NOOR Magazine by ICNA Online Magazines

NOOR volume 2-2021

Back to Basics Building Conviction of Faith Our Deen: Our Perfect Way of LIFE The Essence of the PILLARS OF FAITH Shattering the Glamour By Reconnecting With ALLAH SWT

Also Inside: Mindful Minutes Brain Games & Cook’s Corner Noor Magazine II 2021 | 1

Volume 2, 2021

Divine Words

“Most certainly those Believers have attained true success who perform their Salat with humility; who refrain from vain things; who spend their Zakat dues in appropriate ways; who guard their private parts scrupulously; except with regard to their wives and those women who are legally in their possession, for in that case they shall not be blame-worthy, but those, who go beyond this (in lust for sexual desires), shall be transgressors; who are true to their trusts and their promises, and who strictly guard their Prayers. These are the heirs who will inherit Paradise and dwell therein forever.” - Surah Muminoon,1-11 -

Pearls of Wisdom

Umar ibn al-Khattab reported, “We were sitting with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, one day when a man appeared with very white clothes and very black hair. There were no signs of travel on him and we did not recognize him. He sat down in front of the Prophet and rested his knees by his knees and placed his hands on his thighs. The man said, ‘O Muhammad, tell me about Islam.’ The Prophet said, ‘Islam is to testify there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform pilgrimage to the House if a way is possible.’ The man said, ‘You have spoken truthfully.’ We were surprised that he asked him and said he was truthful. He said, ‘Tell me about faith.’ The Prophet said, ‘Faith is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in providence, its good and its evil.’ The man said, ‘You have spoken truthfully. Tell me about excellence.’ The Prophet said, ‘Excellence is to worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you do not see Him, He surely sees you.’ The man said, ‘Tell me about the final hour.’ The Prophet said, ‘The one asked does not know more than the one asking.’ The man said, ‘Tell me about its signs.’ The Prophet said, ‘The slave girl will give birth to her mistress and you will see barefoot, naked, and dependent shepherds compete in the construction of tall buildings.’ Then, the man returned and I remained. The Prophet said to me, ‘O Umar, do you know who he was?’ I said, ‘Allah and his messenger know best.’ The Prophet said, ‘Verily, he was Jibreel who came to teach you your religion.’ - Sahih Muslim, 8 -

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Supervisor Abeer Sher Editor Sadaf Alam Co-Editor Fariha Lakhani Editorial Board Shamim Ahmed Umaymah Shahid Fatimah Murad Fariha Lakhani Juveria Syed Rehana Kaleem Saima Shah Nasreen Inaam Layout & Graphics Juveria Syed Nasreen Inaam Publishing Office Editorial ICNA Sisters’ Headquarters 12551 Emily Court Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Email: icnanooreng@gmail.com Support Us! Donate at: https://crm.nonprofiteasy.com/11043/ Pages/fundraising/#/225

Articles, letters, and comments are welcome. Submissions are subject to editing for reasons of space and clarity. Noor does not acknowledge or return unsolicited material. Noor is produced in three quarterly issues. It is a magazine for Muslim families. It offers comprehensive thematic coverage of ideas and issues of concern to Muslims in America. Published content does not necessarily imply agreement or endorsement by ICNA Sisters. All content except that which is noted as copyright may be reprinted with appropriate acknowledgment.

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What’s Inside...

Editorial

Readers’ Voices

Our Deen: Our Perfect Way of Life

Poetry Corner: Unfolding the Rose

The Essence of the Pillars of Faith

Mindful Minutes: Health is a System

Brain Games: Crossword Puzzle

21 Shattering the Glamour By Reconnecting with Allah SWT 25

Cook’s Corner: Classic French Toast

Hardships and Our Way of Dealing With Them

Step by Step

Paving the Path to Success

Because You Asked

Health Corner

42 It’s Been Called a War, a Conflict, and More Recently ‘Clashes’

Editorial Assalamualaikum dear readers, A Muslim teenager gives up prayer, because all his life, he had prayed to please his parents, and now he doesn’t care what his parents think. A Muslim college student dabbles in alcohol and drugs, because her Muslim community is not around at the dorm to judge her anymore. A Muslim working professional does not raise his gaze towards the sisters when he goes to pray at the masjid, but hugs his female colleagues goodbye after the office Christmas party. For many of us, with our busy lives and multiple responsibilities, sometimes Islam becomes a section of our everyday life, usually manifesting itself by our ritual worship, or in our actions when we are around other Muslims. Our actions are determined by Islam, but a painful truth is that sometimes our actions are disconnected from our Iman. When our Iman has weakened, and we forget the essence of our faith, we might perform the rituals and outward actions, but without true conviction: perhaps not understanding why we perform an act, and perhaps even questioning it in our hearts. (May Allah protect us.) For Iman to grow, it needs to be constantly developed, consistently watered. And yet, there are some among us who focus their attention so carefully on nourishing their Iman and their relationship with Allah SWT, but their physical and emotional wellbeing suffer. Subhan Allah, their faith keeps them going through difficult times, but they are unable to grow holistically, including their mind and body along with their souls. My hope is that, as a reader of Noor, you want to improve yourself. My hope is that you, dear reader, recognize that we are all fallible human beings, and that none of us is perfect. We can, however, strive for perfection, strive to be the beautiful beings that Allah SWT wants us to be. I hope that this issue will be helpful in this quest. Please send us your thoughts and comments to icnanooreng@gmail.com. We look forward to your emails. Wassalam, Editor

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Readers’ Voices

I really enjoyed reading through the articles in this month’s issue; definitely gained a good number of tips and tricks to help me make the most of Ramadan. There were two articles that deeply moved me; the first was “The Return of Hope”, which I really enjoyed reading because, as a born and raised Muslim, I feel like we get little exposure to the struggles and journeys of people who weren’t. I think that listening to and understanding the perspectives and experiences of those who come from different backgrounds is a crucial part of building and strengthening relationships within the community. The other article I really enjoyed was “Having the Right Perspective” because I tend to get caught up in the details and this article served as a great reminder of focusing on the bigger picture. - Safa M., Houston, TX

This was a great issue. I especially enjoyed reading “The Return of Hope” and “Having the Right Perspective”. Naomi Seif was so vulnerable and transparent in discussing her childhood struggles and it’s very easy to understand if she had given up hope altogether. But that is precisely the power of hope-if we can ignite even the slightest light of hope, it can spread over our consciousness and bring a change in perspective that we need. Holding on to hope can be a constant reminder that

Allah hasn’t given up on us so why should we give up on ourselves? This article tied in nicely to Zoha Qureshi’s piece on perspective. Being a mental health professional myself, I appreciated her shedding light on this important topic. I also resonated with her path to discovering her real passion as I went through something similar myself. Jazakumallah kheir to the Noor magazine team for your continued efforts in publishing these great stories. - Safyah Alam, Houston, TX

SubhanAllah, MashaaAllah Noor is really a Noor for readers. “Ramadan Renewal and Resolutions” was well written by Sister Fatima. “Ramadan the Lamp” and “The Light” are both great poems MashaaAllah. “The Return of Hope” explains the purpose of life well from an Islamic perspective. “New Beginnings and New Normal” taught me a lot. I loved the recipe for peanut butter and chocolate date balls. The Quranic reflections are heart touching. No doubt only a true believer will get benefits from the Qur’an. True faith is a strong condition. “Ramadan My Reset Button” and “Ten Practical Tips for Ramadan” are very informative. Overall this magazine is motivating and educational. - Razia Khan, Torrance, CA

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Our Deen: Our Perfect Way of Life By: Fatimah Murad

the Day of Arafah during the blessed Prophet SAW’s final Hajj pilgrimage, Allah SWT sent down an ayah that even people of other religions recognized for its momentous nature. The core phrase of this verse, “…This day I have perfected for you your religion and have bestowed upon you My bounty in full measure and have been pleased to assign for you Islam as your religion…” is one that is oft repeated and celebrated independently of its Quranic context. Yet that context is paramount to fully understanding and appreciating this verse, the third ayah of Surah Ma’idah. The remainder of the ayah is a detailed list of things that are haram, particularly when it comes to meat; in fact the ayah begins with the words “Forbidden to you are…”

