picture- Taleem kids iftar party Ramadan 2023/ 1444
Asalamu alaykum
Join Taleem Foundation for Iftar, prayers, Isha, taraweeh and Qiyam al layl. Activities ongoing till end of Ramadan In sha Allah.
Contact organiser, Taleem Foundation
Keep us in duas
Wasalam Alaykum
Thurrock Muslim Community
LAYLAT-UL-QADR!
It might just be tonight!
HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT- Last 10 nights
asalamu alaykum!
[QUR’AN CHAPTER 97, ENGLISH INTERPRETATION]
It’s toooooo special to miss!!!!!
Quick tips:
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” Agreed upon.
Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam taught ‘Aisha radi Allahu anhaa what to say on laylat-ul-qadr:
Transliteration: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuHibul’afwa fa’fu ‘annee
Let’s revive the sunnah and flee to Allah! please remember us in your duas, and like and share this in sha Allah!
NOTE: Congregational prayers are being held around Thurrock and Grays, don’t miss out!
Isha and taraweeh prayers:
Grays mosque has facilities for men and boys. (in Grays Park, Grays)
Taleem Foundation Centre has facilities for men, women and children. (21 clarence road, next to job centre, Grays, rm17 6qa)
Basildon prayer facilities: organised by South Essex Islamic Ttrust
Arrive with wudu (facilities available) and make sure you park responsibly 🙂 (let’s be better neighbours in sha Allah)
May Allah grant us sincerity, and success and jannat al firdaus, May Allah guide and have mercy on us, forgive all of us who believe and admit us to paradise, by His mercy. Allah abundantly bless rasoollullah. ameen
Please pray for us too 🙂
(References: Qur’an, Sunnah, Tafsir ibn Katheer abridged vol. 10, Darrusalam (pic above), IslamQA)]
Thurrock Muslim Community
THURROCK COMMUNITY IFTAR 7 APRIL 2023- TALEEM FOUNDATION
Asalamu alaykum,
Free community iftar this Friday!
Just turn up 🙂
Keep us in duas.
Contact organiser for more, poster above.
Thurrock Muslim Community
ZAKAT 101- THURROCKMUSLIMS.COM
Let’s fulfil the 3rd pillar of Islam: ZAKAT, obligatory charity tax.
Zakat or Zakaah/Zakah, means purification or growth.
In Islam, it is paying 2.5% of all your wealth (if it reaches the nisaab/threshold at which you become eligible to pay Zakat) to those who are entitled to receive Zakat, including the poor and needy, in obedience to Allah. Charity is an integral teaching in our faith.
DID YOU KNOW? Zakat is such an important pillar in our religion, Allah has mentioned it in the Qur’an multiple times, and the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him taught us about it.
There are multiple References in The Qur’an and in Sahih Hadith.
‘Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler – an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise.‘
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) sent Mu`adh to Yemen and said, “Invite the people to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and I am Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has enjoined on them five prayers in every day and night (in twenty-four hours), and if they obey you to do so, then teach them that Allah has made it obligatory for them to pay the Zakat from their property and it is to be taken from the wealthy among them and given to the poor.”
Sahih al Bukhari
How to tell if you owe Zakat? Keep a regular check of your assets, then the moment your wealth reaches the Nisab level (minimum threshold at which you have to start paying Zakat), then you calculate your Zakat each year accordingly.
Example: On 21st Ramadan 1440 (May 2019), you acquired £500 through the full lunar year (Islamic Hijir calendar). The nisab level was approximately worth £250 (based on silver weight prices). Therefore, you must pay 2.5% of £500 in charity as Zakat to fulfil your obligation to Allah. So £500×0.025= £12.50 as Zakat
Now it is 21st Ramadan 1441, (year 2020) 1 year on, and you have £700. The nisab value is around £240, you own that and more. So you will pay Zakat on this day at 2.5% of £700. so £700x 0.025= £17.50 as Zakat
And you note in your calendar next year on the 21st Ramadan 1442ah (in year 2021) you will schedule calculation and payment of Zakat again. In sha Allah
Therefore, your annual Zakat date, or Zakat anniversary is 21ST RAMADAN each year, and it’s your personal deadline by which you must calculate and pay Zakat.
