The Power of Gratitude Sh. Ahmed Arafat continue on page 3 Part Two Many of us have frequently exclaimed: “al-hamdulillah!” (Praise and thanks are due to Allah) following something good that happened in our life. Is this the only way gratitude is supposed to be expressed? Do feel grateful only for the good? If the answer is “yes,” then we have a very narrow meaning of gratitude? Anyone can say al-hamdulillah. Anyone can thank Allah for the good. Authentic gratitude extends to be expressed during hard times and demonstrated in different ways. To understand the meaning of gratitude, let us check the meaning of its Arabic equivalent: Shukr. In Arabic the word Shukr refers to three main meanings: (1) fullness and appearance, (2) satisfaction with the little and (3) growth. For ex- ample, the Arabs use: شكرت الدابة(lit. the animal thanked) to mean “it looked full and healthy,” دابة شكور(lit. thankful animal) to mean “it takes in less food and gives more like milk), لسماءكرت ا اشت(lit. the sky thanked) to mean “it rained heavily,” لرياحكرت ا اشت(lit. the wind thanked) to mean “it blew hard or brought rain.” Looking at the three meanings of Shukr, we recognize three facts about Shukr: (1) gratitude must be verbally demonstrated, (2) gratitude is required for small favors, not only for big ones, and (3) gratitude must continue and grow at all times. What a powerful Arabic word! As for the spiritual requirements of Shukr, Imam ibn al-Qayy- im, in his Madarij al-Salikin, offers what he calls “the Five Pillars of Gratitude”. He writes: “Gratitude is founded on five pillars: humility before Allah, loving Him, acknowledging His blessings, praising Him for them, and staying away from using them in ways that dis- please Allah. These five pillars are the foundations of Shukr. If one is missing, Shukr lacks one of its foundations.” Let me put these five pillars in a simpler English way and in a different order. I would say: “We have to thank Allah verbally, wholeheartedly, physically, lovingly, and humbly.” In this sec- tion, we’ll discuss the first pillar of gratitude; that is, verbal gratitude. Even though saying al-Hamdulillah is what crosses people’s mind when they think about gratitude, it became so uncon- sciously overused that it turned into a cliché that lost its origi- nal meaning and novelty. Here are seven practices to cultivate and revive our verbal gratitude which help us shift our focus PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 107 BRIDGEVIEW, IL 60455 October 2016 – Muharram 1438 Issue 107 Message From The Imam
Transcript
The Power ofGratitude
Sh. Ahmed Arafat
continue on page 3
Part Two
Many of us have frequently exclaimed: “al-hamdulillah!” (Praise and thanks are due to Allah) following something good that happened in our life. Is this the only way gratitude is supposed to be expressed? Do feel grateful only for the good? If the answer is “yes,” then we have a very narrow meaning of gratitude? Anyone can say al-hamdulillah. Anyone can thank Allah for the good. Authentic gratitude extends to be expressed during hard times and demonstrated in different ways.
To understand the meaning of gratitude, let us check the meaning of its Arabic equivalent: Shukr. In Arabic the word Shukr refers to three main meanings: (1) fullness and appearance, (2) satisfaction with the little and (3) growth. For ex-ample, the Arabs use: شكرت الدابة (lit. the animal thanked) to mean “it looked full and healthy,” دابة شكور (lit. thankful animal) to mean “it takes in less food and gives more like milk), اشتكرت السماء (lit. the sky thanked) to mean “it rained
heavily,” الرياح to mean “it (lit. the wind thanked) اشتكرت blew hard or brought rain.” Looking at the three meanings of Shukr, we recognize three facts about Shukr: (1) gratitude must be verbally demonstrated, (2) gratitude is required for small favors, not only for big ones, and (3) gratitude must continue and grow at all times. What a powerful Arabic word!
As for the spiritual requirements of Shukr, Imam ibn al-Qayy-im, in his Madarij al-Salikin, offers what he calls “the Five Pillars of Gratitude”. He writes:
“Gratitude is founded on five pillars: humility before Allah, loving Him, acknowledging His blessings, praising Him for them, and staying away from using them in ways that dis-please Allah. These five pillars are the foundations of Shukr. If one is missing, Shukr lacks one of its foundations.”
