North West Muslims by Northwest Muslims Newsletter

Issue 9: March, 2018

And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquillity in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought. (30:21) 1

Contents Feature Articles Better Than You

Deceit

Recipe Egyptian Meat Pie

Book Review Better Than Before

Youth Corner The Beginnings

Humour Muslim Brotha Meme

Tongue Ticklers

Programs Review: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Al-Maghrib Trendsâ&#x20AC;? 11 Parent and Family Events

Sports Programs

Youth Events

Friday Pray Timing Cha

Ranchlands 1:

Dalhousie 2

yer ange:

:15 & 2:15

Our Team Editor in Chief Shaista Khurshid

Editors Beenish Khurshid Shazia Aamir Afshan Habib

Contributors Komal Ayub Misha Ayub

Layout and Cover Beenish Khurshid

Submissions, Comments and Advertising: Email: newsletter@ianwc.ca

ÂŠ Islamic Association of NW Calgary

:30 & 2:30 3

Better Than You A common proverb is: “It takes a village to raise a child”. When a child is an adult he already learned whatever his village has taught him. This gives him a sense of belonging and responsibility. We are all creatures of habit. We like to spend our time with whom we feel comfortable with. When we are at it, we unconsciously adopt their habits, culture, and philosophy. The emotional value of this learning is, more often than not, easily ignored. The emotions, culture and philosophy we pick up, make us who we are as a person. When we start to read or listen to Allah’s words, Allah’s words mesmerize us to love Him, understand Him, and do things which He commanded. This also leads us to be with the people, who are like us, or better Muslim than ourselves. As we commence to gain knowledge, it helps us to become better than before. We begin to see the new light. Tasks, which were impossible become smooth and concepts which were unintelligible, become straight forward. We come forth to see the beauty of this faith. On the other hand, as we start to appreciate this religion, we hangout with people who learn and breathe Islam; Who talks about halal and haram often, who have bleeding hearts about different matters, that is faced by Islam and Muslims today. But as we immerse ourselves further and further into this crowd, the line between living for the sake of Allah, living to be better Muslims, and living to be better than others starts to become blurred.

What is self-righteousness? Self-righteousness is a feeling or display of moral superiority derived from a sense that one's beliefs, actions, or affiliations are of greater virtue than those of the average person. Wikipedia Most of us, will think, what this is this talking about? I am never self-righteous. Even unintentionally, seeing ourselves as a higher rank, while others as lesser in knowledge, understanding, piety, and deliverance of good deeds than us, is a state of self-righteousness. Judging others constantly for their deeds, acts, or existence, or thinking about it, is also a form of self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is a way of unconscious thinking which feeds us that we are better than others. Whatever way, religion, and path we are taking to lead our life, is the best way. What was Satan’s mistake which lead him to fall from grace, heaven and status? Hidden self-righteousness and arrogance; which sprouted like a greenery at the creation of Adam. Satan was an obedient servant; He wasn’t prone to sin like you and I. His mistake was, arrogance. His error was to believe that he is better than someone who is made with mud because he is created from fire. In his understanding, somehow, fire was superior than mud. This self-superiority had caused him this great fall. 4

[Allah] said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I commanded you?" [Satan] said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay." (Qur’an, 7:12) If we think that we are better because we are Muslim, more religious, or more pious, or we pray all prayers, so on and so forth, we judge others as lesser. We don’t say it out loud but inadvertently, we say that I am better than you. Self-righteousness is a hidden superiority complex or open arrogance, this can trickle us to patronize and to express apathy towards others. The opposite of self-righteousness is humbleness. The humbleness starts with the love of Allah. When we love Allah, we are obedient to Him and responsive to His signs. The signs of Him also include His creation. The love towards His creation without judgement is a sign of humbleness. It is recognizing others as creations of Allah and our equal. Accept that all humans and jinns are fallible and sinners. Understanding that we are together in this test of life, and not here to compete with each other. Let’s shift our mindset from scrutinizing and weighing others in terms of lesser or better, to one that recognizes that we all are struggling together to be better in the eyes of Allah. Let’s understand that our job on this earth is not to observe other’s mistakes, but instead to teach ourselves to not notice faults in others. Enjoin good and forbid evil—but without the judgement or belief that other is more sinner. Instead, let’s understand that we are all together, being tested. And the day we will be judged is the meeting of Allah.

