Fasting is done for Me, and I am - Islamic Education Center

NOVEMBER 2003 (1 st RAMADAN IS EXPECTED TO BE ON 27 th or 28 thOCTOBER) Subject to moon sighting.“Fasting is done for Me, and I am its reward” – Hadith Qudsi (Allah’s Words) 2313 S. Voss Rd,P.O.Box 572385Houston, Tx 77257-2385Tel : (713) 787-5000Fax: (281) 754-4430http://www.iec-houston.orgResident Alim:Moulana M. Nasser Biriaalim@iec-houston.orgBoard of Directors:Chairman:Br. Syed Jaffar Amir(713) 787-5000 x 52(832) 876-3159 Cellchairman@iec-houston.orgSecretary:Br. Shahid Ali Chawla(713)-787-5000 x 53secretary@iec-houston.orgDirector of Finance:Br. Syed Inam Naqvi(713)-787-5000 x 56treasurer@iec-houston.orgDirector of Programs:Br. Hasan A. Syed(713) 787-5000 x 58director.programs@iec-houston.orgDirector of Education:Br. Imran Dhanji(713) 787-5000 x 54director.education@iec-houston.orgDirector of Property:Br. Ghulam Hussain Habib(713) 787-5000 x 55director.property@iec-houston.orgDirector of Public Relations:Br. Syed Qamber Jafri(713) 787-5000 x 82director.publicrelations@iec-houston.orgDirector of Youth:Br. Ahsan Mirza713-787-5000 x83director.youth@iec-houston.orgDirector of Library and Publications:Br. Hyder A. Syed(713) 787-5000 x 57director.publications@iec-houston.orgTo receive IEC programsinformation via email please visitthe IEC website noted above.The Fast Of A BelieverThe Holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) said, ‘Fasting is a protection fromcalamities of this world, and a veil from punishment of the next.’ When you fast, intend therebyto restrain your self from fleshly appetites and to cut off those worldly desires arising from theideas of Satan and his kind. Put yourself in the position of a sick person who desires neither foodnor drink; expect recovery at any moment from the sickness of wrong actions. Purify your innerbeing of every lie, turbidity, heedlessness and darkness, which might cut off from the meaning ofbeing sincere for the sake of Allah (SWT).Somebody said to one of the companions, ‘You are already weak; fasting will weaken youfurther.’ ‘I am preparing that fast for the evil of the long day’ he said. Patience in obeying Allah(SWT) is easier than patience in His punishment.’ And the Messenger of Allah once quotedAllah (SWT)’s words, ‘Fasting is done for Me, and I am its reward.’ ---- Imam Sadiq (AS) Ramadhan is a spiritual journey for the believer. For the whole month, he travels to get nearer toAllah. On the way he will pass many obstacles and diversions that may hinder and slow hispassage. To make sure that his journey is swift and progressive, he needs many items. Preparingfor Ramadan means to ensure one has the necessary equipment for the journey.The following are some of the necessary items for a believer's trip towards Allah. An Attitude of Anticipation and EnthusiasmA believer looks forward to the month of Ramadhan. He enjoys the beauty of spirit thatRamadhan brings. He is happy when the month arrives and sad when it departs.Flexible Time and ScheduleRamadhan requires that we set aside more time than normal for worship and prayers. A believerplans