The 8th issue of the Hablullah Newsletter produced by the Markaz al Ihsaan Institute of Islamic Theology in Trinidad.

1. Hablullah And hold fast, all together, by the rope
which Allah (stretches out for you),
and be not separated among yourselves.
T HE Q UARTERLY N EWSLETTER O F T HE M ARKAZ A L I HSAAN Rabi Al-Awwal 1433 / January 2012 Issue 8 / 2012
E DITORI AL CALLIGRAPHY CENT RE TESTIFYI NG IN T HE
By Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed ONENE SS OF GOD

Allah says „By time verily man is in loss‟.
Each individual has his own capacity. We
There is no doubt that Allah made Prophet
vary in strength, aptitude and lifespan. It’s Muhammad (pboh) very special. One allu-
imperative for us to utilize our capacity in sion to this is uniqueness of the mission that
order to be successful in the hereafter. was given to him. And more importantly than
that is the personality that Allah gave him.
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is reported to
have said; “the deeds of man will be di- There are many dimensions in his blessed
vided into two groups; that which was personality and in his mission. One aspect is
done for the world, and that which was him being a witness. When we say Ash-
done for the hereafter”. hadu it means ‘I bear witness’. How does
one bear witness? It can only be done if
We need to utilize the gifts that Allah has there is sure knowledge. That is if you’ve
blessed us with in a smart and beneficial seen or experienced that which is being testi-
way. The wise ones will use their bless- fied to.
ings to benefit them in this world and in This calligraphy piece is a representation of the word Sub-
the next. The lackadaisical ones will fol- han‟Allah which means ‘Glory be to Allah’. With this in mind how then can we truly tes-
low the creed; eat, sleep and be merry. Subhan’Allah incorporates one of the greatest fundamental
tify to the statement Ash-hadu anla ilaha
meanings of Tawheed and one of the basic belief’s in Allah illallaah (I testify that there is no god but Al-
Prophet (pboh) demonstrated the right
which is declaring Him to be above any fault, shortcoming, lah). We cannot bear witness to this in the
discipline in the utilization of blessings.
corrupt notion or false idea. true sense of the word because we haven’t
He spent his days working and taking care
reached that stage of seeing or experiencing
of his responsibilities and spent the night
worshipping his Lord. NEWS the Divinity of Allah. Rationally, we know
that everything comes from a Creator. But
It’s not that Muslims should not enjoy Islamic Leadership & Management Programme bearing witness is more than that. This is
themselves but rather, it is important for us where Prophet Muhammad (pboh) stands
to prioritize. Islam teaches us the middle Markaz Al Ihsaan in collaboration with Professional
out. Allah says in the Qur’an;
course; we are not supposed to be ex- Alliance Network (Caribbean) Ltd is pleased to
treme or careless. Allah says ‘and when present the Integrated Islamic Leadership & Man- „There is no god but He: that is the witness of
the prayer is finished, disperse through the agement Programme (ILM). This training pro- Allah, His angels, and those endued with
land, and seek of the bounty of Allah‟. gramme aims to build the leadership and manage- knowledge‟. (3:18)
ment capacity of persons who are desirous of en-
So Allah encourages us to work for this It is possible to testify with sure knowledge
gaging in Islamic work. Interested persons can
world, however we should not give it prior- that there is no God but Allah because He
contact the Markaz for further details.
ity as our time here is limited. You may can make Himself comprehensible to any
not see the results here but on the Day of Upcoming Public Lecture by Maulana Dr. Waffie creature that possesses the capacity. And
Judgement you’ll see all your life’s work the greatest of all capacities was contained
Maulana Dr. Waffie Mohammed will be delivering a
and the end result that it has brought you. by Prophet Muhammad (pboh). This was
public lecture entitled ‘The Status of Prophet Mu-
evident on the night of the Mir’aj when he
May Allah continuously guide us, so that hammad (pboh) in the Universe’. This lecture will
ascended further than any other creature.
we may manage whatever He has given take place on Sunday 4th March 2012 at the Markaz
us in this world in a way that would give us Al Ihsaan’s campus (opposite the Hermitage Village So Prophet (pboh) had first hand experience
‘high return’ in the hereafter, insha Allah. Masjid) at 10:00 am. All are invited and lunch will of the Divine Personality of Allah. And be-
be served. cause he has this unique experience Allah
Life In This World gave him a special mission which He speaks
 Success in Cambridge O’ Level Exams about in Surah Ahzab;
Prophet (pboh) said “Be in the world as Congratulations to the students who wrote and
though you were a stranger/traveler”. The „O Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a
attained passes in the 2011 Cambridge O’ Level witness, a bearer of glad tidings, and warner,
Son of Omar (ra) used to say “At evening exam in Islamic Religion and Culture. This was the
do not expect to live till morning and at - and as one who invites to Allah‟s (grace) by
first time that the Markaz offered this accredited His leave, and as a Lamp spreading light‟.
morning do not expect to live till evening. course and we’re proud to say that the entire class
Take from your health for your illness and (33:45-46)
attained passes. Persons desirous of taking this
from your life for your death”. (Bukhari) particular course can contact the Markaz for details.

