to 3 months, the large cities were under lock down conditions. As of June 2020, over 7.5 million affected by coronavirus and over 400,000 left the earth to meet the creator to account for their activities.

With the invisible micro virus, God sent a clear message to humanity, and has given an opportunity to rectify ourselves as individuals, as family, as community and country. To establish justice, so we are loved by our Creator God.

Good news, Canadian government on federal, provincial, and even city level moving forward with effective actions to eliminate discrimination for first nations, blacks, and visible minorities. We hope and pray more just society will be established in Canada and God will love all levels of Canadian government. We also need to work peacefully so that every country works to establish just society for each and every citizen in their countries whether in America, Europe, Asia, Africa or Arab world.

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Imam Zijad’s Corner: An Attitude of Gratitude (Shukr)

Imam Zijad’s Corner: An Attitude of Gratitude (Shukr)Narrated by `A’isha (r) that when the Prophet (S) prayed (the night prayers: Qiyam-ul-layl), he would stand until (the skin of) his feet swelled. So, she asked him: “O Prophet of Allah, you do all of this while knowing that Allah has forgiven you all of your mistakes?”

He responded: “Should I not aspire to be a grateful servant of Allah?”

Source: Muslim

Transliteration: “Afala Akunu ‘Abdan Shukura?”

Imam ibn Hajar commented on the hadith by saying that Muhammad (S) clarified to ‘Aisha (r), and thus to all of us, that the path of worship is not the path of challenges and difficulties but the way in which we develop an opportunity to express our gratitude to the Creator for all we enjoy and for the doors of forgiveness He provided us with.

Muslim classical and modern scholars taught us that gratitude is not only the part of our faith but it is the key by which to attract abundance, blessings, prosperity, peace, tranquility and success.

One of the most important aspects of tarbiyah (education) in Islam is the cultivation of the attitude of gratitude in people’s lives.

Why gratitude is presented to be much important and beneficial in Islam?

In the context of our current situation with coronavirus pandemic, we certainly could benefit from this attitude in all aspects of our life.

Below are some practical examples of benefits of gratitude:
Gratitude trains our minds to focus on the right things in life.

When we let our minds look for problems, we see plenty of them.

Instead, if we rather look away from problems and focus on possibilities and go for solutions, we will get those too.

Let’s, therefore, use gratitude to motivate ourselves to find possibilities and search for solutions and not only the negatives associated with challenges we face in life.

Gratitude helps us to slow down on the life-highways and enjoy what we have, rather than always waiting for the next wish to come true.

Gratitude can help us recognize that we already have enough of what many people have, for long, been yearning for.

We must therefore tame our Nafs (souls) to understand that if we can’t find happiness in the blessings that we have today, then we won’t be happy with what we get tomorrow.

Thus, gratitude is a sense of fulfillment that comes not from wanting more but rather from a sense of knowing that Allah has already blessed us with what we need.

Gratitude helps us recognize other people’s favors to us.

The Prophet (S) through his sayings made it quite clear that expressing our gratitude to Allah by thanking Him also involves that we thank people who do favors for us.

The Prophet Muhammad (S) said as narrated by Abu Hurairah (r): “He who does not thank people, does not thank Allah” (Ahmad, Tirmidhi).

He also taught us how to do it: “Whoever does you a favor, then reciprocate, and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him/her until you think that you have reciprocated him/her.” (Abu Dawud)

In another hadith, he said: “Whoever has a favor done for him/her and says to the one who did it,‘Jazak Allahu khayran,’ has done enough to thank him/her.” (Tirmizi)

Gratitude isn’t about ignoring our problems.

On the contrary, gratitude helps us to be patient, accepting of life’s challenges, and accordingly trains us to seek personal fulfillment with less.

Gratitude thus makes us “low maintenance” in our demands and expectations.

This trait reduces our burden on those around us, making our company more pleasing to others instead of leaving us always unhappy, more demanding, and impossible to please because of unending demands and expectations.

Gratitude helps increase one’s blessings, as Allah says: “And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you are grateful, I will give you more (of My Blessings).” (Ibrahim 14:7)

Gratitude is not only expressing our thanks with words.

Gratitude goes beyond mere words.

It emerges in the heart and translates itself in our actions.

We see this in the example of the Prophet (S) whose sins were forgiven by Allah, yet, he continued to strive for His pleasure, as in the hadith above.

It is not only about saying shukr but acting shukr!

This acting part of shukr has been also presented in the example of the Prophet Dawud’s (may peace and blessings be upon him) family.

Allah says: “Work, of family of Dawud, in gratitude.” (Saba’ 34:13)

Allah did not tell Dawud “Be grateful” but told him “work in gratitude.”