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This juxtaposition reinforces for us that our religion is not merely a set of high ideals and vague notions of goodness and spirituality, rather it is an all-encompassing way of living that requires us to follow up our avowed submission with obedience in the minutiae of our daily existence. In an incident reported in Sahih Muslim, the Companion Salman Al Farisi RA once had an encounter with a disbeliever who mocked this aspect of Islam by saying “Indeed, your companion teaches you everything, he even teaches you how to defecate!” Instead of becoming defensive or embarrassed Salman RA proudly replied, “It is so. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited us from removing excrement using the right hand, or while facing the direction of prayer. The Prophet prohibited us from using dung or bones to do so, and he said not to use less than three stones.” Noor Magazine II 2021 | 9

There is, of course, much wisdom in the sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted level of detail we have received from Allah to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one SWT and his Messenger SAW. There are so that no one may hurt you. Remember a few reasons that stand out immediately. that you will meet Allah and answer for One is that as our Creator, Allah SWT your deeds.” He then went on to order his can instruct us on what is good for our followers to be especially watchful in their bodies and our behavior and therefore treatment of women and to avoid making His commands are a set of best practices any race superior to another, and after for the health of our minds and bodies. doing so again warned “Do not therefore Another is that, in order to please Allah do injustice to yourselves. Remember one SWT and earn His reward we need not day you will meet Allah and answer your wait for grandiose initiatives, and simply deeds. So, beware: do not stray from the living our daily routine path of righteousness in the way that He after I am gone.” asks us to will earn his approval. Finally, That both the ayah “Our Deen, our Shariah, these small habits and from Surah Ma’idah choices will train us to our religion, is the greatest and this sermon took obey, cultivating in us place on the same dayof gifts. It is the clear a habit of submission the day we consider to that will make it easier be the best in the year, truth, and the straight path when we are called the day that marks to make greater through the life of this world the culmination of a sacrifices, or to serve ritual that is at once into the reward of the next.” and struggle with our the highest form of lives and livelihoods. personal worship and Of course, Allah SWT also one that requires is aware that there the most amount of will be times when we will fall short or interaction with our fellow believers-be forced to fall into Haram, and so the carries a poetic synchronicity that only closing of the ayah is as follows, “…As for the Almighty could orchestrate. There is he who is driven by hunger, without being a firmness in these instructions that is not willfully inclined to sin, surely Allah is All- found in passages and sayings that pertain Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” to our personal matters, such as what we eat, drink and wear. It is in keeping with On the same day that this ayah was Allah SWT promising to forgive us for our revealed, the Prophet SAW also gave transgressions against Him but holding his famous final sermon to the gathered us to strict account when it comes to our believers. Standing on the most sacred of dealing with others. Violating the rights ground on the most holy day of the year, he of creation is a sin for which we will be proclaimed “just as you regard this month, required to seek repentance with those this day, this city as sacred, so regard the we wronged. To aid us in our pursuit of life and property of every Muslim as a fairness and good conduct, Allah SWT and 10 | Noor Magazine II 2021

his Messenger outlined proper manners for every aspect of our interpersonal dealings. In a Hadith found in the Sahih of both Bukhari and Muslim, Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “Every Muslim has five rights over another Muslim (i.e., he has to perform five duties for another Muslim): to return the greetings, to visit the sick, to accompany funeral processions, to accept an invitation, to respond to the one who sneezes [i.e., to say: ‘Yarhamuk-Allah (may Allah bestow His Mercy on you),’ when the sneezer praises Allah].” Beyond these there are sets of rights outlined for every significant relationship, as well as Adaab (etiquette) for our interactions to guarantee harmony and decency in our society. While on the surface it may seem that this makes for a complicated life, one full of tedious rules and regulations, it is in fact the opposite. There is no problem, big or small for which we cannot find an answer in the teachings of Islam, no task for which we do not find a God-approved method. The burden of applying our changeable and limited understanding to the challenges of life are lifted through the simplicity of witnessing the wisdom of our Creator and saying, “I hear, and I obey.” Conversely it is the people who live unencumbered by accountability to a higher law, those who can claim only a vague spirituality with no consequence, that suffer from the most confusion. Their morality is an ever-shifting morass, bound only by the latest philosophical

trends. Navigating their society is akin to walking through a field of landmines and pitfalls comprised of subjective offenses. They claim they need answer to no one and spend all their time answering to the whims of everyone around them. Our Deen, our Shariah, our religion, is the greatest of gifts. It is the clear truth, and the straight path through the life of this world into the reward of the next. It is also the thing that Shaytan will try to use against us time and again. In his final sermon the Prophet SAW cautioned us “Beware of Shaytan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.” Shaytan does not challenge us in our grand ideals, partly because he knows they are easy to adhere to. It is in our practice that he tries to weaken us. He will try to make us question, make us resent, try to convince us that it is a burden, or that it is unnecessary or unfair. And it is in those moments that we should guard ourselves against his whispers and remind ourselves of the blessing Allah SWT has bestowed on us. The Prophet SAW gave us a Du’a that we are instructed to recite three times in the morning and evening. In various ahadith the reward for doing so is earning Allah’s pleasure on the day of Judgement and having Allah SWT taking us by hand to lead us into paradise. It is our daily affirmation that we acknowledge this great favor He has bestowed on us. “I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my deen and Muhammad SAW as my Prophet and Messenger.” v

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- Poetry Corner -

Unfolding the Rose It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God’s design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so sweetly, When in my hands they fade and die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God’s design, Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine? So I’ll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to Him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way. The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Lord knows. I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.

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Rumi

The Essence of the Pillars of Faith By: Saima Shah

e are living in a very challenging time. Confusion and uncertainty abound. Minor signs before the Day of Judgement have appeared, and scholars say that we are closer to the end of times. In this situation, it is our duty to adhere to the fundamentals of our Deen. We need to remind ourselves of the essence of the pillars of our faith, so that we can reconnect with the true meaning of Iman in our hearts and so that our actions reflect this Iman, insha’Allah. Most of us are familiar with “the Hadith of Jibreel” where Jibreel AS came to Rasul Allah SAW and asked him several questions in order to teach us our deen. In this Hadith, Rasul Allah SAW explained the essence of Iman: “Iman is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and to believe in destiny, its good and its evil.” (The complete hadith can be found at the beginning of this issue.) Scholars explain that “Islam” is the most basic level of our deen where we do the obligatory rituals, like salah, Noor Magazine II 2021 | 13

sawm, zakat, and Hajj. These rituals are an outward practice. This is the first dimension of Islam and can be thought of as a horizontal line. Some people can be Muslims, by virtue of doing these outward rituals. They simply go through the physical motions, but the essence of these rituals doesn’t penetrate their hearts.

in the Hereafter. So the basis of our faith, as a whole, is first rooted in the belief in One Allah, who is the Lord of the worlds. In order to be rewarded for any form of worship, we have to first make sure that our faith in Allah and His Oneness is strong and sincere.

Belief in the Angels

The next dimension is “Iman”, and can Right after the belief in Allah comes the be viewed as a vertical line. This Iman belief in the Angels. Angels are a form of connects a person with his Creator. Iman spiritual beings created by Allah to perform is the dimension that helps us understand various assigned duties. They are bound why we do what we do in Islam. One of to obey the commands of Allah. Unlike the translations of the word Iman means human beings, they have not been given to make oneself safe or secure. So this the choice to do either right or wrong. They are all worshippers Iman is an anchoring of Allah. In fact, element in the human Everyone will be raised millions of angels are experience, and lack again to life from their worshipping Allah all of faith is something that creates trouble graves to face judgement the time. According to and turbulence within on the Day of Resurrection, our belief, the operation and maintenance of human mind. regardless of whether they the whole Universe, were burnt into ashes, Belief in Allah including our world, All of us are born with is maintained and lost in the open space, the fitra that recognizes mummified or buried in the controlled by Allah our Creator, the One through His Angels. soil or the sea. Allah. Belief in our Creator, who knows Angels have very everything and Who has the power over important functions and duties in our all creation, is the most important and lives as well. Although they are invisible fundamental belief in our deen. So our to the human eye, we are continually fitra will bring us to our Creator, but it’s accompanied, watched over, and blessed the revelation (Qur’an and Sunnah) that by the presence of angels. Allah has will give us the details and purpose of our appointed angels to record everything existence. If we seriously ponder on both that we do, and He will call us to account our surroundings and our own existence for our actions in the Hereafter. On the then we will have no doubt in the existence Day of Judgement, the angels recording of Allah SWT. Without having this firm a person’s deeds (the Noble Scribes) will faith in the existence of Allah, we cannot be present, to give each person his or her have faith in His angels, His prophets, own book of deeds. His books, Divine Destiny, or even faith 14 | Noor Magazine II 2021

It is extremely important for us to have a real connection with angels in our daily lives, be aware of their existence around us and realize how involved they are with us all the time. They protect us when we say certain daily adhkar and they make dua for us when they see us worshipping Allah SWT. We need to have this close connection with the angels as another way of being closer to Allah SWT, knowing Him, His Power, His Lordship.

