Wake up Call Issue 174

Issue No 174 Friday 6th August 2010 | Friday 25 Shaban 1431 A.H. www.aic.wa.edu.au

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Kewdale College139 President Street

Kewdale WA 6105Tel: (618) 9362 5340 / 9362 2100Fax: (618) 9355 2988 / 9362 5810

Email: [email protected]

Thornlie College17 Tonbridge WayThornlie WA 6108

Ph: (618) 9493 2718 Fax: (618) 9493 1204


Dianella College 81 Cleveland Street Dianella WA 6062

Ph: (618) 9375 9770 Fax: (618) 9375 9772


Ramadan KareemRamadan KareemAIC Community Meeting

Why Do Muslims Fast?

How Do Muslims Welcome Ramadan?

The Australian Islamic College

wishes all Muslims and Community

Members

Ramadaan Mubarak!

May Allah (swt) accept our fast, Shower us with His

Infinite Mercy and Blessings and

reward us in abundance from His Finest Treasury

Ameen!

Dianella Principal’s Address

The ways to increase our Imaan

Australian Islamic College - Perth

August

Said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” [Bukhari] ...

02 - Why Do Muslims Fast?

04 -AIC Community Meeting

05 -Dianella Principal’s

Address

06- Prophet Muhammad (PUBH)

- The month of Shaban

07 - Islamic poetry Ramadan Is Here!!, - Muslim Memory

08 - How Do Muslims Welcome Ramadan?

- AIC Ancient China Presentation

09- August 2010 Prayer Times

- Signs of weak Imaan

10 - The ways to increase our Imaan

- Islamic Jokes

11 - Snake Exhibit at AIC

12 - Some Library Statistics Analysis

13 - Wake Up Call Kitchen

14 - Wake Up kids!

14 - Wake up Kids

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

1 / Wake Up Call Issue 174 August 2010

July 2010

Most of us who are fighting the battle of the bulge have experimented with some form of fasting, like an all fruit fast, a water fast or sugar-free fast, you name it. But what many may find rather strange and intriguing is a whole nation of people; be it man or woman, old or young, rich or poor; going completely without food and drink from dawn to dusk for a whole month - Ramadan. What is the significance of Ramadan beyond shortened work hours? Is it not a very harsh practice? Is it merely a time when Muslims sleep and fast and hardly work all day; and eat, drink, enjoy and stay awake all night? What really is the spirit of Ramadan?

Fasting Prescribed in All Religions

In English “fasting” means to abstain from food or from certain kinds of food voluntarily, as an observance of a holy day or as a token of grief, sorrow, or repentance.This practice can be found in most of the major religions of the world. For example,in Hinduism, fasting in Sanskrit is called up Vaasa. Devout Hindus observe fasting on special occasions as a mark of respect to their personal gods or as a part of their penance. Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food. For Jews, the day Yom Kippur (“Day of Atonement”) is the last of the Ten Days of Repentance observed on the 10th of Tishri. It is forbidden on that day to eat, drink, wash, wear leather, or have sexual relations. In addition, prohibitions on labor similar to those on the Sabbath are in force.It should also be noted that Moses (peace be upon him) is recorded in the Torah to have fasted. “And he was there with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights, heneither ate bread not drank water.” (Exodus 34:28)For Catholics among Christians, Lent is the major season of fasting, imitative of the forty-day fast of Jesus (peace be upon him). In the fourth century it was observed as six weeks of fasting before Easter or before Holy Week.It was adjusted to forty days of actual fasting in most places in the seventh century.Jesus (peace be upon him) is recorded in the Gospels to have fasted like Moses. “And he fasted 40 days and 40 nights, and afterward he was hungry.” (Matthew 4:2 & Luke 4:2) It is in this context that God states in the Quran: “O believers! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was

prescribed for those before you in order that you become more conscious of God.” (Quran 2:183) Among the Best Righteous Deeds Although in most religions, fasting is for expiation of sin or atonement for sin, in Islam it is primarily to bring one closer to God, as stated in the above-mentioned verse.Since God-consciousness is the prerequisite for righteousness, great stress is placed on fasting in Islam.Thus, it is not surprising to find that when Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him)was asked: “Which is the best deed?” He replied, “Fasting, for there is nothing equal to it.” (Reported in Al-Nasa’i)There are as many levels of fasting as there are facets to being human.Proper fasting should encompass all dimensions ofhuman existence for it to have the divinely intended effect.

