Al-Nur: Volume 14 | Issue 1

al-Nur THE NEWSLETTER OF

THE MUSL IM STUDENTS ’ ASSOC IAT ION AND

THE MUSL IM WOMEN OF MARYLAND

Inside this Issue

HistoryHistoryHistory

Founded in 1969, the Muslim Students' Association

is an organization dedicated to serving the Muslim

students on campus and educating the campus com-

munity about Islam and Muslims. We carry out Is-

lamic activities, sponsor social, community service,

and charity events, and strengthens relations and

understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Quran & Spiritual Reflections Page 4

Personal Experiences Page 8

Hadith/Duaa of the Week Page 10

MSA Events Page 2

Creative Writing Page 11

the Light the Lightthe Lightthe Light

VOLUME 14 RABI AL-AWWAL 16, 1430 — MARCH 13, 2009

“...Light upon light! Allah guides to his light whomsoever he pleases, and Allah sets forth parables for men, and Allah knows all things full well.” [Holy Qur’an]

Contact Us! Please send your creative submissions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected] or visit www.msaumd.org

ISSUE 1

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

You may have seen him flyering for Palestinian

Solidarity Week with an unmatched enthusi-

asm. You may remember him from the Stamp Out

Hunger food drive as the gung-ho turkey. You most

likely have heard him after Jumuah prayers in the

Musallah reminding the brothers that they were

playing a sport or eating out that night. It is possi-

ble that you even saw him specially appear as Super

DC MIST Man at the MIST’s Got Talent show. Either

way, there is no doubt about it, brother Adam Ka-

reem is everywhere.

Starting this past February, the MSA has started

a new initiative called the “MSA Member of the

Month.” We hope to recognize an outstanding

brother or sister each month for their hard work and

dedication towards MSA projects. For the month of

February, we have awarded Br. Adam Kareem with

this distinction to recognize his contribution as the

MSA Social Coordinator and an active member.

It seems to be unanimous amongst the brothers

that Br. Adam, with the help of Br. Omar Elnabawi,

has revitalized, not

only the brothers’

social activities, but

the sense of com-

munity among all,

this semester. Hav-

ing started “Flavor

of the Month,” he

calls the brothers

together once a

month to enjoy each

other’s company

and eat some deli-

cious food! In addi-

tion, he plans a few

special activities for

the all members every few weeks, such as the ski

trip and go-kart racing sponsored by the MSA in the

past. Just take a look at the MSA calendar on the

website and you will notice activities like bowling,

(Continued on page 2)

Not Just Any Old Member by Sanjana Quasem

Adam Kareem February Member of the Month!!

It is a tradition of Allah

(subhaanahu wa ta’ala) on this

earth that the spiritual revival of

faith comes from within the ranks

of the youth. In the story of the

people of the cave mentioned in

the eighteenth chapter of the

Qur’an, Allah narrates to us a

story of a group of youth who

were the cause in giving Allah’s

religion victory. In Suratul Buruj,

Allah (swt) mentions the story of

a young man who was the reason

behind an entire villages’ Islam.

Many of our beloved Prophet Mo-

hamed’s (peace be upon him)

companions who sacrificed their

blood and sweat for the sake of

Allah (swt) were youth. Indeed,

the youth of our ummah played

an important role in reviving our

religion.

Similarly, today’s youth, par-

ticularly in Universities, continue

to play an important role in a

global spiritual revival that we

have witnessed in the past couple

of decades. In a study conducted

at the University of Maryland in

2007, results showed that among

students who are active in student

-led religious groups (such as the

Muslim Students’ Association),

73% of the students said that

their spiritual beliefs grew

stronger in University. In other

words, three out of every four of

us (myself included) first tasted (Continued on page 3)

MSA events

al-Nur Volume 14, Issue 1

Page 2

Life and Islamic Activism: The Post-MSA Experience by Sami Zaharna

Ultimate Frisbee, and Flavor of the

Month scheduled each and every

Friday.

His concerted efforts have

reinforced that community which

is the backbone of the MSA. Br.

Adam states, “The main thing that

I’ve been trying to stress with

these activities is getting rid of

these social barriers and circles

that we’ve allowed ourselves to

create… It’s more important that

we do what we can to make eve-

ryone feel welcome, included, and

accepted for us to build a strong

community. Without this, we’re

not the Muslim Students’ Associa-

tion so much as a bunch of Mus-

lims in a student organization.”

While his efforts as MSA So-

cial Coordinator are most defi-

nitely heralded, it is his commit-

ment and diligence as an active

member that makes him known

amongst brothers and sisters

alike. He is present at most MSA

meetings and helps foster open

dialogue and discussion. He is well

known for his infectious laughter

and genuine personality. He as-

sists in the up-keep of the Musal-

lah regularly. Most importantly, he

is always seeking to learn more to

help his deen and encourages

other to do so as well.

