Ramadan is a good time to

reflect on our progress in 2014

ASSALAAMUALAIKUM,
Brothers and Sisters. In 2014,
New Muslim Project has been
striving towards a new goal
to integrate and become an
active member of the Muslim
community, bringing together
converts and born Muslims in
a social, interactive atmosphere.
To achieve this goal, our
Gatherings & Events Team
has grown to become the
face of the project with an
excellent effort in running a
wide variety of events ranging
from barbecues and lectures
to support groups and, most
recently, iftars in the Holy
Month of Ramadan.
To kick off the year, NMP
took part in the Al-Hikmah
Trust appreciation dinner.
This celebrated the efforts of
the volunteers and members
who make up the various
sectors of this vibrant trust.
The Events team went on
to launch a Sheikh in the
Park event that would be the
first of many lectures hosted
by the project, inviting
influential speakers to give
inspiring, informative talks.
Sheikh in the Park
featured Sheikh Rafats
Essential Ingredients for a
Content Life. It can be
found on YouTube.
Following the success of
this event, NMP now hosts
fortnightly Saturday talks at
our office. They cover a
variety of topics such as
The Compilation of the
Quran and Hadiths and
Staying Steadfast on a
Straight Path.
The project also runs
beginners Arabic lessons to
help non-Arabic speakers
learn the language of the
Quran.
It has also started a female
coffee group, meeting in
an informal atmosphere to
ask questions, discuss Islamic
topics and form closer bonds
among sisters.
To welcome Ramadan,
NMP hosted a lecture by
Sheikh Rafat (more in this
issue) and invited eager
listeners to learn about how
to make the most of the
Holy Month.
The project also organised
an iftar and talk by Sheikh
Shafee on Achieving Great
Rewards for Simple and Easy
Good Deeds in Ramadan.
To learn more about our
wonderful events, visit NMPs
Facebook page or email
info@newmuslimproject.co.nz.
We hope to see you at our
events. In the meantime, the
New Muslim Project wishes
you Ramadan Kareem and
Eid Mubarak!

Sincerely,
New Muslim Project Team
The inaugural
Sheikh in the
Park event
featured Sheikh
Rafat speaking on
the topic of
Essential
Ingredients for
a Content Life.

Check it out on
YouTube.

More photos
inside!

I
s
s
u
e

F
i
v
e

J
u
l
y

2
0
1
4

IN THIS ISSUE

Features on Ramadan

A convert reflects on
the straight path

Fasting in Shawwal

Useful organisations
NEW MUSLI M PROJECT NEWS
Ramadan
Revisited
By Sheikh Rafat

THIS IS the time of Ramadan,
when we are able to utilise the
month to revive our soul, our
mind, our body and our heart. The
problem with us as humans is that
we actually forget about
reviving the soul, the heart
and most of the time the
mind as well.
We have a focus on the
body, and we try to satisfy
the body and make it
happy. Many of us would
go to the gym and take care
of our bodies. Dont get me
wrong Im not saying this
is a bad thing. Its not
wrong to take care of your
body, but if you take care
of your body and forget
your soul, your heart and your
mind, then you are going about
things the wrong way.
The soul needs nutrition like the
body. The body has been created
from dust, and the food we eat is
from dust as well.
It comes from the
same place from
which we have
been created, and
when we die our
bodies are going
to be turning into
dust again.
But the soul
came from Allah
(swt), and it is the
secret of Allah
(swt). We dont
know that much
about it, we have
very limited
knowledge about
the soul, but that soul has been
created by Allah and its nutrition is
from Him. Its food is heavenly. Its
not an earthly food, it is a heavenly
one, and if we ignore that soul, and
if we ignore the food of that soul,
then we start to suffer in this life.
Islam sees this life as a bridge to
the hereafter. Without being
successful in this life, one cannot be
successful in the hereafter.
I mean success as a whole a
holistic meaning of success.
If we are able to take care of
those four dimensions
soul, mind, body
and heart in
Ramadan, then we
will be able to enjoy
this month of
Ramadan.
















