IMANews: Rabīʿ al-awwal 1448 AH, Aug-Sep 2026
- IMAN Center of Kirkland
- 2 minutes ago
- 8 min read
Friday August 14th, 2026, will mark the first day of Rabi al-Awwal, 1448A.H.
We ask God, the Most High, for success in performing good deeds. We also pray for the swift return of Our Master, Imam Mahdi (p), and for an end to the current conflicts around the world.
Important Islamic Events this Month:
Rabīʿ al-awwal | August | Occasion |
8 | 21 | Wafat of Imam Hasan al-Askari (p), 260 AH |
9 | 22 | |
12 | 25 | |
17 | 30 | Wiladat of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh&hp), 53 B.H. |
17 | 30 | Wiladat of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (p), 83 A.H. |
18 | 31 | Establishment of Masjid al-Nabi in the city of al-Madina in the first al-Madina year |
Milad un-Nabi Celebration on Aug 29, 2026
The Milad un-Nabi celebration will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026. Details will be posted under Events on the IMAN website in due course.
Following the Prophet ﷺ: Building Community Around the Masjid
As we welcome the blessed month of Rabīʿ al-Awwal, the month in which we commemorate the birth of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, it is an ideal time to reflect on one of his most important priorities: building a strong, connected community around the masjid.
The story of the Hijrah gives us a remarkable example. One of the Prophet’s ﷺ first acts after the Hijrah was to establish Masjid Qubāʾ. He personally participated in laying its foundation, and the mosque became a place of prayer, gathering, purification, and community. The Qur’an describes it as a mosque “founded upon taqwā from the very first day” and praises those who worship there and love to purify themselves. (Qur’an 9:108)
The message is powerful: the Prophet ﷺ did not build community merely by preaching about community—he built a place where the community could come together. The masjid became the heart of Muslim life, and congregational prayer became one of the ways bonds of faith were transformed into bonds of friendship, mutual care, and service.
Alhamdulillah, we are beginning to see that same spirit take root at IMAN.
Over the past several weeks, we have been successful in bringing more than five people together for evening congregational prayers on every evening recorded in our July–August attendance log. On many evenings, the number has been considerably higher. This is an encouraging beginning—and the more the merrier!
Every additional person changes the atmosphere of the masjid. Five become six; six become ten; ten become twenty. A familiar face becomes a friendship. A friendship becomes a support system. And a congregation becomes a community.
Let us make Rabīʿ al-Awwal the month in which we strengthen this habit together.
If you normally pray at home, consider making Maghrib or ʿIshāʾ at IMAN part of your daily routine.
If you already attend regularly, invite someone to join you.
If you are coming for a walk, enjoy the beautiful Kirkland shoreline and Lake Washington, then make your way to IMAN for prayer.
And if you cannot attend on a particular evening, consider helping someone else get there. We especially welcome volunteers who can occasionally provide transportation for community members who would otherwise be unable to attend.
The Prophet ﷺ showed us that a thriving Muslim community begins with people coming together in the masjid. More than fourteen centuries later, that principle remains just as relevant.
A beautiful Islamic Center is not defined only by its walls, carpets, or architecture. Its beauty shines when it is filled with worshippers.
This Rabīʿ al-Awwal, let us honor the Prophet ﷺ not only by remembering his birth, but by reviving one of the community-building practices he placed at the heart of the Madinan community: gathering together for prayer.
Come for the prayer. Bring a friend. Welcome someone new. Help someone who needs a ride. Stay for a few minutes and connect.
The more the merrier—and the stronger our community becomes.
May Allah fill our masjid with worshippers, our hearts with brotherhood and sisterhood, and our community with the spirit of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
IMAN Center Blood Drive Saturday September 19th, 2026
Bloodworks Northwest is asking Western Washington residents to roll up their sleeves after declaring its second "Code Red" blood shortage of the year.
Why it matters: The nonprofit's call for help comes as the U.S. faces a historic blood supply crisis that could last the entire summer, potentially delaying surgeries, trauma care and other treatments that depend on blood transfusions.
Despite a surge in donations after the American Red Cross declared a national crisis last month, blood banks say more donors are still needed.
Zoom in: Bloodworks Northwest says it has less than a one- to two-day supply of blood available for patients in the region.
Spokesperson John Yeager told Axios he's never seen a shortage this severe.
Summer travel keeps regular donors away just as crashes and other traumatic injuries drive up demand.
"We're smack dab in the middle of the 100 deadliest days," Yeager said.
The big picture: Blood donations fell to a four-year summer low in 2026, the Red Cross said late last month, creating only the second national blood supply crisis in Red Cross history.
The shortage doesn't require thousands of new donors to solve, Yeager said. If the average Bloodworks donor gave blood just one more time each year, the region likely wouldn't face recurring shortages.
On the ground: I visited a Bloodworks Northwest donation center last week to give blood for the first time in decades and found it busy with first-time and longtime donors.
Jon Muench of West Seattle said he donates because he thinks about families waiting at hospitals after serious accidents.
For fun, he also keeps track of how quickly he can donate a pint. His personal best: 7 minutes, 52 seconds.
Adam Rooney signed up after seeing an Instagram ad for GoodLabs, which offers free health testing through participating blood donations. But helping patients matters too, he said.
Please Join us for the IMAN CENTER blood drive on
Saturday, September 19. Appointments are available between 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Scan the QR code to book your one-hour appointment by clicking: here. Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same-day appointments may be available. Photo ID required.
Use Promo Code DRIVE-SEPT25 when scheduling your appointment at our blood drive in September and you’ll receive 25 bonus points in Bloodworks’ new Donor Rewards Club. Learn more at bloodworksNW.org/rewardsclub
For first-time donors, the process lasts about an hour from check-in to final refreshments, while the actual blood draw typically takes 15 minutes or less.
