SALAH IN CYBERSPACE

was mostly male dominated. A lot of her co-workers were hesitant to talk to her because she was Muslim, female, and hijabi. However she insisted they reach out to her with any questions. She made herself approachable and opened doors to friendly communication. By breaking the ice, she feels her colleagues respect her faith and are often curious about different topics about Islam.

Iftekhar also feels that it’s important for people to remember not to judge the entire law enforcement community by the bad acts of some. This is a sentiment Muslims can relate to as well. “The majority of the work we do revolves around community based policing which requires ethics and moral values,” she said. “If one person strays, it hurts the rest of the community as well. It does put a lot of stress on us when there is an incident involving a police officer versus a citizen and it’s all over the news.”

A’outhu billahi minash shaitaanir rrajeem

Bismillahir rahmanir raheem

Al hamdu lillah, nahmaduhu wa nusalli ‘ala rasoolihil kareem, wa ‘ala aalihi wa as-haabihi ajma’een.

As salaatu was salaamu alaika ya rasoolullah, wa sallim ala’ka ya habeeballah.

Amma ba’d.

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu

I am a 77-year-old, retired cardiologist who has done some khatib and imam work in the past. during the pandemic, I developed “Worship in Cyberspace.”

Now I see 500 people in the worship area of the masjid on Jumu’ah. But only 5 in the same space at the time of Fajr or ‘Asr. This is due to logistics. My invention can circumvent the logistics hurdle.

The idea is to get more people to perform ruku’ and sujood. This may be possible in cyberspace. While, It has not been tried on a larger scale, a trial of on a smaller scale will help find if it feasible and seamless.

The inaugural salah is planned for Sept 11, 2023.

The plan is for those people who cannot or are unable go to the masjid for worship for them cyberspace is available

So here is how it will work in shaa Allah

The program starts on Sept 11, 2023, at 20 min before sunrise. Sunrise is at 6:56 in Pittsburgh, Pa., so we start the program at 6:36 a.m. exactly. The program lasts for 10 min so we are done at 6:46 in shaa Allah.

Step-by-step instructions:

➊ Before 6:36 AM, make sure you have wudhu and have done 2 raka’a sunna

➋ At 6:36 enter cyberspace by dialing: 425-436-6374

➌ An announcer will ask you for an access code.

➍ Enter access code: 512007

➎ The announcer will ask you if you are the host. You don’t have to do anything. Just stay on the line.

➏ In a couple of minutes, the host will enter cyberspace and start the proceedings.

A Seat At The Table

Iftekhar hopes to influence many young Muslims to consider a career in law enforcement. Yes, it requires passion. It also requires mental, physical, and emotional strength because of the incidents encountered on a daily basis. However, Iftekhar chooses to look at it differently. She feels being a police officer can also bring a sense of peace. With every drunk driver taken off the road, and with every order of protection for a victim of abuse, the community can become a better place.

“That one thank you note from a child reunited with his parents or a hug from a domestic violence survivor gives you the strength to be back on the street and keep the community safe - every single day.” ih

Sanaa Asif, a sophomore at Hinsdale Central High School, is an avid reader and loves to write and learn about other people’s stories.

➐ The proceedings start with Iqama, then the salah proceeds with takbir, qira’a, ruku, sujood X 2. and the completion of 2nd raka’ah. ending with tasleem. Just as if you were following the imam in the masjid but you were in the basement and the imam was not visible to you. It is the similar in cyberspace. The imam is not visible. You just follow the verbal commands. Worship is exactly the same as before, with the same postures, the same tasbeeh, etc. It is over in 10 mins.

At the end of fajr, the time for zuhr will be announced and at the end of zuhr the time for ‘asr and so on so hopefully all 5 times are covered. This program is only for those who cannot go to the masjid for worship. If you can go to the masjid to pray, you must. Otherwise, cyberspace is available

Anyone in Eastern Standard Time can participate. If the timings work out for you.

If you have any questions, please email at: zafar78600@rocketmail.com

NOTE: This is a completely voluntary and free program. There is no fee or dues or charges of any kind, nor will any donations be solicited or accepted, in shaa Allah.