As the sun sets on Ramadan,

the new moon heralds the

coming of the Eid day -- one

of two days Muslims all over

the world celebrate each year.

Why do we celebrate Eid? In

what manner do we rejoice?

In the first instance, we are

thankful for that grace from

Allah which carried us

through the month of earnest,

joyous labour spent in fasting,

prayers, and Qur’an recitation.

But upon further reflection,

we can see that our joyous

festivities, in fact, hail and

celebrate that glorious mo-

ment when Allah’s infinite

mercy, the light of His last

guidance (The Holy Quran),

dawned upon mankind.

That is why Ramadan has

been reserved for the fasting;

that is why the end of Rama-

dan has been earmarked for

rejoicing:

The Eid seems to be echoing

the Qur’anic call - ‘that you

complete the number (of

Fasts) and proclaim the great-

ness of God for having guid-

ed you, and so that you may

render thanks and rejoice’ (Al-

Baqara 2:185).

How many and how priceless

are the blessings from Allah

val is like Eid, it is unique

among all of them.

Some centre their celebrations

on the person who created

their identity, but not on Eid;

we do not celebrate even the

birth day of the Prophet Mu-

hammad(pbuh), rather we cele-

brate the sending down of the

word of Allah -- the Qur’an.

Some rejoice in the beginning

of the New Year, but not Eid;

we rejoice in the dawn upon

mankind of a new era of light

and peace. Some celebrate the

end of the dark winter days

and the coming of the spring

of light and warmth, but not

Eid; we celebrate the end of

the dark, cold night of igno-

rance and the coming of a

warm spring of Justice and

Equality. Some give thanks

for the harvest of grain, fruit

or cattle, but not Eid; we give

thanks for the harvest of the

richest blessings of Allah for

soul and intellect, for mind

and heart, for living and con-

duct. One can say that Eid

raises man’s festivities from

the physical to the spiritual

and intellectual level symbol-

izing what Islam does to

man’s entire life, vision and

hope.

continued on page 2...

What does Eid celebration mean?

Our Lord! Forgive us our

sins, and remit from us our

evil deeds, and take to Thyself

our souls in the company of

the righteous (Al-Imran,

3:193)

Rabbana, fagh-fir lana

thunubana, wa kaffir anna

sayi’atina, wa tawaffana

ma’al-abrar

This dua’ is from the last ten

ayahs of surat Al-Imran. The

Prophet(pbuh) used to recite

these ten ayahs when he

wakes up at night to do

tahajud prayers. The Prophet

(pbuh) used to look up to the

sky and recite: “In the crea-

tion of the heavens and the

earth, and the alternation of

night and day are signs for

those of understanding” to

the end of the surat.

Community News

Altrincham Muslim Association

01 September 2010

Volume 1, Issue 10

EID Issue

to us? Yet undoubtedly the

most priceless of all are his

words that illuminate the

pathways of life and guide our

steps to success, here and in

the Hereafter. Hence, from

the moment the new moon

heralds the coming of the Eid

day the constant cry of the

heart and tongue is ‘Allah

alone is great; to Allah be-

longs all thankful praise’. This

cry remains on the lips while

the festivities of Eid remain,

in response to Allah’s com-

mand.

The two Muslim festivals are

just one measure of how Is-

lam emphatically and totally

centres our lives on the

Qur’an. If Eid-al-Fitr cele-

brates the beginning of its

dawn, the other festival, Eid-

al-Adha, marks its comple-

tion. For if in Ramadan is the

night in which the first revela-

tion came, on the Day of Hajj

came the verse proclaiming

the perfection and completion

of the guidance it brought (Al

-Ma’ida 5:3). All our days are

crowded by Allah’s blessing,

but no day can be like the day

that is crowded by Allah’s

guidance.

No people live without festi-

vals of their own, but no festi-

Dua of the Month

Dua of the Month 1

Upcoming Events 2

Laylat al-Qadr 2

Monthly health tip 3

Salah timetable 4

Inside this issue:

ربنا فٱغفر لنا ذنوبنا وڪفر عنا سيـاتنا وتوفنا مع

ٱ برار

Page 2 Community News Volume 1, I ssue 10

Upcoming Events Annual Family Fun Day & Heart at Risk Programme September 25th, 12 – 4pm

A fun filled day for all the family. This year’s fun day promises to be bigger and better than years

gone by (Insha’Allah). Activities vary from cricket, football, tug of war, bouncy castle , henna

painting as well as many more fun things. As always there will be plenty of food to choose from.