If you need help calculating, lots of Muslim charity organisations can help you out, lots of charities have Zakat calculators, Islamic relief calculator, or you can try National Zakat Foundation’s (NZF) calculator, it’s UK-based and they’ve set up an organised step-by-step calculation system on their website, have a look here: NZF Zakat calculator
Assets are not limited to money, it includes gold, silver and more if you have businesses/shares, rental income/ property and what such. You also factor in your deductible assets, consider debts and bills (check the NZF calculator link above).
If you have gold or silver jewellery, you need to weigh it and calculate the price on the current market value of gold or silver on the day.
So if you have 50g of 24carat gold, the market value today right now is £45.61 per gram. Thats 45.61GBP x 50grams = £2280.50
You pay zakat on 2.5% of £2280.50, or simply 2280.50 x 0.025= £57.03 Zakat (rounded up).
Also, it doesn’t have to be Ramadan when you’re Zakat is due, you may be paying it in another month, depending on when your wealth reached the Nisab value. To read more about Zakat, check out the links at the end of this post. **
Keep it organised in sha Allah and you can fulfil your obligation to Allah, have blessings in your wealth, be stress free and aware of your assets. By the way, everything ultimately belongs to Allah, we are just being tested with what we’ve been entrusted with!
Purify what Allah gave us and spend in His path, in sha Allah , Allah will increase us in good.
Many times we may have been falling short, so be sure to do your best to make up for any short fall as soon as possible. And if you are tested with a shortage in wealth, you only have to pay less Zakat , and by trusting Allah, making tawbah, in sha Allah we will see better days again.
Never think zakat will decrease your wealth, believe Allah will purify it and increase it.
Of us are those with poor and needy relatives, let’s not forget them in sha Allah when paying Zakat and Sadaqah.
Give and Allah will increase you. Let’s take this opportunity to give Sadaqah too, we only have a few days left of this blessed month.
Dua- Remember to say Ameen to our supplication! Alhamdulillah for everything.
May Allah, The Ever-Living, The One True God, The Rich, The Merciful, The Most Powerful, forgive all our errors and guide us to the straight path. May Allah grant us the sincerity and ability to obey Him and fulfil His commands and may He enable us to follow the perfect example of His final Messenger and Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Allah protect us from all evil and grant us all good and may Allah help us to remember Him always. May Allah not make Ramadan leave us, except that we are forgiven and guided and may Allah bless and increase us in good, Allah preserve our religion, our worldly life, our hereafter, our health, our family, our wealth, youth, ability, time, our safety, our ummah, our community, our neighbours our nation, our countries our world. Allah guide all of us to His love and mercy. May Allah unite us with the prophets peace be upon them, Allah make us pious and the inheritors of jannat al firdaus, paradise. Allah forgive us and our parents, our grandparents, our predecessors, our families , future generations our successors and all of us. Allah help us to worship Him alone, with perfect understanding of His Oneness, Tawhid, and Allah protect us from major and minor sins. Allah make us true followers of the sunnah of prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, like the companions of the prophet, may Allah be pleased with them. May Allah, The One without partners, forgive us and grant us cures and mercy and lift the calamities and bring peace to all of us. Wasallallahu alaa nabiyina Muhammad. Oh Allah accept, Amin.
Please keep us in your generous duas, today, tonight, during laylatul Qadr, on Friday, all the special times. wa jazakumullahu khairan
Join our community and be part of the ongoing mission to serve Allah alone. Just enter your email address!
Please contact us, give us feedback, or join us and support our efforts here: contact
Thurrock Muslim Community
Contributor: Thurrockmuslims.com editor
**Links
All about Zakat with NZF/National Zakat Foundation https://nzf.org.uk/about-zakat/knowledge-bank/
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9449/the-difference-between-zakaah-and-sadaqah
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/93414/zakaah-on-wealth-earned-during-the-year
In the Name of Allah, The One True God
It’s not about the chocolate.
It’s not about the bunnies.
It’s not about the eggs.
It’s about the origins.
It’s about principles.
What exactly is Easter?
In short, Easter is a Christian festival with remnants of Pagan traditions. Christians celebrate the alleged crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, this is the essence of Easter. The holiday has become rather commercial, with increase in sales of confectionary, chocolate and popular toys. (1)
Christians believe in the Trinity (father,son, holy spirit), which essentially means that they direct their worship to God, Jesus and the Holy spirit. So today, Christianity has polytheistic dimensions and is not a faith of complete monotheism.
