Challenges You Daily Face as a Muslim Student!

Salam Alaikum:

I have been involved with different MSAs in the tri-state area and I have talked about many topics that I thought were crucial topics. But today I wanted to hear it from others about the Challenges You Daily Face as a Muslim Student! What is your biggest concern? your biggest fear? your biggest, ugliest, meanest, dirtiest challenge on campus?

I will give you a few items to start with the list:
(random stuff)

-gender relations
-tawhid/shirk
-partying

-making salah
-zikr
-non-Muslim environment

-how to protect one's iman
-good friends

-halal food
-Lota (or absence of one)
-Wudu basins (random thought!)

Character Education Program

By Faraz Khan, former Muslim chaplain at Rutgers University.

Character Education Program (CEP)

Bismillah,
Lets become people of character - people of sunnah. As we study the Sirah, we should try our best to emulate the Prophet(s). He is our role model. For this reason, one must pay attention to the practice of this deen.
CEP is an educational program with a goal to learn the sunnah of the Prophet (s). If you haven't listened to the audio sessions (see below) yet, I would highly recommend that you take a break from your busy schedule and find out for yourself what it's all about.

"In the Messenger of God is a Beautiful Model for the one who hopes to meet with God, the Last Day, and remembers God much". The Prophet (s) is a role model. A walking Qur'an - a guide. Success in this world and in the hereafter is marked by his footsteps. Character Education Program is a modest endeavor to imitate this Beautiful Model. I highly encourage all students and alumni to make it their goal to become People of God.

DAILY PRACTICE: *Daily dhikr:
SubhanAllahi wa bihamdihi * SubhanAllahi al-Azeem 100x
istagh-firullah 100x
Bismillah before you do anything
salutation on the Prophet (s) 10x in the morning and evening.

**Weekly PRACTICE:
Guard your tongue.
Beware of foul language: Do not practice, listen, or promote it.
Beware of wasting time on the internet - no excuses.
Beware of Bad companions

***Feb. Monthly Theme:
Honoring our Parents: This weekend bring a gift home for your parents. saying salam and showing our affection for them.
March Monthly theme is Community: Be the first one in giving salams, meet people with a smile, and welcome them.
April Monthly theme is friendship: You are on the religion (way) of your friends. So be careful as to who you take as your friends.
Listen to audio file ...

First Session: Our Way Forward
Second Session: Benefits of becoming a Good Person

Third Session: Remembering God
Fourth Session: Emulating the Prophet (s)


The emptiness inside didn't vanish with my plight
'till I gave it all away

to You my Lord,
I gave this heart away

Nasiha on Exams

from the Khutba at Princeton University on 10/19/07
Studying for Midterm Exams (((audio))) 16 min.

A List of "What not to do before your Exam"

1. Invite friends over.
2. Go bowling.
3. Frequently check your emails, text messages, facebook, cell phone.
4. Cook a new exquisite dish that you have never tried before - try baking for a change.
5. Watch Google Videos/YouTube just for few minutes.

6. Recite the Quran and forget about your calculus test.
7. Cram everything, wait until the last day to study. C'mon, you still got 24 more hours to go!
8. Do not plan for meals. Take your time with food.
9. Study in your kitchen, public square or any other place where you could easily be distracted.
10. Moan and groan about your test to others and make sure not to touch your notes/books.

Don't forget this test!

written on May 10, 2007 as a chaplain at RU.

A New Beginning...

It is good to be done with exams. A group of students will now exit and another group will enter. Those that are graduating probably have plenty of advice for the new students. "Focus on your studies". "Education is your full-time job". "Don't party too much". "Watch out for lunatics on campus". Very sound and reasonable advice. How about the incoming students? What are they thinking about? "Let's have the best time of our lives". "Socialize and party!" "Let's get away from home!" "Study... what?".

The ones graduating understand the worth of time and hard work. It is because they have gone through the process, this crucible called higher education, that they know the things one must do and sacrifice to finally pass.

Similar to the above mentioned two groups, there are people who are entering and exiting this world. They also are either taking their test or are done with it. Those who have left this world know the worth of time and hard work. They surely understand the worth of having iman, salah, avoiding sins, doing good action, and following Allah & His messenger. They are done with their test and are waiting for their results to be given to them. They know the consequence of pass or fail.