Belief in the Holy Books

The whole of the universe is full of Allah’s signs. His signs are in His creation, from the millions of living species of plants and animals, to the vast constellations of stars and suns and all sorts of things in the heavens. Then there are the written signs of Allah, which are also pointers towards the Creator. So, whether these signs are in the creation or whether they are the verses that are revealed to the Prophets, they all point to the One and Only Allah. The Divine Books are really collections of those statements, those wonderful verses, that came from Allah through Jibreel AS to the various Prophets peace be upon them all. The revelations were sent down as guidance and enlightenment for His slaves, and later gathered into a compilation of written scripts. They are also known as the sacred books. Faith in the sacred books means believing that the scripts are the divine revelation sent to the Messengers, and that the content of these books, as they were revealed to the Messengers, is both genuine and accurate. The sacred scriptures that we know about are the Psalms to David, Torah to

Moses, Bible to Jesus, and the Qur’an to Muhammad, peace be upon them all. There were some scrolls that were sent to Abraham as well. Our faith in the books revealed by Allah entails that we wholeheartedly believe that there have been holy scriptures that were sent from Allah to various messengers at different points in time throughout human history. These various holy books were a source of guidance to the people of that time as well as a test to see if people could protect them from changes being made to them. They were life manuals sent to humans from their Creator. Belief in the sacred books is one of the conditions of faith, and the most reliable sources of reference regarding the sacred books is, of course, the Holy Qur’an.

Belief in the Messengers

We believe thatAllah chose to communicate and to talk to His people, us, through His revelations which He sent to us through the best of human beings. The Messengers of Allah, peace be upon them all, were highly respectable, blessed human beings who conveyed the messages of Allah, including His commands and prohibitions, to their people and invited them to faith. All the Prophets, each one chosen and sent by Allah, were very intelligent, righteous, trustworthy, and infallible individuals that were guided and protected by Allah from the evil of committing sins or going astray. Human beings are born with a natural instinct to look up to others and have role models. So Allah, who made us with this instinct in the first place, sent us teachers who are the best of the best. Prophets model for us ways to worship our Creator and to have better character. Allah sent Messengers so that we would not have Noor Magazine II 2021 | 15

any excuse for not living faithful lives, and we would have inspiring life examples to follow and learn from. In the course of the long human history, Allah bestowed the duty of prophethood first on Adam AS, the first man He created as His Khalifah on Earth. The line of prophethood then continued throughout the ages with the various messengers and prophets who were sent as guides to their own people, ending with prophet Muhammad SAW, who is the last Messenger of Allah, sent to all humanity to come until the last day. All the prophets came with the same essentials of faith, including belief in the existence and unity of Allah, divine destiny, the world’s final destruction, resurrection and final judgement in the Hereafter. Every prophet preached and promoted goodness, truthfulness, and excellence, and condemned evil. They endured great difficulties during their tasks of calling people to believe in One Allah while also 16 | Noor Magazine II 2021

ensuring that their people were steadfast and ever continuing on the path of true faith. They faced the hardest of tests from Allah that any human being would face. We must show love for Allah’s messengers, hold them in high esteem and adequately praise them for delivering Allah’s message to their people and giving them good counsel.

Belief in the Last Day and the Hereafter

The objective in this world is to achieve a successful eternal life after death, therefore denial of eternal life means thinking that this world has no true purpose. On the Day of Judgement, Allah SWT will hold us accountable for the deeds we have committed in this world. Without the resurrection and the following Divine Judgement, neither good nor evil would receive their just and full recompense in this transient world. For this reason, belief in the Hereafter is not only a pillar of faith, but also one of the most basic foundations

of morality and a sound social life. Allah revealed to all the previous communities through the messengers, that there will be a resurrection and everlasting life for both the people of Paradise and the people of Hellfire. Every community was cautioned that there will be judgement following the resurrection and that the believers’ righteous deeds will certainly be rewarded with the eternal life of Paradise. We should keep in mind the fact that life does not end at death and that the life of this world is transient. Everyone will be raised again to life from their graves to face judgement on the Day of Resurrection, regardless of whether they were burnt into ashes, lost in the open space, mummified or buried in the soil or the sea. Allah says in Surah Ale Imran 3:185 “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your (full) compensation on the Day of Resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise has attained (his desire). And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion.”

Belief in the Divine Decree

Belief in divine destiny and decree is directly linked with Tawheed and the divine attributes of Knowledge, Will, and Power of Allah. This sixth and last article of Islamic faith means our belief that everything good or bad, all moments of happiness or sorrow, pleasure or pain, gain or loss, come from Allah SWT, through His Wisdom and for a purpose. Human beings are created in the best pattern and raised to the highest level in the hierarchy of creation. We are sent to this world equipped with consciousness and willpower, along with responsibilities towards our Creator, towards our own

selves, and towards other living and non living beings. We sow the seeds during our lives here on the earth in order to get the benefits in this world and the next. Therefore, the promise of prosperity in both this world and the next is to those who not only keep their duties to Allah and avoid evil out of taqwa, but also exert continuous effort in this world in conformity with the laws of Allah’s creation and maintenance of the universe and the laws He has established for life. It is Allah Himself who established what action brings about what result, and humanity cannot escape from this framework that He has created. When a person realizes that all things are under the control and decree of Allah SWT, he is freeing his belief from any form of shirk or associating partners with Allah in His Lordship. There is truly only One Creator and Master of this creation. Nothing occurs except by His Will and Permission. A person then puts his reliance upon Allah. With proper belief in al-Qadr, one does not become arrogant and boastful. Proper belief in al-Qadr also brings about tranquility and peace of mind. The person realizes that everything that occurs is according to Allah’s Divine decree. Belief in al-Qadr gives a person strength and courage to face the realities. He knows that Allah has recorded his life and his sustenance for him. Belief in Divine destiny makes us positive and proactive Muslims. In conclusion, all the six pillars of Iman are there to strongly connect us with Allah SWT. We have to continually go back to the basics, study them repeatedly, in order to strengthen our Iman, be Momin with a clear vision, goal and steps for action in our lives, Insha’Allah. v Noor Magazine II 2021 | 17

- Mindful Minutes -

Health is a System By Zoha Qureshi

Take for example, the fairly well-known connection between physical and mental health. Long term stress can cause all sorts of physical illnesses; infertility, heart disease, GI issues, and the list goes on. When mental health deteriorates, there are often clear physical signs. For a lot of people who aren’t aware of their mental health, physical symptoms are the only thing that have them reaching out for help.

conditions mimic mental health disorders. Even if the deficiencies or illness aren’t the root cause for a mental health issue, they greatly impact them. After blood tests, we discuss sleep, nutrition, and exercise. These are key in long term mental health care. Take, for example, the word hangry. When your blood sugar is low you aren’t able to emotionally regulate because there is a lack of a basic need. What we put into our bodies matters as well. There are nutrients your body needs to function optimally. If some of these are missing, all the therapy in the world may not be enough to overcome that core issue, although it might make you realize you need a better diet. Sleep deprivation, or even just a really bad sleep schedule, does the same thing. If your body is unable to physically regulate it is definitely not going to be able to emotionally regulate.

In the same way, mental health is also connected to physical health. One of the first things I have clients do is get blood tests done. Vitamin D and magnesium deficiency can mimic and exacerbate mood and anxiety disorders. Certain hormone

An important aspect of wellness that is often overlooked, especially in Western academic circles, is the soul. For Muslims the soul is essentially our faith and spirituality. In my experience, it is a significant part of mental health and

llah SWT has created the world in interacting systems. We begin learning about this when we learn the water cycle and respiration. Nature is a series of interconnected processes. Knowing this, somehow, we as people have still managed to separate 3 very interconnected systems: mind, body and soul.