The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (Qur’an, 9:71) Our upbringing and the way we notice things can ignite the act of self-righteousness. If we understand who we are, why are we here, what is our relationship with individuals on this earth and finally who our God is, it will change us. We should be thankful to the village who raised us, but also shed the mal-adaptive behaviours. We can strive together on the path of Allah without thinking or believing in our superiority as a human, nation, faith, and in every other way. For we are only son’s of Adam: made of clay. 5

Deceit “The example of those who take allies other than Allah is like that of the spider who takes a home. And indeed, the weakest of homes is the home of the spider, if they only knew.” (Al-Ankaboot:41) Dishonesty is something I have never had much room in my life. It is the enabler of evil. It corrupts everything it touches. It destroys relationships, and removes from our hearts trust and love. And it’s root, in all irony, is in a lack of faith. A lack of faith that honesty and goodness bring about the ultimate good, and that God’s curse is on the dishonest and evildoers. In the instant of our lies, we convince ourselves that by bending the truth, we can create for ourselves an advantage. But like the spider’s home, the advantage is temporary, and the net we so diligently and intricately weaved can be swept away by the sweeping of an honest cleansing hand. What we don’t realize is that we cross an invisible line when we speak falsehood, hide the truth, or are otherwise deceptive. We shake hands with the devil and we step out of God’s good grace. We enter into a cloak of darkness that blinds our eyes from the truth, and our hearts from our conscience. And indeed he is, in love of wealth, intense. But does he not know that when the contents of the graves are scattered And that within the breasts is obtained, Indeed, their Lord with them, that Day, is [fully] Acquainted. (Al-Adiyat:8-11) We are left in a violent pursuit of our desires. And our hearts that once trembled at hearing the words of God, now become disdainful, bereft of emotion, appalled and averted at the mention of a Supreme God. That is the control of Satan that we enter into when we choose to leave the path of truth. It is like being at the bottom of a well. Looking around.

and seeing no way out. The only way out, is to look up, my friend. And surrender. What I have come to realize is that those who lie are just believers who have lost their way. Their hearts have become bereft of faith, and the lies have become a survival mechanism: to avoid and navigate the difficulties of life. Where once a man of eeman would have made du’a kneeling to God, a lost man now plots his next deception. To somehow gain a foothold in this hurricane of life. Seeking refuge in lies rather than in God’s mercy. “Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.” (At-Tawba:109) So what if we have fallen off the edge of despair? What if our lies are collapsing all around us, and we see no way out? “O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance. Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your misdeeds and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow [on] the Day when Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believed with him. Their light will proceed before them and on their right; they will say, "Our Lord, perfect for us our light and forgive us. Indeed, You are over all things competent."” (At -Tahrim:8)

Lies are easy to come. But faith in Allah teaches us that we do not need to lie. God will protect us, and see us through all our difficulties. And for an honest tongue, He will honour us in the next world. God is with you, my friend. Trust Him, and have faith in Him. And He will guide you out of your troubles and difficulties. He is All-Knowing. And the best provisions are those which Allah has allotted for us in the next world, in Jannah.

Egyptian Meat Pie Total Time: 1 hour Ingredients 16 oz. phyllo dough package 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter 1/4 cup olive oil 1 egg 1/2 cup heavy cream

Servings: 9 pieces Meat filling 1 lb ground beef 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp minced garlic 1 tsp paprika Salt & Pepper to taste 1 tsp all spice 1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano 1 cup chopped onions 1/2 cup chopped white mushrooms 1/4 cup chopped green olives