JazakAllah Br. Adam for your

hard work and dedication. The

MSA truly appreciates your ef-

forts. To end, here are what fel-

low MSA-ers have to say about Br.

Adam:

� “MashAllah Adam is a great

person to have on the team.

He is always so encouraging

and his attitude and laughter

are contagious.”

-Sana Javed

� “Adam Kareem defines the

meaning of a true friend. He is

someone who changed my life

just by being part of it. Adam

always strives to do his best to

unite the MSA brothers for the

sake of Allah no matter how

busy, sick, or tired he is.

Alhamdhulillah, I am very

blessed to know Adam be-

cause true friends are hard to

find.”

-Omar Elnabawi

(Continued from page 1)

Not Just Any Old Member (cont’d)

the feeling of Islamic brother-

hood/sisterhood in University and

how sweet a taste it is! The ability

to pray all your prayers in congre-

gation and constantly be involved

in da’awah (outreach) related ac-

tivities is truly a beautiful feeling.

However, like all good things in

life, University will come to an

end (for most of us, I hope!) and

with it comes the end of this won-

derful MSA experience. The ques-

tion then arises: does Islamic

work and activism end at the Uni-

versity MSA experience?

This is an important ques-

tion that we should all deeply re-

flect upon. From my personal ex-

periences, I have found that the

majority of people who were

heavily involved in the MSA but

did not ask themselves this ques-

tion took a downward spiral in

their faith after University. They

did not prepare themselves for

life in the real world, and when

they were faced with challenges

from peers, family and the work

environment, they did not have a

Musallah across from the Stamp

Student Union to take as their

place of refuge. It is a sad story

that has repeated itself too many

times.

It is a bitter reality that life

in Islamic activism outside the

MSA is entirely different than the

MSA experience. Not everyone is

a college student that thinks on

the same wavelength as you. Op-

portunities of leadership are not

available as they are in an MSA.

The politics of leadership at our

mosques is even more drama-

packed than MSA elections! It is

definitely a challenge for the MSA

graduate to deal with these issues

when seeking to be active in his

community. However, there are

only two ways to deal with this

problem: either the MSA graduate

rolls up his sleeves, purifies his

intentions and continues his Is-

lamic activism despite all the

challenges, or he gives up and

decides to withdraw from the Is-

lamic scene all together — result-

ing in the downward spiral of faith

mentioned earlier.

The Prophet (pbuh) tells us

in a beautiful hadith, “I advise

you to stick to the community of

Muslims, for indeed the wolf can

only attack the stray sheep.” It is

very important to realize that if

we do not become active with our

mosques and Islamic organiza-

tions after our MSA experience,

then we will be the stray sheep

about which our Beloved Prophet

(pbuh) speaks. Every Muslim

family needs to be plugged into

an Islamic framework or commu-

nity — and the MSA can only offer

this framework for the four or five

years that University lasts.

In conclusion, I’ve listed a

few things to keep in mind while

looking to be involved in Islamic

work outside of the MSA:

1- Pray at the Masjid: The first

and most important factor is to

begin praying at the Masjid. This

is the easiest way to get to know

the community and find opportu-

nities to be involved. Think of it

this way: if you didn’t come to the

Musallah on campus, you proba-

bly wouldn’t know what’s going

on!

2- Attend a halaqah (study

circle): Be involved in a weekly

study circle. Over time, you will

start to know the people in the

halaqah very well.

3- Get involved in Islamic ac-

tivism: There are plenty of things

to be involved in outside praying

at the masjid and attending a ha-

laqah. You can volunteer to help

with a environmental project, at-

tend Islamic seminars, help with

Sunday School, join the local

masjid youth group, help one of

the many Islamic organizations

such as CAIR, MAS, ISNA, ICNA

and many more.

4- Drive out fear: Finally, don’t

be afraid of the community. Some

communities are very harsh and

unwelcoming — this is true. How-

ever, know that Allah (swt) is on

your side. Indeed He is one who

says, “And those who strive in

our cause, we will indeed guide

them to our paths, and know

that Allah is with those who per-

fect their actions.”

And Allah knows best.


Life and Islamic Activism (cont’d)


Page 3

MSA events

by Anonymous

Salat Al-Istikharah: Some Misconceptions There seems to be a lot of

misconceptions regarding Salat al-

Istikharah, so insha'Allah this will

clarify things up. I am merely con-

veying (after translating) some-

thing that a scholar has said, so

none of this is actually mine:

1) Some people think that

Salat al-Istikharah is offered when

a person is hesitating between two

things, and this is not true, be-

cause the Prophet (peace be upon

him) said, “If any of you intends

to undertake a matter...” and he

did not say, “if any of you is inde-

cisive or hesitant.” So if one in-

tends to do something, then one

should do an Istikharah for that.

