A me ri ca n Da wa h F ou nd ati o n

Prison Dawah Project

January 2014

MISSION
American Dawah Foundation is a spiritually guided nonprofit organization to facilitate the successful social reintegration of ex-offenders by providing them the opportunity to transform their lives through mentoring, resources, and community partnerships.

Break a cycle & save a brother

Have you ever asked yourselves what happens to a Muslim brother who is just been released from prison, who served his time and paid to society? Society (The Muslim community) shuns them, some prisoners are estranged from their families and others have lost contact with them or outlived them. There are no second chances for them, job opportunities are basically nonexistent and even with money earned during their incarceration no one would lease them an apartment. As a result they end up homeless, wondering in the streets and sleeping under bridges. Some, after accepting Islam in prison, would come to the Mosque hoping there might be a Muslim brother who would offer them help and guidance. Unfortunately, Mosques in the vicinity dont have programs, facilities or dedicated individuals for such a noble cause. All a Mosque can offer them is a few dollars for a meal. Eventually, they lose hope from the Muslim community and wind up back in prison or parole officials issue warrants to return them to custody if no plan is available such as a family to take them in or a Half-Way house. We must not let a Muslim brother lose hope or faith in his own community and end up back in prison.

Inside this issue:

Break a cycle ADF Mission Salmaan Farisi (RA) Set people to work Support ADF What you can do Quran for the prison

Salmaan Farisi
1 1 2 3 3 3 4

Salman Al-Farsi, originally named Ruzbeh, was born into an affluent family in Jayyan near Isfahan in Persia. His father, the town chief and a Zoroastrian priest, loved his only son so much that he confined him to the house. Salman was a follower of the Magian religion and became custodian of the holy fire, which they worshipped. But Salman was not satisfied with this religion.

One day, his father sent him out to oversee the affairs of his estate. On his way, Salman passed a Christian church and heard the sound of melodious prayer. He entered the church and was impressed that a man was their guide and went home to tell his father about his feelings. His father, a staunch Magian,
then chained him up inside the house. (Continued on 2nd page)

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Prison Dawah Project

January 2014

The Messenger of Allah used to set people to work

The Messenger of Allah used to set people to work: Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said that when a man of the Ansar came to Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's blessings and peace be upon him) and begged from him, the Prophet asked him whether he had anything in his house. The man said he had a piece of cloth, which he used for wearing as well as for spreading on the ground and a wooden bowl from which he drank water, he told him to bring them to him, and when he did so, the Prophet took them in his hand and asked, "Who will buy these?" When a man offered a Dirham he asked twice or thrice. "Who will offer more than a Dirham?" and he sold them to a man who offered two Dirhams. He then took the two Dirhams and gave them to the Ansari and said, "Buy food with one of them and hand it to your family, and buy an ax with the other and bring it to me." The man bought the ax and brought it to the Prophet. Allah's Prophet fixed a handle on it with his own hands and said to the man "Go gather firewood and sell it, and don't let me see you for a fortnight." The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten Dirhams, he bought a garment with some of them and food with others. Then Allah's Prophet and Messenger said, "This is better for you, for begging would come as a spot on your face on the Day of Resurrection Begging is right for only three kinds of people: One who is in grinding poverty, one who is seriously in debt and one who is responsible for blood-wit he finds it difficult to pay." ------ (Abu Dawud)

Salmaan Farisi
The Christians had told Salman that the grand priest lived in Syria, so Salman asked to be informed of the next caravan leaving for Syria. When he got the news, he broke the shackles and escaped. In Syria, he reached the big church where the bishop converted him to Christianity. Salman served him for a long time, but later discovered that he was corrupt and greedy. The priest hoarded the charity of his followers. When the bishop died, Salman showed his followers the bishops large jars filled with gold and silver. The people then selected a pious bishop devoted to worship. When the bishop was on his deathbed, Salman asked him whom he should serve. The dying bishop said he should go to Mosul where he would find another pious man. Salman arrived in Mosul ( a city in Iraq) and found the bishop. When this man was close to death, he guided Salman to a fourth priest, who in turn, sent him to another bishop at Ammuriyah near Rome. (Will continue)
Source: Arab news, ABU TARIQ HIJAZI Published Friday 27 September 2013

(American Dawah Foundation would like to incorporate his spiritual journey into our prison dawah project. Please stay tuned for the next addition)

Volunteers
Am eri ca n Da wa h F o u n dat io n n e e ds v ol u nt e er s: 1 . Gr ap h i c Des ig n er 2 . Qu r a ni c Te a c h er 3 . A r abi c Te a c h er

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Set them to work

American Dawah Foundation Would like to ask you to set these brothers to work instead of giving them temporary help which does not address the root problem. Your help would be paramount in this endeavor. American Dawa Foundation will enforce 12 step rehabilitation program, called Millate Islami. This program is recognized and endorsed by TDC (Texas Department of Corrections) and more importantly, it is a great Da'wa program.

In order to start this project, Dawah Foundation would need: To purchase a track of land To purchase / rent mobile homes To purchase equipment / Tools they can use for work such as lawn mowers (like the ax in the Prophets Hadith)
Project will be maintained independently under supervision of Imam Nur. The bulk of the maintenance and labor work will be provided by volunteers. We will mostly be supported by donations community assistance, zakat, sadaqah, etc.

Here is what you can do:

Your monetary support, which is critical to kick start the project. Donate construction materials, Lumber, nails, vehicles, mobile homes, electronics and appliances. Work equipment, tools, boots, work wear etc. Become an advisor and take part in the actualization of the project. Your generous donations will save a Muslim brother who will become a productive member of society, raise a Muslim family and increase our Ummah. If you like to contribute to the Prison Dawah Project, please contact Imam Nur 512-961-2443 512 553 8151 Email him: usdawah@gmail.com

Support American Dawah Foundation

Mail your all checks payable to "American Dawah Foundation" and Mail to: American Dawah Foundation PO Box 1755 Pflugerville, TX 78691

You can donate online directly using Paypal. We are verified Paypal customer. Please visit us online
http://www.dawafoundation.com/donate.html

A me r i c a n D aw a h Fo u n d a t i o n PO BOX 1755 Pflugerville, TX 78691 Phone: 512 553 8151 E-mail: usdawah@gmail.com
To: ---American Dawah Foundation

Prison Dawah Project

We are on web http://www.dawafoundation.com

Quran for the prison

Many converted inmates in various prisons are in need of Islamic literatures. They have easy access to Holy Quran and they read a lot, because they have plenty of time on their hand. They understand and accept Islam easily. By accepting Islam, they become even hungrier of knowledge of Deen. They always ask about Quran with Yusuf Ali commentary or good biography of prophet Muhammad (PBUH) or Islam: Beliefs and Teachings by Ghulam Sarwar. Islam: Beliefs and Teachings by Ghulam Sarwar This book covers primary Islamic education. It is ideal for young Muslims, new Muslims and non-Muslims who want an easy-to-read overview of the final revealed religion. Many schools and Islamic centers now use Islam: Beliefs and Teachings as a standard text.

Pleas donate as many copies of the

1. English Quran 2. Spanish Quran 3. Arabic Quaran with English translation 4. Islam: Beliefs and Teachings by Ghulam Sarwar 5. Any sort of Islamic Dawah materials used or unused Become a regular donor of Quran for the prison project Pleas call Imam Nur for more details. We appreciate those brothers who already pledged to become regular a Quran donor.