This generation of ours, however, seems to be focusing on partying, enjoying life, and having the freedom to do whatever we want. We're just looking for the good times to continue, and are focused on everything except the exam: We are literally sitting in the test room partying. We have seen and heard about the generations before us but we do nothing to heed their honest advice.

The Prophet (s) said: A wise person is someone who takes himself to an account and works for that which will come after death and a foolish person is someone who follows his desires and then hopes for a good end.

My advice to you: be wise and focus on your test. May Allah be with you.

Dua' - Studying for Exams Made Easy

1. Rab-bish rah li sadri
wa yus-sir li amri
wahlul 'uqdatam milisani
yafqahu qoli

My Lord expand for me my breast
and make my work easy for me
and loosen the knot from my tongue
so they may understand my speech

2. Rab-bi zidni 'ilma

My Lord, increase me in knowledge

3. Allahuma faqihni fiddin
O Allah, grant me the understanding of this religion.


4. Allahum inni asaluka 'ilman nafia'
wa 'amalan mutaqabila
wa rizkan tayyiba

O Allah, I ask you for beneficial knowledge, acceptable deeds,
and pure and acceptable provision


5. Allahuman fa'ana bima 'alamtana wa 'alimna ma yanfa'una wa zidna 'ilma

O Allah, benefit us by that which you have taught us, and teach us that which will benefit us, and increase us in knowledge.


6. Allahuma inni a'ozobika min 'ilmin la yanfa'
wa min qalbin la yakhsha'
wa min nafsin la tashba'
wa min da'watin la yustajabo laha
(Muslim)

O Allah, I seek your protection from knowledge that does not benefit
and from the heart that doesn't humble itself
and from a soul that is not satiated
and from an invocation (dua') that is not answered by you.

In conclusion, say bismillah, make dua, study hard, and take the test with a smile ;)
faraz

Studying for Finals & the Miraculous Dua'

written on April 7, 2007 working as a chaplain at RU.

Bismillah,

Recent conversation with students about studying for finals brought tears to my eyes ...lol. I guess somethings never change. I love the students at RU - mashAllah, they do everything in style. I will share with you what it's like to be a chaplain when the finals are moving in.

(((scene: upon seeing a brother holding the book upside down)))

Faraz: Wait, are you really serious?
Brother X: (looking up in space) ummm! not really but I have come to a conclusion... there is no way out (sob!).

Faraz: mashAllah! better late than sorry... I'm glad you decided to open your books.
Brother X: (shaking his head) yes, I have been very negligent about my studies. I should have given more time for serious matter. friends, parties, facebook (voice is cracking)...they can't help. From here on, it's just me and my books. I have to change.

Faraz: So...what are you waiting for? how can i help?
Brother X: aaah... studying is really not my deal so...I came to ask for ...ahh... that miraculous dua' that makes you memorize everything in your sleep...

Well! I wanted to say 'good luck' buddy but I thought about that 'miraculous dua' that helps you remember everything :) I thought about it and decided to put it all together (just for people I care :) i.e. the Muslim students at Rutgers. Here are the miraculous dua' from Qur'an & Sunnah:

'THE MIRACULOUS DUA' for studying finals

"A brother in need is a brother indeed" please forward it to your friends.

Surah Maryam audio

In the Name of God Most Beneficent, Most Merciful
SURAH MARYAM (complete)
QURAN AUDIO By Faraz Khan
Ramadan 1428
To download please right click and save as on your computer and don't forget your brother in your dua'.
faraz

humor me!

Nasruddin and his donkey

One day , one of Mullah Nasruddin's friend came over and wanted to borrow his donkey for a day or two. Mullah, knowing his friend, was not kindly inclined to the request, and came up with the excuse that someone had already borrowed his donkey. Just as Mullah uttered these words, his donkey started braying in his backyard. Hearing the sound, his friend gave him an accusing look, to which Mullah replied: "I refuse to have any further dealings with you since you take a donkey's word over mine."

Nasruddin and the violin

Once, Mullah Nasruddin bought a violin. And he began to play.

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....

Same note, same string, over and over.

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....

After a few hours his wife was at her wits' end. "Nasruddin!" she screamed.

NEEE..

Nasruddin put down the bow. "Yes dear?"