The same thing ap-

plies if one decides

not to do some-

thing or go through

with it; one should

do Istikharah for

that. However, if

one has several

choices to choose

from, then one

must first decide on

one option (after

seeking advice

from those that he/

she trusts), and

then once he/she

intends to under-

take that choice,

he/she should do

an Istikharah.

2) Some people think that the

Istikharah is only for certain mat-

ters, such as marriage and travel-

ing and other major things, but

that is not accurate. The compan-

ion narrating the hadith said, “He

(peace be upon him) used to

teach us (to do) Istikharah in all

matters..”

3) Some people think that

Salat al-Istikharah has a specific

or separate 2 rak'as for it. This is

not accurate, as the Prophet

(peace be upon him) said to pray

2 voluntary rak'as. The word vol-

untary means it is general, and it

includes Salat Adduha, Sunnat al-

Wudu', the sunnahs before or af-

ter the obligatory prayers, and

any of the other sunnah prayers.

So one can pray any of these 2

rak'a voluntary prayers, and then

after it one should make the sup-

plication/duaa of Istikharah.

4) Some people think that one

has to feel at ease and comfort-

able with doing something after

performing Istikharah. There is no

proof for that, because in reality,

doing Istikharah means submitting

your issue to Allah, even if you

hate that matter. As Allah says in

the Quran: “But it is possible that

ye dislike a thing which is good for

you, and that ye love a thing

which is bad for you. But Allah

knoweth, and ye know

not.” (2:216)

This actually makes a lot of

people confused and leaves them

more hesitant even after doing

Istikharah. Some even repeat the

Istikharah over several times, only

making them even more hesitant

and confused, especially if one

doesn't feel at ease with the issue

for which he/she is doing an Istik-

harah. In fact, the purpose of

Istikharah is to remove hesitation,

doubt and confusion.

5) Some people think

that after doing an

Istikharah, one has to

see some sort of a vi-

sion or a dream that

points out the right

thing to do. They keep

waiting for this dream

and as a result, do not

go through with the

action. However, it is

not so, but rather after

one performs Istik-

harah, he/she should

go ahead and do the

thing they had in-

tended and submit

their issue to Allah. If

it happens that he/she

has a good dream about the issue

that indicates the right thing, then

that is good, but otherwise, one

should not wait for that dream or

vision to go ahead and do what

he/she has intended to do.

Allah knows best.


Page 4

quran & spiritual reflections


Page 5

One of the problems in our

Ummah that has become wide

spread among many Muslims is

the confusion about “judging”

other people. While one group of

Muslims goes to one extreme by

over-reacting to the wrong that

they see around them and some-

times even going to the extent of

declaring some Muslims as disbe-

lievers and sending them to Hell

because of a minor sin, the other

group of Muslims go to the other

extreme by not doing or saying

anything to correct the wrong that

they see — they do not want to

“judge” the person that is doing

the wrong action. Unfortunately,

many Muslims belong to the latter

group, whereby they seem to

equate giving advice, enjoining

the good, and forbidding the evil

to “judging” others. There is a key

point that many seem to miss.

Yes, we are not supposed to

“judge” other people’s intentions

because we do not know what is

in the people’s hearts and we can

not assume things about their in-

tentions for doing things. For ex-

ample, if I see a brother giving a

lot of money in charity, I can’t ac-

cuse him that he is donating to

show off in front of others, be-

cause I don’t know the intention

in his heart, and any assumption I

make about that would be based

only on conjecture.

{And most of them do not

follow (anything) but conjecture;

surely conjecture can by no

means take the place of truth. Lo!

Allah is Aware of what they do}

(10:36)

However, we can and we

should “judge” the wrong actions

that people do on the outside

based on the commandments of

Allah. If Allah has made some-

thing impermissible or Haram, it is

our duty to say that it is wrong

when we see a fellow Muslim

committing that sinful action, and

give him/her advice in an attempt

to forbid the evil. Enjoining the

good and forbidding the evil has a

lot of reward in it, and is one of

the most beloved good deeds to

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

Enjoining the good and for-

bidding the evil is an obligation on

every Muslim, and it is a recurring

theme in the Qur’an and the

Hadith.

{And from among you there

should be a party who invite to

good and enjoin what is right and

forbid the wrong, and these it is

that shall be successful} (3:104)

{You are the best of the na-

tions raised up for (the benefit of)

men; you enjoin what is right and

forbid the wrong and believe in

Allah} (3:110)

It is this that makes us the

best of nations, and if we leave

our duty of enjoining the good

and forbidding the evil, then we

will be on the path to be among

the worst of nations. That is one

of the reasons why those who

went astray from the Children of

Israel were cursed, because they

never forbade the sins and evil

being done among them.