The following are some of the major levels of fasting:

The Levels of Fasting The Ritual Level This level of fasting requires that the basic rules for fasting be fulfilled, which are avoiding food, drink and sexual intercourse between dawn and sunset for 29 or 30 days each year. On this level, one is basically following the letter of the laws regarding fasting without particular consideration for the spirit of fasting. It is the entrance level which must be fulfilled for the fast to be Islamicly correct, but the other levels must be added for the fast to have any real impact on the fasting person. Fasting on this level alone will not benefit one spiritually, except from the perspective of submission to divine instructions, if one chooses to follow the ritual consciously and not merely according to tradition. Thus, by itself, the ritual level will not purify one of sin or atone for sin. The Physical Level Fasting on the “physical” level causes the fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst when the prophetic (Sunnah) way of fasting is observed.Prophet Muhammad used to consume a very light meal before the dawn (suhoor) and moderate meal (iftaar) to break the fast at sunset, while scrupulously avoiding filling his stomach. He is reported to have said: “The worst container a human being can fill is his stomach. A few morsels of food to keep a person’s back straight are sufficient. However, if his desire overcomes him, then let him eat a third, drink a third and leave a third for breathing.” (Reported in Ibn Majah).The Prophet used to break his fast with a few fresh or dried dates and a glass of water just before beginning the sunset prayer. This level allows the fasting person to experience the pangs of hunger and thirst and thereby develops sympathy in him or her for those starving and dying of thirst in other parts of the world. Medical Benefits On the physical level, some chemicals in the brain that transmit messages and create feelings, called neurotransmitters, are affected by fasting. Fasting encourages the endorphin neurotransmitter systemrelated to the feeling of well-being and euphoria, to produce more endorphins and, in fact, makes us “feel” better.This is similar to the effect of exercise (but without the physical work).It has also been noted by medical experts that fasting improves

Why Do Muslims

Fast?

Wake Up Call Issue 174/ 2


the physical health in numerous ways.For example, during the fast the body uses up stored cholesterol (fat) that is often deposited in the blood system, as well as in other fatty areas of the body. Thus, it helps to keep the body firm and minimizes the danger of heart attacks. The difference between the ritual level 1 and the physical level 2 is that a person dong only ritual fasting may eat large meals prior to beginning the fast and immediately upon ending the fast, and thus not feel any hunger or thirst throughout the whole month. However, like level one, if the fasting person does not incorporate the other levels of fasting, the fast will only be physically exhausting. The Prophet said: “Perhaps a fasting person will gain nothing but hunger and thirst from fasting.”(Reported in Ibn Majah) The Libidinal Level The sexual instinct and drives (libido) are harnessed on this level of fasting. In these times where the media continually plays on sexual desires to promote and sell products, the ability to control these powerful desires is a plus.Fasting physically reduces sexual desires and the fact that the fasting person has to avoid anything which could stimulate him psychologically helps to further lower the libido.Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said: “O youths, whoever among you is able to marry let him do so, for it restrains the eyes and protects the private parts. He who is unable to marry should fast, because it is a shield.” (Re-ported in Bukhari) By restraining oneself from sexual acts which are permissible, the fasting person makes it easier for himself to restrain himself from forbidden sexual acts when he is not fasting. The Emotional LevelFasting on this level involves controlling the many negative emotions which simmer in the human mind and soul.For example, among the most destructive emotions is anger. Fasting helps to bring this emotion under control.Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), said: “When one of you is fasting, he should abstain from indecent acts and unnecessary talk, and if someone begins an obscene conversation or tries to pick an argument, he should simply tell him, ‘I am fasting”. (Reported in Bukhari)Thus, on this level, whatever negative emotions challenge the fasting person must be avoided.One must abstain from lewd conversation and heated arguments. Even when one is in the right, it is better to let that right go and keep one’s emotional fast intact. Likewise, the negative emotion of jealousy is reduced, as every fasting person is reduced to the common denominator of abstinence; no one is externally superior to another in this regard. The Psychological Level This level helps the fasting person psychologically to control evil thoughts and trains him or her, to some degree, how to overcome stinginess and greed. The Prophet was reported to have said: “Allah has no need for the hunger and the thirst of the person who does not restrain himself from telling lies and acting on them even while observing the fast.” (Reported in Bukhari) In this age of immediate gratification, when the things of the world are used to fulfill human needs and desires almost as soon as they have them the ability to delay gratification is an important skill. What is between immediate gratification and delayed gratification is patience. During the fast, the believers learn patience and the benefits of it.From a psychological perspective, it is good to be somewhat detached from the things of the world. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good and full life - in fact, one can and should