Let me put these five pillars in a simpler English way and in a different order. I would say: “We have to thank Allah verbally, wholeheartedly, physically, lovingly, and humbly.” In this sec-tion, we’ll discuss the first pillar of gratitude; that is, verbal gratitude.
Even though saying al-Hamdulillah is what crosses people’s mind when they think about gratitude, it became so uncon-sciously overused that it turned into a cliché that lost its origi-nal meaning and novelty. Here are seven practices to cultivate and revive our verbal gratitude which help us shift our focus
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October 2016 – Muharram 1438 Issue 107
Message From The Imam
2 October 2016 – Muharram 1438
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The power of gratitudefrom what we lack to the abundance we have:
First, thank Allah by counting His blessings on you. Make your own list on the good things in your life and thank Allah consciously. Remember not to take anything for granted as explained in the first part of this article. Said al-Jurayri used to say: تعداد النعم من الشكر “Counting Allah’s favors is one of the ways of gratitude.” If you cannot recognize the blessings you have in your life, the prophet advises us as reported by al-Tirmizi: “Whoever wakes up feeling safe with his household, staying healthy and having the food for his day is like a person who is given life in its entirety.” To be grateful, you should learn not to get trapped by your habitual way of living.
Second, Speak Allah’s favors on you. Share with the people who love you the good things you are grateful for in your life. This is not arrogance or showing off or being preachy! You are praising Allah and attributing everything humbly to Him. But an arrogant person talks selfishly about himself and takes pride in himself. The Quran reads: “As for the favors of your Lord, report [them]” (93:11). Sharing gratitude can be a source of inspiration for others and holding ourselves more accountable. These are great intentions for sharing gratitude.
Third, wake up early and start your day with words of gratitude. One of the great things in Is-lam is that times for gratitude are ritually established; such as, the five mandatory daily prayers and the recommended Adhkar in the morning and the evening and before sleeping ...etc. Every morning the prophet used to say اللهم ما أصبح بي من نعمة فمنك وحدك ل شريك لك فلك كر My Lord, All blessings that reach me this morning is from You alone. You“ الحمد ولك الشhave no partner. To You is all praise. To You is all gratitude.”(Authentic Hadith as seen by Imam al-Nawawi)
Fourth, end your day with gratitude. Here is, for example, the prophet used to offer the follow-ing prayer before sleeping: (( ن ل كاف الحمد هلل الذي أطعمنا وسقانا وكفانا وآوانا، فكم مم Thanks are due to Allah who gave us food and drinks, sustained us and gave us“ ((له ول مؤويshelter. There are many who are not sufficiently sustained or have a place to live in.” He used to remember the favors of food and drinking water every night before he sleeps, even though he had less than what the poorest of us has. Sometimes months would pass and he had only dates and water! Following the attitude of the prophet in this regard and training ourselves to recognize the blessings usually taken for granted will help us feel a sense of abundance in our life and pull ourselves out of negativity.
Fifth, when you say al-hamdulillah, you should mean it. Say it slowly and feel the words you are expressing. Many of us say al-hamdulillah everyday but the question remains: do we mean when we say it? We start the Fatihah in our Salah with al-hamdulillah and after finish-ing Salah, we say al-hamdulillah 33 times. Are we conscious as we are thanking Allah during these times? A way to help you focus on thanking Allah is to actually remember someone you are grateful to Allah for.
Sixth, thank people who do you a favor. Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Ibn Hibban reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that the prophet said ل يشكر اهلل من ل يشكر الناس “He who does not thank people is not grateful to Allah.” Imam al-Khattabi (d. 399 AH/988) observes in his Ma’alim al-Sunan : “This Hadith can be interpreted in two ways: (1) The one who is ac-customed to be ungrateful to people will be equally accustomed to be ungrateful to Allah, and (2) Allah will not accept one’s gratitude for the Divine blessings if one is ungrateful to others’ favors.”
