ICLI News Apr. 2006

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Elections: Make

Asalaamu Alaikum. Alhamdu-Lillah, the election ballots have been mailed to the members of Islamic Center of Long Island. These elections are for the following positions only as all other positions in the Executive Committee and Board were not contested:

1st Vice President (between Sis. Isma Chaudhry and Br Reyaz Patel);

2nd Vice President (between Br. Nasir Gondal and Br. Obaid Khan);

Three Board Members from the general body of ICLI (These positions are being contested by sis. Seemi Ahmed, Br. Faheem Butt, sis. Zubeida Lunat, sis. Laura Maksoud, Br. Sohail Nabi, Br. Zafaruddin Syed).

The center appreciates the hard efforts of the Election Committee headed by Br. Nazir Mir, in getting the ballots out on March 20th. I hope all members had the opportunity review the candidates’ bios and sent in their completed the ballot papers.

IF you are not a member, then I urge you to become one by completing the membership form on page 11 of this newsletter and submit it to the ICLI office with your dues.

Inshallah, by the first week of April, we will have the full Executive Committee and the Board in place. I look forward to working with them.

Now that spring is here, we would welcome any help from

the community on Friday and Sunday mornings to work in the ICLI gardens under the leadership of our imam, Hafiz Ahmad. On both days, we work from 6 AM to 8 AM, so please come and join us in this enjoyable activity which includes breakfast.

On March 15, I spoke on behalf of ICLI at an interfaith event organized by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset. The topic was "How do we get out of Iraq?" More than 250 people attended this event, including some members of our community.

May Allah guide us all. Jazakallah Khair.

Habeeb Ahmed

jifsha@yahoo.com

In the Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful
Your
Count! ICLI News: President’s Meesage - Elections: Make Your Vote Count! A Unique Trip to the Holy Lands Breast Cancer Educational Workshop Muslim Delegation From France Community Letters ICLI Needs Volunteers WHY 877 - Islam Symposium Conf. How to Nurture And Cultivate our Faith Mosque in Rome Community Services/Salat Times Inside this issue: Volume 3, Issue 7 April 2006 /Rabi' Al-Awwal 1427 CONTACT US 835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590. Tel: 516-333-3495 Fax: 516-333-7321 Email:1icli@optonline.net Website: www.icliny.org “I C” KIDS PRESCHOOL AT ICLI Ages 3 to 5 Mon – Fri 9:30 – 12:20 Mon – Fri 12:30 – 3:30 An enriching, educational and spiritual environment. Our priority is preparing your toddler for success. Please come and visit our NEW state of the art facility. For additional information please contact
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Welcome Back From The Holy Lands: ICLI Students (Hira, Khadija & Meher with other Youth from the Christian and Jewish Community.

A Unique Trip to The Holy Land—Feb 18 to 27 2006

A group of 16 Jewish, Catholic and Muslim Youth from Long Island went on an intensive ten day study tour of the Holy Land. They were accompanied by a five member TV crew, an educator, two conservative Rabbis, principals of the two major Catholic schools of Long Island and ICLI chairman of Board. The five Muslim youth are all students at ICLI Sunday School: Hira Ahmed, Khadija Byas, Asad Baig, Daanyaal Khan and Meher Mamoor. This was the first time Muslim youth from Long Island were involved in such an initiative.

During this extensive trip the group witnessed and participated in several religious services including offering salaat Jummah at Masjid Al Aqsa. The Holy Land has a very long and rich tradition going back to the time of the Romans, the master builder - Emperor Herod, and the sites where our revered prophets preached and left lasting legacies behind. We spent a sizable amount of time at Massada, the site of the last Jewish stand against Romans, where a thousand Jews committed mass suicide, rather than give up and live under Roman occupation. We wondered if that was bravery or stupidity. Rabbi William Berman informed the group that committing mass suicide in the name of defending religion is an absolute abomination in Jewish tradition. The overnight visits to a Kibbutz, Bedouin camp were memorable. The brief stop over in Safad city, center of Jewish mysticism and a luncheon with the Druze community - were educational and informative. The highlight of the trip was the stay in Jerusalem - with visits to Masjid Al Aqsa and the adjacent Dome of Rock, Church of Holy Sepulchre, Walk on Dolorosa and a moving visit to Yad VashemHolocaust Memorial Museum, brief visit to Bethlehem, Church of Nativity, where we got a brief glimpse of the

plight of the Palestinians. Crossing over into Palestinian area from the Israeli side was like walking across into a third world country with dilapidated homes, roads and rampant poverty. The group was not involved in discussing the intractable nuances of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, our initiative was a small effort in demonstrating that a diverse group of people from Long Island can learn to respect and appreciate the commonalities and the differences, and at the same time make friends.