"Why do you play the same note? It's driving me crazy! All the real violin players move their fingers up and down, play on different strings! Why don't you play like they do?"

"Well dear, I know why they go up and down and try all different strings."

"Why is that?"

"They're looking for *this* note." And he picked up his bow and resumed his playing.

NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE....



The unshaven man

A man was walking along the street when he passed another man with a lot of stubble on his face standing outside a shop. The first man asked:

"How often do you shave?

Twenty or thirty times a day," answered the man with the stubble.

"What! You must be a freak!" exclaimed the first man.

"No, I'm only a barber," replied the man with the stubble.




http://www.themodernreligion.com/humour.htm

William Paterson Univ. Fast-a-thon

WPU Holds Fastathon to Celebrate Muslim Heritage

Rumki Chowdhury

Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: News

• Page 1 of 1

For Muslims, fasting during Ramadan is about disciplining one's self from desires harmful to them spiritually and physically.

Ramadan began on Sept. 12, marking the first of 30 days of fasting, which takes place from sunrise to sunset each day. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, which includes faith (Shahadah), prayer (Salah), charity (Zakah), fast (Sawm) and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). It is a time for charity, cleansing of the body, family, prayer and discipline. The history behind this holy month is that around 610 A.D., Angel Gabriel revealed the first verses of the Holy Quran to Prophet Mohammed.

The Muslim Students Association hosted a campus-wide Fast-A-Thon where more than 60 attendees were able to participate in the iftar, or breaking of fast for the day. Even non-practitioners got a chance to experience fasting and attained more knowledge about Ramadan and Islam in general.

Guest speaker Faraz Khan enlightened students with his knowledge of Ramadan and Islam in a lecture and open forum. Khan emphasized the concept of humanity as giving up personal motivation to connect with people. He also stated that Islam is not a new religion. As the Prophet Muhammad said, the previous messengers of God, including Jesus, had the same goal as he - to encourage people to serve God by serving each other.

When asked about the essence of Islam, Khan said, "Islam comes from the Arabic term 'Salaam' which means peace and to surrender. In order to obtain peace, one must surrender his/her own desires and be obedient to God."

Although Fast-A-Thon is new to William Paterson University, it's been a tradition for MSA to host iftar two or three days a week in UC 214. This semester, the dinners were held on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The food ranged from pizza and sandwiches to traditional homemade food brought by students and staff to share with their peers and professors.

During one Monday night meeting, history professor James Pavlin and his wife, Tina, brought maklouba, an Arabic dish consisting of chicken, vegetables and rice for iftar. There were 15 attendees, who were a mix of resident and commuter students of varying cultures and religions.

Abedah Miah, junior, shared how important it is for her to spend time with her family during this time.

"Ramadan is the only time during the year that my family eats together. We cook, debate and pray together. It's a time I cherish," said Miah.

Ruby Ahmad, junior, described her South Asian customs. "Usually, I spend iftar with my family and close friends at home. The meal includes samosas (stuffed with potatoes), papri (made of rice), dates, chole (chickpeas) and parate (bread). We also drink sweet lassi (milkshake). After 20 minutes, we all pray together," said Ahmad.

MSA encourages students, faculty, and staff to attend their meetings on Thursdays during common hour in UC 214. The meetings consist of student discussions on Islam-related topics and guest speakers.

Ahmad said, "I didn't know there were so many Muslims on-campus and I thought that the club was going to be hardcore, but after I joined, I made a lot of friends."

interfaith dialogue

“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” George Bernard Shaw

Muslim scholars and intellectuals are taking an initiative on interfaith dialogue. They have come together to call for peace and unity amongst the great religious traditions. Read the details below.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT on interfaith dialogue:

In A Common Word Between Us and You, 138 Muslim scholars, clerics and intellectuals have unanimously come together for the first time since the days of the Prophet r to declare the common ground between Christianity and Islam. Like the Open Letter, the signatories to this message come from every denomination and school of thought in Islam. Every major Islamic country or region in the world is represented in this message, which is addressed to the leaders of all the world’s churches, and indeed to all Christians everywhere...

Indeed, the most fundamental common ground between Islam and Christianity, and the best basis for future dialogue and understanding, is the love of God and the love of the neighbor.

