um wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
Every year we choose a theme for our major activities at Dar-us-Salaam. The theme helps us brand
and market our events, but the more important benefit is how our theme refocuses the community on
Allah and our duty to Him.
This year our theme is “Yaa ‘Ibaadi.” This phrase is taken from Surah Az-Zumar, ayah 53, wherein
Allah says “O My servants who have exceeded the limits against their own souls! Do not lose hope in
Allah’s mercy, for Allah certainly forgives all sins. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
“Yaa ‘Ibaadi” reminds us that Allah calls to us, and He has always been calling to us.
Thirty years ago, Allah called to us when we realized that the Muslims were detached from their
sources of guidance and inspiration — the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Who would struggle to revive the
Qur’an and Sunnah in the hearts and minds of the Muslim community? Allah inspired us to answer,
and slowly people began checking if their own cultural practices were supported by the Qur’an and
the Sunnah.
Allah called to us regarding our children. While we sacrificed to give them good homes, health, and
safety, would we give up everything to protect their precious and vulnerable souls? And so, shutting
out the voices of doubters and critics, we answered Allah’s call and established Al-Huda School.
But, as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Our youth need to see Islam in practice at
every level of the community to understand the dynamism, the energy, and the mission which is intrin-
sic to their emaan. Allah called out to us, and we heard “who will build a community which embodies
our emaan at every level?” We all answered that call and together we established Dar-us-Salaam.
Today Allah is still calling to us, and the call is heard in our hearts and minds. So much work is in
front of us, and we must answer “who will do it?” Our youth are being pulled into doubts by a society
in moral free fall in front of our eyes. Will we prioritize youth departments, youth counseling, and de-
veloping bold new Islamic curriculum material which addresses their doubts and gives confidence to
our younger generations?
Allah is calling out to us, and we hear the call while on the field of battle. The challenges appear both
in front of us and across every horizon. “Will you continue or will you give up?” Like the small group
of believers with Talut facing down the vastly superior forces of disbelief, we respond: “Our Lord! Pour
upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory …”
“O doer of good, come forward.” Ramadan is the season of calls. And Ramadan is the season of your
answers. When our response to Allah’s call comes as one voice from every segment of our commu-
nity, that is when our collective dua’ will part the seas for us, and the Dar-us-Salaam vision can finally
be realized. May Allah inspire your heart this Ramadan to answer the call of Allah and to never look
back.
From our hearts to yours,
Brother Safi
From the Heart: Message from the Shura