Dr Faroque Khan presented the following topics to the entire group during this challenging journey- Islamic concepts of Monotheism, Hospitality, Miracles and Neighbors Rights etc.

This trip resulted from the vision and planning of Dawn Azrak and Darlene Buonauro from the Custom Tours and Events based in Merrick, Long Island. A big thank you to Dawn and Darlene for sponsoring this trip.

Following are few comments from some participants:

Fr. James Williams, S.M. (President, Chaminade High School,Mineola, New York):

My Dear Muslim Brothers and Sisters. As you know, a group of 16 students and religious leaders from the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths journeyed throughout the Holy Land in the spirit and footsteps of Abraham (Peace be upon him). While we began with many uncertainties and anxieties, our journey led to us into deep mystery and a better understanding of God. We learned how much we share in common, and we acquired a deep respect for our differences.

Dr. Khan and your young people, Hira, Asad, Angela (Khadija), Daanyaal, and Meher brought Islam alive. We

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did not simply “tour” your holy sites – we prayed and experienced them through the eyes of people of faith. What would have been simply a “Muslim building” became a place of devotion. Where questions abounded and clarity came.

Further, our Muslim friends sought to understand our faith and Judaism. Their questions demonstrated an authentic desire to comprehend what we hold so dear.

Our pilgrimage was one of hope – 16 diverse teenagers and their religious leaders formed friendships rooted in faith. May this spirit of unity continue to characterize the interrelationship of our faiths.

Angela Khadija Byas - ICLI Student:

I believe going on this spiritual and education trip to Israel, the Holy Land, was an experience of a lifetime. I have journeyed to a place that I never dreamed of being able to visit. I have learned so much about not only Christianity and Judaism, but have learned about my own religion. The trip was only eight days long, but we accomplished so much and visited so many places it feels as if I was there for a month. I am so grateful to all the people who have made this trip possible for me and especially Allah (SWT). This trip will be forever in my memories, and I hope to further share my experiences and everything I have learned with others.

cept, especially with all that is going on in the world today. It was so amazing to see how people from these three faiths worked together so well with no conflicts. The more sites we visited the closer we became spiritually and the more we realized how similar we are. In the end, it doesn’t matter what faith we are because we were all “born” from Abraham.

Meher Mamoor - ICLI Student:

About a month ago I joined seven Christians, four Jews, and four Muslims for a religious pilgrimage to Israel. None of us met before the trip. The sixteen of us met for the first time on Saturday, February 18, 2006 at JFK airport. I wasn’t nervous about the trip as I was about meeting the kids, with whom I would be spending the next ten days exchanging views about our religions. I had such a great experience exploring Israel with kids of other faiths within my age group. To meet Long Island kids like me that have so much respect towards other faiths was so admirable. It’s not everyday you meet sophomores and juniors with so much willingness to ac-

Daanyaal Khan - ICLI Student:

My experience to Israel was amazing. I had such a good time, I want go to back. When I got there, I thought I was on a resort island where there was palm trees and clear water. The weather was as good as San Diego, 75-80 degrees. Our tour guide Yuval is a well-educated man who never let there be a dull moment. When I heard the Catholic kids were coming from private schools, I thought they would be conceited and stuck-up, they proved my wrong. Everyone that went was like a brother or sister. We really bonded the night we stayed in Nazareth. My favorite part of the trip was when we got to the Bedouin Camp. We had food on the floor with a long table, with food served in traditional bowls. Later on Yuval took all the guys out into the middle of the desert to show us the stars. It was pitch black; you could not even see your hand. All you heard was the noises of animals. Then we went back into one of the tents where Muhammad who is a musician played a few songs for everyone. He also showed us how to make there bread. We had the opportunity to taste two different teas; Turkish tea and Bedouin tea along with baklava. Sleeping there was the best anyone had slept so far in the trip even though it was only 6 hours for those who woke up to see the sunrise. 6:00 am most of us along with Father James woke up to see the sunrise over the mountains. After breakfast, we all rode camels, which was probably everyone’s favorite part of the trip. Besides riding the camels, I also had video camera that the film crew gave me and I taped everyone riding the camels along with all the comments everyone was making. There were so many other things I could talk about but that was my favorite part of the trip. I hope

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many other people will have the opportunity to do what we got to do because it was once in a lifetime opportunity and to go with the two other faiths made the experience more special.

next door to Uniondale where I live and teach! The occasion was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land by a group of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim students with their mentors. Dr. Faroque Khan, your leader in the Westbury Mosque, lead the Muslim students, Hira, Asad, Angela, Meher, and Daanyaal, in a first time pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Each group was experiencing the history and the faith at these sites for the first time. Experiencing Dr. Khan’s explanations and witnessing their very deep religious commitment to Muslim tradition and to prayer made a great impression upon me and the seven Christian students who accompanied us. For us it was really the first time that we had been able to experience Muslim Faith in person, an experience that will stay with us. And so, now, we feel much closer to the Westbury Islamic Center and to the Muslim Community in Nassau County And for this we are very grateful to Dr. Khan and to these Muslim students.

Rabbi William Berman - Suffolk County, Long Island:

Rabbi Seth J. Sternstein, Kings Park Jewish Center, Kings Park, New York 11754:

I write to let you know how much I enjoyed and profited from our trip to Israel.

First, I learned several things about Islam. Your explanations about Moslem prayer (e.g. why Moslems remove their shoes during prayer; how many times a day prayer is required; the content and duration of prayer) were all most enlightening. I was taken with the elegant beauty of the mosques which we saw, and learned from you that mosques are designed to help the worshipper focus clearly on worship of the Creator, and avoid unnecessary ostentation. I was deeply moved watching you lead a prayer service on the Golan Heights as the sun set. Moreover, I was impressed with the caliber of the students who accompanied you, and glad to see that this trip seemed to reinforce their loyalty to, and pride in their Moslem faith. They are already a credit to the local Moslem community, and, I predict, will be a credit to the larger American community, as they grow into maturity.

Once again, I am happy that we could travel together, and look forward to continuing warm relationships with your religious community over the years.

Warmest wishes for peace, health, and happiness.

Father Philip K. Eichner - Principal, Kellenberg Memorial High School, Uniondale, Long Island:

It was not only instructive but also enjoyable to be with you and your young students as we experienced our mutual holy sites. It has given me not only a new perspective, but also a deeper appreciation of Islam.

It is a supreme irony that I had to travel to the land of Israel-Palestine to become acquainted with the Nassau County Islamic Community centered in Westbury, right

The interfaith trip to the Holy Land was a profound spiritual and emotional experience for all participants. There were some truly magical moments. The children as well as the clergy and staff learned much from one another. People stopped in their tracks at the phenomenon of a closely knit interfaith group experiencing the wonders of that small land together. While not glossing over differences we all came to realize how much in common we have. We came away with a great awareness that religion must be used as a tool for sharpening the divine image of the other in our psyches rather than for covering it over. New friendships have been forged both among students and adults. Many already expressed the wish to go back to explore the Holy Land in greater depth. As for politics the purpose of the trip was not to propose solutions but to show that people of different backgrounds can forge bonds of deep friendship and respect. On Sunday March 19th the ICLI participants shared their experience with the ICLI community and the Monday March 20 th Newsday reported on this presentation with a prominent piece titled :”Trip to holy sites an awakening for teens” on page 4 with Christine Armario reporting.

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Sunday Adult Educational program: Breast Cancer Educational workshop

Domestic Harmony Committee of Islamic center of Long Island and Adelphi University for breast Cancer support program, along with SistersUnited in healthhad a joint two session educational workshopon the topic of breast Cancer.