{Those of the Children of Is-

rael who went astray were cursed

by the tongue of David, and of

Jesus, son of Mary. That was be-

cause they rebelled and used to

transgress. They used not to for-

bid each other the wickedness

they did; certainly evil was that

which they did} (5:78- 79)

Allah describes prophet Mu-

hammad (peace be upon him) in

the Qur’an:

{...He (Muhammad) will enjoin

on them that which is right and

forbid them that which is

wrong...} (7:157)

The Prophet Muhammad

(peace be upon him) said:

“Whosoever of you sees a Munkar

(an evil or wrong) let him change

it with his hand, if he could not,

then let him change it with his

tongue, if he could not, then let

him change it with his heart, and

this is the weakest of Iman

(faith).” [Saheeh Muslim]

The companion Abu Saeed

Alkhidri (may Allah be pleased

with him) who narrated the above

hadith mentions an incident where

a man named Marwan started

with the Khutba (sermon) before

the prayer on the day of Eid, so a

man stood up and said, “Oh Mar-

wan, you have opposed the sun-

nah by starting with the Khutba

before the prayer on Eid,” so Abu

Saeed Alkhidri said, “This man has

fulfilled his duty,” and then he

narrated the above hadith.

If we don’t change the wrong

we see around us, then we are in

danger of being punished by Allah

for neglecting this obligation.

It is narrated that Abu Bakr

(may Allah be pleased with him)

made a speech. He said, “Oh peo-

ple, you are reading this verse

and misinterpreting it — {O you

who believe! take care of your

own souls; no hurt can come to

you from those who go astray if


by Abdullah bin Muslim

“Judge” Me!



you are guided} — and I heard

the Prophet (peace be upon him)

say, “If the people see the wrong

and they do not change it, Allah

will cover them with a punishment

from him.” [Recorded by Ibn

Maja, Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and oth-

ers; Authenticated by Al- Albani]

Another wording of the above

hadith: "Any people in which there

are sins done among them, they

can change the evil and they do

not change, Allah will cover them

with a punishment from

him." [Recorded by Abi Dawud

and authenticated by Al- Albani]

If a person has the audacity to

commit a sin in public without

feeling any shame, then why is it

hard for us to say the truth and

forbid the evil? Why when we see

a person whom Allah blamed,

then we do not say about him

what Allah has said about him?

Has our level of Iman gotten that

low? Or is it the fear of how peo-

ple might react?

The companion Ubadah bin

Assamit may Allah be pleased

with him reported: “We swore al-

legiance to the Messenger of Allah

(peace be upon him) to say what

was right wherever we were, and

not to fear from anyone's re-

proach.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

The Prophet (peace be upon

him) said, “By Allah, you shall en-

join good and you shall forbid evil,

or Allah will send punishment over

you, then you will call upon Him

and He shall not respond to

you.” [Recorded by Tirmidhi; Au-

thenticated by Al- Albani]

Ibn Taymiyah said, “Ordering

people to follow the Sunnah and

forbidding the innovations is en-

joining the good and forbidding

the evil, and this is from the best

of good deeds.” [Minhaj Assun-

nah]

When we see some one doing

wrong, we should not say, “Who

am I to judge,” and keep quiet. In

addition, when some one gives us

advice to fear Allah and correct

the wrong we are doing, we

should not say, “Who are you to

judge me?!” This is something

that Allah does not like.


(peace be upon him) said, “The

most hated speech to Allah is

when a man says to another man,

'Fear Allah!' and he replies, 'Worry

about your own self!'”

[Authenticated by Al- Albani in

Silsilat Al-Ahadith As-Sahiha]

Giving other people advice

when we see them doing some-

thing wrong is very important and

one of the basic foundations of

Islam, to the extent that the

Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“The Religion is sincere advice, to

Allah, His Book, His Messenger,

and to the leaders of the Muslims

and the general people.” [Saheeh

Muslim]

Many of us have become re-

luctant to give our fellow Muslims

advice when we see them doing

something wrong, because unfor-

tunately, many Muslims don’t take

advice well anymore.

Imam Abdullah bin Almubarak

(who died in the year 181 Hijri)

may Allah have mercy on him,

was asked: “”s there anyone left

to give (people) advice?!” and so

he replied, “Do you know anyone

who accepts (advice)?”

