Jumu'ah Journal Edition June 7, 2024
JUMU'AH JOURNAL
1 Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH / 7 June 2024
ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING EVENTS
For the Khateeb on Jumu'ah, June 7, 2024, please click HERE.
Lexington Family Halaqa
This Saturday, the Lexington Family Halaqa group will continue discussion-based halaqas based on the works of Imam Al-Ghazali.
Hajj & Umrah Seminar
Zoom link for Hajj Seminar: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85747993392?pwd=jHZ7YxV1l6l6FROMhV...
EID-AL-ADHA INFORMATION
Eid Announcement
Eid Al Adha will be on Sunday, June 16, 2024, in sha Allah. Please follow ISCK's announcement for the Eid prayer information.
Volunteers Needed for Meat Distribution
We are seeking volunteers to help receive and distribute udhiya meat. This will be done before and after Maghrib time at Masjid Bilal. Your help will be highly appreciated! Please consider volunteering even for one day, and share the message with others who may be interested.
For more information, contact Brother Ashraf Fahmy:
(859) 361-3022 361-3022)
[email protected]
Qurbani with ICNA Relief
Are you looking for a hassle-free way to fulfill your Qurbani obligation this Eid-al-Adha? Look no further!
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Book your Qurbani through ICNA Relief and put your mind at ease knowing that the distribution of meat is done locally.
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Visit: Qurbani - ICNA Relief USA
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Make your sacrifice count this Eid with ICNA Relief!
IMAM'S CORNER
The Virtues of Dhul Hijjah (Part 1)
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. . . . .
By the dawn (al-Fajr), and the ten nights, (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hjjah), and the even and the odd, and the night when it passes! Is this all (not) sufficient oaths for the people of understanding. (Quran 89:1-5)
: : : : .
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (peace and blessings beupon him) said, "There are no days in which a good deed is more pleasing to God than theseten days." When asked whether even jihad in Allah's path was as pleasing, he replied, "Noteven jihad in Allahs path, except when a man goes out in person with his property and losesboth life and property." (Al-Bukhari)
Allah (SWT) has indeed blessed certain individuals and some people, specific places, andcertain times with special virtues and with His grace. (The annual Hajj is the perfect example inwhich the sum total of all of these parts are celebrated: Prophets Ibraheem and Muhammad -peace be upon them, and other devout servants of Allah, the sanctified city of Makkah and itsprecincts, and this most sacred and virtuous time of the year.)
According to the above mentioned verses of the Quran (aayaat from Surat al-Fajr) and theHadith, the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah (the name literally means: the month of the Hajj) inthemselves have a particularly elevated status in our tradition, and so too the virtuous deedsdone during this time.
This is a very significant time of the year for the believers: a season of goodness and elevatedspirituality. This year is particularly significant and critical not least because of the plight of theMuslim global community (ummah) and especially in Gaza, Palestine. The season climaxes onthe Day of Arafat (9th of Dhul Hijjah) followed by the Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha, the 10th),each of these two days can be, and have been, described as the best and greatest day of theyear.
Collectively, the first 10 days and nights of this blessed month, by which Allah swears, areundoubtedly the most important in our calendar. Our scholars have written that these days ANDnights are better than any of those of the year, including Ramadan, except for Laylat al-Qadr(the Night of Power and Destiny), which by itself is the greatest night in the year.
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the culmination of the sacred months AND of the months ofHajj, and are described by Allah Almighty as the appointed days'' (ayyaam maloomaat / ) when the pilgrims (used to) drive their animals (al-hady / ) towards Makkah inpreparation for the Hajj. They are thus instructed to remember and thank Allah for theseblessings, and to ask and receive even more bounties from the Most Gracious (SWT) (Quran22:28). The Companion Abu Musa al-Ashari (RAA) is reported to have added:Supplication/duaa is not rejected during these days. ( )
In the context of Hajj in Surat al-Baqarah (2:198-201), Allah Almighty reiterates, more than a fewtimes, the command to engage in dhikr and recall Allahs favors, and attain taqwa or Godconsciousness and responsible, informed obedience. This is the essence of these blesseddays; the 9th and 10th of this month are particularly singled out, as this is when the main rites ofHajj are fulfilled.It is said that the best deeds are the ones in which Allah is remembered much, and this isespecially true for the Hajj and of these few known days. In a Hadith in Musnad al-ImamAhmad, the Prophet (SAW) was asked about various acts like Jihad, prayer, fasting, charity andHajj: which of each type has the greatest reward?. Each time he replied: The type that has themost dhikr of Allah. Abu Bakr (RAA) thereupon exclaimed: Those who remember Allah most(al-dhaakiroon / ) have taken all the good!. Allahs Messenger (SAW) responded withIndeed!
