Announcements

Assalaamu Alaikum Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As we enter the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan tonight, Thursday, March 20, we pray that Allah (SWT) grants us all immense mercy, forgiveness, and freedom from the Fire.

1. Tahajjud Prayer Added to Our Program
   Starting tonight, we will be holding Tahajjud prayer from 4:30 AM to 5:00 AM. These last ten nights contain Laylatul Qadr, which is better than a thousand months:
   
   “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.”
   (Surah Al-Qadr 97:1-3)
   
   We encourage everyone to increase in worship, du’a, and good deeds during this blessed time.
2. Iftaar at the Masjid
   Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to announce that iftaar will be provided this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Masjid. In addition, on Wednesday, the night of the 27th, both iftaar and suhoor will be provided.
   
   A full program for the 27th night will be sent in a separate email, so please stay tuned for details.
3. Zakat al-Fitr – $15 Per Person
   A reminder that Zakat al-Fitr is due before Eid and should be paid as soon as possible so it can reach those in need. The amount is $15 per person.
   
   The Prophet ﷺ said:
   “The fast remains suspended between Heaven and Earth until the Zakat al-Fitr is paid.”
   (Ibn Abbas, Abu Dawood)
   
   Please fulfill this obligation early to ensure it reaches the intended recipients in time. Also, if you know of anyone who qualifies to receive Zakat, please let us know so we can add them to the Zakat recipient list.
4. The Masjid’s Annual Fundraiser – Friday, March 28
   As we approach the end of Ramadan, we also prepare for our once-a-year fundraiser to support the Masjid’s operations, activities, utilities, renovations, and services for the community.
   
   Allah (SWT) reminds us in the Qur’an:
   “The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakah, and do not fear except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance.”
   (Surah At-Tawbah 9:18)
   
   This is a golden opportunity to invest in the Akhirah. We encourage everyone to start preparing, calculating their Zakat, and setting aside their contributions. If you would like to donate in advance, you are welcome to do so.    

May Allah accept our fasting, prayers, and charity, and allow us to witness Laylatul Qadr with sincerity and devotion.

Jazaakum Allahu Khairan,
Muslim Association of Hawaii (MAH)

Asalaamu Alaikum

Dear brothers and sisters,

Alhamdulillah, the blessed month of Ramadan is upon us! The crescent moon has been confirmed in multiple states, and therefore, the first day of fasting will be tomorrow, Saturday, March 1st.

Taraweeh prayers will begin tonight at 8:15 PM following Isha prayer, and the program is expected to conclude around 9:45 PM.

To ensure a smooth experience for all:

• If you do not plan to stay for the entire Taraweeh prayer, please park outside rather than in the inside parking lot to avoid disturbing others.
• We have a special program for children, which has already been shared.
• As Islam teaches us the importance of caring for our neighbors, we kindly remind everyone not to park illegally, block driveways, or create disturbances in the surrounding area.

Iftar will be provided on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend for the community, so we encourage everyone to join in the spirit of brotherhood and togetherness.

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ

“O you who have believed, fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain taqwa.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183)

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

May Allah (SWT) accept our fasting, prayers, and good deeds in this blessed month. We ask Him to grant us sincerity, mercy, and forgiveness. Ramadan Mubarak!

Jazakum Allah Kheiran,

Muslim Association of Hawaii

Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters,

As we prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan, we are pleased to introduce the Kids & Youth Taraweeh Program, which will provide a structured and engaging environment for children while their parents pray. This program ensures that young children are cared for and occupied in a meaningful way while encouraging older children to participate in the prayers.

The program is divided into two components, each designed for a specific age group:    

1.    Taraweeh Childcare Program (Ages 3-6)

This program is designed to engage young children in a safe, supervised environment while their parents perform Isha and Taraweeh.

