Ilford Islamic Centre

REMEMBERING : Sayyiduna Bilal al-Habashi ‎ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

Sayyiduna Bilal’s life is tantamount to Islam's respect for human equality, anti-racism and social equity and his personality is an epitome of one of the Islam's prominent and illustrative figures.

He taught believers great lessons in faith and piety through his endurance and steadfastness, till this day a great source of inspiration and spiritually. From a tortured slave to standing on the Kaaba as Islam’s first Muzzein and later as the secretary of the treasury. The pagans failed to realise they there were placing sun heated rocks on a mountain!

The Prophet ﷺ asked Sayyiduna Bilal inform how I heard your footsteps in heaven (on the night of Mi’raj), the response was perhaps because I remain in a state of Wazu. When I lose my state of purity I renew it immediately and I feel as an expression of gratitude, I must offer Allâh Ta‘âlâ a thanksgiving prayer of two rakat nafl.

During his final moments seeing his wife, in distress he said now is not the time for sorrow, it is the time for joy and jubliation, for tomorrow I shall meet the Beloved Prophet ﷺ and his Companions in heaven.

Peace be upon those heroes who, by taking this example break the chains of their ego and carnal desires, who liberate their spirit with belief, and who dedicate themselves to Islam.

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20 Muharram AH | Damascus

My Pious Predecessors |
My Morality | My Religion |
Al-Fatiha 📿🤲🏼💚

⚽ ENGLAND vs DR CONGO – LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN! 🦁

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Calling all our brothers and youth!

Come and join us at Ilford Islamic Community Centre as we get together to support The Three Lions in their FIFA World Cup match against DR Congo.

This is a fantastic opportunity to bring our community together in a positive and enjoyable environment, strengthening friendships, supporting our national team, and spending quality time with one another.

📅 Wednesday 1st July
🚪 Doors Open: 4:30pm
⚽ Kick-Off: 5:00pm
📍 Ilford Islamic Centre – Community Centre

🍔 Refreshments will be available.

This event is for brothers and youth only.

Bring your friends, family, and teammates along, enjoy the atmosphere, and let’s cheer on England together!

We look forward to seeing you all, InshaAllah.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

REMEMBERING - Sayyiduna Imam Hussain ‎ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

The Beloved Prophet ‎ﷺ said “Hussain is from me and I am from Hussain”, and “Hasan and Hussain (Radhiallahu Ta’ala Anhuma) are *leaders* of the youths in Paradise”. Imam Hussain (radi Allahu anhu) distinguished himself as one of the noblest sons of Islam, for his piety, nobility, chivalry and scholarship.

The Shahaadah of Imam Hussain at Karbala provides a moral compass, a legacy, and the lesson we draw is the victory of virtue over vice, where right stands over might. It was a triumph of good over evil. It continues to serve as a beacon light for all strugglers of truth, justice and faith.

Karbala also teaches us to endure hardships and remain calm in the face of the most difficult trials. Allama Iqbal (poet/philosopher) aptly says regarding Karbala: The story of Islam is simple but colourful, it began with Ismail and ended with Hussain, and the martyrdom of Imam Hussain actually means the death of Yazid, as every such Karbala leads to the revival of Islam. Yet Karbala is the last chapter in the Imam’s illustrious life, his blessed biography provides the reader strong inspiration and much heart- rending counsel to *lead* life following the Beloved Prophetﷺ’s example, and who better than his grandsons.

Sultan al-Hind Khwaja Muin al-Din Chishti states:
"Ruler is Hussain, Emperor is Husayn, Faith is Hussain, Guardian of Faith is Husayn. Offered his head and not the hand to Yazid. Truly, the mirror of faith is Hussain."

10th Muharram (Ashura) marks the day he and his companions were Martyred in the plains of Karbala.

Ya Elaahi Mushkile(n) Hal Kar Shae Mushkil Kusha Ke Waastey, Kar Balaa’e(n) Rad Shaheed e Karbala Ke Waastey

My Pious Predecessors
My Morality | My Religion
Al-Fatiha 📿🤲🏼

📢 ANNUAL MUHARRAM UL HARAM PROGRAMME

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

As we begin the blessed month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic New Year, we warmly invite you, your family and friends to attend our Annual Muharram ul Haram Programme at Ilford Islamic Centre.

🗓 Friday 26th June
🕓 After Asar Salah
📍 Ilford Islamic Centre
50–58 Albert Road, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1HW

🎙 Presided by:
Allama Hafiz Jamshaid Saeedi

🌟 Special Guest Speaker:
Allama Jaffar Bilal Barakati

🗣 English Speaker:
Imam Salik Malik

🎤 Nasheed:
Afnan Ur Rehman

🍽 Food will be served after the programme, and everyone is welcome to stay and enjoy the refreshments together.

This is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community, reflect on the significance and virtues of Muharram, and begin the Islamic New Year with beneficial reminders and the remembrance of Allah ﷻ.

Please make every effo

🕌 Jumu’ah Update – Friday

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

There will be two Jumu’ah prayers this Friday:

🕜 First Jumu’ah: 1:30pm
🕑 Second Jumu’ah: 2:15pm

☀️ Weather Advisory

With temperatures expected to reach 35°C around Jumu’ah time, we strongly encourage everyone to stay well hydrated. Please bring a cold bottle of water with you where possible.

We kindly ask all members of the congregation to:

• 🚗 Park responsibly and consider car sharing where possible.
• 🤝 Be respectful and considerate towards our neighbours.
• 🌍 Be mindful of members of the public and avoid causing any obstruction or disruption.
• 🕌 If you are able to do so, please attend the second Jumu’ah (2:15pm) to help ease congestion during the first prayer.

