Scroll down for report on "How Ageist Societies Disregard Children" by Sr. Aisha
and
"Virtues of the Month of Ramadhan: the Prophet's First Khutbah" by Sr. Yasmin
and
"Fasting of the Heart" by Dr. Asma
Editorial
Why the Lack of Solidarity in Clear Cut Cases of Injustice in America?
By Dr. Kaukab Siddique
Why is it that solidarity movements in the US do not
succeed? One basic reason is that the US is based on racism
and religious divisions. This divides the People, and makes
it very difficult for them to support causes outside of
their own subgroup.
The tragedy of Malcolm X is a case in point. He was speaking
in broad daylight in New York when he was shot and killed.
There were some protests by the Black community, but not
many. In fact, the wrong people were arrested in the
assassination. Twenty years later, it was found that the
government was involved in killing Malcolm.
When the assassination occurred, the Black community, far
from staging mass protests of indignation around the
killing, were more interested in finding out who were the
real killers. This showed that the broader Black community
did not support Malcolm.
Later on, two Black people were arrested, and the story was
that they were the killers. Still there were no mass
protests demanding that "The killers of our people should be
punished" as one would expect.
Then there is the case of Imam Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin. He
converted to Islam while in Attica Prison, and after his
release established a Muslim community in the West End of
Atlanta, Georgia. But it was ridden with drug dealers. When
he drove them away, he himself was brought up on criminal
charges. Sadly, other Black people did not support him,
because they thought he is a Muslim, and most black people
are Christians, at least nominally. And, to them, he had
committed the alleged murder of two Black Christians. For
this reason, the Black community did not support him. They
did not come out to say: Why are you locking up our brother?
There was no solidarity movement for Imam Jamil.
He fled to White Hall, Alabama. The authorities pursued him
there. It was a very sad state of affairs. The Black
community knew the Imam was innocent, but they did not
support him.
It's a strange situation, where Imam Jamil was originally
seen as a great hero. But once the government came after
him, and finally indicted him, his own people—the
Black community—did not support him. To this day,
there are segments of the Black community who behave as if
Imam Jamil is a criminal. When he was transferred from his
home state of Georgia, where he was originally locked up,
first to Oklahoma, then to the ADX Florence, a supermax
prison reserved primarily for "high profile" Muslim inmates
in Colorado, the People did not object. There are no rallies
for Imam Jamil to stop his relocation far away from his
family and from his attorneys. Florence ADMAX in particular,
was highly inaccessible to his family, who had to travel
nearly the entire day for a single visit with him.
As with the case of Malcolm X, there was the absence of a
solidarity movement of Black people supporting other Black
people.
Solidarity was similarly absent in the case of Native
American leader Leonard Peltier. Peltier came to the Pine
Ridge Indian Reservation to help the American Indian
Movement, which was standing up for the basic human rights
of Native people on that reservation in the 1970s. The FBI
came uninvited, and in a very provocative manner to the
reservation. This resulted in a shootout in which two FBI
agents and a Native American man were killed. As a result of
that shootout, Peltier was convicted.
In Peltier's case like so many others, the US government is
engaging in actions which violate its own laws. This is done
blatantly and shamefully.
Do the People come out and say this is wrong, that it
shouldn't be done? The answer is an emphatic "No!" When he
was locked up, many Native people did not support him.
Instead, they treated him as a terrorist. The question
arises why? The answer is the Native American tribes are
against each other.
In World War II, the great tracers and hunters were Native
Americans. Did the Native Americans say: "No! This
government killed our people. We are not going to help them.
Look at what they did to Geronimo." They do not.
This seems a common theme in the US: People who were seen
first as heroes are later labeled as terrorists. And the
People accept the label. And there is an abject lack of
solidarity.
Let's take the example of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. A small
group led by Maulana Maudoodi stood against the government.