In another Hadith, the prophet said more clearly: “إليكم معروفا فكافئوه، فإن لم من صنع -Whoever does you a favor, re“ .تجدوا ما تكافئونه فادعوا له حتى تروا أنكم قد كافأتموه
1. Oussama Jammal2. Safaa Zarzour3. Abdallah M. Shuaibi4. Ahmed Kamni5. Habes Abdallah6. Banan Said7. Kalid Baste8. Aisheh Said9. Kamal Eldeirawi10. Jafar Ahmad11. Jamal Said12. Jehad Matariyeh13. Karen Danielson14. Mohamed Aduib15. Montaha Salem16. Muin Abusharara17. Hussein Ata
3
October 2016 – Muharram 1438
By Ahmed Arafat
ward him. If you cannot find anything to give as a reward, then pray for him till he sees that you really rewarded him!” In another Hadith, the prophet teaches us to say the words of gratitude “JazakAllahu khayran” which means “May Allah reward you the best.” Remember to start with rewarding them. If you cannot, ask Allah to reward them. According to the Sunnah, your “JazakAllahu khayran” should not be a cliché; you have to mean it till the person feels really appreciated. This is part of the beauty of our faith—a faith that cares about how others feel and makes that a religious duty.
Practically speaking, start with thanking you parents through whom you are brought to this life. The Quran reads: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grate-ful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them but accompany them in [this] world with appropriate kindness and follow the way of those who turn back to Me [in repentance]. Then to Me will be your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do” (31:14-15).
Similarly, call an old friend, teacher, a dear friend or someone who did something nice to you and tell him or her that you are just calling to thank him or her for being in your life. Your spouse looks out for your needs a daily basis. Leave him or her a thank-you note for something good he or she did, no matter how small it was. Acknowledge the good service provided for you by the mailman, refuse collector or your child bus-driver …etc. by giving them a gift in appreciation of their work. A handwritten card is a heartfelt way of expressing gratitude as it illus-trates your care and thoughtfulness. So, make it your habit to give a compliment daily. Such practices will make everyone have more positive emotions, feel more alive, become more resilient and develop better relations. Therefore, through gratitude, you can end up having a stronger immune system as you start focusing on the positives in your life!
Seventh, practice present-moment gratitude. Here is one way to apply this point. As you are doing a daily activity, as simple as drinking a cup of water, take a moment to pause, be mindful and feel grateful as you are drinking and then say al-hamdulillah with more focus and more awareness. Another way is as you receive a good piece of news say al-hamdulillah and fall down in prostration to Allah. This is a neglected Sunnah known as Sujud al-Shukr (Gratitude Prostration), and is meant to protect us from any potential pride or arrogance. Whereas gratitude is expected every day, Sujud al-Shukr is for noticing and tracking any new blessing in our life. Many scholars see that it is not required to be in the state of Taharah (ritual purity), facing the Qiblah or even wearing Hijab for a lady as this Sujud is a quick reaction to something that may happen suddenly.
To conclude, try these seven practices for a month and call that month “the No-Complaint Month.” Complain-ing frequently could lead to depression, stress and anxiety. Instead, as you embrace gratitude, sow the seeds of gratitude every day and train yourself to look for positive things, you will easily appreciate many pleasures you used to take for granted. (To Be Continued)
4 October 2016 – Muharram 1438
The Mosque Foundation was honored to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Professor Nauman Kurtulmus for Jum’ah Prayer on Fri-day, September 2, 2016. The Prime Minister delivered a short message to Friday congregants on the latest developments in his home country. His excellency and accompanying delegation met the Foundation’s President, Brother Oussama Jammal and Principal Imam, Sheikh Jamal Said as well as several other Muslim leaders and discussed issues affecting American Muslim communities in Chicago. Brother Oussama presented His Excel-lency with an award on behalf of the Mosque Foundation and community as a token of appreciation for his visit and great contributions to serving his country and Muslims around the world. The Prime Minister and leaders concluded the visit with a luncheon hosted by Zakat Foundation at its Unity Center.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey, Professor NaumanKurtulmus, Visited the Mosque Foundation.
EVENTS OF THE MONTH
5
October 2016 – Muharram 1438
Eidul Adha at Toyota Park: Over 20,000 Attended
6 October 2016 – Muharram 1438
واشرقت شمس الصديق من جديد البدايات هي بداية كل نهاية، فما أن ينتهي عام يبدأ آخر، فباشراقة صباحية و ابتسامة ترحبية من مديرة املدرسة ملعلماتها لكادرها استقبلنا طالبنا من
.جديد
ننظر إلى طالبنا وطالباتنا أنهم الثروة الحقيقية لهذا املجتمع، اللبنة التي نضعها لنؤسس عليها جدران املجتمع، والقواعد التي نرفع عليها بنيان األمة.