Sisters’ Facilities

The sisters’ prayer area will be available in the basement only. Due to limited capacity, there will be no additional prayer space available elsewhere. We kindly request sisters, where possible, to attend the second Jumu’ah to assist with space management.

May Allah ﷻ reward you all for your cooperation, patience and understanding, and may He keep everyone safe during the hot weather.

Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

🥊 Boxing Academy Update

Assalamu Alaikum,

Due to the extreme weather temperatures and in the interests of everyone’s health and safety, today’s Boxing Academy session has been cancelled.

Classes will resume as normal from next week, InshaAllah.

Thank you for your understanding, and please take care in the heat, stay hydrated, and avoid unnecessary exposure to the sun.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran.

📢 MSA Pilates – Start Date Postponed

Due to the Met Office Red Weather Warning and in the interest of everyone’s safety, we have taken the decision to postpone the launch of our MSA Pilates sessions.

Our new start date will now be:

📅 Wednesday 1st July 2026
🕖 7:00pm – 8:00pm
📍 Ilford Daycare Community Centre, Albert Road, Ilford, IG1 1HW
💷 £6 per session

These gentle and supportive classes are designed exclusively for women aged 40+ affected by menopause, focusing on improving strength, mobility, balance and overall wellbeing in a welcoming environment.

🧘‍♀️ Please bring your own exercise mat. If you don’t already have one, here’s an affordable option that may be suitable:
https://amzn.eu/d/03CiERUa

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register early to secure your place.

Register here:
https://muslimahsports.org.uk/msa-pilates/

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday 1st July, Insha’Allah.

🚨 MADRASAH UPDATE 🚨

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

Due to the Met Office upgrading the Heat-Health Alert to RED, the highest level of warning issued in the UK, there is now a significant risk to life because of the extreme temperatures.

The safety and wellbeing of our students, teachers, and volunteers is our priority. Therefore, Ilford Islamic Centre Madrasah will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Insha’Allah, Madrasah will resume as normal on Thursday.

We apologise for any inconvenience and sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this period.

May Allah ﷻ keep everyone safe and protect us all.

JazakAllahu Khayran.

REMEMBERING - Sayyiduna Ma`ruf al-Karkhi رحمتاالله الي رحمن

One of the ancient principle Shaykhs of our Tariqa, who was famed for his generosity and devoutness, whose prayers were always granted. He become widely renowned throughout the Islamic world for his piety, humility and devotion.

He came to Islam and made profession of faith with Imam Ali bin Musa al-Rida, who held him in the highest esteem. He studied fiqh under Imam e Azam, and became the spiritual master of Sayyiduna Sari Saqati and he was a disciple of Sayyiduna Dawud Tai. He attained through his spiritual quest - a fullness in his love of God. He is remembered through a number of anecdotes illustrating (1) his humility; (2) his moral and spiritual insight; and (3) his transcendence of this world, the constraints of time and space.

“The person who does a good deed with the intention of rewards in the hereafter is a merchant. The person who does a good deed because of the fear of hell is a slave, just as a slave out of fear of a whipping continues to work. The person who does a good deed for Allâh Ta‘âlâ alone is noble and free.”

“There are three signs of a true man, to fulfill ones promise, to praise without a motive and to give without being asked to give.”

“On being asked: what is the sign that distinguishes the friends of Allâh? He said there are three sighs; their concerns are only for God, their preoccupation is with Him, and they flee to Him.”

“He said, I heard Ibn Us Sammak say ‘Whoever is with Allâh Ta‘âlâ occasionally (through remembrance and obedience), Allâh is with him occasionally. Whoever turns away from Allâh, Allâh turns away from him. Whoever turns to Allah in his entirety, Allâh Almighty turns to him with the bestowal of His Complete Mercy.”

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Wisal - 2nd Muharram 200ah

My Pious Predecessors
My Morality | My Religion |
Al-Fatiha 📿🤲🏼

REMEMBERING - Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab ‎
رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

Sayyiduna Umar al Faruq (distinguisher of the right) – is one of the greatest humans and leaders to grace this earth. He was martyred whilst leading the congregation in Medina, shortly after returning from Hajj, in the year 23 A.H (1,424 years ago).

He was very hard working, a prudent pioneer that the West has looked up to. Many a time, his views proved to be conforming to the revelation of Allâh Ta‘âlâ. He was the dua of the Prophet ﷺ, and the Beloved Prophet also said, ‘If there were to be a prophet after me it would be ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab’. The Beloved Prophetﷺ also said: “There is no angel in the heavens that does not revere Umar. There is no devil on earth that does not run away from Umar.”

Sayings of Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab: "Good interaction with people is half of intelligence, good questioning is half of knowledge, and good planning is half of subsistence."

“Do not belittle your aspirations, for I have not seen anything more preventing a person from noble deeds than low ambition.”

“…We were the most humiliated people on earth and Allah gave us honour through Islam. If we ever seek honour through anything else, Allah will humiliate us again.”

Words / time / space – for that matter our lives are unable to do justice to the greatness of Amir al-Mu'minin- Commander of the Faithful. How dearly we miss his example!

His famous dua was: ‘O Allah provide me with martyrdom in Your way, and make my death to be in the city of Your Messenger’.
Subhan’Allah - his Dua was accepted, becoming a Companion of the sacred Tomb - with his two dear friends: the Beloved Prophetﷺ and Sayyiduna AbuBakar Siddiq ‎رضي الله عنهم.

My Pious Predecessors | My Religion | My Morality

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Martyrdom - 26 Dhul Hijja -
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