And the People knew that Maudoodi and his supporters will
never renege on the plan they had made to oppose the
Pakistani government. The general population was won over to
Maudoodi's ideas, and even those who did not accept all of
his ideas, stood with him. That is a solid example of
solidarity, and that is what is needed in the US. A small
group like Maudoodi's could change Pakistan, but in a huge
country like America nothing changes.
Lack of leadership in the US ensures that no true solidarity
movements emerge, even in response to huge tragedies like
the assassination of a great black leader. Further,
pro-sports, television, games, and other soporifics which
keep Americans transfixed with things totally irrelevant to
their day to day lives.
Putative Statement from a Released Israeli Hostage
Today, the Israeli prisoner Alexander Turbanov, who was
released, made a statement that shocked the occupying
Israel:
"Your kindness has been engraved in my conscience forever.
During the 498 days I lived among you, despite the
aggression and crimes you endured, I learned the true
meaning of manhood, pure heroism, and respect for humanity
and values.
You were the free ones under siege, while I was the
prisoner, and you were the protectors of my life. You cared
for me as a compassionate father cares for his children. You
preserved my health, dignity, and grace, and even though I
was in the hands of men fighting for their land and stolen
rights, and despite the fact that my country's government
was committing the most heinous genocide against a besieged
people, you never allowed hunger or humiliation to touch
me.
I did not know the true meaning of masculinity until I saw
it in your eyes, and I did not realize the value of
sacrifice until I lived among you—until I saw you
smiling in the face of death, resisting an enemy armed with
tools of destruction with nothing but your bare bodies. No
matter how eloquent or expressive I may be, I will never
find words to reflect your true worth, nor to express my
astonishment and admiration for your noble morality.
Does your religion really teach you to treat prisoners in
such a way?
What a great faith this must be, to elevate you to such a
level that all man-made human rights laws collapse before
it, that all protocols of war crumble in its presence!
Even in the most difficult moments, you demonstrated justice
and mercy not through empty slogans but through the reality
of our experiences, never abandoning your principles even in
the darkest conditions.
Believe me, if I ever return here, it will only be as a
mujahid in your ranks. Because I learned the truth from your
people, and I realized that you are not only the rightful
owners of the land, but also of principles and a just
cause."
Editorial comment: We received the above letter from Dr.
Mahboob Khwaja. It appears to be genuine. If it is, it
indicates that the resistance is following the Islamic rules
on treatment of prisoners. By contrast, the prisoners
returned by Israel show signs of torture. Their bodies are
branded with the Star of David. They are frequently returned
on stretchers, emaciated, and in some cases unable to speak,
walk, or engage in basic functions.
How Ageist Societies Disregard Children
By Sis. 'Aisha
Jamaat al-Muslimeen New York City
In the 1970s, a television show called "Kids Are People Too"
ran on Sunday mornings. Its catchy theme song reiterated
that children were just as important as others. A show like
this was necessary because we live in a society that
dismisses children.
A typical quality attributed to children is their
resilience, which completely absolves adults of any
responsibility when they inflict harm on them.
On a recent episode of "Black America: Kids Feel Grief
Too!", host Carol Jenkins introduced a panel of
psychological experts who spoke about how loss affects
children. Sharice Simpson, a licensed social worker,
reminded viewers that children endure all types of loss,
including the loss of food, a home, personal items, and not
just the death of a loved one.
Author Renee Watson, who wrote "All the Blues in the Sky,"
expressed her disappointment in how the COVID-19 shutdown
ended. She criticized the educational system for not
counseling children who endured isolation for over a year
and then mandated their attendance without any
acknowledgment. Watson's book is about Sage, a young girl
whose best friend dies on her 13th birthday.
Dr. Charles Barrett, a school psychologist and author of the
book "It's Always About the Children," discussed the role of
families in helping children cope with adversity. He
emphasized that while he generally understands children,
these families possess an even deeper insight into their own
kids.
Unfortunately, some parents view their children as servants,
and they believe that this servitude is a lifelong role.
Ageism discriminates against people between the ages of 1
hour to 17 years old and people 50 years and older, which is
why child and elder abuse is a problem in America.
