Iqra

September 2012
The Ohio State Universitys

Issue 2: The Beginning

Inside
Day of Reflection

2 4 3 6 7 8 9

Islamic Short Story

MSAs Got Talent! You Got Caught! Board Member Spotlight Shines Cuisine Corner Upcoming Events 9/14- A Womans Worth

Asslamu Alaikum brothers and sisters! Inshallah, all of your classes are going great so far, I know mine are fantastic. Its the third week of classes; lets recap on what weve done as the MSA so far! Our first GBM was with Yusuf Estes. We learned of the similarities between the 10 commandments in Christianity and Islamic laws. It was quite interesting. Last week, was the MSA BBQ, which was incredible, I had my first smore! Gooey. It was here that we had an opportunity to catch up with old friends and get to know some new faces. In addition to that, last Sunday was our first Project Downtown of the year and we made over 130 lunches for the homeless, mashAllah. So in three weeks a lot has gone down and there is a lot more coming. Are you ready?

Mushtaq Dualeh Director of Iqra

9/21- Homosexuality in Islam

2 1

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

An excerpt from

By: Hamza Yusuf

As men we must continue to strengthen our faith, ourselves and our love for our women. We must strengthen our knowledge in Islam so we understand the platform women are on. Paradise, which is the goal for us all, lies at the feet of the mother. In the famous hadith (teachings of the prophet, peace be upon him), the prophet, peace be upon him, was asked about who is most deserving of their companionship, and three times he replied your mother. The fourth time he replied your father. The mother is the key. Respecting our women is key to us getting better as a community, society and world. We must learn about the great women in Islam. Mariam, Asiyah, Khadijah and Fatimah. Learn about the way the prophet loved and took care of his wives. The way he showed a special emphasis in making sure his companions understood how to treat and respect the women in their lives. How Muslim men are to be of the best of character, and we must protect our women. To protect our women we have to know what it takes to be a man. A man is not someone who can boss someone around and control them because they are physically superior. A man is someone who protects, provides, loves, nurtures and cares for the ones under their protection. We are shepherds to our sheep. This is a fact. We have to be physically, mentally and emotionally strong for our women. Women are tougher than men. Thats a fact. There is no pain, like the pain of childbirth. And I for one, am glad Im a man. To see my wife in constant pain, but continuing to say AlhamdulillahI couldnt do it. Im not that strong. Let us make a commitment that it starts with us. We will be stronger for our women. Our sisters need us. We need to be stronger in our

Deen (way of life), and stronger in our Islamic presence. Every time a sister steps outside, everyone knows their Muslim. What about me? I think about this constantly. I need to work on not only my physical appearance, but also the way I carry myself. It needs to be a constant form of worship, and a constant presentation of Islam in a positive light. To all my sisters who wear a hijab (head covering), I thank you. You are doing more work for Islam, than anything I could ever do. Youre walking the walk, and talking the talk. You are a constant reminder of Islam, and God willing I can get to that point. To my sisters that dont wear a hijab, please continue to be good examples of muslim sisters. A sister who wears a hijab is not better, or more of a muslim, than a sister who doesnt. Weve met sisters from all over, some covered and some didnt. And their iman (faith) was not tilted either way. They were set firm in the Deen (way of life) and promoted Islam well. As a muslim man, there is no way I can say I know what sisters go through when it comes to the topic of covering or not covering. Whatever your decision is, please just always be a muslim. If theres a sister holding up 7 eleven, but shes wearing a hijab, am I going to be proud? Probably not. If there is a scholar at a conference breaking down the importance of Interfaith communication, but she does not have a hijab on, am I going to discount everything she said? No. Who am I? Im a servant of God. Who are they? A servant of God. Do they answer to me? No. They, along with me, answer to God. So I can keep my two cents, and save it for a Coke. I pray God has mercy on all of us, and makes it easy on us. I say all that, to get to my final point. We need to get married. As a society we look down on

Continued on page 3 2

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

Continued from page 2

marriage, and we promote the single life. Its all a facade. Aint nothing fun about cooking a grilled cheese sandwich on your iron, in a hotel room, alone. You can have that. No thank you. We need to promote and encourage ourselves, our families, our friends and our community members, to get married. We dont need to wait for someone who is from our city, and is a doctor, who graduated from Harvard, with a 720 credit score and dimples. The reality is, theyre not there. If a man asks for your daughter's hand in marriage, and you are pleased with his Deen and his character, you cant turn him away. We need to readjust our standards, not lower them. Just make sure theyre realistic. If youre young and you are thinking about marriage, talk with your brothers and sisters (friends) who are near in age with you. Then talk to your parents, with a comrade preferably, about marriage. Let them know you are serious. That you are trying to live your life in accordance with what will please God. Then you must work on yourself. A woman doesnt want a boy, and a man doesnt want a girl. A wife doesnt want a dictator, and a husband doesnt want a nagger. We can all get better and work on ourselves. So lets enjoin good, and get married. I would love to go to a few more weddings. God willing we can all get better and be a better support system for our brothers and sisters.

