Islam is against all forms of racism, bigotry, and injustice. We learn this both from the words of Allah mentioned in the Quran and in the messages of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). The following are some of those messages.
Quran Verses on Injustice
“O mankind, indeed we have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the noblest of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.” — (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:13)
“And among His wonders is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. For in this, behold, there are messages indeed for all who are possessed of innate knowledge!” — (Surah Ar-Rum, 30:22)
“We have already sent Our messengers with clear pieces of evidence and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] with justice.” — (Surah Hadid, 57:25)
“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” — (Surah An-Nahl, 16:90)
“O You who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for God alone, even against yourselves or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, God is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, God is aware of what you do.” — (Surah An-Nisa, 4:135)
“Indeed, Allah commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice. Excellent is that which Allah instructs you. Indeed, Allah is ever Hearing and Seeing.” — (Surah An-Nisa, 4:58)
“Verily, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and He forbids immorality and bad conduct and transgression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” (Quran 16:90)
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.” — (Surah Al-Maidah,5:8)
“… Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” — (Surah Al-Mumtahanah, 60:8)
“And approach not the property of the orphan except in the fairest way, until he [or she] attains the age of full strength, and give measurement and weight with justice…” — (Surah Al-Anaam, 6:152)
Prophet Muhammad’s Sayings on Injustice, Oppression, and Racism
The Prophet told us that Allah says, “O My slaves, I have forbidden zulm (injustice, wrongdoing, unfairness) to Myself and I have made it haraam (illegal) among you, so do not wrong one another.” (Source: Hadith Qudsi — Narrated by Muslim, 2577)
Prophet Muhammad said, “Allah, Most High, has removed from you the pride of the pre-Islamic period and its boasting in ancestors. One is only a pious believer or a miserable sinner. You are sons of Adam, and Adam came from dust. Let the people cease to boast about their ancestors. They are merely fuel in hell-fire (Jahannam), or they will certainly be of less account with Allah than the beetle which rolls dung with its nose.” [Source: Sunan Abi Dawud — Narrated by Abu Hurairah]
Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever has arrogance in his heart equal to an atom’s weight shall not enter Paradise.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 65)
Among the traits of Jahiliya (Days of Ignorance) that the Prophet strictly warned us about, one of them is about defaming others on the basis of their lineage. (Sahih Muslim)
Prophet Muhammad said, “Beware of injustice, for injustice will be darkness on the Day of Resurrection. Beware of obscenity, for Allah does not love obscenity and immorality. Beware of greed, for it tempted those before you and caused them to make lawful what is unlawful, to shed blood and sever their family ties.” (Source: Musnad Aḥmad 9361- Narrated by Abu Hurairah)
Prophet Muhammad said, “There is no wrong action which Allah is swifter to punish in this world — in addition to the punishment which He has stored up for the wrongdoer in the Next World — than cutting off ties of kinship and injustice.” (Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad, Book 2, Hadith 21)
Prophet Muhammad said, “Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his blood, his wealth or his honor, let him come and set matters straight (with the one he wronged) before there comes a Day (Day of Judgement on the Last Day) on which there will be no dirhams and no dinars (no material possessions), only good deeds and bad deeds, and if he has good deeds (they will be taken and given to the one whom he wronged), otherwise some of the bad deeds of the one whom he wronged will be taken and added to his burden, then he will be thrown into the Fire.” (Source: Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) — Majmoo’ al-Fatawa.)
Prophet Muhammad said, “Beware of the supplication of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.” (Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4090)
One of the Prophet’s Hadith narrates: “There are seven categories of people whom God will shelter under the shade of His throne on the Day when there will be no shade except this.” [One of them mentioned is] the just leader. (Source: Sahih Muslim)
Islamic Scholars on the Topic of Justice
Imam Ibn Taymiya, the great teacher of Islam, while explaining prophetic sayings on the issues of justice and injustice, wrote the following: “God upholds the just state even if it is unbelieving, but does not uphold the unjust state even if it is Muslim.” [Source: Public Duties in Islam, Trans: Muhtar Holland, Islamic foundation, 1987, p.95]
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “In its entirety, it (Islam) is justice, mercy, benefit, and wisdom. Every matter which abandons justice for tyranny, mercy for cruelty, benefit for corruption, and wisdom for foolishness is not a part of (Islam) even if it was introduced therein by an interpretation.” (Source: I’lām al-Muwaqqi’īn 3/11)
About verse 35 in Surah An-Nisa, Ibn al Qayyim said: “This verse carries great meanings that should be emphasized because of people’s dire need for them. Allah commands the believers to establish equity and justice. it should be rendered towards everyone, whether enemy or friend.” [Source: p. 29 The Magnificent Journey (The Message from Tabuk: Ar-Risalat Ut-Tabukiyyah)].