There also will be free heart health check and advice available, conducted by a cardiologist, where

numerous check can be carried out ranging from cholesterol checks to blood test as well as advice

on how to reduce the risk of heart problems. Also there will be a healthy heart award given to the

individual that has made the most improvement.

Madrassah Registration Day

With the new academic year starting soon, Sunday 19th September (10-12pm) is registration day.

It will also give an opportunity to meet the teachers as of 11.30am, when they will outline the

coming year’s curriculum (no classes on the day). Parents wanting to register their children must

register them on that day, all new children and those on the waiting list are welcome to attend the

day for their assessment.

First day of term will be Friday 24th September, Insha’Allah. Full details on the website.

Ramadan Itikaf

We are now well into Ramadan, and the last ten days are almost upon us, which gives all those

who have the opportunity to spend some additional time in the centre. Last year proved to be

very successful in the large numbers that stayed for a few days (up to 10 days). Our centre is giv-

ing all able and healthy men (sorry sisters!) the opportunity again this year. So at that we can make

the necessary arrangements all those interested please contact Brother Malik, he will be at the cen-

tre most days from Asr to Isha (Insha’Allah) or you may call him on 07968294677.

Eid symbolizes a radically new

basis for human unity. Those

who form their identities by

persons and events, temporal

and physical, erect barriers

that are insurmountable. But

not so in Islam. Eid is for

anyone who is prepared to

turn to his Creator and sur-

render himself unto Him and

follow his guidance.

Yet, the solemn, spiritual

spending spree though; Eid is

not a commercial venture.

Delicious meals are cooked

and, in sharing, heartily eaten.

But not a morsel should be

thrown away. Every worldly

thing is from Allah, a bounty,

and must therefore be made

use of to honour His occa-

sion, to rejoice in His greatest

bounty. It is this spirit which

pervades Eid celebrations

What does Eid celebration mean? (continued from page 1) character of Eid does not rob

Muslims of delights, pleasures

and merriment that must ac-

company any human celebra-

tion. Muslims begin to look

ahead to the day of Eid as

Ramadan sets in. As Eid ap-

proaches, joyful expectations

increase. Houses are decorat-

ed and new clothes are pre-

pared, for everyone must wear

their best. There is no selfish

Some pictures of the AMA Fun

day 2009.

*New Date for

Annual Family Fun

Day.

September 25th, 12 – 4pm

Laylat al-Qadr - ”The night of Power” Allah(swt) says:

We have indeed revealed this

(Quran) in the Night of Pow-

er: And what will explain to

you what the night of power

is? The Night of Power is

better than a thousand

months. By Allah’s permis-

sion, therein come down the

angels and the Spirit with all

decrees. In it there is peace

until the rise of dawn! [Quran

97:1-5] Laylat-ul-Qadr is the

night when the Quran was

revealed. Allah(swt) tells us of

the importance and value of

this one night and compares it

to be better than a thousand

months : (over 83 years). Tra-

ditions inform us that Laylat-

ul-Qadr is one of the odd

nights of the last 10 days of

Ramadan.

Narated by Aisha(raa): Allah's

Apostle(pbuh) said, "Search for

the Night of Qadr in the odd

nights of the last ten days of

Ramadan." – [Bukhari Vol.3,

Book 32, #234]

The above Hadith tells the

Muslims that they should

actively seek for this Night

and when to do so. This is a

very special and blessed Night

and we are not to indulge in

anything but worship to the

best of our ability throughout

these odd nights. One of

them will be The Night (Allah

willing).

This Night is a very special

Night full of mercy in which

Allah(swt) forgives the commit-

ted Muslim prostrating before

Him: cont…

Fortunate are those who

will get a chance to

worship on this Night

that is equivalent to more

than the average age of

most people. A Muslim

who spends this one

Night in sincere worship

can get the rewards and

blessing as if he had

spent his entire life in

worship.

Page 3 Community News Volume 1, I ssue 10

Monthly Health Tip : Influenza door handles with unwashed

hands.

Symptoms develop one to

four days after being infected.

