بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

August 17th, 2015

The Shia Muslim Council (SMC) would like to announce that Monday August 17th 2015 will be the first day of the month of Dhul Qa’dah, 1436. This is based on no verified sighting of crescent moon at sunset on Saturday, August 15, 2015. Thus Sunday is consider the last day of Shawwal.

Dhul Qa’dah is the first of the scared months mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Seyyid ibn Tawoos has stated that it is the month in which wishes are granted for those in difficulties. He has also reported from the Holy Messenger (saaw) prayers to be recited on a Sunday of this month which carry great excellence. The repentance of whoever recites them will be accepted, his sins forgiven, his opponents will forgive him on the Day of Judgement, he will die in faith, he will not lose his religion at the time of death, his grave will become wide and illuminated, his parents pleased with him, his parents and descendants will be forgiven, his sustenance will be magnified, the Angel of Death will be courteous with him and his soul will part peacefully. The details of the prayers are that on a Sunday of this month, make ghusl and wudhoo and recite four rakaats, in each of which after the recitation of the chapter on Al-Hamd, recite the chapter on Ikhlas three times and chapters on Falaq and Nas once and seek forgiveness (istighfar) seventy times.

From Mafatih-ul-Jinan authored by Shaikh Abbas Qummi.

Lets remember each in this month.The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California is an umbrella organization of 15 Shia Islamic centers in the southern California area. It was established on September 17, 2014. The current elected board members of the Shia Muslim Council are:   President: Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini Vice-President: Dr. Hasnain Walji Secretary: Hajj Khalil Dewji Treasurer: Hajj MehdiReza Hirji Councilor: Dr. Ridha al-Hajjar Councilor: Hajjah Fatma Saleh Councilor: Sayed Asghar Rizvi