A ME O BEC BER MEM Y! O DA T

$15/year
3

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

There lived a pious man all by himself, who spent most of his time in praying, fasting and praising Allah. Almost all his waking hours were utilized in meditation and devotions. He was very happy with his spiritual progress. No wicked thoughts came to his mind and no evil temptations entered his heart. One night, he dreamt a rather disturbing dream. He saw that a shopkeeper in the town was far superior to him in spirituality and that he must go to him to learn the basics of true spiritual life. In the morning, the pious man went in search of the shopkeeper. He found him busy with his customers, selling goods and collecting money with a cheerful face. He sat there in a corner of the shop and watched the shopkeeper carefully. No signs of any spiritual life at all, he said to himself. His dream could not be true. But then he saw the shopkeeper disappear to pray his Salah. When he returned, he was busy dealing with money matters again. The shopkeeper noticed the pious man sitting in the corner and asked: "As Salamu Alaikum, would you like something, brother?" "Wa Alaikum As Salam. Oh! No! No!" said the pious man. "I don't want to buy anything, but I want to ask you a question." He then related his dream. "Well, that is very simple to explain," said the shopkeeper, "but you will have to do something for me before I answer your question." "I will do anything for you," replied the pious man. "All right! Take this saucer; there is some mercury in it. Go to the other end of the street and come back fast within half an hour. If the mercury falls out of the saucer, you will hear nothing from me. There you go now." The pious man took the saucer and started running. The mercury nearly wobbled out of the saucer. He saved it just in time, and slowed down. Then he remembered he had to return within half an hour, so he started walking at a fast pace. At long last he returned puffing and panting. "Here is your mercury, safe and sound," he told the shopkeeper. "Now tell me the true interpretation of my dream." The shopkeeper looked at the pious man's weary condition and asked him: "Well, friend, how many times did you remember Allah while you were going from this end of the street to the other?" "Remember Allah!" exclaimed the pious man. "I did not remember Him at all. I was so worried about the mercury in the saucer." "But I do remember Him all the time," said the shopkeeper. "When I am doing my business, I am also carrying mercury in a saucer. I am fair, honest and kind to my customers. I never forget Allah Ta'ala in my dealings with other men." "Men whom neither trade nor sale (business) diverts from the remembrance of Allaah (with heart and tongue) nor from performing AsSalaah (IqaamatasSalaah) nor from giving the Zakaah. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will be overturned (out of the horror of the torment of the Day of Resurrection). That Allaah may reward them according to the best of their deeds, and add even more for them out of His Grace. And Allaah provides without measure to whom He wills" [Al Quran, Surah an-Noor 24:37-38]

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

Dua of the Week

Dua for Parents

The Importance of Prayer

Oh Lord, forgive my parents and Muslims in the hereafter. Oh Lord, show mercy on them as they have nourished me when I was young.

Missing Fajr- the glow of your face is taken away Missing Dhuhr- the blessings of your income is taken away Missing Asr- the strength of your body is taken away Missing Maghrib- you are not benefacted by your children Missing Isha- the peace of your sleep is taken away. Say your prayers before prayers are said for you!

Ayah of the Week

Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.
Surah al-Baqarah 2:216

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

To Write
I think therefore I am a famous poet said I am therefore I be, I once read I be therefore I breath clear air, crisp days, an autumn breeze, I laugh therefore I sing, I sing therefore I dance, I dance therefore I spring, Through the dew of the morning the darkness of night through the endless bliss and turbulent fight I kiss therefore I love I love therefore I hate I hate therefore I feel I feel that embrace and take it in deep moving with vibrations much better than sleep I am held in sure arms as I fly in the stars I float back asleep so near yet so far I breath therefore I live I live therefore I die I die therefore I've lived As sure and as cold as winter as swift and cunning as a thief death- that suave criminal, comes calm, he creeps, I write therefore I speak I speak therefore I hear, not listen, it isn't the same, when you listen you're absorbing, when you hear you're contorting, silence into sound and air into breath, my words pound on your ears, but you ain't heard nothing yet, I write therefore I'm me, I'm me therefore I write, words that are trapped inside of me, begging to be let out, words that burst out of me, speak so very loud, syllables strung together giving letters life words that search for a medium to demonstrate their strife words - simple yet profound, silent yet loud, it seems that I am bound, to write words.