May Allah help us be grateful to our own families and all those who have done any good to us, be it something huge or small and does not matter if it comes from an individual, group, association or the state. Allahumma Amin!

  

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Live-Streaming Discussion / Short Talks

Check them out at
SNMC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNMC.ca/ or
SNMC Youtube Channel youtube.com/c/SNMCTube

Tuesday, April 21st at 7:00 pm – “An Attitude of Gratitude (Shukr) and Ramadan.”

Thursday, April 23rd at 1:00 pm – Topic: “Welcoming the Month of Ramadan: The Prophet’s (S) Khutbah.”

Friday, April 24th at 1:00 pm – Today’s Friday Message: Ramadan: The Time to Come Clean with Allah.” – Please listen to the Message and then pray 4 Units (Rakat) of Salatiz Zuhr

Saturday, April 25th at 1:00 pm – Topic: “Manners of Welcoming the Month of Ramadan & Siyam.”

Sunday, April 26th at 1:00 pm – Topic: “Importance and Manners of Suhur and Iftar.”

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Live-Streaming Discussion/Short Talks

Check them out at
SNMC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNMC.ca/ or
SNMC Youtube Channel http://tinyurl.com/SNMCca/Videos

Sunday, April 11th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “ Preparation for the Month of Ramadan: 5 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Tuesday, April 13th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “ Preparation for the Month of Ramadan: 5 Goals to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Thursday, April 15th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “ Taqwa: The Purpose of Sawm (Fasting) ”
Saturday, April 17th at 7:00 pm Topic: ” Benefits of Taqwa in the Light of the Qur’an.”

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Imam Zijad’s Corner: Modesty is Part of Faith

Imam Zijad’s Corner:  Modesty is Part of Faith

Narrated by Zaid ibn Talha رضي الله عنه that Muhammad ﷺ said: “Indeed, every religion has fine, innate and praiseworthy character, and the character of Islam is Al Haya’ (modesty or bashfulness).”
Source: Malik
Transliteration: “Inna Likulli Dinin Khuluqun; wa Khuluqul Islami Al Haya.”
This Hadith means that among all the religions, which existed before Islam, each one had one prominent characteristic or another except Al Haya’.
In other words, among all the moral values the position that Al Haya’ occupies in Islam is the most dominant and sublime and this was not the case in the earlier religions so much as it is in Islam.
 If it was like stars in the other religions, it shines forth like the sun in Islam.
 For these reasons, the attention of Muslims is invited to this prominent position and importance of Al Haya’.
 While Muslims should adopt all good moral values, they are asked specifically to give a distinct position to Al Haya’.
Al Haya’ rests at the top of the list in good manners of exceptional believers.
Al Haya’ means modesty, bashfulness, shyness, deservedness, etc.
It is a much-praised habit for it prevents its owner from doing something that is wrong.
It also brings only good to its owner, as our Prophet, Muhammad said: “Al Haya’ does not bring anything except good.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
Once the Prophet was passing by a man who was blaming someone for his bashfulness. The Messenger told him to leave the person adding: “Al Haya is a part of Faith, and Faith leads into Jannah and Al Bitha’ {indecency-shamelessness) is a part of corruption or disgust (Al Jafa’) and corruption leads to Jahannam.” (Ibn Majah, Ahmad, Tirmithi)
As it can be seen from the Hadith, the Haya’ is related with character (Akhlaq) and it helps in bringing up moral people with virtuous behavior which will lead them to Jannah.
Ibn Al Qayyim, may God be pleased with him, said that Al Haya’ is a part of life, and depending on how much Al Haya’ heart possesses, actually reflects how much moral character an individual has.
The smaller amount of Al Haya’ the individual shows, the greater deficiency of spiritual life and ineffectiveness his/her ability and competence reflects.
The Prophet, Muhammad said: “The Faith consists of more than sixty branches, and Al Haya is a part of Faith.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Al Haya’ may be practiced between a servant and his/her Rabb (Lord), when a servant shows bashfulness (Al Haya’) before the Lord, especially in committing disobedience be it openly or secretly.
Allah (SWT) the Almighty informs us: “Allah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal.” (Al Gafir 19)
The shyness between Allah and His servants is the shyness of honor, because Almighty God is shy to refuse His servant when he/she raises his/her hands in supplication (Du’a).
As for shyness between the individual and other people, it is that which prevents him/her from committing a wrong, and thus hates people witnessing his/her feeling of humiliation and guilt.
He/she who is shy of God, avoids what is forbidden in all situations: in the presence of people as well as in their absence.
This Al Haya’ is the shyness of worship, and it can only be acquired by knowing God, His nearness to His servants, and His knowledge of what is open and being kept hidden and secret.
This form of Al Haya’ is the highest form of Al Ihsan. It is very clearly explained in the Hadith: “Al Ihsan is to worship God as though you are seeing Him, and while you do not see Him, yet truly He sees you.” (Sahih Muslim)

