The blessed month of Rabi-Ul-Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar has dawned upon us. As per previous years, a number of events will be organised by Leeds Makkah Masjid and Deen Foundation during this month.
The Meaning of the word “Rabi-ul-Awwal” is the first month of spring.
Rabi’ul-Awwal is the most significant month in the [...]
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11, around 60 British Muslim organisations have united to express their solidarity with victims of terrorism and to tell the terrorists that a decade on ‘they failed’ in seeking to divide society on religious grounds.
Imam of Leeds Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said : “violent extremism, terrorism and taking lives of innocent people is against the teachings of Islam. Muslims have always stood against such evil and distorted ideology. On the 10th anniversary of 9/11, all human beings must resolve to work towards creating a better world for all – a world full of hope, compassion and mercy – and eliminate root causes that lead to violence, despair and injustice.”
STATEMENT
As the tenth anniversary of the atrocities of September 11th 2001 draws closer, we wish to take this opportunity to come together to reiterate our profound sympathy for the victims of the attacks in the US. We also honour the memory of all victims of terrorism in all nations around the world.
The last ten years have not been easy. Tragically, we have seen thousands more people from all walks of life become victims of terrorism. We have also seen the impact of the conflicts resulting from 9/11 in different parts of the Muslim world and experienced the terrible consequences of acts of terror here in Britain on 7th July 2005. The recent tragic events in Oslo show us that terrorists still continue to plan and carry out attacks against people regardless of their race, religion, gender or social circumstance.
As a community we have rejected the terrorists, the emptiness of their words and the futility of their actions. They have nothing to offer the world. Those who seek to divide society have failed. Indeed, their destructive actions have only brought communities closer together. Their message that terrorism is the only way to achieve change has been rejected by ordinary citizens standing in peaceful protest for greater political participation and freedom across the Middle East and North Africa.
Ten years on from the 9/11 attacks, our communities are growing stronger and more resilient. Communities have come together to find common ground and resolve differences. For those of us who are Muslims, our faith gives us hope– a hope shared by people of all faiths and of none – for a world free from terror and injustice.
Now is the time to look to the future with greater optimism. Our common humanity, our spirit of community, the values we share as human beings, will give us the strength to confront those who seek to divide rather than unite us, now and in the future. We will continue to stand together in troubled times, not just against terrorism but against all forms of criminality that pervade our society – as we saw during the riots that spread across the UK in recent weeks. Only together can we defeat such problems. Only together can we work to build communities whose unity honours the memory of the victims of September 11th and victims of conflicts and terror around the world.
BELOW IS A LIST OF BRITISH MUSLIM ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING LEEDS MAKKAH MASJID THAT HAVE SIGNED THE STATEMENT:
Ahlul Bayt TV
Al-Khoei Foundation
An-Nisa Society
Association of British Muslims (AOBM)
Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML)
Ayesha Community Education
Bristol Muslim Women’s Network
British Muslim Forum (BMF)
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD)
BritSlam Partnership
Canopus Consulting
CENTRI
City Circle
Embrace Foundation
Federation of Muslim Organisations
Harlesden Islamic Cultural Centre
Help Somalia Foundation
Hosseinieh Foundation, Bristol
Inspire
International Forum For Islamic Dialogue
International Imam Hussein Council
Iraqi Welfare Association
Islamic Circles
Islamic Society of Britain
JIMAS
Karimia Institute
Khayaal Theatre Company
Khazra Central Mosque, Glasgow
Leeds Makkah Masjid
Leicester Central Mosque
Light of Guidance Theatre
London Academy of Iranian Studies (LAIS)
London Fatwa Council
MAWAH, London (Muslim Active Women Around Hounslow)
Mecca 2 Medina
Milton Keynes Arts and Culture Organisation
Minhaj-ul-Quran International, UK
Muhammadi Trust of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Muslim Youth Association (MYA)
Muslim Youth Helpline (MYH)
Noor Trust
Pakistan Community Centre, Willesden, London
Ramadhan Foundation
Rabita Ltd
Radical Middle Way
Sefydliad Materion Mwslemaidd Cymru (Wales Institute for Muslim Affairs)
Following news appeared in Yorkshire Evening Post regarding the plans of Leeds Muslim Council (management committee of Makkah Mosque) to start up nursery and independent school for the local communities.