This excerpt was adapted from the full
lecture that can be viewed on our
YouTube channel http://youtube/
yrgpo1ba9C0
Its not wrong
to take care of
your body, but
if you take care
of your body
and forget your
soul, your
heart and your
mind, then you
are going
about things
the wrong way.
Guide us
on the
Straight
Path
A new Muslims
perspective

SUBHANALLAH, when I first
converted to Islam, it seemed there
were many things I had to learn
about. How to pray, how to behave
in a masjid, learning to hold a fork in
my right hand, and a plethora of
other laws and customs to obey.
It was all a bit intimidating at first.
Every time I was around other
Muslims, somebody would say to me,
You know, you really shouldnt do
such-and-such.
Friends and workmates asked me
questions. Questions about what
things Muslims are and arent
allowed to do, and about the reasons
behind some of the rules. Questions
about the life of Muhammad (saw)
and why he taught us some of the
things he did.
Often, I knew the answer; just as
often, the best I could say was, I
dont know, but Ill find you an
answer if you really want to know.
I felt like a bad Muslim for not
knowing all the details of our faith.
What I initially had
trouble realising was that
Islam is not a destination,
but a path. When we say
ihdina as-sirat al-
mustaqeem, we dont ask
Allah (swt) to put us in
some kind of place of
enlightenment where we
suddenly know everything
there is to know about
practising Islam, and can
all be perfect Muslims,
never making a mistake or
committing a sin.
Rather, we ask to be
shown a path. Insha Allah,
if we are sincere when we ask Allah
(swt) to show us the straight path, and
sincere about following the path that
Allah (swt) shows us, then we will
achieve the destination that Allah
(swt) has planned for us.
Recognising the importance of
seeing and following as-sirat al-
mustaqeem was a breakthrough for
me. Every day, over and over, we ask
Allah (swt) to show us this path.
I see people who have been
Muslims for longer than I have,
ahead of me on the straight path,
and I take inspiration from them and
their examples.
Alhamdulillah, I am also starting to
see new Muslims, who converted
after me and are behind me on the
straight path, and I take even more
inspiration from them.
May Allah (swt) keep all of us on
as-sirat al-mustaqeem for the rest of
our lives.


Hadith

Our Prophet (saw) gave this
advice about choosing friends:

A person inevitably follows
the faith of his friends,
therefore be careful
in choosing your friends.

(Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi)
Every time I was
around other
Muslims, somebody
would say to me,
You know, you
really shouldnt do
such-and-such.
I am starting to see Muslims who
converted after me and I take
even more inspiration from them.
We ask
to be
shown
a path.
Preparing
for the last
10 days of
Ramadan


RAMADAN is once again
upon us bringing with it its
promises of mercy, forgiveness
and spirituality.
Within this holy month, the
last 10 days of Ramadan mark
the most blessed as Laylat ul-
Qadr the night of power is
hidden among them, signifying
the night in which the Quran
was first revealed to the
Prophet Muhammad (saw).
The Quran reminds us that
this night is better than a
thousand months (97:3), and
that the angels descend to
earth.
The Prophet (saw) tells us,
Whoever spends Laylat ul-
Qadr in prayer, believing in
Allah (swt) and seeking His
reward, will be forgiven for all
of his past sins. (Bukhari and
Muslim). But the date itself was
not revealed, so many encourage
that each of the last 10 nights
of Ramadan be treated as if it
were Laylat ul-Qadr.
The Prophet (saw) used to
single these nights out for
worship and the performance
of good deeds more than any
other nights of the year. Upon
seeing this, Aisha (ra) revealed,
During the last 10 nights of
Ramadan, the Prophet (saw)
would tighten his waist belt (i.e.
work harder) and spend the
night in worship. He would also
wake up his family. (Bukhari)
As the last 10 days approach,
we must strive for the countless
blessings, opportunities and
rewards hidden within these days.