Never before have Muslims delivered this kind of definitive consensus statement on Christianity. Rather than engage in polemic, the signatories have adopted the traditional and mainstream Islamic position of respecting the Christian scripture and calling Christians to be more, not less, faithful to it.

It is hoped that this document will provide a common constitution for the many worthy organizations and individuals who are carrying out interfaith dialogue all over the world. Often these groups are unaware of each other, and duplicate each other’s efforts. Not only can A Common Word Between Us give them a starting point for cooperation and worldwide co-ordination, but it does so on the most solid theological ground possible: the teachings of the Qu’ran and the Prophet r, and the commandments described by Jesus Christ u in the Bible. Thus despite their differences, Islam and Christianity not only share the same Divine Origin and the same Abrahamic heritage, but the same two greatest commandments.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

A Common Word between Us and You

(Summary and Abridgement)

Muslims and Christians together make up well over half of the world’s population. Without peace and justice between these two religious communities, there can be no meaningful peace in the world. The future of the world depends on peace between Muslims and Christians.

The basis for this peace and understanding already exists. It is part of the very foundational principles of both faiths: love of the One God, and love of the neighbour. These principles are found over and over again in the sacred texts of Islam and Christianity. The Unity of God, the necessity of love for Him, and the necessity of love of the neighbour is thus the common ground between Islam and Christianity. The following are only a few examples:

Of God’s Unity, God says in the Holy Qur’an: Say: He is God, the One! / God, the Self-Sufficient Besought of all! (Al-Ikhlas, 112:1-2). Of the necessity of love for God, God says in the Holy Qur’an: So invoke the Name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him with a complete devotion (Al-Muzzammil, 73:8). Of the necessity of love for the neighbour, the Prophet Muhammad r said: “None of you has faith until you love for your neighbour what you love for yourself.”

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ u said: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. / And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. / And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)

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In the Holy Qur’an, God Most High enjoins Muslims to issue the following call to Christians (and Jews—the People of the Scripture):

Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). (Aal ‘Imran 3:64)

...continue click here for details

EID MUBARAK!

Photo:
The Empire State Building in NYC was lit green for the very first time to commemorate Eid, a Muslim day of celebration, on October 12, 2007.


EID MUBARAK!

May Allah accept our fasting and good deeds. May He give us the tawfiq to draw near to Him and become His servants. O Allah! send peace and salutations on the Prophet Muhammad (s) and guide his ummah to the right path.

RAMADAN POSTSCRIPT

RAMADAN POSTSCRIPT

By Faraz Khan

“Laa ilaha illallah”. The azan echoed inside the dimly lit mosque. It is eight o’ clock in the evening. The vacant parking lot was enshrouded in darkness. However, the beech and the birch trees around the lot and the critters within the herbaceous edge continued their hymns. The clouds and the birds hovered in the usual glorified manner above the mosque. The cool breeze at night spread the heavenly scent from the blossomed lilies as the twinkling stars and crescent glistened the night.

It was only yesterday when the mosque was filled with worshippers and the beautiful recitation of the Qur’an. How passionately faithful were their gatherings. How elegant were their clothes. How beautiful their smiles. How praiseworthy was their talk. How sincere was their devotion in coming to the mosque. Yet today, people have vacated the house of God rather to be occupied by their own cottages. Aforementioned is the description of believers on the first night after Ramadan.

Why do we fail in preserving the blessings of Ramadan?

Do we forget that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of the entire year? Or are we in doubt that He gives and forgives not only in Ramadan but also the rest of the year. Interestingly, He mentioned for the believers:

“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed to you (in Ramadan) as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become pious” Quran.

According to the above ayah, attaining taqwa (piety) has an element of time. In other words, one can become pious if he continues his good actions throughout his life. Clearly, there is no month prescribed for the practice of piety.

In essence, the end of Ramadan is not a graduation party for the believers. Instead, it is a completion of God-consciousness training. However, the real test begins once Ramadan is over. One of the scholars was asked about the acceptance of good deeds in the month of Ramadan. The scholar mentioned that the acceptance of one’s actions are indicated in his behavior following Ramadan. If Ramadan leads to a virtuous life then Allah has blessed this endeavor. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned in a rhetorical question, “How many of those who fast gain nothing from their fasting except hunger and thirst?”

