Beloved ISBCC Community, As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah
Alhamdulillah! As Muslims, we are about to welcome one of Allah’s greatest favors to His Ummah, the sacred month of Ramadan. This year we will immerse ourselves in Asma’ Allah Al-Husna: Connecting to God’s Names and Attributes. Reflecting on last Ramadan’s theme of “In the Footsteps of our Beloved,” we know that the Prophet (SAW) was the essential slave (‘abd). He is the essential knower of Allah (swt), and he (SAW) exuded His Names and Attributes, connecting to them on a human level in the most profound way. Insha’Allah, during these days and nights of Ramadan, we will be exploring, learning, internalizing and connecting with God’s Names and Attributes.
During this blessed month of Ramadan, we will strive to know Allah (swt) as He has described Himself, and as the Prophet (SAW) has explained to us in the Sunnah. Acquiring this essential knowledge of God is the journey of the Believer towards Ubudiyya. Learning Allah’s Names and Attributes allows us to understand the extent of Allah’s Rahma, His Control, His Creative Power and His Fashioning, and teaches us how to be in the world. It enables the Believer to live in the highest form of self, while striving to embody the Divine character traits that are possible for the human being.
Our hope as Muslims is to attain Taqwa and Ubudiyya, God consciousness and complete servitude, both of which are not attainable without knowing God and seeing His Mercy (Rahma), Forgiveness (Maghfira), Wealth (Rizq), and Might (Jabarut) because seeing these realities compel us to fall into loving surrender. The equation of our relationship with Allah (swt) is first we know, then we attain Ubudiyya and Taqwa, and that leads us to love and fear. It is only through this process that our worldly life is transformed into a meaningful existence.
It is through everything we know about Allah (swt) from His Beautiful Names that we come to love Him, as love is an extension of knowing. Insha’Allah, this Ramadan, the Friday Khutbah, Taraweeh Khatira and a weekly class dedicated to the 99 Most Beautiful Names and Attributes (al-Asma al-Husna) will deepen our knowledge of Allah (swt). When we really know what Allah (swt) means to us in every way that informs our hearts, minds and souls, that knowledge is transformed into love, and love transforms knowledge into “We hear and we obey” because we would never want to disobey or displease the One we love.
First Day of Ramadan
Ramadan 2020 will begin with the first Taraweeh prayer on April 23rd The first day of fasting is April 24th.
How does the ISBCC determine the first day of Ramadan?
The ISBCC follows the Fiqh Council of North America in its fatwas on the timing of Ramadan and Eid. To understand their methodology for determining the first day of Ramadan, please click here.
Insha’Allah, join the ISBCC family of Believers in worshipping Allah (swt), learning His Most Beautiful Names and their meanings and exploring how to connect to them in our lives in meaningful ways. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said, “Whoever memorizes them enters Paradise.”
Iftar
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever feeds a fasting person will have a reward like that of the fasting person, without any reduction from the reward of the fasting person in the slightest.” [Al-Nasai]
One of the most beautiful aspects of Ramadan is the love and harmony that is shared among family, friends, and community members who come together to break their fast (Iftar). For those blessed to be close to family and friends, coming together to share food and friendship with other members of the community increases their blessings. But for people new to the area or new to the faith- those separated from family and friends and those who are alone- the initial joy that comes with breaking the fast can be marred by feelings of loneliness and isolation. In order that every Muslim may experience the joy and blessings of Ramadan, the ISBCC invites all participants to join us in our communal Iftars. Together, we can connect ourselves to the Jamal Attributes of Allah.
Quran Circles
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said, "The person who recites the Qur'an and masters it by heart will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And the person who exerts himself to learn the Qur'an by heart and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward."
Qur'an circles will take place weekly from 7:30 pm in the ISBCC’s Zoom platform. All are welcome, no matter your level.
Brothers Quran Circle
Every Friday
Sisters Halaqa
Every Friday
Volunteer
The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said: "The dearest to Allah is the one who is the most beneficial to people" [al-Tabarani]
We at the ISBCC are excited by the approach of the holy month of Ramadan. During this blessed time of heightened worship and remembrance of Allah (swt), we are reminded that one of the greatest acts of devotion lies in serving others within our community. We seek the favor of Allah (swt) by dedicating our time and resources to helping those around us. The ISBCC will therefore provide extensive volunteer opportunities for its members. To learn more about Ramadan volunteer opportunities please sign us for the volunteer application.
Giving During Ramadan
“O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous.. (The Holy Quran, 82:6)
During the blessed month of Ramadan, let us strive to connect ourselves to Allah’s Beautiful Name, Al-Kareem, the Generous, the Giving, by giving generously to the ISBCC.
As we seek to connect with this Attribute of Allah, we have the example of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as narrated by Ibn Abbas: “The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H.) was more generous than an unrestricted, comforting wind (going in each and every direction, giving comfort to anyone it touches).”
The ISBCC encourages our community members to spend as much of the wealth Allah has given them as possible during this month in order to help those with the least among us, to support all the various causes of justice, and to support this house of Allah – the ISBCC. Among the seven categories of people whom The Prophet (P.B.U.H.) said would be protected by Allah's Shade on the Day of Judgment, one of them is "a person whose heart is attached to the mosque." Show your attachment to this House of Allah – the ISBCC – by giving generously and by joining us in practicing the important act of worship of giving sadaqa.
Ways to Give
Jazakum Allahu khairan (May Allah reward you) for choosing to give to this house of Allah. All donations are tax-deductible. You may make a one-time gift or become an ISBCC Sustainer by giving monthly. Please select from one of the following options.
You can also direct your gift to a specific area to support your center
Supports building related activities and capital projects to maintain this House of Allah as a jewel for our community.
Supports programs in the Knowledge and Lived Spirituality spheres, including the ilm courses, halaqahs, khutbahs, daily prayers, and more.
Supports programs in the Community and Service spheres, including the ISBCC tours, the Neighbors for Neighbors Initiative, media work, and civic engagement activities.
Sponsorships
- Sponsor a Community Iftar for
- Sponsor the cost of one or more Iftar