If that was the case back then,

centuries and centuries ago, then

what about our times? Why has it

become hard for us to accept ad-

vice? Why do we take things so

personally? Correct me if I am

wrong here, but our main goal in

life as Muslims is to go to Jannah

(heaven), right? So we should

help each other out to do good

and stay away from the bad to be

able to achieve our goal. None of

us is perfect, and we all have our

own sins and shortcomings, and

that is exactly why we need each

other to be able to stay on the

right path.

{The Believers, men and

women, are guardians of each

other: they enjoin what is good,

and forbid what is evil: they ob-

serve regular prayers, practice

regular charity, and obey Allah

and His Messenger. On them will

Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is

Exalted in power, Wise} (9:71)

{And help one another in

goodness and piety, and do not

help one another in sin and trans-

gression} (5:2)

Abu Huraira, may Allah be

pleased with him, narrated that,

“The believer is a mirror for his

brother, if he sees something

wrong in him he fixes it.”

[Authenticated by Al- Albani in

Saheeh Aladab Almufrad]

That is how we should be,

looking out for each other, making

sure that we are doing good

deeds and staying away from do-

ing wrong. None of us believes

until we love for our fellow Muslim

brothers and sisters what we love

for ourselves. We love for our-



“Judge” Me! (cont’d)


Page 6

selves Jannah, so we should also

love it for them too. That is why

we should enjoin the good on one

another and forbid the evil — to

help each other get to Jannah.

The Prophet (peace be upon

him) commanded us to give vic-

tory to our fellow Muslims when

they are oppressed. If they are

oppressing, then we should stop

them — this would be like giving

them victory. This includes situa-

tions when we see a Muslim op-

pressing himself by doing wrong

or sinning; we give him victory by

giving him advice and helping him

stop the wrong that he is doing.

{And continue to remind,

for surely the reminder bene-

fits the believers} (51:55)

By forbidding the evil and giv-

ing others advice, it also helps us

in becoming better Muslims. If

you are struggling with trying to

stop doing something that you

know is wrong, like listening to

music for example, then if you

start telling other people that mu-

sic is Haram and that they should

stop listening to it, this will help

you stop as well. Because if you

don’t, then that will make you

look like a hypocrite, and no one

wants to be a hypocrite. So you

also benefit from giving other

people sincere advice.


(peace be upon him) said: "A man

will be brought on the Day of Res-

urrection and thrown in the (Hell)

Fire, so that his intestines will

come out, and he will go around

like a donkey goes around a mill-

stone. The people of (Hell) Fire

will gather around him and say:

“O so-and-so! What is wrong with

you? Didn't you use to order us to

do good deeds and forbid us to do

bad deeds?” He will reply: “Yes, I

used to order you to do good

deeds, but I did not do them my-

self, and I used to forbid you to

do bad deeds, yet I used to do

them myself.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Now, before we all go out to

enjoin the good and forbid the evil

and give each other advice, we

should learn the proper way to do

so according to the Quran and the

sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad

(peace be upon him).

{Call to the way of your Lord

with wisdom and beautiful preach-

ing; and argue with them in the

best and most gracious manner}

(16:125)

Allah reminds the Prophet

(peace be upon him) and us, to

not be harsh and rough because

that turns people away.

{Thus it is due to mercy from

Allah that you deal with them

gently, and had you been rough

or harsh-hearted, they would cer-

tainly have dispersed from around

you} (3:159)

Therefore we should be gentle

with each other, and give sincere

advice in the best of manners with

softness and gentleness.


(peace be upon him) said, “Allah

is gentle and loves gentleness in

all matters.” [Saheeh Bukhari]

{Then speak to him (to

Pharaoh) a gentle word, that he

may heed or fear} (20:44)

If Allah ordered Musa and Ha-

run, peace be upon them, to be

gentle when reminding an oppres-

sor, such as Pharaoh, who has

transgressed all boundaries, then

what about our own Muslim broth-

ers and sisters? We should be

very gentle and kind when giving

them advice, and in all our affairs

with them.

{Muhammad is the Messenger

of Allah. And those with him are

hard against the disbelievers and

merciful among themselves}

(48:29)

Our aim should not be to go

around looking for people who are

doing wrong, or to wait for a spe-

cific brother or sister — watching

their every move, waiting for

them to slip and do something

wrong so we can forbid the evil.

We should forbid the evil if we see

it or encounter it as we go about

our own business, but we should

never follow other people’s faults

purposefully.


(peace be upon him) said, “O you

who believe with your tongues,

yet Iman has not entered your

hearts. Do not backbite the Mus-

lims, nor follow their faults. For he

who follows others’ faults, then

Allah will follow his faults, and he

whom Allah follows his faults,

then Allah will reveal them and

disgrace him even if he is in his

own house.”

[Recorded by Abu Dawud and

authenticated by Al-Albani]


TO BE CONTINUED!