Soon it will be eight o’ clock again and the azan will be given. Thereafter, people will be put to their real test – whether to accept the house of God or a house devoid of God.

Let us examine our lives and our Ramadan postscript. Let us follow our lives according to Islam and not contradict it. Let us continue with the blessings of Ramadan in developing a pure relationship with Allah, the Lord of the sacred house. Let us not stop when we are on His path. May He guides us to the straight path.

Challenges we face as we move forward

Following two Ramadan khutab are a response to where we should be spending our energies. There is a positive, constructive element amongst Muslims and there's a negative, hair-splitting element that we need to be aware of. I have tried my best to focus on the primary issues that we must address in order to see a positive change in current state of affairs for the ummah here in America. The leadership needs to focus on priorities. What are Muslims in America all about?

I have always understood Islam, to submit oneself to God in order to attain peace, a relationship between God and His servant. One must surrender his/her will and seek the will (pleasure) of God. Without Islam, one is lost in finding the pleasure of God. The path is clear...we simply need to focus and prioritize our goals.

One Nation under God (((audio))) Yardley, PA

on Our relationship to God and responsibility to serve people - new mosque in Yardley.

"O People, exchange greetings of peace, feed people, meet with people, and pray at night when people are asleep, than you shall enter paradise with peace" (hadith).

Institution Building (((audio))) -New Brunswick Islamic Center; "If you build it, they will come".

American Muslim community is in need of strong institutions that will train the next generation of Muslims as believers serving the humanity. In order to proclaim the message of Islam, believers must embody the prophetic model. How will Islam in America will grow in next 25 years; it all depends on what we plant today.

Institutions that Prophet (s) built

Institution Building (((audio))) - "If you build it, they shall come".

American Muslim community is in need of strong institutions that will train the next generation of Muslims as believers serving the humanity. In order to proclaim the message of Islam, believers must embody the prophetic model. How will Islam in America is going to shape in next 25 years; it all depends on what we do as believers today. In order to pass the baton, we must build institutions that will carry the work when we pass away. Alazhar, Qairawiyin, Zaytuna, and other institutes continue to teach scores of Muslims even after hundreds of years have passed since their inception.

Plant a seed and remember, the fruits are with God.

Students partake in Ramadan meal

Pablo Abilal / Contributing Writer

Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: University

A line of hungry students who hadn't eaten since sunrise stretched out the doors of the Multipurpose Room in the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus last Thursday evening, awaiting the first meal of Ramadan.

The meal, hosted by the Islamic Society of Rutgers University, saw an increase from 200 participants last year to nearly 300 this year, said ISRU Events Coordinator Nadia Sheikh, a University College junior. Sheikh attributed the unexpected increase in turnout to an influx of first-year participation.

"There is a strong student body and a need to get involved," Sheikh said, adding that the event was open to anyone who wanted to experience a communal meal on the first day of Ramadan. "We wanted to make it a place where people from all walks of life can get together. That is why every other person had a non-Muslim friend."

During the first night of the holy month on the Islamic calendar, an "Iftar" - or fast-breaking meal - took place in addition to speakers discussing guidelines to follow during Ramadan.

"It's a month where people connect to God by performing good work, fasting, giving charity and being good in general," said Imam Faraz Khan, the main speaker of the event. "It's a training program where Muslims go back to their religious teachings."

Over 300 hundred people gathered to drink water and eat dates, a similar custom Muslims did in traditional times. Before eating the meal, participants gathered in lines to worship and thank God.

David Fricke, the executive director and chaplain of the Office of the Muslim Chaplain at Rutgers University, said the large Muslim student population at the University - which accounts for at least 10 percent of undergraduates - has led to a greater support network. He said the event was a good example of outreach efforts from ISRU to create an environment of camaraderie and support for fellow Muslims on campus.

"Ramadan, with its demanding physical and spiritual sacrifices, is a particularly important time for Muslims, especially those in a minority situation, to come together," Fricke said.

During the event, ISRU was also recruiting volunteers to take part in charity events during Ramadan.

Waleed Gabr, one of the speakers who came to the event to recruit volunteers for upcoming charity events, agreed.

"It is obligatory for every Muslim to give," Gabr said. "It's not for material gain, but for spiritual gain."