Instructions 1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 2) Gently lay the thawed phyllo dough between two damp kitchen towels. 3) Start working on the meat filling: In a saute pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and then add the chopped onions. Stir for 3 minutes then add the ground beef. Cook for about 10 mix till meat is browned. If there is too much fat or liquid at the bottom of the pan, drain the beef of its liquid and then return to heat. Add the spices and diced mushrooms and olives. Cook for another 5 minutes till well combined. 4) On a lightly greased pan, lay 4 pieces of phyllo dough. Fold any excess dough inwards. Using the oil and butter mixture, brush it on top of every phyllo dough layer. Keep repeating this step till about 1/2 of the phyllo dough has been used up. This will be the base. 5) Then add the meat mixture. Gently Spread evenly on top of the piled phyllo. Layer the rest of the phyllo dough like before on top of the meat mixture making sure to butter & oil each layer. 6) Brush the top with a generous amount of the oil and butter and cut the phyllo into squares desired. This will make it easier to eat and not fall apart layer on. 7) Salt & Pepper the egg and heavy cream mixture with salt and pepper and evenly coat over the pie. 8) Bake the phyllo meat pie for 45 minutes till golder brown. Serve warm and enjoy!

Book Review My initial reaction to the title of the book was “Cheezy self-help book”. But they say: don’t judge a book by its cover. I listened to this book in audio format. Getchen Rubin’s voice was a conversational tone, discussing the unsaid, but once said obvious, realties of our natures and how we lead our lives. Better Than Before focuses less on change, but instead on understanding oneself: What are my habits? What are my tendencies? Am I an upholder, a questioner, an obliger, or a rebel? Am I a night-owl or a morning lark? And so on. And then using this new found understanding of one’s self to begin the quest of forming new habits. A questioner needs strong reason to act. A rebel needs something to fight against. A night owl shouldn't try waking up early, and should instead schedule their most creative tasks in the hours that their minds are their sharpest — at night. And while I can’t say I have embarked on adopting any new habits since reading this book, I can say that having had an open discussion about our true natures has empowered me to face my tendencies, accept myself for who I am, and work with what God has made me to be what he has enabled me to be—better than before. 9

The Beginnings Allah (SWT) sent down many prophets to different nations. Adam (AS) is the first of all the Prophets. One day, Allah (SWT) said to the angels: ‘Verily, I am going to place mankind generations after generations on earth.’ They said: ‘Will You place therein those who will make mischief therein and shed blood, while we glorify You with praises and thanks and sanctify You.’ God said: ‘I know that which you do not know.’” Quran 2:30 When Allah (SWT) told the angels that He was going to create mankind, the angels replied by saying that human beings will make mischief and shed blood. They knew this because of the previous times, when Jinn were on Earth. But Allah (SWT) told the angels that they did not know everything that Allah (SWT) did. So Allah (SWT) created the first man and prophet, out of clay. Since Adam (A) was alone, Allah (SWT) created Hawwa from the ribs of Adam (A) while he was sleeping. Allah told the angels and Jinn to bow down to his new creations. There was one Jinn who was a very kind servant of Allah, so good that later on, people started to mistake him for an angel. His name was Iblis. But there was one problem; when Allah asked the angels and the Jinn to bow down to Adam, Iblis’s arrogance got to him. He refused to obey Allah. Iblis thought that since he was made of fire and Adam was made of clay, he was superior to Adam. Allah (SWT) got upset and sent Iblis down to Earth. After Allah (SWT) sent Adam and Hawwa while. The only restriction Allah away from a certain forbidden known as Shaytaan) wantinto disobeying Allah them and tempted them forbidden tree. He said tree, you will become immortal. This soundAdam and Hawwa so fruit from the tree misconception is that who ate from the tree both Adam and HawThen Allah (SWT) sent on Earth. It was always up on Earth. Hence we all

down to Jannah, they lived peacefully for a (SWT) had told them was to stay tree. Out of jealousy, Iblis (later ed to trick Adam and Hawwa (SWT). Shaytaan went to into eating them from the that if you eat from the angels and you will be ed like a good deal to they went to pick the and eat it. One famous Hawwa was the one first. The truth is that wa ate the fruit together. them both down to live the plan for them to end are Children of Adam (A).