مستقبل طالبنا وطالباتنا بين ذراعي األسرة واملدرسة، راجين من املولى القديران تكون سنة دراسية حافلة بالتقدم و النجاز
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOLAfter a long summer break from school, the students of Al-Siddiq School re-turned for the new school year of 2016-2017! Students were really excited on their first day and were welcomed by the School administration and staff. Clowns cheerfully greeted the students as well as their families just to start their day off with a smile. In addition, the students were provided with a small nice gift on their way out! Inshallah this year will be a successful one for all! We look forward to a great new academic year.
Join
TEAMAl-Siddiq School is Recruiting Qualified Teachers, Teacher Aids, and unpaid Interns.
If you are interested, please send a cover letter and your resume or CV to:
In its constant aspiration to provide the best education to its students,
Al-Siddiq School is very excited to start using a state of the art cur-
riculum for Arabic language. The curriculum has been developed by
the Arab Center for Educational Services and is being used by tens
of thousands of students learning Arabic in non-Arabic speaking
countries. School Teachers and Staff completed an intensive two-day
training on the new curriculum. In addition, over 70 of Al-Siddiq
School teachers and staff received training on various educational
and management aspects to improve their skills so they can provide
quality education and services to our students, families, and com-
munity.
TEAM
Al-Siddiq School Adopts a State of the Art Curriculum and Conducts Intensive Training to Over 70Teachers and Staff
Eid Al-Adha Celebration and Trip to the Patio
Seeing the smiles on the students faces mean the world to us, especially when we are celebrating our holiday, Eid Al-Adha. Al-Siddiq School organized Eid Al-Adha celebration with many activities for all ages. These activities included jumpers, games, cotton candy, ice cream, and small Eid gifts! In addition, Al-Siddiq School invited around 190 of its students to have a nice lunch at the Patio restaurant. Inshallah everyone enjoyed their time in the party! Kul 3am wa entum bkhair!!
احتفالية العيديق د مت الص رسم البسمة وإدخال البهجة والسرورىلع نفوس طالب الصديق يعني لنا الكثير، خاصة عندما يكون ذلك ابتهاجا بالعيد. فقد نظ احتفالية لعيد األضحى املبارك قضي طالبنا وقتهم بين اللعب و املرح باللعاب التى تم احضارها و استمتعو بالتسالى التى قدمت و الهدايا
التى وزعت وغيث الحلوى الذي امطر عليهم. وكل عام وأنتم بخير
8 October 2016 – Muharram 1438
Mi Conversión al Islam En el Nombre de Allah el Compasivo el Misericordioso
Magdalena Hanafi
Assalamu Alaykum.
Mi nombre es Magdalena, soy originaria de la Ciudad de México y provengo de una familia donde todos en un momento dado éramos Católicos aunque no practicantes como se suele decir -solo de nombre- algunos lo siguen siendo y otros optamos por seguir otras religiones.
Yo siempre estuve consciente de la existencia de Dios Todo Poderoso, pero la manera de Adoración con la que crecí no me satisfacía; sentía un enorme vacío en mi corazón. Sentía que había una manera mucho mejor para adorar a Dios, pero la verdad no sabía cual era.
Trate otras religiones entre ellas la de los testigos de Jehova, tenía una amiga que seguía esa religión y siempre me hablaba de la Biblia, un día ella me invitó a su congregación y fui...pero seguía ese vacío.
Fue hasta que conocí a mi esposo quien es Egipcio y con el cual he estado casada por 35 años que supe acerca del Islam, Alhamdu li Allah!!! aunque no fue inmediata mi conversión pues pasaron 15 años para que yo aceptara el Islam. Durante ese tiempo me sorprendía mucho la manera en como mi esposo adoraba a Allah subhana wa ta’ala, especialmente el ritual del rezo y cuando ayunaba durante el mes de Ramadan.