expect that. However, it is important that people are able to detach ourselves from material things so that they do not become the most important part of their lives.Fasting gives one the opportunity to overcome the many addictions which have become a major part of modern life.Food, for many people, provides comfort and joy, and the ability to separate oneself from it gives the fasting people thepsychological benefit of knowing that they do have some degree of control over what they do and what they do not do. The Spiritual LevelIn order to establish this, the highest and most important level of fasting, the level of God-consciousness, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) made the renewal of the intention for fasting a requirement before every day of fasting.He was reported to have said: “Whoever does not intend to fast before Fajr (the dawn) will have no fast.” (Reported in Abu Dawud)The daily renewal of intention helps to establish a spiritual foundation of sincerity essential for the spiritual cleansing effects of fasting to operate. Sincere fasting purifies and atones for sin, as the Prophet said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan out of sincere faith and seeking his reward from God, his previous sins will be forgiven.” He was also reported to have said, “From one Ramadan to the next is atonement for the sins between them.” Sincere fasting brings one closer to Allah and earns a special reward. The Prophet informed that there is a gate in paradise called Rayyaan reserved for those who fast and he also said:“When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are open.” (Reported in Bukhari)Fasting is primarily between the person and God, as no one can be sure that any person is actually fasting. Because of this intimate aspect of fasting, Allah was quoted by the Prophet as saying:“Every act Adam’s descendants is for themselves, except fasting.“It is meant for Me alone, and I alone will give the reward for it.” (Reported in Muslim)When combined with the previous levels of fasting, this level transforms a person from within. It restores, revives andregenerates the fasting person’s spirituality and radically modifies his or her personality and character. These are the precious products of a heightened state of God-consciousness.On the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted, a special celebration is made, called Id al-Fitr. A quantity of staple food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), everyone has bathed and put on their best, preferably new clothes, and communal prayers are held in the early morningfollowed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends.There are other fast days throughout the year.

Muslims are encouraged to fast six days in Shawwal, the month following Ramadan, Mondays and Thursdays, and the ninth and tenth, or tenth and eleventh of Muharram, the first month of the year. The tenth day, called Ashurah, is also a fast day for the Jews (Yom Kippur), and Allah commanded the Mus-lims to fast two days to distinguish themselves from the People of the Book.While fasting per se is encouraged, constant fasting, as well as monasticism, celibacy, and otherwise retreating from the real world, are condemned in Islam.Fasting on the two festival days, Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha, the feast of the Hajj, is strictly forbidden. By: Dr. Bilal Philips

August 2010 Wake Up Call Issue 174 / 4

Nasreen Ahmed

Asalamu Alaykum

AIC Community Meeting

Sr: Nasreen Ahmed

Mrs. Musaika MagarDr.Hamza Amira Dr. Ahdielah Edries

May this message find you and your family in the highest Iman, Ameen.Dear community members, parents and staff,

Australian Islamic College board and management would like to thank you all for attending the Sunday meeting held on 4th July. The theme of the meeting was “Looking Forward”. The main speakers were Mrs. Musaika Magar, Sr. Nasreen Ahmed, Dr.Hamza Amira, and Sr. Ahdielah Edries.

All speakers assured the community on the ongoing viability and future running of the college. They acknowledged theenormous contribution of Mr. Magar to the college.

Most importantly, speakers pleaded with the community to accept their responsibilities for supporting and helping to ensure the college’s future success. All speakers requested that parents should immediately come forward to make their contribution towards the school fees. The government provides 70 percent of the grant to cater to the educational needs of a student; the remaining 30 percent of the contribution must come from school fees. Currently the college is receiving only 10-11 percent of that 30 percent. This puts a tremendous pressure on the college to meet all ongoing costs such as staff salaries, the maintenance of three campuses, power, water and other bills, and many other costs involved in running the three colleges. The college has been able to help student’s achieve high aca-demic results and good behaviour for the last twenty five years.