Seek out Laylat ul-Qadr
We should seek out this special
night by spending the last 10
nights of Ramadan engaged in
various acts of worship.
We should strive to increase
worship on all 10 nights, because
the Prophet Muhammad said,
The way we look for Laylat ul-
Qadr is by engaging in extra
worship. Look for here
suggests searching for the unseen
the spiritual feeling exuded by
the night, as described by the
Quran in Surat al Qadr: (This
night is) peace, until the rising of
the dawn (97:5).

Recite the Quran abundantly
It is reported that the angel
Gabriel (Jibreel) used to meet with
the Prophet (saw) during each
night of Ramadan and they
would study the Quran together.
The Prophet (saw) tells us,
Whoever reads a letter from the
Book of Allah will receive a
hasanah (reward) from it (i.e. his
recitation), and the hasanah is
multiplied by 10. I do not say that
Alif-Laam-Meem is considered as
a letter, rather Alif is a letter, Laam
is a letter, and Meem is a letter.
(At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darimi)
But in Ramadan, ALL hasanat
(rewards) are multiplied by 70 or
more. This means each letter of
the Quran recited in Ramadan
will grant its reader 700 hasanat.
Even more so, our intentions and
sincerity can increase this already
abundant reward.

Engage in extra dua
During this time, it is vital for us
to uphold the greatest sincerity
and heart when making dua.
Along with being thankful and
asking for personal requests,
seeking forgiveness is a key
supplication to remember in the
last 10 days especially.
Aisha (ra) said, I asked the
Messenger of Allah, O
Messenger of Allah, if I know
what night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what
should I say during it?. He (The
Prophet [saw]) said, Say: O Allah,
You are pardoning and You love
to pardon, so pardon me
(Allahumma innaka afuwwun
tuhibbul afwa fafu annee).
(Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Tirmidhi)

Increase your generosity
As Ramadan promises extra
rewards for every act of worship
or good deed, were encouraged
to be extra generous throughout
the month, especially during the
last 10 nights of Ramadan. We
should avoid being ostentatious in
our giving.
Ibn Abbas states, Allah's
Messenger (saw) was the most
generous of all people in doing
good, and he was at his most
generous during the month of
Ramadan. Jibreel used to meet
with him every year throughout
the month of Ramadan, so the
Prophet could recite the Quran to
him. Whenever Jibreel met with
him, he became more generous
than a beneficial breeze. (Bukhari
and Muslim)

Observe an itikaf
Aisha tells us, The Prophet
(saw) used to observe a retreat in
the mosque during the last 10
nights of Ramadan up until he
died. His wives continued to
observe this practice after his
death. (Bukhari and Muslim)
The practice of itikaf is a strongly
recommended act as the retreat to
the mosque helps us devote the
majority of our time, minds and
hearts solely to extra worship and
the remembrance of Allah. A
person engaging in Itikaf should
keep this intention close to mind
and seeks Gods blessings.
The moon over Madina
Some useful
organisations

Al Hikmah Trust
The Trust runs programmes,
presentations, forums and
meetings to educate Muslim and
non-Muslim youths and students
about Islamic beliefs and
practices.

For details of events, like the
Facebook pages Al Hikmah
Trust Boys or Al Hikmah Trust
Girls.

Al-Manar Trust
This Trust, which initiated
Auckland Eid Day, focuses on
Islamic education for adults and
children, as well as running youth
camps and trips. It has an
excellent reference library of
Islamic material.

70-72 Carr Road, Mt Roskill.
Tel: (09) 6200 951

Fatimah Foundation
Fatimah Foundation aims to
provide family assistance to
Islamic mothers and homes
through a service based on
Islamic values. For events, visit the
website. To volunteer, call (09)
276 7680 or email
noeleen@fatimafoundation.org.nz
For general enquiries, email
info@fatimahfoundation.org.nz
or visit
www.fatimahfoundation.org.nz or
find them on Facebook.