People with flu are usually

infectious a day before symp-

toms start, and remain infec-

tious for five or six days. Chil-

dren and people with weaker

immune systems may remain

infectious for slightly longer.

Try to avoid all unnecessary

contact with others during

this infectious period.

Seasonal flu is a very common

illness that occurs every year,

usually during the winter

month.

The number of people who

consult their GP with flu-like

symptoms varies from year to

year, but is usually between 50

and 200 for every 100,000

people. This is in addition to

the many people with flu who

do not see their GP.

Your symptoms will usually

peak after two to three days.

You should begin to feel

much better within five to

eight days.

However, elderly people or

those with certain medical

conditions may develop a

complication such as a chest

infection. This can lead to

serious illness and can be life-

threatening.

In the UK, about 600 people

a year die from seasonal flu.

This rises to around 13,000

during an epidemic.

A seasonal flu vaccine is avail-

able free if you are over 65,

have a serious medical condi-

tion or live in a residential

home.

Seasonal flu is a highly infec-

tious illness caused by a flu

virus.

The virus infects your lungs

and upper airways, causing a

sudden high temperature and

general aches and pains.

You could also lose your ap-

petite, feel nauseous and have

a dry cough. You may need to

stay in bed until your symp-

toms get better.

Symptoms can last for up to a

week.

The flu virus is spread in the

small droplets of saliva

coughed or sneezed into the

air by an infected person. If

you breathe in these droplets,

you may become infected.

Flu can also spread if some-

one with the virus touches

common surfaces such as

Viral Influenza

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is always caused by a virus.

and prepared himself to ob-

serve prayer (with more vig-

our). – [Muslim Book 6,

#2643]

What can one do on these

odd nights?

Practice I’tikaf if possible.

Aisha(raa) reported that the

Messenger of Allah(pbuh) used

to observe i'tikaf in the last

ten days of Ramadan. –

[Muslim Book 6, #2638]

Do p lenty of Dhikr

(remembrance of Allah), reci-

tation of the Quran, and pray-

ers.

This Night is to seek for-

giveness so ask Allah(swt) to

bestow upon us His Mercy

and forgive our sins. Ask for

forgiveness most sincerely

and with eagerness to be for-

given. `A'isha(raa) reported that

she asked the Prophet(pbuh) "O

Messenger of Allah! If I knew

which night is Laylatul-Qadr,

what should I say during it?"

He instructed her to say:

"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun

tuh . i bbu l ` a fwa fa ` fu

`annee" (O Allah! You are

Most Forgiving, you love for-

giveness. So forgive me). Re-

ported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah

and At-Tirmithi.

This is also the night to ask

Allah(swt) for everything. Pray

to Allah to better your Islam,

your Iman and your heart.

Ask Allah to help you change

to the better. Ask Allah for

the goodness of this life and

the Goodness of the Hereaf-

ter. Pray for our Muslim

brothers and sisters who are

suffering. Pray for your rela-

tives, friends and loved ones

(those who are with us and

those who are no longer so).

Pray for everyone!

If you are a woman who is

having the monthly cycle and

cannot offer Salah or pick the

Quran you can still recite the

Quran from memory, make

dua and listen to the Quran.

Y o u c a n s e e k m o r e

knowledge of Islam. Allah(swt)

looks at our intentions, so

recite whichever Surahs you

do know and do spend time

in Dhikr and Dua.

Narated by Abu Huraira(raa):

Allah's Apostle(pbuh) said,

"Whoever establishes the

prayers on the night of Qadr

out of sincere faith and hop-

ing to attain Allah's rewards,

all his past sins will be forgiv-

en." – [Bukhari Vol.1, Book 2,

#34]

This Hadith is very important

in conveying the clear mes-

sage that worship must be

done with clear intentions,

conviction and the will to seek

the rewards of Allah(swt).

Which one of us is not in

need of guidance and for-

giveness? Is it therefore not

foolish to be lazy, go to sleep

and miss an opportunity that

we might never get again?

The Prophet(pbuh) used to exert

himself worshiping in the last

10 nights of Ramadan to a

much greater extent:

Aisha(raa) reported that when

the last ten nights began Al-

lah's Messenger(pbuh) kept

awake at night (for prayer and

devotion), wakened his family,

Laylat al-Qadr

Seek out the night of power and ...