Cuando yo le hacia alguna pregunta sobre el Islam a mi esposo, el siempre me daba una respuesta, a la cual yo le encontraba lógica. Fue entonces que empecé a suplicarle a Allah subhana wa ta’ala, le pedia : “Si el Islam es la verdadera religión, por favor Allah guíame, hazme sentirla en mi corazón y si es esta la religión que debo seguir, dame discernimiento y sabiduría para entenderla”. También influyó en mi mucho la manera respetuosa de como mi esposo nos trataba a mi y a nuestros hijos; a mi familia y especialmente a mis padres, y su disposición de ayudarlos en el momento necesario; ¡ y como el expresaba su gran amor por sus padres y hermanas! Todo eso me hacía ver que algo muy bueno tenía esta religión.
Lo que más me atraía del Islam era la adoración pura a un Solo Dios; tenía mucha importancia para mí eso. Así fue como poco a poco fui leyendo, estudi-ando y aprendiendo sobre nuestro Creador y nuestro querido Profeta Muhammed (saw) y cada vez me gustaba más aprender acerca del Islam.
Más adelante conocí a la hermana Celia, Alhamdu le Allah por ponerla en mi camino! Ella me invitó a unas reuniones que hacía con miembros de su familia donde se presentaban diferentes temas sobre el Islam, Ma sha Allah y Alhamdu li Allah fue entonces que yo estuve convencida de ser una musulmana e hice mi shahada! Aprendí y continúo aprendiendo mucho de la hermana Celia que Allah subhana wata’ala la recompense con lo mejor de esta vida y la otra a ella, a su familia y toda su descendencia. Amen.
Allah subhana wa ta’ala ha sido tan Generoso y Misericordioso conmigo ya que me encaminó al Islam, y ha puesto gente muy buena en mi camino.
Me sentía tan contenta con mi nueva práctica de adoración y estaba tan emocionada que quería transmitir todo lo que estaba aprendiendo y empecé a com-partir de acuerdo a mis conocimientos lo que era el Islam con mis hermanos; fue muy difícil, algunos de mis hermanos si me escucharon y parecía que les gustaba, pero hubo otros que no aceptaban que les hablara sobre el Islam, me criticaron y se burlaron de mí, y aún más cuando empecé a usar mi velo, pero no me importaba porque al fin yo me sentía completamente feliz en mi manera de adorar a Allah subhana wa ta’ala.
Fue tan bonito cuando les hablé del Islam a mis padres. Mi padre fue el primero en aceptarlo tenía 86 años. Luego al poco tiempo mi madre a los 78 años también lo aceptó, Alhamdu li Allah. Qué bendecidos hemos sido por mi Creador! Mi padre murió siendo musulman hace un año a los 97 años (que Allah le de el Paríaso), tenía bien claro el concepto de la adoración pura a un sólo Dios y creía en el Profeta Muhammed (saw) como mensajero y siervo de Allah, sus últimas palabras verbales fueron “Alhmadu li Allah” de ahí ya no volvió a emitir ninguna palabra pero Alhamdu li Allah levantaba su dedo índice indicando la Unicidad de Allah, era una costumbre que teníamos el y yo cuando nos veíamos. A mi madre se le dificultó mucho más, porque algunos de mis hermanos no aceptaban que ella siguiera el Islam decían que era una religión sólo para los árabes, trataron de convencerla para que se alejara y que cambiara su decisión pero ella se mantuvo bien firme, y les decía: “yo voy a seguir en esta religión y de aquí no me salgo”. Lo que me sorprende de mi madre es que tiene más de cuarenta años viviendo en los Estados Unidos y en todo ese tiempo, el inglés no se le ha dado y no puede decir una oración en Inglés, pero Alhamdu li Allah se memorizó la Fatiha en árabe.
Por ahí hay algunos de mis hermanos que les gusta el Islam, hago muchas súplicas todos los días para que Allah los guíe hacia esta hermosa religión.
Doy gracias a Allah subhana wa ta’ala por guiarme por el camino del Islam después de mucho tiempo que estuve extraviada y confundida, y le suplico que nunca me saque de Su Guía. También le pido a Allah que Guíe y mantenga bien firme a mis hijos, sus familias, a toda mi descendencia y a toda la ummah por la via recta y que nos de todo lo mejor en esta vida y la otra...
