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MCCUC NEWSLETTER
Muslim Community Center of Union County - 60 Prince St, Elizabeth, NJ 07208 - (908) 965-1001
A Letter from Dr. Sheikh
In order to achieve the right understanding
and practice of Islam, we recognize the
extreme importance of establishing Islamic
Centers for preserving our beautiful Deen.
With this goal in mind, by the grace of
Allah (swt) our efforts to buy a suitable
place is a humble and earnest attempt to
provide a place to fulfill the current and
future religious needs of Muslims in this
area.
It becomes our individual responsibility
to support such a project in order to
practice and spread our Deen here, which
is a future home for our next generation.
Any contribution for an Islamic Center is
a Sadaqah-e-Jariah, May Allah (swt) help
us all to spend more in His cause and
to partake of the great rewards He has
promised. Please donate generously for a
permanent Islamic Center.
The devotion to serve one’s community
comes from Islamic teachings that
accentuate desiring good for others.
I would like to invite you to become
active members of MCCUC, participate
in activities, increase your attendance in
prayers and help us keep your Masjid clean
and ready for all religious events.
I would like to take this opportunity to
appreciate executive members, trustees,
overseers and volunteers for their
efforts in spending time out of their busy
personal lives, working FiSabilillah to assist
community to fulfill religious duties and
raising funds for a new place.
Hypertension is harmful
because it is a sign that the
heart is working too hard and
may lead to damaged blood
vessels. Hypertension is also
linked to severe diseases
such as heart disease, stroke,
heart attack, heart failure,
kidney failure and blindness.
The most frightening aspect
After much negotiations, Bank
of Popular has given us a FINAL
offer of $750,000 for the Church
Property. MCCUC members have
accepted the offer and are now
communicating with the attorneys
on both sides to draft a contract.
Please help bring this vision to life
by donating on our website!
Our Executive Committee is working hard
on purchasing a new building. May Allah
(swt) bless all for their efforts. I admire our
members who are working tirelessly to
introduce new programs including Youth,
Fundraising, Sunday school, newsletter,
website and other projects to increase
awareness and improve communication
among the Muslim community.
Community members and volunteers have
set good examples by increasing their
attendance for daily prayers, maintaining
the masjid and teaching Quran to children.
Donate Online on
our website at :
http://www.mccuc.org
Ad Space
Help sponsor this
newsletter by placing
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Thank you all and May Allah (swt) bless
you and your family members. Ameen.
Islam and Your Health: Hypertension
High blood pressure, also
known as hypertension, is a
dangerous health problem
that many Muslims face. Put
simply, blood pressure is the
force that blood exerts on the
walls of the blood vessels in
your body.
February 2012
Church Property Update
Chair, Board of Trustee
Countless praise is due to Allah (SWT) who
blessed us with the gift of Islam which is
the perfect way of life and suitable for all
times and places. Along with peace and
tranquility, it offers humanity an easy
guideline towards the ultimate success in
this world and Hereafter.
|
by Saad Yousuf
of hypertension lies in the
fact that people who have
hypertension show no
physical signs until an organ
is damaged, which is why it is
appropriately referred to as
the “silent killer.”
Hypertension is a health
condition that is prevalent
in many Muslim families
and communities. Many
brothers and sisters have an
unfortunate habit of overeating and cooking dishes
with unnecessarily high
amounts of salt. Increased
salt consumption and obesity
are major contributors to high
blood pressure. It is important
that we take care of our
loved one’s health to ensure
that they do not develop
hypertension. If someone
you know has hypertension,
lifestyle changes such as
decreasing salt intake and
losing weight must be made.
To prevent obesity and
its many complications
(such as hypertension,
diabetes, atherosclerosis,
high cholesterol, heart
disease, stroke, and sleeping
problems), it is stated in the
Qur’an, “Oh children of Adam,
take your adornment at every
masjid and eat and drink, but
be not excessive. Indeed, He
likes not those who commit
excess” (Qur’an, 7:31).
Muhammad (SAW) says, “Eat
less, you will be healthier,” and
describes the quantity of food
and drink we should have (i.e.
how the stomach should be
1/3 for food, 1/3 for liquids,
and 1/3 for air). In order to
prevent high blood pressure
and obesity in Muslim
communities, Muslims must
practice the good eating habits
that Allah (SWT) has described
and that Muhammad (SAW)
has practiced and preached.
An Introduction to Humility
by Zagham Chaudry
According to the English dictionary, humility is the quality of being modest and respectful. However, to us Muslims, humility should
mean so much more than that. In fact, our entire religion is based on humility. In my opinion, humility may be one of the best,
if not the best traits to have in an individual. Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and
philosophical traditions, being connected with notions of transcendent unity with the universe or the divine, and of selflessness.
