Ilford Islamic Centre

*REMEMBERING: Daata Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwiri*

Sayyiduna Shaykh Ali bin Usman Hujwiri a grand M***i and intellectual of his era (~1000 years ago), travelled the Muslim world extensively and contributed significantly to the spread of Islam in South Asia. Blessed as a prominent Shaykh he authored a master piece (still widely available today) the ’Kashf-ul-Mahjoob’.

Through the ages the book has served as a shaykh to those who do not have one and a guide to those who do.

The indispensable book establishes a balance among all dimensions of Islamic thought and practice, with spirituality as the reviving spirit of the whole.

One of which is a well-known anecdote of a great shaykh who said to one of his disciples: "Strive to say continuously for one day, 'O Allah! O Allah! O Allah!' and do the same next day and the day after that," until he became habituated to saying those words. Then he bade him repeat them at night, also, until they became so familiar that he uttered them even during his sleep. Then he said : do not repeat them any more, but let all your faculties be engrossed in remembering God." The disciple did this, until he became absorbed in the thought of God. One day, when he was in his house, a piece of wood fell on his head and cut it. The drops of blood which trickled to the ground bore the legend "Allah! Allah! Allah!"

The likes of Sultan ul Hind Sayyidi Moinuddin Chisti have said the following about Sayyiduna Ali Hujwiri

‎گنج بخش فیض عالم مظہر نور خدا
‎ ناقصاں را پیر کامل کاملاں را راہنما۔۔

The ‘Bestower of Spiritual Treasures’, whose blessing is all over the world, he is a manifestation of the Light of Allah
He is the Perfect Master for the spiritually destitute; the Guide of the Perfect.

My Pious Predecessors | My Morality | My Religion

Read | Reflect | Act | Forward
Wisaal - 18th Safar Muzaffar 465ah.
Al-Fatiha 📿🤲🏼

🥊 IIC BOXING ACADEMY – EVERY THURSDAY 🥊

Assalamu Alaikum everyone,

Looking for a positive way to stay fit, build confidence, and learn a new skill? Join us every Thursday at the Ilford Islamic Centre Daycare Centre for our Boxing Academy!

✅ Adults (16+): 6:00pm – 7:00pm
✅ Ages 10–15: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
💷 Only £5 per session

Our classes take place in a fully air-conditioned venue, providing a comfortable environment to train whatever the weather.

Ilford Islamic Centre is committed to investing in our community by providing activities that promote health, discipline, confidence, and positive development for both young people and adults. These programmes can only continue and grow with the support of our community.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or have boxed before, come along, bring a friend, and be part of something positive. Let’s make these sessions a success by supporting the initiatives being provided for our community.

📍 Ilford Islamic Centre Daycare Centre
57–67 Albert Road, Ilford, IG1 1HW

🌸 Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh Dear Sisters 🌸

We are delighted to invite all sisters of every age to join us for our weekly MSA Pilates Sessions at Ilford Islamic Centre Daycare Community Centre.

Whether you’re looking to improve your fitness, increase flexibility, reduce stress, or simply spend time in the company of other sisters, these sessions are a wonderful opportunity to care for your body and wellbeing in a comfortable, supportive and welcoming Islamic environment.

💚 Open to Sisters of All Ages
🗓 Every Wednesday
🕖 7:00pm – 8:00pm
📍 Ilford Daycare Community Centre, Albert Road, IG1 1HW
💷 Only £6 per session

No matter your fitness level, everyone is welcome. Come along, bring a friend, and enjoy an hour dedicated to your health, wellbeing and sisterhood.

Please register via the Muslimah Sports Association website shown on the poster.

We look forward to welcoming you, in shaa Allah.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran. 🌹

*True stories of Islam book announcement*

Available after Juma Salah this Friday - 31st July at Ilford Islamic Centre- will be True stories of Islam. Our brother Shahid Hussain has translated and published these stories from Urdu to English.

Volume 3 focuses on the Awliya Allah and especially the saints of Baghdad and Iraq.
Volumes 1 and 2 have also been reprinted so you can buy the complete box set or if you already have 1 and 2 you can purchase 3 on its own.

In total this is a collection of 640 Islamic stories and is an excellent resource for all ages and is highly recommended.

Jazakallah Khayr for your attention

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.

Reflect | Act | Impart | Inspire
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.