Watch: A Special Video Message from Sh. Hassan Aly

Asalamu Alaikum, Dear beloved Sisters and Brothers,

It’s been one year since we moved to our new building, for which we give thanks to Almighty Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) then to all of you for allowing us to open the doors of our center.

{Say: “In the Bounty of Allâh, and in His Mercy, therein let them rejoice.” That is better than what (the wealth) they amass} [10-58] 

It was like watching a dream unfold into reality. We have already started to see the positive effects our new center is having on our growing congregation and our neighbors. Our community now has big, beautiful prayer spaces to pray in and our children have full classrooms for their Sunday school, Quran classes, and a gym for their sports activities.

Mashaa Allah, everyday, we see new visitors in our building – individuals, organizations, Muslims, and brothers and sisters from other faiths, who are coming from all over Chicagoland to enjoy our educational and spiritual services, usage of the gym, and the banquet hall, marriage ceremonies, family counseling, youth activities, interfaith and civic engagement activities, and so much more.     

Since the beginning of the Mecca Center in 2004, the goal of our community was to have not just a Masjid or a place solely for worship, but a place for raising our children and youth, a place of hope and delivering the message of peace and justice to everyone – a holistic community center. Having Mecca in our area benefits not only Muslims, but the community at large.

The Mecca Center is now a home where our neighbors are welcome, where we can see that community service is not exclusive but inclusive of all our neighbors. Through our center we are continuing to strive to fulfill our duty as Muslims, and communicating Islam’s true ideals of serving all of our community as in the hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him): “The best of people are those that bring most benefit to the rest of mankind.” Saheeh by al-Albaani. 

Beloved community members, building a Masjid and contributing toward maintaining it and keeping its doors open is one of the greatest acts of worship before Allah (swt). Participating with others in Imaratul – Masājid is the kind of cooperation in righteousness and piety that is prescribed in Islam. Allah says in Sūratu Al-Tawbah: 

{The Masājid of Allah shall be maintained only by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day; perform As-Salaah (Iqaamat-as-Salaah), give Zakaah and fear none but Allah. It is they who are on true guidance.} [9:18]. 

In the Hadith of our beloved prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him): “Three things I swear to you and narrate to you, so learn them: no person’s wealth decreases because of charity, no person is wronged and bears it with patience but Allah will increase him in honor, and no person opens the door of begging but Allah will open the door of poverty to him.” Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala) wants each of us to run our race in line with His plan. In Surat Al-Mutaffifeen Allah said: {and for this let (all) those strive who want to strive} [83:26]. This is a call to all of us to make the most of our wealth by giving in charity and spending before that is taken away and we are no longer able to do it.

It is truly only through the blessings of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala), then the hard work and generous support of our community that we have come this far. I am very excited to contribute more to this great organization as our community continues to grow and prosper in shaa Allah. ‘O Allah, give more to the one who spends, May Allah reward you and bless your health, wealth, and family. {Our Lord! Accept from us. Indeed You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing} [2-127] 

Wa Allahu a’lam,

Sheikh Hassan Aly
Imam and Religious Director of the Mecca Center