Marhaba Play Group
Marhaba aims to help the
children of the Muslim
community to learn the Arabic
language and Islamic studies by
providing a broad-based
educational programme which
allows the kids to choose from a
range of activities presented in
fun ways. Make contact to register
your child or to volunteer.

Email hoda.elwalili@gmail.com
or visit www.marhaba.co.nz or
find them on Facebook.

Mt Albert Islamic Trust
As well as holding Friday prayers
(with the bayaan and khutbah
both in English), this trust runs
childrens classes and publishes a
useful e-newsletter called Rocket
Science that among other things
gives prayer times and the
programme schedule for the Voice
of Islam TV show.

Email mtalbertmasjid@gmail.com
or visit
www.mtalbertislamiccentre.org

RMDT
RMDT (Rasheed Memorial
Dawah Trust) operates primarily
in Auckland as well as in some
Pacific islands such as Fiji, Tonga
and Samoa. RMDT is active in
specific areas, notably ecology
and charity.

Find them on Facebook.

WTG
WTG (Working Together Group)
are active in specific community
projects, notably the Janaza
Project, which provides funeral
services for Muslims, the Janaza
Waqf fund, and the Helping
Hand Project, which distributes
food collected from food banks in
mosques to needy families.
WTGs most recent initiative is
the launch of an appeal to fund
the purchase of a foster home/
orphanage for Muslim children in
New Zealand.

Janaza or Waqf details: Ashraf
Khan (021 786 676) or Mazin Al-
Salim (021 1466 179). Helping
Hand: Ismail Waja (021 212
9282). Orphanage: David
Blocksidge (021 054 8443).

YMWA
YMWA (Young Muslim Womens
Association) offers a range of
activities for Muslim women in
Auckland.

Email ymwa.nz@gmail.com or
visit www.ymwa.org/ or find
them on Facebook.

Fasting the six white
days of Shawwal

FOLLOWING the Holy Month
of Ramadan is Shawwal, the
month that is marked by the first
day of Eid al-Fitr.
Amidst the atmosphere of
celebration and festivity, were
encouraged to hold on to the habit
of fasting we adopted through
Ramadan and fast an extra six
days in Shawwal. These six days are
sunnah not mandatory but we do
earn additional rewards for them.
The Prophet (PBUH) said,
Whoever fasts for six days after
Eid al-Fitr has completed the year:
(whoever does a good deed
(hasanah) will have 10 hasanah like
it). Another report: Allah has
made for each hasanah 10 like it,
so a month is like fasting 10
months, and fasting six days
completes the year. (An-Nisai
and Ibn Majah)
If you wish to fast the six days of
Shawwal, you can do so starting
from the second day of Shawwal,
as it is forbidden to fast on Eid.
They do not need to be consecutive.
Fatimah Foundation volunteers
receive udhiya gifts for distribution
Find Auckland Eid Day on
Facebook and see if you
can volunteer or simply
go along to support this
great event.
One of two hearses operated in
Auckland by WTG
Level 5, Ofce 5A2, ACG House, 396 Queen Street, Auckland
Open 10am2pm Mondays and Thursdays, 12pm4pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays
and 12pm1pm and 2pm5pm on Fridays (Closed on public holidays)
Telephone: (09) 280 1615
Email: info@newmuslimproject.co.nz
Web: www.newmuslimproject.co.nz or nd us on Facebook
Views expressed in New Muslim Project News are those of the author or organisation concerned and do not necessarily reect the opinions of the
publisher, Al Hikmah Trust. Contents copyright Al Hikmah Trust 2014.
Parting shots
From our inaugural Sheikh in The Park event
We welcome your contributions and suggestions for future NMP News.
Also, tell us if you would like your organisation to be listed.
Please email the editor: newsletter@newmuslimproject.co.nz

You can donate to New Muslim Project through Kiwi Bank.
Account name and number: Al Hikmah Trust, 38-9008-0489171-02.
Reference: New Muslim Project.