Official Islamic Holidays at R.U.

The following Islamic holidays are on the school calendar:

Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Adha
Ashura (10th of Muharam)

REMINDER: fast this Sat. & Sun.

Fasting on the 9th & 10th of Muharam (1st month of Islamic calendar 1428) - or 'Ashura is greatly emphasized by the Prophet (s). Fasting on 'ashura serve as an expiation of sins for the previous year. It is a great opportunity for an individual to come close to God and it reflects an individual's love for the sunna of the Prophet (s). InshAllah I encourage all of the students on campus to fast this Saturday and Sunday and reap the benefit of this sacred month of Muharam.

Background of fasting on 'ashura (linguistically the word comes from 'ashr which mean ten. 'ashura is the tenth of the month):

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) arrived in Madinah in 622 CE, he found that the Jews there fasted on Muharram 10 and asked them the reason for their fasting on this day. They said, “This is a blessed day. On this day Allah saved the Children of Israel from their enemy (in Egypt) and so Prophet Musa [Moses] fasted on this day giving thanks to Allah.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “We are closer to Musa than you are.” He fasted on that day and commanded Muslims to fast on this day. (Al-Bukhari)

The following year, Allah commanded the Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan, and the fasting of `Ashura’ became optional. This is a sunna fast - optional but greatly emphasized by the Prophet (s)).

It is also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to fast on the ninth and tenth. Ibn `Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah fasted on the day of `Ashura’ and ordered the people to fast on it. The people said, "O Messenger of Allah, it is a day that the Jews and Christians honor." The Prophet said, "When the following year comes, Allah willing, we shall fast on the ninth." The death of the Prophet came before the following year (Muslim and Abu Dawud).

The Road Not Taken

This generation of American Muslims can change the course of history (inshAllah). History was made by a few individuals - a few diligent souls. Whether it was through the outrageous rhetoric of Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin, or during the call to peace and unity of Jinnah, Afghani, El-Banna, Maududi, and Malcolm X; A few individuals envisioned, energized, and empowered others on such a grand scale. They changed not only their own lives but also the lives of so many individuals.
What does it take to produce Generation Islam? We have a blue print in the life of the Prophet and the men he (s) shaped and molded. In 23 years he (s) produced Generation Islam. Let us start this process again. Let us build. Let us be the generation that will reshape the history. Let us learn to live Islam and call humanity to the road not taken.
By Faraz Khan

Bismillah!

In the Name of God Most Beneficient Most Merciful.

Welcome to the

Office of Muslim Chaplaincy at Rutgers University Blog

January 2007 : Muharram 1428

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