   •   Location: Da’wah Center (primary location) & Classroom (overflow if needed)

  •   Time: Drop-off at 7:45 PM (before Isha), pick-up at 9:30 PM (after the eighth rak‘ah of Taraweeh)

  •   Nights of Operation: Every night of Ramadan

  •   Capacity: Limited to 25 children (on a first-come, first-served basis)

  •   Activities: Children will enjoy snacks, coloring, age-appropriate toys, and Islamic children’s videos.

  •   Supervision: Two volunteers per night are needed to ensure proper care (one volunteer for every 12 children).

  •   Check-in Process: Parents must sign in their children each night and provide emergency contact information. Once the 25 spots are filled, no additional children can be accommodated for that night.

Since demand is expected to be higher on group iftar nights (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), we anticipate reaching full capacity on those evenings.    

2.    Taraweeh Reward Program (Ages 7+)

This program is designed to encourage older children to participate in Isha and Taraweeh by creating a rewards-based incentive system.

  •   Goal: To motivate children to pray by rewarding them for participation.

  •   Structure:

  •   1 star for praying Isha

  •   1 star for praying 4 rak‘ahs of Taraweeh

  •   1 star for praying an additional 4 rak‘ahs (totaling 8 rak‘ahs for the night)

  •   Tracking Rewards: Stars will be recorded on a chart by a designated volunteer.

  •   Prizes: Children with the highest number of stars will receive a gift every Friday night.

  •   Supervision: One volunteer per night will be responsible for recording and tracking participation.

   •   Additional Activities: To keep older children engaged between prayers, they will have access to Ramadan-themed reflection sheets, trivia activities, and Islamic books.

 What We Need from You

For this program to succeed, we need dedicated volunteers each night of Ramadan. The following roles are essential:

   •   Two volunteers for the Childcare Program (to supervise children ages 3-6)

   •   One volunteer for the Reward Program (to track children’s stars and participation)

   •   Volunteers to help prepare and clean the Da’wah Center & Classroom before Ramadan

If you can help, please sign up using the link below or email us to confirm your availability:

Volunteer Sign-up Form

Your support is crucial in making this program possible for our families. Let’s come together to make Ramadan a meaningful experience for our children while ensuring that parents can focus on their worship. May Allah reward you abundantly for your efforts.

Jazaakom Allahu Khairan,

Muslim Association of Hawaii

Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

The Muslim Association of Hawaii is pleased to announce that Imam Ismail Najim will be joining our community for the coming months, including the blessed month of Ramadan. As we prepare for this sacred time, we are reminded of the words of Allah SWT:

 “شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ هُدًۭى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَٱلْفُرْقَانِ”

“The month of Ramadan, in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)

Imam Ismail comes to us from the UAE with extensive experience in leading prayers, teaching, and memorization of the holy Quran. With over 12 years of experience as an Imam and a strong background in Tajweed and Quran memorization, we are truly fortunate to have him lead us in worship and learning during this blessed season.

Special Ramadan Program

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever stands (in prayer) during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari & Muslim)

 To help us maximize the rewards of this month, Imam Ismail will be leading daily prayers and the following programs:

   •   Daily Quran recitation & teaching after Fajr and Asr prayers

   •   Weeknight Taraweeh, followed by Witr

   •   Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Taraweeh, with a special talk after the first 4 Rak‘ahs by brother Musa

 We will also be sharing details soon on a special Ramadan program for children, designed to instill the love of Quran and Ramadan in their hearts.

Ongoing Pre-Ramadan Programs

As we prepare our hearts and minds for Ramadan, we remind you of the nightly talks on a variety of topics after Maghrib and Fajr, running until March 2nd. These sessions are a great opportunity to strengthen our faith before the arrival of the blessed month.

 We encourage everyone to take advantage of these blessed opportunities to strengthen their connection to the Quran, seek knowledge, and engage in acts of worship.

May Allah bless our efforts, accept our deeds, and grant us all a Ramadan filled with mercy, forgiveness, and salvation.