Make sure to follow the rest of

the article in the next

issue, InshaAllah!


Page 7


“Judge” Me! (cont’d)

personal experiences

by Tubah Sultan

Advice & Resources for Future Leaders

Our Ummah needs our gen-

eration to be visionary leaders,

who adhere to the Quran and

Sunnah, who uplift our sisters,

brothers, families and the society

around us to prosperity, and who

stand up for justice everywhere.

We are a generation that has

grown up in the dot.com era.

Through the abundance of re-

sources such as the internet, we

have a greater access to informa-

tion 24/7 and a greater opportu-

nity to connect with people all

over the world.

I strongly encourage you to

be a prominent factor in defining

our generation of Muslims – phy-

sicians, politicians, businessmen/

women, teachers, health profes-

sionals, engineers, computer pro-

grammers and so on — who will

change this world for the better.

We need to realize that we are

here for a greater purpose — to

serve Allah (swt) and in doing so

to better ourselves and the soci-

ety we live in.

Our economy, as all of you

know, is in a recession; the dark-

ness of greed, fraud and other

unethical traits that led to this re-

cession also permeated countries

all over the world. Just by picking

up a newspaper, the deception

and injustice that has spread

throughout the world we live in is

blatantly obvious. But there is

reason to be hopeful — Islam. As

Muslims, we are the carriers of

the message of Islam that has

been passed onto us by past gen-

erations — we carry the light and

high ethical standards because of

the knowledge of the Quran and

Sunnah that Allah (swt) has be-

stowed upon us.

After concluding Palestinian

Solidarity Week, we need to real-

ize that we should not hesitate to

become involved in standing for

justice. And we should work to-

wards being leaders who spread

knowledge. I have begun to look

into what it takes to be a leader in

a world where it’s so easy for us

to get distracted. Here is some

insight to help you stay focused

(some of which are from my own

experiences or things that I have

come across that I would like to

share). What I have highlighted

below are current things that you

can do NOW that can help you

define and/or work towards your

vision and goals in your life.

Taking Yourself to the Top

1) Jobs & Internships

� The White House Internship

Program is now accepting

applications

� Recruiters are everywhere.

Now is the time to find a great

Summer Job:

www.indeed.com &

www.simplyhired.com

� Careers4Terps – Use Advance

Search to find jobs in your

area

� LinkedIn – Start a Profile to

keep in touch with business

contacts

2) Research

� You can start your own Re-

search by contacting Faculty

that you want to work with

� Maryland Center for Undergrad

Research:

www.ugresearch.umd.edu

� Become a Student Research

Assistant — View Opportuni-(Continued on page 9)

Page 8



Page 9

ties from all the Colleges:

(ww.ugresearch.umd.edu/

programs/facdirectory.html

� Key Benefit — You are not

restricted to your area of

study — you can work in

research in any depart-

ment you choose � Check Out:

MD Undergrad Research Day:

April 22nd, 2009, McKeldin

3) National Scholarships � UMD National

Scholarships Office

www.scholarships.umd.edu

� Check out the site for

Public Service (Washington

D.C) Opportunities

� The American Public Health As-

sociation is Now Accepting In-

ternship Applications

� Scholarships for Science/ Engi-

neering/ Math Minority Stu-

dents

4) Be a Risk Taker

� Do something no one’s done

before.

� Have an idea? Make the con-

nections, form a team and

start making a difference. It’s

not easy; but the earlier you

start bringing together the

pieces the closer you will get to

defining your vision.

� Entrepreneurship is highly val-

ued at our University. (All you

need is an idea & you can

Launch into Something Ex-

traordinary)

� Dingman Center (Provides

funds and can help you

launch an idea)

� Hinman CEOs Program

(Living learning entrepre-

neurship program for all

majors)

� MTECH (Geared towards

Technology Start-ups)

5) Always be on the Lookout

for Opportunities

� Check out the Campus Events

Calendar (www.umd.edu/fyi)

� Find Freelance Work —

www.guru.com or Non-Profit

Work - www.idealist.org

� Get involved with your Local

Masjid

� Be in the moment so you don’t

miss something. Recently I

found out that there’s a Minor

in Leadership Studies (mucho

amazing!)

6) Be Innovative: Ideas to

Change the World

� Brainstorm a list your favorite

hobbies — see if you can turn

it into something bigger

� Blog about something you care

about

� Write a book

� Literature is powerful —

it’s a part of our culture

and it can move society.

� Self Publishing Made Easy

www.cafepress.com/cp/

info/sell/books.aspx &

www.lulu.com

� Create a Documentary

� Start off small — For ex

ample participate in the

Linktv Contest

www.linktv.org/onenation

7) Ways to Make a Difference

on Campus

� Become a Leader in a Campus

Organization

� Support MSA/MWM Outreach

� Join the Da’wah Committee

� Become an active member of

the SGA — maybe even the

next President!