 

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Live-Streaming Discussion/Short Talks

Check them out at
SNMC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNMC.ca/ or
SNMC Youtube Channel http://tinyurl.com/SNMCca/Videos

Saturday, April 4th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Tawakkul (Reliance) on Allah: Benefits in Times of Calamities.”
Monday, April 6th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – Blessings of Ramadan.”
Wednesday, April 8th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Being an Extra-Nice Neighbour in Times of Calamities.”
Friday, April 10th at 1:00 pm – Today’s Friday Message – Please listen to the Message and then pray 4 Units (Rakat) of Salatiz Zuhr
Friday, April 10th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Reasons to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Sunday, April 12th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Goals to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Taqwa (Mindfulness of Allah) – the Purpose of Fasting.”

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Live-Streaming -Imam Mohsen El-Nadi

Live-Streaming Discussion for youth 11+

Event: SNMC Youth Virtual Halaqas with Imam Mohsen followed by interactive activities

Link to joinhttps://bit.ly/2WOgGQ9

Time and Topics:

  • Mon April 6th 5:30-6:30pm: Quran & Relationship to Ramadan
  • Wed April 8th 5:30-6:30pm: Story of Changing of the Qiblah & Virtues of the Middle of Sha’aban
  • Fri April 10th 5:30-6:30pm: Rules for Ramadan & Fasting

Sign up for details and updates at: https://bit.ly/2VeNiAj
Youth Activities and Challenges: will be announced in the email reminders, so be sure to sign up!

If you’ve been participating in our virtual youth events, we’d appreciate your feedback! Help us better serve you! Please provide your feedback on our SNMC Youth virtual activities at: https://bit.ly/2RqVLzh

Live-Streaming Discussion for all:

* Wednesday, 8th April at 7:00 pm. Topic: Story of Changing the Qiblah (Direction).

How to access https://tinyurl.com/Imam-Mohsen

Check them out at
SNMC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNMC.ca/ or
SNMC Youtube Channel http://tinyurl.com/SNMCca/Videos

 

 

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A short message to the Community

A Moment with Our Prophet, Muhammad (S) — By Imam Zijad Delic
Day 9: Wish for Others What We Wish for Ourselves
Reported by Anas (r) that Muhammad (S) said:
“None of you will have (complete) faith till he/she wishes for his/her brother/sister what
he/she likes for himself/herself.”
Source: Bukhari
Transliteration: “La Yu’minu Ahadukum Hatta Yuhibbu Li Akhihi Ma Yuhibbu Li Nafsihi.”
Note: The concept of justice cannot be defined any better than it is in this statement. In this narration the Prophet Muhammad (s) reaffirms the criteria of justice commonly known as the “Golden rule of Moses.” In molding our personality as well as in building a society based on universal justice, this hadith containing one “golden rule” of enormous scope can take us a very long way. Although we often are familiar with such hadiths, we do not scrutinize our life, behavior, and aspirations in light of this simple criteria of justice. If we do not like to be harmed, we should not harm anyone else, and this is true irrespective of race, color, nationality, gender, language, or any other artificial basis of distinguishing different segments of humanity. If we do not like to be offended, we should not offend others, Muslims or non-Muslims. If we like to be treated kindly, we should treat others kindly.
If we expect fairness from others, we should be fair in our conduct and judgment with all.

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Live-Streaming Discussion/Short Talks

Check them out at
SNMC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SNMC.ca/ or
SNMC Youtube Channel http://tinyurl.com/SNMCca/Videos

Saturday, April 4th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Tawakkul (Reliance) on Allah: Benefits in Times of Calamities.”
Monday, April 6th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – Blessings of Ramadan.”
Wednesday, April 8th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Being an Extra-Nice Neighbour in Times of Calamities.”
Friday, April 10th at 1:00 pm – Today’s Friday Message – Please listen to the Message and then pray 4 Units (Rakat) of Salatiz Zuhr
Friday, April 10th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Reasons to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Sunday, April 12th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Ways to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Tuesday, April 14th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Preparing for the Month of Ramadan – 5 Goals to Prepare for Ramadan.”
Thursday, April 16th at 7:00 pm – Topic: “Taqwa (Mindfulness of Allah) – the Purpose of Fasting.”

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Du’a of the week