Pro tip: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Yeager wasn't kidding when he told me I'd be thirsty afterward. I've never guzzled two Italian sodas, two Gatorades and two waters so fast.
We look forward to another successful Blood Drive.
Sūrat al-Anfāl: Building a God-Centered Community
Alhamdulillah our daily Qur'an Study Circle just completed deliberations on Sūrat al-Anfāl. This 9th Chapter of the Qur’an revealed after the Battle of Badr is not merely a chapter about war or the distribution of spoils. It is a profound lesson on how a believing community is formed, strengthened, and guided when it faces the challenges of power, conflict, and responsibility.
The central question of the sūrah is:
How does a community that believes in Allah remain faithful when it gains strength, resources, and victory?
Through the events surrounding the Battle of Badr, the Qur’an teaches that true victory does not come from numbers, wealth, or military capability alone. Victory begins with purified hearts, obedience to Allah and His Messenger, unity, discipline, sincerity, and complete reliance upon Allah. The battlefield becomes a spiritual classroom where qualities such as trust versus fear, humility versus pride, and unity versus division are revealed.
A major theme of Sūrat al-Anfāl is that power is a trust (amānah), not a possession. Leadership, resources, and success carry moral responsibilities. The believers are instructed to prepare with strength and wisdom, yet that strength must serve peace and justice rather than aggression. The sūrah balances readiness with mercy, teaching that sincere opportunities for reconciliation should always be embraced.
Perhaps one of the most profound lessons of the sūrah is that the greatest strength of a community is not material power but hearts united by faith. Allah reminds the believers that even if all the wealth of the earth were spent, human beings alone could not create true brotherhood; it is Allah who brings hearts together.
Sūrat al-Anfāl therefore moves beyond the historical events of Badr and speaks directly to every generation. It calls communities to build upon faith, sacrifice, mutual responsibility, ethical leadership, and trust in Allah. It reminds us that lasting success is not measured only by external achievements, but by whether our actions reflect gratitude, humility, justice, and devotion to our Creator.
In the broader Qur’anic sequence, Sūrat al-Anʿām restores our vision of truth, Sūrat al-Aʿrāf examines humanity’s response to that truth, and Sūrat al-Anfāl demonstrates how believers transform that truth into a disciplined and united community capable of carrying Allah’s trust in the world.
Key Reflection: A community’s greatest victory is not simply overcoming its opponents; it is remaining faithful to Allah while exercising strength, responsibility, and compassion.
Community members are encouraged to benefit through active daily participation, as well as by engaging with the Qur'an Study Circle being developed and shared each day.
IMAN Center Extension: Design Phase Underway
Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to share an important update on the IMAN Center Extension Project.
IMAN has entered into a contract with MG2, a leading design and architecture firm, to lead the design and architectural work for the proposed expansion of our existing facility. The agreement was formally completed on May 28, 2026.
The proposed Phase 1 expansion includes a multi-purpose community hall with a mezzanine, covered parking, and associated support spaces, designed to serve congregational prayers, Qur’anic studies, religious programs, community events, and recreational activities.
We Want Your Input
The project has now entered the design phase, and we are currently finalizing the overall site plan and developing the exterior design.
We are inviting members of our community to review the proposed exterior design and share their comments and suggestions. This is an important opportunity for the community to help shape how our expanded Islamic Center will look and how it will relate to our existing facility and surrounding neighborhood.
We encourage you to take a look at the proposal and share your feedback with us by e-mailing remodel@iman-wa.org. More information on how to review the design and submit comments will be provided separately.
Current Project Schedule
The following is the current estimated schedule. Please note that these dates are preliminary and subject to change as the design develops, reviews are completed, and permitting and other project requirements are addressed.
Schematic Design: June 29 – July 31, 2026 — approximately 6 weeks
Schematic Design Review: 14 days
Design Development: August 17 – October 9, 2026 — approximately 8 weeks
Design Development Review: 14 days
50% Construction Documents: October 26 – December 18, 2026 — approximately 8 weeks
Building permit submittal
General contractor bid documents
100% Construction Documents / Issued for Construction (IFC): targeted for approximately the end of April 2027
The MG2 agreement similarly anticipates sequential phases of Schematic Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, permitting and bid assistance, followed by construction administration.
A Community Project
This expansion represents an important investment in the future of IMAN. Our goal is not simply to add space, but to create a facility that can better serve our community for years to come—with spaces for worship, learning, family activities, recreation, celebrations, and community service.
We are grateful to everyone who has supported this project through their prayers, ideas, contributions, and encouragement. We look forward to hearing from you as we take this next step together.
May Allah bless this project and make it a source of benefit, unity, worship, and service for our community for generations to come.
Sunday School
As we prepare for the new Sunday School year, we are seeking dedicated volunteers to join the Sunday School Committee and also assist with teaching our future generation of community members.
If you are willing to invest your valuable time to help our community grow and thrive, please contact sundayschoolcommittee@iman-wa.org
Your support can make a lasting difference—thank you for considering this important opportunity to serve.
For monthly Sunday School News click: Sunday School - News
Community Dinners: Serving Together
Monthly dinners that IMAN hosts with St. John’s present opportunities to contribute to serving those in need and displaced individuals.
If you are interested in helping organize future monthly community dinners, please contact Br. Abbas Kazmi or send an email to socialservices@iman-wa.org.
Meals at Homeless Shelters: A Call to Action
Sister Sidra has reserved several spots to provide meals to the needy at homeless shelters. If you are interested in helping, please contact Sister Sidra Naqvi at (425) 273 1463 or e-mail socialservices@iman-wa.org.
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