Currently there is a continuous pressure from the board and government to collect the fees. Therefore, the college urgently seeks your attention and support to at least pay off this year’s school fees. The college needs a commitment and arrangement from the parents to pay off all current fees as soon as possible. The college has sent letters to the parents regarding this issue.

Inshallah, the blessed month of Ramadan is very close to us. Allah (swt) asks us to clear all our debts in the month of Ramadan. This month is the opportunity for the parents and community members to come forward and help the college.Principal and staff are happy to meet parents in this regard. We therefore, request all parents come forward and negotiate necessary arrangements to clear at least this year’s outstanding school fees to ensure the running of the three colleges.

May Allah guide us to undertake our responsibility in the best possible way and keep us on the right path. Ameen.

Principal KewdaleActing Executive Principal AIC

Wake Up Call Issue 174 / 5 Jul August 2010

Asalamu Alaykum

I would like to express my appreciation and gratefulness to the staff, parents and students for supporting our school through all our academic endeavours, community services and fund-raising efforts during Semester 1. Alhumdullilah, we were able to raise $10 000 for the MS READATHON (our highest contribution to date). Last year we raised $9450 & were awarded the trophy for reading the most number of books & having the highest student participation for the past 3 consecutive years.

Our school’s overarching rule is ‘Everyone has the right to be safe, to be happy and to learn.’These words encompass positive values, such as respecttolerance, community spirit and diligence, which are ingrained in our curriculum, pedagogy and school procedures. We have high expectations of our students and have committed ourselves to assist them to develop their full potential, as well as teaching them effective life skills to become hardworking and proud citizens. Dianella College provides an exceptional level of pastoral care to meet the needs of all our students by providing a warm, safe environment that caters for the academic, physical, emotional and social needs of each individual.

Our multi-ethnic community embraces our cultural diversity through values of respect, tolerance, sportsmanship, innovative teaching and learning, student motivation and enhancement of self-esteem, coupled with confidence and pride in ourselves through our daily accomplishments. This close community spirit and values we share makes us a unique and successful school in Western Australia. Alhumdulillah!I commend the students and staff for a very enjoyableproductive and rewarding Semester 1 and I look forward to an amazing Semester 2 with even greater expectations and achievements. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all Ramadaan Mu-barak! May Allah (swt) accept our fast, Shower us with His Infinite Mercy and Blessings and reward us in abundance from His Finest Treasury, Insha-Allah!Jazak-Allah Khairun.

Dr. Ahdielah Edries

Dianella Principal’s Address

Dr. Ahdielah Edries

Wake Up Call Issue 174 / 6 August 2010

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)

The observer of the private life of Muhammad theMessenger, will admire the man who came from a harsh desert environment prevailed by ignorance and anarchism, and wonder “how could he reach the highest levels of incomparable family success?” Muhammad (PBUH) was an inexhaustible stream of love, warmth, tenderness, sensitivity and emotions. He was the perfect lover to his family and wives. He was playing and joking with them. He was giving them love and tenderness; for example, he was expressing gently his love to his wife Aisha by intend-ing to drink from the same cup she drank from putting his lips on the place from which she drank sending a secret message warming up her heart and feel-ings. This was just one example from many in his life. He even represented the loyal lover in a happy family. He did not forget his dead wife Khadeeja, but he kept remem-bering her favors by having good relations with her rela-tives. He was very angry when Khadeeja was disparged in his presence. Abu najeeh narrated in the story of Hala – Khadeeja’s sister- when Hala asked for permission to meet the Messenger, Aisha said” Allah gave you the young wife instead of the old one-she means khadeeja-”. So the Messenger became very angry till she said”I swear I wont mention her after now except in a good way”. In spite of Muhammad’s heavy burdens as being the chief of the Islamic state, the commander of the army and the moral and intellectual guidance to his followers, he did not forget his duties towards his family by helping them in the housework, showing that woman has great value in Islam.Al Aswad reported that he asked Aisha (the Prophet’s wife) about what the Messenger had been doing in his house. She replied that he was serving his family and when the time came to pray he left to prayer.(Narrated by Al Bukhari) www.rasoulallah.net

ISLAMIC POETRY

By Asma Sadia

One night I heard a knock on my door;Who can it be,I wasn’t quite sure.

