​Assalamu alaikum! Greetings of peace!
We thank Allah for allowing us to embrace another Ramadan. May this Ramadan, be a month of peace, blessings, spiritual rejuvenation, guidance, and illumination for all Ameen. Hope you are able to make the most of this month with increased God-consciousness, blessed fasting, and connecting with the Quran.

Last year we were faced with incredible challenges from a global pandemic. We are still working together to overcome it. As a unified family, we found ourselves leaning on one another and ensuring we work together for the sake of Allah and the collective ummah.

Let’s make these days a means for us to connect with our Master, support our community, and share a sense of gratitude In Shaa Allah. 
Have a Blessed and Joyous Ramadan!!!
​
By President ICNA Sisters, Abeer Sher

By: Basmah Rana
(Noor 2011-3)
​
​Have you ever found yourself stumbling to answer a colleague’s or friend’s questions about fasting? I can recall myself mumbling something about religion and patience. But one thing I can promise is that none of my non-Muslim friends can give an explanation which would make me proud or provide an accurate understanding of Ramadan.  The truth may just be that even as Muslims, we ourselves do not completely understand the ideas behind fasting and its potential benefits. Muslims wait patiently for Ramadan and regard it as a time to think of the past months in retrospect, and consider what they wished they had done differently. But this is not the same as a New Year’s Resolution you make every January and never live up to.  We make promises to our selves at the beginning of the month, and then have an entire month to fulfill our resolutions. And while normally we would give up, in this month we have conditioned ourselves to have the will to fight back against our urges.
 
In Ramadan we give up food, a basic human necessity, and something completely halal. It makes a person wonder, if I can give up what my body definitely needs, why cannot I stop smoking, or control my anger? If we utilize Ramadan carefully we can gain personal control, bring about change, stay committed to change, and lead overall better lives. Psychological health is essential for us to lead happy and successful lives, and a major part of that is working on our selves. By engaging in self control, we can not only abstain from food but other unsatisfactory habits. Take time to carefully consider the determinants of your problems, and discover how you personally can work to make them better, ignoring outside forces as factors.  Then as the month progresses and you continue to observe self control, you will create a change in your lifestyle, one that is impacted with understanding. The last step is to stay committed throughout the year, which can be accomplished by creating smaller goals, and working to achieve them in steps. People always say you should write down your goals, but in this case you should tell someone your resolution, so that you have a check which can ensure your success. While the method may seem easy to follow sometimes we falter in actions, leading us to wonder where we can find motivation and courage.
 
Husain Abdullah, a football player for the Minnesota Vikings was interviewed this year by CNN for continuing to fast even while training, and he stated, “My religion is very important to me. I mean, it’s the basis of my life.”
 
His thoughts stem from the question, how badly do you want it? True motivation can only come from oneself, by understanding the necessity of what we want. By zoning in on what is important to us, we are able to focus on what would make us most happy and then prioritize it. Then of course the cliché where there is a will there is a way comes into play. One should always ask Allah for assistance in finding this motivation as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated, "There is nothing more dear to Allah than a servant praying to Him." (Tirmidhi). However, Ramadan is the perfect time to connect with others and allow them to help you as well. Having a common struggle of abstinence we are able to build feelings of community and family, especially when sitting down to iftar, or praying taraweeh. Fasting is an event that can lead you to mend or improve relations between family, friends and your community as well as contribute to your personal health.
While you continue to improve your everyday life you are also improving your chances at a healthier life.  Linda Page, a neuropathic doctor states that fasting allows detoxification of the body, which can lead to an increase in energy level. Our bodies regularly store foreign substances in out body fat. When a person fasts enough to start breaking down fat-soluble substances, the stored toxins are released.  In his book Triumph Over Disease, Jack Goldstein explains this process of detoxification, providing proof of decreasing toxin levels. Another obvious benefit of fasting is decreasing excess fat storage which could decrease the amount of heart problems in life. There are physical and psychological benefits that arise from fasting, when done in a manner that continues to support a healthy life style. Remember moderation in everything is necessary. 
 
So while your primary reason for fasting should be for the sake of Allah, do not forget the wonders you can accomplish for yourself, those who surround you, and your faith.
 