“On April 13, 1964, Malcolm X left the United States on a personal and spiritual journey through the Middle East and West Africa. By the time he returned on May 21, he’d visited Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, and Algeria. When he was in Makkah, AlHajj Malik El-Shabazz wrote a letter to his loyal assistants in Harlem… from his heart: “Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all the other Prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.” He further wrote, “America needs to understand Islam because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have been considered white — but the white attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.”
Congratulations to the graduating class of 2020. We are so
proud of all your accomplishments. You have made your family and the AIMOM
Family Proud. We ask Allah to continue showering His blessing on you all….
CONGRATULATIONS
Gafar Amuda
College: University of St. Thomas – Minnesota
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Applied Statistics with honor
GPA: 3.3
GafarAmuda is the oldest of three children. He is currently employed by US Bank as an Information Security Specialist.
He moved to Minnesota with his family at the age of five. Graduated high school as the 7th best student with a GPA of 4.7. Earned different scholarships through different organizations – Optimist Club, US Bank, Wallen Foundation, and CAIR of Minnesota. Graduated without any school loan. He tutored as a computer science tutor for his school and also for St. Paul Public Libraries on a weekly basis.
Member of Muslim Youth Awareness (MYA).
Aisha Adedayo
North High School
GPA: 4.3281
Beginning her college journey InshaAllah in Fall. Gained admission into one of the best universities in the country—Washington University St. Louis
Major: (BS/BA in Healthcare Administration (Pre-Med Track).
Aisha Adedayo was born in Nigeria, moved to the United States with her family at the age of five. She is the oldest of four children.
She belongs to different committees during her school years:
Chaired the advertising committee for student council and represented her school at several regional and state conferences
Started a relay for life team during sophomore years and joined the planning committee for the event
Founded the junior optimist club in junior year, a club that promotes self-development, community service, and creating a more positive school environment
Recruited to join the polar portraits team and became co-president during her senior year
Had the opportunity to serve on the District 622 advisory board for both junior and senior year where she represented North high students on different district policies
Co-founders of MYA (Muslim Youth Awareness) where she serves as the group President till date
Founder of the NCNMO Youth Forum a youth group that includes youth representatives from across the 50 states to advocate for youth issues and partake in NCNMO events planning committee
Aisha’s love for art had led her to win several prestigious art awards during her junior year and opened up many opportunities, including an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for winning the congressional art competition.
Zainab Lolade Agunbiade
Carl L. Carlson School of Management
College: University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
B.S.B. Finance and Risk Management Insurance
GPA: 3.4
Lolade Agunbiade is the second child of three children. She had started her own Real Estate business while in college. She likes to travel and learn about new cultures and see different places. Her favorite Nigerian Food is Iyan with red soup (Omi obe) and Ogbono. She enjoys watching movies, sports, and learning about real estate and entrepreneurship.
Bisola Yakoub
School: Champlin Park High School
GPA: 3.56
Admitted to the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Major: Law
Bisola Yakoub started playing soccer at the age of 6 years old. She loves to model with the help of a company based in Eagan MN. She participated in gymnastics together with her sister in Twin City Twister in Champlin.
She also participated in the school track & field. She was a member of the Leo Club. She received numerous awards from different organizations like IB and Jefferson. She was selected as the student of the month from her school.
Bisola is a very caring, sweet, and determined girl. She enjoys being around babies and kids. With the help of Allah and her efforts, her junior brother now prays five daily prayers.
She is the current Muslim Youth Awareness (MYA) Vice President.