Insha-Allah, Eid ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Wednesday, 31 August 2011.
Eid ul-Fitr prayer will be held at 10:00am.
Praying facilities are always available for sisters.
On this happy occasion of Eid Makkah Masjid sends its greetings to the entire Muslim community with sincere wishes that Allah would enable us all to enjoy many more such occasions with increased faith, goodness and prosperity. We pray that we continue worshipping Allah for the rest of the year as we have done in the month of Ramadan and that we employ the qualities of God-consciousness, devotion, self-sacrifice, discipline, and unity that we have acquired in the month of Ramadan in our daily lives.
To learn about the sunnahs of the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding Eid day, please clik on the link below:
Islam places huge emphasis on gaining knowledge, so much so that the first revelation was about “Read in the name of Your Lord”. [96:1]
Education is also crucial to integration and social cohesion in a diverse multicultural and multi-faith society.
One third of Muslims are under age 16 and there are approximately half a million Muslim children and young people currently receiving education in British schools and colleges. There is significant diversity in what Muslim parents want. While some would like to send their children to schools with an Islamic ethos, others merely want single-sex schooling. The majority of Muslims in the UK attend community school. However, at present many parents, including Muslims, feel that community schools are not meeting the needs of their children.
The key educational issues concerning Muslim parents are: the continuing poor academic results of Muslim children and the inadequacy of spirituals and moral education that schools provide. There are many reasons for this and a number of stakeholders have a vital role to play if things are to change any time soon.
The Muslim community of Leeds has embarked on a new initiative to build a nursery, with a view to eventually establishing a school.
The management committee of Al-Madina Jamia Masjid and Makkah Masjid, Leeds Muslim Council, believes teaching Islam is not only about learning the basic duties such as praying. It is teaching the children manners, as well as cleanliness, and remembrance of Allah. Something as simple as having the children wash their hands and say ‘bismillah’ before they eat, teaches them how to act as Muslims on a daily basis. A Nursery shall provide an Islamic environment to the children and will instil in them good morals, which will help them become good Muslims. A good Muslim is a good citizen, a gentle and caring member of the society.
The education of children is an on-going reality. In this blessed month of Ramadan, help us towards giving a better future to our children and earn multiple rewards. Pay your Sadaqah/donations towards education and building the nursery to assist young Muslims to have a better future, insha’Allah.
When a Muslim will make a donation to the school, this will Inshallah be a Sadaqa Jariya, which will bring continuous reward until the day of Judgement.
The Prophet (Sallallahhualihiwasalam) said “When the son of Adam dies his actions come to an end except three things, a continuing charity or knowledge which gives benefit or a pious child who prays for him” [Sahih Muslim]
Tonight is a very blessed night. It could be a night of power – Laylat-ul-Qadr.
At Leeds Makkah Masjid, we will have a full night session of worshipping Allah Almighty.
So pelase do join us at Leeds Makkah Masjid tonight and make it a very memorable night of worshipping Allah Almighty. Sehri will be offered in the morning for keeping the fast.
The schedule for tonight is:
9.15pm – Start of the session, with youth reciting Holy Quran and Nasheed.
10.00pm – Isha and Taraweh prayer
11.00pm – Khatam-ul-Quran dua
11.30pm – English speeches by brother Muhammad Umar of Ummah Channel and Hafiz Muhammad Gul of Jamia al-Karam
12.30pm – Break
1.00am – Salatul Tasbih offered with Jamat – a very important prayer during this night.
2.00am – Zikr and Awraad – remembering Allah Almighty and sending salutations on Rasulullah.
2.30am - Salatul Layl offered with Jamat – addition prayers offered during this night.
3.00am – Sehri – food will be served for the Sehri
It gives us a great pleasure to announce that insha-Allah on Friday 26th August 2011, a great Qari, Qari Yasir Abdul basset Abdussamad, will be reciting the Holy Quran at Leeds Makkah Masjid after the Jummah prayer. The Jummah prayer takes place at 2pm.
Qari Yasir Abdul Basit is the son of a world-renowned Qari, Shaikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad.
