Muslim American Magazine June 2016 by Muslim American

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From The Editor’s Desk – June 2016

Charlotte Happenings ..................................................... 08 Fasting is a Mercy ............................................................ 06 Great Islamic Smoke-Out ............................................... 14 Khutbah Recap ........................................................... 16,17 Past, Present and Future: MAS Moving Forward ........ 04 What Nullifies Fasting and What Does Not ............. 12,13 June -2016, Volume 2, Issue 6 ISSN 2377 - 9624 Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Haroon Sait Editor: Duston Barto Design & Layout: Mubin M.K.

Greetings of Peace to You All!

Uthman (RA) said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) say: ‘Whoever builds a masjid for the sake of Allah, Allah will build something similar for him in Paradise.’” (Ibn Majah) On the cover of this issue we have chosen to feature the Masjid of The Diyanet Center of America, located in Lamham, MD. This center was constructed with the assistance of President Erdogan of Turkey to be a center that brings people together of all faiths from the community. On the grounds there is a restaurant, a tea house, a bath house, transient homes and other features that one would find in Turkey. (learn more about the center at diyanetamerica.org)

As a Muslim American, I look at this center and wonder why our community doesn’t have more of this sort of thing. Why All content Copyright ©2016 Muslim American, Inc. except don’t we have communities built to express the culture of Islam where otherwise noted. Please contact the editor or publisher that non-Muslims are actively invited to be a part of? Centers with education and worship are available, but why not centers of directly to obtain reprint permission and guidelines. commerce and enjoyment of daily life? Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the advertisers or individual contributing writers and not necessarily those of the The Diyanet Center of America was a massive project that cost over $100 Million. Our community in Charlotte could produce editor or publisher of this magazine. This magazine is published monthly. Article Submission: Editor@MuslimAmerican.com Advertising inquiries: Ads@MuslimAmerican.com Muslim American 400 Arrowhead Dr East Charlotte, NC 28213

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a center that reflects our diverse culture for far less. We are over 15,000 people and yet we remain invisible. I challenge the Charlotte Ummah to rise up this Ramadan and fund development of our community. Let us share the beauty of our faith and our brotherhood in the example set by our Turkish brothers.

May God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you all,

Duston Barto

Editor, Muslim American magazine

Past, Present and Future: MAS Moving Forward The Launching of Community-Built Initiatives in Charlotte The challenge for any faith-based community with multiple organizations and groups is to achieve and maintain a unified front on common goals which affect society. Unity frequently eludes such a community primarily due to the influence of Satan, our earthly inclinations, and the desire to maintain control over our limited dominion. On a positive note, all the centers and organizations are pushing to achieve different goals, competing to do good for the sake of Allah, but anytime our community is faced with universal challenges or city wide concerns, they work together towards one goal. Glancing back to 2006, many can recall when the Muslim American Society of Charlotte secured the 35,000 sq. ft. facility off Shamrock Drive, dubbing it the MAS Community Center. In the project’s infancy, the boards of the various mosques and Islamic schools were invited to see how their organization could utilize the premises. Ideas were strewn about, such as a softball league, soccer tournaments, unifying the two Islamic schools and much more. Unfortunately, this ideal scenario did not materialize. However, alhamdullilah, over the course of the last decade, strong relationships have developed with many organizations. The MAS Community Center was host to numerous events co-sponsored by different masajid such as Eid Carnivals and Festivals. There were conferences organized by Masjid Ash-Shaheed, interfaith events by organizations such as The Muslim Women of the Carolinas, Being There, and The American Islamic Outreach Foundation which also launched the region’s first Muslim-run free health clinic, Shifa Clinic. Slowly, but surely, Allah is opening the doors of the Center to the community. 4