2. This is really the mission of Prophet Mu- M ANGO MOUSSE ILLUMINATED PERSONALITIES
hammad (pboh). We cannot comprehend
the greatest of his blessed personality. Mango Mousse is a creamy dessert with a His Exalted Eminence
Only a few of his Companions were able tropical flavour.
K HWAJA M UINUDDIN C HISHTI
to comprehend his greatness.
Ingredients (makes 10 - 12 servings) Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti (ra) was a scholar of
The first thing Allah makes obvious in the
ayat above is that Prophet (pboh) is that 15 ounces mango pulp (preferably julie or great repute. He interpreted the true Islamic
creature who possessed the capacity to calabash) message of love for mankind and through that,
witness the Oneness of Allah. „O 5 pkg gelatin (rennet free) love for the Almighty. He contacted the masses
Prophet! Truly We have sent thee as a directly and inspired them in the realisation of
1 tbsp sugar Eternal Truth. He was the greatest mystic of his
witness‟. Allah sent him for that purpose. 12 ounces heavy whipping cream time and laid the foundation of the Chishti Tariqa.
We do not possess this capacity but 10 ounces sliced fruit (to fill center)
Prophet (pboh) did. This is why for exam- His simple teaching penetrated even the stoniest
1 bundt non-stick pan (or any of hearts and his matchless piety and blessings
ple when a Muadhin was calling the ad- other non-stick pan can work)
haan and he said the statement Ash-hadu knew no distinction. He brought the message of
anla ilaha illallaah another person told the Universal Love and Peace. He chose the way of
Preparation
Muadhin ‘you’re a liar because you have non-compulsion in the true spirit of the Holy
not truly witnessed this’. The Muadhin  Slowly warm the pulp on a very low heat Qur'an which says: "Let there be no compulsion
simple replied ‘while this is true my Mes-  Dissolve gelatin in 1 cup of boiling water
in religion”.
senger (pboh) has witnessed the Divine  Pour dissolved gelatin into the warmed pulp Khwaja Chishti (ra) followed this dictum strictly
Oneness of Allah and he was one who and add sugar throughout his mission and it is because of this
never told a lie, so I know for a fact that that he became popularly known as Gharib
 Cool down in refrigerator until it reaches
there is no God but Allah’. Nawaz (the one who shows kindness to the
room temperature
This is why in every sense of the word poor).
 Beat heavy cream until it peaks and fold it
Prophet (pboh) was called Abdullah – the into the pulp until it’s completely blended Sacred Sayings of Khwaja Chishti (ra)
servant of Allah. His personality was so
 Coat non-stick bundt pan with corn oil  The true friend of Allah is one who has these
refined that he possessed the capacity to
ascend in body and soul outside the di-  Add mixture and refrigerate for 24 hours three qualities:
mensions of space and time and witness  Set the pan in warm water and carefully 1. Having affection like the sun: when it rises
that which Allah wanted him to. loosen the sides with a knife it benefits all irrespective of race or faith.
Being a witness is just one of special di-  Flip onto a large platter and refrigerate to gel 2. Being generous like an ocean: we all bene-
mensions of his magnificent personality back to firm fit from the river or sea. No discrimination
and we pray to Allah to help us under- is made whether we are good or bad or
 Decorate with the fruit slices in the center,
stand his true status. May his blessed whether we are of relation or a stranger.
around the sides and on the top
personality be a means of guidance and 3. Being hospitality like the earth: we are
motivation for us all, insha Allah. raised and cradled in its lap, and it is al-
ways spread below our feet.
Children’s Corner  The surest way to ward off the punishment of
hell is by feeding the hungry, redressing the
aggrieved and helping the distressed.
Complete the crossword puzzle
 A sin committed does not harm an individual
so much as looking down upon one's fellow
1 2
CLUES human being.
 Of all the worship that pleases Allah, the most
Across
is the granting of relief to the humble and the
3 4 (1) The Book of Allah oppressed.
(3) The first letter of the Arabic alphabet
5
(5) The true religion  Performance of charity is the key of attaining
(6) The last Prophet the estate of a philanthropist.
(7) The Arabic word for faith
6 (8) The first man and Prophet Khwaja Chishti’s (ra) noble soul left the mortal
body on the 6th Rajab 633 A.H. Today his tomb,
Down which is situated in India, is popularly known as
(2) The month of fasting The Dargah Sharif (The Holy Tomb) and people
7
(4) This Prophet helped rebuilt the Kabaa of all walks of life and faith from all over the world
8 visit this great shrine to pay respect to this great
servant of Allah. May Allah bless him immensely
Across:- Quran  Alif  Islam  Muhammad  Iman  Adam / Down:- Ramadhan  Ibrahim Answers: and perfume his resting place.
Markaz al Ihsaan, 161 Dumfries Road, Hermitage Village, La Romain, Trinidad, W.I.
Telephone: 1 (868) 653-3546/652-4924 ; Fax: 1 (868) 657-2082; website: www.markazalihsaan.org; email: info@markazalihsaan.org