Easter and Islam
Islam is absolutely Monotheistic. Muslims worship One God alone (Allah), without rivals. The Islamic narrative about prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) is simple. Jesus is not the son of God (as mentioned above, Christianity purports him to be). Muslims believe that God (Allah) is The Supreme Creator of all, The Self-Sufficient Master, He does not have children or a wife, and He does not need these things. It makes perfect sense, we are servants of The One Supreme Master- Allah. We go to Allah for all our needs, we don’t need any intermediaries! We need Allah, but Allah does not need us. That is the truth. And the truth makes sense.
We believe Jesus (‘Eesa) (peace be upon him) was a mighty prophet of God (Allah), born from the virgin Mary, who was pure and chaste. God does not need children. It’s the creation, humans and animals who need children. If God can create Adam without a father and mother, Eve without a mother, than surely it is easy for God to create Jesus without a father. Jesus’ story is mentioned in detail in Chapter 19 of the Qur’an, called ‘Maryam’.
If you remember the Christmas post a few months back and a few other blogs on Islam Explained, you’ll remember that as Muslims, we MUST believe in Jesus in order for our faith to be complete. Jesus never claimed divinity. Rather, Jesus peace be upon him was a messenger and prophet of Allah.
Jesus was not crucified, rather Allah (The One True God) took Jesus up to Him, while he was still alive, and another man was made to resemble Jesus and that man was killed. Jesus will return to earth, under Allah’s command, during the end times to fight the Anti-Christ (The Dajjal).(2)
Conclusion- Why Muslims don’t celebrate Easter
The Islamic narrative on monotheism and beliefs about Jesus are so markedly different to the Christian narrative. Thus, it’s no surprise Muslims do not commemorate a Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, as these didn’t happen in the first place!
Incidentally, there are various members of society and other faiths who do not partake in such festivals either, each with their own reasoning.
Be wise and kind, there’s no need to offend or be offended. Let your peers know gently and respectfully, it’s not the diet that makes you turn down their chocolate treats, it’s your freedom of personal choice and more importantly, your religious belief which you must hold onto with integrity, because a Muslim must be truthful, first and foremost to Allah. Being truthful in word and deed is important in Islam.
Islamic monotheism is our focus, we worship Allah alone.
Just as we cannot force others to believe, we cannot be forced to disbelieve.
The truth is apparent, falsehood is apparent. May Allah guide us all to the truth. Amin.
Peace.
Thurrock Muslims
share http://wp.me/p4GU3D-b9
see other posts : Muslims and Christmas,
Links and further reading (browse at your own risk and responsibility)
Don’t be deprived! Come along with family and friends.
(Contact organiseer, for tickets : https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ramadan-family-dinner-event-tickets-543620853607
Come and join a gathering where Allah is mentioned. Let’s win this Ramadan in sha Allah.
*RAMADAN FAMILY EVENT*
Taleem would like to invite you to a special family dinner Ramadan event. Join us for a beneficial convention exploring tips on how to prepare for Ramadan.
*Saturday 18th March 2023*
*Door Open 5.30 P.M*
Venue: *Lighthouse Hall, Grays, RM17 5BT*
*NASEEHA FROM RENOWNED SCHOLARS AND NASHEED*
– Yusuf Chambers
– Shaikh Saeed ibn Jalal
– Sheikh Ashiqur Rahman
– Mikhaael Mala
– Tariq Shaikh
– Marayam Jazeem
* Delicious 3-Course Meal
* Sponsors Recognition Awards
* Islamic Nasheeds
To *book tickets* click here
https://taleem.eventbrite.co.uk
Please *Share* the poster
Thurrock Muslim Community
Read more: RAMADAN FAMILY DINNER EVENT 18 MARCH 2023 IN GRAYS/THURROCK/ESSEX- TALEEM FOUNDATIONSupported by Travel Link, ATOL and IATA accredited professional travel services, flights, holidays and umrah.
Muslims and Christmas
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious The Most Merciful.
Peace people!
Let’s talk about the holidays.
In Britain it has traditionally been known as a Christian country, Christmas day, i.e. 25 December is considered a national holiday.
Let’s have a look at the history of Christmas:
According to Britannica Encyclopaedia, Christmas has become a Christian festival where Christians believe they are celebrating the birth of Christ, or Jesus. Historically, however, the date coincides with pagan Roman festivals which celebrated the winter solstice. It is believed that early Christians wanted to celebrate the 25th to coincide with the pagan festival. There is no clear statement in the New testament supporting the celebration of Jesus’ birth on the 25th. Nevertheless, it is still widely celebrated in that manner.