his time such a way that in Ramadhan he is not overwhelmed by the demands of the world.A Qur'an with a good translationAn important part of worship in Ramadhan includes reciting the Qur'an regularly. Understandingthe word of Allah, and pondering over it should be daily activities in this holy month.A Donation to a Worthwhile CharityRamadhan is the best time to donate in the way of Allah. To feed the hungry or give to the needyis an act of great reward, especially during the holy month.A Determination to Avoid SinsFasting is not mere abstinence from food and drink, as we have heard many times. It is alsostaying away from all sins. While fasting, all the organs of the body fast and refrain from doinganything which would displease Allah.A Desire to Help OthersIn his sermon at the approach of the holy month of Ramadhan, the Prophet (s) said: Whoeverlightens the work of his workers in this month, Allah will make easy his accounting on the Day ofJudgment. This does not only apply to those who have workers working for them. To help andlessen the work of others: parents, siblings, relatives, friends, etc. during the holy month is an actof great virtue.November, 2003 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter -1-

DAYDATEIslamic Education Center2313 S. Voss Road, Houston, TX 77057 (713) 787-5000 iec-houston.org RAMADHANSch. ASch. B∗ 1 st of Ramadhan subject to the sighting of moon.IMSAK FAJR SUNRISE ZOHR/ASR SUNSETMAGH./IFTARSPECIALPROGRAMSMON OCT. 27 1 ∗ 4:59 5:09 6:30 12:03 5:37 5:57TUE OCT. 28 2 1 5:00 5:10 6:30 12:03 5:36 5:56WED OCT. 29 3 2 5:01 5:10 6:31 12:03 5:35 5:55THU OCT. 30 4 3 5:01 5:11 6:32 12:03 5:34 5:54FRI OCT. 31 5 4 5:02 5:12 6:32 12:03 5:34 5:54SAT NOV. 1 6 5 5:03 5:12 6:33 12:03 5:33 5:53SUN NOV. 2 7 6 5:03 5:13 6:34 12:03 5:32 5:52MON NOV. 3 8 7 5:04 5:14 6:35 12:03 5:31 5:51TUE NOV. 4 9 8 5:04 5:14 6:36 12:03 5:30 5:50 Wafat of HazratWED NOV. 5 10 9 5:05 5:15 6:37 12:03 5:30 5:50 Khadija (as)THU NOV. 6 11 10 5:06 5:16 6:37 12:03 5:29 5:49FRI NOV. 7 12 11 5:07 5:16 6:38 12:03 5:28 5:48SAT NOV. 8 13 12 5:07 5:17 6:39 12:03 5:28 5:48SUN NOV. 9 14 13 5:08 5:18 6:40 12:03 5:27 5:47 Wiladat ofMON NOV. 10 15 14 5:09 5:18 6:41 12:03 5:26 5:46 Imam Hasan (as)TUE NOV. 11 16 15 5:09 5:19 6:41 12:04 5:26 5:46WED NOV. 12 17 16 5:10 5:20 6:42 12:04 5:25 5:45THU NOV. 13 18 17 5:11 5:21 6:43 12:04 5:25 5:45 Majlis/Shabe QadrFRI NOV. 14 19 18 5:11 5:21 6:44 12:04 5:24 5:44 Shahadat of ImamSAT NOV. 15 20 19 5:12 5:22 6:45 12:04 5:24 5:44 Ali (as)/Shabe QadrSUN NOV. 16 21 20 5:13 5:23 6:46 12:04 5:23 5:43 Majlis ContinueMON NOV. 17 22 21 5:13 5:23 6:46 12:05 5:23 5:43 Shabe QadrTUE NOV. 18 23 22 5:14 5:24 6:47 12:05 5:22 5:42WED NOV. 19 24 23 5:15 5:25 6:48 12:05 5:22 5:42THU NOV. 20 25 24 5:16 5:26 6:49 12:05 5:21 5:41FRI NOV. 21 26 25 5:16 5:26 6:50 12:05 5:21 5:41 Day of QudsSAT NOV. 22 27 26 5:17 5:27 6:51 12:06 5:21 5:41SUN NOV. 23 28 27 5:18 5:28 6:51 12:06 5:21 5:41MON NOV. 24 29 28 5:18 5:28 6:52 12:06 5:20 5:40TUE NOV. 25 30 29 5:19 5:29 6:53 12:07 5:20 5:40WED NOV. 26 ∗ 30 5:20 5:30 6:54 12:07 5:20 5:40KAFFARAH:Kaffarah for delay of fasting