In Makkah Masjid, the recitation of the Holy Qur’an is completed in the Taraweeh prayer (night prayer) every year. The Tarweeh prayer has been lead by two huffaz: Qari Muhammad Asim and Qari Muhammad Qasim.
The khatam-ul-Qur’an mehfil will be held on Friday, 27th night of Ramadhan (26 August 2011). The 27th night of Ramadan is considered by many scholars as the most likely night of Shab-e-Qadr/ Laylat-ul-Qadr / the Night of Power.
The whole community is invited to this blessed gathering on Friday 26 August at 9:30pm.
The programme will include, tilawat, na’at, nasheed and talks, zikr and nawafil (optional prayers).
The programme will continue throughout the night and sehri/suhur will be provided in the morning.
Please click on the following link to read about Shab-Qadr:
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. [Muslim].
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has also encouraged Muslims to find the night of Shab-e-Qadr/ Laylat-ul-Qadr / the Night of Power in the odd numbered nights in the last ten nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. [Bukhari]
Special devotion should be made to Allah in these nights. One may engage in lengthy rakaats of additional prayer (nawafil), Tilaawat of the Qur’an, Zikr, and Dua.
In Makkah Masjid, special Qiyam-ul-Lail programme shall be organised on the following nights after Taraweeh prayer.
In addition to special prayers, recitation of the Noble Qur’an the following talks will be given by Imam of the mosque, Qari Muhammad Asim.
Saturday 21 August: The path to Perfection
Monday 23 August: A night with the Prophet (peace be upon him)
I`tikaf is the seclusion and staying in the mosque of men with the intention of gaining closeness to Allah. This was the practise of the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, in particular during the last ten days of Ramadan.
This Year 2011, I`tikaf shall start before Maghrib prayer on Saturday 20th August and end at Maghrib prayer on Tuesday 30th August.
Ahadith about I`tikaf
‘Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan” [Bukhari]
Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (R.A) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days of Ramadan, then he observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days in a small tent at the door of which was a reed mat. He took the mat in his hand and lifted it. Then he put his head out and spoke to the people, and they came close to him. He said: “I observed i’tikaaf during the first ten days seeking this night, then I observed i’tikaaf during the middle ten days. Then someone came and said to me that it is in the last ten days, so whoever among you wishes to observe i’tikaaf let him do so.” So the people observed i’tikaaf with him. [Muslim]
`Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha also reported that the Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, “Used to perform i’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah the Mighty and Majestic, took him. [Bukhari and Muslim]
‘Aisha reported that the Prophet,salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice I`tikaf after him. [Bukhari]
Benefits of I`tikaf
I`tikaf, spiritual retreat, is a means of great reward and closeness to Allah as the person performing I`tikaf submits his/her entire person to the worship of Allah Most High in order to;
- seeks closeness;
- renew himself by submitting totally towards Allah.
- distances himself/herself from the worldly distractions that prevent one from such closeness;
- devotes his entire time in actual or effective worship; and
- makes the one in retreat resemble the angels who do not disobey the command of Allah and do what they are commanded, while glorifying Allah by night and day without tiring.
Communal Sunnah
I`tikaf is a communal sunna and therefore at least some people in each community must make i`tikaf for the entire last 10 days of Ramadan. It is blameworthy upon the community as a whole not to arrange and implement this.
I`tikaf for Women at Home
It is recommended for women to do i`tikaf (spiritual retreat) in a specific place in their house, a quiet room, for example, whenever they have the time and are able to do so without neglecting their family duties and other responsibilities.
Things permitted during I`tikaf
Everything normally permissible, besides sexual relations, is permitted during i`tikaf, such as eating, drinking, and talk.
A person performing I`tikaf should busy oneself with the beneficial things as much as one meaningfully can, such as:
1. Voluntary prayer,
2. Reciting the Book of Allah,
3. Remembrance of Allah, in all its forms,
4. Gaining beneficial knowledge, reading and listening to inspiring religious discourses,
5. Reflecting upon the creation and his/her own circumstances
One should avoid simply wasting time in talking and indulging things bereft of benefit, let alone committing sinful/ haram activities.
Administrator on September 10th, 2011