Respecting children and all life forms is a part of the
Sunnah. Still, Americans suffer from an image problem that
begins in childhood.
(Source: "Kids Feel Grief Too!" Black America, directed by
Audra D. West & Tinabeth Pina, Hosted by Carol Jenkins,
tv.CUNY.edu
, 2025)
Guidance from Sis. Yasmin
Virtues of the Month of Ramadhan
PROPHET ﷺ First Khutbah
'O Muslims, Fear Allah and Obey Him, I give you glad tidings
as the month of 'Ramadan' is approaching,
This is the month in which the 'Qur'an' was revealed as a
guidance for mankind, as well as a clarification and
differentiation between truth and falsehood,
during this month, the Gates of Mercy are opened and the
gates of hell are sealed. Satan and all other jinn are
chained during this blessed month.
Rewards for good deeds performed in this month are
multiplied sins are forgiven and supplications responded to
and answered. It is the month of Perseverance, Mercy,
Compassion and Charity.
~Salman Al-Farsi ~ [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that...
Prophet ~[Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam]
gave a speech on the last day of 'Sha'ban',
and said...
'O people, you are being approached by a great
and blessed month, a month which contains
a Night that is better than
One Thousand [1000] months !
Allah made fasting within it an obligation,
and made praying on that night an optional act of
worship.
he who performs any righteous voluntary act within it,
will be rewarded like one who does
an obligatory act at any time other than
during 'Ramadan'...{!}
'he who performs an obligatory act
of worship within it will
be rewarded like he who performs
Seventy [70] acts of worship
at any time outside this month !
['Alhamdullilah']
It is the month of Perseverance
and perseverance is rewarded with
'Jannah'~{Paradise}!
It is the month of compassion,
in which the sustenance of a believer increases !
'he who feeds a fasting person within this month
has his sins forgiven and he will be protected
and released from the hell fire.
he also gets the reward of that person's
fasting without decreasing the reward
of the fasting person.'
Then the companions... [may Allah be pleased with them] said...
'O messenger of Allah, ﷺ not all of us can
find the extra food needed to feed another
fasting person'.
The Prophet [Sallallaahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said---
'Allah will give you the reward of feeding a fasting person
even if you were to give him just a sip of milk, a date, or
a sip of water{!}
he who feeds a fasting person until he is full,
Allah will make him drink out of my river,
a sip of which will never allow him to be thirsty
until he enters 'Jannah'! Then he continued...
'This is the month the beginning of which is
Mercy, the middle part is Forgiveness...
and the last part of it is Release from Hellfire.'
(Source ~ Al-Bayhaqi).
'So, pay attention,
may Allah be merciful to you all', pay attention
O believers, to the speech of the Prophet
{Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam }
in which he gave glad tidings of the month of 'Ramadan' to
his companions and informed them of its virtues and how the
reward of righteous deeds performed therein is
multiplied.
Indeed, it is a great and blessed month...!
The Prophet [Sallallaahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said---
referring to the month of 'Ramadan'~
'Never has a better month arrived
for the believers and never has a worse month
come to pass for the hypocrites.'
(Source~ Ahmad)
Abu Hurayrah, [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that...
Prophet [Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said...
"All the (rewards of the) deeds
of the son of Adam
are for him, (he is aware that) the reward
of performing them will be multiplied by ten (10)
to seven-hundred (700) times...!
Allah {Azza Wa Jal} has said...
'Except for fasting, as it is for Me, I shall reward it
(i.e. I will decide what the reward will be)
This is because the fasting person leaves his desires,
food and drink purely for My sake.'
The fasting person has two [2] times of
great pleasure...!
once when he breaks his fast and the other
when he meets his Lord !
The smell emanating from the mouth
of a fasting person is better in the scale of Allah
than the smell of Musk ".
(Source~ Ahmad)
The Prophet ~[Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam]
referred to 'Ramadan' as the
'month of perseverance' due to the necessity
of perseverance and patience during this month.