By: Misha Ayub 10

A Shaykh with Golden Highlights, and Converse Sneakers Calgary is a vibrant city with a devoted and active Muslim community. There are many local and international Muslim organizations working hard to bring various kinds of events for the benefit of the community. Al-Maghrib institute is one such organization. They hold 2 or 3 day courses, a few times in a year on different topics which are presented by Ustadhs or Shaykh from all over the world. On the last weekend of January, Al-Maghrib invited renowned Shaykh, Saad Tasleem to present the course Trends. It focused on today’s trends on culture, identity and fashion. Shaykh Saad Tasleem was born and raised in the USA. Before getting into Islamic education, Shaykh Saad was part of a punk-rock band and all the things that youth are into. Because of this, he is highly in-tune with today’s youths’ struggles and pressures, and therefore connects with them quite well. During the course, he covered many issues and topics which were highly relevant to the youth in today’s society, especially those living in North America. He talked about body image, selfesteem issues, fashion & clothing, the relation between culture and religion etc. It was a full house with a large number of attendees being youth. His teaching style was very interactive which helped keep his audience engaged. Other than the content of the course, the students quite enjoyed catching Lindt chocolates after answering a question correctly.

The Muslim Brotha

What my FRIENDS think I do

What my MOM think I do

What The MEDIA think I do

What COWORKERS think I do

What I think I do

What I REALLY do

Humour Aunty 1: Beena, what is your daughter studying these days? Aunty 2: Pre-med. Pre-med. Just 4 years till she graduates from med-school. Daughter, currently switching out of Bio-Sci to Arts: No such thing as pre-med.

Tongue Ticklers Astaghfirullah! A Writer? Doctor, lawyer, engineer, of course! God forbid my child studies English or sociology or arts. Because “what will people say”? Un-

acceptable! My friend’s son just got into med school and my kid is reading Shakespeare; what will my friends say? I cannot have my kids chose the career they want to pursue because my social standing obviously matters more than their future and their lives.

Who wants a successful artist or writer as a child when you can have an Engineer or a Doctor ?

Narrated Anas bin Malik:

The Prophet )‫(ﷺ‬said, "Allah puts an angel in charge of the uterus and the angel says, 'O Lord, (it is) semen! O Lord, (it is now ) a clot! O Lord, (it is now) a piece of flesh.' And then, if Allah wishes to complete its creation, the angel asks, 'O Lord, (will it be) a male or a female? A wretched (an evil doer) or a blessed (doer of good)? How much will his provisions be? What will his age be?' So all that is written while the creature is still in the mother's womb." َ ْ ‫ع‬ َ ‫كر ْب‬ َ ‫َّللا ْب‬ َّ ‫د‬ ُ ‫م‬ َّ ‫ح‬ َّ ‫ح‬ ُ ‫ن‬ ٌ ‫م‬ َّ ‫ح‬ َ ،‫س‬ َ ،‫اد‬ ُ ‫ان ْب‬ ُ ‫دثَ َنا‬ ْ ‫ع‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ ‫دثَ َنا‬ َ ،‫ب‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ ‫سلَ ْي‬ َ ‫ٍ ضى‬ ِ ‫ع َب ْي‬ ٍ ِِ‫َا‬ ٍ ‫ح ْر‬ ِ ‫س ْب‬ ِ َ‫ن أن‬ ِ ِ ْ َ‫ن أبِي ب‬ ِ ِ ٍ َ‫ن أن‬ ٌ ‫ف‬ َّ ‫ل‏‏‏" َو‬ ْ ُ‫ب ن‬ َ ‫كا‬ َ ‫ي صل هللا عليه وسلم‬ ً َ ‫َل‬ َّ ِ‫َّللا ب‬ َّ ‫ن‬ َ ‫ط‬ َ ‫هللا عنه‬ ُ ‫في َُق‬ ُ َّ ‫ل‬ ْ َ‫ أ‬،‫ة‬ ْ َ‫ول أ‬ َ ‫م‬ َ ‫ك‬ َ ‫قا‬ ‫ى‬ ِ ‫ى َض‬ ِ ‫اِر‬ ِ ‫ح‬ ِ ‫اِن ِب‬ ِ ‫ع‬ ٌ ‫غ‬ ٌ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ق َها‬ ْ َ‫َّللا أ‬ َ .‫ة‏‏‬ َ ‫ب‬ َ ‫ف ِإ‬ ٌ ‫ع‬ ٌّ ‫ق‬ َ ‫خ ْل‬ ْ َ َ َ ‫عل‬ َ ‫ذ‬ َ ‫ض‬ َ ‫ب‬ ُ ‫ب‬ ُ َّ ‫د‬ ْ َ‫ي أ‬ ْ َ‫ك ٌر أ‬ ْ َ‫ل أ‬ ْ َ‫ أ‬،‫ة‬ َ ‫ذا أَ َضا‬ َ ‫م‬ َ َ‫م ُأ ْن َث أ‬ َ ‫قا‬ َ ‫ي‬ ‫يد‬ ِ ‫س‬ ِ ‫ش‬ ِ ‫ى َض‬ ِ ‫ن يَ ْق‬ ِ ‫ى َض‬ ِ ‫َض‬ َ ‫ض‬ ُ ْ َ ُ ‫اِر ْز‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ْ ‫ف ُي‬ َ ‫ب‬ ُ ‫ك َت‬ ُ ‫ج‬ َ ِِ‫ك َذ‬ َ َ ‫ما األ‬ َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ف‬ ‫‏‬.‫ه‏"‏‬ ِ َ ِ ‫نأ‬ ِ ‫ما‬ ِ ‫ٍ فِي بط‬