In an effort to provide and maximize community benefit, the Muslim American Society of Charlotte, in coordination with the Muslim American Society (National), have decided to launch two new initiatives. The first pertains to the current community center and the second is the new Northeast project. Through the efforts of dedicated community members, the Muslim Education Center (MEC) and the Muslim Community Center of Charlotte (MCC) have been formed. The purpose is to open membership to anyone and everyone interested. This action transforms these two projects into long-term community assets. MAS Charlotte will continue to organize and provide quality programs in these locations. However, the stewardship will be handed over to elected community members who will safeguard these Trusts for the foreseeable future. The fact is that having multiple facilities to serve the Muslim and non-Muslim community in the decades to come is a blessing from Allah (SWT). Prior to the official launches of both MEC and MCC; MEC negotiated a long term lease with a new independent full-time Islamic school, Intellicor International Academy, planning to serve grades K-12 starting August 2016 Intellicor will operate under the leadership of its founder Dr. Mohammad Adnan Alghorani, who holds a PhD in School Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin. After a few years, Intellicor will relocate to MEC (formerly MAS Community Center on Shamrock) where it will reside lease free indefinitely. MEC hopes to energize the community with this new initiative, in addition to a variety of other programs to propagate Islamic knowledge and promote general education to society at large.

This Ramadan, both MEC and MCC will launch their respective programs and projects. MEC will offer Iftar and Taraweh Services at 4301 Shamrock Drive, while MCC will offer Taraweh in the University area at the former Countryside Montessori School Gym, located at 9026 Mallard Creek Road. In the spirit of cooperation, there will be six Qura’a at the two sites with some rotation to diversify recitation styles. In addition, Qari Abdelkareem Edghouch will lead the Taraweh one night at each location. After Ramadan, MCC will focus on building out the first phase of the new Community Center at 3124 Johnston Oehler Road. Alhamdullilah, the property, which measures 13.65 acres, has been paid off. The Phase I facility will be a 9300 sq.ft. building that will serve as a temporary Masjid with 4 large ancillary rooms, and lounge areas for both brothers and sisters. This will be constructed, insha’Allah, within the next two years. MAS Charlotte is excited to engage with the community in this giving, collaborative way. Not only will this empower the Charlotte Muslims, insha’Allah, but it will also provide MAS Charlotte with the flexibility to work beyond the walls of one center and to provide its services and programs to other localities. MAS Charlotte is here to serve you and your families through community service, youth programming and personal development. If you are interested in any of these projects and getting involved, send an email today. MAS Charlotte – info@mascharlotte.org (programs, youth work and tarbiya) MCC – info@charlottemcc.org (Northeast Community Center Project) MEC – info@meccharlotte.org (Shamrock Facility) www.MuslimAmerican.com

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Fasting is a Mercy from Allah By Sheikh Bassam Obeid

“O you who believe! Observing the fast is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” Holy Qur’an 2:183

Allah, mighty and sublime is he, has ordered us to fast for His pleasure and as a fundamental part of our worship as Muslims, it is also a mercy and part of His system of forgiveness for us.

In 2:184-185 of the Qur’an, Allah’s rules for fasting in Ramadan are made plain and clear for all Muslims. Anyone who is capable of fasting must fast, anyone who cannot or does not is required to pay for these days by feeding the poor for each day he does not fast. Allah reminds us that fasting is better for us than to compensate. Muhammad (PBUH) famously stated “Fasting is a shield. So the fasting person should avoid obscene speech and should not behave foolishly and ignorantly, and if somebody fights with him or insults him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.’ By the One in Whose hand is my soul, the smell that comes from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk. (Allaah says about the fasting person), ‘He has given up his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me and I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times.” (Narrated by Abu Huraira, agreed upon) Allah commands us to praise and worship Him during the fast. This time of fasting should not be wasted sleeping or being lazy, Muslims are meant to continue engaging in work and worship. Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim Shaqra explains in his book Irshad As-Sari that fasting has 6

linguistic explanation and a Sharia explanation. Literally it means “to withhold from doing something.” In Sharia the meaning is more complicated; it means to withhold from all the things that would break our fast from dawn until sunset with the intention of using that extra time and energy for worship. Therefore, according to a scholarly understanding of this principle, anyone who is not eating, drinking or any of the other things that break our fast but yet he or she is not engaging in worship; then this person is not actually fasting and will miss the rewards of the fast. There are some fundamental pillars of fasting which are important for all Muslims to keep in mind and heart throughout Ramadan. They are:

1. Intention. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) has said “Truly actions are by intentions, and for every person is what he intended.” (Bukhari and Muslim) 2. Avoid the things which ruin your fast such as eating, drinking, and sexual relations with your spouse. 3. Maintain the time from Fajr until Maghrib. Some Muslims have misunderstood and will continue sahur until sunrise is complete, but the prescribed time of fasting is from Fajr until Maghrib. The fast itself gives us opportunities to seek further mercy. We are better able to restrain our urges so that our fasting, worship and charity can be

magnified and be used to wash away older sins that we may have forgotten about. This restraining of the nafs is not the only blessing, look at the wisdom of Allah! 1. We are given more time. Time that is normally spent eating or preparing food has been given back to us for worship, Islamic study, charity works, etc. 2. We are given more money. Not only our lunch money is returned, what about the extra morning coffee on the way to work or the mid afternoon snacks? Think about it, if you only spend $4 per day on these small things, that adds up to $120 over a month. With a thousand people at one Masjid saving $120 in Ramadan, that is $120,000 to contribute to charity! 3. Our bodies are given a rest and are allowed to cleanse themselves. Have you noticed that every major medical procedure begins with some sort of fasting to prepare the body? The month of Ramadan allows our bodies to cleanse themselves in a way that we cannot duplicate. This year, when the month of Ramadan comes to us, welcome it as a good friend and do not consider the fasting to be a chore. Instead, love Allah for his mercy in the fasting and seek His pleasure and His reward. May Allah guide us all in righteousness. www.MuslimAmerican.com

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Charlotte Happenings from May Soundvision Fundraiser

Soundvision in collaboration with Charlotte Tea House organized a fundraiser in Charlotte on 15th May where they shared their strategic plan to respond to the Islamophobic challenges.

Islamic Society of Greater Charlotte (ISGC) had its Sunday School graduation on 22nd May

Volunteers and Trophies.

Certificates being given out to kids.

Students and their parents at the ceremony

Muslim American Pre Ramadan Grand Bazar

Muslim American organized their second Pre Ramadan Grand Bazar at their 400 Arrowhead facility on 22nd May. Food, Clothing and Jewelry vendors were seen busy with shoppers. Muslim dentist and realtors also advertised their business. www.MuslimAmerican.com

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What Nullifies Fasting and What Does Not ? Shaykh Muhammad S. Adly Imam of Masjid Al-Muslimiin and Director of the Islamic Center of Columbia, SC

Nullifiers of Fasting 1. Eating and drinking deliberately: If one ate or drank while forgetting that he/she is fasting, then he/she is not required to offer makeup or expiation. Narrated Abu Hurayrah: “The Prophet said: ‘If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully, then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah.’” (Agreed upon) 2. Intentional Vomiting: However, if he/she could not help vomiting, then there is no atonement or expiation required of him. Narrated Abu Hurayrah: “The Prophet said: ‘If one has a sudden attack of vomiting while one is fasting, no atonement is required of him, but if he vomits intentionally he must make atonement.’” (Abu Dawood) 3. During Menstrual and Postpartum: Even at the last moment of the day due to the consensus of the scholars. 4. Sexual Intercourse: which requires an expiation as in the following hadith: Narrated Abu Hurayrah (t): “While we were sitting with the Prophet a man came and said: ‘O Allah’s Messenger! I have been ruined.’ Allah’s Messenger asked 12

