Volume 6 Issue 4
Finals week is here! Wishing everyone success on their exams and a safe, relaxing time over the much-needed break!
Salaam everyone! InshaAllah finals are going well and you all are taking care of yourself as we reach the end of the quarter! It was a pleasure to see everyone who came out to the social dinner and if you couldn’t attend, don’t worry--there will be plenty more opportunities for our community to come together! InshaAllah everyone has a restful and rejuvenating break!
-The UMMA Ink Team <3
Islamic Timely Reminder
Life is a series of chapters, each bringing its own blessings, trials, and opportunities for learning and growth. During every transition in our lives, we are reminded to turn to Allah SWT, trust in Him, seek only His guidance, and repent to Him. There are many moments when we may feel discontent, upset, or saddened by outcomes, when things may not turn out as we hoped. In the Quran, Allah SWT says: "It may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is bad for you. Allah knows, and you do not know." (Quran, 2:216)
We may encounter moments of uncertainty and challenge, but this ayah is a beautiful reminder that each new chapter in life is a chance to deepen our connection with Allah, to trust in His plan, and to embrace the changes ahead with patience and resilience. Every chapter of our life, with its highs and lows, reminds us of Allah’s mercy and our need to trust Him. As Allah SWT says: "And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will be enough for him." (Quran, 65:3).
Remember never to take for granted the blessings Allah has given you, in both happy and difficult times. Your family, friends, the ulema, and the ustadhs around you are direct blessings from Allah. Take advantage of their wisdom, experiences, and knowledge. Many people do not have these gifts in their lives.
As I wrap up my last quarter as an undergraduate student at DePaul, I want to encourage everyone to make the most of their time as college students. Make every class count, attend the halaqas and tafsirs that UMMA offers, listen attentively as the Sunnah teaches, and, if you have the courage, consider leading halaqas, tafsirs, or khutbahs. Use college as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve spiritually, academically, and emotionally.
Also, make sure to seek knowledge and guidance from Abu Noor. He has dedicated a large part of his life to serving the umma, helping us feel welcome and grounded. Alhamdulillah, benefiting from Abu Noor’s guidance has changed my life in a positive way, and I hope it does the same for you.
Ayah
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱشْرَحْ لِى صَدْرِى ٢٥ وَيَسِّرْ لِىٓ أَمْرِى ٢٦ وَٱحْلُلْ عُقْدَةًۭ مِّن لِّسَانِى ٢٧ يَفْقَهُوا۟ قَوْلِى ٢٨
Moses prayed, “My Lord! Uplift my heart for me, and make my task easy, and remove the impediment from my tongue, so people may understand my speech (20:25-28)
Dua
للَّهُمَّ انْفَعْنِي بِمَا عَلَّمْـتَنِي وَ عَلِّمْنِي مَا يَنْفَعُنِي
.اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ فَهْمَ النَّبِيِّينَ وَ حِفْظَ الْمُرْسَلِينَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ
Oh Allah! Make useful for me what you have taught me and teach me knowledge that will be useful to me.
Oh Allah! I ask you for the understanding of the prophets and the memory of the messengers, and those nearest to you
Hadith
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرٍ الْمُقَدَّمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، سَمِعَ أَبَا حَازِمٍ، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “مَنْ يَضْمَنْ لِي مَا بَيْنَ لَحْيَيْهِ وَمَا بَيْنَ رِجْلَيْهِ أَضْمَنْ لَهُ الْجَنَّةَ "
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever can guarantee (the chastity of) what is between his two jaw-bones (i.e. his tongue) and what is between his two legs, I guarantee Paradise for him."
Islamic History
What was Timbuktu?
In the Sahara Desert lies Timbuktu, a city steeped in legend and mystery. Once a thriving center of trade, scholarship, and Islamic learning, Timbuktu evokes images of camel caravans laden with gold and scholars poring over ancient manuscripts.
Founded around the 11th century, Timbuktu's location at the crossroads of trans-Saharan trade routes made it a hub for commerce, connecting North Africa with sub-Saharan Africa. Gold, salt, ivory, and enslaved people were traded through its bustling markets, bringing wealth and prosperity to the city.
But Timbuktu was more than just a trading post, it was a renowned center of Islamic scholarship. Its mosques and universities, like the Sankore Madrasah, attracted students and scholars from across West Africa and beyond. They came to study Islamic law, theology, astronomy, and literature, contributing to a rich intellectual tradition.
Timbuktu's libraries housed countless manuscripts, some dating back centuries, covering a wide range of subjects from religious texts to scientific treatises and historical records. These precious documents offer a glimpse into the intellectual and cultural vibrancy of this once-great city.
Though Timbuktu's golden age faded with the shifting trade routes and political instability, its legacy as a center of learning and commerce endures. The city's legendary status and its rich history continue to captivate the imagination, reminding us of the interconnectedness of the African continent and the enduring power of knowledge and cultural exchange.