Reference

: Sahih al-Bukhari 6595

In-book reference

: Book 82, Hadith 2

USC-MSA web (English) reference

: Vol. 8, Book 77, Hadith 594

(deprecated numbering scheme)

https://sunnah.com/bukhari/82

Family Events

Sports Programs Islamic Association of Northwest Calgary well recognizes the need for a robust sports committee or organization for Muslim Youth. We need to provide safe and affordable opportunities to our children for sports activities.

BASKETBALL IANWC created a sports committee which was tasked to undertake development of such opportunities. This work started in February 2017 where community halls were booked to help children learn the sports of Basketball. We provide this opportunity to girls and boys. We continued this during summer and then in the fall of 2017. We have developed our own logo and name brand and have ordered jerseys to market our brand and develop a team spirit. We are proud to have some wonderful coaches who work hard to train our youngsters. Team Jerseys for Basketball.

CRICKET The Sports Committee also wants to develop outdoor community sports programs. In October 2017, we had our first Calgary wide Cricket Tournament which was inaugurated by MCC Chairman M. Hagar. Prizes were given away to participating teams from all age groups. Our Cricket Club which was named as All Sports Alberta Foundation (ASAF) Cricket Club will begin training youngsters in the game of cricket this year. We are hoping to create more awareness about this sport. ASAF Cricket Club is holding a Calgary wide tournament in Cochrane of March 31, 2018 where six teams will compete against each other.

TABLE TENNIS Our Table Tennis Club has been a resounding success since its start in Summer of 2017. It holds its activity every Friday at the Youth Centre. Young and old come to play and learn new techniques from senior and experienced players. We have two large tables. Participants wait eagerly to come back each week to have fun in the evening.

MARTIAL ARTS Islamic Association of Northwest Calgary give special important to self-care and selfdefense. We are fortunate to have few wonderful teachers teaching Martial Arts on a weekly basis. Most recently we have also started Wrestling Program. For safety of our players, we have acquired high quality mats which are used on a regular basis. We plan to set up an academy of Martial Arts where a variety of Martial Arts methods will be taught on a regular basis leading to Black Belt awards once the training is complete.

BOARD GAMES AND SOCIAL CLUB Our organization clearly understands the need for developing a networking for people who need to get out and socialize. Our young and old have shown willingness to be available to undertake this task. We have established an Board Games and Social Club where people can come together and socialize while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. This will run in parallel with Table Tennis Club to increase the element of socialization and to give an opportunity who are waiting for their turn for table tennis to have a game of Carrom or Checkers or Chess.

FUTURE PLANS We are so proud to announce that IANW has partnered with another MCC affiliated organization â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Sports Alberta Foundationâ&#x20AC;? to provide consistent support to IANWC or any other organization affiliated with MCC to run these programs on a long-term basis. All Sports Alberta Foundation will provide this support without any cost. Through this relationship, we will be starting our other much awaited programs such as soccer, archery, badminton, volley ball and swimming.

Zayed The 2nd Mosque, Abu Dhabi