So basically in a nutshell, Christmas day has pagan origins!
And did you know, there are many groups and sections of society who do not celebrate Christmas, such as Jewish people, some atheists, and even some Christians.
So do Muslims celebrate Christmas? In Islam, the MOST IMPORTANT belief is that of Islamic monotheism. That is, we are commanded to submit to and believe in Allah (The One True God), and attribute complete Oneness to Allah as He deserves in His Lordship, Names and Attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
Consequently, as a Muslim, i.e. one who submits to Allah (The One True God), we believe that we must abandon and turn away from anything that contradicts the principles of Islamic monotheism. Polytheism, idolatry and ascribing partners to Allah are MAJOR SINS! The biggest sin which Allah will not forgive, is ascribing partners to Him !
‘Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills; and whoever sets up partners with Allah in worship, he has indeed invented a tremendous sin.’ [Qur’an, chapter 4, verse 48- English interpretation]
Allah is so self-sufficient, it does not befit His Majesty to take a son or wife, or to beget or be begotten. He does not resemble His creation, for He is the uncreated Creator, and there is no similitude to Him.
In fact, a remarkably concise description of Allah can be found in chapter 112 of The Noble Qur’an, which is the verbatim words of Allah, and Allah’s final revealed book to mankind.
Have a listen to this chapter here:
Regarding Jesus (peace be upon him), in Islam we believe he was a mighty messenger of Allah. Jesus, or Isa in Arabic, was born a miraculous birth, from the virgin Mary. We refer to Jesus as ‘Isa ibnu Maryam, which means Jesus son of Mary. Jesus did not have a father, and he is not the son of God/Allah, because as we mentioned earlier, it does not befit the majesty of Allah to beget. Allah decreed that Jesus would be born miraculously without a father from the pure chaste virgin Mary. We respect them very much and we know that Jesus never claimed divinity, rather Jesus called his people to worship Allah alone, the same message each prophet and messenger of Allah called to. Jesus’ (peace be upon him) story can be found in the Qur’an in numerous places. (for more information, please see the upcoming post on chapter 19 of the Qur’an entitled Maryam!)
Incidentally, Paganism supports polytheism. Polytheism means worshipping multiple deities. Therefore, the Christian Trinity is essentially polytheism. And as previously mentioned in this blog, Islam means submission to the One True God, Allah, and our purpose in life is to acknowledge Allah’s complete Oneness, to uphold Islamic monotheism, and to attribute absolute Oneness to Allah in His Lordship, names and attributes and right to be worshipped alone.
In honesty, Muslims don’t really party on Christmas. But despite that, we still spread peace and justice the best we can with everyone, regardless of our differences.
Because the truth is, as Muslims, the most important One to us is Allah, and the only reason we are alive is for Allah, to serve Him, to worship Him, because we need to worship Him and He doesn’t need us to do that. Whether or not we worship Him, it does not detract or add to His majesty at all. Rather He is The Self-Sufficient, The Majestic, The Rich, Free of all needs. The Lord of all that exists, He is Allah.
Besides, our kind behaviour and gifts to you is not supposed to be limited to a certain day of the year, as Muslims we are required to deal with everyone in a just manner at all times, exhibiting the best character. If we have fallen short in fulfilling our rights towards you as our neighbours, please do forgive us. We make mistakes, after all we are human. Although, we endeavour to follow the best example of excellent moral conduct, as taught to us by Allah’s final prophet and messenger, Muhammad peace be upon him.
I’ll leave you with a verse from the Qur’an to get you thinking.
‘Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): “I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God – i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” ‘
[Qur’an, chapter 18: v110, english interpretation]
Thanks for reading.
Peace.
ThurrockMuslims.com
Quote from the Holy Qur’an: Al-Anbiyaa (21:87)
وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
Watha alnnooni ith thahaba mughadiban fathanna an lan naqdira AAalayhi fanada fee alththulumati an la ilaha illa anta subhanaka innee kuntu mina alththalimeena
And [mention] the man of the fish, when he went off in anger and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him. And he called out within the darknesses, “There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers.”
Quote from the Holy Qur’an: Al-Anbiyaa (21:88)
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ ۚ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُۨجِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Faistajabna lahu wanajjaynahu mina alghammi wakathalika nunjee almumineena
So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.
Pray for us 🙂
Thurrock Muslim Community
(disclaimer: about)
Thurrock Muslim Community 