I open the door and am filled with glee;The visitor ahead is no stranger to me.

I welcome the guest with utmost delight;For I know it has come to give me respite.

An air of happiness fills the space;My home now seems, a better place!

Have you any clue who this visitor could be?Yes! Ramadhan,the month of mercy.

The pious and righteous can’t await its arrival;Others seem to greet it, with waves of denial.For Allah(SWT) we fast from dawn to dusk;

For Him our breath is the fragrance of musk.The muslims who pray and fast with zest;

Are aware of the rewards of this month manifest.

Throughout this month we weep and repent;Now is the time to strongly lament.

And those who shun this sacred month;on the Day of Reckoning will face the brunt.

In the last ten nights,hides the Night of Decree;

Allah(SWT) then awaits for his slaves to plea.The angels descend with Gabriel(AS) in the

lead;To check on the steadfast and record every

deed.A feeling of grief now fills my heart;

As the month of Ramadhan will soon depart.So lets make a start and worship Him alone;Now that the worth of this month is known.

Ramadan Is

Here!!,

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MuslimMemory

AL-FARGHANI

Abu’l-Abbas Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Kathir al-Farghani, born in Farghana, Transoxiana, was one of the most distinguished astronomers in the service of al-Mamun and his successors. He wrote “Elements of Astronomy” (Kitab fi al-Harakat al-Samawiya wa Jawami Ilm al-Nujum i.e. the book on celestial motion and thorough science of the stars), which was translated into Latin in the 12th century and exerted great influence upon European astronomy before Regiomontanus. He accepted Ptolemy’s theory and value of the precession, but thought that it affected not only the stars but also the planets. He determined the diameter of the earth to be 6,500 miles, and found the greatest distances and also the diameters of the planets.Al-Farghani’s activities extended to engineering. According to Ibn Tughri Birdi, he supervised the construction of the Great Nilometer at al-Fustat (old Cairo). It was completed in 861, the year in which the Caliph al-Muta-wakkil, who ordered the construction, died. But engineering was not al-Farghani’s forte, as transpires from the following story narrated by Ibn Abi Usaybi’a. The Fihrist of Ibn al-Nadim, written in 987, ascribes only two works to Al-Farghani: (1) “The Book of Chapters, a summary of the Almagest” (Kitab al-Fusul, Ikhtiyar al-Majisti) and (2) “Book on the Construction of Sun-dials” (Kitab ‘Amal al-Rukhamat).The Jawami, or ‘The Elements’ as we shall call it, was Al- Farghani’s best-known and most influential work. Abd al-Aziz al-Qabisi (d. 967) wrote a commentary on it, which is preserved in the Istanbul manuscript, Aya Sofya 4832, fols. 97v-114v. Two Latin translations followed in the 12th century. Jacob Anatoli produced a Hebrew translation of the book that served as a basis for a third Latin version, appearing in 1590, whereas Jacob Golius published a new Latin text together with the Arabic original in 1669.The influence of ‘The Elements’ on mediaeval Europe is clearly vindicated by the presence of innumerable Latin manuscripts in European libraries.References to it by medieval writers are many, and there is no doubt that it was greatly responsible for spreading knowledge of Ptolemaic astronomy, at least until this role was taken over by Sacrobosco’s Sphere. But even then, ‘The Elements’ of Al-Farghani continued to be used, and Sacrobosco’s Sphere was evidently indebted to it. It was from ‘The Elements’ (in Gherard’s translation) that Dante derived the astronomical knowledge displayed in the ‘Vita nuova’ and in the ‘Convivio’.

August 2010 7 / Wake Up Call Issue 174

August 2010 Wake Up Call Issue 174/ 8

Alhamdulillah!An Imam was selling his horse in the market. An interested buyer came to him and requested if he could get a test drive. The Imam told the man that this horse is unique.In order to make it walk, you have to say “Subhanallah”. To make it run, you have to say “Alhamdulillah” and to make it stop, you have to say Allahu Akbar.The man sat on the horse and said “Subhanallah”. The horse started to walk. Then he said “Alhamdulillah” and it started to run. He kept saying “Alhamdulillah”: and the horse started running faster and faster. All of a sudden the man noticed that the horse is running towards the edge of the hill that he was riding on. Being overly fearful, he forgot how to stop the horse. He kept saying all these words out of confusion. When the horse was just near the edge, he remembered “Allahu Akbar” and said it out loud. The horse stopped just one step away from the edge. The man took a deep breath, looked up towards the

sky and said Alhamdulillah!