what was the matter with him. He it is Allah who provided him the replied: ‘I had sexual intercourse food and water.” (Agreed upon) with my wife while I was fasting.’ The Messenger of Allah (r) Allah’s Messenger asked him: also said: “Indeed, Allah has ‘Can you afford to free a slave?’ overlooked that which my He replied in the negative. Allah’s followers fall into mistakenly or Messenger asked him: ‘Can you out of forgetfulness or that which fast for two successive months?’ they are forced to do.” (Reported He replied in the negative. The by Tabaraani) Prophet asked him: ‘Can you afford to feed sixty poor persons?’ 2. Unintentional vomiting: He replied in the negative. The Prophet kept silent and while we The Messenger of Allah (r) were in that state, a big basket said: “Whoever is overcome by full of dates was brought to the vomiting whilst fasting, then he is Prophet. He asked: ‘Where is the not required to make up the fast.” questioner?’ He replied: ‘I (am (Reported by al-Haakim) here).’ The Prophet said (to him): ‘Take this (basket of dates) and 3. Using the miswaak (tooth stick) at all times, and likewise using a give it in charity.’ The man said: toothbrush and toothpaste. ‘Should I give it to a person poorer than I? By Allah, there is no family 4. Gargling water and sniffing water between its (i.e. Medina’s) two up the nose and blowing it out, mountains who is poorer than I.’ so long as none of this is done The Prophet smiled till his preexcessively. molar teeth became visible and then said: ‘Feed your family with The Messenger of Allah (r) said it.’” (Agreed upon) to Laqeet ibn Saburah: “Perform the wudoo. And wash between the fingers and exaggerate in sniffing water up the nose and blowing Things That Do Not Nullify it out, unless you are fasting.” One’s Fast (Saheeh Abu Dawood) 1. To mistakenly or forgetfully eat and drink. In doing so, one is not 5. Applying kohl (eyeliner) to the eyes and Medicinal eye and ear required to make up the fast or drops, even if the taste reaches pay a penalty. The Messenger of your throat. Allah (r) said: “Whoever forgets whilst fasting 6. To taste food, with the condition nothing passes the throat to the and then eats or drinks then he stomach. should complete his fast for verily www.MuslimAmerican.com

bad breath, heat or other reason 7. A young or old man kissing his 13. If the time for Fajr begins whilst without swallowing the water. the bowl of food is in your hands, wife so long as it does not lead to then do not put it down until you sexual intercourse, as the Prophet have satisfied your need. The 18. Taking a nap during the day while (r) used to kiss `Aishah whilst he fasting. Messenger of Allah (r) said: was fasting. (Agreed upon) “If any of you hear the call (to 19. Narrated Abu Sa`eed Al-Khudri: 8. Taking a necessary injection so “Allah’s Messenger said: ‘Do the Fajr prayer) whilst the bowl long as it is not nutrition-based, not fast continuously day and (of food) is in your hands, then i.e. a substitute for food, etc. night (practice al-Wisal) and if do not put it down until you anyone of you intends to fast 9. To swallow saliva or phlegm and have satisfied your need from it.” continuously day and night, he that which one is unable to avoid (Saheeh Abu Dawood) should continue till the Sahar such as dust and the like. (late night) time.’ They said: ‘But 14. Delaying taking the ghusl 10. The application of medication you practice al-Wisal, O Allah’s (shower) if one is in a state of which does not enter the stomach, Messenger!’ The Prophet said: ‘I janaabah (sexual defilement after including as creams/ointments as am not similar to you; during my intercourse) or post-menses or well as inhalers and nebulizers for sleep, I have One Who makes me post-partum bleeding until after asthma sufferers. eat and drink.’” the time of Fajr has begun. 11. Having a tooth removed or blood 15. To perfume oneself with oils, and From the book: “The fasting of coming out of the nose or mouth. ramadan” by Shaikh Muhammad Ibn not incense-based perfumes. 12. To chew gum which (does not 16. Taking a shower to cool oneself Jameel Zeenoo dissolve and thereby pass the down. throat into the stomach) does not 17. Rinsing the mouth out of thirst, have any taste.