Reference
Davis, Jeanie. "Detox Diets: Cleansing the Body." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. Web. 26 Oct. 2011. <http://www.webmd.com>

​By Presidential proclamation, March celebrates Women’s History Month and honors women. One stands to wonder, why women’s history and why in March? It started in 1908 when thousands of women, fed up with poor working conditions, marched throughout New York City in protest. They decided to return the next year and make it official. In 1909, the first Women’s Day was held in New York and soon after Europe followed suit and the observance became international, reaching into other countries as well. In 1981, the US congress passed a bill designating the week of March 7 th as Women’s History Week. In 1987, the US Congress officially declared the month of March as Women’s History Month. The day and the month have become a global observance, with various countries celebrating it much more than the country of its origin, the USA. But does this auspicious recognition include Muslim women? As Muslim women who are inclined towards socio-economic, moral activism in our struggle to be witnesses unto mankind, many of us are left wondering about how this month fits into our narratives. Women’s History Month presents opportunities for us to connect with our sisters from other faiths, to dispel misinformation about women in Islam, and to work towards establishing justice, within our Muslim communities as well as our general population. After all, Islam does elevate women and brings them out of oppression, and the responsibility also falls on Muslim women as well as Muslim men to spread this message far and wide. “And for women are rights over men similar to those of men over women.” (2:226) “Who so does that which is right, and believes, whether male or female, him or her will We quicken to happy life.” (16:97) While we should avoid getting caught up in catchy slogans and vulgarity that creeps up in events and marches at times, we cannot deny the oppression and mistreatment of women within the Islamic sphere. It is imperative that we understand that the oppression and injustices in Islamic communities do not come from Islam. Many a time women do not know the rights given to them in the religion. Islam liberated women from the oppression so prevalent at the time. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) taught the Muslims, “Fear Allah in respect of women.” Sahih Muslim. He (peace and blessings be upon him) consulted women and weighed their consult seriously. In Islam, a woman is independent, able to make her own contracts, such as the freedom to choose her husband, attend the mosques without blame or hindrance, involvement in business transactions, and seeking knowledge and teaching it to others, even to the men. They are fully-functioning, autonomous members of the society. Till this day, many a woman are following in the footsteps of the righteous women before them, active in various spheres of life. This month presents an opportunity for us to initiate dialogue and educate the masses. Women are the backbone of our communities and without them societies would collapse. Education and empowerment of women will lead to stronger communities and healthier, impactful futures for generations to come. “O mankind! Be mindful of your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, his mate, and from this pair scattered (like seeds) countless men and women. Revere Allah, through whom you demand your mutual (rights), and revere the wombs (that bore you); for Allah ever watches over you.” (4:1)

There is a bewildering array of lifestyles all around us in this world. Every lifestyle represents a unique set of behaviors, values and beliefs. If we think of each of these lifestyles as representing a different color of the spectrum, then the society we live in is a colorful place indeed. We were born into this dazzling array of color, and as we grow up, we find ourselves blinded by their brilliance, not knowing where to go, which color to follow, and which call to heed. There are the fresh, bright colors of childhood, of innocence and discovery, and the colors of youth, the wildest and brightest colors of the spectrum, the hues of dreams and emotions and energies at their very peak. The duniya calls to us – a mirage of sparkling, shimmering color, and above everything, at all times, hangs the shadow of imminent death – the dull white mist threatening to shroud every color of life.
But in all the beauty and glow of the world, in all its shining colors, there is not a single one so beautiful, so rich, so vibrant, and so completely mesmerizing, that its beauty cannot be described in words – it can only be experienced, and then only by donning it. That loveliest of colors is what the Quran calls sibghatallah – the Color of Allah.
The “sibghah” of Allah, and who can be better than Allah in “sibghah”? And we are His worshippers.
(2:138 )
What is the Color of Allah? The meaning refers to a lifestyle steeped in His obedience, a life lived purely and completely for Him, in which He is the center we revolve around and all others pale in comparison to Him – a life where He alone is the object of all our desires and emotions and our love.’
Sibghah can be of two types: one in which we take the color of something and the other when we take the influence of something. The ayah means to take the sibghah of Allah – He has many attributes and it is our duty to adopt those attributes and color ourselves in the color of Allah.
Allah is so generous and gracious that he shows haya with his servants. He will be to shy to punish and will forgive. Even if a believer sins, He will forgive them no matter the sin (except shirk).