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, exceeded only by lung cancer" explained Dr Usma Iqbal an Oncologist at Long Island Jewish Hospital who gave a lecture on diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in different stages.

The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's life is about 1 in 8 ( 13 % of Women). It is estimated that in 2006 about 212,920 new cases of invasive breast cancerwill be diagnosed among women in the United States. At this time there are slightly over 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world.

the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine inEngland, which was reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, Medical journalist,indicates that the risk of breast Cancer among South Asian woman differs according to their ethnic Subgroup”. According to a new Study, it's long been assumed that woman from South Asia have a low risk of breast cancer. This may not be so, according to the research. They interviewed over 700 first-generation South Asian women from the West Midlands and London, including 240 who had been treated for breast cancer.

The women were categorized as being either Gujarati Hindu, Punjabi Hindu, Punjabi Sikh, Pakistani and Indian Muslim, or Bangladeshi Muslim. In general the women were somewhat less likely to develop breast cancer than their native English Counterparts. But within the South Asian community, Pakistani and Indaina Muslim women are nearly twice as likely todevelop breast cancer than Gujarati Hindu women. The researchers say that Pakistani and Indian Muslim women were likely to have more children and to have their first child at a younger age than the other south Asian women.

Ms. Karen

Sisters United in Health, who gave some statistical dataexplained: “Chances that breast cancer will be responsible for a woman's death is about 1 in 33 (3%) In 2006, about 40,970 women and 460 men will die from breast cancer in the United States”. Death rates from breast Cancer have been declining. These decreases are believed to be the result of early detection and improved treatment.

Homaira Mamoor, DHC member of Islamic Center of Long Island mentioned that “a study research from

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Atencio Bilingual outreach Coordinator from Sis. Homaira Mamoor

Muslim Delegation From France

The U.S Department of State sponsored a four person Muslim delegation from France on the theme of “Pluralism and Democracy in the U.S. This delegation had an extensive discussion with Msgn Tom Hartman, Rabbi Marc Gellman and Dr Faroque Khan focused on American Muslims and there interaction with the Jewish and Christian Faiths. France has about ten percent Muslim population, primarily from North African heritage. The delegates expressed there thanks and showed keen interest in some of the initiatives ICLI is involved in, specifically AMJID and the TV program Our Muslim Neighbor. The four delegates represented a wide spectrum of the French society.

Community Letters

Dear Brothers and Sister: 6 March 2006.

I am writing you to report that I have received the Qur'an, prayer rug and Kufi. I am extremely grateful to you. THANK YOU.

ALLAH is truly great, on Friday the officers denied us permission to offer prayers. We were upset but we remained calm and followed all procedures. Next morning when my name was called for mail I assumed it was BAD news from my lawyer. Instead it was the package you all had sent. I was OVERJOYED. At our lowest moment ALLAH did not forget about us --Once again I humbly thank you for your support--ALLAH AKBAR.

Your Brother, Abdul Razzaq a.k.a Raymond Allen p.s-I start trial on 21 March 06, please make DUA for me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

PastorHank@att.net wrote: Dear Dr. Khan, The peace of God be with you.

I am deeply saddened and ashamed by the actions of my government against Muslim charities. I have opposed the secrecy of the Patriot Act, allowing accusations without public substantiation. That such secrecy impinges upon the God-given mandate to give charity is an affront to God and all God-fearing people.

Is there a place to which I should raise my voice in protest? Is there a Muslim charity, such as KinderUSA, which you recommend for support? Is there a way I can support the people at ICLI? May God grant peace to you and your family.

Sincerely, Pastor Hank Lay Parkway Community Church Hicksville

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Dr Faroque Khan

Dear Fellow Muslims—Asalaamu Alaikum.

On behalf of the ICLI Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee, we invite you to review the following and mark the areas where you feel you can contribute in enhancing various ICLI initiatives. Participation in a committee usually involves volunteering, on an average, two to three hours a month:

1)Governance and Grievance Committee: Responsible for making sure ICLI conforms to the rules and regulations, follows it’s established by-laws and addresses the concerns of members who have grievances, and suggests new bylaws to the board to address changing needs of the community.