Nafisat Souli
College: Anoka Technical College
GPA: 3.00
Major: LPN-BSN
Nafisat was born in Nigeria but grew up in Togo where she had the opportunity to attend French school for 12 years. She moved to America in 2012. Speaks four languages (Yoruba, Ewe, French, English (which she learned upon arriving in America 2012 Alhamdulillah), and a little bit of Arabic Language.
Alhamdulillah, she has been married for almost three years
to an amazing, God-fearing and supportive husband with a beautiful 19 months
old son named Faisal Allahuma barik Aameen. She values her religion so dearly.
She appreciates meaningful relationships that bring her closer to her Creator.
In her free time, she loves to learn more about her religion.
She loves nature as well as photography as a way of
capturing beautiful moments and connecting pictures to life. She enjoys seeking
beneficial knowledge regarding her religion, and spending quality time with
family especially with her son. She had been blessed enough to participate in
different Qu’ran competitions and awarded some prizes Allahuma Barik Aameen.
Nafisat is a dedicated and committed member of our
community. She teaches Quran and Islamic Studies in our weekend Islamic school.
She is also a core member of our community events planning committee. A member
of the Muslim Youth Awareness advisory committee.
We ask Allah to reward her and continue to shower her with
more blessings. Amin
Taoheed Bayo
School: University of Minnesota
Major: Actuarial Science
Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics with a minor in risk management, statistics, and management.
Outside of school, he works part-time as a banker and a freelance model. Some of his achievements in the modeling world include features with paper magazines and Vogue Italia. Along with these works, he has an art exhibition coming up at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a runtime from August 26 – November 1, 2020.
Yekeenat Giwa
School: St. Catherine University
GPA: 3.75
Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Career: Nursing
Yekeenat Giwa has her first degree in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (2010), Zaria Nigeria. She is a member of the Nigeria Institute of Management, 2011. She worked with the Voice of Nigeria before moving to the United States in 2013.
She attended Century College and earned herself the membership of phi theta kappa honors society, 2018. She proceeded to St. Catherine University and was admitted into the Nursing Program in 2018 where she became a member of the Honors Society of Phi Theta Phi, 2019. While in school, she was on the dean’s list for the most of her semesters.
Yekeenat is a mom of two kids and a loving wife. She is a quiet lady who loves to explore, so she gets excited every time she has to do research. She enjoys traveling and reading.
Her favorite slogan “……..reflect, allow surprises, be hopeful, don’t think less of yourself, and trust Allah!”
Mutiat O. Momoh
School: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Major: Psychology and Child Development
Studies, B.S.
Cumulative
GPA: 3.7
Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s list all
semesters
Mutiat believes with hard work, dedication, and perseverance anything can be accomplished. Nothing comes easy in life; you must be consistent and work hard for what you want to achieve. She also believes that keeping God first and dedication are keys to success.
She chose to study psychology because she wants to help children to overcome challenges with trauma, adverse childhood events, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological disorders using psychotherapy and counseling. After graduation, she hopes to continue her education in the field of clinical counseling psychology with a specialization in trauma and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Idris Adekunle Abatan
School: Champlin Park High school
GPA: 3.91
Admission: University of Minnesota Twin Cities (CBS)
Major: Biology
Idris is a proud member of the African American community. He is graduating with the highest honors from Champlin Park high school. While school, Idris participated in Track, Concert Orchestra, and was a proud member of Leo Club. InshAllah, Idris Adekunle Abatan will be attending the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities this fall.
Mohammed El Hassan Titilope
School: Blaine High School
Ambition: Military Army
Hassan has been a very wonderful, loving, and caring child since the beginning of his life. He is very kind and respectful to everyone. Alhamdulillah Rabil Allamin for his growth and progress. All the success in every factor of his life, inshallah.
He also has the ambition of pursuing his career into
University for more of undetermined Carrier InShaa Allah (We ask Allah to guide
him to the right career path). He is more prayerful for Almighty Allah’s
guidance.
He is a member of Blackmen Society and Entrepreneurship
Semiu
Oladokun
School: Columbia University
Major: Executive Masters in Technology Management
Semiu is popularly known in the community as Semmy, has contributed immensely to the progress and growth of our community. He is one of our community leaders that shows and demonstrates over the years that leadership is not about a title. It is about commitment, impact, influence, and inspiration.