from last year and for sick persons who could not fast provided sickness continued this yearis 1.625 Lbs./Day of Wheat, Rice, Barley, Raisin, Date or similar produce. The approximate costs of 1.625 Lbs. are:Wheat = $0.65 Rice = $1.21 Barley = $2.42 Raisin = $8.50 Dates = $4.87ZAKATUL-FITRA:This Zakat is obligatory for any person who is mature, sane, conscious and financially able at sunset on the last Day ofRamadhan to pay for himself and his dependents. The rate is 3 kilograms (1 SA = 6.6 Lbs.) of Wheat, Rice, Barley, Raisin,Date or similar produce per person. It is also permitted to give cash value of such items by rounding it up to higher value.All momineen are encouraged to pay their Khums on 15 th of Ramadhan.Approximate costs of 6.6 Lbs. are:Wheat = $2.63 Rice = $4.95 Barley = $9.83 Raisin = $39.53 Dates = $19.80November, 2003 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter -2-

PROGRAMS FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADHAN 1424 (OCT-NOV. 2003)Wafat ofHazrat Khadija (AS)Tuesday, 4 th NovemberNight of 10 th RamadhanMaghrib PrayerIftar/DinnerIsha PrayerDua-e-TawwasulKhatme Qur’anSpeech/Q&AClosing5:50 pm6:00 pm7:00 pm7:15 pm7:30 pm8:15 pm9:00 pmCelebration !!!Jashne Wiladat of ImamHasan ibn Ali al - Mujtaba (AS)Sunday, 9 th NovemberNight of 15 th RamadhanMaghrib PrayerIftar/DinnerIsh PrayerKhatme Qur’anDua-e-Imam AliQaseedaSpeech/Q&AClosing5:47 pm6:00 pm7:00 pm7:15 pm8:00 pm8:30 pm8:45 pm9:30 pmRegular ProgramsDuring the Month ofRamadhanMaghrib Prayer on timeIftar/Dinner 6:00 pmIsha Prayer 7:00 pmKhatme Qur’an 7:15 pmDua-e-Iftetah /Dua-e-Imam Ali (AS) 8:00 pmSpeech/Q&A 8:30 pmClosing9:00 pm*Mon., Wed.: Dua-e-IftetahTue: Dua-e-TawwasulThursday: Dua-e-KumailFri.–Sun: Dua-e-Imam Ali (AS)Majalis for Shahadat of ImamAli ibn Abitalib (A.S.)Thursday - Sunday13 th – 16 th November18 th – 21 st RamadhanMaghrib Prayer 5:45 pmIftar/Dinner6:00 pmIsha Prayer7:00 pmKhatme Qur’an 7:15 pmDua-e-Kumail/Imam Ali 8:00 pmEnglish Majlis8:30 pmSimultaneous Majalis 9: 00 pmUrdu – Main HallSpeaker: To be announcedFarsi – Men’s Dinning HallSpeaker: Moulana Nasser BiriaEnglish – Ladies Dinning HallSpeaker: Br. Jafar Muhibullah (N. Carolina)PLEASE NOTE:A’amal (Prayers) forThe Nights of QadrThur., Sat., Mon.13 th , 15 th , 17 th November18 th , 20 th , 22 nd RamadhanShort A’amalTea/Snacks BreakAll Night A’amalTea/Snacks BreakA’amal (Cont’d.)Tea/Snacks BreakA’amal (Cont’d.)SuhurFajr Prayer10:15 pm11:15 pm11:30 pm1:00 am1:15 am3:00 am3:15 am4:30 am5:30 amDay of QudsFriday, 21 st Nov.26 th RamadhanDetails of the Quds Rally willbe available a week before theevent.• Daily prayer timings: Fajr Prayer - 20 min. after Fajr time, Zohr & Asr Prayers - 12:30, Maghrib Prayer - on time• It is recommended to see the moon for the first of Ramadhan & Shawwal and report the evidence of moon sightingto the Resident Alim, Maulana Nasser Biria @ (713) 974-4336 or (281) 658-2199.• Weekly Sunday school during the Ramadhan will be scheduled on Saturdays from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm.• Iftar/Dinner will be served every night. Suhur will be served during the nights of Qadr.