Islamic Jokes

The Australian Islamic College invites staff and students, parents and mem-

bers of the school community to join The AIC Kewdale CANTEEN COMMITTEE.

The committee will oversee the management of the school canteen and promote healthy food habits amongst the school community. If you are interested please send an email to

[email protected] or call AIC on 08 9362 2100 indicating your interest by

13th August 2010.

SCHOOL CANTEEN

Our students participated in the art competition run by the youth centre at the City of Belmont during term 2/2010. One of our ex-new arrivals, Aquila Juma Ali won the top

award for her art pieces and received a prize of $500. The New Arrival Coordinator represented the school in the 2010 8th Annual Art and Photographic Exhibition Awards at Belmont Forum on 26 July and received the award on behalf of Aquila who could not attend the event.

The students’ art pieces will be displayed for viewing at Belmont Forum from 26 July to 7 August.

Well Done

Aquila!

August 2010 Prayer Times

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

Said:

«Between a man and shirk [associating others with Allaah] and kufr

[disbelief] there stands his giving up prayer» [Narrated by Muslim, 82].


1) Committing sins and not feeling any guilt.2) Having a hard heart and no desire to read the Quran.3) Feeling too lazy to do good deeds, e.g. being late for salat4) Neglecting the Sunnah.5) Having mood swings, for instance being upset about petty things and bothered and irritated most of the time.6) Not feeling anything when hearing verses from the Quran, for example when Allah warns us of punish ments and His promise of glad tidings.7) Finding difficulty in remembering Allah and making dhikr.8) Not feeling bad when things are done against the Shariah.9) Desiring status and wealth.

10) Being mean and miserly, i.e. not wanting to part with wealth.11) Ordering others to do good deeds when not practising them ourselves.12) Feeling pleased when things are not progressing for others.13) Being concerned with whether something is haram or halal only; and not avoiding makroo (not recommended) things.14) Making fun of people who do simple good deeds, like cleaning the mosque.15) Not feeling concerned about the situation of Muslims.16) Not feeling the responsibility to do something to promote Islam.17) Being unable to deal with calamities, for instance crying and yelling in funerals.18) Liking to argue just for the sake of arguing without any proof.19) Becoming engrossed and very involved with dunya, worldly things, i.e. feeling bad only when losing something in terms of material wealth.20) Becoming engrossed and obsessive about our selves.

SIGNS OFWEAK IMAAN

August 2010

1) Recite and ponder on the meanings of the Quran. Tranquility then descends and our hearts become soft. To get optimum benefit, remind yourself that Allah is speaking to you. People are described in different categories in the Quran; think of which one you find yourself in.2) Realize the greatness of Allah. Everything is under His control. There are signs in everything we see that points us to His greatness. Everything happens according to His permission. Allah keeps track and looks after everything, even a black ant on a black rock on a black moonless night.3) Make an effort to gain knowledge, for at least the basic things in daily life e.g. how to make wudu properly. Know the meanings behind Allah’s names and at tributes. People who have taqwa are those who have knowledge.4) Attend gatherings where Allah is remembered. In such gatherings we are surrounded by angels.5) We have to increase our good deeds. One good deed leads to another good deed. Allah will make the way easy for someone who gives charity and also make it easy for him or her to do good deeds. Good deeds must be done continuously, not in spurts.6) We must fear the miserable end to our lives; the remembrance of death is the destroyer of pleasures.7) Remember the different levels of akhirah, for instance when we are put in our graves, when we are judged, whether we will be in paradise or hell.8) Make dua, realize that we need Allah. Be humble. Don’t covet material things in this life.9) Our love for Subhana Wa Ta’Ala must be shown in actions. We must hope Allah will accept our prayers, and be in constant fear that we do wrong. At night before going to sleep, we must think about what good we did during that day.10) Realize the effects of sins and disobedience- one’s imaan is increased with good deeds and our imaan is decreased by bad deeds. Everything that happens is because Allah wanted it. When calamity befalls us- it is also from Allah. It is a direct result of our disobedience to Allah.