Most Muslims around the world will not be at the annual Hajj in person, but we are required tobe there with them in spirit and in solidarity. We must participate globally with the pilgrims inMakkah in the acts of obedience and righteousness, focusing emphatically on fasting, dhikr andpreparation for sacrificing for Allah an animal (udhiyah / ).
In fact during this time we identify with the sacred state of Ihram in which the pilgrims are, andin solidarity with them we abstain from removing any part of our hair or nails when this monthstarts and until the animal is sacrificed. This is in accordance with the Hadith of Umm Salamah(RAA) as narrated by al-Imam Muslim. The Prophets companion Abdullah ibn Umar (RAA),moreover, is reported to have shaved his head and trimmed his beard on the day of sacrificeevery year, even when he was not present at the Hajj.
During the first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, Allah pours His mercy upon His creation. For the Muslimswho are not performing Hajj, it takes more effort to take advantage of the many blessings Allahhas promised and to honor these days in which deeds are multiplied many times.
Let's garner the spirit of these sacred and blessed days and maintain the momentum to performas many good deeds as we can.
Fast - Fast as many of the first 9 days of this sacred month, in particular on the 9th dayof Dhul Hijjah, the Day of Arafat. This way you can have the sins of the past and comingyears forgiven, in sha Allah, as per the Hadith.
Pray - Here's an opportunity to focus and perfect your daily prayers (salah), and addextra sunnah/nafl (voluntary) prayers or qiyam/tahajjud (night prayers) into your day andnight. This is the ideal time, if you have strayed to abandon all sins, and if you haveslacked to reconnect with your masjid and engage again with your local community.
Give in Charity - All deeds are worth more during the sacred days of Dhul Hijjah, and fewof them more so than giving in charity. Donate generously to worthy causes locally andglobally, not forgetting our brothers and sisters suffering famine and wars everywhere,especially in Gaza.
Make abundant Dhikr - The Prophet (PBUH) said, "During the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah,recite a great deal of tahleel (laa ilaaha illalLah - there is no god but Allah), takbeer(Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest), and taHmeed (al-Hamdu lillah - Praise be toAllah )." Add other adhkaar from the Sunnah as needed and send salawaat (blessings)on our Prophet (SAW).
Supplicate - Make as much duaa as possible, asking Allah for all your needs and wants.Prioritize your needs of the hereafter, and seek forgiveness for your sins (al-istighfaar)and engage in repentance (al-tawbah). Remember also in your prayers our loved ones inGaza, Jerusalem and the rest of Palestine; may Allah grant them and all Muslims peace,justice and victory over His and their enemies.
Recite and study al-Quran - Use your free time also to read from the Book of Allah. Ourteachers would ensure that they complete one khatm, or entire recitation of the Quran,during these 10 days. We should emulate them or recite and reflect from it as much aswe can.
Study - Increase your knowledge of Islam during this precious time with the intention ofstudy as, and for, worship and service (ibaadah).
Sacrifice - Offer an animal or more for sacrifice for the sake of Allah on the 10th of DhulHijjah, the day of Eid al-Adha (or in the couple of days thereafter). This way you can alsohelp to gift your family and friends, and feed the poor and needy, as well as follow thesunnah of two great Prophets of Allah, Muhammad and Ibraheem (PBUT). ProphetMuhammad (SAW) also said: Whoever has the means, but doesnt (plan to) sacrifice ananimal, he/she should not come near the place of Eid prayer.
MASJID BILAL WEEKEND ISLAMIC SCHOOL
Last Sunday, Masjid Bilal Weekend Islamic School (MBWIS) celebrated the last day of school for the 2023-24 school year! We thank all the teachers, administrators, staff, guest speakers, and students for making this possible. We wish you a wonderful summer break and hope to see you next school year, inshaAllah!
Masjid Bilal Ibn Rabah
1541 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington
United States of America
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