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therefore physical health as well. We often hear Iman talked about as a roller coaster. There are good days and there are bad days. We talk about mental health like this as well. There is a strong link with how we are spiritually and how we are mentally. This isn’t to say that mental health struggles are always caused by problems of spirituality. Rather, that spirituality is an important part of self-care within mental health. This makes sense. Allah SWT created us, so worshipping Him is part and parcel of maintaining our wellbeing. We can use Islamic concepts as coping skills. Dhikr can be used as a tool for grounding, keeping yourself in the moment. The Qur’an can be used for positive self-talk or as a soothing relaxation technique. Also, what is prayer if not meditation? In the mental health field, there is a huge discussion about rest and taking breaks from the everyday grind. Allah SWT has already built this into our faith. It’s just a matter of how we look at it. The components to good mental health

are the same as those of good spiritual health and physical health. We need to practice self-care in all three areas in order to be healthy. There will always be fluctuations, because life is not perfect, but mild fluctuations are manageable. In this dunya, where we know not to expect perfection, it is enough for us to aim for something manageable. v -- Note -Anything I have said is meant for general audience and is not aimed towards people with severe or specific mental health concerns. Please reach out to an appropriate licensed therapist if you have specific concerns about your mental health or are feeling helpless. Zoha Qureshi is a peer counselor based out of Oklahoma. She has a Bachelor’s in Family Life Education and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. She has served in several capacities in Young Muslim sisters and actively works in her local community. Zoha utilizes Instagram (@muslimgirltherapy) to destigmatize mental health and normalize being a hot mess. Noor Magazine II 2021 | 19

- Brain Games -

crossword puzzle Directions: Use the clues to fill in the words above. Words can go across or down. Letters are shared when the words intersect.

ACROSS 2. Surah name of pilgrimage 6. Our intentions have to be ________ while going for Hajj 7. Umrah is also known as a ________ pilgrimage 9. Hajj is not only spiritually, but also _______________ exerting oneself and fulfilling the duties

DOWN 1. Visiting the city of Prophet SAW is part of Hajj (True/False) 3. Hajj is mandatory on those who have wealth and ___________ 4. The prophet whose rituals are followed in Hajj 5. A perfect Hajj leads to one’s sins being ______________ 6. Hajj is one of the __________ of Islam 8. The day that the Prophet SAW gave the last sermon

Shattering the Glamour By Reconnecting with Allah SWT By: Umaymah Shahid

ur day to day routine often becomes monotonous, habitual, and distanced from much purpose and thought. Wake up, get ready for the day, work/school/ take care of the kids, make lunch/dinner, eat, catch up on social media, finish up any impending tasks, go to bed. Rinse and repeat. Include our prayers into the routine and they merely become 5 minute stopping points and a rush back to the same old routine. Recitation of the Qur’an might come up here and there but overall we seldom have time to ponder and reflect on our relationship with Allah and work on it. We are lost in the routine of this life and what we can achieve in this world. We strive for the best job, the best pay, the best classes, the best car, the best behaving children

Some words are in Arabic - Answers can be found on page 39

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the best body, and the list goes on and Allah tells us clearly in the Qur’an, “Know on. However, we barely give a moment’s that the life of this world is only play and thought to how we can put more effort into amusement, pomp and mutual boasting making the best Hereafter. The irony is among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth that we spend such great amounts of time and children, as the likeness of vegetation striving for that which we are unsure of-- after rain, thereof the growth is pleasing to our career, our house, our children--yet, the tiller; afterwards it dries up and you see despite knowing that we will all die, we it turning yellow; then it becomes straw. often do not put our best foot forward in But in the Hereafter (there is) a severe order to be fully prepared for our everlasting torment (for the disbelievers, evil-doers), home. If you tell someone to do an extra and (there is) Forgiveness from Allah and credit assignment (His) Good Pleasure to guarantee an (for the believers, goodA+ in a class, they “We are lost in the routine doers), whereas the life will sacrifice sleep, of this world is only a of this life and what we can food, and their deceiving enjoyment“. achieve in this world. We social life for that A+. [57:20] strive for the best job, the However, if you ask someone to pray best pay, the best classes, the This world is merely their sunnah prayers best car, the best behaving play and amusement. or make wudu All the glamor will end children, the best body, and before sleeping to just like vegetation after the list goes on and on.” ensure extra reward it has been harvested. they will drag their Everything in this feet and think of a world is temporary hundred better things to do. SubhanAllah. while the Hereafter is eternal. When we reconnect with Allah SWT and develop The question then arises: why are we an intimate relationship with our Creator, distracted by this Dunya when we know our perspective of this world shifts and we that it is temporary and that our real abode are able to see through the glamor of this lies in the Hereafter? Do we not believe world and strive for the eternal instead of in Allah SWT? Do we not have Iman in the temporary. That does not mean we our hearts and desire that which is in the give up that which is in this world, but Hereafter? The answer is we do believe, we do not make it our only goal, and our but we are not committed. We have let energy and time, instead, goes into the our Iman and connection with Allah SWT pursuit of what gives Allah pleasure. lie stagnant, have not fed it or nourished it, and instead have focused on feeding To break through the glamor of this world, our nafs. The only way we will shatter the to draw closer to Allah SWT and to have glamor of this world and our obsession a blessed eternal abode, we must return with attaining it is by reconnecting with the attention of our hearts to the Creator. Allah SWT from the core of our being. While there are numerous ways to reconnect with Allah and strengthen our 22 | Noor Magazine II 2021

relationship with our Creator, the focus of this article is on our remembrance of Him Az-Wajal. Allah states in multiple places in the Qur’an: “O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance. And exalt Him morning and afternoon.” (33: 41-42) “Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], ‘Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’” (3:191) “Such are the ones who believe (in the message of the Prophet) and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in Allah’s remembrance do hearts find rest.” (13:28) All of these verses remind the believers that true success, the tranquility of the heart, and and refocus on the Hereafter lie in the remembrance of Allah SWT. The reason our nafs has fallen prey to the glamor of this world is because our hearts, minds, and tongues have ceased the remembrance of Allah SWT. The remembrance of Allah SWT shifts our focus from the day to day frivolities of this world and allows us to reconnect on a deeper level to our Creator. When we remember Allah SWT we do that which pleases Him, we are reminded of His Majesty, Lordship, Forgiveness, Mercy, Love, Guardianship, Justice, and such. We are always aware of the bounties He has bestowed upon us and every action and thought we bring forth is with His pleasure in mind. Take a moment to think about an object,

person, idea that you are always thinking about. When you have to take an exam, your entire mind, body, and soul is thinking about the exam. Your eating, sleeping, state of being changes as you prepare for this exam. A friend or family member could look at you and notice your preoccupation. Similarly, if you are always thinking about your spouse, you will sleep later to spend time with him, you will wait till he comes home to eat with him, you will do activities together that will give pleasure to the both of you, and you will cook what is pleasing to him and yourself. Your love for your spouse will show in the conversations you have with your friends, in the pictures you post, or perhaps in the way you dress or manage your time. Our remembrance of Allah should be greater than anything in our life. Our spouses, our jobs, our children, our education, all should be a means to draw closer to Allah SWT, but ultimately we need to reevaluate and build our oneon-one connection with Allah. Our minds should always be on Him SWT. We should remember Him constantly so that our actions reflect it, our conversations reflect it, our prayers reflect it, our dealings with others reflect it, our personalities reflect it. It is in Allah’s remembrance that hearts find rest because, through the remembrance, we are reminded of Allah’s Will, His Guardianship over us and that He will never abandon His slaves. Through His remembrance, we are reminded of how we trust our affairs to Him, just as Ibrahim AS trusted Allah, who would not allow the fire to burn him or how the angels were sent to help the Muslims in the Battle of Badr. We are reminded that Allah will never abandon Noor Magazine II 2021 | 23

us, and through our remembrance of Him we will draw closer to His love. A beautiful Hadith of the Prophet SAW demonstrates this reciprocated love between Allah and His believing servants: Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger SAW as saying that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, thus stated: “I am near to the thought of My servant as he thinks about Me, and I am with him as he remembers Me. And if he remembers Me in his heart, I also remember him in My Heart, and if he remembers Me in assembly I remember him in assembly, better than his (remembrance), and if he draws near Me by the span of a palm, I draw near him by the cubit, and if he draws near Me by the cubit I draw near him by the space (covered by) two hands. And if he walks towards Me, I rush towards him.” (Sahih Muslim) SubhanAllah! Such is the beauty and depth of Allah’s love for us. From the Hadith of the Prophet SAW we get various narrations about the importance of remembering Allah SWT. A very chilling hadith is where Abu Musa reported Allah’s Apostle SAW as saying: “The house in which remembrance of Allah is made and the house in which Allah is not remembered are like the living and the dead.” (Sahih Muslim). This is where we stop and ponder over how much Allah is remembered in our homes. Ramadan is a time where we remember Allah night and day. However, after Ramadan and before Ramadan are our houses of the living or the dead? Are our houses and gatherings the ones which the Prophet SAW says, “When a group of people assemble for 24 | Noor Magazine II 2021