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THE GREAT ISLAMIC SMOKE-OUT by Linda “iLham” Barto

O Believers, do not squander your collective resources in vain, But promote commerce with mutual good will. Do not destroy yourselves. Truly, Allah has been to you the Most Merciful. (Inspired by Surah 4: 29) I cringe when I hear TV news reporters describe Ramadan as “a time when Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking.” Smoking? Muslims shouldn’t be smoking in the first place! Giving up cigarettes for Ramadan, and then going back to them after Ramadan makes as much sense as wallowing in depravity during the Mardi Gras with the intention of asking for forgiveness when the party is over. Believers (of all faiths) should be better than that. Is smoking a sin? I think so, and here are seven reasons why. 1. You have no right to pollute what rightfully belongs to God (blessed and exalted is He). Cigarettes contain 600 ingredients that are poisonous or emit poisonous fumes when burning. One of these is ammonia, which is deviously added by the manufacturers in order to make your brain absorb more nicotine, thereby strengthening addiction’s possession of you. If you submit your whole self to God, your body –as well as your heart, mind, and soul— belongs to God (blessed!). 2. Addiction to tobacco products is a form of idolatry. You cannot be a servant of God and also a slave to cigarettes or other tobacco products. We are assigned the responsibility of being ambassadors for God. How can you adequately represent God (blessed!) if you have smoke boiling out of your nose as if you’re a demon from Hell? 3. Wasting property is a sin. The average addict spends $1200 annually 14

on tobacco products. Your personal resources are part of the collective resources of your local ummah and the global Ummah, and you do not have the right to waste the Ummah’s property on vanities.

your cheek; or sticking the cigarette or cigar in your mouth, and then striking a match or using a lighter to initiate the death-sparks; and then spitting or puffing are all a frivolous waste of time, and Muslims are commanded not to waste anything the Creator 4. You are ordered, “Do not destroy (blessed!) has given us. yourselves.” Some translators depict the ayat, “Do not destroy (or kill) 7. Smoking demonstrates a lack of one another.” It is predicted that love and mercy. Smoking is antiwithin this century, over 500 million social and is a form of hate as it shows people will die from diseases directly disregard for the safety and comfort related to tobacco products. Smokers of others. Thanks to anti-smoking are not only killing themselves, but campaigns and laws, four out of five are also killing those around them. people in the USA do not smoke, That includes the innocent child of and most of these cannot tolerate smoking parents! Babies of smoking cigarette or cigar smoke. It is now parents are more likely to die of common for restaurants and other sudden infant-death syndrome and public places to ban smoking, and if suffer from respiratory problems. you are a smoker, your employer may Even in-door pets have been known assign you an outdoor site to confine to develop cancers and other diseases your smoking. That’s because nobody due to their owners’ smoking. wants you around with your stinking Tobacco products are the #1 cause cigarettes! Wise up! of preventable deaths. In fact, 1,200 Americans die per day because of The mouth is a gatekeeper for the smoking. body. Nobody smokes his or her first cigarette, chews his or her first wad of 5. By purchasing tobacco products, tobacco, or tastes his or her first shot you are contributing to the corrupt of whiskey and is pleased with the and cruel tobacco industry, which taste. The taste buds say, “Spit it out!” uses deceptive manipulation to First-timers should listen to their gain new customers to poison. As mouths. Likewise, the nose detects more Americans wise-up, however, the unpleasant fumes and odors and American tobacco companies target is repulsed. The nose knows! people in countries even less active in educating their citizens about the If you are a smoker, consider one dangers of tobacco use. aspect of Ramadan as the Great Islamic Smoke-Out, and quit for 6. It is a sin to waste time. Purchasing good. a tobacco product, opening the An excerpt from the book Memoirs of a package, removing the product, and Hillbilly Muslim by Linda iLham Barto. Used sticking the tobacco or snuff inside by permission of the author. www.MuslimAmerican.com

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May Khutbah Recap Please visit: muslimamerican.com/multimedia/ to hear these khutbah and many more.

Unity and Tolerance Imam Atif Choudhry - ISGC May 13, 2016 “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favor of Allah upon you - when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together and you became, by His favor, brothers. And you were on the edge of a pit of the Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be guided.” - Holy Qur’an 3:103 “When you stand shoulder to shoulder with your brother regardless of what his background is, regardless of whether he’s rich or poor, regardless of whether he’s black or white, regardless of anything as long as he says, “Laa ilaha illallah Muhammadur rasulullah” then he’s your brother.” With this declaration, Imam Atif began a khutbah focused on reminding the community to be united with one another.