Yes No

2)Finance/Fund Raising Committee : Overseas the investment portfolio of ICLI, ensures that the financial records of ICLI are audited and help establish new initiatives for enhanced revenue streams for ICLI.

Yes No

3)Long Range Planning Committee : This group will develop a plan as to what ICLI will need in next year, five yrs, ten yrs, fifteen years. Assess the environment, devise a work plan which will match the ICLI resources.

Yes No

4)Education Committee: Children's Sunday School, Qur'anic Classes, Pre-K/Nursery, Sunday Adult Education Program.

Yes No

5)Other ICLI Initiatives:

Newsletter Yes No Web Site Yes No Domestic Harmony Committee Yes No

Zakat Comm. Yes No Weekly Petition Yes No Spiritual Comm. Yes No Library Yes No Landscape and Property Maintenance

Yes No

6) Relief Work: There are several diverse relief initiatives currently in place, let us know which ones you are interested in: Local relief work with INN and other similar groups in

Nassau. Yes No Overseas Relief Work (ex Earthquake, tsunami) Yes No

7)Outreach Initiatives:

a)Intrafaith : Within Muslim community, Indigenous/ Immigrant, Sunni/Shia, LI/NY Shura Council

Yes No

b)Interfaith: AMJID, Multi-Faith, Telecare Yes No

c)Represent ICLI on LI NGO boards ( HWC, SUNY OW, Health Clinic) Yes No

8)Special Unique Needs of Community: a)Leadership and Staff Development and Training

Yes No

b)Salaam group- New Muslims

Yes No

c)Elderly/retirees Yes No d)Funeral comm. Yes No

We plan to finalize the list in April and request your response by April 15th 2006, you may e-mail us your response or return this form to ICLI office. Jazak Allah Khair.

Any questions feel free to contact us at:

Dr Faroque Khan-Chairman of the Board E-Mail: Faroquekhan@yahoo.com

Br Habeeb Ahmed - President E-Mail: jifsha@yahoo.com

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Why 877- Islam Symposium Conference

Qurán 49:13 “ O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, allaware.”

The Why Islam Symposium that took place on March 18th 2006 at the Ritz Theatre in New Jersey was filled with knowledge and inspiration. The above verse reflects the nature and the spirit of the conference in that the speakers Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Sheik Abdalla Idris Ali, Dr. Jamal Badawi, and Sheik Hamza Yusuf all came from different backgrounds but each had a unique but powerful message.

person. It can also be used for prison inmates who have access to a phone to call and get information about Islam. In a video Chaplin Yusuf Yee stated how the 877 number and the Why Islam website helped him tremendously while he was Chaplin in the Army. It helped him to get immediate answers to questions as well as find resources on things that he already knew but wanted to back up.

The conference left everyone for food for thought. All of the speakers in their uniqueness was able to open up our minds and hearts to become involved in our communities and change the face of our nation, so that everyone who is about righteousness can benefit from the message that Islam teaches us on peace, humanity and justice. Ameen.

An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:90 “ BEHOLD, God enjoins justice, and the doing of good, and generosity towards [one's] fellow-men; and He forbids all that is shameful and all that runs counter to reason, as well as envy; [and] He exhorts you [repeatedly] so that you might bear [all this] in mind.”

The conference started off with opening statements from representatives from 877 Why Islam and the unique opportunities that Muslims have to utilize the organization to give Dawah. 877 Why Islam an ICNA project has Dawah Booths at malls throughout New Jersey, train station in New York, billboards on the Highway that people can sponsor for $5,000 that advertise Islam so that people can see it while they are driving. The 877 Why Islam number can also be used for Dawah purposes when people have questions they can call and get a live

Grievance Governance Committee

If you have any Grievances and Suggestions, please leave a note at the ICLI office. Editorial amendments are welcome.

Dr. Fakhi Ahmed GGC

Islamic Center of Long Island Westbury

Newsletter

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How To Nurture And Cultivate

Our Faith. Imam Ibrahim Negm

Many Muslims often pose the question as to how they can live as good Muslims and be steadfast amidst all the waves of confusions and trials that we come across on a daily basis. Having posed the question, many Muslims see the task ahead to be quite overwhelming and are confused about where to start this process of becoming better and steadfast. In this article I am going to offer some guiding lights to start off the journey.

