IMANews: Muharram 1448 AH, Jun/Jul 2026

As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum / Peace be upon you!

Crescent Moon Muharram 1448 AH

Based on verified sightings of the crescent moon by the naked eye at sunset on Monday, June 15th, 2026, from different regions in North America, Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, will be the first day of Muharram, 1448 A.H.

Important Islamic Events this Month:

Muharram Jun/Jul Occasion

2 Jun 17 Imam Hussain arrives in Karbala (61 A.H.)

7 Jun 22 Water cut off from Imam Hussain (p) & companions (61 A.H.)

10 Jun 25 Day of Ashura; Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (p) (61 A.H.)

12 Jun 28 Burial of Imam Hussain (p) & companions in Karbala (61 A.H.)

25 Jul 10 Wafat of Imam Ali ibn Hussain (al-Sajjad) (p) (95 A.H.)

We ask God, the Most High, for success in performing good deeds and to hasten the Return of Our Master, Imam Mahdi (p).

Muharram 1448 AH Reflection

As we enter the year 1448 AH, let us pause to reflect on the timeless message of Karbala through the lens of divine purpose, intellect, and wisdom.

The movement of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) was not merely a stand against tyranny; it was the manifestation of profound certainty in God. Every step of his journey - from Madinah to Makkah, from Makkah to Karbala, and ultimately to martyrdom - was guided by unwavering faith, clear vision, and complete trust in Allah. In a world often clouded by doubt, confusion, and distraction, Imam Hussain reminds us that true guidance comes from aligning our intellect with divine wisdom.

Karbala teaches us that faith is not the absence of hardship but the ability to recognize purpose within hardship. Imam Hussain and his companions endured immense trials, yet their dignity remained intact, their resolve unbroken, and their hearts filled with remembrance of God. Through their sacrifices, we learn that challenges can become pathways to spiritual growth, purification, and nearness to our Creator.

As we immerse ourselves in the spirit of Muharram, let us reflect on our own journey:

• Are we seeking knowledge that strengthens conviction and removes doubt?

• Are we exercising patience not merely as endurance, but as confidence in Allah's greater plan?

• Are we preserving the dignity that Allah has bestowed upon every human being?

• Are we pursuing justice with persistence, wisdom, and compassion?

• Are we cultivating a love for God that inspires sacrifice and selflessness in service to others?

The legacy of Karbala teaches us that intellect and faith are not opposing forces but complementary gifts from Allah. When guided by revelation, reason illuminates the path to truth; when strengthened by faith, the heart finds the courage to walk that path.

Muharram is therefore not only a season of mourning. It is an invitation to deepen our understanding, elevate our character, and renew our commitment to a life of purpose. It calls us to examine our intentions, refine our conduct, and strengthen our relationship with Allah.

As we gather during these sacred nights to benefit from the insights of Al-Hajj Hassanain Rajabali (our guest speaker this Muharram) and to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala, may we be inspired to move beyond ritual remembrance toward meaningful transformation.

May Allah grant us the wisdom to recognize His signs, the intellect to discern truth from falsehood, the patience to persevere through trials, the courage to uphold justice, and the love to devote ourselves wholly to His service.

And may the spirit of Karbala inspire us to see beauty in every circumstance, goodness in every opportunity to serve, and ultimately, through every blessing and every trial, to see nothing but God.

Muharram 1448 AH Program at IMAN

Muharram 1448 AH Programs at IMAN Center will be held in person each night starting June 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM and ending on June 26, 2026. For more information please see: https://www.iman-wa.org/events.

Full day Ashura program will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday June 25, 2026 starting with aʿmāl recommended for the Day of Ashura. Ladies majlis for Ashura day will take place at 5:00 PM.

Live broadcast link for the program is http://live.iman-wa.org.

Our guest speaker this Muharram will be Al-Hajj Hassanain Rajabali.

His lecture series, “Divine Purpose with Intellect and Wisdom,” will explore the profound relationship between faith, reason, and spiritual growth, including:

• The necessity of divine guidance and leadership

• Self-purification through trials and tribulations

• How reducing doubt and confusion strengthens faith

• Dignity as one of God's greatest gifts

• Love as the ultimate expression of sacrifice

• Patience as evidence of long-term vision

• Persistence in the pursuit of justice

• Seeing beauty and goodness in all circumstances

• Ultimately seeing nothing but God

About Al-Hajj Hassanain Rajabali

Al-Hajj Hassanain Rajabali is no stranger to IMAN, having visited and inspired our community on numerous occasions since the early 1990s. A renowned educator, motivational speaker, and community leader, he has traveled extensively across the globe delivering lectures on Islam and engaging in thoughtful discussions and debates on the existence of God with prominent atheists and academics.

He graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Molecular Biology and Psychology. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and dedicated servant of the community, Al-Hajj Hassanain is widely recognized for inspiring audiences to deepen their understanding of God's mercy, purpose, and consciousness.

He currently serves as the Director of Camp Taha, the world's first Muslim-owned residential camp, located in Columbiaville, Michigan, and as Principal of WISE Academy, a K–12 Islamic school with campuses in Michigan and Florida.

Originally from Tanzania, East Africa, Al-Hajj Hassanain immigrated to the United States in 1974. Through his lectures, educational initiatives, and community service, he continues to inspire people of all ages to pursue knowledge, strengthen their faith, and strive for excellence in every aspect of life.

Daily program schedule:

7:30 PM	Tilāwat al-Qurʾān
7:40 PM	Marthīyah / Poetry
7:50 PM	Community Announcements
8:00 PM	Presentation by Al-Hajj Hassanain Rajabali
8:45 PM	Lamentation / Mātam / Laṭmiyyah
9:15 PM	Q & A
9:30 PM	Ṣalāt al-Maghribayn
10:00 PM	Ziyārat al-Aʾimmah (ʿa)

Nawha/marthiya reciters are requested to send mail to programs@iman-wa.org

and/or contact Br. Muhammad Zahir Shah.