By President ICNA Sisters, Abeer Sher
​Back in 2011 after human rights activist Tawakkol Karman received her Nobel Peace Prize, she was asked about her hijab by journalists who felt the hijab was out of place with her level of education and intellect. Her response was, without a doubt, simple yet profound. She said, “Man in early times was almost naked, and as his intellect evolved, he started wearing clothes. What I am today and what I am wearing represents the highest level of thought and civilization that man has achieved and is not regressive. It’s the removal of clothes again that is regressive back to ancient times."

​Today on World Hijab Day I want to convey to all my fellow Sisters, no matter where you live, the time has come for the Muslim women to reclaim their narrative and rise above the materialism, indecency, and oppression that plague our societies. The hijab is only a manifestation of the inner heart; her heart is at peace when she is happily and willingly complying to the obedience of Allah (swt). The hijab is a practice even of the pious women of the past such as Mary (may Allah be extremely pleased with her) mother of Jesus and others such as Mother Theresa.
For many, this hijab is much more than a simple piece of cloth that is wrapped around heads. It is a reminder of their duty and love to Allah and a promise from Him to elevate them from the indecency and immorality that has enveloped the world.
With this, ICNA Sisters are proud to stand in solidarity with all women, Muslim or not Muslim, who celebrate World Hijab Day and a woman’s right to choose to wear her hijab to preserve her modesty.
Ibn Abbas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, every religion has a character, and the character of Islam is modesty.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4182
Grade: Sahih li ghayrihi (authentic due to external evidence) according to Al-Albani

Telling the truth is very good habit. If you always speak the truth, you can save yourself from a lot of trouble! Here is a story of a man who did a lot of bad things, but his promise to tell the truth saved him. 

Once a man came to the Prophet Muhammad SAW and said, "Oh Prophet of Allah, I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?" The Prophet said, "Give up telling lies first and always speak the truth." The man promised to do so and went home. 

At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought for a moment about the promise he made with the Prophet SAW, "If tomorrow the Prophet asks me where have I been, what shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing? No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell the truth, everyone will start hating me and call me a thief. I would be punished for stealing." 

So the man decided not to steal that night and gave up this bad habit. 

The next day he felt like drinking wine. When he was about to do so, he said to himself, "What shall I say to the Prophet if he asks me what did I do during the day? I cannot tell a lie and if I speak the truth people will hate me because a Muslim is not allowed to drink wine." And so he gave up the idea of drinking wine. 

In this way, whenever the man thought of doing something bad, he remembered his promise to tell the truth at all times. One by one he gave up all his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a very good person. 

If you always speak the truth you can be a good person and good person whome Allah likes and favors. If Allah - our creator - is pleased with us, He will reward us with Heaven, which is a place of happiness and joy. 

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Dear and respected Sisters we have reached the Blessed Days of the years Bi IzanAllah.
 
The Prophet said (s.a.w): There is no day on which Allah frees more people from
the Fire than the day of Arafat (9th Dhul Hajj). (Muslim)
 
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion." (Surah al Maa'idah 5:3)
 
     Last year, just like so many years before that, many of our brothers and sisters were blessed with the honor of performing Hajj, our Holy pilgrimage in Makkah. Many of us had made plans to go this year. We were getting prepared financially, mentally, physically, to get closer and closer to this dream. Then life brought us all to an unexpected turn of events. Right before our eyes we saw the entire planet shut down. Businesses and offices, malls and shops, schools and colleges, parks and museums, airports and subways, everything went quiet. People were forced inside their homes and couldn't even hug and embrace their loved ones. The great test and fear in every Muslim’s heart was would there be Hajj this year? Alhumdulilah, we are witnessing Allah Rahman on these blessed days; people are performing Hajj. What an honor!  Labbaik Allah Humma Labbaik!
For those who prepared but could not go, best is the example of Prophet Ibraheem always prepared and ever ready to sacrifice for Allah sake and that of Bibi Hajra, accepted her situation of being alone and stranded with her infant. It did not stop her from struggling in the way of Allah and neither should the current situation stop us from doing just that.
My dear sisters, Allah is communicating with us through this test. He wants us to realize our weaknesses and focus on His might, His power, and His dominion. Let us take this as an opportunity to get closer to our Creator and work for His cause with more sincerity. Let us encourage our families and friends to take advantage of these opportunities to serve Allah and His creation together.
 
May Allah accept all our sacrifices and efforts in His path and may He enlighten our hearts and minds so that we grow spiritually and morally as a community striving for His pleasure alone. Aameen.
Eid al Adha Mubarak!
 