the remembrance of Allah, the angels surround them (with their wings), (Allah’s) mercy envelops them, Sakinah, or tranquility descends upon them and Allah makes a mention of them before those who are near Him.” (Muslim)? Are our gatherings and homes alive or dead? Truly ponder over this, because a house or any gathering in which Allah is not remembered is devoid of His blessings and Mercy. To increase that which is blessed in our homes and gatherings we must increase our remembrance of Allah SWT so how we deal with those in our homes, how we speak in our gatherings are a reflection of the place Allah holds in our hearts. The Prophet SAW mentions in a hadith that the best, purest, and most beloved of deed to Allah SWT is His remembrance (At-Tirmidhi). The remembrance of Allah helps the believers shatter the glamor of this world--the play, amusement, pomp, boasting, and rivalry of wealth and children because it reminds the believers that everything they have is from Allah, a trust from Him SWT, and it is our duty to take what He has given us and utilize it towards securing our Hereafter. When we remember Allah SWT and increase our remembrance of Him in our homes, our gatherings, our day to day routine, our salah, our Qur’an, our relationships with others, Allah will bless us and increase us in everything that is good. We would cease to have to strive and be devoid of His blessings, instead we would rise in rank in Allah’s eyes and insha’Allah be amongst those who are rewarded with Jannah-tul-Firdaws. Ameen! v

- Cook’s Corner -

Classic French Toast Ingredients:

6 thick slices bread 2 eggs 2/3 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract A pinch salt ground cinnamon and powdered sugar for sprinkling any fruit for garnish

Directions:

1. Beat together egg, milk, salt, desired spices and vanilla. 2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. 3. Dunk each slice of bread in egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place in pan, and cook on both sides until golden. 4. Sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar. Garnish with your choice of fruit. Serve hot.

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eartbreaks, depression, things falling apart, getting stuck in a storm, and tests being thrown upon you all at once; these things are common in every human’s life. When we face such things, many of us have the same thought: why me? Why does life have to be so difficult? Why are these hardships never ending? Why are we being continuously tested?

Hardships & Our Ways of Dealing With Them By: Laiba Akhtar

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so that we can earn a house for ourselves in Jannah. But the question arises, what should we do when we face hardship? When we are feeling heartbroken and life seems to be stuck in a place, when we face rejection or an unexpected situation, a moment that makes us fearful, a difficult decision, what should our reaction be? How can we use these hardships to our benefit?

Human nature which was originally made for Jannah, yearns for perfection in life. We Allah, the Most Merciful, has answered want a life without any heartbreaks, pain this question in Qur’an: “And we will or struggle. But such surely test you with a life is only present something of fear and in Jannah. We have hunger and a loss of “Sometimes, these to understand this fact wealth and lives and hardships can seem that this is not Jannah; fruits, but give good this is the dunya and we unbearable. They feel like tidings to the patient,” are here to fulfill some they are never-ending and (2:155). duties. When we fulfill it may seem that we are Here, all the reasons our duties, whether through our Ibadah, drowning in a sea of pain and situations of without anything to our relationships hardships have been with people, or our stated. Fear of failing, cling to.” responsibility of fear of rejection, fear of establishing the Deen future, fear of people, in our lives and around fear of trying something us, we will face hardships. Allah, the Most new, fear of taking the first step toward Merciful, has stated in Qur’an: our goal, fear of being unwanted, etc; these are all types of fear and they are “We have certainly created man into our tests. This test is an integral part of hardships,” (90: 4). our life. Hunger due to lack of food and money is also an unbearable situation for Struggle is in the foundation of this worldly humans. “Loss of wealth” includes not just life and we all have to go through it. These money but our health, chances of getting heartbreaks and pains play the role of “a further in life, our energy, our knowledge, means or a source” for us to reach our our five senses, our relationships, or destination and to fulfill our purpose in life. business dealings etc. Losing a loved one These hardships exist so that we can learn is also a test stated in this ayah. The word from them and get closer to Allah SWT. “fruits” describes all the blessings and gifts We have to go through pain in this world of Allah SWT. So, Allah has given us the Noor Magazine II 2021 | 27

“Sabr” is the answer to our question! How can we turn these hardships in our favor? Through Sabr. And what is Sabr? It is patiently believing that whatever is happening to us has been written in our fate by that Being who loves us more than seventy mothers. He tests us with these hardships so that we can strengthen our relationship with Him. And ultimately, we can get Paradise as a reward. These trials are there so that we can save ourselves from the Hellfire. We have to also believe that this is how Allah SWT is showing His infinite mercy to us. In the Qur’an, Allah SWT has stated repeatedly that He has loosened the reins of the people who are doing wrong with their own selves and Hell is being prepared for them. So, let’s think for a minute. We keep on doing wrong with ourselves in this life and then in the Hereafter we come to know that we are also in this category. What will we be able to do then? We will be in an utterly miserable situation! Allah SWT has stated in the Qur’an that you can’t reach Paradise until you have been tested. When we start believing that these hardships are also a way of Him showing mercy to us, we will become patient during our hardships and that will lead us to Jannah, to our true home. Sometimes, these hardships can seem unbearable. They feel like they are neverending and it may seem that we are drowning in a sea of pain without anything to cling to. What should we do then? Allah, the Most Knowing, knows about this human psyche so He has stated the solution in 28 | Noor Magazine II 2021

the Qur’an: “So, undoubtedly, along with these hardships there is ease. Undoubtedly, along with hardships there is ease. So, when you are free, toil hard in worship. And towards your Lord turn with eagerness.” (94:5-8) In these verses, Allah SWT has stated the true nature of this worldly life. Along these hardships, there is ease. No moment in this world is of pure agony or of pure happiness. Imperfection is in the base of this world so no moment is perfect or pure in life. It is now up to us to observe or think about a specific moment. If our mind remains focused on agony and keeps on getting bitter, then those hardships will create tiredness. But if we focus on the gifts and the ease bestowed upon us by Allah SWT during that bitter situation, our heart will start healing and we will get the energy to bear these hardships. Another interesting fact here is that with one hardship, Allah SWT will bestow double easiness on us, in this world and in the next. With these verses, Allah SWT also has stated the universal rule: worship Him and come and fix your relationship with Him. Turn to your Allah with a heart full of eagerness, not bitterness. v

“Difficult times are meant to bring you closer to Allah SWT. So if you’re having a rough day or tough month, BE CALM. Let His plan unfold.” -Mufti Ismail Menk-

SANTA CLARA » Welcome Ramadan programs were held in English and Urdu on March 11th and March 12th. » Journey Through the Qur’an programs in English and Urdu started on March 15th and ended on the 20th of Ramadan. PENNSYLVANIA » MCNA had a program based on stories. 30 children and 2 teachers participated. » Allentown unit prepared 60-70 meal boxes on a weekly basis and provided them to needy people through a soup kitchen. » A weekly English program following the WhyIslam Syllabus was started by the revert sisters’ group, with the guidance of WhyIslam and Gain Peace.

Step by Step

whole list and in the end He says, “give good tidings to the patient!”

