AL-AHAD NEWSLETTER “ONE COMMUNITY, ONE UMMAH”

November 12, 2010 Dhul-Hijjah 6, 1431

Volume 1, Issue 2 The Ten Most Blessed

Days of the Year!

Important Dates to

Remember:

Eid-ul-Adha will be on

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010*

Eid-ul-Adha Salah will be held at Al-Ahad: Takbeerat–

7:45AM Salah– 8:00AM

Sunday school will be closed on November 21,

2010 for Eid-ul-Adha

*Subject to Moon Sighting

Masjid Al-Ahad Salah Timings

Fajr: 6:00AM

Dhuhr: 2:00PM

Asr: 4:15PM

Maghrib: Sunset

Isha: 7:30PM

Jumu’ah: 1:15PM

19214 Clay Rd. Katy, TX 77449

(281)859-5550 -www.masjidal-ahad.org

PLEASE DONATE TO THE MASJID!

OUR MASJID RUNS ONLY ON YOUR

DONATIONS. MAY ALLAH BLESS

THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED.

We find ourselves in this issue of the Masjid Al-Ahad newsletter again in a very special time.

My brothers and sisters in Islam, Allah (SWT) has not made the days of the year equal. It is indeed a great blessing

of Allah that he has preferred certain days and months over others. If all of the times in the year had been the

same in blessing then we would not be excited at certain times of the year; rather we would have the same

amount of energy throughout the year.

Did you know that there are days more blessed than Friday and Ramadan? Yup! You read correctly. Do

you know what these days are? Why, they are the days we are currently in, the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. Unfor-

tunately, many Muslims are unaware of the superiority of these 10 days. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S) said

"There aren't any days greater, nor any days in which deeds done in them are more beloved to Allah, the Most

High, than these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah. So, increase in them your reciting of Tahleel (La Ilaaha illa Allah), and

Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah)" [Ahmad]. My brothers and sisters, these are the holiest

days of the year. Believe it and take action! This is a time to increase our worship and connection with Allah. The

following are among the best things you can do to please Allah.

1) Perform Hajj and Umrah: May Allah accept the Hajj and Umrah of the Muslims who have been invit-

ed to Allah‟s house this year and may Allah grant those who did not get the opportunity to perform Hajj, Ameen.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said, the (minor) sins committed between two consecutive Umrahs are forgiven, and the

reward of the Hajj which is accepted by Allah is nothing but Paradise [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

2) Fast in the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah: Fasting is highly recommended especially on the 9 th day of

Dhul Hijjah, the day of „Arafaat, is extremely important. This is only for the people who are not performing Hajj. The

Prophet Muhammad (S) said, “Fasting on the day of „Arafaat will be credited with Allah for forgiving one‟s (minor)

sins for the past year and the following year.” [Muslim]. See how easy it is to attain Allah‟s forgiveness?

3) Increase in the remembrance of Allah (Dhikr): The Prophet Muhammad (S) told us to increase in

our recitation of “Allahu Akbar”, “La ilaaha illa Allah”, and “Al-Humdulillah”. In these 10 days, the companions of the

Prophet Muhammad (S) would praise Allah loudly not just at the masjid but throughout their entire day at places

like the market and their homes until Eid ul Adha.

4) Repent to Allah for our sins: Though repentance is something we should do at all times, we need

to do more in these days. Remember that a true repentance means that we feel guilty for our actions, we leave

the sin, seek Allah‟s forgiveness, and turn over a new leaf by becoming a better person; never returning to the old,

evil ways. May Allah make us of those who sincerely repent to Him. Insha Allah, Ameen.

5) Increase in voluntary good deeds (Nafl): The best forms of deeds are voluntary Salah (Nafl Pray-

ers), Sadaqah (Charity), Dhikr, and recitation of the Quran. One can think of it as a chance to receive hundreds of

bonus points on an exam! Continued on Page 3...

“In The Name Of Allah, The Most Beneficial, The Most Merciful”

Editor-in-Chief: Hira Mughal

Page 2

As Salaamu „Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu:

On Sunday, September 19th, 2010, Masjid Al-Ahad hosted its 1st Annual Eid Family Picnic at Cullen Park, alhamdulillah! Warm rays of sunshine set the tone for the day as we began early, right after Salat-ul-Fajr. Masjid Al-Ahad community members collectively got together to make preparations to set up for a day to be packed with competitive games, delicious food and many other awesome, fun-filled activities!