 
Yours Sincerely,
Abeer Sher
President ICNA Sisters USA.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
​ ​تَقَبَّلَ اللّهُ مِنَّا وَ مِنْكُمْ
EID MUBARAK

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu,
Dear and respected Sisters we have reached the end of Ramadan and its blessings Bi IzanAllah with ease and trials.
فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
Verily, along with every hardship is relief. (Surat Inshirah 5)
 
     In Quran Allah compares two people continuously, the people of gratitude (Shukr) and the people of ingratitude (kufr). Kufr displeases Allah greatly and Shukr pleases Him greatly.
“We showed him the way: whether he be grateful or un grateful (Rests on His will)” (Al-Insan 76:3)
“Then remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and do not reject Me.” (Al -Baqarah 2:152)
“….and be grateful to Allah, if it is Him you worship.” (Al-Baqarah 2:172)
“What can Allah gain by your punishment, if you are grateful and you believe?” (An -Nisa. 4:47)
 
     Dear sisters, let us on this blessed day of Eid ul Fitr be “The People of Shukr”. Let us rejoice in whatever Allah has given us and however it has been given to us. Let us expand this gratitude and share with people around us.
     Remember my dear sisters in Islam reward of Gratitude (Shukr) is unconditional as Allah tells us in Surah Ibrahim verse 7 “…If you are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you….”, rest of His divine favors are conditional to His Will.  He swiftly rewards those who serve Him with Shukr (Al Imran, 144-145).
     
     We should praise Allah and be thankful to Him in depriving us of many luxuries and our freedoms in current times  in the same way as we do when he bestowed us with so many blessings and luxuries, for deprivation of such things is also a relief from being tested which keeps our mind free to worship and remember Allah. We all should be thankful to Him about all the time He gave to spend with our families which made us able to do what we never found time to.
    
     It has been said: gratitude is giving up wrong action. Ibn Al -Mubarak said: “Sufyan said, he doesn’t understand religion properly who does not count affliction as a blessing and ease as a disaster.” (Patience & gratitude by Ibn Qayyim)
 
Yours Sincerely
Abeer Sher
President ICNA Sisters.
​

Imagine someone as majestic as our beloved RasulAllah (saw) calling you a beautiful name “Ya Ummah” out of love, or lovingly wiping your face and eyes upon seeing you tired.  Imagine talking to our beloved Rasul (saw) before even his birth, being the first to cradle him upon birth and comforting him as a young child upon his mother’s death.  This was the very special, yet very little known of, relationship of the Rasul (saw) and Barakah (ra).
Hers is a story worth knowing, a life to be learned much from, a bond to be envied. She came from an unknown source, her roots untraced, as a child slave from Abyssinia.  She went on to become a constant companion and confidant to Aminah, the Rasul’s (saw) mother, comforting her during her husband’s absence, pregnancy, illness and death.  She cried with her and for her, burying her with her own hands upon her death.  She was instructed to then be as a mother to the young Muhammad (saw), a task she took to her heart.   She became the same for the Rasul (saw) and Khadija (ra) eventually.  She resided with them, married whom they chose and stayed with them until their deaths too.  Hers was this honor alone, to have known, served and loved the Rasul (saw) from even before his birth until his death.   She was among the first believers in the message and risked her life and faced persecution for Islam, such as when running errands to the house of Al-Arqum, a secret place where the Rasul (saw) taught his companions the teachings of the Deen.  She tended to the wounded and thirsty in the Battle of Uhud, among other expeditions she was honored to have accompanied the Rasul (saw) to.  Her husband and son were beloved to the Rasul (saw) and other muslims and were blessed martyrs in the Battle of Mutah and Hunayn, respectively.  When asked how she was doing by the Rasul (saw), her answer showed nothing short of an awe inspiring dedication: “I am well, O Messenger of Allah, so long as Islam is.”
Her life exemplifies the beauty of Islam, the true Baraka that Allah bestows on His true servants.  To go from an unknown Abyssinian girl child for sale, to someone that the most beloved messenger of our entire Ummah actually himself loved, is miraculous: her ranks raising because of her love for and dedication to the message of Islam. Imagine the Rasul (saw) telling you “You are blessed, Umm Ayman.  Surely you have a place in Paradise.”
Such was the reward for her selfless service in life and devotion to everything surrounding the Rasul Allah (saw).  ​