Imam Atif explained that Allah’s command to hold on to the rope of Allah and to guard against divisions was for all of us, not for special groups. He further explained that we should find unity among the Ummah even though we have different schools of thought, different ways of interpreting things and different cultures. The focus should be to love and respect one another.

Imam Atif reminded us that none of us can see into the heart of another, so we cannot assume things about them or make accusations (even silently) about a brother or sister. Ultimately the focus for the Muslim should always be to bring community members together and to unite all of us who proclaim worship in Allah.

Ramadan Demands Positive Changes Osamah Salhia - Muslim American Society of Charlotte May 20, 2016 “Surely Allah does not change what is in a people until they change what is in themselves.” - Qur’an 13:11 Sheikh Osamah began by reminding us that Ramadan is approaching and that we often think about Ramadan as a month of change, but that we must be willing to change because no change will come without effort from ourselves. Many people in the past rejected Allah’s message because the prophets were mortals like them. They expected a supernatural messenger and scoffed at the message of Allah because of their limited view and their demands on Allah. We have no right to make such demands on Allah and how He 16

dispenses His message. Therefore, we must be willing to come to Allah with humility and openness to submit to His will in the way that He prescribes to us.

a month or two later, was establishing the act of fasting in the month of Ramadan. The companions of the Prophet passed this test of change. They changed Qibla immediately during prayer due to submitting to the revelation from Allah. They embraced the new obligation of fasting and they submitted to every new revelation that Allah sent because they were willing to change.

Sheikh Osamah illustrated the power of Ramadan’s change through telling the history of this obligation upon the Muslims. In the 2nd year after Hijrah to Medina, there were many changes occurring in the life of the Prophet and in the ummah as a whole. Two major ones occurred. The first was changing the Qibla from Jerusalem to Are you willing to let Allah change Mecca and the second, following only you this Ramadan? www.MuslimAmerican.com

Qur’an’s Rights on Every Muslim Mohamed Haroon Sait May 20, 2016

“God, the Merciful Benefactor. It is He Who has taught the Quran.” - Holy Qur’an 55:1-2 fardh salaat we repeat Surah al Muhammad Allah is reminding us that the Qur’an (PBUH) has is the most merciful thing that He Fatihah. In that recitation is a line where we are asking Allah to guide declared, has provided us with. Most of us are us on the straight way. That guidance “The best familiar with the rights of a Muslim is the Qur’an! If we pray without among you upon another, however, the Qur’an understanding, then it cannot guide are those who learn Qur’an and itself is the word of Allah and it has us in making a change in our lives. teach it to others.” certain rights upon us as Muslims. 4. The right to be practiced. Once we 1. The right to be believed as Allah’s learn something, we are obligated to Furthermore, we have no excuse in today’s technology age to be ignorant. word. The Qur’an is not just a book apply it. The Qur’an is not merely a on a shelf, it is an integral part of book to be read for entertainment, Our computers and cell phones our faith. but it is a guidebook for life. We empower us to listen to guidance must put the lessons of Allah’s from all over the world. We can ask 2. The right to be recited in a questions to scholars and Arabic word into action. melodious and beautiful fashion. The recitation of Qur’an has the 5. The right to be propagated. The teachers at any time to enhance our power to touch people’s hearts even Qur’an is not just for Muslims, it is deen. We are obligated to use the if they do not know the words. not something to keep to ourselves resources at our disposal to progress Muhammad (PBUH) encouraged selfishly. We are commanded by in our religion and not merely for us to recite the Qur’an in a beautiful Allah to give dawah, and the best entertainment. way and to respect its beauty. way is to share the Qur’an. How This Ramadan, the month of the 3. The right to be understood. can we speak better for Allah than Qur’an, be certain to give the rights His own words in the Qur’an? that it deserves. Seventeen times a day during our

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