Sponsors for daily tabarruk are welcome and can e-mail hospitality@iman-wa.org to sign-up.

A special children's/younger youth program can be arranged to run concurrently in the south room subject to parent volunteer availability. There is no plan at present. Time and commitment is needed from parent volunteers to organize nightly programs for our children to guide their energy toward something useful. If you like to lead an event or have ideas/suggestions and a few hours of time to share for nights of Muharram (first 12 nights) at IMAN, working with organizers and following their direction to manage children, please let us know! Email programs@iman-wa.org with your name, number of hours/nights willing to volunteer and a good contact. We’ll be more than happy to hear from you!

May Allah (SWT) bless us all with His mercy and guidance during this sacred month and beyond.

Advice from Sayyid al -Sistani to all believers:

As we approach the sacred month of Muharram 1448 A.H., here are the top 10 pieces of advice from Sayyid al -Sistani to all believers.

Celebrating fruits of Congregational Ṣalāt

During the summer of 2025, our community came together each evening for congregational prayers and inspired by one another, established a Qur’an Circle. Every night, a member would present a sūrah, followed by thoughtful discussion, reflection, and moments of shared learning, growth, and spiritual catharsis.

It was within this Qur’an Circle that one of our youth - and indeed our youngest participant, Kazem Abbas - put forward a remarkable idea: to create an entrepreneurship program for young people.

That simple suggestion became the catalyst for something much larger. The Abbas family embraced the vision wholeheartedly. Hassan Ajwad Abbas, who teaches entrepreneurship at MIT and leads the highly successful non-profit organization Umeed, dedicated to expanding entrepreneurship education around the world, particularly in underdeveloped regions, joined forces with his wife, Mahwish Abbas, and their two sons, Zain and Kazem. Together, in partnership with IMAN Youth Excellence, they designed and launched this innovative non-profit program.

The program was open to participants from all communities and was actively promoted beyond the Muslim community to encourage broad and diverse participation. It officially commenced on March 27, with students engaging in ideation and problem-solving workshops, followed by business model development, mentorship sessions, and pitch preparation.

The program culminated on May 27 with an exciting Hackathon Finale, where participants presented their innovative ideas before a distinguished panel of judges that included prominent Seattle-area entrepreneurs and an MIT professor who graciously traveled to IMAN to participate in person. The judges were deeply impressed by the creativity, confidence, and potential displayed by the young entrepreneurs. Several participants were awarded scholarships and ongoing support to further develop their ventures and transform their ideas into reality.

The event celebrated far more than entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity. It demonstrated the power of a community coming together to inspire, empower, and invest in its youth—turning a single idea born in a Qur’an Circle into an opportunity that has the potential to shape futures and create lasting impact.

This initiative serves as a powerful reminder that the fruits of regular congregational worship often extend far beyond the prayer hall. When believers gather consistently for prayer, reflection, and fellowship, they create an environment where ideas are shared, talents are discovered, mentorship flourishes, and future leaders emerge. What began as a simple conversation in a Qur’an Circle evolved into a transformative entrepreneurship program that has already impacted young lives.

As we review the prayer attendance figures that follow, let us remember that every person who joins the congregation contributes to a collective spiritual and social capital from which countless blessings may grow. We pray that through continued participation in congregational prayers and community programs, Allah (SWT) enables many more initiatives, opportunities, and successes to emerge for the benefit of our youth, our families, and our wider community.

100 Deadliest Days of Summer

The days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer”.  During this time, local trauma centers treat more patients whose recovery often depends on multiple units of blood.  At the same time, blood donations typically decline around the holidays, creating an urgent need for donors across the Pacific Northwest. 

Patients rely on over 1,000 volunteer blood donors each day and currently, there are not enough appointments booked in the coming weeks to meet that need. Make an appointment today and your donation will support emergency care, cancer treatments, and planned surgeries.  What better way to commemorate Muharram then by potentially saving someone's life. We are requesting sign-up for Blood Drive scheduled at IMAN on Friday, July 3rd from 9 am - 3 pm. There is plenty of availability in the morning and afternoon.

You can sign up at: https://donate.bloodworksnw.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/99871 

By the numbers:

- 1 donation can save up to 3 lives

- 1,000 donations are needed daily to meet demand.

- Every 2 secs, someone in the US needs blood - this could anyone of us, our family / friends or someone in the Community.

Summer Camp @ IMAN

This summer, give your child an enriching experience that combines learning, faith, friendship, and fun at the IMAN Center Summer Camp.

Designed for elementary-aged students, the program offers a safe and engaging environment where children can strengthen their Islamic values, explore STEM and creative activities, participate in sports and team-building programs, and build lasting friendships within the community.

More than just a summer camp, it is an opportunity for young minds to grow in knowledge, character, confidence, and connection while creating meaningful memories in a nurturing Islamic setting.

Sunday School Reports

For monthly Sunday School News click: Sunday School - News

Social Services

Monthly community dinners IMAN hosts with St. John’s are a great opportunity to serve. Those interested to help, please contact Br. Abbas Kazmi or send mail to socialservices@iman-wa.org.

Sr. Sidra Naqvi continues to coordinate meals every other Sunday to the Seattle Tent City. Several spots have been reserved to provide future meals at shelters. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sister Sidra Naqvi (425) 273 1463 or e-mail iman@iman-wa.org.

We are collecting donations to provide halal meat to a Bellevue foodbank operated by Hopelink. Please visit the link: Donate if you would like to support this cause. Be sure to note "Bellevue Foodbank" on the memo line when making a donation.