God created the heavens I cant see them everyone claims its truth I created heavens within me can see them no one believes me

weeds have taken root in your mouth where you promised my love like the stars you appreciate me only in death

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

Abdulrahman Alwattar
Education Chair
As the Education Chair, I plan all of the GBMs--General Body Meetings--and the annual Conference. My goal for this year is to have events that are more engaging and beneficial, meaning more events that cover salient topics and issues that are usually not discussed, due to the sensitivity surrounding them. I believe as college students, it is our duty to learn about all aspects of our religion and that includes polygamy, homosexuality, Jihad, and more. First, many of these topics are sensitive because they have been misrepresented in Western media; additionally, Islam is an all or nothing religion, which means, you have to accept all aspects of Islam to be a Muslim, you can't pick and choose things to believe in. Lastly, it is important to cover these types of issues, because if we don't learn about them in an Islamic context, and the stance Islam has on these important topics, then we will form our opinions based on secular, and at times, inaccurate information.

Hes a desi country singer at heart. One of the most trustworthy people I know. -Amir Dada When he gets excited hes like a little kid. -Zak Farah I like his suits. - Bilal Bajwa

Fun Facts about Abdul Favorite Movie Quote? Kazakhstan is the greatest country in the world, all other countries are run by little girls. Kazakhstan is number one exporter of potassium, Other Central Asian countries have inferior potassium." -Borat Favorite Book? The Autobiography of Malcolm X Favorite Food? Tough one. Has to be pizza, I don't think I can ever say no to pizza. In 10 Years--God Willing, I'd like to be a much better person and complete Muslim. I'd like to have a stable job, and be married to the woman of my dreams--a wife that will let me watch sports all weekend, and will cook and deliver food to me all weekend too :) Whats your favorite Surah? I have a few Surahs that I especially enjoy. I would have to say surat Yusuf is probably my favorite because of the beautiful story of Prophet Yusuf (AS) is relayed to us, and it includes some of the most inspiring lessons, and riveting imagery. If I Could Travel Anywhere--Hawaii. Or anywhere tropical really. Favorite Comedy Growing Up--Even Stevens Funniest Person I know--Ahmad Hashmi, it isn't even close, he's the funniest person I've ever met.

Caf Shish Kebab is my favorite place to get Turkish food. Its part of a multirestaurant group that also includes Cafe Istanbul, at Easton. One of the best things about these restaurants is the basket of bread and olive oil with sun dried tomatos and rosemary that they serve. The bread is crusty on the outside and soft on the inside, I've rarely had bread that fresh and good. The oil itself is addicting, We finish ours with a couple of pieces of bread. This restaurant has a great lunch deal where you can get an appetizer, a main course, and a desert for less than $10. Their hummus is always a favorite. Its creamy and light with just enough seasoning. Their lentil soup is also very good, with subtle hints of herbs and a light tomato base. As for the main course, I usually get the Doner kebob, which is the Turkish version of gyro meat, served with rice and vegetables. Its usually pretty heavy though, so this time I opted for a healthier grilled chicken shish kebob. The chicken has some wonderful Turkish seasonings, and goes very well with their aromatic rice. They also have a great adana chicken kebob, which is almsot the same thing, except with ground chicken. The meat is therefore a little more tender and light. All in all, one of the better restaurants in Columbus, and more authentic than most. This location is on Bethel Rd, and the best time to go is for lunch on a weekday.
9

IQRA Newsletter

Issue 2: The Beginning

ARE YOU A WRITER, AN ARTIST, A COMEDIAN?

Iqra wants you!

Iqra is now accepting artwork and poetry for the MSAs Got Talent! feature! Got Stories? Send them in! To get involved in the newsletter contact the Editor, Mushtaq Dualeh, at dualeh.2@osu.edu.
The Ohio State Universitys

Iqra Newsletter 2012

10