� Write for the Newspaper

� Work on-campus

We usually humble our-

selves when it comes to mention-

ing things we have achieved or

received recognition for. We also

shy away from sharing our aspira-

tions. I see college as a dynamic

setting where we can learn from

one another. I believe that we are

all leaders in our own unique

ways. And leaders thrive not only

on self-motivation but also by the

inspiration they draw form those

around them. Share your happi-

ness with those around you. Who

knows — inshaAllah you might in-

spire the brother or sister next to

you to reach new heights.


Advice & Resources (cont’d)

personal experiences

hadith / duaa of the week


Page 10

Hadith submitted by Susan J. Shatila

Five Rights Abu Huraira reported Allah's messenger Muhammad, sallalahu 'alaihi wa sallam, as saying:

"Five are the rights of a Muslim over his brother: responding to salaam (salutation), visiting the sick, follow-

ing the bier at one's funeral, responding to invitation, and saying "yarhamuk Allah" when anybody sneezes

and says alhamdulillah." [Sahih Bukhari]

Quote submitted by Eman Haggag

Who Are You? A journalist once asked Imam Shaheed Hasan Al Banna, one of the Islamic Revivalists of the previous cen-

tury: “Tell me, who are you?”

The Imam responded: “I am a traveler seeking the truth, a human searching for the meaning of humanity

and a citizen seeking dignity, freedom, stability and welfare under the shade of Islam. I am a free man who

is aware of the purpose of his existence and who pro-claims: 'Truly, my prayer and my sacrifice, my living

and my dying are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds; no partner has He. This, am I commanded and I am of

those who submit to His Will.' This is who I am. Who are you?”

MSA & MWM Office Hours!

by Mehreen Rasheed

Hudson Plane Crash Work

of Al-Qaeda Investigations of the New

York Flight 1549 that crash-landed

into the Hudson River late last

month continue, as authorities

have at last come to a horrifying

conclusion. Though initially re-

ported as an accident caused by

an unnumbered flock of Canadian

geese, a Homeland Security

spokesperson released a state-

ment yesterday confirming terror-

ist involvement.

"We are only grateful that

the brave crew of Flight 1549 was

able to prevent any casualties,"

he said. "And though the terrorists

did not succeed this time, inci-

dents such as these remind us

that we must always be vigilant."

Federal officials suggest that

the geese were in fact trained by

Al-Qaeda operatives, working

from sleeper cells within Canada.

The CIA and Canadian govern-

ment are currently investigating

covert activity near Toronto and

Ottawa.

The use of animals in terror-

ism has been seen before. In

2004 of the Iraq War, insurgents

used donkeys strapped with ex-

plosives to attack US checkpoints;

the donkeys were soon known as

'weapons of ass destruction'.

However, while Iraq's don-

keys were, literally and figura-

tively, mere mules for insurgency

groups, officials fear something

much more sinister is at hand in

the Hudson case.

"These geese were obviously

flying of their own volition," says

CIA operations head, "They were

not just used as tools...they were

part of it."

Terrorists could have easily

turned these native birds against

the West by appealing to their

sense of indignation at the U.S.'

destruction of their natural habitat

- creating home-hatched terror-

ists. New surveillance suggests

that the New York birds have been

using seasonal migratory patterns

to disguise their attendance of Al-

Qaeda-operated training camps,

likely located north of the Cana-

dian border.

"These birds have become

disillusioned with Western society,

and given their newfound alliance

with one of our most powerful

enemies, they have certainly be-

come a lethal force," says a Sen-

ior Analyst in Terrorism Studies at

the Prairie College of the Applied

Arts and Technology* in Moose

Jaw*, Saskatchewan (*reports

confirm, this is a real place).

In the wake of this great

shock, both U.S. and Canadian

authorities prom-

ise to take ex-

treme measures

to ensure safety

from this new

airborne threat.

The recently

passed Avian Act

restricts all birds'

freedom of mi-

gration, and even

allows both gov-

ernments to re-

serve the right to

inhibit their use

of flight. As many

as fifty flocks

have been raided

and randomly

searched. On the

Canadian side,

any goose sus-

pected of terror-

ism is subject to immediate de-

tainment without a warrant, evi-

dence, or right to representation.

"This is for their own protec-

tion, and the protection of Canadi-

ans and Americans everywhere,"

says CIA insider, alias 'Mother

Goose.' "It's a patriotic duty to

sacrifice one's rights for safety."

Despite minor protests from

animal and civil rights activists

(i.e. the "Honk for Geese" Cam-

paign), a statement from the

geese has yet to be released.