SOUTH BOSTON (NEW ENGLAND) » Two Welcome Ramadan programs were held, one for MCNA and one for member and non-member sisters. » Some furniture, clothes, and items of daily need were distributed among needy people through Helping Hand. » Ramadan mugs and bookmarks from WhyIslam and GainPeace were distributed as gifts to non-Muslim neighbors NEW YORK » Welcome Ramadan programs were held on the borough level; a good number of sisters attended these programs. » Journey Through the Qur’an programs in both English and Urdu began in the second week of March at the borough level. Between 60-300 sisters attended. » Journey Through the Qur’an programs were also held in the month of April by MCNA. » WhyIslam and GainPeace held various virtual gatherings. One was for “World Hijab Day” and another about “Women in Islam”. Also to honor Black History Month there was a program about “Black Muslim Heroes.” Programs were enlivened through the inclusion of games like Kahoot. » Sisters ordered mugs, bookmarks, and greeting cards through WhyIslam to give as a gift to neighbors. » On March 17th, the ICNA Council of Social Justice held a fundraiser in New York on the topic of “We, the People”. » ICNA Relief held a virtual fundraiser in collaboration with the brothers. Food boxes were prepared at different locations in New York City to distribute among the needy. MCNA children also participated in preparing food boxes. HOUSTON » In March, two Welcome Ramadan programs were held in English and Urdu. 300 sisters attended the Urdu program and 90 sisters attended the English Program. » Three Urdu and two English Journey Through the Quran were held in Ramadan and were well attended. Noor Magazine II 2021 | 29

» WhyIslam and MCNA had programs on “World Hijab Day” and “Black History Month”. WhyIslam also posted awareness videos and flyers on social media about “World Hijab Day”. DALLAS » In Dallas, WhyIslam celebrated “World Hijab Day” in a library and had an Islam Awareness week at SMU and 5 libraries, and sent gifts to the libraries also. » 500 WhyIslam mugs were distributed among school staff. » An art and craft and speech competition for children was organized by MCNA. » ICNA Sisters collected and distributed blankets to homeless people with the help of brothers. » ICNA Relief collected $20,000 in fundraising. The money went towards a free pharmacy and assisting refugees. VIRGINIA » ICNA Relief sisters helped Covid affected families by getting groceries. » WhyIslam held a program for World Hijab Day in the Fairfax County public libraries. Programs were held in collaboration with interfaith groups. WhyIslam and Gain Peace gifted 360 mugs to the staff. » Interfaith and Chaplain meetings to help the community are being held on Zoom. » MCNA and YMj children collected funds for ICNA Relief and Dawah Mug Project. Ramadan Food baskets were prepared for the needy and $4,770 were collected to sponsor them. » Welcome Ramadan programs were held, which 70 sisters attended. » Journey Through the Quran programs in English and Urdu started in March. SOUTH REGION » In Charlotte, a special weekly program titled “O you who believe,” started on Zoom in January. Around 20-25 sisters attend this program. » Welcome Ramadan program was held on March 18th. » Journey Through the Quran Programs started on March 22nd, around 20-25 sisters attended. FLORIDA » In Florida, a special weekly program named “O you who believe,” started on Zoom. » WhyISlam held Virtual Dawah programs with revert sisters called ”Virtual Coffee”. They introduced the WhyIslam mugs at some local shops and sold them to gift non- Muslims and neighbors. OKLAHOMA » In Oklahoma, 20 winter jackets were given in a local shelter home. 60 shirts with a WhyIslam logo were also given. » Welcome Ramadan programs were held in English and Urdu. » Journey Through the Quran took place with 40-60 sisters attending. AUSTIN » ICNA Relief sisters prepared Ramadan food baskets for the needy. 30 | Noor Magazine II 2021

» Dawah mugs and brochures were introduced in the community and 120 mugs were ordered. » Urdu Welcome Ramadan program was held with Oklahoma and English program was held with the Region. » A combined Journey Through the Quran also took place. ATLANTA » MCNA held programs for refugee children. $900 funds are provided to help refugees on a monthly basis. » Funds were collected for the month of Ramadan and food boxes were provided to the needy. WEST REGION » Two Welcome Ramadan programs were held in Seattle; around 80 sisters attended. » 120 children attended a Seerah program held by MCNA. » YMj and MCNA held workshops on “Mind, Body, and Soul.” Attendance were 60-200. » Sisters arranged to provide food to shelters every 15 days. In February, a dinner was arranged voluntarily. In March, food was provided to homeless people through “Mercy on Wheels Catering Food”. ALASKA » In Alaska, weekly Shahada classes are being held for the revert sisters, and revert sisters are assigned mentors in the community as well. » Recently MCNA subchapter was established and held a Welcome Ramadan program. ARIZONA » In Arizona, the outreach department started a new halaqa and held a Welcome Ramadan program. » MCNA held a talent show. SAN DIEGO » In San Diego, Outreach started 2 new courses and held a Welcome Ramadan program as well. » WhyIslam distributed gift bags that had prayer rugs, counters, mugs, and bookmarks in them SAN FERNANDO VALLEY » Food bags and sports clothes were distributed at 4 different events. » Seerah course and Welcome Ramadan programs were held. » A spring course began on the topic “Quran, the Miracle in Our Midst” NORTH CENTRAL REGION » Multiple Journey Through the Quran programs took place; three were in Urdu and one in English. » WhyIslam mugs, and bookmarks were distributed.

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What is Success?

Paving the Path to Success By: Attiya Arif, Dallas

How is success defined, and what are the parameters to measure it? The definition of success as given by Merriam-Webster is the “attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence.” History reveals that the standards of success have been everevolving over time, and have varied from individual to individual. So, it would not be too far from the truth to say that success for different individuals is more of what brings them satisfaction. Therefore, everyone defines success based on their own parameters, inclinations, likes, and dislikes. It is a common observation that success has oftentimes been measured by wealth, power, authority, fame, and status. However, the “Success Project Survey” conducted by Strayer University, suggests a shift in this mindset. The results of this survey show that out of the 2,011 Americans surveyed, 90% believe that success is more about happiness than power, possessions, and prestige. Out of these, 67% associate success with achieving personal goals, 66% view success as having good relations with friends and family, and 60% say that success to them means loving what they do for a living. While we do see a shift in the mindset here, however, 1 out of 5 Americans who were surveyed, still felt that for them, monetary wealth is what defines success. Therefore, wealth still holds a strong association with success in the American population.

How Does the Qur’an Define Success?

What are the parameters of success given in the divine scripture? The word 32 | Noor Magazine II 2021

‫الفَو ُز‬

and used for success in Arabic is according to the Hans Wehr dictionary, it is defined as the state of being liberated, an attainment, an achievement, a victory, to cross or travel through the desert. Allah SWT says in the Quran, “…For those who believe and do good deeds, there will be Gardens graced with flowing streams: that is the great triumph.” (85:11)

‫الصلِ ٰح ِت‬ ّٰ ‫اِنَّ الَّ ِذي َن اٰ َم ُنوا َو َع ِملُوا‬ ‫لَ ُهم َج ّٰن ٌت تَج ِرى ِمن تَح ِت َها االَن ٰه ُر‬ ‫ٰذلِ َك الفَو ُز الكَ ِب ُري‬

Success here is referred to as the attainment of the Gardens of Paradise. This attainment is going to be through belief and good deeds, both of which are to be executed in the life of this world. Hence true success will be attained in the afterlife, but the effort for it is to be exerted in this life. Perhaps that’s one of is depicted as the reasons for which travelling through a desert; it reflects the hardship one faces journeying through this world with steadfastness, while striving to earn the success of the next world.

‫الفَو ُز‬

All the aforementioned factors; wealth, power, status, job, goals, relationships, have a role in it. A believer, when using these factors, always keeps his focus on the success of the hereafter. He views these factors as the means to reaching his final destination and not the final destination itself. The Divine Guidance provides for him the roadmap, outlining the major steps and milestones needed to successfully arrive at this destination. Noor Magazine II 2021 | 33

It serves as a communication tool and a high-level document that helps keep his intentions guided in the right direction throughout this journey. Let’s analyze these factors one by one through the prism of Divine Guidance.

