09/04/2023
An Annual Invitation
Mohamed Anwarul "Jinna" Islam, my Abbu, loved Ramadan. As the month would approach, he would start searching for the right box of dates for our family, review the map with locations of masajid he would visit for fundraising for Diversified Educational Foundation, and begin preparing himself emotionally and spiritually for the gift of this month. He spent a significant amount of time during Ramadan at the masjid - for fundraising, for taraweeah prayer, and for time spent with other Muslims. When he was at home, he would usher us to gather at the table 20, sometimes 30, minutes before iftar, reminding us that we don't want to miss the time to break our fast together. My mom would fry up beguni and piyaju, prepare chola and muri, and make sure the table was stocked with jilapi, dates, and home-made lemonade. After iftari, we would pray maghrib together as a family before coming back to the table for a proper dinner.
The year that he was sick, I could see the impact it had on him to miss these social practices and spiritual rituals. His excitement for the arrival of Ramadan was palpable and to go without his normal customs affected him deeply. He transitioned from this world about 10 days after his last Eid al-Fitr. This month always reminds me of the power of the heart over the stomach and over the mind. What touches the heart impacts every part of our lives.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
الإِسْلامُ أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ وَلا تُشْرِكَ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَتُقِيمَ الصَّلاةَ وَتُؤْتِيَ الزَّكَاةَ وَتَصُومَ رَمَضَانَ وَتَحُجَّ الْبَيْتَ وَالأَمْرُ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَالنَّهْيُ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَتَسْلِيمُكَ عَلَى أَهْلِكَ فَمَنِ انْتَقَصَ شَيْئًا مِنْهُنَّ فَهُوَ سَهْمٌ فِي الإِسْلامِ يَدَعُهُ وَمَنْ تَرَكَهُنَّ كُلَّهُنَّ فَقَدْ وَلَّى الإِسْلامَ ظَهْرَهُ
Islam is to worship Allah without associating a partner with Him, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, to perform pilgrimage to the House, to enjoin good and forbid evil, and to greet your people with peace. Whoever neglects anything from them has abandoned a part of Islam, and whoever neglects all of them has thrown Islam behind his back. [Source: Shu’ab al-Imān 8297]
I look forward to checking in on the children at DEF especially during Ramadan each year. What are they eating for iftari? How is the new building working out for them? Overall, how are they doing this year? I know that many of you as DEF sustainers also feel this energy as Ramadan approaches - each year, I get texts, emails, and phone calls asking where you can donate. It means so much to have that support and to know that each of you hold this initiative with such care. With the arrival of this newsletter, I hope you are able to read about the children and about DEF's work over this last year and feel that you have had your annual check-in with us. May Allah bless you for your contributions and accept your good works during this special month. Please keep my father, his DEF board members, and this community in your prayers this Ramadan.
- Namira Islam Anani, eldest daughter of Mohamed Islam and advisor to the DEF Board, March 2023
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