He is a dedicated member who sacrifices his free time and money in teaching our future generation the knowledge of knowing their creator – Allah – every Sunday.
He enjoys playing soccer and biking.
On behalf of the entire AIMOM community members
We entrust Allah with what you have accomplished and have achieved,
May Allah bring it back to you all when you need it.
We ask Allah to be your Protector, to shower His infinite Mercy on you
We ask Allah to make your degrees beneficial knowledge
May Allah, bless Prophet Muhammad his family, and the entire AIMOM members…Amin
May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala accept our prayers and fasting, forgive our shorting comings and grant us all goodness in this life and the hereafter, Ameen.
Please remember to pay your Zakat-ul-Fitr of $10 per person plus ($2 Paypal service fee optional) for each person you are responsible for no later than tomorrow Friday, May 22, 2020. The plan is to distribute the funds to those in need in our local community on Saturday May 23 Inshaa Allah.
You can go to http://www.aimom.org and select the donate button or click http://www.aimom.org/donations/ to take you directly to the AIMOM’s donate page. Please select “Zakat-ul-Fitr” from the drop-down list.
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, and may prayers and peace be upon Allah’s Messenger, his family, his Companions, and those that followed.
The Eid prayer is one of the obvious symbols of Islam. The scholars’ rulings on it vary, deeming it a communal obligation, an individual obligation, or at least a highly stressed sunnah. Because that which is easy is not voided due to difficulty, so long as it is possible, even in the most stringent of circumstances, it should not be neglected.
Similar to the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer, which is performed within its permitted framework, even if only by the masjid administration, so too should the Eid prayer be performed. The issue of performing the Eid prayer at home for those who missed it in the congregation is rather lenient.
While the khutbah is a condition of validity for Jumu’ah, it is a recommendation (not mandatory) for both Eids. This is supported by the narration of ʿAbdullāh b. al-Sa’ib who said, “I attended the Eid with Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him), and he said, ‘We are going to deliver a sermon, so whoever wants to sit for the sermon should sit, and whoever wants to leave should leave’.” Therefore, neither the khutbah nor listening to it is a requirement of the Eid prayer.
Though the Friday prayer should be primarily performed in the masjid, the Eid prayer is primarily performed outdoors, in an open space outside of the masjid. Because of that, the majority of the jurists, with the exception of the Hanafis, have declared it permissible to perform it at home for whoever missed it in the congregation. It has been narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that if he missed the Eid prayer with the imam, he would gather his family and servants, and ʿAbdullāh b. Abi Utbah would lead them in two rak’at, making takbir.
Al-Muzani related from al-Shāfi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) in Mukhtasar al-Umm, that “the individual should pray both Eids in their home, and so should the traveler, the bondservant, and the woman.”
According to the Malikis, al-Khurashy, a Maliki jurist, said, “It is recommended for whoever misses the Eid prayer with the imam to pray it. Should that be done in a congregation or alone? There are two opinions” (summarized from Sharh al-Khurashi, 2/104). Al-Mardawi, a Hanbali jurist, said in al-Insaf, “If they miss the prayer (meaning Eid) it is recommended to make it up in the manner it is normally prayed (just as the imam prays it).”
The fatwa of the Permanent Committee in Saudi Arabia is based on this.
Accordingly, there is no harm in performing the Eid prayer at home, individually or in (one’s household) congregation, for those who miss the Eid prayer in the congregation or are unable to perform it in congregation due to some constraint.
There is
also nothing wrong with listening to a sermon on TV, online, and so on, after
performing the Eid prayer at home, either alone or in a private congregation,
as a general reminder; because general reminders are permitted regardless of
the time or setting.
Zakat is one of the pillars of the Islamic faith. It means you donate some of your personal wealth to those in need. Zakat purifies your spirit and brings you closer to Allah, or God. Learn how to calculate your personal zakat so you can fulfill your spiritual duties.
Determining the Nisab
Calculate the nisab. Nisab is the threshold or cut-off amount. If your personal wealth, or what you own, is more than the nisab, you owe zakat. If your personal wealth is below the nisab, you don’t owe zakat. You use either the current market price of gold or silver to calculate nisab. Always check current market rates, as gold and silver prices fluctuate.
