To most of us who belong to this fraternity, membership comes pretty easy, with no fees, in due course of time and almost always with plenty of anticipation but no preparation. Once within its fold, comes the gradual realization of the awesome and often demanding responsibilities that go along with fatherhood. Many of us learn on the job as we move forward. Some go through a few books and classes but for the most part loose it all when it comes time for reality checks. Those little leaguers are quite good at throwing curved balls at us and we realize soon enough that to stay in the game we have to think pretty fast on our feet. With time many of us will adopt our own modus operandi to survive. Some become playful playmates, others become authority figures while still others choose to disengage themselves, coil in a corner claiming more important responsibilities of the world and let motherhood take over and rule.

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As the dust settles from the fallen towers of 9/11, as the grief lingers, as the anger remains, as the nightmare haunts, as the fear of the unknown surrounds, as the innocent dead ask for what sins or crimes did they die; is the view any clearer?

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We are the voice of the voiceless that are rarely heard. We are the face of the faceless who is seen everywhere but remains unseen. We are the working poor who are absent from fund raisers. We are the newcomers to the faith who are warmly embraced and easily forgotten. We are the creatures of the heart who reach out beyond the circle of race, to seek partners for life, within the boundaries of faith. We are the good neighbors, ready to shake hands, share smiles and sow seeds of goodwill.

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Remembering the Prophet Muhammad (S) “Be my witness Oh Allah! that I have conveyed your message to the people.” The Prophet Muhammad (S) repeated this line three times at end of the sermon, which he gave at the last pilgrimage. It had the tone of a person who is bidding farewell. He appeared to have a premonition that his mission on this earth was coming to a close. His final illness lasted several days, producing a high fever and severe headaches. Approximately four days before he died, he gave his last Friday khutba. He talked about "choice" human beings have of striving primarily for success in this life or focusing on the hereafter. During the last day or two of his illness, he appeared to slip in and out of consciousness. He passed away in the month of May in the year 632 AD (the eleventh year of the Hijrah, in the Muslim month of Rabi' al-Awwal).

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