Muslim Council of Montreal alarmed over attack of vandalism at Montreal mosque

Jan 3, 2012

Montreal, Quebec, January 3rd, 2012– The Muslim Council of Montreal (MCM) expressed its concern over an attack of vandalism at the Outaouais Islamic Centre in Gatineau this Monday.

The vandals attempted to set fire to two cars in the mosque parking lot, in addition to smashing the windows of the cars. Two windows of the mosque were also broken. It is the second time in the last month and the third time in the last four months that the mosque has been a victim of vandalism.

“Canada is a place of peace, tolerance, diversity and pluralism and such hateful actions go against all the values of our charter, constitution and country,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “It must be made clear that such violent acts of hate and racism that target religious institutions have no place in our country and will not be tolerated. We call on all Canadians to speak out against such attacks and work together to promote peace and social harmony.”

MCM asks the Gatineau police department to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime and to move quickly to bring the perpetrators to justice. MCM further urges all officials and members of the community to exercise increased caution and report any suspicious individuals or activity to the authorities immediately.

Work Hard, but Worship Harder!

Work Hard, but Worship Harder!

Jan 3, 2012

Bismillahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
as-salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu 

Work Hard, but Worship Harder!

Look at the words Allah (swt) uses when He refers to working for worldly affairs

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِهِ وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

It is He who made the earth tame for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection. (67:15)

 وَقَالُوا مَالِ هَـٰذَا الرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِي فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ

And they say, “What is this messenger that eats food and walks in the markets? (25:7)

وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ مِنَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ إِلَّا إِنَّهُمْ لَيَأْكُلُونَ الطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشُونَ فِي الْأَسْوَاقِ

And We did not send before you, [O Muhammad], any of the messengers except that they ate food and walked in the markets… (25:20)

Notice that the word masha (walk) is used for worldly pursuits, implying that we should work towards worldly matters in a steady, consistent, and measured pace.

 However, look at the words Allah (swt) uses when  He refers to working for towards the Akhirah

وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ أُعِدَّتْ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for the righteous. (3:133)

سَابِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا كَعَرْضِ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ

Race toward forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden whose width is like the width of the heavens and earth… (57:21)

وَفِي ذَ‌ٰلِكَ فَلْيَتَنَافَسِ الْمُتَنَافِسُونَ

…So for this let the competitors compete. (83:26)