THE WAYS TO INCREASE

OUR

IMAAN

To become Muslim, you have to pronounce the Testimony of Faith ‘Shahada’, with sincere faith.The implication of the Shahada is that you believe that there is only one God, Allah, Who alone deserves to be wor-shipped. It also implies that you believe in Muhammad, peace be upon him, as the Messenger of God, and you believe in his message. It also means that you believe in all ofGod’s Prophets, including Jesus, peace be upon him, who is a Messenger of God and NOT divine or son of God.If you accept this, the only thing that remains for you to become Muslim, is to say the Shahada, while believing in it with your heart word for word as follows:“I bear witness that there is no God except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”then repeat this same testimony in Arabic asfollows:

How Do I Become Muslim?

Wake Up Call Issue 174/ 10


Snake Exhibit at AIC

One of the most scintillating visits to the Australian Islamic College last term had toprobably be the very amusing interactive presentation of the generally feared reptile family of snakes for the new arrival students of high school. Several kinds of snakes were exhibited by a well known and experienced snake handler of Perth, who previously has travelled across many of the state’s schools educating school children about the importance as well as the danger of Australia’s native snakes. While his work may come with its fair share of risks, he generated an ecstatic atmosphere amongst the students as he went on with his presentation, captivating them all with undivided attention. One of the main highlights of the visit was a safety lesson on snakes, educating the students on how to handle deadly and venomous snakes and what actions to take in a hazardous situation.The best bit of the presentation had to be the interactive part of the show when the students of new arrivals where allowed to hold variousharmless snakes. While some of the students may have gone berserk at the idea of wrapping a snake around themselves, many students were actually, or rather surprisingly, more than happy to jump at this opportunity! All in allthe snake presentation was surely greatly loved, appreciated and lauded by all!

Wake Up Call Issue 174 / 12 August 2010

In this month’s issue, we will take a deeper look into the workings of the library, how it is being utilised by the students of the Australian Islamic College and how effective it is.

Taking the second term into consideration this year, the loan statistics show that the library has a count of over at least 2800 books that were taken out on loan by teachers, staff members and students ranging from all classes. The library statistics show that there were at least 380 loans given to only the teachers and non-teaching staff of the school last term.

Aside from this, it shows that the rate of loans taken by the primary classes were far higher than that of the high school classes, particularly due to the compulsory Accelerated Reading Program that takes place inside the library for the primary and the new arrival students.

Nevertheless, the high counts of loans amongst the primary students and the new arrivals, for example as high as at least 550 loans for year 4 alone, also showcase their sheer and growing interest in reading books. This is evident from their borrowing history that indicates they borrow quite a lot of fiction and non-fiction books as well aside from their compulsory Accelerated Reading books each week.

Books taken out on loan by high school students were also pretty impressive, and last term the library even had a few visitors from the kindy classes that had also taken up an interest in reading and borrowing library books.

many as 80 books were taken on loan from the library each day dur-ing the term, barring the 4 weeks of school during which the library remained closed due to the Scholastic Book Fair week and the last 3 weeks of school term exams.

This once again shows the growing importance of the library’s resources for both students and teachers alike. The loan statistics also imply that, as compared to previous terms, a great number of books were returned on time by the students and the staff at end of the term with the exception of only 40 overdue books from the total of 2800 books, indicating a significant improvement on the management of library books amongst the library staff and the teachers and students as well. Inshaallah with the growing needs and interest of the members of our school, we certainly hope that the library will be able to continue providing sufficient resources and efficient services to the students.

Some Library Statistics Analysis

Snake Exhibit at AIC

Enrolments are open for the NEW Kindergarten Class at AIC Kewdale. Please contact the Office on 08 9362 2100 for more details.

NEW KindergartenNEW

13/ Wake Up Call Issue 174 /

Ingredient• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes • ½ cup frozen peas, defrosted • ½ cup finely sliced cabbage

• 2 tablespoons dessicated coconut • 1 green chili, de-seeded and sliced into rings • ½ teaspoon garam masala • ½ teaspoon chili powder • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder • 2.5 cm (1 “) peeled ginger root, grated • 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds • ½ teaspoon ground cumin • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • Juice of half a lemon • A big handful of chopped coriander leaves • Sea salt to taste

Method1. Boil the potatoes, peel and roughly mash them 2. Cook the peas by boiling or microwaving 3. Cook the cabbage by boiling or microwaving so it’s to your liking 4. Fry the onions in the oil until slightly brown 5. Add all of the spices apart from the coriander and stir-fry for 3 minutes 6. Add the mashed potatoes, peas and cabbage and stir-fry for a little longer, mixing well 7. Add all of the spices apart from the coriander leaves, stir well and fry for a minute 8. Add the lemon juice and coriander leaves9. Fill pastry with above filling and deep fry for 5-7 minutes.