Wealth

As mentioned earlier, 1 out of 5 view success to be associated with wealth. According to the divine perspective, having abundance in wealth is not a sign of success nor is lack of wealth a sign of failure, and vice versa. Wealth is not bad in and of itself if earned through permissible means. What is harmful is being enslaved and overly preoccupied with it, especially in this consumer-driven world. Imam Ibn al-Qayyim has explained it as, “When there is money in your hands and not in your heart, it will not harm you even if it is a lot; and when it is in your heart, it will harm you even if there is none in your hands.” The key is to understand the purpose and the relationship between the bestower and the one receiving it. The bestower, the Almighty, tests humans with abundance and with scarcity. He grants to some and takes away from others, making it a means of testing both; to see if they are patient and if they are able to recognize the rights of others in what has been granted to them. Allah SWT says, “Your possessions and your offspring are nothing but a trial for you. And there awaits a great reward for you with Allah.” (8:28) Having the right mindset is the key; to take it as the means and not the end. It can help us spend it in ways that are permissible and pleasing to Allah: providing for the family, feeding the hungry, fulfilling the needs of the needy, etc. Allah SWT says, “The most pious one will be spared…who gives his wealth 34 | Noor Magazine II 2021

away as self-purification, not to return a favor to anyone, but for the sake of his Lord the Most-High.” (92:17-20)

Power and Authority

Everyone has been given some sort of power and authority within the different spheres of their life. We find this in the well-known hadith of Abdullah ibn Umar RA who reported: The Messenger of Allah SAW said, “Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects. A man is the guardian of his family and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children and she is responsible for them. The servant of a man is a guardian of the property of his master and he is responsible for it. No doubt, every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” [Bukhari] This guardianship comes with some power and authority - power not in the form of privilege, but in the form of responsibility. Successful is the one who is mindful of Allah SWT while fulfilling this responsibility. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah RA that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: “The strong man is not the one who wrestles others; rather, the strong man is the one who controls himself at times of anger.” [Muslim] Therefore, the true power of a believer is not in his ability to subjugate fellow humans but in his ability to subjugate his own nafs, his desires, and his free will; bringing it to terms with the divine guidance. Allah SWT says, “By the soul and how He formed it, and inspired it [to know] its own rebellion and piety, the one who purifies his soul succeeds and the one who corrupts it fails.” (91:7-10)

‫َونَف ٍْس َو َما َس َّو ٰى َها َفأَلْ َه َم َها ُف ُجو َر َها‬ ‫َوتَ ْق َو ٰى َها َق ْد أَ ْفل ََح َمن َزكَّ ٰى َها َو َق ْد‬ ‫َاب َمن َد َّس ٰى َها‬ َ ‫خ‬

Believing in Allah SWT and His Rasool, emulating the character of His Rasool, submitting to the commands and prohibitions of His religion and of His Book, being mindful of Him through the day-to-day interactions and affairs, is indeed where the true strength and power of a believer lies. Allah SWT reminds us that, “On the day when secrets are laid bare, he [man] will have no power and no one to help him.” (86:9-10) On that day power will belong only to Allah SWT. Even today and every day, power belongs to Allah SWT, but the time in this world has been granted to us so that He may test us on how we use this limited power to make choices: as a parent, as a child, as a spouse, a teacher, a community leader. These very choices will define our success versus failure in the Hereafter. May Allah SWT keep us guided on the straight path, Ameen.

Fame and Status

The Prophet SAW was one day busy in addressing a group of prominent leaders from the tribe of Quraysh hoping that their accepting Islam will influence a large number of their people to turn to Islam too. While doing so, a blind man named ‘Abdallah ibn Umm Maktum interrupted him, seeking his attention and asking to talk to him. The Prophet SAW felt disturbed by this. He ignored the blind man and continued his conversation with the Makkan elites. At this point

Allah SWT revealed, “He [Muhammad] frowned and turned away when the blind man came towards him. But how would you [Muhammad] know that he might not be reformed, or that he might not take heed and benefit from your admonition?” (80:1-4) The Prophet SAW acknowledged this reprimanding from Allah SWT and thereafter was very careful. He SAW has also been reported to have said: “Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.” [Muslim] Having fame and status in and of itself is not a marker of success. The way this fame is used to influence people is what defines success. History is filled with such examples and we find a clear-cut difference between the influence of Prophet Muhammad SAW and that of Abu Jahl, between the influence of Musa AS and that of the Pharaoh. In relation to influence and fame, another measure of success that has stepped in over the past few years and continues to grow at an alarmingly fast pace is social media following. The desire to be known through the virtual world has rapidly increased and has become a prominent marker of success, measured by the amount of popularity, friends and followers, likes and dislikes one has gained. This is not something new and going back to the time of the Prophet SAW, we see that when the Prophet SAW’s second son passed away, Abu Lahab, one of his staunchest opponents hastened to the pagans and gave them the “good news”: “Muhammad has become childless this night, and he is cut off from the root.” But Allah SWT revealed, “We have truly given abundance to you [Prophet] – so pray to your Lord and make sacrifice to Noor Magazine II 2021 | 35

Him alone – it is the one who hates you who has been cut-off.” (108:1-3) Success in the eyes of Allah is not measured by fame, followers, posterity, or popularity. The one who is popular in reality is the one who is popular among the inhabitants of the heavens. Because Allah SWT has announced His love for him, Jibrael has announced his love for him and so have all the angels residing in the heavens. This indeed is the fame worth striving for.

Achieving Personal Goals

In a hadith in Sahih Muslim, it is narrated how the first people to be thrown into the Hellfire will be the ones who did good deeds in this world (such as fighting for Allah’s cause, learning and reciting Qur’an, and spending on others), but with the intention of achieving fame among people. This shows the importance of intention and gratitude, both of which need to be directed towards Allah SWT. While striving to achieve personal goals, keeping the ultimate goal in mind is important, reflecting and establishing a clear intention as to why a certain goal is being set. Whether the personal goal is to become a doctor, a teacher, or an engineer, the intention is the deciding factor which will lead to success or failure. If it is purified for the sake of Allah, it will become a means of attaining the ultimate success with the mercy of Allah. This applies not only to the bigger goals, but also to the littlest of things - maintaining a certain weight to keep up with the societal standards versus to fulfill the rights of my body, playing with my toddler to pass time versus developing a bond for a positive upbringing of my child. It can be literally applied to each and every area of life one can think of. Zayd ash-Shami said, “Verily 36 | Noor Magazine II 2021

I like that I have an intention for everything even if it be eating and drinking.” For achieving success through personal goals, it is important to align them with Divine Guidance as well as with the intention to please Allah SWT. An action done for any reason other than seeking the face of Allah will be of no benefit. In a hadith, it is mentioned that Allah SWT says, “I am the Most Self-Sufficient and I have no need for an associate. Thus, he who does an action for someone else’s sake as well as Mine will have that action renounced by Me to him whom he associated with Me.” [Ibn Majah] A scholar, Fudayl ibn ‘Iyadh said that an action, “If it is sincere and not correct then it is not accepted. And if it is correct and not sincere then it is not accepted. It is only accepted when it is both sincere and correct. And it is sincere when it is for the sake of Allah, and correct when it is done according to the Sunnah.”

Relationships

A person visited his brother in another town and Allah SWT deputed an angel to wait for him on his way. When he came to him, he asked him, ‘Where do you intend to go?’ He said, ‘I intend to go to my brother in this town.’ He asked, ‘Have you any right over him (for the recompense of which you go there)?’ He said, ‘No, nothing but I love him for the sake of Allah, the Glorious, the Majestic.’ The angel then disclosed to him, ‘I am a Messenger to you from Allah (to inform you) that Allah loves you as you love him (for His sake).’” [Muslim] We as humans are the building blocks of society and our survival is dependent on interacting with one another. While there is a great emphasis on upholding the ties

of kinship, keeping good relations extends beyond that to the whole community - as far as one has been given the ability to reach. Abu Bakr RA, even while being the first caliph of Islam, surrounded by the many challenges of his time, would make the effort to go and take care of the needs of a blind old lady, every single day; with no other intent than to fulfil the responsibility of the welfare of his people, that was designated to him by Allah SWT. He would clean her house and bake her bread, and sometimes these common acts of kindness are the ones that are neglected the most. Allah SWT says in Surah Al-Ma’un, “Did you see him… the one who repulses the orphans away, and urges not the feeding of the needy... and forbids common kindnesses.” All our relationships, whether within the circle of family, relatives, friends, or beyond, should be based on kindness, affection, support, goodwill, and benevolence – benevolence in terms of the needs of this world as well as that of the next, with the only intent to please Allah.