Due to this, as well as the suffering
from the pain of hunger, thirst and weakness
of the body due to fasting.
'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar [may Allah be pleased with him]
reported that~
The Prophet [Sallallaahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said---
'No one knows the reward of
fasting except Allah'.
(Source ~Al-Bayhaqi)
The reward for righteous deeds varies
due to different reasons, for example,
due to the sanctity of specific
places such as 'Makkah' and 'Medina'.
The Prophet [Sallallahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said:
'Praying in my 'Masjid' is one thousand times~[1000]
greater in reward than prayer elsewhere -
except for 'Al-Masjid Al-Haram' [in 'Makkah']
[Source~ S. Bukhari]
Among the virtues of this blessed month
is that the reward for good deeds is multiplied
by up to seven hundred times,
for those who purify their intentions and
perform their actions purely for the sake of Allah - !
such as those who spend in charity from their wealth,
provided that their wealth
comes from lawful means.
{Allah only accepts charity which is from
'Halal' (lawful) means...!}
The Prophet [Sallallaahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said---
'Allah accepts charity with His right hand and then increases
it in reward for the person giving it,
just like one of you raises his colt,
until the reward for it becomes the size of a mountain'.
(Source~ Bukhari & Muslim)
Anas ibn Malik, [may Allah be pleased with him]narrated that
---
The Prophet [Sallallaahu `Alaihi wa Sallam] said---
'Charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord and
protects the giver of it from an evil end'.
(Source~ Tirmithi)
Fasting of the Heart
By Dr. Asma
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Ramadan is not merely an obligation—it is a divine
liberation. Allah commands in the Qur'an: "O you who have
attained faith, fasting has been prescribed upon you." This
prescription is not a burden but a means of freeing
ourselves from worldly attachments that veil us from the
Divine. Through fasting, we disengage from material
distractions and rediscover the beauty and reality of
Allah's presence.
Fasting is a discipline that shields us from desires that
distance us from Allah. It is a limited period—only 29
or 30 days—but within it lies immense barakah
(blessings), multiplying the benefits of every righteous
action. The Prophet ﷺ said that in this month, there
is a night, Laylatul Qadr, which is greater in worship than
a thousand months—a gift from the Creator of time and
value. To miss this opportunity is true deprivation.
With the arrival of Ramadan, profound transformations
occur:
The gates of Hellfire are shut, as believers refrain
from sin.
The gates of Jannah are opened, making virtuous
deeds easier.
The devils are chained, leaving us to confront our
own nafs (inner self) without external whispers of evil.
This is a time of self-discovery—who truly controls
me? Who is my Master? If I can discipline myself from lawful
needs, such as food and drink, then restraining from
unlawful acts—lying, cheating,
backbiting—becomes even easier. The Prophet ﷺ
taught that fasting is not just about abstaining from food
but from all excesses, including false speech and immoral
behavior. A fast without ethical discipline is an empty
ritual, devoid of divine reward.
Early scholars even debated whether backbiting or lying
could invalidate a fast. While technically, the fast remains
valid, its spiritual essence is lost, and the person incurs
sin. The Prophet ﷺ advised that if provoked, a
fasting person should not retaliate but instead say twice,
"I am fasting." This serves as both a reminder and a
declaration of self-restraint.
Fasting is deeper than physical abstinence; it is a fasting
of the heart. To truly fast is to cleanse our hearts from
impure thoughts, anger, and arrogance. Through this
purification, we cultivate empathy for the poor and the
hungry, embodying the spirit of Prophet Yusuf (AS), who
fasted frequently to never forget the suffering of the
needy.
Allah tests the affluent not by deprivation, but by
abundance—of wealth, health, and power—to see
how they use these blessings. The needy have a right in our
wealth, and Ramadan serves as a powerful reminder of our
duty to them.
Ultimately, fasting is an invitation to spiritual freedom.
It is a journey of the soul, guiding us away from the chains
of worldly desire and toward the infinite mercy of Allah.