Jazaakom Allahu Khairan,

Muslim Association of Hawaii

Dear Respected Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Alhamdulillah, with gratitude to Allah (SWT), we are delighted to announce that, after weeks of preparation, we will be welcoming Sheikh Dr. Hamad Alsurayh, a distinguished scholar, professor, and former judge from the Qaseem region of Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Dr. Alsurayh holds a Ph.D. in Shariah from Qaseem University, a Master’s in Government and International Politics, from Virginia and is a renowned scholar for his profound knowledge and dedication to spreading the teachings of Islam globally.

With the grace of Allah, Sheikh Dr. Hamad will be with us for 10 spiritually enriching days, beginning with the Jumu'ah Khutbah on Friday, February 21, followed by nightly talks aimed at preparing our hearts and minds for the sacred month of Ramadan. Topics that he will cover include:

·  Rectifying the Hearts – Nurturing sincerity and softening the heart in preparation for Ramadan

·   Purification of the Nafs – Practical ways to cleanse the soul and increase self-discipline

·   Becoming a Companion of the Qur’an – Developing a meaningful relationship with the Book of Allah

·   Setting Attainable & Ambitious Goals for Ramadan – Practical tips for a productive and spiritually fulfilling month

·    Fiqh of Fasting (Jurisprudence) – Understanding the rulings and etiquettes of fasting

·    Common Mistakes in Ramadan – Avoiding errors that diminish the rewards of fasting

In addition, there will be Sisters-only session focusing on spiritual growth and family connections during Ramadan, youth and students lecture to inspire the younger generation with practical steps to maximize their Ramadan, and reverts' talks & Q&A to have a supportive space for new Muslims to connect, learn, and ask questions.

Reviving Our Community Iftars – A Blessed Opportunity to Give

MAH is delighted to also announce the revival of our community Iftars, a tradition that was paused due to COVID-19 and parking issues. Gathering as a community to break our fast is a deeply rewarding experience, fostering unity and strengthening our bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood followed by Taraweeh and inspiring talks.

Iftar sponsorships will be open starting today exclusively to families. Families who wish to sponsor an Iftar are kindly requested to email us at mahmasjid@gmail.com with their preferred dates, beginning with Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You may also text us at (808) 459-5077 to coordinate your sponsorship.

After consultation, it was recommended that Mondays through Thursdays be reserved for families to break their fast together at home, fostering a more personal experience. However, if any family wishes to sponsor an Iftar on a weekday, please let us know, and we will gladly inform the community.

If you or someone you know is experiencing financial hardship, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are committed to ensuring that no one goes without Iftar, and we will make arrangements to provide meals as needed.

A comprehensive schedule with exact dates and times of all sessions will be shared soon. All activities will take place at our Masjid Insha’Allah.

Let us unite as a community with open hearts to benefit from this opportunity. Together, we can increase our knowledge, enhance our spirituality, and strengthen our connection with Allah (SWT). We encourage you to share this invitation far and wide with family and friends.

May Allah (SWT) grant us a spiritually uplifting Ramadan and accept our sincere efforts. We look forward to welcoming you, Insha’Allah.

Jazaakom Allahu Khairan,

Muslim Association of Hawaii

Assalaamu Alaikum,

We are pleased to invite you to a special in-person workshop at our Masjid from Friday, September 27 through Sunday, September 29 presented by Criterion Concepts. This workshop will focus on applying the attributes, actions, and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to various aspects of modern life.

Led by Br. Assad Koshul and Dr. Abdalaziz Eddebrah, this interactive program will explore how to present the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) in today's context, utilizing his attributes and teachings to address contemporary societal challenges. The workshop will also take a comprehensive and holistic approach to understanding his intellectual and spiritual legacy.

Program Schedule:

• Friday, Sept 27 (7:00PM - 8:00PM): Introduction
• Saturday, Sept 28 (10:00AM - 4:00PM): Workshop Day 1
• Sunday, Sept 29 (10:00AM - 4:00PM): Workshop Day 2

We strongly encourage you to attend this unique and holistic exploration of the life and legacy of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). We look forward to welcoming you all.

Jazaakum Allahu Khairan,

MAH Executive Committee