Page 2 The Islamic Bulletin Issue 15 Dear Editor, Assalamu Alaikum, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading the Islamic Bulletin. I have been following it now for a couple of years. I have used it to introduce new Muslims and non-Muslims alike to Islam. The fact that you do not incorporate any ‘pol i t ics ’ in your publication really helps us all understand ‘Islam’ without any other issues involved. You seem to have articles for all levels of understanding. The variety of topics is always a nice surprise too. Only one request I would like to make. For those of us that are not Arabic speaking, could you please offer more translations of Arabic words used in the articles? This will not only make some of the text easier for us all to understand as, well as providing an opportunity to learn. I accepted Islam about two years ago and with the help of the Bulletin, I have learned so many things about this beautiful gift! I live in an area where there are very few Muslims so the contact with an Islamic community through the newsletter is really helpful. I do have a few questions though that perhaps you could address in future issues. Forgive me for the questions if they seem stupid, but I really don’t know and can’t seem to find the answer anywhere else in the literature that I have. 1. What exactly is the Ka’ba? I’ve seen it in pictures covered with a big cloth. What is inside? What is the significance of all the pilgrims going around it during Hajj? Are there certain prayers said? If one wanted to make Hajj, where would you find out how to do it? It seems complicated. Enclosed please find my contribution for your great newsletter... it is well worth it and I really enjoy reading it! Best regards, Sarah Hindle Billings, MT Letters To The Editor Dear Readers, The Islamic Bulletin receives a great number of requests for Qur’an’s and other Islamic materials from people incarcerated in jails and prisons all over the country. At times like these, many of the inmates have the first opportunity in their lives to contemplate their spiritual identity. If any of our readers would like to help coordinate this project and get some of these requests answered we would really appreciate it. If we could get a few people to work together on this project, it would only take a few hours per week and be a wonderful chance for dawa. It would require compiling the mailing list and organizing the sending of the appropriate materials to the person or facility asking for help. Some of the work could be done at home and some would require actually packaging the Qur’ans and literature and getting it mailed out. Please contact us if you have a few hours to spare for the sake of Allah and the good of your own souls. -- Thank you. “Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden: and Allah hath power over all things.” (Quran 4:85) “It is not required of thee (O Apostles) to set them on the right path but Allah sets on the right path whom He pleaseth. Whatever of good ye give benefits your own souls and ye shall only do so seeking the “Face” of Allah. Whatever good ye give, shall be rendered back to you and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly.” (Quran 2:272) Dear Brothers/Sisters, Assalamu Alaikum. I was reading your February 1997 issue of the Islamic Bulletin and I came across the story about Brother Khalid Abdullah who had been lost as a child. I related to this as I believe I lost my only child. The mother of my child embraced Islam completely after the baby’s conception. We met in Smyrna, GA in the early ‘90’s while I was running from the police in Florida. We were together a couple of months before I was shot and left again to avoid the police. I haven’t seen either of them since that time. The last time I spoke with her was a few months after we parted and she told me she was married and living in a Muslim community in Alabama. I do not wish to cause her or her husband any problems, but I would really like to know about my child (Inshallah). I would like to be able to see and help raise him/ her. Again, I do not want to cause any difficulties for them, but I would like to be a part of my child’s life. Everytime I make Salat, I say a Du’a for him/her, the mother and stepfather. May Allah forgive me if I am wrong and may He guide me if I am right. I have learned so much since I accepted Islam, and one of those things are: “Boys make babies, Men take care of their children”. I hope that someone out there can help me and that Allah will guide me. At the time I was known by my fathers name of Akili Watu Muhammad. I pray that Allah, my father and everyone else will forgive me for all the lies, crime and sin I committed. May Allah bless all the Brothers & Sisters of the Islamic Bulletin. Assalamu Alaikum. Abdkalia Shahid (aka Gary L. Smith) Need to contact us? Web Address: www.islamicbulletin.org E-Mail: info@islamicbulletin.org Editor, Islamic Bulletin P.O. Box 410186 San Francisco, CA 94141-0186, USA
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