The starting point in this process is what the Qur'an calls the qalb - man's heart. Look at yourself and you will find inside you a whole universe - emotions, desires, urges, instincts - which motivate you from within. The qalb does not mean the pump which pushes blood around the body -- it means the centre or locus of the personality which is pumping motivations, desires and urges and which makes a person does what he wants to do.

The Qur'an goes on to explain that this is the key to a person. His success depends not on what he is physically, nor on what he does, but on what lies at the centre of his personality. The Qur'an declares that "Except the one who comes to Allah with a sound heart on the day of Judgment," none will be successful in His eyes. Another hadith of the Prophet - peace be upon him - is: "Beware, there is a piece of flesh in the human body. If it is right, then the whole body is right and sound and if it is corrupted then the whole body is corrupted. Look, this is the 'heart'."

According to the Qur'an, the basis of corruption stems from within man. The social institutions may be corrupt, there may be exploitation and abuse in the economic sphere and politics, but the basis of all these diseases lies inside man's heart. The Qur'an says

"The disease (is not somewhere in the body, it) is inside their heart."

What it is that stops man from seeing right and doing right, that turns him blind? The Qur'an explains "It is not the eyes which go blind but it is the heart inside you which goes blind."

The important question is therefore how we should set about preparing this most basic of building bricks.

First we must understand that the 'heart' must submit totally and exclusively to its Creator. It cannot be compartmentalized - we cannot dedicate one piece of it to Allah, and another to some other god, like wealth, status, career, women and so on. There is a beautiful verse in the Qur'an which throws light on the absurdity of such a situation. It tells about some of the Mushrikin who sacrifice animals and then say that one part of the animal is for Allah and another is for their other idols.

Then it asks us to remember that whatever is assigned to Allah is also, in reality, assigned to the idols, because Allah does not accept something divided. He is One, indivisible, and wants man to be undivided in service to Him. So long as we remain divided within ourselves, so long as our heart lies in a hundred places, so long as our eyes are set in a hundred directions, so long as our destination is not one but many, we shall never be able to achieve that first condition for building a strong and pure personality.

The second step is to love Allah. The Qur'an says "Those who believe love Allah more than anything."

It does not say that one must love only Allah. Love is a blessing given to us by Allah which is manifested in so many aspects of life. In Islam, however, it must be foremost for Allah, our Master. What is love? Perhaps it cannot be defined in terms which adequately reflect its nature and importance in man's life. It is not possible to define it by a formula as we define a scientific fact, nor can we define it by a mathematical equation. But still each one of us knows what love is and can tell, from his own experience, the powerful force that it is once it comes to reside in the heart. It becomes the overpowering force in life. It captivates you, it grips you, it moves you and you are prepared to do anything for the sake of it. Once love is there, what you do is not something which has to be imposed upon you, because you need imposition only for the things you do not love. Iman is something which must penetrate deep in our heart and generate love for Allah and His Prophet, more than for anything else. Unless that happens inside you, you cannot even get the real taste of Iman. According to one hadith nobody can taste Iman unless Allah and His Prophet are more beloved to him than everything else. But we must remember that this love for Allah and His Prophet is not of a kind to take us into the seclusion of a monastery. It is a love which makes us do our duty to Allah while we are in the street, at home or in the officeeverywhere we live as servants of Allah, willingly making every sacrifice required of us.

The next method of sustaining the seed of Iman is to develop a strong bond of brotherhood and sisterhood; Brotherhood and sisterhood reinforce people's lives like nothing else. The Qur'an says "you bind yourself with those who call upon Allah morning and evening."

As soon as you have planted the seed in your own heart, and you have recognized it in someone else and you find that he agrees with you, you feel ten times stronger, It has been proved experimentally that the 'community' life is one of the most powerful forces to stimulate and inspire people. Moreover, as your group grows, your Iman grows as well, each reinforcing the other, and that is how the whole of life becomes integrated and finds a path to Allah SWT

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