Conclusion

Whether it’s wealth, power, authority, relationships, or status; each of these factors can lead to success if used as a means to compete with each other in righteousness. Rather than acquiring and accumulating them, using them in accordance with Divine Guidance is what will lead to fulfillment and triumph. True fulfillment, happiness, and satisfaction can only be achieved by submission to a Higher Being. It is only submission to the One God that is capable of filling the inner void. Without this submission, no matter what amount of good work a person does, no matter what amount of happiness and

what state of joy they find themselves in, it is going to be transient and will eventually fade away. The good work done with the intention of pleasing Allah SWT is what will remain and bring true satisfaction in this world and everlasting joy, and success in the next. So we must make use of the time in this world to achieve the Greatest Triumph. For indeed time is the greatest treasure, and indeed one day, it will come to an end – the day when everything will perish and only the Lord of the Worlds will remain. “By the time! Lo! Man is in a state of loss; save those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and counsel each other to hold on to truth and counsel each other to be steadfast.” (103:1-3)

‫ُس‬ ٍ ْ ‫ِنس ٰـ َن لَ ِفى خ‬ ِ ْ ‫َوٱلْ َع‬ َ ‫ص إِنَّ ْٱل‬ ‫إِ َّل ٱلَّ ِذي َن َءا َم ُنوا َو َع ِملُوا‬ ‫ٱلص ٰـلِ َح ٰـ ِت َوتَ َو َاص ْوا بِٱلْ َح ِّق‬ َّ ‫ِٱلص ْ ِب‬ َّ ‫َوتَ َو َاص ْوا ب‬ It is those to whom it will be said,“You, soul at peace: return to your Lord well pleased and well pleasing; go in among My servants; and into My Garden.” (89:2730)

‫ْس ٱلْ ُمطْ َم ِئ َّن ُة‬ ُ ‫َي ٰـٓأَ َّي ُت َها ٱل َّنف‬ ‫ٱ ْرجِ ِع ٓى إِ َ ٰل َر ِّب ِك َر ِاض َي ًة َّم ْر ِض َّي ًة‬ ‫َفٱ ْدخ ُِل ِف ِع َب ٰـ ِدى َوٱ ْدخ ُِل َج َّن ِتى‬ Noor Magazine II 2021 | 37

Q&A ...because you asked...

Questions are answered by Shaykh Rizwan Ali

My husband is the primary breadwinner in the household. He has some savings, but unfortunately, he is careless about paying Zakah, even though I have urged him repeatedly. I have some property of my own, given to me by my parents when I was married, and I also have a part-time job. I try my best to give Zakah on what I consider my own. But I am worried about the money my husband has earned and saved. I am a joint owner according to bank documents, but I need him to be on board before spending any of that money, or I would simply pay the zakah from the account. In this situation, am I liable? If yes, please advise me what I can do. Answer: If you can give Zakah on his behalf, without him objecting or realizing, then this is what you should do, because you have discretion on how to use the money from the joint account. Allahu Alam. I work with and am friends with people of various ethnicities and faiths. With the current political situation in various Muslim nations, I want to do my part but at the same time not offend my colleagues and neighbors. How should I voice my opinions and be respectful at the same time? Any advice from the Qur’an and Sunnah for this kind of activism? Answer: Try and raise awareness in ways that are fair and balanced, and also be willing to hear some of their concerns, perspectives, and views. Although people’s perspectives may be skewed, it is important to give them the opportunity to speak and listen, so their concerns can be addressed too. We have incidents from the Seerah, in which people insulted the Prophet SAW, and he did not respond and only asked them if they had finished. He

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SAW then responded, and that patience, and tolerance had a big impact on the people. In the Qur’an, Allah tells us “Cooperate with one another in goodness and righteousness, and do not cooperate in sin and transgression. And be mindful of Allah. Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” To find those common agreed-upon values is extremely important when having conversations with people from different backgrounds and perspectives. Shaykh Bio: Rizwan Ali was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. After completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education, he moved to Egypt to pursue religious studies. He enrolled at Al-Azhar University and graduated from the College of Shariah in 2016. The following year, he successfully defended his dissertation at Creighton University and obtained his doctorate in Educational Leadership. Alongside his position as Religious Director of the Islamic Center of Naperville, he teaches at CPSA and serves as the head of the Arabic and Islamic Studies Dept. He also works for Mishkah University as an instructor and member of the Academic Committee.

Do you have any questions you would like a scholar to answer? Send them to us at icnanooreng@gmail.com Answers to Crossword Puzzle: Across: 1. AlHajj 2. Lesser 6. Pure 9. Physically

Down: 1. False 3. Health 4. Ibrahim 5. Forgiven 6. Pillars 8. Arafat

Noor Magazine II 2021 | 39

- Health Corner ‘Umar b. al-Khattab reported the Prophet SAW as saying, “Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company” (Ibn Majah). In our hectic day-to-day life we find ourselves distracted while eating our meals. We eat while watching YouTube, reading or listening to the news. Everyone eats breakfast and lunch at different times, though dinner might be eaten together. Eating becomes a do and dash, an onthe-go routine. Instead of mindful eating, we engage in mindless eating and such eating deprives us of Allah’s blessings. Based on the Hadith of the Prophet SAW, when we eat together we invite Allah’s blessings upon our food and ourselves. Eating together has many benefits. We are more mindful of our manners when we eat, we engage in conversation instead of focusing on screens and other distractions, and we appreciate the food that is on the table. A Muslim is taught to focus, observe, contemplate -- during prayer, within nature, consuming food or drink, in relationships, while reciting of the Qur’an, and even entering and exiting the bathroom. In everything, we are reminded to remember Allah, be grateful, and be mindful of every aspect that goes into the action. Eating is a major component of our healthy living, and therefore, to derive the blessings in what we consume we should implement mindful eating. There are

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several ways to implement mindful eating in our daily eating routine. » Start with Bismillah. Remember Allah’s name before you eat and the blessing of having food on the table. » Eat slowly without any distractions. Put away the laptop, the phone, and the books. With our busy lives, sometimes, this is very difficult to do and it seems like you are wasting time just looking at your food, but focus on what is in front of you, the people you are with, and the conversations you are having with each other. » Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues. Stop eating when you feel you are satisfied but not over stuffed. Notice the colors, the texture, the smell, the taste of the food. Oftentimes, we consume food so quickly we don’t even taste it before it has already been swallowed. » Remember why you eat. You eat to energize your body, so feed it that which nourishes it and remember your body is an amanah (trust) given by Allah SWT. From the hadith of the Prophet SAW we understand the importance of eating together because it brings about Allah’s blessings. The hadith is a reminder that we need to re-engage in mindful eating in order to have a healthy relationship with food. v

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It’s been called a war, a conflict, and more recently ‘clashes’ By A. Burney

Islamic Circle of North America OUR SERVICES!

But how can there be a clash when an oppressor resorted a country to ruins, to ashes. The widespread media misinformation allows us to believe this is between two equal groups. When one is fueled by weapons supplied by the rich West to its armories and its troops. And the other is a county clinging to land that was once its own. Land that housed millions, adults, children and food that was grown. They were providing refuge to those that were fleeing. They gave them their land, their food, and their settlements. So to be treated this way 70 years on, they are bound to harbor resentments. But they do not resent. The Palestinians. They are scared, they are worried about their uncertainties, but I promise you they are not bitter. So please do not believe everything you see on-line, on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. This is not a religious issue but a violation on basic human rights. Muslim women are wearing their hijabs when they sleep in case they are killed during the nights. In a month as sacred to Muslims as Ramadan, there are people losing their children, their parents, their loved ones. Because these people are no match for the soldiers that belong to the oppressor carrying their guns. The world needs to wake up and say enough is enough especially when this is not just a trend. Everything needs to step up and keep stepping up till we see this end. Till then, I say to the oppressed that we are with you till the end of the line. My thoughts and prayers to the people, the parents, the children, the indigenous Palestine. 42 | Noor Magazine II 2021

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Donate at: https://crm.nonprofiteasy.com/11043/Pages/ fundraising/#/225 Noor Magazine II 2021 | 43

The Triple Filter Test

During the golden Abbasid period, one of the scholars in Baghdad, the capital of the Muslim caliphate at that time, was reputed to hold knowledge in high esteem. One day an acquaintance met the great scholar and said, “Do you know what I just heard about your friend?” “Hold on a minute,” the scholar replied. “Before telling me anything I’d like you to pass a little test. It’s called Triple Filter Test.” “Triple filter?” “That’s right,” the scholar continued. “Before you talk to me about my friend it might be a good idea to take a moment and filter what you’re going to say. That’s why I call it a triple filter test. The first filter is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?” “No,” the man said, “actually I just heard about it and…” “All right,” said the scholar. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second filter, the filter of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my friend something good? “No, on the contrary…” “So,” the scholar continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him, but you’re not certain it’s true. You may still past the test thought, because there’s one filter left: the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my friend going to be useful to me?” “No, not really.” “Well,” concluded the scholar, “if what you want to tell me is neither true nor good nor even useful, why tell it to me at all?” “O ye who believe! Let not some men among you laugh at others: It may be that the (latter) are better than the (former): Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former): Nor defame nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames: Ill-seeming is a name connoting , (to be used of one) after he has believed: And those who do not desist are (indeed) doing wrong.” (Surah al-Hujurat) Extracted from the YoungMuslims.ca Newsletter.

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