However, no one was as humble as the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.). His actions, his life, and he himself was the most humble man
that ever lived. Despite being the best of God’s creation, he showed utmost humility in his dealings with the events of his daily life.
For example, he looked down when he walked, he slept and ate on the floor, he was modest in speech and spoke very little. By the
time of his death, he was the virtual King of Arabia, yet his mannerisms were of those of a very humble and poor man.
In order to better understand our religion and how it connects to humility, simply take the word “Muslim” itself. A Muslim by
definition is one who submits his or her will to almighty God, kind of like a slave or servant. So, if you submit your will, your
desires, and your needs and wants, you are a humble person. Therefore, one cannot be a true Muslim if one is not humble. But
unfortunately, in today’s modern and quick paced world, humility is not always looked upon as a good thing. In order to succeed in
this country, in the market, and in the business-world for example, we are expected to be quick, strong, and cutthroat competitive
in order to reach the top. Showing off one’s accomplishments and boasting have become a part of everyday society. However, in
Islam the life of this world is only a temporary one and nothing but our good deeds will really matter. The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said
that “Humility is a virtue through and through.” This hadith tells us that there is nothing wrong with too much humility. Therefore if
something is purely good, then however much you have of it, it can only be good for you.
What we have to realize is that there is no reason to not be humble. There is no reason to boast or be arrogant at all. The Prophet
(P.B.U.H.) said: “By Allah, this world in comparison to the hereafter is nothing, but as though one of you dipped his finger in the sea.
So ponder how much water the finger returns with.” So, the point of this hadith is that the world and everything in it even if you
obtain it, it is nothing to boast about or be arrogant about because it is insignificant. Even in prayer, Muslims prostrate themselves
to the ground, acknowledging human beings’ lowliness and humility before the Lord of the Worlds. The Quran says that “Successful
indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers.” (Al-Muminoon 23:1-2).
In the times of Jahiliyya (before the coming of the Islam), humility and modesty was unheard of. The pre-Islamic Arabs followed the
rules of no one except themselves, and preserved their personal honor above all else. They would humble themselves to no one,
neither a man nor a God. They were proud of their absolute independence, their human power; they had limitless self-confidence
and refused to bow down to any authority. Also, the story of Satan or Iblis’ story also has to do with the Satan not being humble but
rather being proud and arrogant. Indeed, the sin of Iblis (Satan) was his arrogant refusal to humble himself to the will of Allah. He
believed himself of elevated status better than any other creation. As you can see, the lessons of humility are part of the Muslim
story and the Muslim tradition.
The Quran repeatedly reminds us about humility. For example the following verse does exactly that: “O Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
give good news to the humble, whose hearts tremble with awe at the mention of God, who endure adversity with patience, who
establish regular prayer, and who spend in charity out of what we have given them.” (Quran 22:34-35) The Quran also says: “And the
slaves of God are those who walk on the earth in humility and calmness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they
reply back with mild words of gentleness.” (Quran 25:63) Again, the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) warns us to be humble by saying that “Allah
has inspired to me that you are all to be humble towards each other such that no one transgresses against or exalts himself above
another.”
As you can see, humility is a very important part of Islam and so we should work harder to understand what humility is and how we
can apply it to our lives. May Allah make us more humble so that we can be better Muslims.
Youth Program
Date
February
March
April
May
June
19
18
14
19
16
Monthy Program Dates
Time
Speaker
Date
Time
7 PM
7 PM
7 PM
7 PM
7 PM
Hafiz Omar
Usman Siddiqui
Maraj Sahib
Atif Chaudhry
Dr. Farooqui
February 11
March
3
April
7
May
5
June
2
July
7
August
4
September 1
October 6
November 3
December 1
Magrib to Isha
Magrib to Isha
Asar to Magrib
Asar to Magrib
Asar to Magrib
Asar to Magrib
Asar to Magrib
Asar to Magrib
Magrib to Isha
Magrib to Isha
Magrib to Isha
More events to come in next Newsletter.
For any questions please email us at:
[email protected]
Canned Food Drive
MCCUC is participating in a canned
food drive now until March 31. All
contributions will go to American
Muslims for Hunger Relief. Please bring
your non-perishable items and canned
goods such as:
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•
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Peanut butter/ Jelly
Canned Tuna
Macaroni & Cheese
Dried canned beans
Dry grains: Rice, any lentils
Canned vegetables
Canned Fruit, Canned Soup