Choose either the gold or silver rate, not both. The nisab is the cash equivalent of 3 ounces/87.48 grams of gold or 21 ounces/612.36 grams of silver.
For example, if each ounce of silver is currently worth $15, the nisab using the silver calculation is $315 ($15 X 21 ounces = $315). If your personal wealth is above $315, you owe zakat.
2. Determine your cycle dates. Zakat is an annual duty. It’s due one lunar year, or hijiri, from the first day you exceeded the nisab threshold or from the day you last paid zakat. For western, Gregorian and Hijri Date conversations, check out: IslamicFinder Hijri and Gregorian Calendar Date Conversions
If you know your personal wealth is always above zakat, select any date during the year to pay. Keep track of the date so you remember when it’s due the next year.
Many people choose Ramadan as the month they pay zakat. Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. It’s a sacred time when Muslims read the Koran and fast from dawn to dusk. Paying zakat is another way to cleanse the soul during this holy period
3. Base your calculations on silver. Silver has a lower price than gold. Using silver for the nisab means you’re more likely to exceed the threshold. You’ll be able to meet your spiritual and moral duty to provide for those who are less fortunate.
For example, if each gram of silver is worth $0.66, the nisab using the silver calculation is $404.15 (612.35 grams X $0.66 = $404.15). More people would exceed this threshold rather than the gold threshold.
4. Know the difference between zakat and tax. Zakat is not a tax. It’s a spiritual act to help relieve people’s suffering. Some people believe that in many countries, paying zakat is voluntary whereas paying taxes is mandatory. However, this is incorrect. Zakat is one of the 5 pillars of Islam, and therefore, it is an absolute must on every Muslim who is able to pay it. It is attributed to the universal religion of Islam and therefore has nothing to do with the law of the land. Zakat directly helps the poor and needy.
Zakat teaches you self-discipline. It helps you focus on helping others rather than on your own possessions and needs. It helps you be a better Muslim and brings you closer to Allah.
Determining Your Wealth
Identify your assets. Start calculating your assets, or what you own. This is the first step is figuring out how much zakat you’ll pay. You exclude the assets you use for everyday life. For example, your primary residence, car, clothes, and business equipment are not used in your zakat asset calculations. It’s based on what’s left after you take care of you and your family’s living expenses.
Some examples of zakat-eligible assets include stocks, savings, investment properties, cash, business income, or precious metals such as gold.
Determine how much your zakat-eligible assets are worth for the year.
2. Identify your liabilities. Debt from credit cards, college or other loans subtracts from your personal net worth. These outstanding debts are deducted from your total zakat-eligible assets.
If you obtained a personal loan of any type (car, home, cash), then look at how much you pay per month to your creditors, not the entire outstanding debt.
Add up how much you owe each month to your creditors. Multiply this amount by 12 to calculate your annual liability amount.
3. Determine your zakat net worth. Subtract your liabilities from your zakat-eligible assets. For example, your assets for the year total $6,000 and your liabilities total $2,000. Your zakat net worth or zakat pool of money is $4,000 ($6,000 – $2,000 = $4,000).
Calculating Your Zakat
Compare the nisab with your zakat net worth or pool. If your zakat net worth is more than the nisab, you owe zakat. If it’s less, you don’t owe this year.
For example, your zakat net worth is $4,000. Each ounce of silver is currently worth $15, so the nisab using the silver calculation is $315 ($15 X 21 ounces = $315). You have more than the nisab so you owe zakat.
2. Give a percentage of your zakat net worth. If you’re over the nisab threshold, give a minimum of 2.5% of your zakat net worth. Give more than 2.5% if you’re financially able.
For example, if your net worth is $4,000, you’ll give $100 for zakat ($4,000 X .025 = $100). However, give more if you’re financially able.
The calculation is slightly higher if you’re using a western, Gregorian calendar vs. the lunar Hijri calendar. If you’re following the western calendar cycle use 2.557% of your net worth. If you’re following the Hijri calendar, use 2.5% of your net worth.
We welcome you to our website. Al-Ansar Islamic Movement of Minnesota is currently located at: #3315 2nd Street, North, off Washington Avenue, North Minneapolis, MN 55412.
We are a community of believers adhering to the Qur’an & traditions of Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him). Please join us for our activities and weekly Sunday prayers.