Doughmakes 8 oval shapes1 cup whole wheat flour.2 cups unbleached flour.3\4 -1 cups warm water.1 teaspoon dry yeast.1 teaspoon sugar.1 teaspoon salt.2 tablespoons olive oil1 egg (small).

Minced Lamb Topping250 g Minced Lamb.1 Medium tomato, finely chopped.1 Medium Onion, finely chopped.1 clove of garlic, Minced1 teaspoon dried parsley1/4 teaspoon ground cumin.1/8 ground black pepper.1 teaspoon olive oil2 teaspoons tomato paste.Salt to taste.Mix the lamb, chopped tomato & onion, salt ,pepper, cumin & tomato paste in a bowl and set aside.1) place all dough ingredients in the bowl of mixer , knead for 10 minutes to make a soft dough.2) Cover the dough and let rise for 30 minutes.3) Preheat oven to 500 F.4) Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a ball5) Flat each ball into oval shapes on a floured sur face. Place the lamb topping on the dough and leave about 1cm on either side for the crust. Fold the dough in on either side.6) Bake at 550 for 10 minutes.

Lahm bi ajin

from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

August 2010

Wake Up CallKitchen

Mixed Greens with Dijon VinaigretteIngredients• 3 tbsp (50 mL) extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp (15 mL) each Dijon mustard and vinegar • 1 tsp (5 mL) sugar • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper • 8 cups (2 L) torn salad greens Cooking Instructions1. In bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, sugar salt and pepper. Add salad greens; toss with dressing to coat.

Healthy Food

Spicy vegetable samosaFilling

Wake Up Kids!

Wake Up Call Issue 174 / 14

Belief in the Prophets: Muslims believe in the prophets

and messengers of God, starting with Adam, including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Jesus (peace be upon them). But

God’s final message to man, a repeating of the eternal message,

was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad . Muslims believe that

all the prophets and messengers were created human beings who had none

of the divine qualities of God.

Hadith Said;

“To gain knowledge is a duty of every Muslim,

male or female.”

from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)

August 2010

Once Abdullah Bin Jafar (ra) was passing through a forest when he went by an orchard where an Abyssinian (Ethiopian) slave was working.Someone brought him his food and, at the same time a stray dog came into the garden, and stood by the slave, who threw a loaf of bread to the dog, which ate it but did not go away. The slave-boy threw it a second loaf and a third one thus letting it eat the whole of his daily provision of food, keeping nothing back for himself. Abdullah bin Jafar, who had been watching this, said to the boy, “How much bread do you get as your daily ration of food?” The boy said, “I get three loaves every-day, as you have just seen.” Ibn Jafar asked, “Then, why did you prefer a dog to yourself and feed it all the three loaves?” The boy said, “There are no dogs living round here. The poor creature must have travelled a long distance to reach here and it must be feeling very hungry. So, I felt ashamed to send it away, without serving it any food.” Ibn Jafar said, “What will you have for food today?” The boy said, “I shall go without food for a day, which I don’t mind.” Ibn Jafar said to himself, “People criticise you for spending too liberally, but this slave-boy is far more generous than you.” After this he came back to the town and, after purchasing the slave-boy, the garden and all the other effects therein from the owner, he set free the slave-boy and gave him the garden as a gift.

Source: It-haaf; also found in Virtues of Charity Part II, translated by Abdul

Karim.

The Boy and the Dog

Ingredients• 3 tbsp (50 mL) extra-virgin olive oil • 1 tbsp (15 mL) each Dijon mustard and vinegar • 1 tsp (5 mL) sugar • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper • 8 cups (2 L) torn salad greens Cooking Instructions1. In bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, sugar salt and pepper. Add salad greens; toss with dressing to coat.

Spicy vegetable samosaFilling

Documents

Wake up Call Issue 174