• Dua-e-Tawassul & Dua-e-Kumail will be recited on Tuesday & Thursday nights & Dua-e-Nudbah on Friday morning.• Please donate generously towards the Iftar Fund, which has been set-up to provide daily Iftar/Dinner.• If you wish to sponsor a special night’s Iftar/Dinner/Tabaruk, please contact any board member.• All Iftar/Dinners are sponsored by the community; please drop your contributions in the Iftar Fund Box or contact:Br. Inam Naqvi @ (832) 287-0786, Sisters may contact Sr. Sarwat Naqvi @ (713) 266-0786.November, 2003 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter -3-

DAYDATESpeech Schedule during Ramadhan by Moulana Nasser BiriaRAMADHANSch. ASch. BSPEECH TOPICSMON OCT. 27 1 ∗ General rules and virtue of fasting Tafsir Surah Saff (1): Vs: 1-3TUE OCT. 28 2 1 Purity of body and clothes in salat Tafsir Surah Saff (2): Vs: 4WED OCT. 29 3 2 Wudhu Tafsir Surah Saff (3): Vs: 5THU OCT. 30 4 3 Tayammum Tafsir Surah Saff (4): Vs: 6-7FRI OCT. 31 5 4 Following a Qualified Jurist Mujtahid Tafsir Surah Saff (5): Vs: 8SAT NOV. 1 6 5 Leadership of Wilayat Faqih Tafsir Surah Saff (6): Vs: 9SUN NOV. 2 7 6 Traveler’s fasting Tafsir Surah Saff (7): Vs: 10-13MON NOV. 3 8 7 Prayer is never exempted other than .. Tafsir Surah Saff (8): Vs: 14TUE NOV. 4 9 8 Required hijab for Ladies Hazrat Khadija, life & ContributionsWED NOV. 5 10 9 Required hijab for Men Tafsir Mumtahinah (1): Vs: 1THU NOV. 6 11 10 Rules regarding mahram/non-mahram Tafsir Surah Mumtahinah (2): Vs: 2FRI NOV. 7 12 11 Khums (1) what is Khums? Tafsir Surah Mumtahinah (3): Vs: 3SAT NOV. 8 13 12 Khums (2) How to calculate? Namaz Ayat Tafsir Mumtahinah (4): Vs: 4SUN NOV. 9 14 13 Khums (3) Disbursement of Khums The Champion of PatienceMON NOV. 10 15 14 Backbiting (1) Definition Tafsir Mumtahinah (5): Vs: 5-6TUE NOV. 11 16 15 Backbiting (2) Exceptions Lessons from Battle of BadrWED NOV. 12 17 16 Backbiting (3) Exceptions Tafsir Mumtahinah (6): Vs: 7-8THU NOV. 13 18 17 Silih Arhaam (1) Meaning and results Tafsir Qadr Amir-al-Mumineen AS (1)FRI NOV. 14 19 18 Silih Arhaam (2) Rights of parents Ali Amir-al-Mumineen AS (2)SAT NOV. 15 20 19 Silih Arhaam (3) Exceptions Ali Amir-al-Mumineen AS (3)SUN NOV. 16 21 20 Promoting right & preventing evil (1) Tafsir Mumtahinah (7): Vs: 9MON NOV. 17 22 21 Promoting right & preventing evil (2) Tafsir Mumtahinah (8): Vs: 10-11TUE NOV. 18 23 22 Promoting right & preventing evil (3) Tafsir Mumtahinah (9): Vs: 12WED NOV. 19 24 23 Hajj (1) When Hajj becomes Wajib? Tafsir Mumtahinah (10): Vs: 13THU NOV. 20 25 24 Hajj (2) Purification for Hajj Tafsir Surah Jumu’ah (1): Vs: 1-4FRI NOV. 21 26 25 Hajj (3) Results of Hajj Tafsir Surah Jumu’ah (2): Vs: 5-8SAT NOV. 22 27 26 Rulings of Interest Tafsir Surah Jumu’ah (3): Vs: 9-11SUN NOV. 23 28 27 How new moon is proved? Tafsir Surah A‘la (4): Vs: 1-11MON NOV. 24 29 28 Zakat, Fitrah & Kaffarah Tafsir Surah A‘la (4): Vs: 12-15TUE NOV. 25 30 29 Fast Make-up (1) Tafsir Surah A‘la (4): Vs: 16-19WED NOV. 26 ∗ 30 Fast Make-up (2) Virtue of the night and the day of EidNovember, 2003 Wahdat, Islamic Education Center Newsletter -4-