Spend your time reciting Quran and in the remem-brance of Allah(swt).

Timetable for September 2010

Islamic Cultural Centre, Grove Lane, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 8JG E-mail: feedback@amanews.net

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Altrincham Muslim Association Registered Charity Number 1101378

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before

you, that ye may (attain) God-consciousness” (S2, A183)

Day Date Rama-

dhan

Date

Fajr Sehri

End

Fajr

Jama’at

Sunrise Dhuhr Dhuhr

Jama’at

Asr Asr

Jama’at

Ma-

ghrib/If

tar

Tarawih

Isha

Wed 1 22 4:38 4:53 6:19 1:12 1:40 4:52 6:00 7:59 9:45

Thu 2 23 4:40 4:55 6:20 1:12 1:40 4:51 6:00 7:59 9:45

Fri 3 24 4:42 4:57 6:22 1:11 1:40 4:49 6:00 7:54 9:45

Sat 4 25 4:44 4:59 6:24 1:11 1:40 4:47 6:00 7:52 9:45

Sun 5 26 4:46 5:01 6:26 1:11 1:40 4:46 6:00 7:50 9:45

Mon 6 27 4:48 5:03 6:27 1:10 1:40 4:45 6:00 7:47 9:45

Tue 7 28 4:50 5:05 6:28 1:10 1:40 4:44 6:00 7:45 9:45

Wed 8 29 4:52 5:07 6:30 1:10 1:40 4:42 6:00 7:42 9:45

Thu 9 30 4:54 5:09 6:32 1:09 1:40 4:40 6:00 7:42 9:45

Fri 10 EID 4:56 5:11 6:34 1:09 1:35 4:38 6:00 7:40 9:00

Sat 11 4:57 5:12 6:35 1:08 1:35 4:37 5:30 7:38 9:30

Sun 12 4:57 5:12 6:35 1:08 1:35 4:37 5:30 7:38 9:30

Mon 13 4:59 5:14 6:37 1:07 1:35 4:36 5:30 7:35 9:30

Tue 14 5:02 5:17 6:40 1:07 1:35 4:33 5:30 7:31 9:30

Wed 15 5:05 5:20 6:42 1:06 1:35 4:31 5:30 7:29 9:30

Thu 16 5:07 5:22 6:44 1:06 1:35 4:29 5:30 7:27 9:30

Fri 17 5:09 6:00 6:46 1:05 1:35 4:27 5:30 7:24 9:30

Sat 18 5:11 6:00 6:47 1:05 1:35 4:25 5:30 7:22 9:30

Sun 19 5:11 6:00 6:47 1:04 1:35 4:24 5:30 7:20 9:30

Mon 20 5:13 6:00 6:49 1:04 1:35 4:22 5:30 7:18 9:00

Tue 21 5:15 6:00 6:53 1:02 1:35 4:20 5:30 7:16 9:00

Wed 22 5:17 6:00 6:55 1:02 1:35 4:18 5:30 7:13 9:00

Thu 23 5:19 6:00 6:57 1:02 1:35 4:16 5:30 7:11 9:00

Fri 24 5:22 6:00 6:59 1:01 1:35 4:14 5:30 7:08 9:00

Sat 25 5:24 6:00 7:00 1:01 1:35 4:12 5:30 7:05 9:00

Sun 26 5:25 6:00 7:02 1:01 1:35 4:11 5:30 7:02 9:00

Mon 27 5:27 6:00 7:04 1:01 1:35 4:09 5:30 7:00 9:00

Tue 28 5:29 6:00 7:05 1:00 1:35 4:08 5:30 6:57 9:00

Wed 29 5:31 6:00 7:07 1:00 1:35 4:07 5:30 6:54 9:00

Thu 30 5:33 6:00 7:09 1:00 1:35 4:05 5:30 6:51 9:00

*Eid Insha’Allah will be on Friday 10th September with the centre holding two Jama’ats in the morning at 8:00am and 9:30am.

Dua when breaking the fast: “Allahumma laka sawmatu wa alaa rizqaka fatartu, dhahab al-dhama’ wa abtallat al-urooq wa thabat

al-ajar insha-Allah” (‘O Allah! For You did I fast and with your boun�es did I break the fast. The thirst is gone, the veins are mois-

tened, and the reward has been achieved, insh’Allah’)