The Ceramic Miswak: Satirical Articles Fake News Briefs

creative writing


Page 11

creative writing

by Ibn Bashir

Five Little Girls (For the Children of Palestine)

I wish that I could tell you more than simply what's being said

That the onslaught turned itself around when the mortars heard you didn't make it;

that everything ceased;

That somehow they left a tear in the midst of all the confusion cultivated decimation yet christened retribution

That serenity was left to boys and girls like you

But explosives don't harbor souls like they cart destruction and

today I'd be lying to you if I said I thought humans are any different

I can't sum up the courage it takes to be a liar

I won't cosign or bolster one sidedness

Nor entice you with an apology to your family;

these never suffice.

Or passively pontificate about life after babies born into, now buried along rocketed dilapidations

...Kids who used to cling to swings, musallahs, and schools

And maybe even salvation

I can not sweep it over

Not today;

No, today I can't be man

And I am not even sure I'm to apologize for man anymore

what I can report is that you are not alone

you are not abandoned

but truth be told I am just as much your loneliness

as I am your perpetrator

I did not fire this rocket nor muffle your sister's and brother's screams

simply ask why it took five of you to bring me here

and you will see that I am no innocent,

there is no nobility to be found

What shakes a man from apathy;

Teaches him to crawl again?

Is there any justification for a soul with no reason when you were given full purpose, or shall I take my 99

deaths in your stead?

If they handed me the gun would that make my search any more sanctified?

Justify my own sins?

Could the poorness of my spirit be shooed away clean with the remnants of a richer Palestine?

Tell me if this is what my shoulders should bear

as I look to you for lessons neverminded in academia;

it is today that I am learned of your blamelessness

and weary of the damage wrought on by ego

today I'm scholared in the ritual of remorse, fervor, and passion

Today, I want to cry out that I appreciate with subtle indulgence

that the succulence in freedom is conceived on the embrace of Khadijah

The caress of Halimah,

The trust of Aishah

And the innocence of five little girls…


Page 12


Page 13

creative writing

Democracy is more than legality; it is a shared sentiment

And love is more than an emotion, it is a capacity;

Without that capability we too lie in wait for rescue

under the rubble of broken understanding and archetypal contemplation

If they handed me the camera would that numb the coldness of the bullet?

Stave the direction of chastisement?

Am I now the illustration of your collateral damage

What would make me prouder than to one day stand in front of you all

with the response to this testimony!!!

No you are not alone young tender…

I am no man…

Only the resilience of a child

The blossoms of a future's rose

The echoes in the myriads of grace and patience

The remembrance of the beginning

Retribution's first opera

And the smile and applause at the end

All I ask is that one day you share your front door

With the withered souls

Who are still not safe from the reign's rain.

They need the home you covet

where silence is a measure of faith and ended dread

And I need daughters and sons to name in your wake;

in exchange…

I should change dear Tahrir,

Or mire me in shades of blood and cinder ash;

I want change brave Ikram,

Or drown me in fear and absence's suggestions;

I can change sweet Samur,

Or leave my affections for a witch's heart;

I will change precious Dina,

Or share with me a supplication's suffocation;

I am change beautiful Ayah,

Or bury me under the footsteps you never intended to give away.


Five Little Girls (cont’d)

Ibn Bashir can be contacted at:

[email protected]


Page 14 T H E M U S L I M S T U D E N T S ’

A S S O C I A T I O N

University of Maryland, College Park

Box 44, Stamp Student Union

College Park, MD 20742

[ [email protected] ]

[ www.msaumd.org ]

President: Ridwanur Rahman VP: Abdul Saboor Khan VP Sis’ Aff.: Nadia El-Hillal Masjid Aff.: Mouhamad Diabate

PR: Sana Javed

Secretary: Tubah Sultan

Treasurer: Adam Stephenson

President: Eman Haggag VP: Sanjana Quasem Secretary: Manaar Zuhurudeen Treasurer: Kadiatu Bah PR: Reem Dughly SGA Liaison: Shabnom Khan

. Newsletter Staff

Editor-in-Chief Zeynep Özer Co-Editors

Eman Haggag Susan J. Shatila Manaar Zuhurudeen Staff Writers: Ibn Bashir Eman Haggag Abdullah bin Muslim Sanjana Quasem Mehreen Rasheed Hena Shami Susan J. Shatila Tubah Sultan Sami Zaharna

The views and opinions expressed in al-Nur

are solely those of the writers and do not

necessarily reflect the views and opinions of

the editing staff or of the MSA.

creative writing

The Art of Stick Figuring:

by Hena Shami

Fasting on Mondays and Thursdays

Documents

Al-Nur: Volume 14 | Issue 1