The venue of Cullen Park was ideal; it was in close proximity to the local Muslim community and was nestled near the woods with ample space for the kids to run about freely. Pavilion shelters were also available for those who wanted to relax, absorb the fresh air and casually converse amongst one another. Across from the picnic area was a vast and expansive sports field. Many of the Uncles took advantage of this bonanza, to play a favorite desi pas-time....Cricket! However, the most prominent highlight of the Eid Picnic was undoubtedly, the delight of the children! The gamut of their activities ranged from; the „bounce house,” potato sack races, spoon races, balloon tossing, face painting, “nasheed-ical” chairs and last, but not least, a contest of brute strength…the tug-of-war! All the kids (and adults too!) truly enjoyed each and every activity to the fullest, as the pictures illustrate! Masjid Al-Ahad Sunday School conducted several competitions a few weeks prior to the picnic. The competition had encompassed; Surah memoriza-tion recitation, Zakah collection and designing an Eid Card with a du‟a for their parents. Consequently, we culminated the days‟ activities by announcing the winners of these various competitions at the picnic! Winners received fabulous prizes, such as; trophies, certificates of recognition and medals! In conclusion, we wrapped up the festivities by praying Salat-ul-Dhuhr. And it was by the permission and grace of Allah (SWT), a pleasant drizzle came down and cooled us off, Alhamdulillah! Thereafter, everyone was exhausted, spent and ready to go home. However, all attendees shared the same sentiment; they all enjoyed the picnic immensely and were already talking about and looking forward to Mas-jid Al-Ahad‟s 2nd Annual Eid Family Picnic, insha‟Allah! Jazak’Allah Khair to all the parents, children, Masjid Al-Ahad Management and the numerous volunteers for making the Eid Picnic a resounding success, MashaAllah!

~ A Masjid Al-Ahad Community Member

Masjid Al-Ahad Marks the End of Eid-ul-Fitr with a Spectacular Family Picnic!

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 2

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This is also a great time to get in the habit of praying Tahajjud, and would be exceptionally beneficial and rewarding. Again, these are things we should consistently do

throughout the year, but during this time we should do them more, insha‟Allah.

6) Sacrifice an animal for the sake of Allah: A Sunnah of Prophet Ibrahim (A), this service is becoming more available in America and every Muslim who is finan-

cially capable of doing so should do it: Keeping portions of meat for ourselves, giving some to the poor, and giving some to the family and friends.

7) Pray the Eid Prayer: It is obligatory (Fard) on every Muslim, who is not performing Hajj, to pray the Eid prayer and attend the Khutbah (Sermon) and benefit from

it. Eid ul-Adha is a day of thankfulness and good deeds, NOT a day of wild partying. It makes absolutely no sense to partake in loud music, wasteful eating, and disre-

gard of our prayers on the day of Eid.. How silly! Let us change the image of Eid being a day of disobedience to Allah to a day in which we celebrate the new, higher

level of connection we have made with Him.

It is Allah the Most Wise, the Most Just who causes a change in the hearts of man. Let us appreciate the countless blessings Allah has granted us and seek his for-

giveness for all our shortcomings, Ameen! —Imran Ghani

The Ten Most Blessed Days of the Year! Continued...

A quote: “Have you thought about having fun on Halloween, but you can‟t wear a costume and go get candy? So, come to the Masjid and

you will have lots of fun. Instead of dressing up and making the devil happy, we come to the Masjid to make Allah happy and that‟s all that counts. I had

learned many things. And, even last year I didn‟t go to Halloween but I didn‟t go to the Masjid so I was really bored. Now what Masjid Al-Ahad has done

really encourages kids not to wear a costume, but come to the Masjid. When I saw a 6yr old girl walk through the door “Mashallah” were the only

words that came from my mouth. I say if a girl this small does not go to Halloween, how come kids our ages such as 11, 14, and 12 go and get candy?

Don‟t they know that trick-or-treating is forbidden? Well, I guess people just go get candy. What? Our EID is not good enough for them now?”

—Taha Aamar

On the evening of October 31st, Masjid Al-Ahad held an evening of halal fun for community members in the area. The main focus

of the program was to engage children to spend time at the Masjid in a learning environment and have fun! The night was kicked off by

short video reminders from Baba Ali, along with an informative talk highlighting the origins of Halloween and the reasons behind its prohi-

bition In Islam. The audience learned about the importance of being Muslim and practicing the holidays that Allah has enjoined upon us.

After the talk we had a short presentation on a new program launching Nov.5 called ibelong! Afterwards, the children young and old par-

ticipated in an exciting game of Islamic jeopardy. Winners of the game received Sonic gift cards. As everyone finished their delicious

dinner, the kids left with exciting goody bags to take home. Alhamdulillah we had a great turn out this year and hope inshaAllah everyone

was able to benefit from this event. JazakAllahu-khairan to the volunteers and staff for making this successful event!

—A Masjid Al-Ahad Community Member

Kids Korner!

Page 4

- - Nosheen Syed

Across 2. Walking in circles around the kaba 3. an endless spring of pure water 4. Holiday to mark the end of of Hajj 6. The 12th month of the Islamic calendar Down 1. The black stone 5. The Prophet whose sacrifice we remember during Hajj

A J I A M M P R O U D T O D E

B H J E A I M U S L I M H B C

Y K D A R L H Z O S W U C L I

N G A A H H E A S L L I V O F

P Z P B L Z A E R H E T V W I

X R E M A A W M A B A F A S R

E M F T A A D J M M I V R F C

G B W E L Z J I Z U S L J B A

N K M L X J M A E W W I U W S

B N A A L I N A M T P U X R F

M H R Y L T Y A Z C F K N W T

R O J S P S R E C D P R N M Y

N P U Q N W I D W Q F Y Y E P

H M M W A U Z A R O R J Q T U

C T B N G H P J K C L J A O R

ALLAH DHULHAJJ EIDALADHA

HAJJ IBRAHIM ISLAM

ISMAEEL KABA MARWA

MUSLIM SACRIFICE SAFA

UMMAH ZAMZAM

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