Patron’s Desk
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful,
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces towards the East and the West, but righteousness is this that one should believe in Allah and the Last Day and the Angels and the Book and the Prophets, and GIVE AWAY WEALTH out of love for HIM (swt) to the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and the beggars and for (the emancipation of) the captives, and keep up prayer and pay poor rate; and the performers of their promise when the make a promise, and the patient in distress and affliction and in time of conflicts – these are they who are true (to themselves) and these are they who guard (against evil).”
Al-Quran, Chapter 2 (Surah Al-Baqrah), Verse 117
Salamun Alekum,
Dear brothers and sisters, I was very fortunate to go for Ziyarat this year and was able to meet our Marja, Hujjatul Islam Aga Seestani at Najaf-e-Moallah. Please allow me to convey his message which he sent for all of us. Our Marja stated that he is always praying for our well being. He then said that as true believer of Islam and lover of Ahulbayt (as) we should strive to bring peace and harmony irrespective of the country or place we live in. We must not indulge ourselves in any act which may hurt other people or their sentiments, no matter what religion they follow or which country they belong to because Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood.
As you all know, Alhamdolillah, Imamia Welfare & Cultural Association (IWCA) has entered into its eighth year of existence under the Holy Leadership of the last Hujjat (atf). The Imamia Welfare & Cultural Association (IWCA) takes its inspiration from twelve Imams (as) who taught us how to stand up against injustice, how to live by the Quranic principle of “giving away what you love most” and how to give in charity without looking for praise or reward save from Almighty Allah (s.w.t).
For those who read our souvenir before and those who have worked with us in the past, we thank you for continuing to support to this Association. For those who are new to the trust, Insha Allah we hope this Souvenir will inspire you and provide you with an indication of our vision and services rendered in the following pages.
Continuing with our journey IWCA, like previous years has supported many financially challenged brothers and sisters for Medical & Healthcare, Marriages of Girls including orphans, Educational Support at various levels and basic financial support for House Repair, Business etc. We are also pleased to inform you that we have expanded our services beyond geographical boundary of Delhi & NCR which is in the constitution of IWCA. Since keep receiving appeals from all over the place, some of these cases were referred to other organization because of some limitations of IWCA.
Representing Charity is a very challenging job because those who are directly responsible for collection and disbursement are answerable to HIM after transition from this temporary world. As we collect fund from members of Association and momineens in general, it becomes the responsibility of IWCA to ensure that the fund is utilized for the right cause and for the most deserving people. Since we also get “Khums” amount the complexity of responsibility of IWCA multiplies manifold ensuring the utilization by in-depth investigation /verification of the applicants, which in most of the cases are quite challenging. We firmly believe that this is HIS work under the guardianship and guidance from HIS Last Hujjat (atf), who gives us the energy to carry forward the work and help our brothers and sisters in need.
Another good deed which pleases Allah is acquiring knowledge. Amirul Momeneen Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a.s.) said that there is no “destitute than ignorance”. The Prophet of Allah (S. A.) has said, “One who travels in search of knowledge, Allah paves his way towards paradise and the angels spread their wings for him to express their pleasure and appreciation. Verily all those in heaven and on earth, including even the fish of ocean pray for his redemption. The superiority of the learned man over the (mere) worshipper is like the brilliance of the full moon among the stars during a moonlit night”. Imam Zainul Abideen (A. S.), post incident of Karbala emphasized and institutionalized on acquiring knowledge and said, “If people knew the worth of acquiring knowledge, they would have done so even at the cost of a bleeding heart and by diving in stormy waves”.
Once Prophet of Allah (S.A.) was passing through a graveyard along with his companions and when he reached near a grave he asked his companions to move fast to be away from that grave and when Prophet of Allah (S. A.) was returning from the same route and when reached near that same grave, he asked his companions to stop and pray for that grave. When his companions asked the reason for moving away and stopping at the same grave after sometime, the prophet of Allah (S. A.) said that when we were going Allah was sending Azab on this grave because he was a sinner but now his son has started reciting Quran and when he recited “Bismillah ………………………..” Allah has stopped the “Azab” and now Allah’s “Rahmat” is being sent to this grave. This means that dead men’s off springs actions can change the situation in the grave. So we should make sure that our children are also well aware of Allah’s guidance so that they can stay away from wrong doings and their good deeds will invite Allah’s blessings in our grave.
Seeking Knowledge from Islamic Scholars is the sunnat of our fourth Imam (A.S.). IWCA organizes DARS program every month at Shah-e-Mardan, Jor Bagh. The programme is conducted by Aalijanab Maulana Syed Mohammad Askari Sahib.
Respected brothers and sisters, life on this earth is for a very limited time. The final destination is blissful or painful depends on whether or not we follow the Allah’s guidance. So please spare some time and bring your children to the DARS Programme. You can get registered with IWCA for prior intimation of Dars classes every month.
Apart from DARS programme, IWCA also organizes Ashra-e-Chehlum of Sohda-e-Karbala in the month of Safar and celebrates birth anniversary of Hazrat Abutalib a.s. (Jashn-e-Abutalib) in the month of Zilqad.
I Pray to Allah (swt) to keep you all Safe and Healthy.
Was Salaam
Syed Asif Raza
Patron (IWCA)
